Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 7, 1928 — page 61: what you’re looking at

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

HIS SERVICE TO FOLLY. sharpened by the mixed blood of his half Indian, half negro mother. He was cunning, but not clever. He had that illiteracy of mentality which no amount of schooling could over- come. He loved supremacy and flat- tery, and showed a surface loyalty to Henri Christophe due to favors which the black emperor showered upon those who served him. On the journey north Basil had seen that De Banana could be wheedled by flattery, and while he scorned to use the fulsome praise which the pirates” sloshed into their captain’s ears, he was too shrewd to neglect the chance of at once gaining a whiphand over the baron in readiness for a time when he might be hard pressed by events which would arise before Le Diable Noir touched the shores of Santo Do- mingo. The thick fingers of the baron rum- pled his black hair and he smirked fool- ishly. “Shall we begin, then?” he asked, and scowled at Gefondo. “ Clear out this hog’s wallow. There’s not a place to step between the litter, man.” “lis as you like it best, master,” replied the hunchback. “ But these candles are nearly guttering. Why not come on deck where your men can see and note your grace? They deserve a treat after this night’s work.” “ By all means. The night is fair, and should an English ship catch sight of us, they'll see how we rejoice over new recruits.” 3 Basil led the way to the door, then turned abruptly toward the passage- way leading to Ranselaar’s cabin, which he entered. He bathed his shame-flushed face and threw off his coat. The crimson velvet that had once covered him was neatly folded on a locker. He drew it around his shoul- ders, then uncorking a bottle of eau de vie, he blacked the cork in the can- die flame, and before a mirror applied swiftly drawn black strokes to his face, dL marking slant brows, and shadows be- low his eyes. He wet his hair and twisted the locks into two stiff horns on his forehead. A fair devil looked back at him from’ the looking-glass. Satisfied, he went on deck, where news of the dancing lesson had been spread by Gefondo and a small Haitian negro waited with a banjo, grinning at this chance for melody. By this time all sail was set, and those of the crew who were not busy clearing and coiling the running gear were gathered in the waist. Baron de Banana waited, trying to look impor- tant and succeeding only in a smirk,’ until Basil appeared with one corner of the velvet whipped over his left shoul- der. He bowed, to the guffaws and clapping of hands, then nodded to the Haitian boy, who plucked a merry tune on the banjo. “°Tis thus ’tis done.” Basil swept into a heart-warming dance, snapping his fingers like castanets and treading the boards daintily ; then snatching the banjo from the urchin, he played a merrier tempo and nodded to the baron to begin. De Banana stepped into the circle,’ lifted one hand and tried to balance on one foot while he pointed the other toe. But if his mentality smacked of negroid, his body was all Teuton and badly hung. He lost his balance and lurched heavily to one side with the heave of the deck, and was saved from falling by the quick grasp of Basil. “This way,” said young ‘Tre- lawney, wrapping an arm about the pirate. “ Think that I am your lover and you my sweet maid, and follow my steps.” But it was as a picot the baron served, with Basil dancing around him, until his head swam with dizziness, and when he was released he fell prone on deck, lifting his big head and scram- bling drunkenly to his feet. “Well done!” cried Basil. “ When wine is scarce, monsieur le baron, you comicbooks (G2)