McClure's Magazine, November 1909 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

ALICE alternately, while the driver twisted their tails and abused them hoarsely. The moonlight grew brighter and more glorious. The air, now soft and cool, was filled with strong scents and the hum of insects released from the heat of the day. At last they caught the gleam of white tents against the dark background of a mango grove. “The camp,” said Captain Bastable shortly. Netta made a nervous exclamation. “Do you think there will be a row?” he asked with some hesitation. They had never discussed Mrs. Wingate’s domestic troubles together. “Perhaps he is still out looking for us,”’ she said evasively. | “Tf he had followed us at all, he must have found us. I believe he went on shooting, or came back to the camp.”’ ‘There was an angry im- patience in his voice. “Don’t be nervous,” he added hastily. “Try not to mind anything he may say. Don’t listen. He can’t always help it, you know. I wish you could persuade him to retire; the sun out here makes him half off his head.” “TI wish I could,” she sighed. “But he will never do anything I ask him, and the big game shooting keeps him in India.” Jim nodded, and there was a comprehending silence between them till they reached the edge of the camp, got out of the cart, and made their way to the principal tent. There they discovered Colonel Wingate, still in his shooting- clothes, sitting by the table, on which stood an almost empty “bottle of whisky. He rose as they entered, and delivered himself of a torrent of bad language. He accused the pair of going off together on purpose, declaring he would divorce his wife and kill Bastable. Hestormed, raved, and threatened, giving them no oppor- tunity to speak, until at last Jim broke in and insisted on being heard. “For heaven's sake, be quiet,” he said firmly, “or you'll have a fit. You saw the elephant run away, and apparently you made no effort to follow us and come to our help. We were swept off by a tree, and the mahout was mor- tally hurt. It was a perfect miracle that neither your wife nor I was killed. The mahout - died in a village, and we had to get here in a bullock-cart.”” Then, seeing Wingate prepar- ing for another onslaught, Bastable took him by the shoulders. ““My dear chap, you're not yourself. Go to bed, and we'll talk it over to-morrow, if you still wish to.”’ Colonel Wingate laughed harshly. His mood had changed suddenly. “Go to bed?” he shouted boisterously. “Why, I was just going out when you arrived. PERRIN 21 There was a kill last night only a mile off, and I'm going to get the tiger.” He stared wildly at Jim, who saw that he was not responsible for his words and actions. His brain, already touched by sunstroke, had given way at last under the power of whisky. Jim’s first impulse was to prevent his carrying out his intention of going after the tiger. Then he reflected that it was not safe for Netta to be alone with the man, and that, if Wingate were allowed his own way, it would at least take him out of the camp. “Very well,” said Jim quietly; ‘and I will come with you.” “Do,” answered the Colonel pleasantly, and then, as Bastable turned for a moment, Mrs. Wingate saw her husband make a diabolical grimace at the other’s unconscious back. Her heart beat rapidly with fear. Did he mean to murder Jimp She felt convinced he contem- plated mischief; but the question was how to warn Captain Bastable without her husband’s knowledge. The opportunity came more easily than she had expected, for presently the Colonel went outside to call for his rifle and give some orders. She flew to Bastable’s side. “Be careful,” she panted. ‘He wants to kill you — I know he does. He’s mad! Oh, don’t go with him — don’t go os “Tt will be all right,’’ he said reassuringly. “T’ll look out for myself, but I can’t let him go alone in this state. We shall only sit up in a tree for an hour or two, for the tiger must have come and gone long ago. Don't be frightened. Go to bed and rest.” She drew from her pocket the little polished amulet the mahout had given her. “At any rate, take this,” she said hysteri- cally. “It may save you from a tiger, if it doesn’t from my husband. I know I am silly, but do take it. There may be luck in it — you can never tell; and old Mahomed Bux said it had saved him and his father and his grand- father — and that you ought to call a tiger ‘uncle’ —”’ She broke off, half laughing, half crying, utterly unstrung. To please her he put the little charm into his pocket, and after a hasty drink went out and joined Wingate, who insisted that they should proceed on foot and by themselves. Bastable knew it would be useless to make any oppo- sition, and they started, their rifles in their hands; but when they had gone some distance, and the tainted air told them they were nearing their destination, Jim discovered he had no cartridges. ‘Never mind,” whispered the Colonel. “I have plenty, and our rifles have the same bore. We can’t go back now; we’ve no time to lose.” DOOKS (C(O) (CO)