The Argosy, Volume XLIV — page 242: what you’re looking at

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

238 main queen. It is not unpleasant, after all. I get books and papers when the ships come, and my mother comes once a year to stay a week with me.’ “A week! Comes all the way from England to stay a week!” exclaimed the professor. “ Yes, aud spends that week shivering in terror. Every time a chief comes to speak to me she thinks I am to be killed. These people would not harm me. Makolota is the only one ! fear, and he does not wish to kill me.” “No, but to marry you. I don’t blame Makolota,’ commented Ross. “Not at all.’ added Mr. Donaldson with a smile. “I consider Makolota a person of superior judgment.” “Yes, but wait till you see him. Then you will think I have some judg- ment, too.” “Can vou depend on the majority of your subjects ? ” “T could depend on them in case of war with outside tribes. But in this case I have many against me. They want me to get married. They have an idea that if I marry a white man I will leave.” The professor heg queen rose. “TI cannot give you each a room in the palace,” she said. “ But there is one room my mother occupies when she comes, and two of you may have that. Then there arc smaller houses in abun- dance. Will you say who will remain in the palace ? ’”e “ Mr. Donaldson and the professor,” said Foster. “Then I will call a.soldier to show you where the others may sleep.” She rang the bell again,.the black woman came, and in response to a few words from the queen departed and brought back a black native armed with a spear. “Tatto,” she said, “ show my friends —these three—the best house there 1s near the palace.” Tatto bowed low to the ground. He seemed very happy. He looked at us with admiration and curiosity, though he had, of course, seen white men be- fore. Which? ” the queen. an to yawn, and the he asked, turning to rere gle THE ARGOSY. “Why, any house that is large and clean.” ‘“No, not house. Which mans? ” “Those three,” she said, pointing to Foster, Ross, and me. “No, only one. marry ! 2» The queen burst into a silvery laugh. “Did you ever?” she cried. “ He thinks [am going to marry one of you.” She explained things to Tatto and we were taken to the house. But Ross as he left the palace turned back to get another look at the beautiful queen. T cuess Tatto’s right,” said Foster. “Hanged if Ross hasn't got it as bad as you.” Ross joined us as we stood contem- plating the beds of palm boughs. ‘Ain't she great?” he asked in some excitement. “Say! When she talks | can feel the pulsations of her voice in my heart. Isn’t she a regular stunner ? I say, Foster, why don’t you apply for the job?” “What job?” “Kinging the blacks. Why, it’s a cinch. Nothing to do but sit around and eat ice cream.” “Ross, if you will permit me to speak, I would like to say that it is four o’clock in the morning, war is on, an attack from a hostile nation is immi- nent, and if you don’t shut up and go to sleep Pll pound the life out of you.” “You were always so unapprecia- Which mans you tive,” said Ross, as he tumbled upon a bed. “But sav! Isn’t she a cracker- jack ? ” — as CHAPTER XVITI. A DECLARATION OF WAR. “ WoNDER if there is anything doing in the way of bloody battle-fields,” said Ross, when we woke after a short sleep to find the sunlight streaming im upon us. “ Haven’t heard anv thirteen inch euns in the offing, have you, Bayne? ” “Didn’t hear a sound.” “T’m going to see the queen. I don’t propose to permit any false pretenses like this.” “What false pretenses ? ” “ Tnidn't she assure us we would have war?” GOHMGOOo SS (GO) Ul