The daily monitor leader. [volume] (Mount Clemens, Mich.) 1942-19??, 1943-05-28
MONTADORES
CIADTER XVI

ROlQCll IL Va 30
morning feeling weak but clear
headed. He lay listening TO the
loud chatter o. macaWs, parrots
and the thousand and one varle-
ties of birds that flashed their
bright hues about the estancia.
Good morning, lazy bones!"
Allison was in his doorway.
sThere was a bright light of Gag
erness in her as she carried in
his tray, laughter in her voice.
She spread his napkin for him
and touched her small hand
lightly to his forehead.
you're fine" she said with
malicious joy. mo excuse for
not coming out and helping inlti-
ate my zoot caps.
What are you talking
about" Barry frowned as he
drank his pineapple juice. She
stood beside him laughing, her
golden hair ragged aurlole
about her heart-shapcd face
whose whiteness had now disap-
peared under a honey tan.
Meet me out in the clearing
and you'll see" she tainted.
Barry drank his coffee and ate
the two eggs with relish this
morning He felt stronger than
he had for a long time and
surge Of fresh hope went
through him. Maybe he had
thrown the fever for real loss
this time He got up and put
on the clothes laid out for him
f. and went out OF the estancia.
1t was large matched house
on stills with a broad veranda,
from which could be seen the
half dozen smaller shacks Of the
chicleros and the wide clearing
that surrounded the massed es-
tancias. On every side crouch
ed the vibrant green lush jungle
waiting to devour the puny re-
sstance of mans efforts against
it.
Barry made his way instead
lily down the broad steps of the
estancia and crossed the sun
washed, muddy clearing toward
the boiling kettles. Allison
sauntered to meet him.
The montadores came in this
morning. she reported breath
lessly.
"Montadorcs?" Barry puz-
zled.
Her eyes twinkled with mis-
chief. "Montadores are our Chi
Gle scouts, tenderfoot.
Yes, my calloused chiclero,
Barry retorted meekly.
You see she explained.
Its very naughty Of them, but
tzapote trees don't grow all in
one place. They go just where
they please to live their lives"
Like you jcered Barry.
Like me- she laughed. SO
we have to send out montadores
to cut trails to the new grove.
Rough boys, aren't they
She and Barry Joined the two
montadores who stood in the
sun near the boiling kettles Civ
ing their report to Renaldo.
They were powerful, ugly look
ing natives, looking more like
exhausted, filthy animals than
men after their long, grueling
tussle with the jungle.
Renaldo turned TO greet Barry
with a smile. Sounds like
weN got farsized grove
from what they say, he said,
his voice ringing with satisfac-
ton
Isn't it thrilling" Allison
cried. ITO just 60 out and dis
cover your orchard?'
Thrilling maybe, but tough, "
unused Barry as the two monta-
dores. now dismissed, moved
heavily off toward their cstan-
Cas. His gaze returned to the
girl beside him. Her violet eyes
were wide and shining.
That's it," she was whisper
ing. That's the jungle. Thrill
ing-and tough. You can scream
your head off, but YOU can't fazc
it. You have to fight every min
ute for your life
Barry's mouth dropped open
in amazement. why, you
scrappy little varmint,' he said.
Renaldo laughed, but the look
he turned on Allison was pure
devotion. She understands the
jungle he said.
Allison caught Barry's arm
with sudden change of mood.
Come on she cried jubilant
ly. -ou're going TO see my
zoot caps She walked quickly
down the wide trail striped with
yellow sunlight and deep shad-
ow that led to the closest group
Of zapote trees. But though she
chartered gaily, Barry noted her
hand rested lightly on the small
gun in the holster slung about
her slender hips, and her ewes
kept alertly on the path ahead.
She broke off TO answer his
unSpoken question. "Bushmas-
ters,' she said shortly. Renal
do says they're the meanest
snakes in the jungle. They'll
find a path that's used often and
lie in wal all day for victim
II know" Barry agreed. But
you mean you've learned to
shoot that gun already"
. "You can learn fast when you
have to, she laughed. NJ