The Argosy, Volume XLIV — page 243: what you’re looking at

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

THE CRUISE OF “She said she expected war. I don’t see what we have to do with it.” “Oh, you don’t? Well, now, look here. I’ve taken a violent dislike to this Makolota. He’s a villain of the first water. He’s a snipe from Snipeville, and the meanest cuss that ever came down the pike. See?” “Fudge! What do you know about him ? ” “Great Scott! Isn’t he going to try to marry the queen? You heard her —what the deuce did she say her name was’ Oh, yes—Alice. ‘Oh, don’t you remember Sweet Alice, Ben Bolt?’ I say, 1’m going to thrash that fellow.” “Are you at it yet?” asked foster, crawling from his bed of boughs. “Didn’t I tell you last night to shut up?” “T did shut up last night. Don’t be unreasonable. Let’s go have a swim.” We strolled to the shore and found several of the warriors enjoying the water. We took a dip and felt re- freshed. : “Il wonder if the others are awake,” remarked Ross. “ Say, did you ever see _such a face—do you think I ought to be jealous of the professor ? ” “ Jealous of the professor! ” snorted Foster. “ Are you falling in love with Difficulty ? ” “T reckon you’ve about struck it,” said Ross. “ I sce difficulties all around. Wonder when the comic opera is going to begin.” We found Alice and Mary chatting together at the palace. There was strong contrast between the two. The queen was darker, more robust, and Icss reserved. She was a handsome girl, and, of course, her life of managing the island had worn away much of that shyness that’ was to me so charming 1n Marv Donaldson. “T have received a message from a runner,” said the queen, * that Makolo- ta is coming this morning with his head men as escort, not to make war, but to plead with me to become his wife.” “Is Makolota eloquent?” asked Fos- ter. “Is there any danger of his win- ning you over?” “Searcely. I do not trust him. I am sure we shall have war.” rere gle THE HANDICAP. 239 * Who is your commander in chief ¢” asked Ross. : “ Why, in case of war against us, Makolota himself would be. Ile is the greatest chief in Maltoona. but as against Makolota, I suppose the chief of this tribe would be in command. Ils name is Dako.” “Well, we'll see Dako and have a taik with him. I’m not going to let Makolota run things to suit himself.” “IT thank you. lf there is really war, we shall need all the help we can get.” It was about ten o'clock that we heard a great heating of druins. Thines seemed to be done with a big show of pomp im Maltoona, and the na- tives of the queen's village came ilock- ing to the palace and stood in a great pemucirele, densely crowded tosether r, waiting for the approaching chief. Tle came marching down a pathway through the palms, and he was indecd a sight for the gods. Ile was a tall savage, black as the ace of spades, with a countenance that was rivaled only by the kayhees. He wore a ring in his lower lip, great feathers and colored sticks in his hair, which was plastered with clay, and a suit that was frightiully as well as won- derfully made. Qn one foot he had a boot and on the other a sandal. His trousers had once been a portion of a saitor’s outfit, but one leg had in some manner disap- peared, and the great chief presented the appearance of one trouser leg on the right, the side that wore the sandal. and a creat boot on the left foot, but no trouser leg at all. He wore also a broed sash over his left shoulder, a sash that had once done duty as a turban on the head of a sailor from the Orient. That was all that could be seen of clothing. this great right arm was stretched avove his head, and his long hattle- sear was held aloft. He carried in his lett hand a present in the shape of a string of very costly pearls. “This is a truly royal wooing,” ob- served Ross. “ I could not do as well as that.” “ Certainly not,” said Foster. “No one accused you.” After Makolota came three warriors ECOMRiNIEloOO@ SS Colin