Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 4, 1925 — page 36: what you’re looking at

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

826 of the cotton twist a deerhorn handle told of the presence of a dirk. But with him were no other men except a handful as aged as himself. Lansdell did not wait to greet these patriarchs, and hoped they would not yet recognize him. He ran back to where Wray’s prau was being held against the platform of a house, while its white occupant was clambering out of it on hands and knees; as he stood, awk- wardly and stiffly, Lansdell saw that the elder man was strangely pale. ‘“T’ve got to have a word with you,” began Lansdell, breathless. Wray scowled. “T hepe you’re not going to begin that again,’ he answered irritably. ‘‘ Please come with me,” bade the other. He took Wray by an arm. A rude bridge led from the platform to a second, which was under the hut down-river, where the girl’s roofed prau was stopped. She had not left her boat, but at sight of the grave face of the younger man she got up hastily and allowed him to help her to a place beside him. ‘‘ What’s happened?” she asked. Lansdell gave her the ietter, then turned to Wray. “ These Malays are armed,” he said. “ One has given me the information. This Barker, just as I told you this morn- ing, has planned a looting attack on a peace- ful kRampong.” Instead of exclaiming, or demanding to see the paper which was in Marcia’s trem- bling hand, Wray faced about. A hundred feet away, at the center of a brown mob that was still and staring, the carved han- dle of that oar was being shaken above the bright headcloths of the people of Moeara Koli. “ Nda! Nda! Nda!” a voice was crying in protest. That leader was not receiving the boatloads of Malays hospitably. “TI think we ought to join Mr. Barker,” asserted Wray, avoiding Lansdell’s eyes, and making as if to step out upon a sag- ging board which formed a bridge between the house platform and the bank. Lansdell caught the other man’s arm for a second time. “‘ Look here!” he exclaimed angrily. “Don’t you want to see this paper? Don’t you care—” ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY, * Who wrote it?” Wray demanded. “I can’t be made to jump every time some one opens his mouth.”’ ‘Who wrote it isn’t important just this minute,” Lansdell replied. ‘ The impor- tant thing is, is it telling the truth? Have the Malay boatmen got rifles? Have you heard anything about that?” Wray threw up both arms. “Oh, drop the subject!” he exclaimed. “What do you want to do—fnghten this girl? I’ve heard nothing to-day but your boo-boo- ing!” But, Lansdell was not to be brushed aside. ‘I don’t like the way vou’re act- ing,’ he answered. ‘‘ Do you think we have policemen stationed along this stream? If there’s trouble—”’ Wray addressed Marcia, on his face what seemed to be a smile. “ Barker assures me that our men are more than equal,” he said, to the villagers at any settlement where we may land. You aren’t worrving, are you, my dear?” Lansdell reddened with sudden rage. ‘““Of course the Malays are equal,” he retorted. “For the simple reason that the men of this kampong are away from home.” Scores of brown and tattooed legs could be seen approaching, their owners bending almost double to peer down at the vis- itors. Lansdell went on, speaking lower. “‘ Did Barker tell you he was bringing a lot of guns along?” “He might have.” Now the girl spoke, and as if shocked and pained. ‘‘ Why, uncle, you must know whether he did or not! If he did, the rifles must go into the river—now—before any- thing can happen! Philip is a_ better judge—” Wray’s face was every shade, his eyes were hard, his lips puffed out resentfully. ‘“T advise you to keep out of this, Marcia,” he retorted. ‘‘ Get back into your boat and stay there, and you won’t need any police- man. If this old savage up here has a lot of gold that he doesn’t use, and can’t use, and our men want to take it—” Lansdell bent until his flaming counte- nance was all but against the face of the (CO) mMICLOOOLK