This adventure followed Andy's Tornado Adventure
July 5-10, 1999--Day 1: Mark and Andy drive to the fishing camp to investigate problems at Big Swamp. Mark tells Andy to beware of the alligators. At the camp Mark says hi to a man named Tom and then meets his old fishing guide, Roy Wilson; they go fishing. As they effortlessly pull in a series of huge fish, Mark asks about the reported problems in Big Swamp. Mr. Wilson tells him that there are problems at Devil's Wallow, an area virtually inaccessible because of the swamp and dense brush. Roy says he won't go near Devil's Wallow. Mark asks why. Roy says that people who have lived in the area much longer than him think Devil's Wallow is haunted. Roy believes them. Mark notes that lately the area residents are especially spooked and asks why. Roy mentions screams and strange lights. As they return to the fishing camp, Marks asks Roy to accompany him to Devil's Wallow. Roy says absolutely not, a terrified look on his face; he runs off and Mark notes that he just lost his guide. Mark tells Tom that he may have to visit Devil's Wallow alone.
July 12-17--Day 1: As Mark drinks a tiny cup of coffee, Tom tells him he must not visit the Devil"s Wallow area alone. Tom suggests that his nephew, Rick Nolan might guide Mark, since he needs the money. Later, Rick says he will guide Mark because his wife is expecting again and he needs money. As Rick and Mark prepare for the trip, Mark tells Andy that he will have to wait at the fishing camp. Rick says that's wise; a large alligator would appreciate a St. Bernard for supper. Rick asks why Mark wants to visit such an area. Mark says that he's an outdoor writer and photographer and besides he is curious. Arriving at Devil's Wallow, Rick says there's still time to go back. Mark says that they will be safe. Rick says he isn't sure about that. He points and shouts, "Look!" A column of red smoke is rising into the air. Rick says that people say the smoke is from the devil himself and that he is warning them to stay away from Devil's Wallow. Mark asks, amused, if Rick really believes that. Rick, with a worried look on his face, says he doesn't know what to believe but that he wants to get out of there. As Rick chops through underbrush with a machete, Mark, who is following at a safe distance, tells him to keep cutting and that maybe the going will soon be easier. Rick says he doesn't think so, and again says, "Look!"
July 19-24--Day 1: Rick has spotted fresh dinosaur tracks. Mark says dinosaurs died out millions of years ago and that someone wants them to believe that these are dinosaur tracks. He adds that things are now becoming interesting. Rick still isn't sure about that. Rick asks Mark if he's not afraid even a little bit. Mark says he's not. Rick says he has a wife and children and doesn't want to just disappear in the swamp. As the men sit around an evening campfire they hear a tremendous roar. Rick figures it's a bull 'gator about a hundred feet long. Mark says it's just someone wanting them to believe a huge alligator is in the area. Rick continues to fret as Mark prepares for bed.
July 26-31--Day 1 to Day 2: As Rick continues to worry, Mark advises him to get some sleep. Rick says that's easy for Mark to say. Soon the only sounds to be heard are coming from the mysterious swamp. A foreground bear looks over the campsite. As Day 2 dawns, Mark says he had a pretty good night except for a few mosquitoes. As he dresses, he tells Rick to start a fire so that he can cook them up a good breakfast. Mark realizes that Rick isn't answering. He finds a note from Rick saying that he isn't going into Devil's Wallow with Mark and that he will pick up Mark in two days. Wielding a huge machete, Mark backtracks through the dense underbrush to where they left the boat and discovers it's already gone. Mark deduces that Rick left in the middle of the night. Mark is disappointed in Rick. Now he wishes he had brought Andy along; Andy would not desert him. Later Rick arrives home; his not-very-pregnant wife asks him why he's back. Rick says he quit, adding that Mark will be fine. Mrs. Rick says she doubts that because the Devil's Wallow is going to be burned tonight. Bud Parker has been going around saying folks should burn Devil's Wallow to get rid of whatever is in there. If they burn it, Mr. Trail will be killed and Rick will be responsible. Rick wonders what he's done and says he can't let them do that until Mr. Trail is out of there.
August 2-7--Day 2: Rick continues to berate himself. As Mark wanders deeper into the Devil's Wallow, he wonders if he should have gone back with Rick. A grinning foreground opossum watches as the vine Mark is holding snaps, dumping him into a murky bog. As Mark sinks into a quicksand-like ooze up to his pectorals, he says, "Man! This is not a good place to be in!" A huge alligator notices the commotion as Mark continues to flail and go on about what a mess he's gotten himself into. Mark tries to get his pack off as disembodied hands in the foreground cut through a vine with a huge knife. Moments later, the vine swings towards Mark. He grabs it and pulls himself to safety, unable to believe what just happened.
August 9-14--Day 2: Mark figures out that someone cut the vine for him to grab. He spots a shadowy figure and deduces that this is the vine cutter. Mark gives pursuit and shouts for the man to stop, insisting that he only wants to talk. Vine cutter remains in sight as Mark trails. Foreground Bobcat watches. Mark notices that the mysterious stranger appears to be allowing Mark to keep up to him and that they appear to be leaving Devil's Wallow. Foreground Frog takes over the vigil. Mark hatches a scheme to lure the mysterious stranger closer. He groans loudly and shouts that he's sprained his ankle and can't walk. The stranger comes closer as Mark continues to holler.
August 16-21--Day 2: Mark's benefactor comes closer. Mark makes a lunge and grabs the mysterious stranger by the shirt collar. To Mark's surprise, it's "A Girl!!" Mark unhands her. The lady, who has short dark hair and intensely feminine features, says it was very clever of him to pretend to be injured. Mark says he just wanted to thank her. The woman is wearing earrings and a Mark Trail workshirt; she introduces herself as Beth Shaw and advises Mark to leave the swamp, now that he's thanked her. Mark protests that she doesn't even know why he's in the swamp, but Beth says it doesn't matter; it would be best that he leave. Mark says he can't leave, since his guide left with the boat. Beth asks Mark's name and interest in the swamp. Mark introduces himself and says he is an outdoor writer and photographer interested in writing an article about the swamp. Beth says that's all she needs--an article about the swamp. Mark says that the local people are very concerned about what is going on in the swamp; there's no telling what they will do because the strange noises and colored smoke worry them. Mark adds that if he knew the answers, perhaps he could explain things to them before they got too upset. Opening his pack, Mark says that if his coffee isn't too wet, he'll brew a pot for Beth and himself, adding that a fire will help him to dry out. As the coffee perks, Mark says he assumes that Beth isn't in the swamp alone. Beth admits this and says that she hopes Mark will be discreet in what she is about to tell him.
August 23-28--Day 2: Beth says she thinks Mark is the type of person who will do the right thing. She is going to take him to her camp. Meanwhile Rick's pregnant wife, still holding the heavy basket of laundry, continues to lecture him about abandoning Mark. She insists that he go back and get Mr. Trail. Rick agrees, admitting that he made a big mistake; but first he has to stop Bud Parker from setting fire to the swamp. Bud is a large bald man, bearing a strong resemblance to a clean-shaven Jesse Ventura. Apparently Bud is a butcher; a large carcass is hanging from it's hind legs as Rick drives up. Bud says he hasn't seen Rick in awhile. Rick says he heard that Bud and some of the boys are going to burn the swamp. Bud says that's right; folks are tired of worrying about the strange things that are going on in Devil's Wallow. Foreground Deer observes from a safe distance. Rick says that Bud can't burn the swamp; at least not now. Bud says, "Oh...and WHY NOT?" Rick says he's all for burning the swamp, but not just now. Bud stirs some huge cauldrons which must hold 80 gallons each. Grabbing a knife and a big piece of meat, he says that everyone favors burning the swamp. Rick admits that he left a fellow named Trail in the swamp. Bud, shocked, says, "You LEFT him in that place!" He adds that Trail is probably dead by now and that the boys are keen on getting the job done. Meanwhile, Beth and Mark approach her camp where a helicopter is parked. Mark can't believe it.
August 30-September 4--Day 2: Beth, who was seen earlier wearing dungarees and a tucked in workshirt with small epaulets, is now wearing short shorts (she and Mark are seen approaching the camp from a distance)! (This frame, which is drawn in exquisite detail, is most likely Ed Dodd's work. More than once, adventures which appeared in the 1950's and 1960's have been "recycled" with minimal updating of the artwork. It's possible that the current episode is one of these! Or perhaps Jack simply spent lots of time on frame one and decided to have Beth change her trousers, leaving the reader to speculate on the possible reasons one would change outfits in the middle of a 'gator infested swamp!) Beth's father, Dr. Ben, is bent at a microscope on a card table. A large bone fragment is visible. Dr. Ben asks Mark what he does for a living. Mark says he works for an outdoor magazine. Dr. Ben then recalls Mark's editor. He tells Mark that media attention at this point would be detrimental to the project, hoping that Mark will cooperate. Mark says that he doesn't even know what the project is, but that he can understand Ben's position. Meanwhile, the boys from the settlement have gathered to burn Devil's Wallow. Bud says that Rick has something to say first. Rick says he left a man named Trail in the swamp. One of the boys says it's not likely this Trail fellow is still alive. Rick says it's his duty to search for Trail and asks the boys to wait until tomorrow to burn the swamp. The boys agree, but caution that by this time tomorrow Rick had better be out of Devil's Wallow. Rick says that if Mr. Trail is alive, he hopes Mark will forgive him. Bud hopes so too.
September 6-11--Day 2:
Dr. Ben is a professor who discovered some interesting bones in the swamp. He examined them in detail in his laboratory and on that basis was able to obtain a grant for further explorations in the swamp. Two college students are assisting him. Dr. Ben again tells Mark that he is going to show Mark exactly what his project is. Mark is glad. Meanwhile Rick arrives at the campsite where he abandoned Mark. He sees no one about. Ben Shaw shows Mark a dinosaur skeleton the team is excavating from the area near a spring. Mark can see why they want no publicity and says he will tell his editor there is no story. Mark will wait for Dr. Shaw to give him the word. Dr. Shaw apologizes for the little tricks. Mark says that they certainly worked on his guide, since he left Mark and took the boat. Dr. Shaw says he'll have Beth fly him out in the helicopter tonight.
September 13-18--Day 2: Beth and Ben really appreciate Mark's keeping quiet. Mark says it will be hard to remain silent about such a good story. Meanwhile, Rick prays that Mr. Trail is still alive and that he finds him. He deduces that Mark has gone deeper into the swamp and disturbs some crows, including Foreground Crow. The professor and Beth notice that the birds are disturbed. Professor Shaw gives the order to play the sound effects tape. The amplified roar of a bull alligator echoes through the swamp, terrifying Rick. He decides to get out of the swamp for good. Mark and Beth spot Rick running wildly off, waving his machete. Mark calls him. Rick shouts that they all have to get out of there right away. Mark tells him to relax, he's safe. Rick apologizes for leaving Mark in the lurch, but maintains that the swamp is haunted. Mark introduces Rick to Beth, mentioning that she lives in the swamp. Rick finds this hard to believe.
September 20-25--Day 2 to Day 3: Rick says Beth is crazy to live in the swamp because it's haunted. He insists that they all leave immediately because some men are going to burn Devil's Wallow. It isn't clear whether this is now Day 3 (on Day 2 the men had given Rick until "tomorrow" to get Mark out of the swamp before they burned it. From the action thus far, it is still Day 2). Mark asks, WHAT does Rick mean, some men are going to burn the swamp. Rick replies that folks are tired of worrying about the strange events in the swamp and that Bud Parker and some of the boys are going to set light to it. Beth shouts that they can't do that. Rick again insists they leave immediately because the men are going to burn the swamp today.(As no explanation of the missing time is obvious, I will postulate a theory. According to the action, on Day 2 Mark got up, met Beth and came to the camp where he had a discussion with the professor. Following the talk, Mark and Beth found Rick; the boys had told him on Day 2 that they would burn the swamp tomorrow. Since it is now Day 3, i.e. the swamp is set to be burned today, I suggest that it was a long trip to the camp for Mark and Beth, and they evidently spent the night in the swamp before reaching camp. This theory gives at least some reason as to why Beth was first shown wearing dungarees but is wearing shorts as she and Mark approach camp--evidently, she travels with an extra swamp outfit. Someone who wears earrings in a swamp might do such a thing, don't you think!!?) Mark says they can't burn Devil's Wallow because people live in the swamp. Beth says this will break her father's heart. Mark tells the professor what is going to happen. The professor sputters that the swamp will be made famous by his project. Mark says that the boys don't know that. Mark suggests that they use the chopper to stop the boys from setting the fire. But meanwhile, the boys are already setting light to Devil's Wallow.
September 27-October 2--Day 3: As the chopper approaches the boys, one of the group shouts, "SMOKE!" As the chopper lands, 4 heads are silhouetted inside, but only 3 people emerge: Beth, Mark and Rick. Rick tells Bud that they can't burn Devil's Wallow because there are people in there. Bud wants to know what people. Then he agrees to go with them in the chopper to where the boys are firing the swamp, mentioning that he's never been in one of those things. Mark says that he will be fine. The chopper flies towards the flames, and it is obvious that the fire is out of control. Mark asks Bud if there are any airboats in the area. Bud says there's one at Alligator Landing. The crew lands, and Mark sees that the boat is gassed up. He hopes he remembers how to drive it. Mark speeds the airboat across the tall grass, hoping to make a firebreak.
October 4-9--Day 3: Mark makes another pass with the airboat; the firebreak is containing the flames. One of the boys asks Bud why Mark is controlling the fire. Bud says he's been told there are people in the swamp and that he wants to know more too. Mark tells the boys that they're about to learn the whole story. There are no spooks or monsters in the swamp, only nice people. Mark mentions that Beth's father is a famous archaeologist and that he has made a great discovery. Bud asks excitedly if it's a pirate treasure. Mark says it's not and leads them to the dinosaur skeleton. Bud is amazed. Mark says the professor has been working on the find for two years and that Devil's Wallow will now become famous. The boys will have to deal with many tourists. The professor says goodbye to Mark and asks him to give his editor, Bill Ellis his regards. Beth hugs Mark, her mouth open and eyes half closed as she thanks Mark too. Mark wishes her and her dad the best. Later at the fishing camp, Mark tells Andy he missed a lot of excitement and that he'll tell him about it on the way back to Lost Forest.
October 11-15--Day 3: On the drive home, Mark tells Andy that the tornado really changed their lives. Mark is not wearing a seat belt. At Lost Forest, Cherry tells Mark she's glad he's back. Mark is glad to be back. Doc says that he and Rusty are glad too. Cherry tells Andy that next time it storms, he will be kept in the house. Doc says he thinks Mark got plenty of material for a new story. Mark agrees.