The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1934-02-19
Chapter 80
JuNoLE AcAlM.

Chapter 30
JUNGLE AGAIN.
IF ONLY he could retain con.
! seriousness a little while iongerl
Vaguely he knew that an aiFplane
flying at normal speed could travel
in minute almost the distance one
could travel IN Q days beating
through heat-laden jungle. Just .
half hour more he wanted. His sight
grew DINNER. Just q few minutes
longer, he prayed. He must get the
ship to the coast. The beach, he
knew. was one long landing field.
Through bleared eyes he OBJ.
served that the jungle thickness be-
low was spotted with many savan-
nahs. Again he tried for altitude,
but his muscles refused to supply
strength sufficient to haul back the
stick.
Then ahead Of him, abruptly, he
saw tree tops. A cloak Of darkness
obscured his sight for an instant.
When his vision cleared he felt the
upper branches slap against the
landing gear.
SaVagely he fought the controls.
The effort sent binding pains
through his brain. He was conscious
OF a great crashing noise.
Eons later, 1t seemed, he dreamed
that he was struggling through In
calculable jungles. It was very real
to him. The smells Of rotting yege.
tation were bitter in his nostrils.
Trees and brush weaved like nm.
realistic phantoms before his eyes.
From time to time Q variety OF
tastes spread over his palate, as II
he had eaten Of Jungle fruits: twice
his brain dwelt in dull wonder that
water could taste so sweet even In
a dream.
His body felt as though It we're
encased within hot metal. When
that nightmare became too painful
to endure, all his senses became
blank again. After q period of time
the dreams would recur.
When finally he awakened, It
seemed that he had been sleeping
forever. The air about him was cool
and gracious. He opened his eyes.
He was lying in a palm clump.
He saw the dropping fronds above.
outlined against q sky brilliant with
stars. Memory swooped upon his
consciousness like great and evil
bird. He struggled to . sitting posi-.
ton. A small fire burned nearby.
"Janicel" he cried. "Janice!"
what is IL Frank?"
She stood before him. The fire.
light illumined her. He stared In
amazement. He. trim costume was
stained and torn, her laced boots
were cut to tatters.
He observed that her face seemed
thinner OF contour. and the skin was
pink and peeling as II It had been
blistered. At first he thought she
was wearing gloves but . closer
glance showed him that her hands
were bound with white strips OF
cloth.
Where's the plane?" he asked.
What happened? We crashed.
know.
She looked at him with an sx.
preston Of puzzlement.
''0f course" she answered. This
morning" Her face lighted with
dawning understanding. "You were
delirious. The ship went down IN
a savannah. II rolled awhile over
the open until the ground became
swampy. 1t struck something and
went over on its nose. and then
righted itself. It sank to the lower
wings. 1t started to burn Just q
little at first. then very Aercely.
you sat there holding to the con.
troll as II ron we're made %
wood. Your eyes we're vide open.
thought for horrible instant that
-. that. :. :"
Il know" said Frank sostly
go en-"
There was one OF those big
knives the natives use. In Q leather
case. strapped beside the are ex,
tinguisher. I cut the belt that
strapped You In. The buckle was
twisted and I couldn't loosen Il. The
flames reached you. You began 70
move then. | tell you" She smiled
wanly.
Il had to leave the ride: Il vas
too heavy. | knew We had 20 get
away from there. I thought the
smoke from the burning plane
might bring those natives after ns.s
She shuddered Q little. Her eyes
filed with tears. and she dropped
to her knees beside him.
Poor Horatio Greene, and that
little Mexican boy!" She wept
quite openly now, and Fraak thrsw
his arm over the slim shoulders IN
q clumsy attempt to soothe her. His
own throat was tight.