Page 73 of In the Heat of the Jungle

“No, but why should she? She only told me about Webster’s will because I was hinting at you being behind her accidents. She was really defending you, old boy. You really have her fooled good, don’t you? Is she planning to return to America?”

“I don’t know her future plans, but I’d be crazy to let her get hurt. I prefer to win her and the firm, but that might not be possible.”

“Because of Tyler Clark, her fiancé in Texas?”

“Leigh isn’t betrothed. Did she tell you she was?”

“No, Louisa said Leigh told her. It’s obvious your lover lied. What else has that redhead done, old boy? She does want you badly.”

“I’ll make a deal with you, Jace.”

“Another one?”

“Don’t be stupid. Let’s both watch Leigh closely and make certain nothing happens to her. All of this trouble could be coincidental. If it isn’t, and one of us isn’t to blame, we have to make sure Leigh doesn’t get hurt. We’ll both keep a sharp eye on my clever mistress. Agreed?”

“Agreed.” And Jace revealed a few things that Chad, from his agitated reaction, didn’t seem to know.

~*~

As Leigh and Chad played chess and talked, after dinner, Louisa watched them from a distance and fumed. She whispered to Jace, “Look at her working on him with those blue eyes and sweet ways. You’d think having one man snared was enough for her, but Tyler isn’t around to hold her attention.”

“Leigh isn’t engaged, Louisa. She only said that to stop you from worrying about her stealing Chad.”

Louisa was shocked and angered. She eyed Leigh. “That little sneak. I should have known she couldn’t be trusted, but the trouble is, if she doesn’t turn his head, another conquest will. Chad doesn’t keep any woman around very long. I can’t blame him for being tempted by Leigh; she does have a lot to offer him. It wouldn’t surprise me to learn she’s behind all her own mishaps just to catch his eye, and yours, Jace. She loves attention. We shot skeet on the ship, so I saw her working with guns. She knows a lot about them. She probably broke mine so she could make Chad think I’m after her. As for that quicksand episode, I don’t know how she pulled off that trick. That little creature is up to something. I’m certain of it. If I were you, Jace, I’d watch her closely.”

~*~

The group traveled for many days, sleeping again under mosquito nets suspended over bedrolls, which allowed no privacy for Jace to approach Leigh. He and Johi observed everyone, but nothing unusual occurred.

The third large camp was reached on the fifth day around noon. While the bearers and servants labored with the preparation of tents and meals, the group went for a walk. They saw a variety of animals, prey and predator and scavenger. As Jace had promised, numerous elephants inhabited this area. With a love for acacia, many of the trees in the scattered woodland were destroyed, eaten and mauled into ruin. Yet it changed woodland to grassland, creating more terrain and food for the creatures who favored grazing.

They decided to hunt for a time. “Don’t shoot high on the skull,” Jace instructed. “It doesn’t even slow an elephant, much less drop him. These creatures have humanlike traits. They mourn dead mates and friends, even bury them and visit their graves occasionally.” He educated them about the lumbering giants, then pointed to a bull that was standing away from the others. “That’s the one you want, Chad.”

Leigh eyed the enormous animal. Its hide was saggy, like an oversize garment. It was caked in mud and dust to ward off pesky insects and the heat. He uprooted a small tree, tugging on it with his powerful trunk and kicking at it with his large foot. The grayish-brown beast devoured his success, then searched for another, moving farther away from the clustered herd. His prized ivory tusks were as tall as a man, telling his advanced age, Jace revealed, and its skill in avoiding poachers and perils. Leigh wanted him to survive.

A cow strolled and grazed with a calf, the female’s bulk dwarfing the calf. She gathered tuffs of grass and stuffed them into her mouth, and the baby followed her lead. When the calf rested on the ground, the mother’s trunk hovered over it as if caressing her infant.

The sky behind them was an azure blue. The grass was a vivid green from recent rains. Their positions on the lush emerald landscape and against the rich blue horizon evoked a feeling of tranquility and wild beauty. Other elephants feasted in a grove of trees. A lion passed them, keeping its distance. The herd appeared gentle and affectionate. Their life was one of leisure, close to each other and to nature.

Leigh’s eyes scanned picturesque surroundings. It was alive and active this close to dusk. Warthogs routed near a waterhole, their tails flicking back and forth to discourage flies. The moment they became nervous, the tusked creatures backed into nearby holes until they felt confident enough to venture forth again. Impala, zebra and wildebeest grazed far beyond their hiding place and stayed clustered for protection. Gazelles with their ringed horns browsed as if they were dainty ladies. Elegant giraffes dined on solitary acacias, their rough tongues curling around the supple leaves to yank them free. One towering giant spread his legs so his long neck and mouth could reach the waterhole, putting him in his most vulnerable position.

Predators—mainly lions—watched the scene, but were content to wait until tomorrow to attack and feed. Birds landed here and there, mostly egrets, ox-peckers, and tick birds who lived with, and on larger creatures. A kettle of vultures circled overhead seeking their next meal. Hyenas did the same on the ground.

Mosquitoes and flies were heavy today after the recent rains, and near this location where animals roamed and left droppings. The day had not started to cool yet, and perspiration beaded all over Leigh and the others. Jace had cut a square from mosquito netting and had attached it to her topee. The net covered her pith helmet and grazed her shoulders like a veil, protecting her face and neck from hungry insects. Her long-sleeved shirt did the same for her arms, but insects sneaked under her skirt to feast on her damp legs.

Jace motioned them closer. He ordered caution, as they could not get upwind in this crowded and busy location. The bull elephant caught a whiff of danger, or perhaps an instinct came into play. His ears flattened against his body, a sign Jace had said to look for to indicate a charge. The beast lifted his trunk and trumpeted a threat to his attackers and a warning to the herd. He shifted menacingly on his front legs, legs that could trample a person into the ground. Its stance revealed power and confidence.

Chad had a good shot, and took it. He fired a second time. The animal dropped to the ground. The herd perceived death and danger. Quickly the mothers summoned their young, and all ran into thickets.

The group went forward and examined Chad’s victory. Louisa took pictures, as she did during each hunt. Reid complimented his friend. Leigh stared at the dead giant and wanted to cry in mourning.

Jace realized this was his last safari. These animals were part of the land he loved, and he was helping to destroy them and it. At first, it had been a natural way of life. It had been exciting and stimulating. Now, it didn’t seem the same. Watching an enemy get such enjoyment from killing suddenly had a strong impact on him.

“The bearers will handle it,” Jace said. “Let’s get back to camp before dark. I don’t want any big cats jumping us. Predators sense when an intruder is encroaching on their territory. It makes them real nervous and irritable, and very dangerous. They’ll attack just to scare you away to protect their terrain.”

Extra men went to work preparing the trophy to be carried to the river for hasty transportation to Mombasa. Jace had asked for most of the hunting to be done in this area, because it was easier and quicker to get the prizes to the Mombasan preserver from this camp. Certain men were trained and skilled in pretreating heads and hides to prevent their loss to scavengers, heat, and deterioration. The bloody and smelly task began as the safari party left the scene.

~*~

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