Man of Fire

by Margaret Rome

  'You have convinced me, señorita, that I need worry no longer about your deceptive youthfulness. Your sharp tongue will prove ample protection should you ever suffer unwanted advances from any of the men, and if, as you claim, you have travelled extensively, then I need no longer concern myself with your welfare. I trust,' he was very grim, 'that the lack of flattery in my remarks will convince you that your words have been noted. I can promise that you will never again have cause to think of me as ... charming.' With this last ominous statement, he stepped out of her vision and disappeared into the darkness.

  Later, as she lay cocooned in her hammock, protected from mosquitoes by the inevitable white net that had so often been portrayed in her dreams, she listened without fear to the alien jungle sounds. The sudden high-pitched scream of a startled bird; the sharp crack of a twig under a prowling foot; the rustling leaves and bushes, should have reduced her to a trembling wreck, but her mind had discarded all thoughts except those of Ramon Vegas. The impact of his vibrant personality combined with his hidden gentleness had her confused and worried. His touch had set a torch to dormant feelings she had never suspected she possessed; feelings which would have to be kept suppressed and hidden if she were not to become an object of derision both to him and to Inez Garcia who would revel in such knowledge. Her heart plummeted at the humiliating thought. Whatever happened, distance would have to be maintained between herself and the señor if she were to retain what was left of her tattered dignity.

  Dawn the following morning found them eager and ready to embark on the next stage of their journey. Tina had needed no bidding to leave the unfamiliar discomfort of her hammock; after suffering yet another night of ceaseless conjecture the prospect of activity -any activity - was a welcome relief. So much so that when the rest of the party awoke they were greeted by the aroma of fresh coffee and by less appetizing but no less welcome bowls of smooth porridge.

  She flushed with pride at the appreciative, jocular remarks she received from the hungry men who, puzzled though they were by her aloof attitude, were nevertheless still ready to welcome her into the strong bond of comradeship that existed amongst them.

  She longed to join in, to be accepted as one of them, but the merry answering quips that trembled on her tongue remained unspoken when she remembered the role she was committed to play. The Ice Maiden. Already she knew, through some careless remark, what the men had christened her, and the knowledge was surprisingly painful. She had told herself in the beginning that it hardly mattered what a crowd of strangers whom she was never likely to see again once the trip had ended thought of her; but it did matter. She felt lost, unwanted, and very much alone, even though she had to acknowledge honestly that the fault was her own for so remorselessly snubbing every overture of friendship that was offered. And so she continued to serve breakfast in tongue-tied silence until, very soon, the men's lighthearted teasing faded into hurt silence.

  After breakfast, the site was cleared of all evidence of their stay and the small amount of equipment they had used was stowed back inside the hovercraft. The hatch was then banged down, enclosing them in a humid tomb of silence which, in retrospect, was heaven compared with the frenzied crescendo of noise which began as soon as Joseph Rogers touched the controls. Tina clutched the arm of her seat as she felt the powerful engines vibrate through the craft; it was such a new and unknown quantity that every operation was a trial and every manoeuvre brought moments of suspense and doubts, but she was able to relax with a relieved sigh when, once again, it sidled into the water and settled down with a familiar, steady roar.

  Tiredness washed over her; the culmination of sleepless nights and tense nerves. Her head slipped back against the seat as she watched the seemingly never-ending jungle glide past the porthole until it merged into an anonymous green blur. Everyone was quiet, no doubt contemplating the danger that loomed only a few hours away. Once a permanent camp had been set up there would be ample work to occupy them, but at the moment there was nothing to do but to wait - and wonder. Inevitably, as happened every spare moment, her thoughts turned to her aunt. She knew Chris intended tracing the expedition's daily progress on her map at home; she had learned their itinerary off by heart and Tina was warmed by the thought that, although absent, she was with her in spirit every foot of the way. The days previous to her arrival in Manaus had been too hectic for her to assimilate completely all the excited instructions Chris had babbled into her unreceptive ears. Busy with her own fears, she had acknowledged Chris's many directives without actually absorbing their content, but now that she was actually travelling through the heart of the Amazon in the direction of the Casiquiare territory, memory teased her. She closed her eyes and tried to remember in what context her aunt had mentioned this particular territory. Patiently she pieced together odd remarks that surfaced in her memory until gradually she recalled all that had been said.

  It seemed that, incredibly, along a grapevine extending thousands of miles, news had travelled to Kew that somewhere in a remote settlement of the upper Orinoco an ignorant native herb doctor was cheerfully curing his patients of arthritis by dispensing a decoction of the leaves of the cassia plant which the natives called sarangundine. It was every scientist's dream to discover a plant with properties to cure some of men's most baffling diseases, and Chris was no exception. Although the prime motive of the expedition was an exploratory one, it was, to her, inconceivable that an effort should not be made to find the source of the rumour and even given great good fortune, to find the herb doctor himself. Adventure in remote places had never appealed to Tina as it did to Chris, and as it had to her parents, but the idea of increasing human comfort by finding a cure for a miserable, crippling disease suddenly presented itself as a very exciting prospect. With an enlightening flash, she became aware for the first time of the tremendous contributions her family had made in the fight against disease. The knowledge was humbling, inasmuch as it spotlighted her own selfishness and lack of understanding of the need they had felt to do what little they could do to help those less fortunate than themselves. A deep feeling of shame encompassed her for having nurtured through childhood the overwhelming resentment that had sprung from a feeling that her parents had placed a thirst for adventure and travel before her own longing for a home and a normal family background. Like a butterfly, she slowly struggled out of the chrysalis of insensibility inside which she had sheltered from what she had thought to be their rejection of her, and emerged to bask in a glow of newly discovered family pride that culminated in a compelling urge to follow in her parents' footsteps. All tiredness fled as she contemplated fully the benefit such a cure would bring to thousands of sufferers.

  Chris had complained many times of her lack of interest in plant-hunting, and had stated publicly her complete bewilderment that this interest should be absent in one whose family name was synonymous with such ventures. But with an upsurge of pride, Tina realized that she was, after all, capable of feeling such dedication. It had lain dormant, suffocated perhaps by her feelings of insecurity and hampered by childhood fears, but it was there, nevertheless. The discovery dazed her. Was it a form of telepathy? Was Chris, all those miles away, mutely urging her to take up the fight where her family had left off? As she brooded on the question a determination was born; a determination that demanded that every effort should be made to seek out the herb doctor.

  Chris, she recalled excitedly, had mentioned that the village where he might be found belonged to natives named Guaharibos, but then she had added wryly that, as there was no concrete evidence to support the rumour, Ramon Vegas would need a lot of persuading to make a detour from his planned route. Tina's enthusiasm faltered. Her heart took a swift downward plunge at the thought of having to seek a favour from the still very angry señor who had, since last evening, deliberately ignored her existence and whose set face and biting manner had been the cause of many speculative remarks from the men that morning. Felix Crilly had stated as his opinion that the señor was worried about their sa
fe crossing of the rapids, but Tina was guiltily aware that she was mostly responsible for his uncompromising attitude. It would take colossal nerve on her part to approach him, but she resolved, with a fast-beating heart, that when the opportunity arose she would ask him; injured pride must not be allowed to stand in the way of benefiting mankind!

  Theo Branston lowered his lumbering frame into the seat next to her and broke her train of thought by asking,

  'Are you beginning to feel scared, poppet? You look as if you're contemplating disaster.' He laid his heavy hand with its covering of coarse black hair over her knee and patted it genially. 'Don't let the señor's dire warnings upset you, my dear, I'll take care of you.'

  Tina dragged her mind away from her plans, but the look she gave him was one of dazed incomprehension. She had no idea to what he was referring until she looked out of the porthole and saw the angry activity that surrounded them. For hours she had looked out on to vegetation so impenetrable it seemed to defy man's invasion - sometimes so near it looked possible to put out a hand and break off a branch and at others, when the river widened, so far away it was impossible to see any green at all - but at all times, whether narrow or broad, the river had flowed with heavy sluggishness towards their goal. Now, as she watched with terrified compulsion, she saw they were nearing the rapids - the area so fraught with danger that it worried even the implacable Caramuru. Her worried eyes looked far into the distance and saw the river racing with white-capped fury between razor-edged rocks and massive boulders. Waves three to four feet high were being flung with impotent malevolence against each formidable obstacle, only to seethe past with whipped-up fury to vent their spite against the next immovable object It seemed impossible that the hovercraft could manoeuvre safely through such treacherous waters, and her fears were intensified when they entered the first stretch and the greedy, sucking water closed around the small craft.

  For what seemed a terrifying space of time, she clung to Theo as they were buffeted and mauled through the turbulence. The crew's absolute silence was broken only by rapid intakes of breath as they watched, tensely, while Joseph Rogers skilfully battled his craft through the seething cauldron. Tina sent a quick, involuntary look in the direction of the control room and her heart lurched when her glance collided with two cold spears of blue. She jerked her head away quickly, feeling that nothing, not even immersion in the boiling waters, could equal the pain inflicted by the señor's obvious displeasure. The powerfully roaring engine suddenly stalled! A thrill of fear shot through her which was intensified when she heard a startled imprecation from Theo. Before any questions could be asked, there was a violent shudder and the craft almost stopped, jerking them all forward in their seats as it nosedived over a steep cataract. Amazingly, no one murmured. They all gripped their seats and riveted their attention on Joseph Rogers and the señor who were at the controls fighting to keep the craft on an even keel. After long, worrying seconds, the engine roared into life and the hovercraft thundered on over the white-capped waves. There was then a ripple of sighs which developed into loud exclamations of relief when the crew realized that the way was clear; the notorious Sangabriel rapids were now behind them. With a concentrated rush, they made towards the control room to congratulate a widely grinning Joseph and a relaxed, slightly less grim señor.

  Tina made a move to join them, to add her thanks and admiration to the rest for the way in which the two men had so skilfully accomplished what had seemed to be the impossible, but Theo's hand detained her as she would have risen from her seat and his voice grated with jealous scorn when he charged her, 'So you, too, have succumbed to the Brazilian's charm!'

  Indignantly, she jerked her arm from his clasp, but she hesitated in her move to join the others. She felt almost sick when she saw the naked malevolence of his expression; his slightly protruding eyes seemed alive with flickering hate as they skirted the crowd of excited, congratulatory crew until they came to rest upon the señor. He had not mentioned the scene of the previous evening, and Tina had concluded that he had dismissed it from his mind, but now her frightened eyes told her that, far from forgetting, Theo had built up inside of him a cankerous hate for the man who had forced him to back down.

  'I... I don't know what you mean!' she stammered, as a wave of distressed colour flooded her face.

  'Then I'll make myself clear,' Theo jeered softly. He ran his tongue around his fleshy lips with the anticipation of a predator contemplating his helpless prey, then caused her a thrill of terror by stressing venomously, 'In future, I shall expect you to make it quite plain to the señor and his happy band that you and I are more than a little friendly.' His face darkened when she shuddered with revulsion and the threat in his voice became even more evident when he continued, 'If you persist in merely tolerating me I'll have no hesitation in informing the señor that you're an impostor; a scheming little cheat, in fact!'

  Tina's head jerked up. 'I believe you would!' Her cool contempt betrayed none of the trepidation she was feeling. 'And I also believe you'd enjoy doing it, because I'm sure you've had plenty of practice in sneaking and prying into other people's affairs! But what if I tell you to go ahead and do your worst? Why should I worry? We've travelled too far for there to be any turning back now, and Ramon Vegas isn't likely to expose his party to the danger of a return journey over the rapids, especially when he realizes he'll be punishing me more by making me carry on!'

  Theo's eyes narrowed, indicating indecision. She pushed on desperately, 'And what about your own motives? How do you think the rest of the company will react when I tell them of your attempt to blackmail me? You know,' she chanced a last throw, 'that you'd never be allowed on another expedition as long as you live if that fact were to be made public!' He remained silent as she glared up at him, struggling bravely to keep her fears hidden, but something of the panic she was feeling was betrayed in her expressive face and his thick lips curled back in a sneer of derision.

  'You're bluffing, poppet,' he challenged easily. 'Why don't you admit you're beaten and accept my terms? It wouldn't suit you one little bit to have the señor made aware of your true identity, and after all, I'm only asking for the pleasure of your company and an occasional smile or two. What possible exception can you take to such a request? Most women would be flattered.'

  As he mentally preened himself, Tina tried to organize her chaotic thoughts. She hated the man -shuddered at his touch - but if a show of friendliness was all that was needed to keep him quiet she would be a fool to alienate him. She reminded herself of how useful he had been yesterday and acknowledged that there might be other occasions during the following weeks when she might need to fall back upon his wide experience of the jungle in order to survive without mishap. Then, too, she had to keep him quiet if she were ever to persuade Ramon Vegas to allow her to search for the native doctor. Not even her newly born dedication could wipe out completely the terror the jungle held for her, and Theo's company - although unwelcome - might prove to be a blessing. She made her decision. Hating the need for duplicity, she forced a smile to her stiff lips and flattered his outsize ego by seeming to capitulate.

  'Very well,' she accepted with a tight smile, 'I accept your offer of friendship, on condition that you say nothing to the señor. But,' she added sharply when he smiled his satisfaction and attempted to catch hold of her hand, 'I have no intention of allowing you any liberties, Mr. Branston, and you'll do well to remember that!'

  He gave a confident grin, but did not attempt to touch her again. Instead, as he relaxed back into his seat he thrust his long legs out in front of him and chided, 'If we're to be friends, hadn't you better begin calling me Theo?'

  She gave a brusque nod of agreement. All the members of the expedition were now on familiar terms; even the señora was addressed, by everyone but herself, as Doña Inez, and her own insistence upon formality, far from encouraging anonymity, was causing everyone acute embarrassment. Perhaps, she thought hopefully, Theo's example would be copied by the rest of the m
en and she would be spared the awful shut-out feeling she experienced each time they addressed her with scrupulous politeness as Miss Donnelly.

  She started at the sound of the señora's voice above her head, and looked up quickly to see her standing looking down with Ramon Vegas by her side.

  'Well, well, don't these two look comfortable, Ramon?' she questioned with twinkling malice. 'It would not surprise me in the least,' she continued archly, 'if we were to find we have a romance blooming in our midst!'

  Theo gave a shout of pleased laughter and leant forward to deliberately take hold of Tina's hand. She was made aware, by the meaning pressure of his fingers, that he was testing her - calling her bluff - and with a sick feeling of despair she had to suffer the señor's raking inspection with a look of calm unconcern.

  'You suffered no discomfort while we traversed the rapids, I trust, señorita?' the señor asked her stiffly, his eyes flickering towards her lap where her hand was still clasped in Theo's.

  'Of course not!' Now that he had his own way, Theo was prepared to be amiable. 'Didn't I promise to keep an eye on her?'

  'And I'm sure you do that very successfully, Theo,' the señora's smile was complacently feline. 'Come, Ramon,' she took hold of his arm with pretended delicacy, 'we must not intrude upon the lovebirds any longer.'