The daily monitor leader. [volume] (Mount Clemens, Mich.) 1942-19??, 1943-05-21
MALARIA
CHAPTER XII


hands and beat them on the
ground before him uttering some
words.
what is that" Barry asked.
He says the meeting is over,
we should stay as their friends
tonight and they will give us
their answer in the morning.
One of the Indians led them
to a tent. Barry drew blanket
around him and stretched out to
, sleep. His head felt light, dizzy,
probably fro mthe altitude. Jose
stood silently in corner.
Aren't you going TO slcep?"
Barry asked him.
Il will take my blanket and
sleep out under the sky" he an
swered
Barry was asleep almost be-
fore the Mexican walked away.
AT first Barry thought it was
an evil drcam-he heard the
low, cultural chant from doz-
en- husky throats-thcn he OPP
ened his eyes slowly, cautiously
In the dim light he could sec on
ly the shadowy outline of the
painted warriors. Their feet
moved slowly up and down IN
an eerie cadence to their chant
Then he saw Jose standing in
the corner. his eyes still heavy
with sleep but unmistakablc fear
lighting them.
whats wrong Barry said
huskly.
Someone attacked an In.
dian girl. They say it was a
! white man." Jose said quickly
But that's ridiculous" Barry
cried.
That's what I've tried to tell
them but they won't be convln-
ed. They say we must come
at once to the chiefs tent for a
trial"
Barry got up then, feeling
strangely groggY, and the odd
procession started through tho
murky light down the village
street. The street was deserted
but ahead Barry could see the
flames of great fire licking in
to the darkness. The fire burned
in front of the chiefs tent and
around ii moved dozen natives
in a slow dance to the rumbling
rhythm of drums. The bright
freight caught the solemn OK
preston on the natives faces
the brilliant color of their cos
tunes. Barry felt an icy fear
go through him as he thought OF
stories he had read about white
men being burned alive dashed
TO the stake.
When the little group reached
the chiefs tent one of the war
riors shouted something in
.Quiche and they stopped. The
Oldest man Of the group entered
the tent, apparently to announce
their arrival In moment nc
was back and the procession fill
ed inside. Barrys eyes swept
the ring Of stony faces that look
ed up at him from where they
Squatted on the ground. Tn,
chief gave an order then anC
one of the warriors left the tent
Soon he came back and will
him were two ancient Indian
women who between them sup
ported the Indian girl. She was
a girl about 10 with a certain
sloe-eyed beauty. Her large
eyes were downcast and the
spirit seemed drained from hei
body. She sat dow directly il
front of the chief but never once
did her eyes meet his.
The chief talked at some
Myth and his council nodded
cir heads sagely. Finally Bar
( caught hold Of Jose's sleeve
What is he saying?' he ask
anxiously.
They think you are the
Iilty one
Barry felt his kncese so wat
cry under him.
Tell them | never left my
!. tent Barry cried.
Jose spoke to the chief in
Quichc but the chief only shook
his head and drew from behind
him the waterproof letter case
that Barry had used to bring
the letter from Renaldo.
They say this letter case OF
yours was found in the girl 5
tent Jose said through dry
lips.
IL must have dropped it here
in this tent, when | took the let
ter out to show it TO the chief
Someone has framed this OF
me- Barry said excitedly.
All was quiet then and Barry
knew that his fate was sealed
The old chief finally spoke few
short words in hard brittle
voice and the young form of the
girl slumped to the ground.
He has pronounced the deatf
sentence on the girl" Jose sale
quietly.
The two old women stepped
forward and carried the linn
form from the tent.
But there must be sometime
we can do Barry looked ap
pcalingly toward Jose.
After the sentence is pro
nounced-there is nothing"
The chief waved his hand!
then and two Indians marched