The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-09-27
Chapter %
Wild Ride

y ~~-- A@A&AO
1T DOESN'T make sense to me. ?
\ remarked Larry, shaking his
head. "A bunch of more or less in
telligert American college people
mixed up with mystic daggers and
treasure cities and ancient proph-
ecies: Such things Just don't hap
pen"
Then what is it?n Mackey de-
fnanded, "a collective night
mare?s
Sherwood grinned. 'sThese
tribesnlen look real enough and
sound real enough and smell real
enough to me. Be sure to take
extra clothing alonga dufie bag
to tie behind the saddle"
and your red flannel under
wear" advised Mackey. Were
climbing into altitude
Did you get the radio goinggr
Anne asked him.
s'Only for a moment. Blaze had
exchanged half dozen words
with 5hani Lun when that gorilla
and his broadsword burst into the
room"
Diana looked at Sherwood.
help"
'Helpi Isn't this the Niagara del
egation you've been waiting for?"
Philip answered sourly. we
hardly expected bunch of bans
dts"
Sorry, Diana" said Sherwood
ignoring him, I'm afraid my pres
eIice is to blame for the rough
stuff.
She smiled at him archIy. .'You
seem to inspire banditry, Blaze,
wherever you 90"
It's never my intention" he as
Sured her.
She seemed to suspect a double
meaning in his words, and sat
back and looked around the table.
Perhaps ought to tell you
people" she said with smile,
that my husband has left me. !"
The men looked embarrassed ex-
cept for DIR. Marianne, whose cold,
colorless face did not charge ex-
preston. I'm free woman" she
finished.
Lines form on the right, NUT
tered Beth. here followed a dis
tressing little silence broken by
the appearance of the Niagara
chieftain, and the little lama, who
drew up behind Anne's chair and
( spoke.
He wishes to know which man
is yours
She rose in confusion. 'Wily.
haven't" she began and stopped.
Then she pointed to Philip Oliver.
This is the man came to mar
rys
Philip flushed brightly. Anne
could feel disapproval exuding
from Doddap Her glance stole to
Sherwood. He was staring at his
plate.
The others had also risen. Larry
demanded facetiouslyi ASK him
if he doesn't want to know which
one is Beth's man"
"Are you lisping?" his wife
giggled nervousiy.
I'D pick Doddap as best man"
grinned Mackey. AS interpreter
he can tell each side whatever he
pleases.s
Doddap drew himself up angri-
". Il tell what comes" he said !
do not cheat for anyone"
Mackey apologize d hastily
Sherwood gave the little fellow an
affectionate look.
Anne caught Sherweod's eve
''You see-being in my camp did
not protect you from the Ma
garas."
''1'm not dead yet, he said. and
turned to Diana, who had put a
hand on his arm.
Anne ordered the cooks to pre-
pare a lunch for each one. Then
the white people were allowed to
go to their tents. DR.. Marianne
stopped Anne and asked her to in-
tercede that he might go to Chuka
instead. She complied but he was
refused.
Soldiers led the required num-
Der of saddle horses into the
courtyard, long haired ponies with
flowing tails and names. A dapple
grey, one of two light colored ami
mails In the bunch was assigned
to Anne. Philip got the other. Ac-
tivity had revived everyone's
spirits. When they were mounted
the chieftain appeared, followed
by the giant of a man on mule.
Doddap was called forward to de-
liver a message.
Marching Orders
YOU'RE to ride in a group at a
pace set by his men and any
body causing disturbance or delay
will be tied to the saddlel" Diana
had never been subjected to such
treatment before in her life. De-
Lberately she dismounted from
her horse,
SIN not going" -.
The others looked at her with
startled admiration and dismay.
The captain understood the action
If not the words. He made mo-
ton. The giant swung to his feet
tossed Diana onto her horse. The
man began binding her wrists.
Anne sent her pony forward be-
side them.
Don't do that" she cried.
The fellow understood but kept
on with the task. She lifted her
whip and struck him across the
shoulders. Natives grabbed Di-
ana's frightened horse and held
him quiet. The white men spurred
forward. expecting trouble. Anne