The Daily Alaska empire., 1934-03-07
GODDESS
by Herberf Jensen

hoping to signal q fishing craft that m!ght take them to civilization, where they could secure help aud return-if it were not too late-to lend assistance to Janice and Billy.
 The previous evening. on a crude raft they had constructed of drift wood. they had padded out to the we'll of fresh water that bubbled in the sea. They had discovered Grahame fioating-his balsa-wood life jacket keeping his head above the water.
 At first they had thought him drowned put finally they decided he was unconscious from exhaustion. When the downpour had become steady they sought shelter in this abandoned fishing hut.
 Frank told them his story. He ex- plained how vital it was that they secure help and return to the valley in the jungle.
 Dawn found them staring soberly at the heaped ashes and coals of their fire. They had exhausted every possibility that involved the three of them returning to the cenote-valo.-. They realized that they could do nothing by them selves; they must get outside help somehow. Juan told them that dur ing the rainy season the jungle was almost impossible to travel afoot. AT THAT comment Frank stared \ thoughtfully through the door way that was just beginning to show a patch of frightened sky.
 During the following two days Greene kept up a continual rapid fire chatter. The little man, Frank realized, was on the verge of a breakdown. The hardships he had gone through were unaccustomed ones.
 Moreover he could see that the plight of his em oloyer and the fate of the motion picture party was con stantly on his mind and his inane chatter was more to keep his mind from the subject than for personal amusement.
 On the morning of the third day, Frank, sitting out at the end of a sandy promontory that jutted into the sea head the sound of a motor. Visibility was bad Suddenly, in the north he saw the outline of a plane against the mist His shout brought his two companions running toward him. The three danced and waved upon the sand.
 He's got to see us!" screamed Greene. It's the mail plane to Cozu- mel! There won't be another for days!"
 The plane droned on. The three castaways caught lp palm fronds and waved them. Greene circled his ragged jacket about his head. The airship kept to it's course.
 Long after the ship disappeared into the southern mist they waved and shouted mechanically. Finally exhausted. they sat upon the sand and stared at each other miserably. They were too discouraged to hunt for the conch shell-hsh that were exposed at low tide. and which had provided them with scanty nourish. ment. Once. miles at sea, a white steamer passed north bound. They stared at 1t hungrily.
 It was late in the afternoon when Frank lifted his head. There was an unbelieving look in his eyes. Suddenly Juan initiate d him. Greene scrambled to his feet.
 Its the plane! Hear it? It's"
 The plane-it looked like the one that had passed in the morning was returning. It was flying lower and close inshore. Suddenly 1t dropped and zoomed. Banking in to. ward them the engine gave a series O. staccato roars-as if 1t was sig mailing acknowledgment to the three wild men who danced upon the beach.
 It swerved away back toward the south; then banking again it head ed upwind toward them. Waves spurted beneath it's pontoons. With spinning propellers it drifted to a step a few yards out from the beach.
 Frank was already in the water swimming toward the craft. He hauled himself up over the pon. toons. The helmeted pilot observed him quizzically.
 You three guys have been on my conscience all afternoon. But was carrying mail. What's on your mind? Say you speak Eng. fish? -"
 Frank, gasping for breath, strove to answer. The pilot called out in a louder tone. You hablo English, Hombre? What's"
 Greene splashing toward t hem called. Keep your shirt on, mis. ter. Sure he speaks English. I in. vented it. and taught him how. That's Frank Grahame a little out of breath!"
 The pilo jaw dropped. "Grahame my God! Why the whole United States Is looking for you and-Where've you been man?"
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