The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1934-03-03
GODDESS

return-if It were not too late-to
lend assistance to Janice and Billy.
The previous evening. on crude
raft they had constructed of drift
wood. they had padded out to the
well Of fresh water that dubbed in
the sea. THY had discovered
Grahame fioating-his balsawood
life jacket keeping his head above
the water.
At first they had thought him
drowned but finally they decided he
was unconscious from exhaustion.
When the downpour had become
steady they sought shelter in this
abandoned ishing hut.
Frank told them his story. He ex'
planned how vital 1t was that they
secure help and return to the valley
In the Jungle.
Dawn found them staring soberly
at the neapei ashes and Goals OF
their fire. They had exhausted
every possibility that involved the
three of them returning to the
cenote-va'le--. 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.
a T THAT comment Frank stared
q thoughtfully through the door
way that was just beginning TO
show a patch of lightened 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 tie
plight OF his emoloyer and the fate
OF the motion picture party was con
stantly on his mind and his inane
chatter was more TO keep his mind
fr0m the subject than for personal
amusement.
On the morning of the third day.
Frank. sitting ont at the end OF
sandy promontory that iutted into
the sea hea. d the sound OF 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.
Hes got to see us!" screamed
Greene. "lt's the mail plane to Cozu.
mel! There won't be another for
days!"
The plane droned on. The three
castaways caught up palm fronds
and waved them. Greene eircled his
ragged jacket about his head. The
airship kept 10 It's course.
Long after the ship disappeared
into the southern mist they waved
and shouted mechanically. Finally
exhausted. they sat upon the sand
aud stared az each other miserably
They we're too discouraged TO hunt
for the conch shell-tishs that were
exposed at low tide. and which had
provided them with seanty nourish-
ment. Once. miles at sea. white
steamer passed north bound. They
stared at It hungrily.
II was late in the afternoon when
Frank lifted his head. There was
an unbelieving look In his eyes
Juan Initiated him
Greene scrambled to his feet.
"lt's the plane! Hear It? It's"
The planet 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 series
o. staecato roars las II II was sig
mailing acknowledgment to the
three wild men who danced upon
the beach.
II swerved away back toward the
south: then banking again It head.
ed upwind toward them. Waves
spurted beneath It's pontoons. with
spinning propellers Il drifted TO a
step few yards out from the beach.
Frank vas already in the water
swimming toward the craft. He
hauled himself up over the pom
toons. The helmeted pilot observed
him QuIzzically. VS.
"You three guys have been on my
conscience all afternoon. But | was
carrying mail. What's on your
mind3 Say you speak Eng
iish? -"
Frank. gasping for breath. strove
to answer. The pilot called out In a
louder tone. "You hablo English.
Hombre7 what's"
Greene splashing toward til m
called. Keep your shirt on. mis-.
tel. Sure he speaks English. in.
vented Il and taught him how.
That's Frank Grahame a little out
OF BREATH"
The pilots Jaw dropped
"Grahame my God! Why l..
the whole United States is looking
for you and Where've you been.
manY"
fCsSysIsAs. 1884. - Rssasrs Issiesl
Tomorrew. there 10 action In
Nueatan.