Adventure, August 1917 — page 123: what you’re looking at

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

a Rotorua Rex he thought to himself, would give him a chance to get his rifle and shotgun ashore. That evening after the return to the schooner, Loudon dropped gingerly over the schooner’s side; swam ashore and told Mrs. Gower and Serena Har- grave of their danger. After being dismissed with a very impersonal ‘‘good night” and “thank you so much,” he swam noiselessly back. No one on board had suspected his absence. Next day the skipper and his four passengers went ashore to attend a banquet and souruka dance given by the king. Loudon took his fire-arms along, ostensibly for the projected hunting trip. It was after the feast when most of the natives were asleep that a shot rang out, followed by a woman’s scream. Vance grabbed his rifle and dashed to the commissioner’s bungalow. First he saw the sergeant in the grip of two of Toruki’s followers. Then Mrs. Gower and beside her Serena Hargrave, with a shotgun in her hands. Toruki confronted her, his men grouped behind him brandishing spears. The mob surgedon. Lou- don fighting desperately found himself powerless. Then came shouts and a deep gutteral ‘“‘Pau.” A mighty bulk had broken through the mob and sent Toruki spinning aside with the thrust of one great arm. It was Rotorua. Toruki and his men retreated sulkily before the thunders of the king. It was evident that Rotorua was loyal. Serena Hargarve later showed Loudon the money and precious pearls. “If I were you,” said he, “I should bury them. Any one could get into that old safe with a can- opener.” | “T shall ask Rotorua for a guard tomorrow,”’ re- plied -the girl. ‘And you should be able to get in touch with the commissioner at New Mecklenburg within a few days.”’ The king was holding the promised poker party. CHAPTER IX TRAPPED HEN Loudon regained conscious- ~ ness he found himself lying on a strange bunk in a small cabin. His head ached with a dull per- sistency, his mouth tasted as if it was lined with brass and a general paralysis held his entire body in thrall. His senses came back slowly with remembrance. The schooner was at sea. It was hard at first to distinguish between the pitch of the vessel and the racking of his brain but pres- ently he heard the unmistakable swash of the sea outside his cabin and the pounding thumps as the bows smashed into the waves. This had been the supercargo’s dingy cubby- hole, his own spacious cabin was doubtless occupied by one of the Hawks. ~~Rhe coffee had been drugged and he was a prisoner. There was no getting through the port-hole above him, spattered with the I2I The Scotch skipper turned to Loudon and said— ‘“‘We’re leavin’ the morn and ye’ll ha’ to forego that shootin’.”’ “T do hate losing that trip with the king,” said Vance. “YT give up along that trip,” remarked Rotorua. “That fellow Toruki, he one trouble fellow. He go along the mountain with plenty his people. Bimeby, when you go, I go along mountain and bring back plenty head.” “Come on king, let’s christen the poker chips. We sail early and the night’s getting old,” said Brewster. The game ran high. The king proved adept but steadily lost. Then came a big hand. Brewster showed down a winning hand. The king’s enor- mous paw shot out and covered the stakes. Brews- ter’s face went livid and his hand slid to his belt. Rotorua swept Edler crashing to the wall and grasped Brewster and plucked him from his seat. Then he spread out the cards and picked out ar extra ace—proof of Brewster’s crooked play. “Let’s get out o’ this,” said the skipper. The king turned to Loudon. ° “You all right. You white man. No cheat.” Loudon returned with the others to the schooner. “I’m not through with that fat fool yet,’’ snarled Brewster, later. ‘We'll ha’ to mak’ the best of a bad bargain,” said the skipper. ‘“Tide’ll serve in an hour. I'll get Mac to serve us coffee. Ye’ll join us, Mr. Loudon?” “T’ll be glad to have a cup of coffee,” answered Vance. As Loudon lowered his cup he saw the rest with their cups arrested half-way to their mouths. He fought against an oblivion that swiftly rushed over him. He tried to rise but his legs were heavy as lead. His head dropped on his chest and he slumped down on the cabin table. rain of a sudden squall. What a fool he had been to think that the Hawks would have given up their attempt on the money so easily. And now they held the grudge of revenge against Rotorua. What deviltry were they up to? And what were they going to do with him? The effort at continued thought was too much for his drugged senses and he dropped back among the grimy blankets with a groan. He could hear the swift patter of feet on the deck above him and voices in the cabin. Sensation came slowly stealing back to his body. He could move his hands, feebly, then hisarms. An attempt to sit up resulted in failure. Creepingly he explored his belt and then the fob-pocket into which he had slipped the pearl. That was gone and so were his knife and pistol. The door opened and a grinning brown face appeared, that of Billy-Boy, the cook. In his hand he held a glass in which half a lime floated. ‘“‘Kapitani, he send you this. You betteh CoMmiclsoo 5}