The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1942-08-21

One of Curtis suggestions had
been to bring in some additional
draglines and bulldozers, and to
speed up the work in two shifts per
day, using flood lights for the few
hours Of darkness they'd overlap.
"Two shifts of work, it is a good
idea," Montaya agreed. Gas for
more equipment, I have two three
yard shovels now on order. They
should arrive soon."
you'll need more" Curt an
swered.
"But when the work for such
equipment is completed? It will be
a lot of money to have tied up"
There's more work here for such
machines than you think. You're
going to install overhead irrigation
when the more important work is
out of the way. You plan to pump
from the rivers, but can show you
a better way"
Curt strobe to the huge photo
graphic map and picked up the
pointer.
In the end Montaya agreed, and
by phone, then and there, ordered
the necessary radiogram sent to his
New Orleans office. Other business
followed, disposed Of item by item.
Montaya- glanced at his wrist.
There are two men you have not
yet met. Knowing you would be
free at this hour I asked them here.
Sunday seemed good time, not to
interfere with the routine Of any
one"
He opened the door to the outer
office, nodded to someone outside,
held the door open.
In marched two young men in
freshly starched whites, punctilious
and stiff of manner. They could
be only the Swedes whom Curt had
heard mentioned so many times.
Both were tall, both dark blond, with
fair skin and blue eyes, both wide
of shoulder and hard as nails.
There the resemblance ceased.
One was round Of face, with full
lips that held a curious quirk in the
corners. He had wavy hair. Not
too strong countenance, this.
The others face was square, with
thin, straight lips, frosty eyes, and
stiff cropped hair. There was an
old scar on his left cheek.
''Mr. Curtis, this is Mr.. Ryden,
who smooths out our transportation
problems" Square-face bowed stiff
ly. Sand Mr.. Lannestock, our Chief
Pilot" The other followed suit. Mel
Their smiled.
Curt extended hand but felt no
warmth in their response. Palpa-
bly,, they were i'll at ease, and Curt
presently put this down to their poor
command of English.
"Flying always seemed an adven-
turous life to me-" Curt said, by
way of conversation. ''Do you en-
joy this sort of utility flying?
Freighting, laying chemicals, that
sort Of thing?"
SIT is a job" was Lannestock's
answer. He had trouble with his 81"
Ryden was more voluble. "A good
flyer likes any kind of flying. It is
not always work. There was the
map" He cast glance at the big
map on Curtis wall. Sand the alli-
gators"
Montaya explained.
Before the swampland was
drained of surface water, alligators
were quite nuisance. And, yes,
some danger. AS fast as the clear
ing progressed, Mr.. Ryden bombed
them from a low altitude with gre
nades. Those that were not killed
were driven down the rivers into
the marshes between Tempujo and
the sea-"
A curious look lvened Ryden's
eyes as Montaya spoke. They took
on a merciless slant, Lines Of cru
city tensed his thin lips. Features
that q moment before had been
merely cold took on a hint of leashed
fury and hate.
The sudden transition hit Curt like
an electric shock. He shifted his
gaze to Lannestock. There was no
viciousness in this mans face but
Curt got the impression that Lanne-
stock was dominated by the other.
"Karl and Costa" Montaya con-
tinued in tone shaded with affec-
ton, "were invaluable to us when
we needed two full-time flyers to
freight materials. There is still
much work for them to do. could
not get along without them"
Here was another surprise
warmth from "The Dark Lily"l
"Planes have their uses" Curt
admitted. "What make Of plane do
you use?" He'd asked Montaya this
question before, and got no answer.
'They are old planesl" Ryden spit
this out, with it giving Montaya
dirty look.
The Spaniard's teeth shone affa-
bly,. Here was nothing new. He
was, indeed, mildly amused.
always they ask for new ma
Chimes" He shrugged expressively.
''But If the planes they have will
fly, cannot be putting several times
the price into new equipment for
this heavy work. They, too, become
at once secondhand"