The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1934-02-20
Chapter 81
EXPLORATION

49, s@AAou6nb VI 1cSOuuOLLSI1uS
their position but decided against
lA Mwould leave Janice unprotected
and ct night he would discover but
little OF value.
Unprotected! He smiled grimly.
His joints ached, the wound in his
back panied him. He was compare
lively weaponiess. There was not
much protection he would be able
20 offer Janice.
His eyeiids dropped. He arose and
began to walk about the fire. But
his limbs were leaden. WEAKNESS
forced him to lie upon the ground.
His head sank lower. Sleep fell upon
him with the speed Of q dropping
hawk.
A thudding upon the ground woke
him. He lay q moment adjusting his
mind to his surroundings. Overhead,
IA the turquoise sky Of dawn. a vul-
turs lowered. Il drifted beyond his
sight Through the arched fronds Of
leaning palm trees he saw the
36ngfe-Slad lip of q low elf. It's face
arched back and under.
Beneath It was a low mound Of
debris, topped with shrubbery. In
stantly he knew that It was upon
this mound that Janice and he had
fallen. This was verified as he noted
the break In the vegetation at the
cliffs edge where the old Maya road
had abruptly terminated in space.
The thudding recommenced-a VI
bration upon the ground that was
transmitted to his ear.
Swiftly he arose to his feet, and
glanced about him. The fire was dull
embers in white ashes. Janice was
not In sight. He parted his lips to
cali when he caught sight OF her
within the palm grove. With the
machete she was pounding at an OBJ
tect upon q rock.
As he approached she looked up
with q smile.
breakfast. maybe she told him.
''These cocoanuts are like leather.
And not at all like the kind we have
At,homa."
Frank chuckled. 1.-THE greatest
WONDER" he informed her. sis that
you recognised them for cocoanuts.
Here, let me have the knife. The
one you're working on is rather old.
I'll get some good ones"
LIE LAUGHED at her crestfallen
! I face. Swapping the machete to
bis waist he approached one OF the
smaller trees.
II haven't Skinned since was a
Kid but :. watch me-"
He made the ascent. Reaching the
lower leaves. he hacked at a cluster
Of green nuts. He called to Janice to
watch out.
The nuts thudded to the ground.
He slid down.
Chopping at the green fiber. soon
he had two Of the nuts open at the
top. Hle passed one to Janice.
"Here's how" he grinned. Drink
all you can. and scoop out the pulp
with your fingers. Fingers were
made before spoons. you know"
"But not mine," she answered
with q little mock grimace.
It was little enough for breakfast,
but It must serve. They tossed away
the emptied husks and stood look
fng 5at each other. She seemed to
sense the trouble in his eyes. I'm.
puIsiteE she put forward her hand
and rested 1t upon his sleeve.
gN"NSver mind" she said. "We'll get
out somehow"
y s'Of course" he answered with
forced cl1eertulnesS. But the memory
OF Green's and Juan's sacrifice foI
them lay like q pail upon him. In
that instant he took oath with him
self that their heroic act would not
have been in vain. He would. some
how. get Janice out Of this.
"Let's take q look around" ht
suggested. we can't get back the
way We came. 20 let's continue or
In the dissection OF the broken road
I think Z saw another cliff q few
hundred cards across this little val
ley.
Perhaps We can climb up to there
and continue on the road. Consider
Ing the direction Of the sun. the road
runs roughly east and west Nigh
be able to, follow It to the sea"
LIE RECOVERED his coat from
II the side Of the IRE and theI
began 10 work their way toward tht
spot where another elf. similar Il
-------------- e------------------------