Appleton, Victor – Tom Swift Jr 14 – And His Electronic Retroscope

Although Tom made no mention of it to Bud or Chow, a new worry came to mind. Despite all the preparations, how would these natives greet strangers who wanted to take away some of their citizens for scientific study? The medical college of Grandyke University, located near Shopton, the Swifts’ home town, had made careful arrangements through the University of Mexico and the aduana-the combination immigration and customs department of the Mexican government-for several healthy young Mayan men to be flown back to the States.

But what if they were panicked into hostile action!

Still keeping his thoughts to himself, Tom steered the ship gently downward by means of the rudder and elevators. He aimed for a tiny open space in the forest. Presently a crowd of na-MAYAN WELCOME 9

lives came into view through the densely clustering green foliage.

“A reception committee!” Bud exclaimed.

“Reckon they look friendly enough,” Chow added, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down nervously.

Tom smiled in relief as he saw the natives waving at them. He waved back and urged his two companions to do likewise. The crowd gave way good-naturedly as Tom set the paraplane down in a gentle landing on the jungle floor.

When the three airmen emerged, they were greeted by shouts of welcome.

The Mayas surged forward in friendly yet dignified fashion to inspect their visitors. Some offered large bouquets of gorgeous-colored flowers.

“Sure are happy little critters!” Chow observed, grinning from ear to ear in relief.

The natives were handsome and brown-skinned, with fine figures. But none were over five feet tall, and many of them were considerably shorter. The men were clad only in shorts, while the women wore simple, straight white dresses, with low square necklines embroidered in gay colors and a matching trim on the skirts.