Adventure Magazine Cover, February 3, 1921 — page 110: what you’re looking at

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

104 they know of the evil but, shutting their eyes, declare that they see it not.” “Then go to thy son, warning him of the perils which beset his path, és “T would not have my son—my dis- obedient son—know that I am concerned for his welfare. Neither would he relish being treated as a maiden. He is a man; he would go his own way, brooking no interference.” “Then?” “Tt is te you I appeal, white man. Save my son from the evil ones. Let him return, unharmed, to the place of his fathers.”’ “What is thy son’s name?” “Simba is his name, white man.” Simba, the lion.” The Major rose to his feet signifying that the interview was at an end. “What I can do, I will do, O Mangwato. Wilt thou wait here to greet thy son?”’ “Nay. He must find me at my own place; my hand must not appear in this.” “Tt is well. Hamba gaghle—May thy path be smooth.” + “Good rest be thine,” chief. intoned the “JIM,” said the Major, when the Hottentot rejoined him after having tia escorted Mangwato to the trail which ran through the bush veld some distance beyond the tent, “said Mangwato anything to you of his errand?”’ “Aye. But what can the. baas do? .. These evil white men who rob the returning laborers have no fear of the law; they kill in the dark and there is none to bear wit- ness against them.” “Vet L have given my word. Here is money, Jim. Go down to the compounds and keep thy ears open for talk of Simba and of the way in which these white men do their evil work. Without doubt they have spies in the compound who take word to them of the time certain laborers will be released from their mines, the amount of their wealth a the trail they intend to take.” “And what if none speak of these things?” “Thou hast money... Money will pur- chase beer, and beer unloosens the tongues of men.” “That is true, baas. what of thee?”’ “T will go to the place of Kafir Smith. Mayhap I will learn of something there.”’ I go now. But ~when a lady says ‘No.’ Adventure @ IN THE dark alleyway forming one # of the many entrances to Kafir ~ omith’s saloon the Major bumped into a thick-set, flashily dressed’ man who was conversing with a heavily veiled woman. Look where you’re going,” blustered the man. “T beg your pardon, really. It’s so dark here, you know, coming out of the blaze of Old Sol. What?” ‘‘A bloomin’ dude, eh?’ sneered the other. ‘“‘Well get to out of here before 1 kick you out. I’m having a business interview with this lady.” The Major doffed his helmet. ***Pon my soul!” he ejaculated, ‘I didn’t see the lady.” Seeing that the man was holding the woman firmly by the wrists he went on— “You will forgive me, madam, I’m sure, if I suggest that this is hardly the place for a charming lady like yourself to hold, er— a business interview with this—er—gen- tleman.”’ “Why, you—toad!”’ The man released his hold on the girl’s: wrists and turned threateningly on the Major who, smiling happily, awaited the expected onslaught. “Please don’t.” The girl’s voice had a sweet note of entreaty. The Major dropped his hands and bowed. “Dreadfully boorish of us, ll admit, and of course, dear old walrus—”’ the man had a heavy, black mustache— “we can’t fight The Major has never been deaf to the appeals of the well- known weaker sex.” —- He looked at the girl ei as he concluded, hoping that she would under- stand his offer of help. She lifted “her veil a moment and the Major read her thanks in her clear, gray eyes. She let the veil fall and crouched back against the wall, making room for him to pass by and on into the saloon. ‘Mornin’, Major,” Aggie called gaily as he entered. Porky and Jong? Nobody has seen ’em since they went on that business-trip with you.” “Give you my word, dear old thing,” he drawled. ‘‘I can’t imagine where they’ve gone.” He looked around the deserted barroom. ‘“‘All alone, eh? No one in there?” He nodded toward the door leading to an inner room. Gomichbook “What’ve you done with ~ (C@