The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 1 — page 87: what you’re looking at

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

A MONTH IN THE MOON. 87 the Mahdi, and many others, though they are far from suspecting it. Iamthe master of the Soudan, pending the time when I shall be master of Africa and of the whole world. JI am modest when I speak of offering thee but one throne ; for I can place ten or twenty, or a hundred at thy feet, if thou wilt say but the word, and the whole universe shall do homage to thee like myself a moment ago! Jam Kaddour the all powerful magician. Rejoice, child, for I have chosen thee to share my glory and my power.’’ 7 ‘“Rnough !’’ exclaimed Gertrude, haughtily. ‘‘ Vile slave, thinkest thou that thy bragging can inspire aught but disdain ?’”’ . The dwarf was not disconcerted. ‘Again that word slave?’’ he cried. ‘‘I have already told thee that I am master, here and everywhere. Canst thou not believe it? If my black skin caused thee to class me among a despised race, I can change my color ! see |.” To the amazement of Gertrude and Fatima, the dwarf transformed him- self under their eyes. His skin first paled, then became gray, greenish, yellow in turns; his features contorted convulsively, and he came forth from the struggle hideous as ever—but white ! Fatima gave a terrified scream, and fell prostrate. Gertrude felt her own heart palpitate rapidly, but not for worlds would she have shown alarm. “Think not to frighten me by this juggling,’ she said. ‘‘ White or black, to me thou art naught but acharlatan. If it is thou who hast brought me hither, release me as quickly as possible. Thou wilt gain nothing by delay, and thy ridiculous venture will be forgiven only on condition of my immediate freedom. Bethink thee that I belong to a powerful nation that knows how to protect the honor of its children !”’ ‘“Speak not to me of thy nation !’’ thundered the dwarf. ‘‘I have said, and I repeat, that my power is limitless; the acts of nations, and the very counsels of kings, did they but know it, depend on me. Iam he who holds the invisible threads of destiny throughout the world. Men are but puppets in my hands. Thou dost not believe me? ‘Thou needest proofs? Thou shalt have them !”’ 3 He beat his enormous hands, and suddenly one of the alcoves opened, and formed into a stage scene with the difference that instead of side wings of wood and canvas there appeared a long gallery lighted by silver torches and filled with marble statues, colonnades, and rich decorations. On a raised platform in the middle of the gallery stood a golden throne, and a numerous court surrounded it, bowing respectfully as if it were occupied instead of standing empty. Every type of humanity and variety of costume were represented. ‘There were narrow eyed Chinese, Japanese in their lacquer armor, Indians, Arabs wrapped in white burnouses, Canadians in furred coats, Zulus with their asse- gias, Boers with rifles, tattooed Fijians, and a hundred others. When the crowd had defiled before the throne, and had taken their places down the sides of the gallery, the aforesaid gigantic negro, who had an- nounced the entry of Kaddour, now stepped to the foreground as if awaiting the orders of his master. 5} Eomichbooks