With More Fun #62 (December 1940), we finally get to the gist of Congo Bill and Professor Kent's recent tensions - as with so many couples - er, I mean, bachelor friends - the problem is money! Apparently, Daddy's botanical treks aren't bringing in the green for Baby!
So Bill's not too keen on pulling his own weight, it seems! Don't panic, he comes to his senses and starts pouring over the want ads.
Also worth noting is, at last, a specific geographic location for our stalwart adventurers - South Africa! Quite a ways from the Congo, but as we'll see in future installments, Bill has a way of getting around!
Bill spies a classified ad for a guide that suits his fancy, and as it happens the employer is staying in the very same hotel!
"Condon" (if that IS his name) wants Bill to lead he and his "deaf-mute" traveling companion to Utangi Gap (which as near as I can tell is NOT in South Africa, nor anywhere on planet Earth. Perhaps it's some obscure reference to author and faith pioneer Channappa Uttangi?)
Bill doesn't like what he hears, but bruthah need some scratch!
Once at the gap, Bill's suspicions prove well-founded! Instead of the expected payment he gets a Mickey Finn!
Bill, having ripped a pocket off of Condon's jacket, manages to save himself of course and finds a tattered clipping in the purloined pocket!
Bill tracks Condon to a deserted plantation house, where the "deaf-mute" turns out to be....aged billionaire Cecil Vander!
But, as we found out last time, The Ways Of Justice Are Often Strange! Cecil's drug-induced stupor wears off and he goes temorarily insane!
Bill arrives just in time to prevent a jungle bloodbath!
Bill leads Vander back to civilization, still expecting to show up in Prof's suite with empty pockets - but Bill forgets that The Ways Of Justice Often Work To The Betterment Of Poor Jungle Trackers!
Well, I'll ignore the obvious questions like "how did Vander get a checkbook when he's been kidnapped in the jungle for God knows how long", and "how does Congo Bill know whether a check is real or not, unless maybe he's not looking at the check and gaaaah what would he be looking at then" and simply rejoice in the fact that Bill and Kent are financed free and clear to Jungle Track and archeo-botanize another day!
So Bill's not too keen on pulling his own weight, it seems! Don't panic, he comes to his senses and starts pouring over the want ads.Also worth noting is, at last, a specific geographic location for our stalwart adventurers - South Africa! Quite a ways from the Congo, but as we'll see in future installments, Bill has a way of getting around!
Bill spies a classified ad for a guide that suits his fancy, and as it happens the employer is staying in the very same hotel!
"Condon" (if that IS his name) wants Bill to lead he and his "deaf-mute" traveling companion to Utangi Gap (which as near as I can tell is NOT in South Africa, nor anywhere on planet Earth. Perhaps it's some obscure reference to author and faith pioneer Channappa Uttangi?)Bill doesn't like what he hears, but bruthah need some scratch!
Once at the gap, Bill's suspicions prove well-founded! Instead of the expected payment he gets a Mickey Finn!
Bill, having ripped a pocket off of Condon's jacket, manages to save himself of course and finds a tattered clipping in the purloined pocket!
Bill tracks Condon to a deserted plantation house, where the "deaf-mute" turns out to be....aged billionaire Cecil Vander!
But, as we found out last time, The Ways Of Justice Are Often Strange! Cecil's drug-induced stupor wears off and he goes temorarily insane!
Bill arrives just in time to prevent a jungle bloodbath!
Bill leads Vander back to civilization, still expecting to show up in Prof's suite with empty pockets - but Bill forgets that The Ways Of Justice Often Work To The Betterment Of Poor Jungle Trackers!
Well, I'll ignore the obvious questions like "how did Vander get a checkbook when he's been kidnapped in the jungle for God knows how long", and "how does Congo Bill know whether a check is real or not, unless maybe he's not looking at the check and gaaaah what would he be looking at then" and simply rejoice in the fact that Bill and Kent are financed free and clear to Jungle Track and archeo-botanize another day!
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