The Detroit times., 1915-11-19


tion papers for herself AS Annette.
In an insurrection Neal an Annette
are again captured.
Ponto produced two sets OF crude
ly-fashioned mead nets and hand
gloves made OF mosquito netting.
Inez had told him how to make
them. Hernandez donned one set
and Ponto dorned the other
What about The bruts said
Ponto
Hernandez shook his head Let
him su1er. he said, hell he all
the moro ready To obey beside you
can't kill him.
lie drew knife and slasheo at
Meals less-cutting the bonds that
bound him Neal sprang to his feet
and began mighty struggle, but
Ponto thrust an automatic INTO the
back OF his neck
III you wart TO die q merciful
death right now said Ponto, keep
on--the woman will be all the lone
her tonight
Neal ceased his struggles. An
nettcs bonds were loosened. Each
with a guard OF two behind, Was
forced 10 leave the hut, and forced
down the trail on the farther side
OF the small hill
After nftcen minutes walk they
halted. Ponto spoke sharply 10 the
native who was with them.
Lead on. ne commanded, you
know the way"
All" said the native. 81 and
mighty few beside. be careful
now"
Ponto turned TO Hernandez
This" he said. 'is the cause of all
the pestilence--.this Is the qnaginire
at the bottom OF our hill--mosquito
swamp"
There are not so many nosaui-
toes here" returned Hernandez,
mot enough in fact.
The native grinned. Not now
bnt at night--at night they are
legion-they are hends. foul fends.
And they breed pcstilence. On. Fol
low me-"
II was not such an easy matter
TO follow him There was no trail
visible Safety lay in stepping from
bog 20 bog--and there were few OF
them.
"One false step" said the guide,
"you will drown--no one can rescue
you, for no one can get purchase
for his feet Yon will drown In
crawling water-green, crawling wa
ter--and with lizards in your mouth.
1t is n most agreeable death. On.
Careful. Follow me-"
Back at the Inn or the Spanish
Don Neal Hardin's mother began
10 grow restive--Annede had not
returned Neal was nowhere 10 be
seen. Once the surgeon stopped in
and inquired for Neal. After hat
Mrs. Hardin made inquiries OF her
own. No one knew where he was
no one had seen the little white
angel
out in the swamp Neal and An
nette we're conducted TO a small.
swamp islet. green with dark
growth-upon which there was bare
ly foothold.
"This," said the native to Her
nandez, "is the place OF which /
told. From this there is no escape.
Should they try to reach the land
both will perish--witn lizards In
their mouths And as for the mos
quitoes--even now.
Hernandez bowed. You have
chosen pests and pestilence, your
friends. ha- -aald GOOD aa1l
pleasant dreams. Now take us
back"
No sooner we're they out of hear
Ing than the two castaways using
every twist and trick they knew,
struggled cut OF their bonds. Neal
produced tottle Of crude oil
Lucky he said. this will give
us time, at any rate"
Back at the hut. the native was
bowing low. Hernandez poured
much coin into his hand. And
mind" said Hernandez, "close
mouth for two days at any rate. you
dos."
The dog protested tie was 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 we'll,
he started for the nearest tavern.
and bent his elbow With great fire.
quency and every time he bent his
elbow he opened his mouth--and to
some purpose after awhile he
began to treat--and falkland
show his money. And then. TO
prove he was an honest man and no
thief. like others there. he began
TO tell Just how he had become so
very, very rich in such a short
space OF time. they listened to