Page 67 of In the Heat of the Jungle

In time she would explain everything to Jace. For now, silent observation seemed best. Her curious illness had passed and she was feeling marvel—

The bushes wiggled to her left. Leigh glanced that way and saw ferns and other greenery trembling. No growl reached her ears, but something of size was disturbing the location. Perhaps someone was playing a trick on her. Thinking of Jace and time alone together, she grinned. “Who’s there?”

There was no response. Bushes and plants moved again. Leigh’s smile faded as she scanned the area. Goosebumps danced over her body. Instinct warned of danger. She fumbled for her derringer. It wasn’t in the bag, and her anxiety mounted. She always kept the weapon there, so she hadn’t brought a rifle. How foolish she had been, and where was her gun? Leigh tossed the bathing bag aside and grabbed a broken tree limb for protection. It was short and weak, but anything was better than being unarmed. “This isn’t funny. Who’s there?” Still no response: no voice, no growl, no lunge at her. Leigh began to back away with caution, gluing her eyes to the suspicious location. Lush green leaves moved again, closer to her, but she couldn’t see anyone or anything. Maybe it was one of the bearers hunting or strolling. But no, she reasoned, they would answer.

“Who’s there?” Surely an animal would have fled or attacked by now. She was vexed and frightened. She dared not plunge into the ocean of green to remove her fears. She stood tense and still. The movement ceased. Leigh assumed it was a small animal and she had frightened it; yet she remained apprehensive. An eerie silence encased her; even the wildlife was strangely quiet and motionless. She realized she couldn’t hear the gramophone. She must have walked too far. She should return to camp for a weapon and perhaps a guard. As she turned in the narrow path, there was brisk movement in that direction, cutting off her retreat. Watching that area closely, she began to back away again. Something was out there and it was a threat to her. Suddenly her feet gave way and she slipped. To her horror, she realized why: quicksand.

Leigh screamed, “Help! Chad! Reid! Help! Jace! Mkwawa! Help! I’m in quicksand. Hurry!”

There was no response. The engulfing foe sucked greedily at her entrapped body. Jace’s words came to mind: “Don’t struggle; it pulls you deeper. Stay limp and get control. You can float on your back in quicksand, but working slow is vital.”

Once she forced herself to calm down, she didn’t sink as fast. There was no need to waste energy screaming; she doubted she could be heard. She was too far from camp and the music was probably still playing. How could she have made such an error? Where was the fork? She scolded herself for not realizing how far she had walked, as the pool couldn’t be this distant from camp, and she hadn’t noticed a rag marker in quite a while. It had been rash not to bring a rifle or a guard. Jace had warned them about such precautions, and about quicksand being nearby. He had told them to never leave camp alone, and her Sir Lancelot was off in the jungle somewhere.

Hindsight was too late. Leigh saw a vine dangling in the hungry mud. She stretched her hand and tried to reach it. She prayed. She willed it to move closer. Her fingertips touched bark. The vine moved, the other way. Tears rolled down Leigh’s cheeks. She was going to die, vanish mysteriously, she feared, and Jace would blame himself for her carelessness.

She struggled for the live rope, quicksand to her shoulders by now. Miraculously her fingers captured it. With all her strength, she pulled and worked until she was on the bank. Leigh rolled to her back, exhausted, still holding the vine in a tight grasp. Her breathing was labored. Her heart pounded. She was covered in clingy muck, but alive. She cried in relief, and from tension.

Jace appeared and snatched her into his arms. He didn’t have to asked what happened. “That was stupid, Leigh!” he scolded, his temper getting the best of him from anxious relief. “I told you not to leave camp alone. What are you doing way out here?”

Leigh’s frightened gaze locked with Jace’s panicked one. She explained what had taken place, and noticed Jace’s odd stare. Giddy from her shock and his soothing presence, she quipped, “How did you find me? Sir Lancelot to the timely rescue again.”

“This isn’t amusing, woman. When Johi and I returned to camp, Reid and Cynthia told me you were at the spring alone. I followed your tracks. You didn’t even bring a rifle with you. How many tim—”

“I thought I had my derringer,” she interrupted. “I told them I would fire a shot if trouble struck.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“It’s gone.”

“No, it isn’t. I found your bag spilled back there. It’s right here,” he said, holding up the small weapon.

“I didn’t see it. I guess I panicked. I got lost.”

“On a marked trail? You’re too skilled for that.”

Leigh had calmed enough to be miffed. “There was no fork.”

Jace lifted her and the bag and headed down the trail, then stopped at one point. “This fork, Leigh.”

The wide-eyed blonde gaped at the other trail to the right, several rags tied on both sides of the path. Jace carried her down it to a beautiful spot where an underground stream bubbled up into a deep crevice to form a pool. He lowered her legs to the ground.

“I didn’t see the fork. I guess I was looking up at the monkeys playing in the trees, then the bushes moved.” Faintly she heard music coming from the camp, and realized it wasn’t far away.

“That’s when you should have screamed for help. Why did you keep going without a weapon and getting farther from camp?”

“I had a limb, and I didn’t think,” she admitted. “I’ll bathe and change, then we’ll talk. All right?”

“Fine.” He knew whathewanted to discuss.

“Want to join me?” she enticed to soothe him.

“The others could come looking for us. I’m sure Chad won’t like the idea of us being alone in such circumstances. Get cleaned up. I have something to discuss with you,” he remarked, sounding mysterious.

“Were Chad and Louisa in camp?” she inquired.

“Yes. In his tent having fun,” he added. “Cynthia and Reid were quarreling and drinking. Why did you ask about Chad and Louisa?”

She was aware of his odd gaze and tone. “You didn’t mention them earlier. I just wanted to make certain we’re alone.”

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