Boy's Cinema (1939-40)

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BOT'S CINEMA Every Tuesday Death stalked the rubber camp on the dreaded Guamao River, and men went there never to come back. Dan Burton de- cided to find out why—and so did lovely Judith Taylor. A terrific story of adventure in the sweltering jungles of Brazil —adapted from the new Universal picture with Richard Arlen, Andy Devine and Beverly Roberts as the stars DAN GETS TOUaH T HE directors of the Waterford Rubber Corporation were looking ftrini. They sat around the polished board-room table at their New York oflBces, but did not seem to have very much to say for oncel It was old man Waterford himself who was doing most of the talking. "Gentlemen," he said for the third time, "the price we are having to pay for raw rubber is outrageous. If we don't do some- thing about it we'll be out of business in a year." There was an uncomfortable silence. Then one of the directors said: "I thought we were doing something about it. What about Dr. Taylor?" Waterford shook his head. "I still haven't heard from him," he replied. "Which brings me to the main question I have to put before you, gentlemen. Shall we go on waiting—or what?" The directors looked grimmer than ever. And they had good reason. It was more than a year now since they had sent the famous scientist, Dr. Taylor, out to the Guamao River in Brazil. The object of the trip was to buy plantations, so that the Waterford Corporation could grow its own rubber instead of having to obtain it from other people. And Dr. Taylor had not been heard of pi nee. " Why not send someone out to trace him ?" another of the directors asked. Waterford shrugged hopelessly. "What's the use?" he asked. "Every man we've sent out there has disappeared com- pletely, just as though he has been swallowed up by the iungle." "All rignt, then. Why not give up this Guamao River project and explore some other region for our new plantations?" "That's all right with me if I knew where we could grow the kind of rubber we need," Waterford replied. "Our commitments to the trade call for a very special quality." He picked up a large cube of rubber. "Now, this soecimen is a case in point." "What special quality has it?" a director aslc«d. "Well, oflF hand, I should say that " He Fohroary 17th. 1940. broke ofiF as the door opened and a young man came in. "Ah, here's our technical expert! I'll let him answer your question. Gentlemen, this is Mr. Dan Burton." Dan Burton grinned at them all cheerfully. He was not a bit awed by the fact that he was in the presence of the board of directors. And there was no reason why he should be. He knew more about rubber than the whole lot of them put together. Besides, he wasn't the kind that would ever be awed—or afraid. He was as tough as the rubber he processed. "Mr. Burton has recently become the head of our research laboratory." Waterford went on, and then held out the sample of rubber. " Dan, there is some question about the special quality of this sample. We'd like your opinion." Dan took the sample, looked at it closely, kneaded it in his hands, and thought for a moment. Then he said : " It comes from a fine grade of latex. It would make an excellent base for first-class motor tyres and rubber gaskets. It's a pro- duct of Heavea Brsizilienz—which means that it comes from a region beyond the head waters of the Guamao River." The directors blinked. Dan had spoken quietly and expertly, and they realised he knew what he was talking about. "Amazing!" someone .said. "I say, Water- ford, why not send Mr. Burton to the Guamao ? He has the knowledge, the back- ground, every qualification " "Except one," Dan interrupted quickly. "What's that?" "I don't like the jungle. I've had my fill of it already. I had to spend a few years in some of them when I was learning my job. I was in Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula." Waterford went over and took Dan by the arm. "Listen, my boy," he said, and did his best to speak persuasively. "You've got a chance to do some real pioneering—to open up a new industrial frontier." Dan shook his head. "Cull it pioneering if you like," he said. "To me it's just one long nightmare—fighting fever, bitten by insects, battling with natives. I had to do some of it, of course, or I couldn't have taken a job like I've got now. But any pioneering I do henceforth is going to be done right here in good old New York," The way he spoke was just as decisive as when ho had given his opinion upon the specinien of rubber, Waterford sighed deeply and turned away. "Well, I guess you're right, son," he said. "It's a dangerous venture. It's asking too much of anyone." Dan chuckled. " You can't get me that way, Mr. Water- ford," he said good-humouredly. "But I'd miss my air-conditioned laboratory and the comforts I get out of first-class American plumbing." Waterford sighed again. " Well, it's still a dangerous venture," he muttered. "You are right to refuse. Four men have tried it, and none of them have come back. Just forget I mentioned it." He turned to the company secretary, a man named Snell, who was standing near. "By the way, any more word from Dr. Taylor?" "No, sir," Snell replied. Dan looked at Waterford sharply. "Dr. Taylor?" he asked. "You mean the rubber expert?" "Yes. It's been a very long time since we last heard from him. He's just disappeared like the rest, I guess." Dan looked indignant. " Mr. Waterford," he said, " you hsid no right to send an eminent scientist like Dr. Taylor down into the jungle. The world needs him. Besides, he's an old man." Waterford shook his head sadly. "I know," he replied. "We learn by ex- perience. I know now the kind of man I'd like to send." "If I were making the choice, it would be Dan Burton," said one of the diiectors. "And I would second that motion," said another. "Oh, I don't know!" remarked a third. "What could he do that the others haven't?" Dan chuckled. "Never mind the left-handed build-up^ gentlemen," he said. He looked at them in silence for a moment or two, thinking. Then he went on: "If I change my mind, it's only because the world of science stands to lose a great man." Waterford clumped him between the shoulder-blades. "Fine!" he exclaimed. "Dan, if you'll see this thing through " "If I do," Dan retorted quickly, "I shall want fifty per cent of the venture," Waterford and the directors blinked at him uneasily. "Fifty per cent?" Waterford exclaimed. "But^" "And before you start arguing with me," Dan went on cheerfully. "I'll take twenty- five. Is it a contract?" Waterford clumped him again and turned to Snell. " When's the next boat leaving for Guamao?" he asked. Snell consulted some papers. " The Boroquin leaves the day after to- morrow," he replied.