The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1942-07-31

inspecting the JUL III manu-, QueS-
tioning the capacity Of that size
culvert, passing few more words,
took twenty minutes. Montaya took
little or no part in the talk. Once
Curt noticed the senior looking at
tentively from him to Bill Hender-
son, but gave it no thought.
On their way again Curt said,
Darn good worker, Bill Henderson.
Only fault Is he never could leave
liquor alone. He can usually handle
1t, but it does him out of future"
Montaya shrugged noncommittal-
ly.
They reached Tempujo by mid
afternoon. From here they'd take
power launch up the river to the
main levee camp. First, however.
Montaya led the way down the
.ridged asphalt footpath to the Tenn
pujo engineering Office.
Half of this building, all one side
of it, was single large room with
almost continuous windows in three
walls. Here was drafting equipment,
engineering instruments.
An intelligent-looking native, at
present tracing maps, was in charge
Of the office. Lauriano Duro bowed
stiff1y when introduced, then went
on with his work.
While Montaya selected a couple
Of maps to take along on their trip
upriver, he explained, 1--WE maintain
duplicate set of our important
drawings here, Mr.. Curtis. This
serves two purposes, convenience
and insurance against fire."
Curt nodded approvingly.
The other half of the building was
further divided. A screened porch
in front was combination ivingroom
and outer office. In back of this
was small bedroom. Through an
open door on the other side of the
bedroom Curt could see a shower
cubicle.
"This you will find most con-
venient when your work holds you
at this end Of the planting" Mon
taya remarked. "You use the mess
hall for meals"
Curt grinned. "Good enoughl"
They had thought of everything
here.
The old Tempujo radio shack at
the river dock now housed the dis
patcher and his small switchboard
that served Tempujo. Here ended
| the two telephone lines from San
Alejo, one used by the dispatcher,
one for general utility. They still
maintained the radio, too, against
emergency. Montaya entered this
office to talk with San Alejo before
leaving for the levee camp. Curt
strobe about outside.
The dock hoist was lifting huge
case from the deck of river steam
err. It was one Of the Grated air.
plane wings Curt had seen in the
wharf shed at Cabeza.
Rising up over the edge of the
wharf, it loomed even bigger than
Curt had thought, bigger than neces-
sary for the plane he'd seen on the
ground at the airfield that after
noon. Then he remembered there
were two planes in use here. But
both were alike, Montaya had men
toned, as a matter of economy in
servicing and replacing parts. Well.
boxing increases size, Curt rea-
Soned.
Senior Montaya joined him as Curt
was nodding his satisfaction. An
swering the raised brows, Curt said,
"Good idea, spares. I hope you're
as generous with the Engineering
Department"
Montaya showed his excellent
teeth. He didn't mind praise. "You
will have no cause to complain. Mr..
Curtis"
The Negro rolled swift, even at
this season, obliging the launch to
! fight its way upstream. When they
reached the ever-moving camp Of
the levee gang it was too late to 60
out on the job that night. After a
wash-up, Montaya and Curt busted
themselves with maps and progress
reports in the Office tent, until the
fast-obliterating darkness drove the
construction gang into camp.
Again Curt found an cid friend
among these workers.
oldtS! ne CduSO 10 Tie Dulky
man pushing his feet YEARLY down
the camp road. ''I'n be damned!"
Hello, Curt! Glad you're on the
job. It'll seem like old times again."
HAS all the old guard left Asso-
ciated, Slats?"
"No. We've got a number over
here, but / reckon you won't know
many of 'em. Myself and Bill Hen
derson-"
"Yeh, met him."
"-and Steve Harvey, and Law
son well, only us, ] guess,
from the old days."
Stats. naked to the waist, his dirty
shirt slung across his shoulder, a
filthy hat pushed back until sweat
soaked hair escaped in a tangle,
showed strong teeth as he smiled,
teeth yellow with tobacco stains. But
for all the friendliness of the grin,
he seemed uneasy.
Montaya stood nearby. Again
Curt caught a thoughtful look in the
Standards ewes. Or was il snec,,-