Part 4 (1/2)
”Herr von Schwandorf?” inquired Knowlton
”Schwandorf Neither Herr nor von Plain Schwandorf”
The reply caht throaty accent
”Knowlton is my name Mr McKay The third member of our party, Mr
Ryan, has just left”
Schwandorf bowed stiffly from the waist
”It is a pleasure tohimself at a place beyond that just vacated by Ti” They reseated thee transportation”
The black brows lifted slightly
”It is a dangerous river You would do well to travel elsewhere unless you have so reason to explore this stream”
With an accustomed sweep of the hand he shooed the flies fro portion Over the legumes he poured farinha in the Brazilian fashi+on
”We have We are seeking a tribe of people who paint their bones red”
Schwandorf's hand, conveying the first mouthful of beans upward, stopped in air His black eyes fixed the Americans with an astounded stare He lowered the beans, stabbed absently at a chunk of beef, sawed it apart, popped a piece of it into hisWhen the meat was down he spoke bluntly:
”Are there not ways enough to kill yourselves at ho to this place to do it?”
McKay smiled The directness of the man amused him
”As bad as that?” asked Knowlton
”As bad as that Blow your head off if you like Cut your throat Take poison Juators Step on a snake But keep away from the Red Bones”
”Why?” shot McKay
”Cannibals--and worse”
”Worse?”
”Truly Most of the Brazilian savages do not torture The Red Bones do”
”Pleasant prospect”
”Very Nothing to be gained aold, try the hills over west of the Huallaga None here”