The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1942-07-03


"Well, at least it wouldn't do any
harm to find out more about these
people,"
Sweetheart" Curt shouted, and
jumped for her.
Her next words were nnuff1ed
against his shoulder: well, ] hope
I'm not a sugar-and-water wife,"
He didn't see the tears in her eyes.
And that was the first step that
led to their being here on the Pisces.
The second?
Curt had put in short-wave
phone call for Jerry McInnis, his
closest friend during the years he'd
worked in the tropics. McInnis was
now Chief Engineer for the Associ-
ated Fruit Growers at Puerto Sole
dad. The call came through later
that morning. Greetings were
quickly over. Then:
"Jerry, what do you know about
the Compania Agricola Tropical?
Claim to have that swamp between
the Negro and the Masica-"
"Yeh, I know, only it won't be a
swamp much longer. They're doing
swell job of reclamation, Curt.
Well, I don't know much about
them. Guy called Montaya heads
the outfit. There's whisper around
he was hooked up with Cedillo in
Mexico and got out by the skin of
his teeth when that revolt failed.
But that's only gossip, take it for
what it's worth. Seems to have
plenty dough behind him, but I
don't know where it comes from.
Old Man Moore probably has the
lowdown, but you know how tight
Tipped he isl at
Moore was General Manager in
TERRA Libre for Associated Fruit
Growers.
"Who's in with this Montaya?"
"Don't rightly know, Curt. Mon
taya seems the only top man so fairs
can see. There's couple of
Swedes don't know anything about
except they hold their liquor and
don't talk. Youngish guys. And a
Hollander, I mean-a
chemical man. Panama disease has
shown up over on our side and if
they're going to raise bananas
they'll have to find some means Of
combating"
eyes, sure. But how come Asso-
ciated didn't have that piece tied
up? Never heard of anyone getting
ahead of Old Man Moore before"
"Well, we've already got plenty
Of good land, all we can handle now
or in the reasonable future. And
this piece'n cost real money to de-
velop. Why all these questions,
Curt?"
"Under your hat, Jerry, they've
offered me the job of Chief Engi-
neer. Wanted to know more about
them. Think they're reliable?"
"Well-l, yes, Curt, they are, so
fairs / know. But I'd hate to have
you make decision on my say-so."
A wary, reluctant note had crept
into McInnis' voice.
"Who's been handling the job?"
"Chigger MITCHELL
"What! Old Mitch? He's good
man. What happened they need an
other?"
"Well, you know how Mitch was
kind of tough on labor. A driver
and all that. And he could sure find
a guys weak spot and dig under
the skin. He didn't get the name
sChigger' for nothing. Well, he
must've made an enemy over there
who wanted a souvenir. Anyway,
his ears were missing when they
found him-just a few days ago, it
was--and they had to use a basket
for the rest of him. These machetes
are bad stuff, as you know well
enough" "
Early In the morning Curt wired
his acceptance to the c. A. T. peo-
Piles New Orleans office. Back
came, overnight, contract for sig
nature. And things moved fast.
The freighter Pisces, one Of q
small feet of Norwegian vessels
chartered to the c. A. T. outfit,
would be held over a day in New
Orleans awaiting them. Loaded with
rails, cement, lumber, machinery, it
was bound for Cabeza de Negro, the
new C. A. T. port at the mouth of
the Rio Negro.
Curt had less than twenty-four
hours to wind up all his affairs in
the States, store the car, arrange
for care and lease of the house
through an agent, for forwarding Of
their mail
Their MALL The first batch, re-
addressed and sent by air to New
Orleans, caught up with Curt just
before they sailed. Busy with de-
tails Of baggage and boarding ship.
he hastily stuffed the handful Of let
tiers into his pocket.
It was hours before he thought Of
it and hauled it forth for inspec-
ton. The ship had reached the
mouth of the Mississippi; they'd
dropped the pilot and were headed
out into the Gulf. One letter was q
small plain envelope, postmarked
Puerto Soledad, TERRA Libre.
Inside was a brief note.