Air Stories — page 48: what you’re looking at

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

AIR STORIES But then. Meek had read something of the ways of the people of Towonga, and what he had read had given him a keen interest in the flat-topped mountain they had just circled. He longed to examine the mountain at closer quarters so that he could note the details, for what he had already seen had transformed his interest into an intense excitement. But that was not to be, worse luck! As it was, he lagged behind, for it is impossible to keep one’s head turned and at the same time keep good formation. Meanwhile, on the mountain that exerted such a magnetic pull on Meek, the tragedy was being resumed. When Afali saw the birds draw away, the light of triumph glinted in his dusky eyes. No longer had he a trace of fear. Indeed, he had little difficulty in now persuading himself that he had never been frightened. He would reassure his craven warriors. He would show them that he was more to be dreaded, mightier by far, than the foolish White Man and his birds. Leaping back on to the rock, he flung curses after the vanishing aircraft. ‘““See !’’ he shouted, ‘‘ the White Man can do nothing against the power of Afali. Afali casts a spell over his birds so that they cannot stay. They will not return !’’ At this assurance the crowd took courage and, eager to rouse them once more to fever pitch, Afali recklessly ordered that the next sacrifice be thrown to the gods while the formation was yet in sight. Willing hands dragged the second native policeman to the rope, which was quickly stretched, then suddenly re- leased. Once more a wail of mortal anguish rang out and was echoed back from the gorge. Dazed and half-fainting with horror, Judy looked about her. Umtata’s turn would be next, she guessed, and then her own; for that was the order in which they stood. Her father would be left until last. But the giant Umtata was not sub- mitting without a struggle. As _ his captors advanced upon him he turned like a flash and, exerting his immense 46 strength, lifted two of them high above his head, one in either hand, and hurled them with such force that they fell clear of the rock to crash down into the crowd assembled at its base. Then, whirling round, he grasped two more of his guards by their necks and knocked their heads together with a crack that smashed their skulls. Judy moaned in anguish. There could be but one end to it all, so why resist and prolong the agony? Ah! Now Umtata was overpowered by a dozen men; now it would soon be over. Then she heard again the noise of an engine in the sky. She looked up and saw an aeroplane diving towards them, and for an instant hope again ran high. But she crushed it with a resolute effort. It could not save them. Airmen could do nothing here, except shoot them all where they stood. But to the natives this roaring, hurtling bird was a thing of terror. Already the guards had abandoned Umtata and dashed for cover. Afali alone, though evidently frightened, still stood his ground. What he had done once he could do again. This one also would have to go, and, standing upon the rock, Afali exhorted his gods to drive away the bird of terror. Yet the bird came on. It grew and grew to an enormous thing. It was near the rock and travelling faster even than the wind! In a flash it was over the rock, and so low that it almost touched its surface with its feet. The roar of its voice made the senses reel. Afali’s nerves broke. He backed away quickly from this fearsome thing that seemed heading directly for him, over- balanced ... and disappeared with a wild scream into the gorge below. CHAPTER V The Bird of Terror N the cockpit of the Bird of Terror sat the tense figure of Flying Officer Meek. He had scarcely taken his eyes from the rock since first it had been sighted. What held him so enthralled was that when passing over it he had COMIECHOOOLKS.COmM