Adventure Magazine Cover — page 130: what you’re looking at

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

128 “It might have been well to hang the dog who spoke of Dragut and Jerba,” he said. ‘But it was never in my nature to be harsh with those who follow me.’ ' Asad from amazement had passed quickly to admiration and a sort of contrition, into which presently there crept a poisonous _ tinge of jealousy to see Sakr-el-Bahr prevail where he himself alone must utterly have failed. This jealousy spread all-pervadingly, like an oil stain. If he had come to bear ill- will to Sakr-el-Bahr before, that was turned of a sudden into hatred for one in whom he now beheld a usurper of the power and con- trol that should reside in the Basha alone. ~ which had been rising to his lips froze there now that Sakr-el-Bahr and he stood face to face. In silence he considered his lieutenant through narrowing evil eyes, whose message none but a fool could have misunderstood. Sakr-el-Bahr was not a fool, and he did not misunderstand it fora moment. He felt a tightening at the heart, and ill-will sprang to life within him responding to the call of that ill-will. ~The conciliatory words he had~in mind to speak he now suppressed. To that venomous glance he opposed his ever ready mockery. He turned to Biskaine. “Withdraw,” he curtly bade him, “and take that stout ‘sea-warrior with thee.” And he indicated Marzak. . Biskaine turned to the Basha. “Tt it thy wish, my lord?’ he asked. Asad nodded in silence, and motioned him away together with the cowed Marzak. “My lord,” said Sakr-el-Bahr, when they were alone, “vesterday I made thee a proposal for the healing of this breach be- tween us, and it was refused. But now had I been the traitor and mutineer thou hast - dubbed me I could have taken full advan- tage of the humor of my corsairs. done that it need no longer have been mine to propose or to sue. Instead it would have been mine to dictate. Since I have given thee such crowning proof of my loyalty, it is my hope and trust that I may be restored - to the place I had lost in thy confidence, and that this being so thou wilt accede now to that proposal of mine concerning the . Frankish woman yonder.” aes ( It was unfortunate perhaps that she should on have been standing there unveiled upon the poop Within the range of Asad’s glance; for 5 o nA r | tide a ( Wire el a yas, 5 + d it t ARS ‘ <\, 05) Aty we Lae TF Sao) ‘J Me 5" Fe A : ae fl 4 ‘hey we af add ae id ‘ne th >> if rout ae a ya oY ye . ‘ Vp ey ay FPLY, why nN? Wee = i a eae vot a. th ‘ : ’ ti <>, Whe ak Ne ee nt i ade de 4 OT at} yA Sy oF AA ais et tie FS pee aad he ae elit fF 4 pt le Th! Vows Le | is: dard , aie bt ° a re nr mares Sa ae B Vi On. | Zales i hi ney ee abet TL A Fe Aaeibe ar 2 > eT eve oh SUR a) Be RANE Jae att dl eee ey , 9 Fo Lith og. tint Se te at yiastts 3 Sy PY NI tab AE A) oh ? hy ts x J Aik oF ae | ee a ‘ 1 f au a or ‘ ‘ Y ¥, Pay. eed Kast gt ye) el ed || “4 L Vite Sey are ey. we © Talbert Wott ae kta * tt APRS ee f WOR aT ; - .. BO BAY Ae 2s A Re ers b whet MPD) et ae ty ree e Le hati pe fe tS hae + De ett Ted MGPA YY td ro apo ee {/ ‘ 4) Lae m Ly yh) ean en’ eve tan Sse s: (oe pen! PALL ey n™, ey 5 ‘yh, f z i 5 Wie ty ie 7 A ; ¢ eM re 9 aed / : : i : fi Vie Oe! z J aA ry ee : Base, 5 nals us “7. hE det 35h) Tey TG Mirae, © ees Masi at b f Therefore the words of commendation Had I . . Adventure | : ” the sight of her it may have been that over- came his momentary hesitation and stifled the caution which prompted.him to accede. *“Tt is not for thee, Sakr-el-Bahr,” he an- swered at length, “to make me proposals. To dare it, proves thee far removed indeed from the loyalty thy lips profess. Thou knowest my will concerning her. Continue a barrier in my path at thy peril.” ‘His voice shook with anger. F “Not so loud,” said Sakr-el-Bahr, his eyes gleaming with a response of anger. ‘For should my men overhear these threats of thine I will not answer for what may follow. I oppose thee at my peril, sayest thou? Be it so, then. It is war between us, Asad, since thou hast chosen it. Remember here- after when the consequences come to over- whelm thee that the choice was thine.” “Thou mutinous dog!’ blazed Asad. Sakr-el-Bahr turned on his heel. “Pursue the path of an old man’s folly,” he said over his shoulder, “and see whither it will lead thee.” Upon that he strode away up the gang- way to the poop leaving the Basha alone with his anger and some slight fear evoked by that last bold menace. But notwith- standing that he menaced boldly the heart of Sakr-el-Bahr was surcharged with anxiety. He had conceived a plan; but between the conception and its execution he realized that much ill might lie. “Mistress,” he addressed Rosamund, “‘you are not wise to show yourself so openly.” To his amazement she met him with a hostile glance. “Not wise?” said she, her countenance scornful. “You mean that I may see more than was intended for me. What game do you play here, sir, that you tell me one thing and show me by your actions that you desire another?” \At once he perceived: how she had mis- read the scene she had witnessed. “Tl but remind you,” he said very grave- ly, “that once before you did me a ‘wrong by over hasty judgment.” “But. then—” she began. “T do but ask you to save your Se circ for the end. If I live I shall deliver you. Meanwhile I beg you keep your cabin.” She looked at him, a prayer for explana- tion trembling on her lips. But before the calm command of his tone and glance she withdrew beyond ~ curtain. — TO BE CONCLUDED IOOK (©)