by Michael Cole
"Yes, although I believe Valverde's directions are somewhat misleading."
"Oh, in what way?"
"According to your derrotero, Valverde states we must traverse the Soguillas, which is a series of cliffs that would eventually lead us to the western slope of Muela Del Diablo. My theory is the reason he gave those instructions is because he knew of no other way to reach Yanacocha Lake. If Valverde had actually found the Golden Disk of the Sun using this route, he must have been one hell of a mountain climber. It would be an extremely difficult and dangerous climb to reach the western slope of the mountain that way."
"We all have the proper equipment, and Catalina and I know how to climb, so what's the problem?" Phillip asked.
Eric tried to keep the sarcasm out of his voice, but his look told Catalina he was starting to tire of Phillip Nash. "That mountain is comprised of shale. That and volcanic rock that crumbles to the touch. As an expert climber, you should know that stanchions and carabineers would be of little use. I'm not prepared to risk my life climbing over abrupt ledges and steep inclines to find a gold mirror. It would be suicidal for us to take that route."
"What do you suggest?" Catalina asked.
"We can get to where we need to go by taking a less dangerous, but longer route." Taking a map out, Eric pointed toward the western slope of the mountain. "This is where we need to be. It's a site called Suchu Urcu. We'll have to hack our way through some dense vegetation to get there, but that sure as hell is better than falling off a ledge. It will be slow going, but the ascent will not be nearly as steep. It beats the hell out of having to scale a group of shear cliffs."
Phillip glanced at Catalina. "I'm beginning to think this whole idea of yours was a bad one. We could get killed up there."
Catalina returned Phillip's stare. "Just because we are encountering a few problems doesn't mean my idea was a bad one. You were the one who told me you liked adventure, or did you just say that to impress me?"
Phillip was not accustomed to being challenged by anyone, much less Catalina, who usually acquiesced to his ideas. He needed to save face. "I'm only thinking of you. I just don't think this place is safe enough for a woman, no matter how many precautions we take."
Catalina bristled. "Speak for yourself. I've never been in better physical shape. I can handle the rough terrain so don't worry about me!"
"Did you really think this would be a cakewalk?" Eric addressed the question to Phillip. "If it were that easy, everyone would be heading toward the mountain and its tunnels that are rumored to contain gold. It's because Suchu Urcu is so difficult to reach that hardly anyone ventures to the place."
The involuntary muscle in Phillip's cheek twitched. "I don't really need you to give me a lecture, Shade. I was just thinking of Catalina, that's all."
Not wanting to create a scene, Catalina moved closer to Phillip, and whispered so only he could hear, "You can turn around and go back if you want, but I'm not quitting."
Without saying another word, Phillip stormed into the jungle on the pretense of looking for strychnos plants. Chris scoured the area for more firewood while Eric went back to cooking their dinner. Later, by the time the tents were up, Eric told them the grouse was ready.
"I've lost my appetite," Phillip said and headed for his tent.
Chris came over to stand next to the fire. "I'll have some if you don't mind."
"So will I," Catalina said. "I refuse to let Phillip dampen my good spirits."
With his knife, Eric divided the birds equally among the three of them.
Once Catalina was back in her tent, she had time to reflect on the comments she had made to Phillip. She realized she had most likely embarrassed him in front of Eric and Chris. In retrospect, she knew it had been a mistake. At the first opportunity, she would apologize to him. She was beginning to have second thoughts of continuing with the quest. It wasn't the mountain or the jungle that scared her; it was Phillip. When he was around people, he acted so differently than when just the two of them were together, so condescending and antagonistic.
She was certain of one thing. Phillip had better watch his step around Eric Shade. She sensed the ex-history professor wouldn't tolerate Phillip's foul disposition much longer. Although she was excited at the prospect of finding the treasure, she certainly didn't relish having to spend another seven to ten days in the wilderness with the two of them at each other's throats.
It was now obvious to her it would take a great deal of exertion to go where they were heading. But unlike Phillip, she wasn't one to complain. Catalina was in top physical shape, and with the exception of Chris, she was younger than either Phillip or Eric. If the men could handle themselves in the rough terrain, then so could she!
* * *
Phillip regretted coming to Brazil. For one thing he didn't like Shade. It annoyed him that the guide seemed to relish making him look like a dolt in front of Catalina. He also hadn't imagined the Amazon would be so dangerous. The African safaris were a breeze compared to this trip. In Africa, he was used to having all the creature comforts at his disposal. Also, there were porters to take care of the heavy lifting. This malevolent place was another matter. No amount of money or prestige was worth risking his life. If he could only think of a good excuse to leave, one where he could save face. Feign sickness? Sprain an ankle? He quickly discarded those ideas. Catalina would definitely think less of him, particularly since she was already challenging his authority and masculinity.
He would need to keep a close eye on Shade. It infuriated him that Shade paid needless attention to Catalina. Every time he turned around the two were having a conversation. Although he would never admit it, Phillip knew his limitations. He realized he was out of his element in the Amazon. It was not so much that he minded the physical challenges. It was the unpredictability of the jungle that terrified him. He felt vulnerable-there was nothing he could control. To make matters worse, he was certain Eric Shade knew it, too. He worried he might lose Catalina-that is, unless he could devise some way to discredit the arrogant guide.
* * *
Catalina and Phillip were not the only ones with misgivings. Eric was also worried. The place where they were heading was dangerous enough without having someone like Phillip along. The man had a huge ego, but he sensed it was all talk. The minute they ran into trouble, he was sure Nash would do whatever he had to in order to save his own hide, regardless of the consequences. Why would a beautiful and intelligent woman like Catalina bother giving a man like Phillip the time of day, much less be engaged to the selfish buffoon. His instincts told him that sooner or later Phillip would show his true colors, and that they would be yellow. Eric had a premonition about the trip, a foreboding that it would end badly.
CHAPTER 19
The jungle was completely still when Catalina crawled out of her sleeping bag, stretched and opened her tent flap. She was surprised to see Eric standing by the smoldering fire, craning his head toward the jungle, his rifle at the ready.
"Is something wrong?" she asked.
"We are being followed."
A chill coursed through her. "Oh my God! How do you know? You mean by an animal?"
"There are two of them. Not animals but humans, probably native Indians. I saw their tracks."
"How do you know they are Indians?"
"They weren't wearing shoes."
There was concern in Catalina's voice. "What are you going to do?"
"There isn't much I can do other than keep an eye out. I don't think it's anything to worry about. They are probably curious. Many of them, particularly in this part of the country, have never seen a white man before."
"Are you going to tell Chris and Phillip?" Catalina asked.
"Chris knows. I think it's best if you don't mention this to Phillip though."
"Why? Don't you think he has a right to know?"
Eric thought a moment. He was having a difficult time in finding the right words. "Under normal circumstances, I'd tell him, but he is a frightened man,
or haven't you noticed? If I tell him, he might end up shooting an innocent Indian who meant us no harm. That could lead to retaliation from an entire tribe. We wouldn't stand a chance. They would pick us off one by one with poisonous darts."
Catalina nodded in understanding. "I won't say anything. I promise."
"It's time for us to break camp, but before we go, I'd like to show you something." Taking her by the arm, he led her to the edge of a precipice. The fog had just lifted. To Eric's left, several thousand feet below them, was a magnificent waterfall with a rainbow at its crest.
"It's beautiful. It looks like a picture you'd find on a postcard," Catalina said.
"I agree. No matter how many times I visit it, I don't think I'll ever take the beauty of the Amazon for granted." Eric pointed his finger to an area below the waterfall. "The lake you see is called Laguna Anteojos. If you were to throw a tapir into the water, a school of piranhas would pick its carcass clean in a matter of seconds. They are small and all teeth. Some Indian tribes consider them to be a delicacy. Even one of those nasty creatures could rip the flesh off your finger clear to the bone. You can imagine what a large school would do. They could strip a horse down to a skeleton in thirty seconds."
Catalina shivered. "Let's talk about something less menacing if you don't mind."
Several hours later, Eric pointed to another body of water. "If you peer over the ledge, you'll see Lake Gafas."
"Why did they name the lake for a pair of eyeglasses?" Catalina asked.
"It's because of its two parallel water pools. If you look closely, you'll see a knoll that separates the two bodies of water. Do you see it? It kind of looks like a nose."
"Yes, I see. It does look like a pair of glasses."
"Only that slight depression prevents the water from co-mingling with the basin to the left. Give me your hand if you want a better look. The ground here is quite slippery."
"Are you and Eric at the hand-holding stage now?" Phillip's remark cut through Catalina much as a knife. She let go of Eric's hand and backed away from the ledge.
"Eric was just holding on to me so I wouldn't fall," she explained.
Phillip's voice was full of sarcasm. "Would you mind if we spent less time sightseeing and focused more on finding the mirror?"
Eric advanced toward Phillip, his fists clenched.
Without thinking, Catalina grabbed his arm. "Please, don't do it! Phillip is just trying to provoke you."
Phillip's eyebrows shot up. "Just whose side are you on, Catalina?"
"Nobody's taking sides," Eric said. "Let's all take a step backward, shall we? It isn't going to do any of us any good to fight amongst ourselves. We have to conserve our energy if we're to face what's between here and that mountain." Without saying another word, Eric took out his machete and began swinging at the underbrush while Chris waited for Phillip and Catalina to strap their backpacks onto their shoulders.
"Come on," Chris said. "We better get going."
CHAPTER 20
By the third day, Catalina fell into a routine. Whenever they would stop for the night, after she'd complete her assigned job of pitching the tents, she would use her machete to help clear the surrounding ground of capsivella shrubs, which they would later use as fuel for a fire. Phillip, who had been watching Catalina swing her machete, walked up to her. "This isn't your assigned job. Why are you bothering with such backbreaking work?"
"Eric told me in order to survive, we all need to work as a team. I'm glad I can be of some help. I don't know if you've even noticed, but Eric and Chris take turns standing guard at night. If I can take some of the load off their shoulders, I'm going to do it."
"Eric, Eric, Eric. I'm so tired of listening to you talk about the guy."
Exasperated, Catalina retorted, "What is it with you? You've been bad-mouthing him ever since we started out on this expedition. It's almost as though you're purposely trying to get him angry. What did he ever do to you?"
"I just don't care for his know-it-all attitude. He acts superior to the rest of us."
"He knows this place like the back of his hand. I'm sure he feels responsible for the people he guides to this mountain, including us. So far, when he has asked you to do something, it's been for a reason. If you think that's acting superior, you are the one with the problem."
Phillip snapped, "Don't talk to me in that tone of voice. Whose side are you on anyway?"
"I'm not on either side. I'm here because I want to find the Golden Disk of the Sun, and even though we have the derrotero, Eric is the only man who can lead us to it."
"Okay, you've made your point, but have a talk with him, will you? He needs to be more considerate of my wishes. After all, I'm the one who is footing the bill."
Catalina realized she was now seeing the real Phillip, and she did not like what she saw. He had always treated her with the utmost respect. She had never seen his foul moods last this long before. Phillip was a loner. Not once had she met any of his friends. In fact, she didn't think he had any. For as long as she had known him, he had been short with the hired help at times, but she had never seen this ugly side of his personality. Was he always this unpleasant to people he couldn't control? Money usually bought him loyalty, but Catalina knew Phillip could never buy Eric-not for any amount of money.
* * *
By dusk they had reached the mighty Xingu River. Eric told them that according to the derrotero, they would need to follow it for about ten kilometers. From that point on, the ascent would be steeper. By the time Chris had built a fire and had given Phillip a hand with the trenches, Eric walked back into the clearing with a huge carp. "Care to fillet this puppy, Chris?"
"I'm impressed," Catalina said. "Where did you catch it?"
"Up river. Believe it or not, this bugger nearly jumped out of the water onto my hook."
After Chris cleaned the fish, he wrapped it in banana leaves and placed it on top of the fire. Once it was fully cooked, he broke off a piece for Catalina. "I don't have any lemon or butter so we'll just have to do without."
Catalina took a piece with her fingers and placed it in her mouth. "It's absolutely delicious. I've never eaten a fish this tender. I was starving. Thank you."
Without comment, Phillip helped himself to a large portion. Instead of eating with the rest of them by the fire, he headed for his tent.
That evening the night was unusually clear. The fog had dissipated, and the stars were out in all their glory. Looking up at the night sky, Catalina marveled at the contrast the moon made against the pitch-black darkness of the night. It was the first time they'd had an unobstructed view of the heavens. The stars looked like polished jewels that someone had placed on a black velvet canopy. She sat by the fire and watched the blue and yellow flames as they reached upward toward the gigantic trees of the rain forest. Chris and Phillip were in their tents, and Eric was close by, studying the copy of the derrotero Catalina had given him. "Would you like to see the original?" she asked.
"I'd rather take a look at it in broad daylight. It's too hard to make out Valverde's handwriting using the light from the fire. Speaking of the derrotero, I studied the photographs of the aryballos, and I found something very unusual. Did you happen to notice the symbols? One of them was of the Chakana."
"I saw it; however, I didn't take much stock in it. As you know, it's a fairly common icon."
"Yes, but did you happen to notice what was directly beneath it?"
Catalina thought a moment. "As I recall, there was a rendition of three men. Is that what you are referring to?"
"Yes," Eric said. "Someone had created an image of what could be the Star Walkers. As an archeologist, I'm sure you heard of the myth. I was wondering if you've seen a rendition of them on any of the ancient temples or statuary."
"All I know is they were gods who supposedly came from the sky to impart knowledge to an ancient tribe of Indians. But no. I don't have the vaguest idea what they looked like."
"The Indians you are referring to were
the Ugha Mongulala," Eric said. "I'm using the past tense because they no longer exist, but what has me baffled is why would someone draw a likeness of the Star Walkers on an aryballos directly beneath the Chakana?"
"I didn't catch the significance," Catalina said. "But now that you brought it up, maybe these so-called Star Walkers gave the mathematical equivalent of pi to the Incas? As you know, that's what the Chakana is."
"Could be. There are clear signs that an incredibly ancient civilization, at least 30,000 and possibly as much as 60,000 years old, once flourished in this region. The evidence suggests that white men of an unfamiliar race had once walked in great numbers in the little-known habitat of central Mato Grosso. Not much is known about these ancient white people of Brazil."
"Are you saying these mysterious white people were the Star Walkers?" Catalina asked.
Eric shrugged his shoulders. "Who knows? The Star Walkers are an enigma. I can't even be certain they existed, but I will tell you what I believe. Someone, whether they were the Star Walkers or another highly advanced civilization, must have been the culture bearers throughout history. Even if we found unequivocal proof that these so-called Star Walkers had once walked among our ancient ancestors, we may never know who they were or where they came from."
Catalina placed her hands closer to the fire. "I find all of this to be quite intriguing. So little is known about pre-Inca civilizations. Some Andean scholars claim the Tiwanaku were the precursors to the Incas."
"Maybe and then again maybe not," Eric said. "They left behind megalithic monuments just like the Incas, that's for sure. It goes without explanation that most ancient structures in South America are creations that defy the laws of physics and mathematics."
"I agree. In my opinion, all the ancient pyramids and temples were built out of reverence for one type of god or another. I wish we had something concrete to go on, so we could solve the puzzle as to how an ancient people came to possess the technology to build them."
"You mentioned the pyramids, which brings up another point," Eric said. "Did you happen to see a rendition of the scarab on the aryballos?"
"I did," came the reply. "You must have gathered it's an Egyptian symbol."