The Daily Alaska empire., 1934-02-27
Chapter 40
NEW DANGER

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 ly, Tt was quite scrap. We never did get to the top of the pyra mid. I grabbed gun from one O the guards used it
 q thought saw the ahkin gC down. but 1 couldn't be sure. Any way the gun was empty. and rar to the edge Of the cenote.
 "I'm not much of a swimmer, you know, but thought I'd rather drowr than be cut up So I jumped over the edge.
 Funny: in falling thought how curious it was that still hung or to my bottle through the excite ment . Frank l think it was g break that they found that bottle but greater yet was the fact that il got to sea from herel"
 He arose and limped back anC forth before the fire. Talking rapid ly, almost to himself. he said. "We cant get up the cliffs. It would take weeks to make rope We mighl cut down palm trees. Make a ladder that'd reach to the top.
 But 1t might not work. If we did get to the top it would take weeks to cut through the jungle to the coasl Too long. The rains will be herr soon again"
 Frank interrupted him. "Janict looks little sleepy. How about get ting a little rest. Janice? Billy anC I will chin awhile, then turn in our selves"
 They over-ruled the girls protest Langton hobbled into the smal shack after them and pointed out a net hammock he said he'd made from cactus fiber. "It's not the Wal dorf type" he said with a wry smile but it's comfortable. The deer skins smell little but they're warm" Janice laughed at his apology. q think it's a lovely bed" She stified a small yawn and gave them Q sleepy good night.
 DACK again before the fire. Ora U hame looked somberly at Lang ton.
 'I noticed" ha said, that your fire was chiefly driftwood. Also thal your driftwood comes from about the highest levellon this little hill
 ;'You've seen that. too Langtor replied. Well. old man. I'll tell you the worst. All it takes is just one heavy storm and a flooded stream to wipe us all out.
 Eve thought about it until would get little nutty. I've thought of building a raft. and when this valley becomes a big bath tub. I( float until the water went down. | might work. but ] believed getting out by way of the cliffs was th' lesser evil and got cracked up do ing it.
 q thought of building a smaller raft and floating down the stream through the caverns 70 the sea. bu couldn't be sure of getting there
 Even now. how could l be sur, |. that a man floating or raft coulC get through. A pop bottle is ont thing, man is another-"
 Frank said grimly. Its a chanc, that will have to be taken by one o us. You don't swim we'll Fortunate ly. l do. So think I'll elect myself
 Langton looked at him curiously You're a good scout, Frank. But can't let you do it." For the frs time Frank realized the trace of bil terness that underlay Billy Lang tons gay humor.
 He continued, "I'm only half man now, Frank. It doesn't matte what happens to me. I'll make balsa-wood jacket-it's lighter thaI cork-and do all the floating ou there's to be done.
 You're strong and resourcefu Miss Rents chances would be in proved if you remained behind t make ropes, or ladders. or rafts i case -. well, bluntly. in case thi stream ends below a swamp an seeps upward, or worse, ends in hole in the ocean floor"
 FRANK threw a chip into the fir and watched the small fam with thoughtful glance. He remen bered the trip in the launch wit Ortega and his two crewsmen. The had stopped half mile or so fror