Boy's Cinema (1939-40)

Every Tuesday "All riRht," said Dan. "Mal<o resoivatioiis rifjlit away." "Yes, 8ir," SuoU replied, niul went out of tilO lOOItl. Dan tinned to Waterfoid and shook liini hy tlio luuid. "And don't foipot, Mr. Wateiford, I want an hotii>8t rut on that twcntylivo per cont." Wateiford and (ho directors huiKlied. They know tiioy could trust Dan Hiuion, and (hcv knew, too, that lie could trust thoni. TIkmo wouldn't really lie any (■onfra<t. There was no need for it ainonp.-st men like these. Their word was pood enon.crh. Dan aaid his gviodhye.? and went away. Meanwhile, outside in the secretary's oflice, Siiell was on the telephone. He got into touch with the sin'iipiiifi; company and booked a cahui for Dan. Then he rang np the Western Uiuon cable office. "Urgent cai)le to Mr. Gallon, Guamao," ho dictated to the cable clerk. ■•Burton new rubber hunter. Comincr in on Boroquin next trip. Danrror." Snell got a fat commi.^sion from a rival rubber company for doins thinirs like that! ROUGH HOUSE DAN found that the town of Guamao was a one-eyed dump on the north bank of the river, close to where it joined the sea. The steamer put hiin ashore, and he shouted to a snide: "Where'.s tiie best hotel in this place?" "Only one hotel, othei- si<le town." the yuide replied. He was a dusky Brazilian, and Brinned widely, showing; a lot of teeth. "1 t.ike yon." "Then lot's go." said Dan, and off they went. As they walked aloiiy the water-front, Dan went on: "Where can 1 s:et a couple of guides to cake me np the river?" "The Guamao River?" the guide asked, a little startled. "Yea." The guide shook his head. "You no get guides for that place." he nnswered. "It is wild country. People do not come back. Nobody like to go." Dan shrugged, and said no more for the time being. He got himself a room, then de- cided to do something more about getting guides. What he wanted was a native with a boat, and a coujile more men to help. So as soon a.^ he had got rid of his luggage he returned to the water-front. A crowd of natives were busy unloading The man was dragged away whimpering BOY'S CINEMA goods that had been brought ashore in lighters Irom the steamer. Dan got to work on them right away. " ^'ou fellows want a trip up the Guamao Kivor'/" he asked. 'J'he answer was prompt and very definite. "No-no want to go. Guamao no good." " I'll . pay Rood money," Dan said persuasively. "Money no goo<l to dead man. Sorry. No- body go up Giiiiniao. Wo work here."' "I'll pay live dollars a day," IJun persisted. "No." "Six." "No." Dan realised that it was no use, and moved on. He tried another Bron|), but still got the same reply. He decided in the enrl to go back to the hotel and ask a few questions there. Meanwhile, his effoits had not gone un- noticed. A couiile of men followed him, listen- ing to what he had to say. I'lvseiilly they were joined by a third. "That's hini," s:ild oik^ of the men. "Shall we do something about him. Air. (iailon?" The man addressed as Mr. (Jallon scowled. He was a tall, raw-boned individual, and his white tropical clothing was dirty. His eyes were deep-set and cruel. "Yes, you can do .something about him," he said, and smiled thinly. "Just see that he doesn't leave Guamao." "No worry," came the sinister reply. "He no leave." Dan, oblivions of all this, strolled into the bar at the hotel. A fat, good-humoured man in a white apron—the bartender—came up. |]What'll it be. sir?" he asked. "Scotch and soda," Dan answered. The baitender grinned delightedly. " Say, you're an American, ain't you, mister?" ho asked. "Sure." " Well, so am I. The name is Tiny Andrews." "I'm fresh off the last boat," Dan responded. "My name's Dan Burton." He reached out and shook Tiny by the hand. "Have a big one on me. Tiny." "No. thanks,' Mr. Burton. But I'll have a cigar, if you don't mind." " Sure. Go right ahead," Tiny got the drink, took a cigar, and then polished the top of the bar with his cloth. "How long are you going to be around these parts, Mr. Burton?" he asked. Oh, jiist ^ong enough to git a eotipio of natives U) take me np the (niainao Itivor," Dan replied. "I've lijed a lew.ol (he ladt down on the water fionl, but i haven'l had any luck so far." "I'll say you haven't," '^I'iny replied Jiiompdy. "And you won't, eitliei." "Why nf>t?" Tiny glanced np. At a table Bet againiit tho far wall was a girl, and with her was the man known as Gallon. Ho liad come in shorllv after Dan. "You'd l)etter talk to old soiir-piiss over there," Tiny said. "His name's (Jalloii, and he's got the insiflo track around hero on hiring natives. Jle'll bo able to tell you all you want to know." Dan turned and looked at the coiiplo. "Who's the girl?" he asked. "I seem to have seen her somewhere before. Maylio it was on the boat." "I wouldn't know," Tiny answered. "She's a stranger in tins town." "H'ln!" Dan picked up his drink. "I think I'll go and have a talk with Gallon." He strolled across to the tabh;. The nearer he got tho less he liked tho look of the man, but ho thought the girl was fine. "Mr. Gallon':'" he saitl. (Jallon looked np inquiringly. "Yes, .scnor?" he answered. He had a smooth, pleasant voice. It sort of gave people confidence. "You've been recommended to me," said Dan. "I want some men to take me inland." Gallon smiled gently, as though at some hidden thoughts. "Well, .voii've come to the right person," he answered. "Just where—inland?" "The head-waters of the Guamao." Gallon scratched his chin thoughtfiillv. His eyes had narrowed almost to slits, and he was watching Dan closely. "I see," he murmured. "You are an explorer—scientist ?" "An insectologist," Dan said. "So?" Gallon siuldenly seemed aware of Dan's curious glances at the girl. "Pardo-i me. I forgot the introductions. Miss Judith Adams, this is Mr. " He |)aiised interrogatively. "Burton—Dan Burton." 1 e. ju\ l.tli IJtO.