The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-12-11
CHAPTER XIII.
Perilcus Piacea.

Perilcus Places.
Ten days later Annette Ilington.
now called the little white angel even
by the shore squad from the cruiser,
felt her skirts plncked by clutching
hand. She looked down. A native-a
mere bag of bones in tumble Of rags
-crouched at her feet.
Little white angel" whined the ma
tive in Spanish-and Annette had
learned enough of the tongue to listen
to appeals for helr-"my daughter
just like you-so kind, and pretty.
She lies at deaths door. You have
food, you have medicine-and you can
lay your hand on her. She will get
well. What you have done for 9TH
ers you can do for her.
An officer from the Albany turned
the corner. Annette's heart leaped.
The man was Neal Hardin.
Neal" she cried, listen to him
talk to him for me. Ask him where
his daughter is-Ill-go unless it's too
far"
Neal spoke to the man in his native
language The man jabbered back
elCquently.
"Only a short distance out Of town, .
said Neal over that hill"
I'll CO." said Annette.
Neal pondered for a moment. "All
right" he said, and I'm free just
now. I'll go with you.
The native leaped to his feet with
alacrity and ran crookedly ahead OF
them. Outside of the town they
plunged into underground and then
through woods-but the ground was
dry and the trail was fairly good.
At the door of hut the native
paused and motioned them in.
Neal and Annette entered side by
side. In a dark corner was huddled
shape under a filthy cloth. Annette
sprang toward it. At that instant the
native dropped to the ground and
clutched Meals ankles tightly in each
hand. At the same instsnt the hud
died figure in the corner leaped to Its
feet--it was nc stricken girl--it was
| Hernandez, with the light of triumph
in his eyes. And at the same instant
| Ponto and the brute sprang into the
fray.
It was only matter of a momen
before Annette and Neal found them
selves bound and lying CT the floor
Neal, after a few Gasps for breath
smiled at Annette Surlornly.
Hernandez stamped his foot.
will give you two minutes to produc
the map of Lost Isle" he said, "an'
II 1t is not then forthcoming.
He paused. go on" said Neal
what them"
At the end of two minutes h
thrust his watch back into his pocket
He signed to Ponto. The helmets,
he commanded, and the gloves.
Ponto produced two sets of crudel!
fashioned head nets and hand glove
made of mosquito netting. lnez ma
| told him how to make them. Herr
andez donned one set and Pomt
donned the other.
Neal and Annette. each with
guard OF two behind, were forced Z
leave the hut, and forced down tn
trail on the farther side of the SINAI
hill.
After fifteen minutes walk the
halted. Ponto spoke sharply to tn
native who was with them.
Lead on" he commanded; "yo
know the way.
All" said the native, Il and mght
few beside. Be careful now.
Ponto turned tc Hernandez. This,
he said. "is the cause of all the pest
lence-this is the luagmire at the b.
tom Ct our hlll--cosquito swamp
There are not so many mosquitot
here" returned Fernandez, &c
enough IN fact.
The native grjnned Not now-bt
at night-at night they are legion
they are fiends, foul fiends. And the
breed pestilence. On. Follow me
Back at the Inn of the Spanish De
Neal Hardins mother began to gro
restive-Annette had not returned
Neal was nowhere to be seen. One
the surgeon stepped IN and inquire
for Neal After that Mrs. Hardi
made inquiries Of her own. NO on
knew where he was-no one had see
the little white angel.
out in the swamp Neal and Annett
were conducted to a small. swan
islet. green with dark growth-upo
which there was barely foothold.
This" said the native to Hernal
dez. lis the place of which ! toll
From this there is nc escape.
Hernandez bowed You have cho
en- pests and pestilence. your friends
he said. Goodnight, and pleasar
dreams. Now take US back.
Back at the hut, the native was bov
ing low. Hernandez poured muc
coin into his hand. And mind" sal
Hernandez, "close mouth for two day
at any rate, you dog"
In one way he was close-mouthe
In another way he well,
started for the nearest tavern, ar
bent his elbow with great frequenC
and every time he bent his elbow
onened his mouth-and to some pu