Read Online How Teddy Roosevelt Slew the Last Mighty T-Rex by Mark Paul Jacobs - Free Book Online Page B

evening they made camp close to the water yet high enough to remain relatively dry and secure from the river’s reptilian predators. Paishon skinned Cherrie’s monkey, and the meat sizzled atop the fire in short order. The sun abruptly fell beneath the tree line to the west, and the forest darkened.
    Colonel Roosevelt was offered the first taste of the charred and steaming primate yet deferred, granting the honor to the eagle-eyed hunter Cherrie who accepted the invitation graciously. The naturalist gnawed the first bite and then offered the rest to the officers and hard-working crew. The men proceeded to tear off chunks of monkey-meat like ravenous dogs. Roosevelt soon became a fan of the succulent protein, owing perhaps to necessity but mainly to his own hunger. The former president judged the taste a tad gamey like deer, yet it pulled apart with the texture of roast pork. Lobo and Trigueiro, wagging their tails vigorously, received the bones and gristle.
     
    Following Cherrie’s most welcome dinner treat, Roosevelt gathered Rondon, Cherrie, Kermit, and Lyra away from the fire and out of the camaradas earshot. “I have something to say,” Roosevelt began, “with the declaration that these are my opinions and my observations for which I possess very little, if any, hard factual evidence to support my case, although I deem it important that all officers of the expedition remain informed.”
    “Go on, Colonel,” Rondon said.
    “I have reason to suspect Lieutenant Martin and the camarada Julio de Lima have some sort of relationship that predated Martin’s petition to join the expedition at the Bonifácio telegraph station.”
    “And what is your evidence, senhor Roosevelt?”
    “Just after Colonel Rondon sent Martin off on his assignment at the Sete de Setembro camp, I observed Martin and Julio conversing briefly before Martin disappeared into the woods to negotiate with the Nhambiquara.”
    Rondon shook his head. “With all due respect, Colonel, that can hardly be—”
    “Although,” Kermit interrupted, “this does make some sense. I have said all along that Martin must have had some assistance from within the expedition. How else could he have known our ultimate goal was the Dúvida? And how did he know where and when to intercept us at Bonifácio?”
    “But your father’s expedition was fairly common knowledge throughout Mato Grosso for months prior to our departure. Word spreads quickly when generous wages are offered for labor in lands where many, unfortunately, still live in poverty.”
    “I am still convinced he must have had some help.”
    Cherrie asked, “Where and when was Julio hired?”
    “In Tapirapoan,” Lyra replied, “at the very beginning of the overland trip. I do recall he was very eager to join the expedition.”
    “And he mentioned nothing about a white man living amongst the natives?”
    “No, senhor Cherrie, I did not recall him saying anything of that sort.”
    Kermit asked, “Or did he recommended anyone who could help the expedition?”
    “No, not to my knowledge, but I will ask Paishon. He has a closer relationship with the rank-and-file.”
    “I did think it odd,” George Cherrie said, “that it happened to be Julio who so eagerly volunteered to accompany Martin on today’s little side mission. Not only does Julio fear his own shadow, but he is unquestionably the laziest of the bunch. I can’t imagine him feeling secure in the wilderness accompanied by a single man, even with Martin’s skills.”
    “That is precisely my point,” Theodore Roosevelt said. “Do you not find this behavior even a bit suspicious?”
    “ Sim , suspicious, yes,” Rondon said, “damming, I am not so convinced. Nonetheless, I must admit that I do not admire either man, although Martin has recently elevated his status in my eyes through earnest work.”
    Kermit scratched his head. “Father, if what you have said is true, then why would they continue to keep this relationship secret? What