Adventure Magazine, April 10, 1924 — page 133: what you’re looking at

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

The White Man’s Way bugle, but not one in his troop could play. One of the ézrazlleurs declared he could coax sound from the brass trumpet. The united Belgian and French forces entered through the main gate, to the inspiring, though hardly recognizable strains of the bugle prelude to “\Sambre et Meuse,” a stirring marching tune. Carlotti marched first, at the head of his thirty odd men. Then followed Peller and his éivatlleurs, the servants and bearers vf the Italian’s suite bringing up the rear. Not being musical critics, the population. was delighted. The party headed for the Zeriba between two walls of grinning blacks, the “‘pickins” straggling behind in imitation of the soldiers. What might be called the lawn of the Zeriba formed a spacious semi-circle, free from huts. The building itself, thatched with palm-leaves and elevated from the soil on short posts, was surrounded by a cov- ered veranda. Lined up, awaiting them, stood Tari, the chief and his “courtiers.” Tari proved to be a tall, fat negro, with an underlying muscular foundation that spoke plainly of a superb physical develop- rent during his younger years. A few strands of white beard depended from his chin. He was clad in a wide native straw hat, voluminous loose trousers such as are worn by the Bambaras in the Sudan, and sandals. The trousers, held by neither belt nor suspenders, appeared to hang on his rotund waist by a miracle. Such as he was, even with ridiculous garments, he looked the leader. His large black eyes were fearless, and held a lurking glint of cun- ning. His bulbous nose revealed that gin had penetrated into his village. He bore no arms; neither did his imme- diate followers. But the warriors in the background bristled with spears. Peller noticed a few guns of various makes, and several long bows. As to race, the men were doubtlessa mixture of Banziris and Yakomas. ‘They were Yakoma in features but affected the Banziri bead head-dress. Carlotti touched the brim of his helmet in salute. “‘Greetings,’’ he said in French. Tari spoke excellent French. For many vears he had been in touch with both selgian and French, and had at one time been host to a missionary, one of the White Fathers. Peller and the captain shook hands with him and offered a similar 131 courtesy to the more important chiefs. Tari offered stools and they sat down on the veranda. Carlotti first questioned the old man with regard to the affairs of his people. The captain had ordered drinks to be brought from his baggage. The bottles were circulated freely from thick lips to thick lips. “Have you seen any strangers lately?” Carlotti asked. “No,” Tari replied without hesitation. “But I heard that a party of Yakoma boatmen came to you not later than yesterday.” “‘Perhaps—” Tari agreed. ‘I would not disturb myself for them. They are not — important.” ‘These men had two hundred rifles to sell.” The chief started violently. “So you know something about them,”’ Carlotti accused. “They spoke of but fifty!’ Tari ex- claimed. Carlotti had winked at Peller. His smile broadened as he continued to cross- question the simple old chief. “So they offered them to you—” Carlotti asserted. “Yes,” Tari agreed sullenly. “And you bought them?” the captain went on. “How could I? I must have time to gather things to barter. The Yakomas would not take women in payment.” “low much have you paid already?” Carlotti asked. Tari hesitated. But he was evidently afraid of the Belgian officer. “‘Many cases of beads,” he replied. “All Thad. I’m getting together iron tools to pay for the rest.” Peller calculated. Each of the rifles was worth five women, or five hundred francs, representing the staggering total of twenty-five thousand francs for the lot. No wonder Tari found difficulty in raising the sum. ‘Are the boatmen here now?” he asked. Vies:”? Carlotti ordered them brought before him. Tari did his best to prevent their cross-examination, but Carlotti smilingly insisted. ‘The captain brought out the fact that the old chief had offered the boatmen ten cases of beads, and when they refused had seized the rifles and paid them nothing. GoOmiGcdooksEeo