Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1929-08-22

VI
Seemingly the Nnrweglnn's assurance
had not fully alayed the mistrust of
these uneasy Britons kircheiss and
| made every excuse we could 10 keep
together. hut the hospitality was so
pressing that we could mol refuse ans
longer wthGut practically giving our
selves away
Even II we are apart" | said to
ktrcheiss on The side. I'VE have oul
pistols aud hand grenades. by joe.
We will keep our eyes open. and we
can take care OF ourselves single
handed H. anything looks wrong, we
will fight our way TO the bout
We dined pleasantly enough. The
resident talked lor, although he did
not seem To he naturally falkative
kind. He asked me many questions
which answered cautiously ma
tive servant brought him II note. and
he serihhed mite In return. After a
few minutes. the servant brought him
another message. and again he mn
swered 1t. This happened severa,
times.
important messages? | asked
"Oh, no." he replied hastily. they
are from my friend Low. lie wants to
arrange 10 have us all take coffee al
his bungalow"
II was very queer. was prepared.
though, and thanked my stars for the
pistol and hand grenade In my pockets.
| learned later that their scheme was.
In fact. to question kircheiss and me
separately. The purpose of the notes
was 10 arrange questions 10 be asked
Of US, so that they might check up
our separate answers TO the same
. questions These answers. 1t hap
nened. had 1ihed fairly well. although
mol well enough to disarm suspicion
altogether.
When the time for leaving came, the
resident told me that. If we would re
turn on the following day, he would
give us the certificate we desired. Ger
tifying that In the course Of our sport
ing voyage we had called at the
island Of Aitutaki. The delay about
the certificate was of course. to de
tain us a day longer.
Away from this unsatisfactory Inter
view. we encountered the Norwegian
carpenter VITO informed kirchess that
the natives believed we were Ger
!. unns The British had been recruit
iIfe snldlery among them for service
In France and for the purpose Of get
ting recruits had stirred them up with
bit of war fever The islanders.
therefore. hoped that we we're enc
mics so they could seize rs. They
planned TO got our boat ashore and
capture Ii. Upon hearing Of this
ordered thai TWO men be on watch ali
the time. ready TO repel any attack. !.
The following day provided US With,
plenty of thrills When klrcheiss and
went TO the residents house, crowds
OF natives followed u.s. The resident
greeted us with worried expression
but came straight TO the point.
u shall have TO examine your beat
and napers." he said sternly.
"How so?' saldg l.
"Tne natives think you are Ger
mans. | knnw you are not. but must
inspect your boat to satisfy them"
He yacillated between the desire OF
not letting Us get away and The fear
If d fight
Outside, the rulynesinns were gath
erlng from all quarters They made a
menncing, uelyIoukine mob. LET.
hand In pocket. ! attached carhlne
mock 70 the fuse Of the grenade With
that mob Of hpnthpns on the ranipnge
there was no use In trying 10 carry
the deception any further.
ut ia true said To the resident
we are Germans, But don't yuu tliins
Ii would be better II we remained
friends? we are white men. ain
with you In front OF these natives
Act the part that viii impress them
Come and examine our hoat.'
"very we'll" he replied. growing
pnIe. but you won't take me with
you?"
mo. upon my word, no."
When we stepped out on the porch.
The Islanders raised a howl J never
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