Adventure Magazine Cover, October 30, 1924 — page 65: what you’re looking at

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

south, West and North the upper cafion at the bend of the creek, where stood the great house of Dona Hermana, he could see nothing. Then, upon reaching the floor of the lower canon, Hampton found that those ahead had halted and were awaiting him expectantly. Toiling up the cafion toward them, from where its lower reaches merged with the coast, were two carts, drawn by mules, and escorted by ragged figures. Each two-wheeled cart bore a number of stone blocks; the wheels were iron-bound segments of solid wood, whose ungreased axles filled the cafion with dismal shriekings. Dias must have had an unpleasant chat on the way down, for he faced his mule about and regarded Hampton with a sud- den burst of fury in his face. ‘You are very clever, you dog!”’ he said, yet in a well-controlled voice. “You played a fine little game in Panama, eh? You thought the sefiora would believe what- ever you said, eh? Well, you have learned something by this time, and you shall soon learn more. Speak up, you dog! Do you wish to earn your food and drink here, or not?” “Yes,” said Hampton, meeting those glassy eyes and knowing the _ horrible futility of words. ‘After this,’”’ said Dias, ‘“when you speak to me you do not say only ‘S#’ but ‘S4, sevior amol’ Here you are a dog, nothing more, and it is I who am obeyed. You under- stand?” ‘St, senor amo,” said Hampton. At these words the men standing around broke into wide grins; to hear upon the lipsgf a gringo Yankee these words, used chiefly by broken-spirited Indian peons, gratified their cruelty and pride—for these ruffians had pride of a sort. “You have evidently been well trained by the sefiora,’ and Dias grinned. ‘So you wish to work for me, eh? Very well. I shall send for you in the morning. In the meantime, we shall ask this man in charge of the stone-cutting to take care of you overnight.” Dias turned his mule toward the ap- proaching carts and began to roll a cigarito. In his air was a cruel expectancy, in the manner of the ruffians around was gleeful watching. Hampton met the gaze of Dofia Hermana, and read a horrible hidden laughter in her dark eyes. He turned away gladly enough toward the carts, yet sensed sehora——’ 59 that something frightful was in store for him. Riding on one of the carts was an over- seer armed with a long whip, but it was not at him that Dias beckoned with imperative hand. It was, rather, at fhe man in ad- vance of the carts—a bent, sun-blackened, bearded figure clad in ragged trousers and serape, whose face was all in dark shadow beneath the wide hat of plaited grass. At the gesture from Dias, this creature broke ite a shambling, uneven run, and advanced toward the party with hat flap- ping and tattered hide footgear slapping the dust. Coming straight to Dias, he seized the latter’s hand and kissed it effusively, with a babble of Spanish. ‘*Si sewor amo! Iam here at your com- mand—and here is the sefioral Beautiful sehora, I kiss your feet and welcome you home. All that I have is yours, ? Suiting action to words, the man bent over the stirrup of Dofa Hermana and kissed her toe, then laughed and babbled vapid compliments. With a sudden shrink- ing sensation, Hampton realized that this creature was an idiot. ‘“‘To me, Bobo!’ said Dias, and the man answered with a cackling laugh to the name of fool. Dias lighted his cigartto and ex- haled a thin cloud of smoke. “I have brought you a present, Bobo—a new and strong man to help you with your work. He is a gringo, and his name is Sefior Hamp- ton, Ricardo Hampton. You will treat him like a brave caballero, extend all the hospi- tality of your quarters to him, and bring him before me at nine in the morning. Look at him, Bobo, and welcome him among us!” Hampton was wondering what refinement of cruelty lay behind all this—for he sensed such a thing very distinctly, and knew that all eyes were now turned upon him. The idiot turned and came toward him, sham- bling, hands hanging. Then Dias spoke again. , “Off with your hat, Bobo, and greet our guest politely!” Obediently, Bobo doffed his wide hat and bowed in mocking welcome. A_ shiver passed over Hampton, and his eyes widened at sight of the hatless man. Despite the beard, despite the long hair, the haggard features, that face struck into him with frightful recognition; he stood paralyzed, micloool (© inn