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Overview
CONTENTS
Chap. Page
I. A DANGEROUS BEQUEST 1
II. AN UNDERSTANDING 15
III. AT THE ELBOW POOL 30
IV. THE POACHER 43
V. THE TRYST AT HALLOWS BRIG 56
VI. DANE'S SILENCE 71
VII. A WARNING 85
VIII. TREACHERY 96
IX. TEMPTATION 110
X. RIDEAU'S BARGAIN 125
XI. THE TRAIL OF THE LEOPARD 137
XII. WEALTH IN SIGHT 149
XIII. PESTILENCE 163
XIV. AN EVENTFUL DECISION 177
XV. THE BOARDING OF THE KABUNDA 189
XVI. ILLUMINATION 202
XVII. IN NEED OF HELP 214
XVIII. MAXWELL'S CONFIDENCE 227
XIX. THE DANGEROUS SEÑORITA 240
XX. MAXWELL'S LAST MARCH 251
XXI. RELIEF 262
XXII. ON TO THE COAST 274
XXIII. AN EYE FOR AN EYE 285
XXIV. THE ESCAPE 297
XXV. THE HEART OF BONITA CASTRO 311
XXVI. REWARDED 320
THE LEAGUE OF THE LEOPARD
CHAPTER I
A DANGEROUS BEQUEST
It was very hot in the little West African factory where trader Niven
lay dying. The sea breeze had died away, and though sunset drew near, it
was not yet time for the spicy airs from the inland forest to mitigate
the temperature. The dust lay still in the sun-scorched compound, about
which the palm fronds hung motionless, and only the roar of breakers on
the beach broke through the drowsy silence.
Two white men lounged in cane chairs upon the veranda which encircled
the building. Both were limp, gaunt of frame, and pallid in face,
because the climate they lived in is particularly unhealthy. Neither had
enjoyed much education, or felt the lack of it in the trade they
followed, while the cocktail jug on the little table betokened their
favorite relaxation. Redmond and Gilby were West Coast traders who lived
far remote from intercourse with their fellows, except for the two
French rivals with whom they periodically quarreled. They concerned
themselves with little beyond the well-being of their factory, and
indulged each appetite on opportunity, knowing that on the morrow they
might suddenly die. Yet they had their strong points, including a
tenacious regard for their employers' interests, which led them to toil
twelve hours daily when sick of fever if trade was good, and sometimes
defy the French authorities, and an inconsistent generosity, as the
result of which they had camped in the store shed, and turned over their
own quarters to the man who stood behind them, and his stricken
companion. The former was of very different type.
"You have done your best for the poor devil," said Redmond, glancing
regretfully from him toward the empty jug. "But if I know anything about
coast fever--and I ought to--Niven will get his release to-night. Still
rambling about that fortune, I suppose?"
Carsluith Maxwell nodded, and Gilby commented meditatively: "It may be
all a fever fancy, and it may be true. Niven was well known in this
afflicted colony years ago, and there is gold up yonder. In fact, right
away from here to the Volta you can find the color in the rivers, but
there's very little of it that will pay for the washing, and few British
mining companies that distribute much in dividends. Still, the old
Portuguese took a good deal out, if the tales are true, and one gets
small lots now and then put up in quills."
Redmond laughed maliciously.
"The last quills Gilby took in contained brass filings, and the firm
wrote off their nominal value against our commission. Gilby had been
drinking cocktails all that day. He may be right about the gold, but
it's my firm opinion that unless the French send up a strong column and
root out the Leopards, no white man will ever find it. You have heard
about them, Maxwell?"
Maxwell was a man of discretion, and though he had ventured beyond the
fringe of the Leopards' country, he only said:
"I don't know much about them. Do you?"
"He does not," said Gilby. "Neither does any white man; unless perhaps
it's Rideau, or Niven. They are supposed to be members of one of the
secret leagues run by the bush magicians in connection with the cult of
the Ju-Ju; and if you want to know just what kind of devil a Ju-Ju is,
you need not ask me.
Chap. Page
I. A DANGEROUS BEQUEST 1
II. AN UNDERSTANDING 15
III. AT THE ELBOW POOL 30
IV. THE POACHER 43
V. THE TRYST AT HALLOWS BRIG 56
VI. DANE'S SILENCE 71
VII. A WARNING 85
VIII. TREACHERY 96
IX. TEMPTATION 110
X. RIDEAU'S BARGAIN 125
XI. THE TRAIL OF THE LEOPARD 137
XII. WEALTH IN SIGHT 149
XIII. PESTILENCE 163
XIV. AN EVENTFUL DECISION 177
XV. THE BOARDING OF THE KABUNDA 189
XVI. ILLUMINATION 202
XVII. IN NEED OF HELP 214
XVIII. MAXWELL'S CONFIDENCE 227
XIX. THE DANGEROUS SEÑORITA 240
XX. MAXWELL'S LAST MARCH 251
XXI. RELIEF 262
XXII. ON TO THE COAST 274
XXIII. AN EYE FOR AN EYE 285
XXIV. THE ESCAPE 297
XXV. THE HEART OF BONITA CASTRO 311
XXVI. REWARDED 320
THE LEAGUE OF THE LEOPARD
CHAPTER I
A DANGEROUS BEQUEST
It was very hot in the little West African factory where trader Niven
lay dying. The sea breeze had died away, and though sunset drew near, it
was not yet time for the spicy airs from the inland forest to mitigate
the temperature. The dust lay still in the sun-scorched compound, about
which the palm fronds hung motionless, and only the roar of breakers on
the beach broke through the drowsy silence.
Two white men lounged in cane chairs upon the veranda which encircled
the building. Both were limp, gaunt of frame, and pallid in face,
because the climate they lived in is particularly unhealthy. Neither had
enjoyed much education, or felt the lack of it in the trade they
followed, while the cocktail jug on the little table betokened their
favorite relaxation. Redmond and Gilby were West Coast traders who lived
far remote from intercourse with their fellows, except for the two
French rivals with whom they periodically quarreled. They concerned
themselves with little beyond the well-being of their factory, and
indulged each appetite on opportunity, knowing that on the morrow they
might suddenly die. Yet they had their strong points, including a
tenacious regard for their employers' interests, which led them to toil
twelve hours daily when sick of fever if trade was good, and sometimes
defy the French authorities, and an inconsistent generosity, as the
result of which they had camped in the store shed, and turned over their
own quarters to the man who stood behind them, and his stricken
companion. The former was of very different type.
"You have done your best for the poor devil," said Redmond, glancing
regretfully from him toward the empty jug. "But if I know anything about
coast fever--and I ought to--Niven will get his release to-night. Still
rambling about that fortune, I suppose?"
Carsluith Maxwell nodded, and Gilby commented meditatively: "It may be
all a fever fancy, and it may be true. Niven was well known in this
afflicted colony years ago, and there is gold up yonder. In fact, right
away from here to the Volta you can find the color in the rivers, but
there's very little of it that will pay for the washing, and few British
mining companies that distribute much in dividends. Still, the old
Portuguese took a good deal out, if the tales are true, and one gets
small lots now and then put up in quills."
Redmond laughed maliciously.
"The last quills Gilby took in contained brass filings, and the firm
wrote off their nominal value against our commission. Gilby had been
drinking cocktails all that day. He may be right about the gold, but
it's my firm opinion that unless the French send up a strong column and
root out the Leopards, no white man will ever find it. You have heard
about them, Maxwell?"
Maxwell was a man of discretion, and though he had ventured beyond the
fringe of the Leopards' country, he only said:
"I don't know much about them. Do you?"
"He does not," said Gilby. "Neither does any white man; unless perhaps
it's Rideau, or Niven. They are supposed to be members of one of the
secret leagues run by the bush magicians in connection with the cult of
the Ju-Ju; and if you want to know just what kind of devil a Ju-Ju is,
you need not ask me.
Product Details
| BN ID: | 2940012760418 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | SAP |
| Publication date: | 07/24/2011 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| File size: | 241 KB |
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