Adventure, August 3, 1919 — page 188: what you’re looking at

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

178 ‘Dukely,” shouted the doctor above the racket, “are you all right?” **Yes,”’ came the reply in a steady voice. “They'll get me in a minute or two.” Continuously the blue-sheened limbs pranced on; untiringly yelled hysteric voices; remorselessly the blue tide of the moon rose nearer the bole of the Tree of Life, the Mother of All, where crouched the unwilling bridegroom. After an anxious stare about him the doctor fidgeted restlessly and gazed fas- Cinatedly at the line of creeping moonlight. “Ts that stuff ever going to work? Ali,” sharply, “d’you think we’ve made a mis- take? Perhaps it’s merely harmless—just citric acid of the baobab? Aili!”’ “Allah only knows,” responded Ali tone- lessly. The doctor swore and began again to pluck at his beard. “God, this tension’s—look!” he whis- pered and clutched at Ali’s robe. The enormous bulk of the chief, Basaya- guru, beside him was heaving convulsively; the head was thrown back until the head- dress was almost perpendicular, and the mouth was wide open, the jelly face creased in a thousand wrinkles; the eyes were dilated, flashing the blue whites; the blobby hands clutched at the flabby mass of the strained throat. “He is drunk, Doctor,” said Al gravely. ‘He wishes to laugh—exquisitely.”’ “Laugh! Good God, what at?” ex- claimed the doctor. Adventure the witch-doctor, doubled up in front of — him, holding his sides as his open mouth — screeches died away. Five leaping war- ors turned in amazement and stared. A yell was turned into a gasping sob. ms Astonished the doctor stood up. Every savage except the six holy maidens was rolling about in the grass, holding his sides ‘ and gasping with laughter, The chief a baby hi tamus, Into the moon- light stepped the ivory figure of the bride- groom. Several figures ceased to struggle. They lay quietly in the grass. “For God's sake!” began Dukely. “What ~ on earth——” ] “Come!” yelled the doctor, “Run for it, . = Dukely, for your life! Ali!” And without ex- planation the doctor sprang over the squirm- ing figure of the chief, followed by Dukely and the sedate Ali. Not until they had > reached the tree where the doctor’s gun was hidden did he have breath to explain. . “That smell! "Course I knew it!” he gasped as they trotted through the forest to the canoes. “Dentist!” “Dentist! What on earth—”’ panted the ghostly form of Warren-Dukely. _* “Yes, yes, nitrogen monoxid—probably form—pentoxid—Laughing Gas, y'know! Asphyxiate ’em for hours—if doesn’t—kill *em! There’s the canoes!” - - ¥ > < .* books.com