Argosy All-Story Weekly, July 1, 1922 — page 98: what you’re looking at

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

888 upon her movements, and even when she passed the edge of the encampment and was temporarily lost to view she could detect no indication of concern on the part of her captors. For one wild moment she contem- plated a dash for freedom with the idea that she might conceal herself in the tall grasses and possibly get in touch with C’Wayo. But to attempt such a thing would be absurd. She knew too well the animal ability possessed by the African sav- age in tracking down his prey; she would not be gone ten minutes before she was dis- covered, no matter how skillfully she might strive to blind her trail. Before sadly re- tracing her steps she cast one long glance about her, eager for some sign of her native ally, but nothing met her eye save the solid, impenetrable fastness of the jungle. The character of the country through which they passed changed rapidly during the morning’s march. First they left the slim belt of forest behind and came to more plains; their tall grass gave way in turn toa short, cruel stubble, parched brown by the merciless sun of the dry season. They were approaching the foothills of the Pallaballa Mountains now, and the stubble was patched here and there with stretches of rocky soil that was barren of life. ‘This feature became more pronounced as they left one hill after another behind them and the trail began to sweep steadily upward. They were coming to the mountains them- selves, and in a little while they were sur- rounded by masses of towering volcanic rock, whose bases they circled by narrow, intricate defiles. Greatly to Smale’s relief the Bololo chief made no effort to force the pace. The Boer managed to carry on a desultory ex- change of ideas with Burk, by whose side he trudged patiently. “The higher I go the lower I get,” he confessed. “Tt’s these damn rocks,’ complained Burk. “ They’d weigh down the soul of the Angel Gabriel himself. Did you ever see such a waste of a country?” “I rather looked for a scrap somewheres about here. Isn’t this the sacred spot where the Batatekes hang their hats when they’re home?” ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. “Not quite. I asked Lombo about that this morning. He said that their country lies more to the south of this. I was a bit sorry to hear it meself, for there’s nothing like a shillalah to keep a man in shape!” Smale grinned sourly. ‘ We'll have enough and to spare of that before we get through,” he predicted. *“* Maybe you’re right; sure, there’ll be a fine scrimmage before I consent to give that greasy lump of a Lombo a full third of our gold!” “Let me see that map,” said the Boer abruptly. He took the precious document from his companion and studied it as he walked. ““* Fhe Loando River,’”’ he read aloud. ‘** A tall rock shaped like a pyramid on the northern bank. Cross stream there. Pro- ceed two hundred yards west on southern bank ’—and a black cross marks the holy place!” He handed back the diagram. ‘* How much did you tell the chief, Dan?” “T told him to lead us to the river where it comes out of the real mountains. Then we will follow it westward until we strike the landmark.” ‘“‘T hope we’re nearly there,” sighed the Boer. ‘“ Gold or no gold, I’ll be glad when we're safe aboard a ship with Africa drop- ping far astern.” ‘* Don’t lose your nerve,” counseled Burk. ‘“‘ Remember, if we clean up on this racket we'll be able to retire and live on our in- comes like little gentlemen.” An hour later, as they painfully toiled to the crest of a steep hill, Lombo shouted back to them from his place at the head of the line. They hurried to join him. ‘Him Loando,” he announced, and waved a huge black arm toward the valley that lay before them. Burk stared down at the gray, arid pros- pect and looked doubtful. “It’s a river I’m wanting,” he objected. *“* Don’t be an ass,” begged Smale. “ You know everything dries up at this time of the year. That’s the bed of a river down there.” | The big man gave a relieved sigh and swept an eager glance as far west as he could see, but there was no sign of the mark he sought. On the other hand, about a DOOK C©