Free How Teddy Roosevelt Slew the Last Mighty T-Rex by Mark Paul Jacobs

can they gain by continuing this charade?”
    “I simply don’t know, Kerm.”
    “Could they be plotting some kind of coup?” Lyra asked.
    Roosevelt noticed Colonel Rondon’s eyes widen as if Lyra struck some deeply buried nerve. Theodore Roosevelt knew this feeling all too well having led men on desperate missions several times in the past, and sometimes the balance between command and insurrection can fall on a razor’s edge. Rondon glanced at Roosevelt and shook his head in disgust.
    “I think this unlikely,” Cherrie replied somewhat reassuringly. “I have witnessed and even participated in a handful of uprisings in Central and South America over the years, and this situation just doesn’t add up. What is there to gain? Colonel Rondon is not mistreating these men in any way. And just how is Martin going to convince others to join his cause?”
    “And senhor Roosevelt still holds the purse strings,” Rondon added.
    Cherrie continued, “To make matters worse for any potential overthrow, Julio is almost universally disliked. How is Martin going to sway the others with Julio at his side? Even at gunpoint, toughened men like our camaradas will not tolerate being led by someone they don’t trust or respect.”
    Roosevelt said, “That could be the reason why Martin keeps Julio at arm’s length.”
    The five men stood silently for a moment.
    “Gold?” Lieutenant Lyra stated finally.
    Rondon stroked his chin. “This, of course, is an intriguing possibility. Brazil is strewn with bones of fools seeking ancient myths like the lost city of El Dorado. Do not forget that Martin is a former member of a Percy Fawcett expedition, and Commander Fawcett made little effort to conceal his penchant for questionable and grandiose quests.”
    “I have some doubts about this theory also,” Cherrie said. “Over these past days I have spoken to Martin on several occasions and he seems to possess a voracious intellectual curiosity, especially regarding the animal life of the Amazon. He has also shown a great interest in the Museum of Natural History and Osborn’s research and recent findings.”
    Roosevelt scratched his head. “Paleontology…? But Martin is a trained Social Anthropologist, is he not?”
    Cherrie shrugged. “A true scientist’s curiosity shows no boundaries, Colonel Roosevelt. And this is precisely my point—Mister Martin, in my estimation, does not exhibit the traits of a wild-eyed treasure hunter. He may have some ulterior motive but attaining material riches seems unlikely.”
    “We must all remember,” Kermit said, “that we have good reason to believe this man lived and thrived in absolute austerity for many years.”
    “Yes,” Cherrie replied. “Unfortunately, I have seen many men gripped by gold fever, and the look is both distinctive and ultimately pathetic. And yet, quite curiously, our friend Julio has all the earmarks of a treasure hunter. He is strong yet lazy, and he always appears to seek the easiest path while shirking hard honest work. If any relationship exists between these two men, it would indeed be quite odd.”
    Colonel Rondon sighed deeply. “Well, we will know soon enough upon Martin’s and Julio’s return—if they do return. We will question these two together and get to the truth once and for all. I will not tolerate any deceit or hidden intentions amongst my men. We must all keep our minds focused on the tasks at hand such as mapping this treacherous waterway and getting through the Amazon alive and relatively unscathed.”
     
    The morning sun arrived upon rare bright clear skies. As the camaradas began breaking down camp, the men were beset by swarms of stingless bees, and yet the expedition shared a few laughs when Dr. Cajazeira woke to find an undershirt devoured by ferocious Amazonian ants. After eating a meager breakfast, the expedition once again set off down the swirling Dúvida.
    Through the morning and into the afternoon the river flowed peacefully across flat