The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1916-01-03
CHAPTER XII.
PestiIence.

AS Annette's party passed along,
single file, up the narrow overgrown
shore road, Shaping and swatting
mosquitoes to their hearts content,
they heard a quick step behind them.
They turned An officer closing up
their rear. saluted.
He was the ships surgeon. He
strobe on with brisk pace. Let me
get ahead there if you please" he
said, there's something that / don't
like about this place. want to have
"a look"
Scarcely had he said it before a
native woman darted out of a tumble
down hut-one of many that frcnted
on the shore road.
"Madre di Dios," she cried in shrill
accents. "Americanos -help-succor.
For the love of heaven"
She kneeled by the roadside and as
the surgeon swung along, she clasped
him by the knees.
my child-my man child-my only
one" she walled. in the Spanish
tongue, "he is at deaths door. Help,
Senior, sonora, senorita-help."
The surgeon lifted the woman to
her feet He spoke soothingly in
Spanish to her, and turned and told
the others what she said
go on, everybody" he cried, point
ing up the road, 'let nobody follow
me. Go your way"
Annette and her little party pro-
ceeded forthwith to the hotel-a fimsy
affair rejoicing in the cognomen OF
the Inn Of the Spanish DON
Hut after hut the surgeon entered,
glancing quizzically into the face OF
some sufferer-nodding solemnly with
pursed-up lips-left tablets and direc-
lions, and then went on his way.
Finally he found his way to the cen
ter of the town and made an inquiry.
He was directed to a somewhat formal
looking building.
The surgeon strobe on into the
house He found the mayor in his
pajamas, smoking cigar
The surgeon seated himself and &C
cepted a palmleaf fan. Sorry he
said. but your place reeks with yell
low fever-youve got an epidemic on
your hands
Mayor Ramon Carol started up.
"Madre di Dios, he cried, "what-not
another one. They will impeach me
it is ruin. Say not So
The surgeon nodded. Don't get ex-
cited, Senior Carroll" he returned, for
tunately the Albany is in the road
stead. I'll fetch over a hospital force. |
Well do what we can. Have YOU got |
a piece of paper-I want half a dozen |
sheets That's what l came here Tor"
He got them and went on his way.
His way lay past the Inn of the. sSran-
ish Don. He stopped.
Here, Gunner Hardin" he cried,
come out in the road and spray me
with this" Neal sprayed him. The
surgeon sat down in the hotel Office
and harangued Annette's party. He
them from distance. you
people" he said, are in no danger
lot even Mrs Hardin-if you follow
ny instructions.
The important thing" went on the
surgeon, lis the mosquitoes. It isn't
ikely the bites you've got have done
'ou any harm. I'll leave you tablets
anyhow to ward the fever off. But
II do more-Ili have mosquito net
ing fetched over from the ship and
ou can sleep under It at night. Now
want help"
He distributed the sheets Of official
aper he had obtained from Mayor
,amon Carol.
''Sit down-all OF you-anywhere,"
g commanded, "and write out what l
ay. It'll be IL Spanish-and it's got
, be plain. III spell the words SO
on won't go wrong. Begin" n
And then he dictated the warming
hat was posted that afternoon In all
ae public places>of the town. II