The Rajah's Fortress — page 127: what you’re looking at

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

118 THE RAJAH’S FORTRESS. pity the fellow has such a disposition to fight, for he’s one of the best men on the place.” “Tt is, sorr,’ said Mike, “but he will do it. That wicked-lookin’ knife of his comes out as quickly as I’d draw a shillaleh, sorr.” Bolton laughed and the Irishman winked across the table at Melton. Finally Bolton pushed his chair slowly back and rose. “Tf you are through your breakfast, Forbes,” he said with an odd kind of smile, “I shall be happy to show you over the place.” Eager for the solution of the mystery, Melton sprang up and followed his host through the sitting- room and out into the little courtyard. As he stepped outside he was startled to see a savage-looking fellow hurrying past him, bearing a big platter of raw meat. Nota Burman evidently, for his skin was too dark, and he was clad only in a waistcloth. He hada string of beads about his neck, while his hair was drawn out and frizzled in the fashion of the South Sea Islanders. Bolton paid no attention to him, but led the way to a gate in the palisade that was swung half open on its hinges. As Melton reached the threshold he heard a most startling and awful noise, and rather timidly following Bolton through the gate, he stood still in amazement at the strangest sight he had ever seen. COLUM 1OOO SS co