by J. T. Edson
‘Of course not, dear,’ the blond giant assured her.
‘It isn’t that I don’t want your children, or that I feel they would be illegitimate,’ Dawn went on, repeating a point they had discussed at length on the day preceding their wedding. When she and Bunduki had felt a growing need for each other’s love, Joar-Fane had presented her with the means to avoid offending their host nation’s conventions. lxii ‘But there’s still so much work to be done. And for some time yet, it will need both of us. What’s more, I want to make sure everything is comparatively peaceful, or at least until you have some support you can count on, before I start bringing children into the world.’
‘You won’t get any arguments from me about that,’ Bunduki promised, agreeing whole-heartedly with every word his wife had said. Until he could rely upon the other Telonga hunters as well as At-Vee, he might need the kind of assistance she would be unable to render if pregnant or with children demanding her attention. ‘Now, what about it, my girl. Shall we get up or— something?’
‘I can’t see the slightest thing against doing—something’ Dawn breathed and gave herself freely to her husband.
~*~
‘Hey there, brother,’ At-Vee greeted, strolling up shortly after lunch and grinning broadly as he watched Bunduki reaching for Shambulia’s double-girthed saddle. ‘Can you manage to lift that all by yourself?’
‘Why shouldn’t I be able to?’ the blond giant inquired, with assumed innocence.
‘I thought everybody knew it’s weakening unless it’s had in moderation,’ the Hunter explained, glancing to where Dawn and his wife were descending from the tree-house. ‘But I’ve never heard of a newly married man remembering—until it was too late.’
‘From what I remember, that’s the voice of experience speaking,’ Bunduki commented, lifting the heavy rig with no more than his usual expenditure of effort. ‘You’re the one we had to carry out of bed three days after your wedding.’
‘That was then’ At-Vee countered, ignoring the fact that there had been more desperate and serious matters demanding all their attentions at the time his companion had mentioned. ‘Now I’ve been married to Joar-Fane for this long, it’s a very different matter. When I ask her to come to bed with me these days and she says, ‘No’, I’m grateful to her for being so considerate.’
‘They’re telling rude stories, sister,’ Joar-Fane guessed, studying the two men as she and the new Mrs. Gunn were walking towards the lean-to by the corral in which the saddles could be left hanging over a wooden “burro” shaped like an upturned roof. lxiii
‘Disgusting, isn’t it, dear?’ the Earth girl replied, her beautiful face alive with merriment and deep content.
‘It is,’ Joar-Fane agreed, exuding an air of pompous disapproval which Dawn had come to know was entirely false and which never failed to amuse her. ‘Did I ever tell you about the last time I tried to give that lazy lump of mine a pleasant surprise?’
‘No,’ Dawn admitted, contriving to sound resigned. ‘But I’ve a terrible feeling that you’re going to.’
‘I bathed, anointed myself all over with the sweetest smelling perfume I could make, then put on my most fetching bed gown,’ the little Telonga girl continued, as if she had either failed to hear the other’s last remark, or considered that it implied a desire to hear the story. However, having reached that point, she paused for a moment and darted a conspiratory glance at her companion, going on, ‘And you know just how fetching one of them can be, don’t you, sister?’
‘I really can’t imagine what you mean,’ Dawn declared, modeling her manner upon that of a games-mistress at Roedean whose proclaimed belief that “it” was bad for one’s hockey caused her to express a similar lack of knowledge. ‘We “Earths” don’t do such things.’
‘Then where do all the little “Earths” come from?’ Joar-Fane countered, thinking of certain significant sounds she had heard that morning on arriving to make breakfast and which had suggested her “sister” was not speaking the truth. ‘Anyway, there I was, all ready and, even if I say it who should, I’ve never looked more seductive. So I went into the bedroom and said, “Darling, it’s your wife.”—’
‘Not that I’m interested,’ Dawn said, with well simulated boredom, as the other girl paused for dramatic effect. ‘But what did At-Vee do?’
‘Jumped out of bed shouting, “Then hide me!”‘ Joar-Fane replied.
‘Who says the Telongas don’t have a sense of humor?’ Dawn sighed, although she had found the story as amusing as it was intended to be even while she knew it to be untrue. ‘I mean, apart from everybody.’ Then, as they were now close to the two men, she went on with a smile, ‘Good morning, At-Vee.’
‘It was when I got up,’ the Hunter responded.
‘Which was a long time after I—!’ Joar-Fane put in.
As in her husband’s case, the Telonga girl was prevented from completing her statement. However, the reason was more serious than her light-hearted interruption. She noticed that Bunduki and At-Vee were not listening to her, but felt no pique as she was aware of what had caused the distraction. Barely audible, the rhythmic rumble of a drum came from far to the north. A few seconds later, although still at a considerable distance, the cadenza was exactly duplicated from another source.
‘That’s from Rol-Mat,’ Joar-Fane estimated, mentioning the only other Telonga village to have received a visit from a member of the “Earth’s” nation so far. ‘But I can’t make out what they’re saying. Can you, dear?’
‘I might if somebody would stop shouting in my ear,’ At-Vee answered, but the timbre of his voice and the affectionate way in which he laid a big hand on and ruffled his wife’s hair robbed the words of any sting.
‘I never had this kind of trouble before he started going around with that lazy lump of yours, sister,’ Joar-Fane told Dawn in mock exasperation, knowing that it had not been her speaking which had prevented her husband from reading the message that was relayed by the drummer in Rol-Mat.
Although every person on Zillikian could understand the general word-sounds sent on their respective nation’s ‘talking drums’—Dawn and Bunduki had been conditioned by the ‘Suppliers’ to be able to ‘read’ those of every race—only the men and women who inherited the duty of beating the percussion instruments possessed the inborn keenness of ear to detect and duplicate exactly messages at great distances. Each race’s drummers could also transmit information of a confidential nature by means of secret codes known only to the initiates to their profession. However, it was distance and not secrecy which was preventing At-Vee and the other three from learning what was being passed on from elsewhere by Rol-Mat’s messenger.
The two couples were not kept in ignorance for long. Booming forth with great clarity, the ‘talking drum’ at Jey-Mat began to repeat the information. They found it to be of the greatest interest.
‘From Tik-Felum of Wurka to Bunduki,. Dapan-Dankara, at Jey-Mat. Our people have great need of your help, Fearless Master of the Jungle. Come as swiftly as possible.’
Chapter Thirteen – What You Need Here Is the Woman’s Touch
Crouching in the concealment of a clump of bushes at a point which allowed him to draw and hold the recurved Fred Bear Super Kodiak bow at its anchor point, Bunduki made very sure of his aim. As his target—which could have a very great effect upon the success of the mission that had brought him to the Wurka-Telonga village—was only nine inches in height, about a third of that wide and some thirty yards away, he knew that he was going to require all his skill if he hoped to make a hit.
Even before the blond giant had visited Jey-Mat and arranged to have a request for further information passed over the ‘talking drums’, he had been suspicious of the summons sent by the Wurka’s Senior Elder. It was either a trap, or a way of testing his newly attained status of Fearless Master Of The Jungle. He had also been aware that the way in which Tik-Felum’s message had been worded did not leave him any other choice but to signal that he w
ould accept. Although no Telonga hunter had gained sufficient merit to be given the title of Dapan-Dankara for several generations, tradition decreed that any man who did achieve it must be willing to travel anywhere within the nations territory should his services be needed.
On learning the details, Bunduki had spoken with the four men from Wurka, who had not yet taken their departure due to the effects of the wedding-night’s festivities. What they had told him suggested that Tik-Felum was making a test of his eligibility to be the Dapan-Dankara. Which, as his wife, At-Vee the Hunter, Joar-Fane, Tav-Han and the Wurka villagers, had all agreed was probably a trap. It was, the unanimous consensus of opinion had assumed, unlikely that the Senior Elder would want Bunduki to succeed in establishing his right to the title. However, they had all conceded that he could not refuse without a considerable loss of face.
As the blond giant had anticipated that he would be faced with such a situation, he had already been considering how best to deal with it. However, when he had begun to mention his intentions, he found that one aspect was not in his hands. Dawn Gunn had stated, in tones that warned she would brook no argument, her intention of accompanying him. Even if he had meant to leave her behind, he would have known that doing so would not be tolerated.
Another aspect of Bunduki’s plans had been the subject of revision. It had been his intention that he, Dawn, At-Vee and Joar-Fane—whom his instincts had warned would also refuse to be left behind—would make the journey on their quaggas and banar-gatahs. Having conferred with one another in soft tones, the four Wurkas had offered an alternative means of transport. They had said that they would put themselves and their boat at the blond giant’s disposal. Appreciating the advantages of travelling in such a fashion, he had accepted the invitation.
In spite of the Wurkas having made the suggestion, there were a few important reasons why it could not be carried out in a completely straightforward manner. From what the quartet had said, it was obvious that their participation could place their lives in jeopardy. So far, Tik-Felum was not aware of their visit to Jey-Mat. If he should learn of what he would regard as their betrayal, it would go hard for them.
Having no desire to endanger the four, who he believed would make powerful allies and competent leaders to replace the regime which was currently in control at Wurka, the blond giant had made his arrangements accordingly. Telling the others his plans, making sure that they were not overheard by anybody else, he had seen they were well received by the visitors. Appreciating that he was acting for the best, although they had hoped to play a more active part, Joar-Fane and At-Vee had raised no objections to being relegated to a minor, if important, role.
Returning to the tree-house, while the ‘talking drum’ was informing Tik-Felum that they would be setting off before sundown, the Earth couple had selected the equipment they intended to take along. Leaving the eight arrows with Bear Four-Blade Razorhead tips on the bow-quivers, they had placed a selection of more specialized heads which they had believed might be useful in the capacious back-quivers. In addition to the archery gear, they would be taking their knives, Bunduki’s m’kuki and shield and the boleadoras. Apart from a blanket apiece, that was all they had felt would be needed. Knowing the advisability of impressing their travelling companions with their prowess as hunters, they had decided against carrying any food and intended to use their hunting skills to keep them provided.
Although Dawn and Bunduki had set out accompanied by Joar-Fane and At-Vee, leaving Tav-Han’s family to take care of the tree-house in their absence, they had not stayed for long in each other’s company. About a mile downstream from the lake’s confluence with the river, having made certain that they were not being followed and observed, the two young couples had separated. Joar-Fane and At-Vee were to continue riding and leading the quaggas, which had been taught to tolerate them, while the other two went on by another means of transport.
Having apparently set off for their home town shortly after the meeting with the blond giant had ended, the four Wurkas had travelled only as far as a pre-arranged rendezvous before—making sure that nobody else was in the vicinity—pulling into the shore. When Dawn and Bunduki had arrived, the Earth couple had transferred with their arms and blankets to the boats and resumed the journey in that fashion. This had enabled them to travel faster than would have been possible if they had stayed mounted.
Moving on until nightfall, the party had settled on a pleasant site and made a comfortable camp. They had eaten well. In addition to the supplies carried by the Wurkas, fresh meat had been provided by the Earth couple. Dawn had felled a water chevrotain from the boat as it grazed on the bank. Then, after they had landed at sundown, Bunduki had sent an arrow into one of a flock of sandhill cranes which were flying overhead.
Before going to sleep, the girl and her husband had heard enough about conditions in Wurka to have become even more convinced that a change of policy and leadership was essential. As was invariably the habit of any faction holding similar views on gaining power, Tik-Felum and his coterie had set up effective curbs against individual liberty which suppressed all opposition. Using the most flimsy excuses to justify them, they invaded the privacy of any person they suspected of harboring views contrary to their own and imposed fines or punishments against which there was no appeal. Not only were children encouraged to lose all regard for their parents, they were being conditioned to report any action or behavior that might be considered undesirable by the Senior Elder and his men.
Everything they had learned was a further warning to the Earth couple that they were going into danger. Not that they had let the thought deter them. They accepted that such would in all probability frequently be the case when they had accepted the ‘Supplier’s’ suggestion that they remained upon Zillikian.
Propelled by such highly competent oarsmen as the four Wurkas had proved to be and with the current to help, Dawn and Bunduki had been transported more than fifty miles the following day. The day after that had seen a similar distance added to the total. Throughout all that time, having kept a very careful watch, they had seen no other human beings. Nor, despite news of the Earth couple’s departure having been dispatched by the Jey-Mat’s ‘talking drum’—but not information of how they would be travelling—had they expected to. They had felt certain that Tik-Felum would not be expecting them to be moving so swiftly. And, even if he had anticipated an early arrival, any attempts at preventing them from reaching his village were unlikely to be made at any great distance from it. Nor had there been any great danger of being observed from another source which might have innocently betrayed them. Although the Senior Elder’s summons had been relayed by the Rol-Mat’s ‘talking drum’, their village lay some distance along a tributary of the river.
Shortly before nightfall on the second day, Dawn and Bunduki had separated from their companions. With the state of affairs that prevailed in their village, the four Wurkas had kept their intention of visiting Jey-Mat a secret from Tik-Felum’s coterie. It was essential to their future well-being that their association with the Earth couple was not discovered.
Leaving the boat shortly before sundown, the girl and her husband had moved a short way on foot. They had intended to go further, but had stopped to establish friendly relations with a herd of forest elephants which had come to drink and spend the night on the banks of the river. Sleeping in safety, with the pachyderms forming an excellent and efficient guard around them, they had set off again at daybreak.
Covering the last five miles in good time, the Earth couple had found the Wurkas’ village to be similar in general appearance and lay-out to Jey-Mat. It was situated on top of the long escarpment that separated the jungle proper from the ten miles wide strip of swampland which, their companions had informed them, continued to the edge of the ‘Lake With Only One Shore’. Paths were cut in the face of the sheer wall, so as to give access to the citizens’ boats moored on the banks of the river.
The next most obvious difference between Wurka an
d Jey-Mat became apparent as soon as Dawn and Bunduki were admitted through the main gates. Unlike the Jey-Mat gates, where everybody was cheerful and friendly, the population were quiet, subdued, unsmiling and, for all that they were clearly interested in the newcomers, they made no attempt to approach and establish amiable relations.
As the Earth couple had reached the village much earlier than anticipated, they had been able to see that their arrival created not a little consternation on the part of Tik-Felum and his coterie. In fact, the five with whom Dawn and Bunduki had had most to do withdrew to their respective homes and took no part in the far from warm reception given by the Senior Elder.
The meeting had not been prolonged. Pretending to know no more than he had been told by the ‘talking drums’, Bunduki had sought further details of why Tik-Felum had required his assistance. He had been told that, while the villagers could deal with the usual type of crocodiles in the vicinity, over the past six months or so they had been plagued by two which were much larger, more powerful and had developed a taste for human flesh. This had caused them to take up residence close to the village and in locations which had previously been exceptionally productive fishing grounds. Nor had the attempts made by the population succeeded in removing the menace, but had cost several men their lives.
Agreeing that the situation could not be allowed to continue, Bunduki made no mention of certain other knowledge that he had received. According to the four men who had brought Dawn and him down the river, Tik-Felum had used the predators as a means of removing potential objectors to his rule. In fact, Hak-Bart— leader of the quartet—had narrowly avoided such a fate.
Much as Bunduki disliked killing animals, except for food or in defense of life, he had accepted that the crocodiles must be removed. One problem had not arisen, although he had been prepared to cope with it. When he had requested a guide, Tik-Felum had not offered the services of any member of his coterie. Instead, either because he was suspicious of the quartet’s recent absence or because he knew that none of his adherents would go, the Senior Elder had assigned Hak-Bart to the task.