Adventure Magazine, December 10, 1924 — page 37: what you’re looking at

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

The Blond Spiders diamonds didn’t grow on mountain tops. Owing to Bodiker’s persisting in taking a long rest in the shade of the bamboo, which appeared as impenetrable as the wall of China, and to the painfully slow process of wriggling through the dense canes, they emerged just in time to get a glimpse of a bare and rugged pile of rocks against the vermilion and orange glow of sunset. While the boys were lighting a fire and pitching the tent in the dark, Bodiker grouched sourly that it was Plessons’ fault; he ought to have known this and known that. Immediately the master began the man followed suit. Tony ignored them; but when Plessons remarked that it was hardly worth while putting up the tent fora couple of hours the other two stared, and Sawyer growled— ““‘What’s that ye’re givin’ us?” “Why, when the moon rises abaht nine we’re going on to see the pretty circus.” ‘Where did yer get that stuff?” ‘“Who said we were?” supported Bodiker. “TI did,” replied Tony sharply. ‘“There’s no sense in stopping here all night. We can return by moonlight.” “Moonlight!” snorted Bodiker. ‘“D’you think I’m going to take the trail at night? —— knows what we might meet, and it’s as dark as Tophet in the bamboo forest. Why you’re crazy, Tony!” 7 “Well, we’re going.” “Like yer are!” gritted Sawyer. | “I say, no,” suddenly announced Bodiker. “I’m the leader.” “T’ll say they don’t, Phil!” contributed Sawyer. “Sure you’re the leader,” returned Tony. ‘Well, the camp and the men and your darned rifles stop here; but Plessons and I are going to the top tonight. And that’s that. I’m about through.” Although he had ignored Sawyer as usual, it was Sawyer more than Bodiker who was responsible for the wave of anger rivet- ing a half-determined resolution. In the utter silence of the heights Saw- yer’s unintelligible growl sounded like some wild beast of the jungle. “Well,” inquired Tony quietly, ‘“‘how about it, Bodiker?”’ In the flickering light of the fire Bodiker’s creatures registered two emotions better than many a movie star—physical fear and greed. ‘‘Now be reasonable, Alick,’’ continued ey) Tony, controlling the rage that had welled. “Here are your guns. You stop here and have a good sleep. We'll do a scout round. How’s that?” “Nothing doing!’? shouted Sawyer. “Yer’ll well do as ye’re told!” “That’s enough, Phil. Shut up!” said Bodiker, glaring at Sawyer. ‘All right, Tony; as you say. But remember it’s my duty to think of the safety of the expedition, so don’t blame me if anything happens.” “Well, good night,” said Tony, disgusted at the stupid hypocrisy, turning on his heel. “Come on, Plessons, we’ll do a night patrol for old times’ sake.” And fifty paces away he added in a low voice: ‘‘And those are the heroes for whom we fought to make the world free! Oh, boy!” ‘“‘And very naice too!’’ retorted Plessons. “Why, the pore dears might have had to learn the goose step or somethin’ awful!” Then, grabbing Tony’s shoulder, he urged him down, whispering— “Listen!” Town men never realize the distance sounds carry in the wilds. On the still air came distinctly Sawyer’s voice: “Bah! Yer ’ve got bats in the belfry, Phil! Why, the poor fish’re asking for it! Even left their gats here!’’ “Didn’t. Left their rifles and took their gats; but——”’ “That don’t matter. Get em _ before “Will you be quiet, you bonehead!”’ Bodi- ker replied, tense anger making him raise his tone. ‘‘You’ll bust the whole game wide open. Haven’t you enough mule sense to wait and let those suckers do the work on the stones?” “Bah!” growled Sawyer in a_ lower voice. ‘We kin grab ’em ourselves.” ‘“‘There you go, you mutt. You wouldn’t know a diamond in the ground if you broke your darned nose on it. Neither do I! That’s what they’re there for. Besides, I think they got more dope out of that dumb nigger than they say.” “T’ll make ’em come across, the ——” The voices became unintelligible. ‘Come on, quick!’ urged Plessons. ‘‘They may have the sense ter look for us against the skyline. Ain’t they pa’s own little pets?” “But—but,” stuttered Tony, almost un- able to_ believe the obvious inference, ‘“‘what on earth is the motive?” cComicbook © =