Adventure Magazine Cover — page 121: what you’re looking at

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

Ivory compound say ‘he no more a policeman.” “Well, well,” said the Major thoughtfully. “You'll be careful, baas?” “Yes, Pil be careful, Jim. Bring the horses round early tomorrow. We'll be on our way te Ugubu’s kraal before sunup.” In the hotel lobby a man stepped up to the Majer. His clothes were faultless, but he wore them with the air of one who finds himself clad in unaccustomed raiment. In marked contrast to his white linen were the marks of moral filth which gleamed in his eyes. He looked like an unrepentant prodigal who after years of living with the swine had suddenly acquired wealth. ‘““Are you Mr. St. John?” The Major nodded. “Mr. Abraham asked me to give you this. ? The Major read the proffered note. “Bah Jove, ’m glad to know you, Mr. Hawkins. And you're going with me? That’s top hole. I was just thinking how deuced lonely the trip ’u’d be. Have you tiffin. yet? No? Then let’s go and eat. ) After dinner they went out on to the wide porch to enjoy the cool breeze. A bottle of whisky stood on the low table between their chairs, and from it the Major poured out for himself a stiff By the time the bottle was empty the plant at the Major’s right hand, and away from Hawkins, was plentifully “watered.” “Tt’sa ’str ‘ordi’ary thing,” he hiccuped presently, “but I’ve forgot the name of the shappie who sent you.” “ Nort — Nathan Abraham,” answered Hawkins, whose senses were momentarily dulled. The slip was a slight one, but the Major noted it with satisfaction. “Oh, yes. Stupid of me.” He began to laugh softly. “Pardon me for seemin’ rude, but the fact is‘l worked old Nathan splendidly.” The Major leaned forward confidentially. “You know I got him to sign a contract , to buy some ivory. And he signed it be- cause he thought I’d never get any, and the joke of it is I know where it is all the time. We'll start tomorrow.” When the Major retired a little later Hawkins lost no time in carrying the news to Norton and Nathan. “What did I tell: am Norton said tri- umphantly. IIit “Watch him closely, Hawkins,” begged Nathan. “ma ruined man if you let hi get away from you.” Norton went over the details of the plan with Hawkins; then, first drinking to the Major’s confusion, Hawkins went back to the hotel that he ‘might be ready to leave with the Major in the morning. He had not thought it necessary to tell Norton of the slip he had made. Early-riser though the Major was, he “found Jim and Hawkins awaiting him. Waving a gay good morning, he mounted | his horse and cantered slowly up the street with Hawkins but a pace behind him. Jim, also mounted, brought up the rear with the pack-mules at a more sober pace. As they passed the building which Abra- ham used as an office, a window-shade was pushed slightly to one side and Nathan and Norton peered out at them. “Well, things are going our way,” said. Nathan, rubbing his hands. “Yes, ——him. [’ll get him this time.” ONCE well out of the town, the Major pulled up his horse and waited . for Hawkins to catch up with him. “So you’ve really found. the elephants’ dying-ground?” Hawkins questioned. “How did you know that? Have you been talking with my boy?” said the Major angrily. “Why, no. Don’t you remember telling | me so last night, and what a joke it was on Nathan?” “Did I tell you that? Then I must have been drunk. But it doesn’t matter; I’ve got old Nathan’s contract. back on that. “Ves, I’ve found it. is that it is also the burial-place of a native chief who was a big pot in his day. We'll have to go slow for fear of offending the niggers.” “Ts it near here?” “We ought tomake it in eight or nine days.” | “Tt’s Strange it hasn't been discovered before.” “Oh, it’s off the beaten track a ways. Very few of the natives know of it, and they’re sworn to secrecy on pain of death and all that. I stumbled upon it by acci- dent. It’s a gruesome place.” The Major shivered. - At the first opportunity Hawkins ques- tioned Jim. He can’t go> The only drawback - Gomichbook con