The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-04-03


endure the handling Of the ape.men.
Ny three friends had all lost their
hats, and had now bound handker.
chiefs round their heads, their
clothes hung in ribbons about them,
and their unshaven grimy faces were
hardly to be recognized. Both Sum-
merlee and Challenger were limping
heavily. while I still dragged my
feet from weakness after the shock
Of the morning, and my neck was
e.s stiff as a board from the murder
Gus grip that held 1t. We were in.
deed a sorry crew, and 1 did not
wonder to see our Indian compan-
ions glance back at us occasionally
with horror and amazement on their
faces.
In the late afternoon we reached
the margin of the lake, and as we
emerged from the bush and saw
the sheet of water stretching be-
fore us our native friends set up
a shrill cry of joy and pointed
eagerly in front OF them. 1t was
indeed a wonderful sight which lay
!
surface was a great flotilla Of canoes
coming straight for the shore upon
which we stood. They were some
miles out when we first saw them,
but they shot forward with great
swiftness, and were soon so near
that the rowers could distinguish
our persons. Instantly a thunder.
Gus shout of delight burst from
them, and we saw them rise from
their seats, waving their paddles
and spears madly in the air. Then
bending to their work once more.
they flew across the intervening
water, beached their boats upon the
sloping sand, and rushed up to us,
prostrating themselves with loud
cries of greeting before the young
chief. Finally one Of them, an elder.
ly man. ran forward and embraced
most tenderly the youth whom we
had saved. He then looked at us
and asked some questions, after
which he stepped up with much
dignity and embraced us also each
in turn. Then. at his order, the
whole tribe lay Town upon the
ground before US In homage. They
may be undevelepod types" said
Challenger. stroling his beard and
looking around at them, "but their
department in the presence Of their
superiors might be a lesson to some
Of our more advanced Europeans.
Strange how correct are the in.
Lett ,~tz Af "a NJ
1t was clear that the natives had
/ come out upon the war-path, for
every man carried his spear-a
long bamboo tipped with bone-his
bow and arrows, and some sort Of
club or stone battle-ax slung at
his side. Their dark. angry glances
at the woods from which we had
come, and the frequent repetition
of the word "Doda," made 1t clear
enough that this was a rescue party
who had set forth to save or re.
venge the old chiefs son, for such
we gathered that the youth must
be. A council was now held by the
whole tribe squatting in a circle
whilst we sat near on q slab of
basalt and watched their proceed
fngs. Two or three warriors spoke
and finally our young friend made
a spirited harangue with such elo.
quent features and gestures that
we could understand it all as clear.
ly as II we had known his language
What Is the use of returning"
| he LOT
must be done. Your comrades have
been murdered. What II I have re-
turned safe? These others have
been done to death. There is no
safety for any Of US. We are as
sembled now and ready" Then he
pointed to u.s. These strange men
are our friends. They are great
fighters, and they hate the ape.man
even as we do. They command"
here he pointed up to heaven. 1.-The
thunder and the lightning. When
shall we have such chance again?
Let us go forward, and either die
now or live for the future in safety.
How else shall we go back un,
ashamed to our women?"
The old chief stepped forward to
us, and asked us some questions,
pointing at the same time to the
woods. Lord John made a sign to
him that he should walt for an
answer and then he turned TO us.
Well, It's up to you to say what
you will do said he; 'for my part
I have a score to settle with these
monkey-folk. and IL 1t ends by wip.
Ing them off the face of the earth
/ don't see that the earth need fret
about it. I'm goin' with our little
red pals and I mean to see them
through the scrap. What do you
say young fellah?"
"Of course / will come"
And you, Challenger"
II will assuredly cooperate"
And you, Summerlee?"
I'VE seem to be drifting very far
from the object Of this expedition,
Lord John. / assure you that I
little thought when left my pro-
fessional chair in London that II
! was for the purpose of heading a
C ave