The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-03-07
Chapter "a
Two Stubborn People

Two Stubborn People
CHRISTINE looked at Clyde a
" long time. Z ike that-in 2
way" she said. we are two very
stubborn people, you and L !"
"And you wish ! would 60
away" Clyde said with a shadow
of a grin well, l wish could ]
don't see how things can 60 on
much longer, or get much worse.
Dir. Thorne has probably already
explained to you what / expect
from the Malays 1t just adds on TO
what / already expected from the
Dyaks. Now well probably get
them both. I don't know why they
haven't struck already"
Il know 8hys" Christine said
leveIly. Didn't Mr. Thorne tell
you anything about-about what
my father has done here?"
He said something about
some Dysk gun clubs Of some
sort"
"of course you don't believe any
of it."
MY uncle stirred restively, and
his eyes cast up and down the
shoreline. Il didn't at first" he adj
mitted. at isn't an easy kind Of
story to believe. But I'm beginning
to believe it now. Part Of it. at
least"
polite of you." Christine muir
INJURED.
He shook his head. ''Mantusen
knows something that ! don't. II
he didn't know any more than
know, he would have come boil
ing down that river before now.
Granted that he would rather
work by treachery where he can,
this is no time for il. His chances
of dealing with me are so slim
they're ridiculous, and he ought to
know it. But apparently Mantusen
has decided that the river can't
be forced. Something has hap
pened TO that jungle. Your fathers
rifles may or may not be holding
the river; but il begins to look 70
me as IL MantuSen believes that
they are"
I thought Christine Forester
angered a little then. for she said,
I'm fiattered. 1t seems that I am
not TO be believed until ] am cor
roborated by a Malay!"
Clyde wilted a little at that, but
he didn't answer il.
There was long silence be-
tween them then.
What has Mantusen offered7H
Christine asked at last.
'Well-in a sense it's a kind OF
extension of deal had with him
before" Clyde faltered, as If he
were trying to translate some
thing pretty difficult out Of some
native tongue. you see. my origi-
nal deal with MantuSen called for
a FIVE year trade monopoly in the
Siderong. Il was a good PROPOSE
ton. II was good for US both" he
went on to explain what sort Of
thing he had expected of IL in g
general way.
in effect, he wants to revive
that deal; offering better terms il
I viii let up on him now, but still
trying 10 save something for HIM
self"
'Iet I'D on him? How can you
let up on him."
This Is Surrender
VoU'RE forgetting something.
i None 81 the natives are able
20 believe That there is a split be-
tween these two white ships. Your
DyakS pretably think that I'm
working fof you. MantuSe1 thinks
you're working for me. and your
father too. That's what got me
into trouble in the first place.
But II you already have an
alliance with Mantusen, why does
he suppose you would attack
him7"
'.TIe always knew I distrusted
him. Probably ne admired me foE
distressing him. Certainly he
knew best that had good cause.
HE thinks you trick. 70 make
sure Of your monopolies by taking
Balingong-with DyakS?"
We'll, it's reasonable. Suppose
I really had armed the Dyaks
simply 70 hold them over Mantu-
sen as a threat. White traders have
always tried 70 keep their balance
by holding certain natives hostile
20 certain others.
The Dyaks would have got oui
Of your hands" Christine said
shortly.
Exactly" Clyde said. That il
iuSt what Mantu<en believes hap.
pened." oSt e<'A
sBut-buk<tS son.e OF the as.
surance seemed % have beer
knocked oatisf chrlstcns. n ~
s q ssSE Sc, x ssb5Ie
sh{nk aFT sistf
$50 now he wants me % poi
nv DyakS of him. and make |
nesce that viii save something
ior himself. Hes full Of apologize:
and biz offers. I'm 20 be military
aoyernor o. the port I'm % TIL