The Detroit times., 1915-11-19

ton papers for herself as Annette.
In an fnsurrection Neal an Annette
are again captured.
Ponto produced two sets OF crude
Questioned mead nets and hand
gloves made OF mosquito netting.
Inez had told him how to make
them. Hernandez donned one set
and Ponto donned the other.
What about the brute said
Ponto.
Hernandez shook his head. Let
him suffer-" he said. he'll be all
the more ready to obey--beside you
can't kill him.
He drew n knife and slashed at
Meals legs--cutting the bonds that
bound him. Neal sprang to his feet
and began a mighty struggle, but
Ponto thrust an automatic into the
back OF his neck.
III you want TO die a merciful
death right now" said Ponto, keep
on--the woman will be all the lone
lier tonight"
Neal ceased his struggles. An.
nette's bonds were loosened. Each
with guard OF two behind, was
forced 10 leave the hut, and forced
down the trail on the farther side
OF the small hill.
After hfteen minutes walk they
halted. Ponto spoke sharply TO the
native who was With them.
Lead on" be commanded, you
know tho way"
"Ah." said the native. II and
mighty few beside. BE careful
now"
Ponto turned TO Hernandez.
This" he said, is the cause of all
the pestilence-this Is the quaginire
nj the bottom OF our hill--mosquito
swamp"
There are not so many .nosqui-
toes here" returned Hernandez.
mot enough in fact
The native grlnned. Not now
but nj nlght-at night they are
legion-they are hends, foul flends.
And they breed pestilcnce. On. Fol
low me-"
II was not such an easy matter
TO follow him. There was no trail
visible. Safety lag in stepping from
bog 70 bog-and there were few Of
them.
"One false STEP said the guide,
"you will drovn-no one can rescue
you. for no one can get purchase
for his feet You will drown in
crawling water-green, crawling wa.
ter-and with lizards in your mouth.
II is "A most agreeable death. On,
Careful. Follow me"
Back at the Inn OF the Spanish
Don Neal Hardins mother began
TO grow restive-Annette had not
returned--Neal was nowhere TO be
seen. Once the surgeon stopped in
and inquired for Neal. After that
Mrs. Hardin made inquiries OF her
own. Mo one knew ~hefe- he was
no one had seen the little white
angel
Out In the swamp Neal and An
nette were conducted TO a small,
swamp islet, green with dark
growth-upon which there was bare.
ly foothold.
This" said the native to Her.
naudez, as the place OF which |
told. From this there Is no escape.
Should they try to reach the land
both will perish-with lizards In
their mouths. And as for the mos
quitoes--even now.
Hernandez bowed You have
chosen and pestiienee.- yo-t
friends" he said, good night, and
pleasant dreams. Now take MS
back"
No sooner were they out OF hear
Ing than tho two castaways using
every twist and trick they knew.
struggled cut of their bonds. Neal
produced bottle OF crude oil
Lucky he said this will give
us time, at any rate"
Back at the hut, the native was
OOh lIlk lONs Nhti
much coin into his hand "And
mind" said Hernandez. "close
mouth for two days at any rate, you
dos"
The dog protested> re vas the
king OF close mouths so he told
Hernandez Even angels never
knew his secrets.
In one way he was close mouth
ed In another way he j vol,
he started for the nearest tavern.
and bent his elbow with great fire.
quency and every time lie bent bis
elbow he opened his mouth--and to
some purpose after awhile Ne
began TO treat falkland
show his money. And then. to
prove he was an honest man and no
thief. like others there. he began
10 tell Just how he had become 40
very. very rich in such short
sDace OF time. -. they listened to