The Argosy, Volume XLIV — page 240: what you’re looking at

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

236 “ As she is spoke,” added Ross. “Ts it safe for us to go to your country?” I inquired. “Is it safe? Why would it not be safe? I won’t eat you.” ‘No, you would not if you were edu- cated in Isngland. But there are others.” “Oh, that will be all mght. [Pm queen, I tell you. But it isn’t all fun, this queen business. I have trouble with the chiefs, and when I heard this thing was coming, I thought I'd inves- tigate before anybody-landed. It is bad to let strangers land.” “Did you think we were a war party from another country? ” asked the pro- fessor. “TI didn’t know. I came to see. I don’t like those guns.” ‘“ But if those guns were used in your service wouldn’t you like them better? ” asked Foster. “Yes. I’ve a gun in my _ palace. Heavens! What's that?” Difficulty had grown restive, and let out his gentle voice. “That's a kaybee,” said Ross. “ Beautiful bird, don’t vou think?” “No, I don’t think he is beautiful. I think he looks like a devil. What is he good for?” “To eat,” said Ross. “T wouldn’t like to eat him.” “ Neither would I. I mean, he eats.” “ And catches fish for us to eat. Don’ t forget that,” I added. The queen, who had as vet not told us her name, seemed pleased with her reception. She studied each of our faces, and appeared satisfied. Then she put her bejeweled arm around Mary and kissed her again. “We'll be sisters, said. won't we?” she CHAPTER XVII. ROSS ENTHUSES. Tne raft went aground on a sand bar, and we were assisted to land by the queen, who took us in her canoe. Gathered on the beach were at least two hundred warriors, who greeted her with cheers. The fires were still burning, and some continued dancing. C; OUgle - THE ARGOSY. “Do you keep this up all the time?” asked Hoss. ‘No, only when we are preparing to go to war,” replied the queen. “ Oh, and is war on now?” “We have not yet fought a battle, but I am in a peculiar position here, and fear that I must fight. I will explain when we reach the palace.” She Jed us through an avenue formed of shouting®* natives, and the dignity of her manner charmed us all. Great chiefs bowed before her. Men who could have crushed her with a blow fell prone before her and rose only when she bade them. “You see [ have some loyal subjects. But Makolota—he’s a bad fellow.” The queen’s palace was a much more elaborate dwelling than I expected to see. It was a large building one story in height, but build of hard woods very highly polished. The same building re- produced in New York or London would have cost a fortune. Great ebony pillars supported the roof of the porch. A piazza ran on three sides, and a railing of bamboo ex- tended around this. Lights gleamed within, and we were surprised when we entered to see mod- ern lamps. ° “You have many luxuries that Miss Donaldson never saw,” I said to ker. ‘“ Tlow do you get the oil that you burn in your lamps? ” “In ships,” she answered. “ We have ships come here. Are you weary, dear? ”’—this to Mary. “ You look so pale. I will take you to our room at once. We will sleep together, we white sisters.” The queen and Mary left us in a large room gaily decorated with flags of va- rious nations, but with the English flag predominant. “ This is much like a fairy tale,” said the professor. “ How an English girl happens to be queen of a country like this is beyond my comprehension. And she takes the thing so coolly. One would think she was born a princess.” | “Maybe she was. Let’s wait and hear her story,’ said Ross. “Gad! What eyes! What a figure! What grace! ” “Yes, I’ve heard all that before,” awa (GO) AOOIK (GO) awa