Chapter 5, The Missionary

        NICKEL & DIME PRODUCTION'S 
                         proudly present's 
  CONNEMARA FEENEY & TAYLOR DAVIES 
                                     in
         THE HEART STONE OF AFRICA

Taking with them only food water & some rope that Boswel said they would need for the climb down, into the valley where the missionary was the party set off in a sober mood.

After about a half hour of walking they started to hear a low hum which after awhile more became more of a roar of what could only be the sound of  a waterfall , as the river moved from it slow easy pace to a boiling torrent in a downward rush.

The going did indeed as Boswel had told them became more difficult as the ground started to descent very quickly, in fact so rapidly that at parts they had to climb down using ropes, Maud who had a fear of high's was having a terrible time of it, but after her callous remark earlier got very little sympathy from the rest of the group.

Down a long perilous edges they made their way slowly as the hours passed by.

It was at parts so bad that they to tie ropes from one to the other in case any of them should fall,

with the worse part just as they reach the top of the tree line.
As they stopped for a bit to eat & a small rest in the mid-afternoon.

Boswel:"You'll be please to know ladies & gentlemen, that if my guess is correct the worse of the descent is over us & from here on  the land will start to level out with a slow decline into the valley which holds the missionary"

Connie:"Taylor have you noticed the roar of the river is dropping ?"
Taylor:"No I hadn't but now that you say it, it does appear to be so Boswel certainly knows his stuff"

Connie:"It was lucky he was on the flight, as I don't think we'd have made it out of there without him"
Taylor:"Absolutely we owe him huge debt, I'll have to think of someway to reward him as I don't think he take to kind to my offering him money as a thank you"

With the sun low on the horizon they caught their first sight of the missionary in the distance, a sight that meant their ordeal would soon be at an end.

A little over an hour later with the last of the light fading they approached the  settlement on a well worn track.

Voice:"Stop right where you are & explain yourselves"

Boswel stepped forward  & explained what had befalling them.

Woman:"Your'll have to forgive my welcome but we don't get to many folk out walking this way & it's better to be safe then slaughtered as my old Pa use to say, allow me to introduce myself I'm Jill the preacher's wife"

Jill:"Come lets all go up to the house you must be all wall-falling after such an ordeal"

Maud:"You won't believe the half of it I thought I was going to die out there like poor Mr Brown"

Jill:" It is a dangerous place out there that for surer, but your all safe now"
Just as they where to go inside a small native boy appeared from one of the mud huts & waved to them.

Weber:"Tell me Madam does your husband have a wagon that he could take us to the nearest town in tomorrow ? it really is imperative that I return as soon as possible"

Jill:"I'm sorry to have to tell you that the only way out of here is by boat, but your in luck as our monthly surplices which come up the river are due in two or three days time"

Weber:"Is there no other way ? has your husband not got a boat we could use ?"

Jill:"He only has a small rowing boat that would be of no use for getting you all down river to Swatrow, but come lets all go inside & have some coffee"

Always an early riser the next day Connie was out & about looking around & been an animal love went over to the pen. the little boy she'd seen the night before came over to talk to her & as soon as he seen him the baby goat wiggled his way under the pen fence & ran over to his side

Little boy " Hello my name is Nu'um what yours ?"
Connie " Hello Nu'um I'm Connie & pleased to meet you"
Nu'um " Will  you be living at the missionary now ?"
Connie "Only for a few days until the boat comes, do you live here with your Mum & Dad ?"
Nu'um "Yes but Dad is away hunting with the rest of the man, when I'm bigger I'll go to & be a great hunter like Dad"

After talking to Nu'um Connie head back to the house, when she got there Taylor was sitting on the veranda drinking a cup of coffee.

Taylor "Good morning Connie I see your up & about early"
Connie " Morning Taylor, you know me up with the larks, its truly wonderful here & if it wasn't for what happen to poor Jim I would really have enjoyed the adventure"

As she made her way towards the steps a man came out of the house.
Man "Hello you must be Connemara, I'm Jacob the Preacher of this tranquil place"
Connie "Pleased to meet you Jacob & please call me Connie.

  

After breakfast,  Connie, Taylor & Boswel went & talked  to some of the natives, Dufour was inside writhing up a report of all that had happened, while the Weber's were just happy to relax, well at least Maud was, Weber was in a foul mood at  having to await the boat.

Later on as evening was setting in Connie & Boswel were down by the river.
Boswel" Connie very slowly turn your head & look across the river:
Connie" Wow what is it Marco ? "
Boswel" That's a sight very few people get to see, Leopards mostly keep to the tree's were very lucky to be here just as he's come down for a drink "

In the afternoon of the next day a whistling sound brought them all out of the house to the sight of  the boat, while they watch Jacob hitch up a little cart to the donkey & headed for the jetty.

Connie, Taylor & Boswel followed Jocob down to the jetty to lend a hand unloading the boat, leaving the Weber's & Dufour, who headed back into the house to finish up his report.

Maud" At long last we can get out of this terrible place"

With the boat unloaded the man who's boat it was jumped on to the jetty & was introduced to the three as Tim Winks by Jacob before he set off with the first cart load.
Boswel retold their story before asking.
Boswel " Would it be possible for you to take the six of us back to Swatrow with you ?"
Winks " With the boat empty I should just about be able to squeeze you all on-board, we'll be leaving first thing after breakfast in the morning  the trip takes about 7 hours"

As the boat turned out into the river to start it journey Jacob & Nu'um waved fer-well from the jetty.

They watched the missionary go by as the boat build up speed.
Connie" What a wonderful place that is & such lovely people, wouldn't you agree Taylor ?"
Taylor" Indeed Connie indeed"

To be continued ?

 Cut
As always my thanks for dropping in & if you'd care to be a film critic your comments would be welcomed :) 

Chapter 4, In the night

                    NICKEL & DIME PRODUCTION'S 
                         proudly present's 
  CONNEMARA FEENEY & TAYLOR DAVIES 
                                     in
         THE HEART STONE OF AFRICA

The start of this adventure can be found here.
http://nickelandimeproductions.blogspot.ie/2017/03/connemara-feeney-taylor-davies-prelude.html


The next day passed with nothing of note, Connie & Taylor where amazed at how much Boswel new of the land & of the animals that lived on it, if they where unsure of what the name was of anything they seen they only to ask him to find out what it was.

On the night of the following day there was an incident, what happened was this.

After the evening meal Brown headed out of the camp to do his nightly business before  retiring to his tent.

"Growl roar roar" "Arr"

Around the campfire the first to react was Boswel, grabbing a burning stick out of the fire & then his rifle he ran in the direction that Brown had taken, quickly followed by Taylor, Dufour & Connie, Weber & Maud remained at the fire.

A trashing noise lead Boswel who covered the ground at speed as sure footed as any  gazelle.

When he got to the scene a big male lion had Brown on the ground mauling him.

Even been the crack shot that he was firing at the lion for fear of hitting Brown wasn't something he could risk, so instead he discharged the weapon twice into the air.

This had the desired effect as the sharp crack spooked the lion who took flight but not quickly enough & just as the other's came up along side him Boswel fire once more bring an end to the lion's life.

Brown:" Moan moan"
Connie,Taylor & Dufour went to his side while Boswel went over to the lion to make sure it was dead.

Connie:"Easy Jim it's ok now we'll get you back to camp & fix you up"
Brown:" Moan"
Taylor:" He's in Bad shape Jean/Paul were going to need something to carry him on to get him back to the camp.

Boswel:"Let me see him, Connie will you hold up this torch please, Jean/Paul, Taylor get two strong branch's & fix one of the tents to them, I'll try & stop the bleeding.

5 minute's later they returned with the home made stretcher "How is he ?" they both asked as one.
Connie:"Marco & I got the bleeding stopped but he's been very badly mauled"

Boswel:" The young lady was a great help, but I fear he's going into shock we need to get him back to camp & keep him warm by the fire.

Easing Brown onto the stretcher the 4 of them carried him back to the campsite in silence, when they got there Weber & Maud where standing by the fire & Weber had a pistol in his hand, they built up the fire but not out of any foreknowledge but from fear.

Boswel:"Weber gather up all the blankets quickly" he barked.

Weber didn't much like been spoken to like that but did as he  told with Maud's help.

Laying  Brown (who was shivering like a leaf in the breeze) by the fire they covered him with the blankets & took it in turns to stay with him through the night & as the night faded away so to did poor Brown & a half hour after sunrise he was dead.

Maud:"Are you just going to leave him like you did the other poor soul ?" ask Maud nastily

Connie, who had to use all his willpower not to slap  her across the face "What a horrible thing to say Maud"

Dufour:"How far do you think it is to the Missionary Marco ? as I'd like to take his body with us if we could"
Boswel:"On our own & leaving everything that we don't need here behind us, I was hoping that we'd reach it just before night fall, it's not terrible far but there's some rough ground to cross, it would be next to impossible to take him with us I'm sorry to say"

Defour:"I see, then we'll give him a quick burial here & set off, I want to get the rest of you back before anyone else loses their life.

With heavy hearts they laid poor Brown to rest & after a few words from Dufour gathered up what they were to take with them for what they hoped would be the last day of the trek to the missionary.

Cut
As always my thanks for dropping in & if you'd care to be a film critic your comments would be welcomed :)

Chapter 3, Down by the River

     NICKEL & DIME PRODUCTION'S 
                         proudly present's 
  CONNEMARA FEENEY & TAYLOR DAVIES 
                                     in
           THE HEART STONE OF AFRICA

The start of this adventure can be found here. http://ifitwasntforone.blogspot.ie/2017/03/connemara-feeney-taylor-davies-prelude.html

A half days hike brought them to the banks of the river, with the plan been to follow it downstream.

Boswel:"Now that we have our bearings it would be wise to stay back about a half a mile or so from the river as it turns & twists a lot in this section & there no point in adding miles on to our journey & beside river edges are always dangerous places"

Weber:"Then why in hell did you bring us down here sir ?  & would it not be quicker & easier for everyone if say yourself  & the co-pilot pushed on while the rest of us remained for a few days till you returned for us in boats, as I really don't think Maud is up to hiking for a couple of days in this heat & terrain.

Boswel:" An't none of you experienced enough to survive out here on your own for that length of time, this place isn't like a Sunday afternoon stroll in the Black-forest you know, it will be much safer  for us all to stay together even if  a bit slower"

Weber:" Well of all the ....

Dufour:" Hold your horse's there sir, Boswel know's more about this land then the rest of us put together & as I'm in charge of getting us all back in one piece I'm doing what ever Mr Boswel thinks is best so were all hiking out together"

"This is going to be a very interesting few days" Connie whispered to Taylor giggling
Taylor:" I agree, I think Herr Weber is more use to barking out orders then having to follow them & while he keeps saying he doesn't think Maud is up to the journey I've the feeling he doesn't fancy it himself"

Connie:" Look over there Taylor aren't they magnificent ? I think I'm starting to fall in love with Africa"

Boswel:" We'll have a half hour rest here before heading off, if anyone is going to do any personal business please don't go to far & stay vigilant at all times"

Connie:" That reminds me, if you'll excuse me Taylor"

Taylor:" Of course, I need go find a tree myself" he said with a grin.

As Connie rounded a bush something twinkling in the sunlight caught her eye, as she moved towards it she noticed it was coming  from a skeleton of a person that was lying on the ground mostly covered by the undergrowth

Not been the squirmy type Connemara didn't yell out but bent down to examining the remains to see what had caught her eye, she undoes the strap of rawhide from around the skeleton's neck & holds it up for a closer look.

 She knew at once what it was & had enough wits about her to shove it in her pocket before calling to the other's, a stone of this size could turn people very quickly out here so she was taking no chance's, she would talk to Taylor about it later.

Connie:" Hey you guys over here I've found something" she called out.

First at her side was the Dufour who could hardly believe his eye's, then the other's arrived in one's & two's.

Boswel:" See what I mean about this been a dangerous place ? I wonder what happen to this poor soul ?"
Taylor:"Best see if there's anything that can tells us who he was, looking under the bush they find an old  leather carry pouch.

Defour picks up the pouch &  opens it, searching  inside it, he finds was small pouch of tobacco, a clay-pipe & some documents proclaim the owner to be a Belgium man by the name of Claude Peeters.

Dufour:"  Well at least we know who he was" he says putting them  them back into that pouch with the other stuff.
 Defouf" We'll hand it over to the authorities when we get back, now if everyone is ready I think it time to push on"

Maud:" Surly we're not going to leave here without burying the poor man ?"

Dufour:" That's exactly what we're going to do, we do not have pick's or shovels & as he's been here along time I don't think he'll mind:

Later on after they set up camp.

Connie:" Taylor I've something to tell you that I didn't want to say in front of the others"
Taylor:" I thought as much you've not been yourself since you found Peeters, come spit it out "

Connie:" When I found him, in fact it was how I found him he'd this large stone on a rawhide around his neck, my guess is it's a diamond I didn't want the other's to know as if it is it's worth a fortune & greed can do funny things to people"
Taylor:" You done right, keep it out of sight & we'll report it when we get back"
Connie:" Don't you want to see it?"
Taylor:" I'll see it when it's safe to do so but for now you just keep it out of sight, it's getting dark we best get back to the camp"

 A couple of Hyena's look down on the camp as Taylor does his turn on watch.

Cut
Well that's it for this post, my thanks to the wife for the helping hand & as always my thanks to you for dropping in & if you'd care to be a movie critic your comment would be welcomed.

Chapter 2, Down but not Out

             NICKEL & DIME PRODUCTION'S 
                         proudly present's 
  CONNEMARA FEENEY & TAYLOR DAVIES 
                                     in
         THE HEART STONE OF AFRICA

The start of this adventure can be found here. http://nickelandimeproductions.blogspot.ie/2017/03/connemara-feeney-taylor-davies-prelude.html

Pilot:" Ladies & Gentlemen as I'm sure you are aware we've landed safely but we're a long way from civilisation, we crossed over a river a few miles from here I think we should leave the plane & head for that river, there are luckily enough some tent's & other supplies on-board that where part of the cargo that will be very useful to us over the next few days.

Rising from his seat Marco Boswel:"Hold on there a moment you've just proved yourself as a good pilot but I've a feeling you know jackshit about surviving out in a place like this, the river your talking about is the Shangani which flows into the Zambezi & pitching tents along it's bank would not be something I'd care to do.

                                           
Pilot:" As captain for this craft I'm responsible for the well-been of everyone on it I'll not tolerate my command been questioned, it's my duty to get you all back safely to civilisation & I intend to do just that.

Boswel:"While we were in the air sir I was more then happy to do whatever you said, but now we're on the ground things are quite different & what's more...

Taylor:" Gentleman gentlemen please, this bickering is not going to get us anywhere".
Taylor:"If I may ask Mr ?
Boswel:" Marco Boswel tracker & big game hunter at your service sir"

Taylor:"& very welcomed that service will be in this trying situation we find yourselves in wouldn't you agree Captain  Dufour ?

Dufour:"Indeed Sir indeed fortunate it is to have someone of Mr Boswel's knowledge among us in this hour of need, I will of coarse be more then happy to take any of your advice as regards how we should go about getting out of here sir "

Boswel:"Thank you kindly gentlemen, well to start off with what I would suggest is like was the Captain's plan we go through the cargo to find anything that will be of use to us & as there are only a couple of hours of daylight left spend the night in the plane before setting out for the river in the morning"

Taylor turning to Connie " Sorry about all this but don't worry we all get back in one piece"
Connie:"It's fine Taylor I enjoy a bit of adventure & what's more I could do with the overtime" she added jokingly bring a grin to Taylor's face.

What a plucky girl he thought to himself not for the first or last time.

Also on board was a German diplomat Andres Weber & his wife Maud, on their way back to German East Africa.

Having secured provisions & gone over the maps they settled in for the night.
                                      
 Boswel had informed them  that there was a missionary a couple of days hike down river, this didn't go down to well with the Germans who were not happy about the idea of having to hike in this heat & terrain for the next couple of days.

Taylor:"You ready for this Connie ?"

Connie:"Well it's not exactly the West of Ireland, but yes I'm looking forward to it in a strange kind of way.
Immediately after breakfast they set off.

Dufour:"Time to be going folk's, make sure you have all you need to bring with you as we won't come back for anything you forgot"

Boswel leads the way as the group head for the river.

Cut.
well that's it for this post, as always my thanks for dropping in & if you'd care to be a movie critic your comment would be welcomed.