Boy's Cinema (1930-31)

24 oa fire, and witli loud yells of triiiinph the victorious bavagcs pulled away, carrying McCartli\ aud Dais-y willi tliein. The res>t of tiic crew they had blain to a man. As the canoes turned away from the shi[). Pink's helnjet emerged from the shallow water inshore. He cut the air- hos-e only just in time, for in another minute he would have been suffocated. l''Ioundcring ou a few more steps, he turned to see dinily, through the glass of his helmet, that the General Grant was a mass of flame. The native oanoes were disappearing round the point, amid I lie loud beating of war-drums, mingU'd with yells of triumph. There was nothing Pink could do. He struggled to the shore, and tried in vain to get the helmet oft. Then he walked aimlessly on. stunililing wearily through the woods hour >iifter hour, stunned by the tliought that Daisy and all his men were dead. Yet, though he little knew it, everj stop tll^at Pui-k took was bringing him nearer and nearer to Daisy and Square Deal. Their captors had led them to a village built in a clearing in the midst of the woods, and there they were tied securely to adjoining trees, while a crowd of exultant cannibals danced wildly around them. "Will they kill us''" whispered Daisy presently. "Well, we ain't doiid yet!" replied Square Deal, with affected cheerfulness, "and I reckon Pll try to wriggle loose later on. Tliev're bound to have a feast and get drunk, and then our chance w ill come." " But—but perhaps they'll feast on— on us !" shuddered the girl. Before the mate could reply, the savages around them stopped their wild dance, and gazed towards the end of the clearing at some strange object which had suddenly apjieared. "What's that?" exclaimed McCarthy, looking in the same direction. "It's I'ink !" screamed Daisy franti- cally. "I can see the helmet. He got out" safe, after all. Oh, Pink, Pink, come and help us. quick [" Pink had indeed stumbled upon the native village, and he came on into the midst of the salvages, who gazed in silent awe. at the grotesque figure of the diver. Suddenly, lis he reached the trees where the two victims were bound, the whole tribe of cannibals sank prostrate lo the ground before him. "They think you're a god !" shouted Si|uare Deal. "Play up to 'em, boy !" At the end of the open space Pink saw an idol erected on a pedestal. Going up to it, he seized the image and hurled it aside. The god fell into a great fire whi<h the savages had kindled, and Pink solemnly took its ]>Iace on the pedestal. The natives rai.sed their hoiids and g.ized stupidly at him as their idol was destroyed. 1'hen they bowed once more before their new god, this queer figure with a metal head and grotesque gar- ments. The drums began to beat again, and the howling re-eonunenced. until jnee more there Oiinie an interruption. A beam of light came flickeinng ' BOY'S CINEMA ihrough the woods, and the cinnibal."! fell flat on their faces in terror. SchuUz liad arrived lliat night ofl' the island in his .schooner, and he immediately turned a .searchlight ujion the land. The light played here and there high up among the trees, and the savages began a low ciiant lo their new god. "O god of the soa, if you are a true god, save us !" The searchlight suddenly went out. Schultz had .seen no signs of life, and he was not quite sure that he had hit upon the right island. *o he had determined to wait until the morning before doing anything more. The natives sang songs of praise to their new god as the mysterious light disappeared, and some of them began to bring lo him gifts from their temple. Rubies and pearls were cast at the feet of the "God of the Sea." and again the whole tribe Ik>w ed before him. Still Pink sat motionless on the pedestal, waiting his chance, for he felt sure that his chance would come. The End of Schultz. At'TING on the information ho had obtained from Pearly Nick, Schultz had followed Pink to the Solomon Islands, bent on searching every island to the south-west of Bougainville. As it hai»pened, he had heard far off the sound of the liombs thrown by Pink, and he had steered in the direction indicated. Schultz and his men came ashore in tlie morning, and in a long straggling line, their guns all loaded and ready, they entered the woods and cautiously advanced. No signs of life were to be .seen until they readied the clearing. The native village was empty, but the "God of the Sea" still sat on his pedestal. " Otie of I'ink's men!" whispered Rudy. "I'ink himself, I reckon," said Schultz. "Go forward slowly, and we'll get the mutt easy." They went on step l)y step, and the god did not move. Schultz at length reached forward to seize Pink's shoulder, and as he did .so the figure fell foiward and lay still. "Diving dross is empty," said Schultz disgustedly. "He's got awa.y, or the niggers have got him." "Is this anything, boss?" asked Bill, showing Scluiitz a stone he had picked up from the path. "Sure!" cried the Irader delightedly. "It's a rul)y. boys. I reckon we're in luck. C'mon. and look around some more !" "Help! Help!" came a distant voice from among the trees "This way! " yelled Schultz, and the men doubletl towards the sound. In a few minutes Ihey came to a deep pit, and, looking down into it, they saw a white man. "It's McCarthy," said Schultz. "Haul him out, boys." Square Deal was pulled out, and the gang ringed him round. "Now, McCarthy, I'll have the truth." cried Schultz. "Where's Daisy, and where's that skunk I'ink?" "Dead!" s.nid Square Deal .solemnly. Every Tuesday "Dead!" echoed Schultz and his men. "How then?" "The niggers captured the boat while' Pink was down below," said McCarthy. "They brought Daisy and me iij) hert- and tied us up. Pink got ashore in ins ; diving dress, and the natives took him for a god." "I guessed that," remarked Schultz "Okay so far. Go on." "They had a feast last night and got drunk, most of 'em," McCarthy con- tinued, "and Pink came up and cut ui loose. We were making away, but they chased us and they killed Daisy ami Pink with spears. I fell down this pit, and they missed me." "1 don't believe all that," growle<l Srluiltz. "Half his yarn is lies. I re<kon. I saw the back of the divm.,' dress had been cut, and I guess Dai.-^v and McCarthy got Barker out. I bc- lieve those two arc somewhere on the island." Square Deal was roped up and hurried off to Schultz's boat, while the trader and his men searched the island. Schultz had guessed correctly, for Pink and the girt had escaped the night before, and after wandering a long way across the island, they found refuge in a cave just before dawn. "Take these, Daisy." said Pink pre- sently, giving a small bag to the girl.- "I put all .he rubies they threw at my feet into that bag. You look after 'em." "W'hy give them to me?" asked Daisy. "I believe Schultz is here—you saiv that searcniight. We've got away from the niggers, but we shan't dodge hint so easy. He won't hurt you, but as f6i- me " "If he—kills you, I'll die, too, Pink." said Daisy in a low tone. "We'll go" together, dear." "Then you don't hate me any more?" cried the young sailor joyfully. "No," replied Daisy; "I never did". I only tried to think I did." . Pink took the girl in his arms a:rd kissed her, very happy in si)ite of tlv^ dangers surrounding them. Presently, he stepped out of the cave to survey the country. It was an unwise move, for Schultz happened to be ensconced behind some trees not far off, looking throufiii his telescope, and he caught a glimpse of Pink. He called up his gang, and a few minutes later Daisy and Pink were surprised and captured. "You ever see this before?" growled . Schultz, producing tlic ruby. "Got any more like it?" Pink looked contemptuously at his rival, but did not reply, and Schult' turned to Daisy. "I've got something special tn say to -, Dai.sy," he snarled. "Her boy friend is' i going to be accidentally shot." "Why can't you leave us to die?" . cried Daisy pleadingly. "I'll leave him to die, and fake you along." snapped Schultz. "You'll never lake me with youl". :' exclaimed tlie girl. (Continued on page 27.) IJj'e^ !-'■' St-ivtember 6th, 193V. They entered the woods and cautiously advanced.