Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 203: what you’re looking at

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

194 their own incomprehensible language, led him away among the trees. CHAPTER II. WHAT THE STRANGE NOISE MEANT. BRADSHAW felt quite at ease. There was nothing in the immediate circum- stances to cause alarm. If these sav- ages saw fit to execute one of their number by some extraordinary means that Pan had not had time to describe, surely that could bode no harm to a passing traveler. There was no doubt that after the customary parley the king would ac- cept the white man’s presents and per- mit him to proceed on his way unmo- lested even if not guarded from possible attack by other tribesmen. Moreover, and this would have im- pelled Bradshaw to risk much for the sake of the interview, this king might be able to throw some light upon the problem which the American had come to Africa to solve. It was a little irritating that Pan should have held back at this juncture, but inasmuch as these savages had some knowledge of languages other than their own, Bradshaw had no doubt that somehow he would be able to get through the negotiations successfully alone. : They had hardly more than entere the sparse forest when they came to the edge of a gully perhaps thirty feet deep. The depression was plainly artrficial. The original surface must have been composed of a thin layer of loose stones which had been removed to permit of excavating the satrdy sor beneath. At the bottom were numerous indi- cations that the work of excavation was still in progress. Crude tools were lying about, and there was a coarse wire screen such as is used in civilized coun- tries for sifting sand. This article surprised Bradshaw creatly, for within a thousand miles he had not seen one other thing that sug- THE ARGOSY. gested civilized methods of labor, save the materials he carried with him. More conspicuous than the sand heaps and the screen were two savages who evidently were awaiting the return of those who had gone out to meet the American. One of them was of stature almost imposing, and his native dig- nity was enhanced by a more generous supply of clothing than graced the per- sons of the others. His distinguishing garment consist- ed mainly of a brightly colored sash that was wound about his shoulders and across his chest. It seemed to be quite thick in places, as 1f the strands from which it was woven had become knotted in the process. This man’s companion was of a type like the rest, low brow, squat nose, protuberant lips, and that apathetic ex- pression of the eyes that tells of abject subjection rather than docility. He stood a little back of the other, and pro- tected him from the sun by holding up a shade made from long, stiff leaves. Bradshaw naturally inferred that the well dressed individual was the king of the tribe, and he noticed that the monarch's eyes bulged with surprise when he saw the group at the edge of the gully. “Very odd,” thought Bradshaw; “these English speaking negroes seem to be more unfamiliar with white men than any I have yet come across.” He looked around for any sign of the tribe’s habitations, but saw none. Dt- rectly across the gully, about fifty feet away, the forest continued unbroken. At the left there was an outlet, as tf the excavation had been conducted from that direction, but where it led he could not see, and there was little time for observation, for he had to descend the steep side of the gully by a rude path that called for the greatest care to keep from pitching headlong. Arrived at the bottom, Bradshaw made extravagant signs of respect for the king. who apparently received them CO unmoved while he listenedou fence <