Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 4, 1925 — page 42: what you’re looking at

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

$32 ‘Of course, they couldn’t dig under Ma- bong’s platform with any comfort,” said Lansdell, trying to speak carelessly, “so they made the shortest possible end of the house by putting a match to it.” ‘Let us go up,” was all she said, and followed the Malay along the little bridge to the steps in the bank, the Malay holding a lighted match close to her white-shod feet to guide them. Lansdell followed closely. He did not consider any course now but one of passive disapproval, so far as the looting was con- cerned; because the safety and rescue cf Marcia Oldham were his sole objectives. To take advantage of Goboh as he bent to make plain the steps of the white girl would be, as Lansdell knew, the height of foolish- ness. ‘“ That's what Barker would love to have me do,” he reflected; “ lay myself open to being shot down.” Without question the smiling, helpful steersman of Number One prau was not the only man on guard. Others were posted near, with ready rifles. As the three came on a level with the kampong site, a strange scene met their eyes; and with Goboh beside them, Lans- dell and Marcia stood hand in hand to view It. The clearing had at its center a cluster of smoking torches. These resinous bun- dles of leaves swayed in the hands of the Malays who were holding them above their head cloths, and the effect was that of a bed of great weird, wind-blown, night- blooming flowers. In the dull flare dark figures were mov- ing; not from side to side, but with a lengthening and shortening of each, as Barker’s boatmen, stripped for their hot labor, swung high and low their pick-axes with a steady thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! “Mining,” said Lansdell, keeping his voice low. His right hand hung at his side, his fingers about the pistol butt, his thumb on the safety catch. Forming a rectangle about workers and torch bearers were the tall, ironwood tree trunks upon which Mabong’s house had been set. These had not burned, and only two or three seemed now to be smoking. Outside these had heen shoveled the ashes of the fire, making a long, uneven hummock. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY: ‘I'll make up to these people for every thing they’ve lost,” vowed the girl, her voice trembling with anger. “ He ”—the word was significantly emphasized; she did not mean to call Wray “ Uncle” again—* said he needed money to gamble with. Well, these Dyaks shall have what /re would have got. You'll tell them that, won’t you, Philip?” “This little affair isn’t ended,” Lansdell returned, ‘“‘ when the boats start downriver again. But, of course, you’ve seen the last of Wray. He'll go with Barker. I figure that we shall get safely away if no complica- tions arise, granting, that is, that the cap- tain of the Sabra isn’t in on this.” “He isn’t!”’ she declared. ‘ Too many people know I’m aboard the schooner. No, that doesn’t worry me.” ‘Those two aren’t running any risks, are they?” asked Lansdell in an amused voice, for neither Barker nor Wray were in sight among the Malays. ‘‘ Well, I didn’t figure that either of them would dampen their white raiment going after pig or deer.” She exclaimed in disgust under her breath. ‘“* You’ve had a hard blow,” he said. ‘““T’m—I’m hurt,” she admitted. ‘ I— I can’t really tell you ow I feel.” ‘You don’t have to. I know already by experience. There's nothing harder in this life to bear than a horrible disappointment in some one you’ve trusted. It’s worse than losing them.” “Much, much worse!” ‘“ That’s what drove me to the jungle.” ‘““T understand what you suffered now. And here these poor natives are being made to suffer! They've scattered to the woods —woman and babies and old men! Oh, my last bit of belief in—in—” ‘‘ And any respect or affection,” Lansdell added. ‘‘ Oh, I know how it’s hit you. But he’s not just weak, Marcia. He’s bad. 1 thought that to-day when I saw him pot- shooting monkeys.” ‘‘ A-a-a-a-h!” she breathed. “TI loathed that, too! But what I think is so despic- able—do you remember last night how, when [I came out just before dinner, the way those two performed? Waiting on me and kissing my hand! Ugh!” ZA CO G NOOK CO