Evening star., 1928-12-09
unge Millionaire Is Ruthless Baron Defyng Law and

| and down and forward at dizzying
| speeds. AS it swung stern down in the
| current I could see far behind the two
halfbreedS wading ashore.
Whether to cling to the tossing canoe
or dive into the rapids was a dilemma
that looked fatal either way. But I did
| not have to make a choice. A shatter-
ing crash shook the dug-out from stem
to stern, and was plunged into the
depths of the torrent. Coming to the
surface. 1 was dashed along helpleSSly,
bruised against sharp rocks and finally
hurled against the left bank of the
river. I seized some projecting roots
and pulled myself out onto the shore
exhausted.
1t was very plain that my presence in
this part of the rubber country was not
desired by its King His men appar-
emily are trained to eliminate unwanted
visitors by methods that look like nor
NAL accidents.
built fire. painfully by the use of
firestickS. All of my supplies were gone,
but I still had the revolver and cart
ridges in my belt. I spent most Of the
| night trying to kindle the blaze. Then
began to take stock of my chances of
getting back to the Araguaya afoot
through the dense jungle.
X x x
RUT the fire had an unexpected con-
sequence. I had suspected that I
must be in the neighborhood of the
Gaviaos, While I was still pondering
on how to escape without encountering
members of this hostile and treacherous
tribe, became aware of three figures,
armed with huge bows, silently regard
ing me through the thickets. My hand
was on my revolver. They stood silent,
ominously ready with their bows.
spoke few words of Caraja, but in
vain Finally arose, smiling as 1ngra-
tiatingly as 1 could and throwing my
arms wide in a gesture of friendliness.
But 1 think it was my height, rather
than the cordiality of my gesture. that
impressed them. They began to mutter
among themselves as I approached and
then turned and melted into the jungle.
1 followed quietly and soon came
upon a village The place was In a
turmoil. l saw a few Squaws fitting
hastily into the Jungle! The warriors
stood clustered about their fat-paunch-
ed chief A pack of dogs rushed at
me. I fired into the pack and the dogs
scattered, yelping. The effect was all
could have wished. The chief sud-
denly began to make signs OF peace
and welcome.
/ had heard too much of the Gaviaos'
treachery to want to stay among them.
Several canoes were beached on the
river bank In sign language I began
to dicker with the chief for one of
them. I offered to trade my revolver
for a canoe and his bow and arrow.
The deal was made. the chief beamtng
with as broad smile as I have ever
seen on an Indian face. elected the
remaining cartridges from the pistol be-
fore turned it over to him-and soon
had reason to thank the intuition that
led me to do so. For as padded out
into the stream looked back over my
shoulder to see the chief standing there
on the shore awkwardly pointing the
weapon at me.
The next morning I was picked up by
a big fiat boat, manned by 20 men
and laden with nuts and rubber. In
command was the negro I had met in
Conceicao, the former army lieutenant.
During the lazy journey to Para
told him of my experiences. He seemed
particularly interested in my descrip-
ton of the overSeer at the rubber
camp.
One morning we pulled into the shore
| at Para, where, from 20-foot scowS like
our own ragged wharf-rats were un-
| loading rubber. cacao, nuts and medi-
cinal barks. Here was the point where
the products of the Xingu Kings en-
| pire first entered the markets OF the
world There was great clamor of
dickering between the men on the boats
and the purchasers ashore. My negro
| c0rnDani0n walked part Wav uD the
sloping bank with me, through the
gesticulating throng of this riverside
| market.
AS we were saying adieu he asked me
| again to describe the overseer at the
mysterious camp I had visited.
"Very short?" he asked. And fat?
With thick lips, and big mustache?
And little eyes? Did one of the lids
droop?"
YES" said. "And he wore snake
skin around his sombrero."
THAT" said the negro, as we parted,
"was the King of the Xingu himself"
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