The Daily Alaska empire., 1934-02-10
GODDESS
by Herbert Jensen


 Grahame. They would travel more slowly, fearing ambush. You could never hope to hide your trail. It i. worth the chance. We part here, Juan. You've been a good boy. Head for the coast the best way you can, and may luck be with you" He held forth his hand.
 "And you, Senor?"
 "While you go east, I will head south, for while. Later l will con- fuse my trail. if l can, and return here. They will follow me, which will give you the better chance.
 "No." said Juan.
 "Yes," corrected Grahame. This is an order. 1 have plan. There is white woman held captive in the big pyramid. l must see that she escapes, or"
 "I know" interrupted Juan sober ly. "The senor is not Catholic?"
 Puzzled. Grahame shook his head; whereupon Juan said.
 Well. that is doubtless very good thing. It will not matter so much if you die unshriven."
 Despite his concern the American chuckled. Beat it now. son. We've talked quite long enough. Goodbye. and again, good luck"
 "Adios." answered Juan with se- cretive smile. He turned, pressed the Americans hand. and then passed into the jungle to the east ward.
 ITO Grahame, slipping southward. "a half hour later. came the thought that as Juan had left him. the boy had seemed Jo be most care less about the trail he left.
 So Juan was giving him, Grahame, a break, just as he had intended giving one to Juan. The American shook his head. A good lad. Juan. What pity if he could not make the coast, and safety.
 He noticed, to the right of him, a barren rocky expanse, dotted only with spiny sisal and scrub cactus. He entered it and carefully picked his way between the vegetation, be- ing sure that his boots touched only stone.
 He hoped those following him would be careless. and conclude that he was bearing south. Halfway through the rocky field. he worked to the right. finally making almost a complete turn. so that he headed northwest. toward the habitation of his enemies.
 In the late afternoon the sun clouded over, and Grahame watched the big iguana lizards slide from the rocks and disappear into their dens. He took lesson from these reptiles and kept an eye out for shelter.
 A few minutes later he found it in heap of jungle-grown slabs another ruin. He entered an open. ing, and composed himself to wait until the afternoon downpour was over. Already he saw large drops splashing over his back-trail.
 The shower was stroke of luck. If he were not followed too closely, the rain would obliterate any sign he may have left.
 The day became dark. Lightning fickered, and thunder crashed above; whereupon rain descended in torrents. The sheets ot falling wa ter obscured his view past the en- trance. Then. as suddenly as it be-. i. gan, the down-pour lessened. and again his sight of the outside jungle was clear.
 The rain diminished to mist and stopped entirely. Grahame arose to his feet, and drawing his pistol from it's holster under his arm, was about to dfsmount 1t for cleaning. while there remained light enough to do SO, when he froze into immobility. A shadow drifted past. coming from the south. Another went by.
 Slowly Grahame bent into the gloom cast by the wall beside the opening. His trailers! He counted them as they faded across the opening.
 Eleven. Enough, thought the American, to settle his account. He wondered at the skill that kept them on his trail. The rain had been his salvation. He heard a guttural voice speak in an unknown lan- guage. and the reply flung back from ahead.
 This puzzled the American. as he felt that they would not be so care less of sound if they believed that their quarry was ahead. Or per haps they had given up the chase and were returning. That was 1t. They had lost his trail within the stone patch. aud were returning from the southward to their city.
 Perhaps 1t was only a section of a larger party that had spread in diHerent directions.
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