The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-04-02
Chapter AZ
1T Looks bad
. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

NAL1NION6s OriliiO Liz DldSA
- ness, remained unseen. The
smoke was very heavy here, and
would have been fog by day, but
no fire showed. Some part of the
d town was burning. but, slowly
almost without fame ~ <ile - -
whispered, put In to shoresT
q iZdn! The night was split wide
open by single rifle shot, and It's
unexpected crashing expl osfon all
most ierked me out Of my skim
water splashed up, sdHenchiHg my
face, and instantly, without any
command. the bankong Whirled
like a top as my paddlers spun it
upon its keelless bottom. | shouted.
"Hold i'll Linkono ahoyl Who's
there?"
| heard Blair's voice sing out to
unseen men, Hold your fire there.
damn you! Paul, is II your"
answered him, and stepped
over the gun'le as the prau
grounded. There was more water
there than thought, so that |
fioundered about idiotically until
Blair got hold of me and pulled
me upright.
well, you win the war;" Blair
said. His voice was deep and grind
ing, inconceivably bitter.
where's Clyde? Is he all right?"
"Bad--awfnl bad. He's alive, and
that's about all. He got shot in the
stomach--there amt no way to get
the lead out. Come on in"
"Puli your bankong up and lie
down behind H." ! said to my pad
dlers. "Apd Keep ready to move
out" Thend turned and followed
Blair, stumbling in the blackness
in spite of the fact that my feet
knew the familiar way.
Blair had to guide me with
bony arm across my shoulders to
the hidden entrance; for the big
gate was now permanently closed,
and we had to get over the walls
by climbing a notched pole that
served as a ladder.
A single Chinese. lamp burned
upon a table, and although the
room was very shadoWy, the shad-
ows had blurred. golden quality,
unlike the blue blackness of the
outer night. Apparently every
thing movable had been brought
into this big room in the middle
of the house; and all the rooms
around the three sides has been
closed off. their entrances tackled
over with mating to shut In the
lights.
Seven of the men from the Lin
kang were sleeping at various
places on the floor. Two or three
of them looked up and recognized
me, but they gave me no greeting.
Their eyes were dull, hopeless, sui
len: II there was anything In them
1t was hate. They dropped their
heads again, like men who can af-
ford TO lose no moments oppor-
tunity TO sleep.
And upon pile of mating in the
far end Of the room lay james
Clyde.
| went to his side, stepping
softly. for he seemed to be asleep.
He was propped up by mounds Of
rugs and mats and these cleaning,
gold-threaded wall hangings left
from Mantusen's loot; and staring
down at him, was glad that the
girl he loved could not see him
as he was now --gaunt as a deaths
head. his face such q dead gray
that Il looked to be touched by
mould.
His chest hardly moved, but his
breath ran heavily in his throat,
and there was a small laboring
movement OF one nostril as he
breathed Evidently he was not
truly asleep for his eyes opened
now, and appeared to feel for me
IS they tried TO focus. They man.
aged Il at last, and as my uncle
and ] looked at each other. was
unable to speak. There was a long
moment of silence.
Rock Gray Face
LIS words were thick and
l blurred. but his voice came
surprisingly strong as he said,
Why the hell don't you shaver"
Then his eyes lost their focus again,
and, after Wondering . moment.
were closed,a 49,.
Blair came up, and. touched my
arm. He motiOned with his head to
draw me aside. and led the way
out, We stood together In the black
ruai.
7 was going to move out to.
night" he told me, whatever
come up. We'd ought to have
moved out long ago. But as long
as he was on his feet he wouldn't
allow /"
His voice went on, weary but un-
hurried. Clyde figured that the
rice would give out pretty Quick,
and they'd begin lighting among
themselves. and 90 home, and that
when only the Malays were left
we could tie into EN-"
do you think he's got q /
well. II looks bad. It's three |
days since he was hit, and he's
worse of than he was at the first. |
After they knocked him over | |
wanted TO make a run for it and |
try TO jam through the river ana
get back on the ship, but | didn't |
dast move him. We rot the outside /
bleeding stepped-that was easy. |
But he hleeds out Of his throat.
That starts every time we begin /
10 shift him any. | don't know what
10 do with him 81 k@h aEt