Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 4, 1925 — page 26: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

816 was meant to be fond. He turned to Lans- dell then, and the latter had the feeling that the elder man was, for some reason, veering the conversation from the subject of travel in general to the particular kamm- pong upon which they were looking. ‘‘ So few houses here,” was the comment, “ and So many people.” ‘““Ievery house has about two hundred souls under the roof,” Lansdell explained. ‘“In some villages you can go from house to house without touching the ground. Also, you'll find the dead in mausoleums above the ground, and not close in among the houses as we have them here.” He talked on, now answering the queries of the other two, now relating his own ad- ventures of one kind and another, or re- peating bits of local history and explaining Dvak beliefs and superstitions. Listening, Wray drowsed, feet spread out, and chin on breast. But Marcia did not seem to be tired. What she and Lansdell longed for was an opportunity to talk to each other alone. But throughout the long, hot after- noon this was not afforded them. Toward evening, when the sun dropped among the giant trees behind Lansdell’s big hut, he called the still sulky Tomon and sent the servant to fetch Hetdoon. And ' when the two brown men arrived together, with none of the bending and touching of foreheads made familiar by the Malays, for they stood before him, straight and rather proudly to hear his wishes, he spoke to them about a program for the coming evening, that the young sultana from his own land might see how Dyaks celebrated in honor of a visitor. “Do you notice any change in your audience?” he asked Marcia. ‘ They’ve all gone and put their jackets on. That’s in deference to you. From now on, you know, they'll count history from the visit of the eight praus.” There was sudden activity in the kam- pong now, as the people prepared to carry out Lansdell’s suggestions. ‘rom some- where came the piping notes of a bamboo nose-flute, as a plaver practised for the eve- ning’s entertainment. With it sounded the rasping of a native fiddle. Voices called jrom hut to hut. “-ARGOSY-ALLSTORY ‘WEEKLY, An old moon was hanging in the sky as Lansdel] led his guests in to dinner. The table was spread in his spacious main room, around a large table which Kwong Wing had extemporized for the purpose. Despite the fact that the little party were in the depth of a jungle, with savages peering in at them through the many large wall open- ings from every nearby hut, white linen covered the board, which was set with sil- ver, lighted by candles, and beautified by freshly gathered flowers. It was Lansdell’s turn to show amaze- ment. “ Well, this is a new experience for me!” he declared. ‘‘ Now I know what was in all that procession of luggage!” “IT said I meant to have only some dis- comfort while I was seeing the out of the way places.’”’ Marcia told him. “ Do you like our service? These white metal plates are my own idea. I had everything made for the trip before I left New York.” Immaculately smart in all white, his starched tunic fastened with filigree but- tons, Kwong Wing served a course dinner about which Lansdell renewed his marvel- ings. “ This is something for me to remem- ber when vou’re gone,” he said, a trifle wist- fully. “ But where on earth did you ever find such a treasure of a Chinaman?” ‘““ He just came to me,” explained Marcia. ‘And for that reason both my uncle and Mr. Barker were a trifle dubious about fetching him along.” Barker, in white again, but showing signs of having had some liquid refreshment be- fore he came to the table, roused himself sufficiently to protest suavely. ‘It’s be- cause the man can’t talk English, Miss Old- ham,” he explained. “He understands,” she retorted, “‘“—per- fectly. So his not being able to talk doesn’t really count. He cooks well, he’s quick and deft, and carries out an order like a sol- dier. I liked him from the first.” There was finality in her tone, as if she was dismissing the argument for the last time. And though she was so young, Bark- er, after taking a deep breath, as if he meant to continue his objections to the servant, thought better of the idea and sub- sided: but there was an expression on his lowered face that Lansdell did not like. 1A GCOMGIOO S CO