The Daily Alaska empire., 1934-02-22
Chapter 36
JUNGLE AGAIN

JUNGLE AGAIN
 IF ONLY he could retain con | sciousness a little while longer! Vaguely he knew that an airplane flying at normal speed could travel in minute almost the distance one could travel in a days beating through heat-laden jungle. Just a half hour more he wanted. His sight grew dinner Just few minutes longer, he prayed. He must get the ship to the coast. The beach, he knew, was one long landing field.
 Through bleared eyes he ob served that the jungle thickness be. low was spotted with many savan- nahs. Again he tried for altitude, but his muscles refused to supply strength sufficient to haul back the stick.
 Then ahead of him. abruptly, he saw tree tops. A cloak of darkness obscured his sight for an instant When his vision cleared he felt the upper branches slap against the landing gear.
 Savagely he fought the controls. The effort sent blinding pal n S through his brain. He was conscious of a great crashing noise.
 Eons later, it seemed, he dreamed hat he was struggling through in calculable jungles. It was very real to him. The smells of rotting vege- tation were bitter in his nostrils. Trees and brush weaved like un. realistic phantoms before his eyes
 From time to time a variety of tastes spread over his palate. as if he had eaten of jungle fruits; twice his brain dwelt in dull wonder that water could taste so sweet even in a dream.
 His body felt as though it were encased within hot metal. When that nightmare became too painful to endure, all his senses became blank again. After a period of time the dreams would recur.
 When finally he awakened. 1t seemed that he had been sleeping forever. The air about him was cool and gracious. He opened his eyes.
 He was lying in a palm clump. He saw the dropping fronds above. outlined against a sky brilliant with stars. Memory swooped upon his consciousness like a great and evil bird. He struggled to a sitting posi- tion. A small fire burned nearby.
 Janice" he cried. "Janicei"
 What is it Frank?"
 She stood before him. The fire, light illumined her. He stared in amazement. He. trim costume was stained and torn, her laced boots were cut to tatters.
 He observed that her face seemed thinner of contour, and the skin was pink and peeling as if it had been blistered. At first he thought she was wearing gloves but closer glance showed him that her hands were bound with white strips of cloth.
 Where's the plane?" he asked. What happened? We crashed, know.
 She looked at him with an ex- pression of puzzlement.
 "Of course," she answered. This morning." Her face lighted with dawning understanding. You were delirious. The ship went down in a savannah. It rolled awhile over the open until the ground became swampy. It struck something and went over on it's nose. and then righted itself. It sank to the lower wings. It started to burn just 8 little at first, then very fiercely.
 YOU sat there holding to the con
 l trol as if you were made oi wood. Your eyes were wide open thought for horrible instant thai tAdt.
 q know" said Frank softly "Go on."
 There was one of those bis knives the natives use, in leather case, strapped beside the fire ex tinguisher. l cut the belt tha strapped you in. The buckle wa! twisted and 1 couldn't loosen it. The flames reached you. You began tC move then, I tell you" She smiled %anly.
 T had to leave the rife: it wa! too heavy. 1 knew we had to ge away from there. 1 thought tn, smoke from the burning plan, might bring those natives after us.
 She shuddered little. Her eye filled with tears. and she droppe, to her knees beside him.
 Poor Horatio Greene, and tha little Mexican boy!" She wep quite openly now, and Frank threv his arm over the slim shoulders il clumsy attempt to soothe her. Hi own throat was tight.