Adventure Magazine Cover, June 20, 1925 — page 188: what you’re looking at

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

170 They -von’t like vaiting down there all alone. They'll begin to think things— they’ll begin to think of death; an’ that von’t be nice. Some of them vill remember that they have vork to do at their kraals— but, no matter. Comeon. You come and mutter charms—or prayers, vot does it matter which?—while I’m making the army smaller.”’ He rose and leaving the store went down the hill to where the warriors summoned so hastily by Miles had congregated, and Miles, nervously fingering his gold cross, followed silently behind him, listening to the plan Isaacs unfolded as he walked. When they got down to the level ground at the foot of the hill they saw that Isaacs’ fears were well justified. Small groups of natives were already returning to their kraals; indecision and doubtful fears was -plainly evident on the faces of the others. They had heard a great deal of the power of the “‘guns with many voices” and they were beginning to doubt the wisdom of the course the missionary had incited them to follow. After all, they knew very little of Miles. He had not lived in the district long enough for his influence to hold when he was not actually with them. But when they saw Isaacs all fears left them and they shouted his name and crowded about him. The little groups who had left the main body halted at the sound of Isaacs’ name, turned, then came running back—pretending that they were new ar- rivals, hoping that he had not witnessed their desertion. The little storekeeper they knew. He had proved himself, time and time again. If he was to lead what need had they to fear? ‘And so, those who had been ready to re- turn to their kraals were now in the front ranks of those who crowded about Isaacs and Miles; and of all those who pleaded to be led at once against the white men who had dared to make their chief prisoner, their voices were the loudest. ISAACS climbed on to a rock and held up his hands for silence. “T have little to say,” his voice ) boomed out. “You know why the ninatandlis asked you to arm yourselves: it is to drive out of this land the white men who have acted like rogue elephants There is no need for me to talk of that. The umfundisi has told you, also, that the men Adventure have with them many black dogs with guns —aye, thcy have, too, the guns of many voices. You know that if we go up against them you will meet. death. Not one will escape.’ ‘“Au-a!” they cried. to die if you lead us.” “Will your deaths help Macombe, fools?” Isaacs asked scathingly. “Maybe, storekeeper,’ a young buck shouted. ‘‘Maybe one out of all the war- riors here will live long enough to reach the heart of the white ‘man-with-the-whip’ with an assegal.”’ ‘Ah! There speaks a warrior,” Isaacs shouted. “But that is not my way of doing things. — “Listen! I have made a charm which will bring us victory. Aye. It is a strong charm and it is jealous of its power. It may be that alone it could gain the victory —of that I am not sure. But sure I am that you are too many. Less than half of you—au-a! less than a quarter of you—with them shall victory be gained. “Now look into your hearts—remember- ing that the charm I have made is all power- ful and hates liars—and those of you who find fear there, let them depart to their kraals; and there shall be no shame. This thing that we do is of the spirits and who shall jeer when the Great Ones work?” The warriors stirred uneasily, but none spoke. Presently some of them elbowed their way out; some of those on the fringe of the army moved apart.. Three hundred warriors in all left the main body, broke up into smaller groups and hastened along the paths leading to their kraals. From one of these a young warrior dashed back. It was the one who had said, ‘“Maybe one of us will live long enough to stick an assegai in the heart of ‘the-man-with-the-whip.’ ”’ “YT am not afraid of death, storekeeper,” he shouted. “It was fear of the charm which you work that took my feet away from you.” “Good!” Isaacs boomed. ‘Now all of you raise one hand above your heads—you are still too many; the charm tells me to make still further choice.”’ A forest of arms shot into the air. “Good. Now each of you look to the hand that is in the air and those among you whose fist is clenched—those men shall go to the right; the others shall go to the left. Is it understood?” — ‘We will be content COMIGDIOOKSEEO