Boy's Cinema (1933)

18 did, Belle Waldron, I'd want no inter- ference from you. Don't forget that I'm master here, and I'm responsible for my actions to no one. I'd advise you not to make yourself unpleasant or you might find yourself in that slave-hut you mentioned." Belle shot a bitter glance at him. "So this is the way you show your gratitude to me for bringing Mont- gomery here!" she cried. "A fine fool I've been " "Oh, keep your mouth shut!" the man broke in impatiently. "I've enough on my mind without you making trouble. There's that supply column from the oast, for instance, bringing ammunition and stores to the settlement. It should have been here by now, and we're running pretty short." With this abrupt change of conversa- tion he began to pace up and down the living-room, and he had been walking to and fro for some little time when there was a commotion at the stockade gate. A minute or two later Krotsky came hurrying into the bungalow. "The safari from the east, Shillov, ' he said. "They're here minus the supplies, and the native oearers are in a panic. It seems that Zungu pounced into the middle of them a little way from the encampment and they let go of everything—took to their heels in terror." Shillov's face became livid. "Zungu!" he grated. "So he's on the rampage again, is he? Well, we've got to have those supplies. Tell those bearers to go back for them or they II feel the lash of the whip." "They're demoralised with fear, Krotsky panted. "Nothing would in- duce them to return, not even threats. ' Shillov scowled at these words, and then raising up his clenched fist he banged it savagely on a table that stood near by. "It's time I put an end to this Zungu!" he blazed. "Muster some of the men and capture him, you under- stand ? Get him alive—a lion net will do the trick if you can draw close enough to him." "Would it not be better to put a bullet through him?" Krotsky muttered. "You heard what I said!" Shillov barked. "Get him alive! I want these blacks to hear Zungu cry aloud with fear." Krotsky nodded, and going out into the compound called a number of the other white men together. They were armed to the teeth, and a strong net having been fetched the party made tracks for the jungle, following the path by which the terrified bearers of the Bafari had approached the camp. They had not penetrated far into the bush when they heard a wild roaring somewhere ahead. It was the unmis- takable and half-human voice of Zungu, and signing to his companions to move with caution Shillov's lieuten- ant stole forward. A hundred yards farther on the group of men suddenly came in sight of a small clearing, and in the middle of this they saw their precious stores being scattered in all directions by the massive, hairy figure of the jungle outcast. The instinct to destroy was paramount in Zungu's breast, and his great hands were playing havoc with the supplies. Hi back was towards the Europeans, and Krotsky realised at once that the moment was ripe for a quick rush. "Come on!" Shillov's henchman jerked. "And don't make any blunder with that net!" Jauuarv 21st, 1933. BOY'S CINEMA The band ot wlme men charged, and Zungu was not aware or tnem until they were wimiu a lew paces, iie whipped round tneu, every muscle ot his body tense, but he was too late to protect hunseit, lor even as he turned the net wa» hung over him. A harsn bellow ot rage burst from Ins throat, xie struggled furiously, but he was caugtit lainy in the toils and, hurling themselves at his legs, Krotsky and his comiaclcs overthrew mm. .Next moment the net had been made secure around his writhing form, and, a stout pole being produced, Zungu was borne away like a trapped beast. The triumphant party retraced their steps through the bush, four men taking the pole on their shoulders, and Zungu swinging helplessly in the net, which now nung irom that pole. In this fashion Krotsky s band and their captive entered the stockade gateway of the Shillov en- campment, and, once in the compound, they Hung the ensnared prisoner roughly on the ground. The news that Zungu had been caught was already spreading like wildfire through the settlement, and, with eager cries, black men and white came running to . jeer at that figure which had formerly filled them with awe, but which was now powerless to do them any harm. Boris Shillov emerged from his bungalow, and, his ugly face alight with satisfaction, strode across to where Zungu lay battling with the net. "Good work, Krotsky, good work," Shillov declared, and then, leering at the strange, half-human captive : " Well, who's master now?" he cried mockingly. Zungu could not understand the words, but he knew that some taunt was being made, and the scream of rage with which he answered it caused Shillov to step back with involuntary alarm. But he was reassured as he saw that the monster man's efforts to escape from the net were futile, and with a smile he turned to Krotsky once more. "Have the signal drum beaten," he ordered. " Send out word to all the jungle that Shillov has captured the bushman's foe, and all who care to come are invited to the feast and celebration which is to be held here to-night." "Fine," Krotsky rejoined. "By thunder, Shillov. this is going to stand you in strong with the blacks. You'll have more allies than ever among the tribes. And in the meantime, what's to be done with Zungu?" "Lock him up," Shillov replied. "We'll keep him till after the feast, and then we'll put an end to him before all our bushman guests." Again the captive was raised, and this time he was carried f o a wooden cage. He was pitched inside bodilv. and. the door of the prison being padlocked and chained, he was left howling in a paroxysm of fury, still grappling with the folds of the net that enveloped him. Plan of Cscaon FROM a cage similar to the one into which Zungu had been thrown, Kirk Montgomery and Fred Oakes had witnessed the triumphant arrival of Krotsky's party, and had watched with interest all that had ensued. Now they stood with their eyes fixed upon the monster man. and they were gazing into the adjoining cage at his writhing form when they suddenly heard their names spoken in a familiar voice. " Meester Montgomery. Meoster Oakes!" They turned their heads, and saw Georges Coutlass standing just outside the door of their prison. lie had hailed them in a low guarded tone, and was Every Tuesday now beckoning to them surreptitiously. They moved across to the Greek, and Monty spoke. "What do you want?" he demanded curtly. Coutlass was in an awkward situation, and felt very much like a man seated near a crater of a volcano that was threatening eruption. The volcano in this instance was Shillov, and, knowing too well that ho did not rank high in the latter's estimation, the swaggering Greek was already repenting of his attempt to join the man's forces. Was he not virtually a prisoner ? And might not Shillov take it into his head to make a double killing to-night— first Zungu, and then Georges Coutlass? After ail, the Greek's presence at the settlement had only been suffered because Shillov imagined he might know some- thing of the ivory, which he most certainly did not. And now that three of the Morgan party were in the tyrant's hands, the latter was quite liable to put an end to him. Well, it behoved Georges Coutlass to strike another bargain with the Morgan group. "Listen, Montgomery," the Greek be- gan, " I do not hold a grudge. No, Georges Coutlass is a man willing to let bygones be bygones. You are in bad feex, eh? So! I will get you cut of here, and to-night 3 7 ou will be free." "You've tricked us too many times, Coutlass," Fred broke in scornfully. "We want nothing to do with you." Coutlass fingered his silky moustache. "By the Seven Seas, you shall have something to do weeth me!" he declared emphatically. "I shall not permit you to rot in Shillov's gaol." He pronounced the last words with a fine flourish, but his apparent concern on.their behalf did not deceive Monty and Fred. They knew the man too well not to realise that he w.as working for his own ends. " I am a prisoner, the same as you," the Greek went on. "but I have the freedom of the camp, and can move about and make plans. Therefore, my friends. T can be of value to you." Monty was thinking fast. Like Fred, he placed no faith in Coutlass. but never- theless the man seemed to be their only hone, and, whatever happened, they could not find themselves in a worse plight. "What about Barbara?" he mur- mured. "Wf>'d have to get word to her, Coutlass. We're not leaving her in Shi'lov's power." "Ha. you begin to come round, eh?" the Greek said with satisfaction. "Well, set your mind at rest—I will take care of everything." A guard approached at the moment, Coutlass edged away, and then, with a casual air. he strolled in the direction of Shilov's bungalow. He contrived to pass unobserved to the back of the dwelling, nnd was soon close to the window of Barbara's room. He intended to attract her attention and have a talk with her, but, on peer- ing cautiously into the apartment, he saw that Shillov was standing beforo her, <>'>d the Greek ducked quickly out of sight. "You still think I know where the ivorv is hidden?" the pirl was sayincr. "I am sure you do," Shillov rejoined in a wheedling tone. "Now listen. Miss Morgan, I haven't got your brother, but if you'll tell me the secret of Tipoo Tibs buried treasure, I'll help you to find him." Barbara did not speak, and, after a moment's silence, Shillov took her hands and leered at her. J: