The Wilmington morning star., 1947-02-22
copyright 1915, by Tom Gill
Distributed by King Feoivres Syndicate

~ WoS Oa1 ely va VIII WllCL N1llI
saddled and took the trail uI
through the dripping jungle to Big
Swamp. The night air, cool ano
damp. came flowing down from
the hills, but he was only dimly
aware of its refreshing touch. A
host of doubts beset him as he
rode, and the closer he ap.
preached the swamp, the more he
questioned his own wisdom ir
coming. He was risking imprison,
ment and leaving his men with
out a leader On a long gamble
But he could think of no other
way. Whatever the danger, he hao
to know if Norman and Vicente
were actually planning a raid. The
vital thing-more vital than eve
now-was to prevent a fight will
the Blacklanders. That hope alone
made it worth the chance.
At the edge of the swamp HI
forced his unwilling horse dow
over the bank and out through thu
stagnant water, following the lint
Of mangroves until at last the low
contour of the island showed dim
ly through the mist. Head ben
forward, eyes intent upon his mar
row foothold, Cliff had almos
reached the islands edge when ht
felt his horse rear, and looking up
saw Vicente watching h i m from
the bank.
For a bare instant Cliff hesitat
ed, h touching his horse
climbed out of the marsh. Direct
ly before Vicente he refined in. No
since the night of his capture hac
he seen the giant Blacklander, ane
now as he looked again into those
tawny, hostile eyes, he felt the
same sense of wonder at the bull
and latent strength of that huge
figure. Even on horseback Cliff
shoulders were scarcely level with
Vicente's.
The Blacklander S p o first
"How did you find this place."
81 followed DR.. Norman:
tracks"
"You were foolish to come here
You will never leave"
CDR. Norman can decide that
My business is with him."
And my business is with you
Vicente took a step nearer. "Ge
off that horse" His voice quivereC
with the eagerness of a hunting
dog; the mouth all too clearly
foretold his intention to force {
fight = and conflict was the one
thing Cliff wanted to avoid.
81 have no quarrel with you
Vicente,' he said quietly. 81 came
here to see your chief"
At the big breeds laugh, Cliff
realized that Vicente thought HI
was afraid. But it was too late
Before he could speak again, vi
cente's arm wrapped about hi
waist and ripped him bodily from
the saddle. Towering over him, tn
Blacklander took a half step back
then raising his open hand, strucl
Cliff full in the face. The fore
of the blow whirled Cliff to tn
edge Of the bank, and barely III
saved himself from falling.
Slowly he turned; his own eye
had gone red. His face was Oh
fire, and something within hin
snapped. The impelling need t
avoid a quarrel, the purpose of hi
visit, were both forgotten. He fel
only the sting of that contemptu
Gus blow and the blood, like
hammer, in his ears.
Before him Vicente stood, sti.
smiling, and Cliff took a step for
ward.
"You asked for this-I didn't,
he growled. Come on"
No time for more-sWift as
cat Vicente was on him. TWic
Cliff struck, twice his fists bes
into that huge, dark face, b.
needless of the Furnishing blow:
the big breed closed in for the xii
Before the menace of Vicente
outstretched h a d S, Cliff CAV
ground, keeping just beyond arm
length, then, gathering himself, h
struck again. His feet caught i
the underground, he fell, but wa
up as Vicente's fingers fastene
about his shoulder, and with tn
strength of desperation Gilt
dashed out wildly with both hands
For a second h e Blacklander'
grasp weakened. and Cliff jerke
ba ok. with all his might. His shir
ripped to the waist, he felt tn
fiery sting of lacerated flesh, bu
he was free.
Bearlike and crouching, bruise
and bloody face thrust forward
Vicente was COMM. in again, hi
great gorilla hands weaving hol
ribly. Steadily, mercilessly, h
was driving Cliff back to wher