Argosy All-Story Weekly, July 1, 1922 — page 96: what you’re looking at

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

886 The arrival of breakfast interrupted any further conversation in the matter, since it brought with it a number of the older war- riors who engaged their chief in long and weighty discussions. Fred routed out a pencil and paper and settled himself to scribble a short note to Holden, to be sent back by a runner. He told the trader of their progress to date, reported himself and every one well—and came to a pause on the question of whether or not to relate the headman’s curious dream. M’Buli’s belief in the actuality of the adventure had been contagious while Fred was with him, but now the American’s temporary credulity was fading away. Still, he knew that Holden was inclined to believe in such things, and it might cheer him to ponder M’Buli’s statement that the girl was safe and well; with a feeling of irrita- tion for which he could not account, he add- ed a few lines and told the trader of the occurrence, wondering if some day the old man would laugh at him for a fool. The Batateke chief rather reluctantly ac- ceded to his request for a messenger. He reminded the young man that they would need every one of the warriors in the event of their overtaking the Bololos, whose num- ber he now knew exactly by the manifesta- tion of C’Wayo’s peculiar powers. How- ever, having relieved himself of this mild remonstrance, M’Buli good-naturedly se- lected the swiftest of his runners and bade him rejoin the expedition as rapidly as pos- sible after delivering the note in Mafadi. With no further delay the headman lifted his spear in the familiar signal to his men, and they were once more speeding along on the trail of their enemies. It was nearing the middle of the day, and they were running in the welcome shade of a stretch of jungle, when M’Buli suddenly uttered a soft ejaculation. He checked the advance of the straggling file, and calling Rushton to his side he pointed out the re- mains of several camp fires and innumerable other signs that betokened the recent pres- ence of a large body of men. “Him Bololos,” he announced. He strode quickly to the nearest heap of ashes and thrust his hand into its heart. He stood up again, smiling, and invited ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WERKLY. Fred to try for himself; he obeyed, and his pulses quickened as he felt that the ash was still warm. He, too, smiled. ‘When were they here?” he asked. “When him sun come.” ‘The chief took an observation overhead and held up six fingers. Six hours ago! The news acted upon Fred like a powerful restorative, and he was ready to set off again without another mo- ment’s delay. But the Batateke headman was not to be rushed into doing anything so foolhardy. He knew the ability of his -men and he knew their limitations; he felt certain that the movements of the Bololos must be greatly hampered by the burden of a white woman in a litter, and believed that he could easily overtake them in an- other twelve hours if he chose to press the pace. But to attack a war party of superior strength with a hand of tired men would be suicidal. He shook his head at Fred’s eagerness, and ordered his men to rest. The chief signed to the young man to follow him and led the way without hesita- tion to a group of trees that grew near the edge of the encampment. There was a small clearing in their midst, and to this he pointed in triumph. ‘Here him tent!” he said. Rushton examined the place carefully. Sure enough, the marks of tent pegs were plain to be seen, and a fragment of a guy rope, hastily severed by a knife, lay in full view upon the grass. Unless there ‘were really some truth in his account of his spirit journey during the night how had M’Buli known exactly where to look for the location of the tent? Fred ‘gave up the puzzle in despair. He was left to himself after that, and in spite of his physical fatigue his restless mind was not content to let him lie down. He wandered here and there about the place, admiring the richness of the tropical growths that in this spot had not been touched by man. Birds of vivid color, a family of small, chattering monkeys, a porcupine that rattled its quills indignantly before disap- pearing from sight, and a huge lizard bask- ing on the sunny side of a tree, all held his attention in turn. Presently his aimless circling brought him DOOK C©