Adventure Magazine, April 10, 1924 — page 104: what you’re looking at

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

102 laconic word. The warrior stepped back and loitered at the doorway. The face of the king seemed to grow sharp. But he looked neither to right nor to left, and presently he resumed talking to the Jivero. As Curac repeated, the captive stared. His heavy visage began to brighten. He answered quickly—almost eagerly. As the conversation went on, he actually grinned. At length he sprang up, vehem- ently repeating something, and laughing aloud. The Spaniard’s fierce expression relaxed. He spoke once more, in a warning tone. The Jivero responded earnestly. With a wave of the hand José signified that the session was ended, and the savage turned to the door. Closely guarded, but unbound, he walked out, head in the air and con- fidence in his strut. And as he went, Nuné, who understood what had just been said, looked after him with sudden dismay. 1 WITH his exit, the house was de- serted by all except the Spaniard, the Americans, the girl, and the Sumatara who had last come in, and who still lingered at the door. José rose and faced the others, squarely and steadily eyeing each in turn. His harshness was gone, but he was very grave. “Senores,” he said formally, “it is time that we reached a better understanding. There has come between us a feeling which must not continue. Perhaps I am ct fault. Perhaps not. ‘There are certain things to be said on both sides. Perhaps you would like first to say what is in your minds. I listen.” McKay instantly accepted the opening. “Quite right,” he clipped. ‘The sooner we settle this thing, the better. We’re not satisfied with the way you’re handling mat- ters. We’ve been leaving things in your hands because we used to be partners, and we expected to be on equal footing this time. It seems to be otherwise. You’re running things with a high hand and keeping us in the dark. You’re virtually assuming the réle of boss. We've had enough of it. “We’re indebted to you in many ways, and we’re duly grateful. But we’re not subordinates of yours. We’re either your partners in finding Dave, or we’re not. If we are, we’re going to know your plans from now on. If we’re not, we’il cut loose irom Adventure your outfit and go it alone. That’s all.” “Attaboy, cap!’ approved Tim. “Jest what I was thinkin’, meself.” José bowed slightly, ignoring Tim. ‘You have spoken plainly, as is always your way,” hesaid. ‘‘And perhaps I am to blame. But do not think I have wished to be boss over you. Perhaps I have grown too much accustomed to directing affairs and have seemed to slight you. - Yet until now you have not questioned the wisdom of my actions, You are angered be- cause I fooled you today and made you miss a fight. But you will remember that I too missed that fight and stayed with you. I do not often stay behind my men. “Tt was a joke of mine, but there was a reason behind the joke. It was ill-taken, and I am sorry. But it is past. I shall now do what I was intending, before we came here, to do at this time—to make things clear. I only wished to make sure of success in what I imtended to do here. Then I would speak. ‘You have wondered how I was to reach Sefior Dave. I had no man to guide me to him. I came here to get such aguide. I have him. He is that Jivero who has just gone out. He is the wizard of this place, and knows how to reach the Huambizas who have lately been raiding so fiercely. He will lead us. I have promised him his life and freedom if he leads us right; death, if he does not. Since the Huambizas are his enemies, he is more than glad to do it. “That was my object in attacking this place—to kill all but a few and to pick from those few a guide. I ordered that the wizard be caught if possible, because the wizard among these people is a fighter and goes on the raids, so that he knows all that can be known; also, he has more brains than any one else. It was done as I ordered, and we now have our man. You know as well as I how important it is to have such a man. [If I had not played a joke on you and held you back, we should not have him now. Why? Because you could not approach this place so quietly as to avoid giving warning; no white man can; and this wizard would not have been taken alive if not caught by surprize. So my joke was not so childish. “As for my next plans, they are simple: To continue up the Yana Yacu; cross the divide through a low pass; go down a stream which almost meets the Yana Yacu, but COMmMiclboookkSs.C© 5}