Fire Cult

by R. B. Shaw

  ‘Shit no! How are they? Did they get out all right?’

  ‘Yeah, but Kless’s got search parties out looking for them.’ Dave mumbled despondently. ‘I hate to think what’ll happen if he finds Jan.’

  Seiji joined in. ‘What do you plan to do?’

  ‘The only reason they’d leave the wreck was if Fang knew Kless was after them. He’d head for the hills away from them. I’ve organised for the chopper to be delivered to Kaviak tomorrow morning. Until it gets here, we can start searching from the higher slopes. Ted’s offered to help. Could be handy—he speaks Pidgin like a native.’

  Jake nodded. ‘Okay, the Thunderbox had no trouble getting up there today. What about Kless’s men? We’ve only got the one pistol.’

  ‘Just have to be careful we don’t run into them. We’ll hide the Thunderbox in the bush up there.’

  Jake put forward another idea. ‘I think I could get my trail bike up there too and search separately.’

  ‘Great idea, you can check all the side trails.’ Dave wanted to ride the motorcycle to the head of the trail right now and start searching for Jan, but it would be foolish to leave camp and his communication system.

  Dave thought things could get no worse. The chopper grounded, still out of service, the clash with Kless, Joe’s death, the Invader crash and worst of all, Fang and Jan now in serious danger. He thought over options of reaching them before Kless. They might already be captive, or worse.

  Jake entered the tent. ‘Radio call for you.’

  ‘Have they found Jan?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ said Jake quizzically. ‘It’s a senior police officer in Kaviak.’

  Dave hurried over to the radio. ‘Dave Stark speaking.’

  ‘Mr Stark, Sergeant Bulu. Concerning the death of Joe Wallis, there are some unusual circumstances. A doctor and police inspector are on their way to your campsite right now. I would appreciate it if all persons remain on site for a brief investigation. I’m sure they won’t take long to clear up a few matters.’

  ‘That’s okay, we’re not going anywhere,’ Dave lied. In truth he felt eager to follow any lead.

  An hour later, the police station wagon’s headlights cut through the tropical night. They snapped off, making the evening seem even darker than before. A fully uniformed native policeman led the way by torchlight down the trail. A slightly-built European followed, dressed in white shirt, shorts and long socks.

  ‘David Stark?’ the officer enquired in perfect English.

  ‘Yes,’ said Dave, shaking hands with the officer.

  ‘This is Doctor Kevin Lewis. He has some questions for you. Where’s the rest of your party?’

  ‘On their way in from my cabin cruiser now. What’s this all about?’

  ‘Did Joe Wallis go swimming or fishing prior to his death last night?’ Doctor Lewis probed.

  ‘No,’ Dave frowned with surprise.

  ‘Did he have any contact with sea life, seafood or even wander along the shoreline picking up shells or such like?’

  ‘No.’ Dave replied, again puzzled by the intriguing questions.

  ‘Why did you ask us to check his nostrils?’ the doctor enquired.

  ‘Joe told us how the Sangami kill people undetected by piercing the brain via the nose. Joe had been threatened by a Sangami sorcerer. Is that what happened?’

  ‘No.’ the doctor responded simply, not wishing to reveal anything just yet. ‘Did Joe Wallis come in contact with the Sangami at all yesterday?’

  Dave hesitated briefly and decided to tell the full story. ‘Joe had been threatened by the Sangami for violating their sacred ground. Last night two cultists raided our camp, but we managed to fight them off.’ As the rest of his group arrived, Dave introduced them.

  ‘So there were no injuries?’ the doctor continued, ignoring the others.

  ‘No, just a few bruises and Joe was cut on the arm. Unless they sneaked back and got him later in the night!’

  ‘I noticed the small cut during the examination,’ the Doctor revealed. ‘It probably killed him.’

  ‘What! That’s impossible,’ said Dave, astounded by the statement.

  ‘I’ve been practicing here a long time, Mr Stark. The deceased obviously told you about the Sangami’s little tricks. They’ve other elusive and diabolical ways of killing, including the toxic kernels of the Gelagel nut and the poisonous sap of the poinsettia.’

  ‘But how would the scratch kill him? Poison?’ Ted interrupted.

  ‘Yes. Concentrated conefish toxin on the blades of their weapons and tips of their spears. Somehow they concentrate it and keep it potent long term in a paste.’

  ‘So when Joe was scratched and feelin’ ill, we shoulda got him straight to a doctor?’

  ‘Wouldn’t have helped—there’s no antidote. Conefish toxin even in its natural state is the most virulent toxin known. A thimble full could kill 200 men.’

  Dave’s group fell silent as they absorbed this new information.

  ‘We think Kless is in league with this Sangami cult,’ Dave warned on impulse.

  The police officer answered for the doctor. ‘We’re aware of Kless’s activities. We know he’s a pimp. He despatches girls all around the islands, particularly to the mining towns where wages are good and demand is high. He must be making a fortune. We’re sure he’s running drugs too, but he’s come up clean every time we do a snap search. We can’t touch him without proof.’

  The doctor put his notebook away. ‘Except that I’ve had previous experience with the ways of the Sangami, it would’ve taken weeks to reveal the toxin by autopsy. Without a doubt, the intent was murder, not injury.’

  The inspector continued his investigation by taking individual statements and then began packing up. ‘Thank you, gentlemen, for your cooperation. Feel free to go about your business, but please keep me posted of your whereabouts for the next week in case we need further information. I would suggest staying clear of the Sangami. Would you like me to arrange for a constable to stay onsite?’

  ‘No, we can look after ourselves. Thanks anyway.’ Dave escorted them up the trail, then paced back into camp a worried man. He had thought things could not get worse, but this horror added another sinister twist to their situation.

  Jake fidgeted as he waited. ‘Dave, I can’t find Ted.’

  ‘Christ no! He’s off on another vengeance trip, stupid old fool.’ Dave wondered where it would all end. ‘Jake, check the sentries are alert.’

  As if on cue, one of them shouted a challenge.

  ‘Put the bloody bush knife away. It’s just me, arsehole!’

  Dave recognised the voice instantly. ‘Fang! Where’s Jan?’

  Fang hesitated. ‘I dunno’ Dave. Sorry mate, we got separated. All I can say is she was okay till then.’

  ‘You prick! You left her out in the bloody jungle, knowing Kless’s men are searching?’

  ‘Shut up and listen, for God’s sake. We got away from the crash site okay and avoided Kless’s men. We got to the foothills and found a village path. I didn’t wanna risk takin’ Jan in with me, so I told her to wait. I nearly walked into some of Kless’s trackers and they camped down right near where I was hidin’. When I got back three hours later, she was gone.’

  ‘You’re the only one I would’ve trusted her with out there and you lost her?’

  ‘I searched for over four hours, Dave. It’s too bloody dangerous. I thought I’d be more use here for a proper search, so I sneaked down through Kless’s plantation.’

  Gold played no part in Dave’s strategy now. He was tormented by visions of the woman he loved lost in a dark jungle, pursued by men who would behave like a pack of wild animals.

  47

  Kless ordered the Fire Cult chief and his Sangami warriors to again probe the jungle to the south of the swamp. Harada and the big Buka made ready to search the old villages in the volcanic foothills.

  A panting Sangami warrior rushed up to the chief and jabbered quickly in the local dialect.
>
  ‘What’s going on?’ Kless demanded. ‘They find them?’

  The chief paused briefly. ‘Stark and his men are on your estate. They’re up at the escarpment, heading toward the sacred caves.’

  ‘He’s after the gold,’ Harada sneered. ‘He must know it’s there somewhere.’

  ‘No,’ the chief corrected. ‘They say he’s still looking for the woman pilot.’

  ‘So.’ Kless stopped and rethought his options. ‘They’re still on the loose here somewhere?’

  ‘Only the girl,’ the chief replied.’ The other pilot, Mitchell, is back with Stark’s men again.’

  ‘Bastards!’ Kless cursed aloud. ‘I want that woman captured before she gets away too.’ He turned to his Buka foreman. ‘I want Stark away from the caves, pick four good men and head ‘em off.’

  ‘Hold it,’ Harada ordered. ‘There’s another way.’

  ‘What?’ Kless grunted impatiently.

  ‘We only need to distract them. Give me your notepad. What’s the name of the Police Chief at Kaviak?’

  Dave and Jake left the Thunderbox and Yamaha carefully camouflaged near the head of the mining trail. Dave led the way up the track, still worried about Jan. Ted’s sudden disappearance earlier in the day also concerned him. Dave felt like he’d lost another father.

  Though Fang shared Dave’s concern for Jan and Ted, he was more mercenary. Likely hiding places for the gold provided constant distraction.

  Seiji and Jake followed as the search led them past numerous caves. Kless had previously eliminated many from the search map, others remained unexplored. All were sacred, with local names of strong spiritual significance.

  Fang tried to lift Dave out of his despair. ‘When you crashed in the Ramu swamps coupla years back, Jan never gave up hope you were still alive.’

  ‘This is different. We know she survived the crash. I’m scared fartless Kless and his men’ll get her.’

  A commotion from the native guides disturbed them. Dave turned and recognised a familiar figure limping wearily up the trail. ‘Ted, you ol’ bastard! You worried the hell out of us.’

  ‘Sorry Dave, I work better alone and I’ve still got a score to settle. Not only did I lose my son, but now my best friend. I searched all day for Harada. No sign of Jan or Fang either, I’m afraid.’ He then saw Fang and stopped, speechless.

  The tenacity of the old luckless soldier impressed Dave. ‘Fang made it back but Jan’s still missing. Thanks for looking. It’s too dangerous alone—we’ve got to work as a team.’

  ‘I want Harada, Kless and that feathered arsehole that murdered Joe. I won’t rest till I get them,’ Ted growled as he rejoined the group, then trudged up the trail. ‘One of the guides said a helicopter arrived at Kaviak airstrip late this mornin’. That yours?’

  At last Dave beamed a smile. ‘Gotta be! Great! Fang, after we search to the base of the escarpment ahead, I’m gonna head back. I’ll take Jake’s Yamaha to Kaviak and fly back in the chopper.’

  Seiji called. ‘Some excitement among the villagers. There’s a local with a message.’

  Dave opened the note eagerly. ‘It’s from the police at Kaviak,’ He read avidly then shouted with glee. ‘She’s safe, Fang!’

  ‘Where is she?’

  ‘Back at Kaviak Hospital.’ Dave replied. ‘She’s unhurt and they’re driving her to Kulili this afternoon after observation.’

  ‘Great.’ Fang responded. ‘That leaves us clear to continue the search for the gold.’

  The lead guide suddenly stopped and refused to go further.

  ‘What’s wrong? Sangami?’ Fang asked, estimating they were less than an hour’s trek from the Sangami sacred pit.

  ‘No.’ The guide shook his head. ‘Is sacred ground and place of evil.’

  Dave barged on. ‘Can’t help that pal, we’re going through,’ he insisted in Pidgin and continued along the escarpment trail. It opened out to a clearing at the base of a sheer cliff face. A deathly silence permeated the dusty clearing.

  Seiji spoke first. ‘Why is it so quiet here?’

  Ted smiled knowingly, and pointed up into the tall trees. Thousands of bats and flying foxes dangled from the branches like twitching fruit. ‘Welcome to the fruit bat capital of the world. New Guinea’s got over forty varieties. Wherever you’ve got flyin’ foxes or bat colonies, you don’t find other animals.’

  Seiji frowned. ‘Why?’

  ‘They’re noisy neighbours.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘One of the loudest creatures on earth,’ said Ted. ‘Like a jumbo jet on take-off.’

  Seiji still could not understand. ‘All I can hear is a little screeching.’

  ‘The noise they make is too high pitched for human ears,’ Ted explained. ‘It drives animals crazy.’

  The native guide reluctantly led them on past many small caves. He constantly rattled a cowry shell necklace and moaned a morbid incantation as protection from evil spirits.

  Dave checked the clearing ahead before proceeding. A strange howl came from the nearby cliff face. ‘What the hell’s that god awful noise?’

  ‘Em singsing bilong tumbuna na krai belong ol man i dai insait haus tumbuna,’ one of the natives replied.

  Seiji needed an explanation and Jake translated. ‘He said it’s the song of the spirit and the shouts of the dead.’

  Dave climbed up the rubble slope and found the source of the noise. A small shaft appeared, just above head height. He turned to Fang. ‘Definitely coming from this cave. Being sacred, the locals probably don’t come here often.’

  ‘Been a lot of activity here in the past.’ Fang ventured a closer look, then pulled back as a bat screeched past noisily. ‘Looks like it was a much larger cave once.’

  ‘Probably linked to a cave system.’ Dave scanned the cliff above. ‘The strong winds enter high up the mountainside and vent from the shaft down here.’

  Fang studied the entrance with renewed suspicion. ‘Look’s like someone’s tried to seal it up with rubble.’ He pushed some larger boulders aside for a better view and the native guides began jabbering.

  Dave’s thoughts were elsewhere but the entrance aroused his curiosity. ‘Yeah. Gone to a lot of trouble. But no sign of recent entry.’

  Fang climbed higher up the loose rubble, then peered into the tight aperture. The moaning breeze ruffled his hair. ‘It’s covered in bat shit. They must use it a lot when the wind drops.’

  Near the edge of the rubble fill stood a traditional native warning altar. The simple bamboo terrace carried a litter of ancestors’ bones. At least twenty skulls stared vacantly skyward, all gaudily painted with bold splashes of red and yellow ochre patterns.

  Fang turned to the guides. ‘What is this place?’

  As the guides talked among themselves solemnly, Jake recognised the unmistakable symbol. ‘They say it’s the cave of the evil eye. A ‘ples tambu’, place of an evil spirit.’

  ‘Why?’ Fang scoffed. ‘So far we’ve checked the cave of the elders and the cave of crocodiles. It’s a load of crap! There ain’t no bloody spirits!’

  The native guide felt offended and stared at this heretic with contempt. ‘Most who entered the cave never returned. Those that came out told of the evil eye before they died. These are their remains,’ he warned in Pidgin, pointing to the bone terrace as evidence of his beliefs.

  The legend now looked more sinister than Fang first thought. He seriously studied the rock face with renewed interest. ‘Why’s the cliff face got shell holes and bullet marks all over it?’

  The native guide replied quickly, eager to move on. ‘In the war, Australian soldiers blow up entrance,’ he advised in rapid Pidgin. ‘They could not fight the evil eye.’

  Seiji interrupted, frustrated by his poor understanding of Pidgin. ‘Were there Japanese in the area?’ he questioned anxiously and awaited Jake’s translation.

  ‘Yes, big fight here with Sangami, then Aussies.’ The guide’s words were a confusing mix of Pidgin and E
nglish. ‘Still no can get Japan man out, so Aussies blow up cave with dynamite. Some men make tunnel much later to get guns or something, but never come out again.’

  Fang turned to Dave excitedly. ‘Dave, this has gotta be it. Let’s check it out?’

  ‘You can check it. Jan’s more important right now,’ Dave responded and began to head off. ‘If she’s safe at the camp, I’ll be back with the chopper. Make sure you clear the vegetation so I’ve got plenty of room to land.’

  Fang grabbed his arm. ‘I know you’re desperate to get back to her, Dave, but this is what we came for. The gold’s gotta be here, for Christ’s sake! It’ll only take a minute to prove one way or the other.’

  Seiji interrupted, urgently supporting Fang. ‘Mr Stark, we must! We know Miss Harper is safe. Please do not forget the primary purpose of our mission!’

  ‘Okay. Make it quick. I wanna get back to Kulili.’

  Seiji frantically strode toward the howling shaft. The natives shouted and two blocked his way. He stopped and turned, frustrated. ‘What is the problem?’

  Ted interpreted. ‘You can’t go in. Only one who believes in Purri-purri, their black magic, can enter first and then at his own risk. If he returns, non-believers may follow.’

  ‘Tell them I’ll pay,’ Seiji shouted anxiously. ‘A thousand dollars to anyone who will lead me in!’

  A murmur of fear and religious offence swept through the tribesmen. Even if Seiji waved a bundle of banknotes, it would not interest them. To the primitive villagers the paper money was as tempting as waving a newspaper. The guide slowly shook his head at the attempted sacrilege.

  Seiji threw off his pack and marched off determinedly toward the rubble slope. ‘I’m going in!’

  The jabbering of the warriors increased and suddenly spears bristled from the guides and again blocked Seiji’s way.

  Ted looked for answers. ‘Jake, you’ve had tribal initiation. Do you believe in Purri-purri?’

  Jake hesitated then nodded reluctantly.

  Seiji immediately turned on him. ‘Jake, two thousand dollars if you just make the first entry. Come straight out if you want. Satisfy these stupid savages so that we can at least eliminate it from our search.’