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‘Yes, Sir. We are to head northwest, until we come to another river. According to the manuscript’s directions, that will be our next point of reference.’
‘Very well. Lead on.’
I turned away from the water to gaze up at the wall of tangled green that was the jungle. Funny - from the boat it had seemed much smaller. Now, standing on the bank, and without the reassuring puffing of the steam engine that was a comfortable link to civilisation, it dawned on me for the first time how very, very big those trees were, and how very small I was in comparison.
‘What are you waiting for, Mr Linton? Knowledge is-’
‘-power is time is money.’ I raised my chin, and stood straighter, facing the forest head-on. ‘Yes, I know.’
‘You actually listened to me.’ He sounded slightly surprised. I glanced over at him.
‘You speak little enough. When you do, it’s usually worth listening to.’
And with that, I started forward and let myself be swallowed up by the jungle.
The heat was like a fist, hitting me in the face the moment I stepped into the shadows of the trees. Don’t get me wrong, it had been hot out on the river, too. But there had been a bit of a breeze blowin
g there, especially when we had still been on the fast-moving ship. Now, however, we were about to enter a gigantic green beast that seemed to feast only on the heat that it stored in its big, moist belly. The first trickles of sweat started running down my forehead, tickling all the way. With every step further into the gloom, the heat intensified.
Next came the noise. It wasn’t actually that loud - but it was always there, echoing in strange, archaic tones that seemed not of this world. A bizarre cacophony of screeches, chattering and catcalls surrounded us, most so far above my head that I couldn’t hope to make out their origin. Looking up, I saw only slivers of light through a shadowy canopy of leaves. A shiver went down my back.
This was another world we were entering. A strange and dangerous one.
Mr Ambrose marched past me, his face stoic, his strides determined.
‘Stop dawdling!’ he called, not bothering to turn his head. ‘What are you afraid of? Trees?’
Afraid? Me?
I had caught up with him in three seconds and was sprinting ahead, panting hard. To hell with the strange and dangerous world! I was an independent woman! I could do anything!
The trees enveloped me and with Mr Ambrose and Karim close behind, I delved into the depths of the jungle.
*~*~**~*~*
We did a good bit of delving that day. Mr Ambrose had no intention of adjusting his pace to the gruelling surroundings. We marched through the Brazilian jungle as if it were St. James's Square, the only difference being the sweat that poured from every pore in copious amounts. Sometimes, we heard gunfire in the distance, but it never came close to us, and I was beginning to believe we had successfully avoided drawing attention to ourselves. However, we all were aware of the lingering danger. Nobody spoke a word, and no matter how hard it might be, we kept our footfalls light and silent.
Hours passed in mute marching. Night was beginning to fall, and I was more than ready to fall along with it, and never get up again. Every muscle in my body ached, except for those in my mouth and stomach, and they were the ones that actually could do with a bit of exercise. We had only stopped once for a quick break, and what we’d had to eat then might be considered a decent meal according to rabbits’ standards, but not to mine.
Blinking sweat out of my eyes, I stared up ahead, at the silent figure of Mr Ambrose. He had long ago taken the lead and was still marching with the same long, determined strides as he had when we had set out, not even slowing to take out his compass and check our direction. Some part of me ached to catch up and kick him in the backside for being so insufferably tough, but that part of me didn’t ache half as much as the rest of my body. I was ready to collapse.
However, I’d die before I admitted that out loud!
I’m a strong, independent woman! I can do this!
True, I was. However, I much preferred being a strong, independent woman in London without a twenty-pound knapsack on my back. Clenching my teeth, I got a firmer grip on the leather straps of my burden and continued on, setting one foot in front of the other.
Only when the shadows of the trees had almost completely swallowed us up and we could hardly see our own feet anymore did Mr Ambrose decide it was time to make camp.
‘Stop!’
Unfortunately, the command came a little too late for me. Not being able to see my feet, I was most certainly not able to see his, or the hand he was probably holding up to indicate it was time for us to halt.
‘Ouch!’
‘Oomph!’
‘Watch where you are going, Mr Linton!’
