The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-09-10
IL Chapter Is
Castle In The Desert

DLALE walked DeHlilu 1OI PCA-
- haps half a mile, then re-
entered the carriage.
sThe carneTs real enough" said
Sherwood. Il see his tracks MINI
gled with our own animals as
well as older tracks as II camels
heavy with young or loaded down
with packs had passed here yes
terday going the same direction
But we meet no one and there
are no returning tracks. 1t is pos
sible that there are wild camelS
about, which would explain the
sign"
whats that about the old
Thieves Road around the end OF
the river?n Anne asked.
aOur captain mentioned it but
there's no indication this stretch
we're on has ever been a high
way. We seem to be headed for
the center of the Depression.
$50 what?9
81 don't know" he admitted.
'Mackey's and my revolvers were
taken away from us and they
haven't been returned, although
the balance of our luggage IS
strapped to the back of the car
riage."
do you suspect treachery?"
Anne asked. IF the lama could
predict that you would find me
-o,,I.1,,5f h. VaradiQf fha nnH
of this journey"
Sherwood took her hand in both
of his and held it on his knee.
"Doddap," he reminded her, rs
not a thinker. and he likes to be
mysterious at times"
She nodded. Tears and talk
of paradise.
He removed a scarab ring from
his finger and tried fitting it on
her hand.
She became conscious of how
black and thick were the lashes
that shaded his gray eyes. The
blaze in his hair stood out like
the banner of a special individ-
uality. An unbidden thought en-
tered her mind that here was a
man who should father extremely
handsome daughters. She felt a
bit abaShed.
They passed out of the dunes
and entered a region of low
brown clay ridges. He smiled and
patted her hand and returned ii
to her, having discovered the ring
was much too large. His indirect
love-making had a way of creep
ing up on her in surprise attack
She caught herself looking back
to Mackey for moral support. Re
waved and she responded.
Sherwood smiled again as II
aware of her reaction and began
telling her some of his experience
in far corners of the world.
The sun sank towards the Bek-
kan Bula mountains that had be-
gun to loom on the far horizon
before she reused from the spell
Of his words. 1t had been like q
journey back into childhood, t.
the dear, familiar times when heI
parents came home from some
extended expedition and related
their experiences. They always
promised, when you grow uE
and finish college you may come
with u.s. She told Sherwood
about it.
Il can see that child" ne said
gently scrutinizing her face, "bis
eyes - wistful. luminous with
longing, little chin aauiver be-
cause she was going to be left
alone again"
"Sil1y Of me-" she admitted, g
lived only for the time when
should grow up"
"That explains DIR. Oh
he stopped, suddenly as if realiz-
ing he was about to speak private
thoughts aloud. Where are thes
taking us?',
'aThat's what I'd like to know
When do we reach Chuka?" sht
demanded and poked the footmar
iinpatiently.
The man wlirled, eyes glowing
teeth barred, fists clenched in sci
defense. Then he grinned apollo
getically when he saw it wa.
Anne who had attacked him
"Chuka," she repeated. "Chuka
Chuka."
He offered her the water skin
HE thinks you're choking,
tested Sherwood, and they wers
back on the old familiar footing
again.
Night Stop
| ONE Of the soldiers came Vi
~ with three fresh camels the.
had been leading. These wer,
! harnessed to the carriage AM
continued the journey at a swift
pace hour after hour until thes'
animals in turn were droopinl
YEARLY. If Sherwood was dis
turbed he did not show it, Blu
| laughed and talked with Anne i
| his usual bantering way.
Once, she noticed twinkle il
/ his eyes and became aware tina
| his fingers rested on her pulse
She drew her hand away with
swift movement.
Have you ever tried to find th
pulse of native inhabitant Of tfli
country" he asked smilingly9
@Why should r."
He went on. 1.-THE skin is s
thick that the pulse is almost Ia
discoverables I've heard of 10
cal tyrant who had leather glove
made of the skin of a particula
enemy
Mice people" remarked Anne
AS the sun sank their tire
cannels drew them to the top Of
final clay ridge and stopped as
they, also, wished to take in tn
view before going the last wear.
half mile.
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z...L.. Il LII