The Argosy, Volume XLIV — page 248: what you’re looking at

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

244 knocked the arrow from his hands and then wounded him in the leg, or simply surprised him so he fell and hurt him- self that way. I could hear Ross urging on his men, but as there were but few who could understand English, his voice might just as well have been spared the strain. It soon became evident that the na- tives did not care to fight under Koss, and Dako, who developed a jealous na- ture, refused to listen to him. Had the queen been there I suppose the result _might have been different. But as it was, we three were not there as leaders, though our three rifles could do as much execution as a dozen of their weapons. It was national pres- tige they wanted. Dako suddenly gave a vell, and away they went, paying no attention what- ever to Ross or Foster or me. In fact, Foster, who was aiming at a warrior, was knocked into a clump of bushes, and his rifle exploded and sent a bullet within an inch of Ross’ head. “Go on and get annihilated!” cried Foster. “ You black fools. I’m going back to the palace. Let them fight it out. What’s it all about anyhow? ”’ From the forest there came sounds as of a terrific battle. Shouts and cries that were those of both victors and those who had been wounded fell on our ears. But after a consultation we determined to return to the palace and do what we could to protect that. “These chumps won’t win that fight,” said Ross. ‘‘ Makolota has the best fighting men. Alice told me so. Now, if Makolota wins, well be in a devil of a fix.” A wounded warrior ran past us, away from the direction of the fight. “ Makolota win!” he cried. much killed.” “Come on!” said Ross, breaking into a run, and we three raced to the palace. “What is it?” asked Mr. Donaldson. “Are we defeated ? ” “ Yes, a warrior told us,’ said Ross. “We must defend the palace.” “Barricade the entrances,’ com- manded the queen. “ Makolota will not kill us, for he does not wish to kill me.” Tables and chairs and heds were “We Gouge” THE ARGOSY. used, as well as such logs as we could find, and the entrances to the palace were made secure. We then took our stations at the several windows and waited for the attack. Icach one of us felt that it was bound to come, and that we were in a preca- rious situation. CHAPTER XX. BACK TO THE HANDICAP. IN an anxious moment we heard an exclamation from the professor, and he disappeared. ‘ What’s the matter with him now ? ” asked Ross. “I don’t see anybody.” ‘“HWe’s gone after his kaybees,” said Foster. “ He thinks they’ll be shot.” “Perhaps he is acting on Ross’ for- mer advice and is going to turn them loose,” I suggested. ‘Not he. That man would sacrifice his own life, I think, rather than lose those creatures now.” - In fact, the professor came into the palace with the two birds and tied them in the kitchen. “T thought as long as it was to be war I’d make them as safe as possible,” he said in explanation. “Hey, look out!” “ Here’s Makolota! ” Ivery rifle was raised, but it was an unarmed man We saw approaching, and he had his hands extended, palms out- cried Foster. -ward, to show peaceful intentions. We leveled our rifles, but he strode on, not this time accompanied by any guard. The women and children of the village set up a dismal howling, and swarmed around him, asking about their warriors. Makolota paid them secant attention. but came straight to the palace. He saw us In the windows and halted. ““T have come,” he said, “to plead with the great white queen.” “Let him come inside,” said the queen. “He will not harm us after — telling us he was unarmed.” We asked him in, and, without ex- hibiting fear, he marched into the room. He was a splendid specimen of a man. standing six feet high, and now, in his war dress. and divested of the ridicu- = ~ -coniiclhooks: (COHRAL