Adventure Magazine Cover — page 147: what you’re looking at

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

The Battle = the Impis A whispered’ councii was held. It was agreed that one of the warriors should impersonate the dead sentry and see what was behind the rock gateway which blocked their path. Word was sent down the line that they . were at the gate of the mountain dogs. - White-toothed smiles flashed in the dark- ness. Each warrior spat on his hands and took a firmer grip on his battle-ax. One of the warriors left the whispering band and disappeared into the dark shad- ows. Time passed. The air was tense. A distant scuffling of feet sounded from the other side of the rock gateway. The noise of scuffling feet, of blows, of grunts. ‘A big boulder moved and fell with a crash. One of the warriors was unable to get out of its way, and his head was crushed; his feet danced frantically in his death- throes. There was space now inthe gateway for one man at a time to pass through. The captain held his men back for a moment— fearing a trap. But nothing happened, an he gave the order to advance, and on hand and knees they crawled through the narrow opening. The first dozen who pieced through the _ gateway fell easy victims to the defenders. But the end was sure. The invaders had the advantage of a surprize attack, they were in stronger numbers, and the strong- hold was theirs. But not yet was the battle won. The long blast of a horn, sounding the alarm, gave notice that a mighty force was hastening to relieve the garrison of. the stronghold. “You have won a great victory,” said the head chief. Forward! “Let us kill them.” - With a mighty shout the warriors rushed down the pathway ready to give battle to this new foe. The mists cleared. | A piercing yell shattered the moment’s silence as a host of tall men bearing white shields burst into view over a rise of land. “We slay! We slay!” they yelled. “Bring all you have!’’ shouted the war- riors as they charged. : Spears clouded the sky. ‘A few men fell. “That is your meat—kill it!”’ shouted\a strong voice. The two forces clashed, heaved and swayed, struggling for the mastery. “But other dogs are coming. © warriors of the plains gave way, retreating to the right and to the left. The drumming of a thousand hoofs on the hard ground sounded. above the battle-cries of the Then came into view a cavalry warriors. of trained cattle. Young warriors were on their backs, carrying sharp-pointed spears. They urged the beasts-on into the opening made for them by their’ comrades. the foe. The strategy was successful. The white - shields of the mountains could not stand against this new and unexpected attack. Panic-stricken, confused, they turned and fled, followed by the maddened cattle and the warriors of the people of the plain. { HIGH noon. . The warriors of the plain were homeward bound. Before The victory had been complete and the songs of the warriors were happy songs. Night came swiftly; the sun was blotted out. Mat-boys set up the lean-to’s and spread the sleeping-mats for the weary warriors. Others built fires. Cattle were slaughtered, and the host feasted royally. From afar other sounds of revelry were heard. Hyenas, jackals and vultures snarled and quarreled over the bodies of the warriors who would fight no more. The new moon rose and cast strange shadows in the night. “The tired warriors slept beside their smoldering fires. The moon waned; it. was night. Rushing feet, clashing spears, thudding blows and vigorous shouts broke the still- ness. The snoring warriors of the plain woke up to find an enemy in their midst. Grunts, yells of boys, the blaring of horns and the shouts of captains to their warriors were added to the din. _ A bold voice roared an order. It was the voice of the head chief. His sentence fin- ished with a gurgle as a spear whirled in the dark and pierced his throat. The strong, nasal tones of the witch- doctor sounded above all other noises in an attempt. to bring order to the bewildered warriors. | A triumphant laugh mocked the order, Es (COMME KS 0\(0)(0) 145, Two long, mournful pints seander onthe horns, and in response to the signal the On they went and charged into- the heart of . 7 3 them. they drove large herds of cattle and goats. (E@) ’ ‘ - , fy : eu , Cy : 4 ¥ can Nees pe ney ae « <4) if ; j ay ’ °, ¢) ‘ y oo 7 Arey W >). ( ity ere bats Otte. Sule Va Kot een eT iN Pate , UA ai . : : a, | ; ive ey ‘ mae Sid y ‘ws at hae Set gm. 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