The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-03-19
Chapter 3.


Weird Procession
I SUPPOSE the Avon would have
: remained at anchor indefinitely
# Chrlstine's brother mad been able
to hold his own.
Robert Forrester's illness was
now critical. The increasing GUAM
titles Of Quinine We loaded into
him no longer took any effect.
Every morning, however, if he
was not actually in the delirium
OF fever or being shaken to pieces
by chill, he had himself carried
onto the ruai, where he sat at
Clyde,s right hand while Clyde
held audience. He seemed to cling
seriously TO the idea that he repre-
sented his father here, and that If
he failed to appear in his place we
would lose our hold upon the raj,
and drop into quick disaster.
One day he toppled over in the
place where he sat. With my help
he was able 10 walk inside, but
once out Of sight Of the natives he
collapsed utterly. carried him 70
his bed, and Balingong never saw
him on his feet again
Christine could delay no more.
It was decided that the Avon
should sail at once for Singapore;
thence presently to proceed TO
England. From Singapore Chris
tine would send US fresh medical
stores, and certain other things
We needed, such as coffee and to-
bacco. Possibly the Avon would
make this trip. But the Forresters
we would not see again; and when
the Avon had touched at Balm
gong for the last time, even that
reminder OF Christine would be
gone, and only the Linkans would
connect US with the world.
Since Captain Marvin Stocker
was at all times not only ready but
anxious &c sail. there was no rea-
son for any delay when once this
was decided. On the evening of the
same day in which Robert For
roster had collapsed, we packed
the Forresters into a couple of
sheller-figged bsnkongs and put
of down the river in a driving
rain.
For two months I had been
urging Christine to leave, arguing
with her. pleading with her. From
week 10 week she had promised
that soon the Avon would sail. But
when the thing actually happened.
i fell on me so abruptly that il was
like the blow of a parang. II was
very Difficult. for me to live near
her without making love to her.
And | could not make love TO her.
Even If / had not been convinced
that she was more than half in love
with James Clyde, the fact re-
NAMED thai / was going to be
stuck in this jungle for a long time,
and that there was no place for
her here. Every white colony in
the tropic Orien. has its little
graveyard thickly set with the
headstone markers of European
women and children who should
never have come into that part o.
the world at all.
And yet-this place without her
was another thing I did not dare
let myself imagine. The night
could hardly have been mo des-
olate than |. as / supervised the
rigging OF the bankong shelter.
= Black And Empty Place
4 T the last minute an odd thing
II happened. An unexplained
GOODNESS arose between my uncle
and Christine. so whel the tire
came 10 carry Robert Forester 10
the river she and Clyde hardly
spoke. thought then-thoueh I
do not believe Il now-that M
uncle finding Christine Forester
waveFing at the last moment. had
taken so1at harsh way as had /. to
make SUR that she would leave.
IN any case. Il was my banking
which conveyed Christine. while
Clyde Went ahead in the boat
which carried Robert Forester.
Half dozen praus and canoes
escorted as down the Siderong to
TIE bay. md | have never seen a
weirder procession. The rain was
coming down in q fuctuant rear.
50 that i was q wonder we could
keep any lights; but seemingly the
resin-loaded bamboo tube the
natives make can practically burn
under water.
Christine and I erouched awk-
wardiy under the yard-high mat
ting roof n the stern Of our ban
kong. brought very close together
By the narrow bean: but az the
same time very FAR apart. at first.
IN cur constrained silence.
By q slant Of torchlight saw
that Christine was crying. Her face
was SCI and still. and she did not
hide Il in her hands Il was q cruel
thing 20 watch this girl proudly
pretending 70 ignore her own
tears
I thoaght o. Robert Forester
lying NJ ahead under the rocking
f1areS and ! said. Hell Be al