The Daily Alaska empire., 1934-02-06
GODDESS
by Herbert Jensen

words came slowly. twisted, as if they were strangled before they passed his lips. Grahame stored the broken sequence of words and made no attempt to prompt or question the man.
 His name was McGrath, he said. He was from Hollywood and had come to Yucatan ''on location" Other people were to follow him. He hoped they would not. and thought that they could not since Ortega. his guide, no doubt had been captured when they were fired upon rom ambush three days be- fore. Without Ortega they would not know where he, McGrath. had gone.
 Who did it? Indians. McGrath thought. He saw one while he lay by the trails side. He thought Or tega had been captured because he had heard his voice talking with the others But he couldn't be sure. He'd been nearly unconscious: they had taken him for dead.
 They went through my pockets whispered McGrath. Then they threw me into the brush like like hunk of neat"
 My gun had fallen in a swamp 1 remembered that and fished 1t out when came to. They had gone"
 Juan crashed through the brush and crouched. panting. beside Grahame.
 "Senor!" He spoke swiftly. They come! went back to watch and heard them. They are just behind mel"
 Good boy" breathed Grahame. N LMOST with one gesture he emp tied the pan of water upon the smouldering fire, and heaped dirt over the steaming embers. He glanced toward the trail and was satisfied that they were sufficiently screened from the company of men which would pass within the next few minutes. Already he could hear their vague shnffling trail noises.
 It was late afternoon. Grahame blessed the luck that had given them this emergency when shadows were deep. Any tell-tale sign they may have left h d good chances of being overlooked in that deceptive haze of pre-dusk.
 He saw white moving through the screen of brush and trees: then they were abreast of him. Almost he held his breath On the other side of the wounded man. Juan lay. Studiously the boy kept his eyes fastened upon the moving feet that padded the trail so few yards away.
 Grahlme smiled. It is said that jungle-wise folk can feel eyes upon them. and Juan was taking no chances. McGrath's breathing too. seemed quieter.
 Mosquitoes and gnats whined at the sweat on Grahame's face. He ached to brush them away-to grind his palms against the skin that twitched in protest against the pun. ishment it was taking.
 The column of figures that passed them seemed to be without end. He saw patches of white drifting by the ammunition cases upon the backs of men. Once the line halted. His hands frightened over the stock of his rife. There was a faint call from ahead and the fragments Of white moved again.
 Then suddenly the last figure passed. Still Grahame and the boy lay immobile. All sound ceased. For minutes the American remained without movement. then slowly he began to draw one leg forward, pre- pairing to rise. He felt Juan's hand grip his ankle. Again he relaxed.
 He heard his wrist watch ticking a yard from his ear. Then came a soft sound from the trail,-the breathing of men. It sounded as close as if he were locked in a closed room with several sleepers. He saw nothing although his eyes ached from the intentness of his gaze. Then shadow drifted by between him and the trails edge, and van ished.
 It seemed hours later when some where of to the left sounded the call of a brush turkey. A small ami. nal darted into the tangle ahead of him, moving too swiftly to be iden. tified. Again the turkey called. nearer this time. Juan arose Wings fiuttered in the branches about as if his movement had dis. turbed them.
 Tt is all right now" said the boy. "It was very curious that no birds moved or called after the main con- pany passed. knew then that oth- CTS followed to protect the rear" He drew breath deeply. We were very lucky" he concluded.
 That's right" said Grahame simply. He turned and looked at McGrath. "McGrath!" he called sharply.
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