Don Lardo finds the 'Golden Man'

1. ‘Eldorado’ – 2016
the 10th
pirate episode from ‘Bayko Baron’

2. • The Franciscan mission at San Ignatio on the Caya Rio. Into this

3. • And with them Don Lardo. Having heard rumour of his replacement over the recent Castelbranca fiasco the Governor is
determined to take one last throw at making his fortune. Like others before him he has heard the tales of ‘Eldorado’ the
Golden Man. Unlike others, he held the tale-teller and tortured them for exact directions.

4. • The mission indians are pressed as porters, their animals taken for transport

5. • The expedition sets out down a long-forgotten trail

6. • The troops struggle forward…

7. • While Don Lardo supervises the porters

8. • But their entry into the forest is not unobserved, Yaruro tribesmen
are already shadowing their progress

9. • Nor are they alone, Calico jack Chinless, The Baracudda and
RobRoy McNuggets are even now approaching San Ignatio

10. • After a week hacking forward a Toltec signpost signals they are still on the right trail

11. • And suddenly the undergrowth thins and there is the temple of Tezcatlipoca

12. Something gleams in the darkness as Don Lardo leads the way inside

13. • Don Lardo filches the statue in short order, but even as it reaches the bottom of the

14. Abandoning wounded, porters and supplies as unwanted luggage Don Lardo heads for home

15. • While back at the temple the Yaruro tend to the fallen while their priest summons
the faithful

16. The
musicians
strike up a
jaunty
tune in
the hope
of scaring
off the
shadows
in the
forest

17. • While every few miles the whispering arrows of an invisible enemy claim
another victim

18. • Back at San Ignatio the garrison hold the pirates at the quayside

19. • Until RobRoy arrives on their flank

20. • With the result that the exhausted Don Lardo is confronted by
ramparts rather than refuge

21. • The desperate troops launch an assault, but
are blasted by the pirate cannon

22. • Leaving the Yaruro to dispose of the survivors

23. • Emerging to claim their victory the pirates are
confronted by a Yaruro priest

24. • A week on , The Baracudda and Calico Jack take advantage
of a friendly priest to re-take their marital vows

25. • While back at the temple of Tezcatlipoca, Don Lardo is also
closely involved in an act of re-dedication