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Explorer
976 Posts |
 Posted - September 03 2009 : 02:07:35 AM
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Inside the fort, the situation was becoming desperate. Several times, warriors had jumped over the mealie bags and gotten within the enclosure. They were beaten back or killed by a flying squad of soldiers led by the Army captain. With bayonets fixed, they clashed with small groups of Karanja's men who flooded through a gap in the defenses, turning over some furniture placed there as a hasty stop-gap measure.
Finn set aside her empty rifle and drew her .38. With the revolver, she killed three men, then reloaded it and her .303 rifle. One warrior climbed the barrier of mealie bags and jumped down just behind her. Before the man could spear Finn, her husband struck him with all the force he could muster in his strong right arm. Challenger was a big, powerful man, and the blow knocked the savage down, stunned. Before he could recover, Challenger drew his .45 automatic from his belt and put a 230 grain bullet between the man's eyes.
He had gotten out the Colt automatic from his spare guns, because it could be reloaded so much faster than his old-style Colt .45 Peacemaker revolver. That gun was strong and simple, firing a powerful cartridge, but was slow to reload. He wore it in his holster, as he normally did, and had since that fateful day in 1919 when he stepped off of a balloon onto a strange plateau in South America. Only when at home in peaceful Britain was he without it, and it was usually close at hand even within his and Finn's fine home in Kent.
One savage ran at Marguerite Roxton, who was trying to reload her .38, the same basic model of Smith & Wesson as Finn's. Finn had talked her into trying the newer gun while they were still on that wild plateau, and Marguerite liked the gun better than her older break-top version.
Now, she dropped it and drew her dagger. She had had a custom cutler in London make her this item mainly for nostalgic reasons, and because something in her craved a dagger like her ancestor, Morrighan, might have worn. The polished double-edged blade was nine inches of sharp steel, and she side-stepped the oncoming warrior and stabbed him in the solar plexus.
Susan Wilson immediately shot two more blacks as they tried to close with the Roxtons and the Challengers. Then, Marguerite kicked her dagger free of the dead man's chest and quickly reloaded her revolver and rifle. She raised the latter, a sporting .303 by W.J. Jeffrey and Co. and shot another man as he landed in front of her.
Marguerite, Finn, and Susan put their backs together, enabling them to counter any threat that might otherwise have taken any of them from behind.
Roxton and Challenger and the Malones imitated this tactic, and so were saved from several attempts to spear them. One warrior died at Roxton's feet, trying to kill him with the crude native sword called a simi. The workmanship and metal were laughable by Wilkinson Sword standards, but the iron swords had killed many a man, and sometimes, the Masai and other warlike tribes used them to finish off speared lions.
Just as Roxton had begun to wonder if he would survive this day, he heard a heavy increase in firing from outside the walls. Then, the once-familiar rattle of a Vickers gun reached his ears. BUMP-BUMP-BUMP-BUMP it clattered,and the enemy reeled in front of the fort.
Soon, the volume of fire from the defenders combined with the shooting from Thorne's men, and the raiders retreated.
"Look!" shouted a man," There are soldiers out ther! We're saved!"
Musgrave stopped a general cheer by shouting, "Keep shooting! Kill as many as you can. We can't let up on them now!"
Finn reloaded her .303, turning to her mate as she did so. "Genius, I sort of need to confess something to you."
"Eh?"," asked a surprised Challenger. "What? Are you going to confess to having taken too much pride in being the ultimate wife?" He chuckled, loading his own rifle.
"Lover, I'm serious here," Finn persisted. "If I'm killed today, I asked Susan to try to marry you. Will you two please think about that if I get bumped off by those wogs? You will need each other, and our children need a mother. Susan is a terrific girl. She's pretty and sweet, and she adores you almost as much as I do. Think about it, okay?" She looked beseechingly into her man's startled eyes.
"And if you survive?" asked Challenger quietly.
"Then, everything is cool," said Finn. "We just keep going like we have been, except that I may love you even more for being so afraid of losing you. Anyway, promise me that you and Susan will at least discuss this, if I do get killed. Otherwise, both of you forget that it ever came up. I'm not giving you up while I'm alive." She gave him a glimpse of her widest urchin grin and Challenger relaxed. He realized that Finn wasn't hoping to leave him, just to ensure that he was looked after, should she fall in battle.
He set his rifle down, pulled her head to him and kissed her passionately. "Very well, Darling, I promise. I'll talk to her about that. Meantime, just see that there's no need for that conversation!"
Finn smiled wanly, nodded, and looked to her front as another native loomed over her. Before she could shoot, Marguerite had blasted the man from the wall, and Finn sighed with relief.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Explorer
976 Posts |
Posted - September 03 2009 : 4:06:10 PM
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A column of trucks approached the fort, and paused as they saw what was happening. The column commander and two other officers stepped down and scanned the battlefield with binoculars.
The brigadier in command turned to the major at his left. "Bill, we'll roll up within 400 yards of this mess. Then, you take two platoons and reinforce the troops on the hill in front of the fort. Tom," he turned to the captain on his right, "get your lads into a flanking attack on those rotters hitting the rear and side walls. Take the bayonet to them. They won't stand to a bayonet charge, and you have the men to eliminate them if they try. Kill the lot, if you can. But where the devil did those soldiers already there come from?"
The captain said, "I've been wondering about that, sir. I rather think it must be Capt. Thorne. He had a patrol up along the NFD, and would have been on his way back. Probably stumbled across this affair and lent a hand."
"Very like," agreed the brigadier. "Right, chaps, lets' roll. I want to eradicate this rabble and see if we can get Karanja in the bag today."
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Explorer
976 Posts |
Posted - September 03 2009 : 6:38:08 PM
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With the arrival of the additional soldiers and the machinegun fire from Thorne's force, the natives soon broke and ran, leaving many casualties behind.
But the settlers in the fort had also suffered. There were ten dead, and others being treated by two doctors who had taken refuge within the walls. One young man had been among those admiring Finn after she had changed into her brief black outfit that she had worn on the Plateau.
A friend explained to the Challengers that he and this fellow had come out from Britain several months before. They were prospectors.
The young fellow who was speared was just 19, and the doctor had said that he would be lucky to survive the night. His friend asked if Finn might visit him and inspire him to pull through.
"Jack sees you as a real heroine, Mrs. Challenger," the friend told Finn. "It would mean the world to him if you'd just hold his hand for a moment and tell him to get well. I hope that your husband won't mind too much?" He glanced at George Challenger.
"Under the circumstances, Darling, please do what you can," said the male Challenger.
Finn nodded, slung her rifle on her shoulder and went to see the young man. When she arrived, it was plain to see that Jack was in a bad way. He had been speared in the belly and had bled severely before the doctor had been able to stanch the flow. Finn held his hand and told him that if he pulled through, she would personally see that he received an autographed copy of her latest book.
He smiled wanly, his complexion pale. "Thank you for coming, Mrs. Challenger. It was a privilege to see you in that outfit, and to see you fight as well as you did in those books. I've read all of them. You are a real heroine. Please thank your husband for letting you see me. He is a lucky man to have you as his wife. And thank the Countess for me. I loved seeing her magic act. I daresay it frightened some of those devils."
"Just get well, Jack. I can't afford to lose a loyal reader," said Finn, wiping away a tear. She leaned over and kissed his cheek.
Jack squeezed her hand and smiled, then slept.
Finn returned to her mate and friends, telling them about the brave young fan. Alas, they heard a few minutes later that Jack had died.
"Thank you for seeing him, ma'am," said a friend. "Jack died with a smile on his face. Your kiss let him die happy, I think."
Finn thanked him, and when he left, buried her face in her husband's shoulder and wept. Marguerite and Veronica patted her shoulder, then went to their own men and the little group discussed what to do next.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Explorer
976 Posts |
Posted - September 03 2009 : 7:06:18 PM
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The Musgraves sent word around that they would host anyone who wanted to remain for a few days, as soldiers mopped up any remaining terrorists. But the former explorers decided to accept an offer from Angus Hardy to visit his home. Hardy was the father of Diana Hardy Hamilton, white hunter Stuart Hamilton's wife.
The Malones, the Roxtons, the Challengers, the Lindemeres, and their hunters all agreed to stay for a week or so with Hardy, who owned one of the largest farms in all of Kenya.
"Daddy needs some buffalo and leopard thinned out," Diana pointed out. "He'll be really happy to have our help and we can shoot plenty of other game for meat and whatever trophies you still want."
Finn's ears perked up on hearing this news, for she was still hoping for a really huge buff, and liked hunting leopards. It was such a challenge and the hide so beautiful that she had a soft spot for the big cats. If taking one or two would limit ther depredations on Hardy's cattle and sheep, that was an added bonus, and she liked Angus and Diana. Not to mention Diana's husband. Although entirely loyal to George Challenger, whom she nearly worshipped, Finn's loins stirred when near Stuart Hamilton. The two had felt a certain chemistry on sight after meeting on the previous year's safari. Fortunately, they had contained their attraction, concealing it from their mates, for neither wished to cheat on their spouses. But Finn still felt a tingle when Stuart was near. This was balanced by great guilt, for she loved George, and liked Stuart's wife, who had been among the girls kidnapped by slavers the previous year.
Nonetheless, she was eager to go to the Hardy estate, where she and Susan had killed a vicious injured buffalo in 1928. The animal, suffering from a native's wire snare having cut a nasty gash above a hoof, had been attacking Angus's native women tenant farmers when Finn and Susan, at immense risk to themselves, had shot the animal. Finn's .400 Jeffrey double-barreled rifle had stopped it just short of its goal of killing the two young white women. John Roxton had been nearby, but had been unable to shoot without fear of hitting Finn or the Wilson lass. Susan had also fired her .303 into the big bull, and told Finn later that it had been the thrill of her life. (Being captured by the slavers was also a thrill of a sort, but not the kind that she classified that way!)
Marguerite also wanted to shoot another leopard, and all wanted to see Angus again. He and his daughter had been splendid hosts.
There was just one shadow on the horizon: the brigadier reported that Karanja had escaped. The witch doctor and a few hardcore followers had been seen fleeing the scene, and a search had failed to locate them.
The Roxtons were warned to take special precautions, for Karanja had been heard to threaten her and Finn Challenger. "That worries me just no end," declared the sarcastic countess. "I'll compose a new incantation to make him wither away. Between that and my rifle, he's finished if he comes after me or Finny."
They laughed, but inside, Marguerite was more worried than she had seemed. She promised Amanda Musgrave that she would be alert, and take no needless chances.
The two girls who wanted to learn to dance cornered Finn and Marguerite and an arrangement was made for them to visit the Hardy farm for three days. They would also get in some shooting, and both girls were excited, especially as Geoff Blacklaws and John Roxton offered to guide them. Although both men were married, the girls were eager to be around them. Holly Blacklaws and Marguerite Roxton rolled their eyes, and told their men to be careful how much personal attention they gave the young ladies.
"Hey, said Finn. "They're nice girls, and they're just kids, One is 17 and the other, 19. I asked. Anyway, they're friends of Diana's."
Marguerite gave Finn an appraising look. "You were just a kid when you decided that you liked George, Finnykins. And youth is a strong weapon for those women who have it."
Finn glared stubbornly back. "Marguerite, I was 22 when I met George and in bad need of a therapist and a mentor. He was both to me before he became my lover. And I was a damned sight more mature than these chicks. Don't sweat it: I'll keep an eye on them. They're just excited to be with a couple of heroes who look the part. I'd let George hunt with them. I trust him."
Marguerite was amused. "Well, Finny, not all girls your age or younger see George quite the way that you do. And he'd probably bore them by teaching them the hardness index of rocks, or something." She laughed, to Finn's irritation.
Susan was offended, although she basically agreed with Marguerite. On the other hand, she admired Challenger, whom she had come to know well. In fact, she was halfway seriously wondering if she would have pursued Finn's invitation to romance her mate, had Finn been slain.
"Ma'am," she addressed Marguerite, "the Professor is a very distinguished man, and a very kind and thoughtful one. He's also still a big fellow, well able to protect a girl and make her feel safe. And he knows worlds about things. I think that Mrs. Challenger is lucky to have him, and I am honored to know him."
Marguerite rolled her eyes again, and prepared to make a snide remark. But she was intercepted by Ned Malone, who suggested that if the matter really bothered Marguerite, he'd help to guide the girls.
"Not without me, you don't, Buster," quipped Veronica Malone. "I've seen those two, and no way are they getting you alone!"
"Oh, to hell with it," said Marguerite. "I have to learn to trust John. I'll shut up. But I want Finny and Susan to join those hunts. Just in case. I know the effect that Roxton has on women."
And, so it was arranged that all were looking forward to visiting Angus Hardy. Diana wanted to see her old room, and share it with Stuart, and the others truly liked Angus and his wonderful hospitality.
They would have been less happy had they known the plans of the fleeing witch doctor. He was determined to release his remaining man-eaters, and he harbored also a zeal to kill the white witch and the blonde girl who had taunted him...
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Explorer
976 Posts |
Posted - September 07 2009 : 09:42:12 AM
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Just over a week later, the countryside was deemed sufficiently cleared of the rebels that things were getting back to normal. In the meantime, Finn, Roxton, Marguerite, and Lord Lindemere had all shot exceptional leopards, and Finn and Roxton had each taken another large Cape buffalo. Ned Malone had shot a fine Greater Kudu of which he was quite proud. None planned to shoot all the animals on their licenses, being satisfied to shoot only especially desired trophies in moderation, and for meat.
"I don't understand what you three see in buffalo," complained Marguerite. "The things look at you like you owed them money."
That stunned the others for a moment, then Finn grinned and said, "You know, Johnny, she's right. They're the bulls of baleful expression."
Everyone laughed, and Veronica congratulated Finn on her now quite articulate use of language. Finn had worked hard to expand her vocabulary, although she had grown up speaking English alongside Portugeuse. There had been many Americans in New Amazonia, her father among them. Being able to read had helped her speech considerably.
"Baleful expressions or not, they taste good," chuckled Angus Hardy. "Come to dinner."
And they had, enjoying another fine repast made by Diana and by Angus's native cook. The group agreed that it was now safe to travel, in daylight on the main roads, and settlers were drifting home in groups, staying together for safety when possible. The two girls who wanted to learn to dance had left the day before, their parents having taken them home after leaving the District Commissioner's post.
They had been pleased with what they'd learned, although one joked that she didn't know where she'd dance that way.
"Mum and Dad would evict me if they saw this," she laughed. Finn and Marguerite had taught the women, with Amanda Musgrave, some moves that they confessed had been shown previously only to their husbands.
"I should hope so!", exclaimed Miriam Webster, one of the students. "Those dances are thoroughly naughty. Wherever did you learn them?"
Finn said that she had learned some dancing in her former city, not mentioning that it was over a hundred years in the future, and that the rest had been imparted by Marguerite. She carefully neglected to mention that she had briefly worked as a topless dancer in a bar. That was something that she had told only to Challenger, Veronica, and Marguerite.
"I'm afraid that I learned to move this way as a slave girl in Amarrah," confessed the countess. "I was the best dancer among my master's girls, and that gave me the opportunity to escape, as it turned out."
Then, she had to tell the others of her lucky escape from the evil sultan whose property she once was. (See the tale of that in a separate Fic on this board. The title is obvious.)
When she had finished, all the ladies were solemn, and Finn patted her friend's arm to comfort her. That account was still painful to tell. In fact, this was only the third time that Marguerite had told it. Previously, only Finn and Veronica had shared in it, and once they had convinced her that John Roxton deserved to know, she had told him. But with it now in the news that she had once been the sultan's slave, Marguerite decided to tell her new friends, especially Lady Lindemere, her sister-in-law and firm friend. Lady Musgrave was also deeply touched, and promised to keep her secret. The young girls were spellbound, then both came over and hugged Marguerite and thanked her for including them in the small number who now knew what she had endured.
Now, a day later, Marguerite thought about that as she ate, and decided that the experience had been cathartic. Still, it was not something that she wanted the world to know, lest it further harm her own reputation and those of her husband and two children. What the papers had printed and inferred had been bad enough. The astonishing thing was that she and the earl had received a great deal of supportive mail, with many Britons viewing Marguerite as a heroine. So far, she had managed to suppress the knowledge that had she not been a jewel thief caught in the act, the sultan would never have seized her. This alone would keep her from accepting the offers to tell her story in print.
"Marguerite?", her husband asked again, more strongly than he just had. "Are you all right?"
She blushed and apologized for missing his question. "Sorry: my mind was elsewhere. What were we discussing?"
"Whether to resume the safaris tomorrow," said Veronica. "Neddy and I need to get home fairly soon. If we're to go back via England and visit you and the Challengers again, we'd all better decide what to do next, and just pick the important things."
Thus, they had decided to move on, and were just getting ready to leave the next morning when a messenger fron the D.C.'s office arrived with an envelope for Lady Musgrave.
She opened it, and called everyone over to hear what it said. "My husband writes that the mundumugu has been found. And, Marguerite, you will be especially interested in how he died. It seems that Morrighan indeed has the gift of prophecy.""
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Explorer
976 Posts |
Posted - September 08 2009 : 09:36:44 AM
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The message from Sir John noted that the witch doctor had released several known man-eaters, both lions and hyenas. Four had been shot, but he asked his wife to warn the others that a few remained at large.
Then, he told how an Army patrol had finally tracked down the fleeing savage and two companions. The other two were shot as they resisted, but the mundumugu had fled into a tunnel near a river. These dense reed tunnels were used by hippos as they passed from the water to forage on shore at night. It was not uncommon to find hippos in the dark quite some distance from the rivers in which they lay during the day.
Because everyone in the patrol knew what that tunnel was, they had proceeded carefully. Karanja was also known to be carrying a gun stolen from a white family who were massacred by his minions.
The pursuers had heard a scream, accompanied by the bellows of an angry bull hippo. There was a noisy scuffle ahead, and it was some time before the men advanced, led by a white hunter armed with a heavy double rifle.
Fortunately, the hippo had returned to the river. What it left behind was the most gruesome sight that the soldiers and professional hunter had ever encountered. Karanja had been bitten in half, then his head had been snapped off by the powerful jaws of the enraged "river horse"!
The remains had been positively identified by native troops who knew Karanja by sight. They were visibly disturbed, and one told his officers that this was juju business. He had heard of the Countess of Avebury's dance and her curse. One of the safari boys had told others of Morrighan's declaration that Karanja would be hewn in two at his death. And now, this had come to pass...
As Amanda read, the faces of the others took on expressions of relief at Karanja's death. But they looked shocked and fascinated in a macabre way as those in camp that night remembered Morrighan's curse.
Marguerite was herself shocked and frightened by the accuracy of her prediction. It was satisfying to know that Karanja was no more. Still, she was troubled by the dark forces that she might have released. And they would need to remember those man-eaters. As long as they were at large, no one could sleep in peace.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Explorer
976 Posts |
Posted - September 10 2009 : 01:16:47 AM
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A few days later, they were back near the village where they had been when they first heard of Karanja wa Kamau. Lord and Lady Lindemere had bade their friends goodbye, as they wanted to hunt elephant with really large tusks, and were headed up to the Northern Frontier District for that.
The Challengers, the Roxtons, and the Malones remained together. They would miss Charles and Felicity, but things were quieter and more familylike with just the Treehouse crew and their hunters. However, Holly Blacklaws and Diana Hamilton had remained with their husbands. They felt unsafe returning home until everthing had settled down in the district. And the Treehouse women liked the other girls. Being taken by slavers had formed a bond between them and Veronica and Marguerite. (Finn had not been in camp when the slavers had struck the previous year. She had been on the list of girls that they meant to acquire, and only luck had saved her from the same fate. Fortunately, she had joined her husband and her best male pal, John Roxton, on a hunt.)
The days passed pleasurably until Susan Wilson was sprayed by a red spitting cobra, the sort that had fascinated George Challenger near the opening of our story. Her experience was grave, and frightened not just her, but the entire camp.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Explorer
976 Posts |
Posted - September 10 2009 : 01:57:33 AM
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It had begun nicely enough, with Susan, the Challengers, and the Hamiltons going birdwatching. Challenger also hoped to discover new species of small animals, so he was checking traps set out the previous evening.
Finn was very excited, for a native had reported seeing the elusive Nandi bear nearby. She wanted to find tracks and possibly see the famous mythical beast. Cryptozoology interested her, and she loved adventure. The others were less credible, but went along, so as not to ridicule her. But she was keenly aware of their cynicism and amusement. Of her friends, only Holly seemed to think the "bear" might be real, although Challenger tried to hide his skepticism, so as not to upset his wife, whom he loved dearly.
The hunters had stopped for lunch, getting out of the truck and enjoying a full picnic, packed under supervision of the ladies. Finn had carefully included enough dill pickles, for she had learned that her male friends tended to like them. Roxton frequently asked for hers, if they had only two between them. It had become a standing joke between the pair, and Finn always took several pickles.
Besides those, they chose from a menu including cold francolin grouse and antelope steaks quickly grilled over an open fire. Various vegetables and fruits rounded out their repast, which Stuart Hamilton admitted was one of the best that he had seen on any safari.
As the others finished eating and began packing up the remains of their meal, Finn and Susan, with the male Challenger, wandered off to look for tracks of the Nandi bear and to watch some bee eaters in the trees. They loved the colorful birds, and Hamilton told the group to keep an eye out for a honey bird.
Soon, they were seated on a large flat rock, watching a secretary bird hunt lizards. Through their crisp German binocular lenses, the tall-legged eagle looked close, as it paced through the high grass a hundred yards distant.
Challenger stopped to check a trail in the grass, to see if shrews or voles used it. He always enjoyed knowing which small mammals were present, and hoped to discover some new to science.
Susan and Finn were wearing pale blue short-sleeved shirts, with tan shorts and ankle boots. Susan often mimicked Finn's dress, and was an ardent admirer of her boss and heroine. However, she carried her .275 Rigby rifle, a gift of Roxton, who liked Finn's secretary. Finn had her W,J. Jeffrey double-barelled .450/.400. Thus, the girls were ready for everything from a small antelope to big game. Challenger had a Holland & Holland .375 Magnum bolt-action rifle, a good compromise for all African game, and more versatile than his big .450 double rifle. Of course, they all wore their revolvers, too.
What happened left them wishing that they had brought a shotgun.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Explorer
976 Posts |
Posted - September 11 2009 : 03:28:35 AM
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Finn set down her Zeiss 8X30 binocular, and walked over by a tree, at the base of which they had placed their water bottles, jackets, and daypacks. Finn got a drink, then looked back at Susan, who still had her binocular up, watching the secretary bird in the distance as the groundbound eagle stalked the grass, meticulously probing for small animals that might constitute a meal.
What Finn saw that Susan hadn't was a motion in the grass near where Susan sat. As Susan lowered her binocular, a red spitting cobra raised its body above the grass, looking straight at the startled blonde Briton. Its hood was spread, and as soon as Susan looked at it, the snake shot twin jets of highly neurotoxic venom straight at her eyes! It was some six feet from her, easy range for the snake.
Susan screamed as the venom entered her eyes, and rolled off of the rock. To her horror, Finn saw a hole under the rock, leading into the ground. They had not looked at the rock from this angle, and no one had seen the hole. It was probably the cobra's refuge. Instead of simply lying up nearby until the humans left, this aggressive snake had tried for its hole, attacking Susan Wilson when she moved.
Challenger heard a safari boy shout, "Ehhh, Bwana! Nyoka!"
On the heels of this came his mate's cry: "Genius! Come quick! A red cobra just sprayed Susan's eyes!"
Finn had left her .400 Jeffrey near Susan, and she fumbled for her revolver holster. The snake sensed her, swivelled and prepared to launch a stream of venom her way. She snapped off a shot from her Smith & Wesson .38 that struck the cobra several inches below the head, and the snake was blown aside by the force of the bullet.
As it squirmed around, trying to regain its balance, Gathiru,the safari boy, yelled, "mem'Sahib Bunduki! Hapana piga!" And he threw a stone accurately at the reptile. As it writhed in agony, he ran over and lopped off its head with his panga, the African version of the tropical American machete.
Gathiru turned to Susan, who was howling in pain and fear. He started to hold her down and urinate into her eyes, that heing how his people handed such matters. But this was a mem'Sahib, and peeing in her face might get him shot by the other whites, who wouldn't understand his purpose.
Finn saw what was happenng, holstered her revolver, and ran over to Susan, water bottle in hand. Challenger had heard Finn and the native, and also came on the run.
They got Susan down on the grass, Challenger holding her hands away from her stricken eyes as Finn poured water into them, washing out the venom. Challenger ordered the shocked Gathiru to get Hamilton and his wife. His Swahili was sufficient for that, and the Hamiltons came quickly in the truck.
They calmed Susan as best they could, Hamilton holding one of her arms down and Challenger the other. Diana brought a water bag from the truck, and they kept a stream of water flowing into Susan's eyes until it was clear that anything that could be rinsed out had been, and then some. Her sunglasses had deflected much of the venom, and Diana cleaned these off and carefully washed Susan's face as Finn gathered their things. Then, Susan was helped to the truck. They all crowded in, and sprinted for camp. Or as fast as a motor vehicle could sprint in a land resplendent with thorns, antbear holes, and other obstacles in its path...
Finn sat by Susan in back, with a wet towel over her eyes, holding her friend and secretary's hand, talking soothingly to her.
"I'm sorry, ma'am," sobbed Susan."I didn't see the bleeding snake until it squirted the poison at me!"
"I rather fancy that the snake had its hole under that damned rock," said Finn, whose speech was becoming increasingly British, as she herself now was. "We may have accidentally angered it." She urged Susan to lie still, as her husband thought desperately what he might manage to do to help.
The Hamiltons told them that if they had gotten enough water into Susan's eyes, she might retain at least some of her vision. With luck, not much of the awful substance had entered her body through the eye membranes. Susan said that her lips felt a little tingly, and she looked vaguely blue. Finn looked frantcally at George, and the latter said that if Susan continued to decline, that he would inject her with an anti-venin that he had brought from England. In those days, safaris did not all carry anti-venin, which was new, and many hunters questioned whether it would retain its potency if carried around for long in a hot car.
The great scientist had foreseen that, and had made up some polyvalent cobra venom-based remedy in powdered form. It had been very dangerous to inhale, and after packaging a batch in clear gel capsules, he had abandoned the idea, strongly encouraged to by Finn. They had worn protective masks and goggles as they centrifuged and prepared the preparation, drying and encapsulating it.
He had some in his bag in the car, and they paused for him to mix it with boiled water and squirt it into Susan's eyes. She cried as they did so, her eyes red, inflamed from what they had already endured.
As soon as they rolled into camp, they alerted everyone and got poor Susan to her tent. She was gotten into bed, with water now being used again to wash the remaining antivenin from her troubled blue eyes. Challenger made up a sterile, mild saline solution, which seemed to soothe her and removed some of the bloodshot effect.
Everyone wished her the best, and the Challengers and Holly Blacklaws said that they would stay with her and see how matters developed. Everyone else turned to making tea, it being just after three in the afternoon. Susan turned down tea, and was unable to accept soup when Diana brought some. She was having trouble breathing, and was too nauseous to eat. Diana had hoped that the soup might calm her.
Finn ran everyone but Holly out and took off Susan's gunbelt and shirt. She unclipped her bra (a daring style from the next century, as she herself wore) and turned Susan over on her stomach. Finn then began to massage her back and manipulate her arms, forcing air into her tight lungs. Soon, she had Susan sitting on the edge of her camp bed, which seemed to ease her breathing.
Challenger came back with some pills designed to act as bronchodilators. He had prepared them in case of flu or other bronchial infections, but they should work on Susan now. He passed Finn the pills, and she got one down Susan, whose breathing eased within the hour. Some was probably due to the new medicine, and some to the effects of the venom wearing off. Susan's elevated heartbeat also calmed as Finn massaged her and spoke softly to her. In between sessions of this, she held Susan, who buried her head in Finn's shoulder and cried, embarrassed and upset that she had made a scene.
"You haven't made a scene," Finn assured her. "You just had a bad thing happen to you. None of us blamed you for the slavers taking you last year. We certainly can't blame you for having a snake spray venom into your eyes. You just relax and get well. Can you see anything?"
They took off the wet cloth from her eyes, and Susan said that she could distinguish shapes and identify aome people, but that was all that she could manage. "My eyes sting," she wailed. "Oh, ma'am, what if I've lost my sight? I'll be no good to you."
"Stop panicking," Finn instructed. "George! Come in, please. "
When Challenger stepped into the tent, quickly averting his eyes from Susan's lovely breasts, Finn gave him a certain pleading look and asked, "Genius, Susan is worried that she'll lose her job if she loses her sight. I think we should keep her on and teach her Braille and find something that she can do for us. Don't you?"
Her husband saw the look in Finn's eyes, and hastily agreed. "Certainly, my dear. Susan, you are absolutely not to worry. If nothing else, you can surely answer the phone and pass on messages and help to run the household staff. You are ours, and we will not abandon you. Good heavens, even if I was inclined to do that, Finn would have my guts for garters if I tried."
He patted Susan's shoulder and she reached for him and pulled him into her, hugging both Challengers to her. "Oh, Professor! You and Mrs. Challenger are the best people ever, to have lived anywhere! How can I ever thank you? You've already saved me from an embarrassing, poorly paid job at the bank, and now this? How can I ever repay you?"
Finn smoothed her hair. "Just get well, sweetheart. George, go get a wide cot. You and I are going to stay with Susan until we know that she has recovered. Susan, if you need the ladies room, Holly or I will get you there and back. You just concentrate on getting well. Does it still hurt much?"
"It's much better," said Susan. "Ma'am? May I lie down now? And will you help me on with my blouse? I don't want to embarrass the professor, and I want him to stay, for you as much as for me."
Finn got Susan's blouse on, making light of how George was trying not to look at something that any man alive would be drawn to want to see. Challenger chuckled, although he really was a bit embarrassed. Susan smiled, and told him not to feel any shame on her part. "Mrs. Challenger is so lovely that I hardly think that I could distract you, sir."
Finn told Susan frankly that she was actually better looking than Finn herself was. "But I'm okay," she admitted. "The genius hasn't kicked me out of bed for eating crackers, yet."
Susan laughed. "Ma'am, you are so very kind to me. Professor, what are my chances of seeing again?"
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Posted - September 13 2009 : 01:33:34 AM
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Challenger chose his words carefully. "Susan, your eyes have sustained a rather traumatic injury. I doubt if the finest opthalomologist in the world could say with certainty what the outcome will be. There are too many variables. We can't be certain how much venom splashed over and around your sunglasses, but they surely kept much of it from you. And we were washing your eyes within a minute of the envenomation."
"My educated guess," the celebrated scientist continued, "is that much, maybe most, of your vision will return. But some optical nerves may need to regrow, and you should take it easy as the eyes improve over the next week or so. That will tell us the likely result. If you see better, your vision will probably continue to improve as the tissue heals."
"Look at the bright side," quipped his wife. "What if the snake had bitten you, instead?"
Challenger smiled. "That would hurt like a Labour victory at the polls, and be as nasty. I do have some antivenin capsules that Finn and I made in the home lab, but am glad that they have not been needed. Theoretically, they should work, but I'll happily avoid a field trial."
"We could ask the D.C. to get a red cobra to bite one of the prisoners that they took from Karanja's gang." Finn was joking, although the concept rather appealed to her. Mostly, she wanted to tease her mate and shock Susan. But she was genuinely angry at those who had slain young Jack, her reader, and other decent people, white and black.
Challenger knew this, and laughed shortly. "My wife has never gotten the savage girl from the future entirely bred out of her, Susan. Finn, I rather think that Sir John will rely on the gallows to do British justice. I say, I need a cup of tea. Finny? Susan? I can bring a tray for all of us, and the cook may have baked some of those croissants that the French fellow at the D.C.'s place coached him about. Ladies?"
The blondes thanked him, Susan saying that she now felt well enough for tea, and that a cup of Twining's best would help her morale. First, she needed the loo.
When the blondes returned from that errand, Challenger rose to attend to the tea requisition when the voice of the Countess of Avebury stopped him in his tracks.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Posted - September 13 2009 : 02:40:49 AM
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"George Challenger!" called Marguerite. "You and those blonde harlots stop what you're doing, however entertaining, and put on some clothes. You have noble visitors!"
Finn rolled her eyes at her friend's droll humor and replied, "Come on in, Marguerite. The orgy was over ten minutes ago. George was just about to go for tea. Would you and John like some?"
"No worries," said the male Roxton, pulling aside the tent flap. "We have Jerogi and Gathiru with us, and they have trays with tea, rolls and those blackberry preserves that George craves so much."
The Challengers joined Susan on her camp bed and the Roxtons helped the safari boys to bring in and serve the refreshments.
"Now Susan," said Lady Roxton, "Have these lab rats been bothering you? One will talk your head off about guns if you let her, and her husband will have you reciting the hardness index of gemstones if you aren't careful. Fancy a trip to the loo? I'll take you while the others eat."
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Posted - September 16 2009 : 08:24:38 AM
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"Thank you, Lady Roxton," said an amused Susan, "but Mrs. Challenger took me not long ago. She's even helped me to make up my face decently."
"Easy," smiled Finn. "Susan doesn't use much makeup, anyway. Her complexion doesn't need it. Millions of women would kill to have a face like hers."
Roxton was afraid that Marguerite would ask what he thought of HER complexion. It was excellent, and she had retained much of her youth, but this wasn't something that he wanted to discuss.
"What's for dinner?" asked Challenger as he poured tea, passing cups to the blondes. Susan was able to manage things like eating and drinking, although her vision was still fuzzy. Finn kept a sharp eye on her, lest she need help.
"Tommy venison, roast potatoes, carrots, brown gravy," answered Marguerite, her attention diverted from women's complexions. "Sounds scrumptuous. Smells good cooking, too. Blast. I shouldn't have mentioned the loo! Now that I think of it, I should go, myself. Play nicely, children." And she rose to visit the mentioned sanitary tent.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Posted - September 16 2009 : 09:10:26 AM
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Marguerite finished her mission and was halfway back to the Wilson tent when Stuart ran over and handed her his Zeiss binocular. "Marguerite, look at that safari driving up. I think the lorry that I recognize belongs to Tim Crawford, a peer of mine and Geoff's. But he isn't licensed to operate in our hunting block. I hope that he isn't bearing bad news. Is there anyone in that open lead car that you or the Challengers might know?"
Marguerite accepted the binocular and adjusted the focus for her eyes. She didn't adjust the interpupillary setting, as she was borrowing it momentarily, and didn't want Hamilton to have to tinker with it to get it just right again for his face.
Steadying herself on Hamilton's broad shoulder, she fine-tuned the focus and jerked upright in surprise. "Good heavens! Finny!"
When the female Challenger came over to see what was so urgent, she handed her friend the Zeiss and told her where to look.
Finn knew how to hold binoculars steady. She used them constantly, not only in hunting, but in birding and in astronomy. She soon saw what had startled Marguerite.
"Lover! Susan!" she shouted. "Guess what? Mick and Sheila Waring are here!" (Mick and Sheila first appeared in my Fic, "Murder in a Stately Mansion" on another board. He was an Australian heir to some of the same fortune left by Marguerite's late biological father. He married Sheila, a servant girl at the Lindemere estate.)
Roxton and Challenger looked blankly at one another. "Were you expecting the Warings?" asked Challenger. The earl shook his head, baffled. Susan sat up straight, breathing faster. What on Earth?
Roxton moved the tea things, and Challenger led his wife's secretary out as the trucks drove up. Hoping that it was silly to take such a precaution, he slung his rifle on his shoulder. Waring had seemed a decent sort, if a bit bluff and hearty, like many of his countrymen. But why he would be here, now, was indeed most curious.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Posted - September 17 2009 : 3:38:58 PM
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Tim Crawford pulled up his safari beyond the camp and walked over with his clients. Those who didn't know one another were introduced, then Crawford said to Blacklaws and to Hamilton, "I suppose that you chaps are wondering why I'm in your hunting block. Actually, we're passing south, to Tanganyika. But the D.C. and his wife gave us some mail for you and we'll drop it off."
Roxton and Hamilton took letters, and Roxton passed his to Marguerite, it being from Lady Musgrave.
The newcomers were offered drinks and an offer of dinner. They accepted drinks, but Crawford said that he hadn't come to encroach on their hospitality. "We did drive a bit out of our way to find you, and night is coming on. But if we dine with you, we'll happily contribute to the meal from our chopbox."
"No worries," said Blacklaws. "We shot several antelope today, and have plenty of meat, I think. If not, old Juma will grill some more steaks quickly. If we have to, we'll hunt again tomorrow. If you're going all the way to Tanganyika, save your groceries."
They all sat down and accepted their drinks as Blacklaws read the letter from Musgrave. He caught his partner's inquiring glance, and said, "Listen up, everyone. I think we'd all better know what Sir John says here. I'll make sure that the boys are told, too, as they'll need to know."
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Posted - September 17 2009 : 3:56:40 PM
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"Is this serious?", asked Marguerite.
"I'm afraid, so, yes. But relax: we haven't done anything. It isn't like last year when he was thinking of prosecuting you for shooting that wog under what might have been questionable circumstaces. This says that the police have interrogated two blacks who were among Karanja's gang. They confessed that he had some man-eating animals and would periodically release one near a village, to spread fear. Seems that he had four lions, and three hyenas."
Blacklaws continued, "Well, one hyena has been shot, and one lion. Leaves three lions and two hyenas, as nearly as I can work out the math." Everyone laughed politely.
"Are they near here?" asked Challenger.
"Yes, in fact, Professor. That's why we got his letter. We're the only safari here now, and the place where he released them is near the closest village, about a mile from us. I'm going over there tomorrow, to buy maize and chickens. But those animals will range for some distance from where they got loose. I think we'd all better sleep with our tent flaps secured tonight, and I'll have the boys build bigger fires and keep watch."
Veronica wondered why the animals wouldn't just join others of their kind, or return to being individual hunters of the game usually sought by predators.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Posted - September 17 2009 : 4:26:12 PM
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Hamilton answered. "Because what we see as a herd or pack is actally a family group, or assemblage of them. Outsiders are warned off, or killed. The packs of hyenas or prides of lions sometimes have horrible turf wars over the best hunting grounds. There's only so much land and so much game. Hunting territories are highly prized, just as with human society."
"Anyone who buys a license can hunt in the States," protested Ned. "We Americans aren't like you land-starved Britons and Europeans." He swirled the ice in his bourbon, a drink that his wife hated. In fact, she drank very sparingly of any alcohol.
"Still have to own land or have access to it," commented John Roxton.
"Well, yeah," agreed Ned, "but in most places, all you have to do is ask a farmer to hunt on his land, maybe give him some of the game that you shoot. Some charge a fee, but it's usually affordable."
"Getting back to the matter at hand," said Holly, "how likely is it that a lion that wants to see how we'd feel inside it's tummy will visit us tonight? And can we leave tomorrow after we buy those chickens and maize?"
"Ah, that's what part of the letter is about," answered her mate. "Sir John wishes that we'd see if we can kill any of these animals. Game rangers are being dispatched, but it may be a week or more before they arrive and start looking for them. He realized that you're paying guests, of course, and that Stuart and I are at your pleasure. Will you accept staying here for about two more days? We'll have a look and move on. We won't charge you for that time, or take it from that for which you've paid. I dread upsetting Morrighan more than I do facing man-eaters."
He smiled, but Roxton laughed as he kissed his wife's hand. "I know the feeling," he said, to general laughter.
They agreed to stay the two days, and see if they found any sign of the animals hanging around the village, or if any blacks were taken there.
"I think we'd better push on for Tanganyika," said Tim.
"Too right!" declared his male client. "Back home, if you avoid rabid dingos and the odd crocodile, you're pretty safe. Out here, everything wants to eat you!"
"Or squirt poison in your eyes," muttered Susan, a little bitterly.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Posted - September 19 2009 : 3:50:04 PM
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Dinner went well, with those who had met Mick and Sheila at the time that Marguerite had gotten her substantial inheritance renewing their acquaintance. After they had eaten, Susan and Sheila withdrew to talk more in privacy. The Wilson lass and a servant girl named Lois had been sequestered after learning of the plot to kill Marguerite, and had been pretty roughly handled by two men who said that they planned to sell them into prostitution. But the girls suspected that they would more likely be raped, then killed.
It was only by chance that heir Mick Waring and another servant girl, Sheila, had crept up to the third floor hallway and discovered the captive girls in a room next to the one in which they'd been planning to conduct a late night tryst. They had freed Susan and Lois, and alerted the Roxtons just before they were slated to be murdered! After, Mick had decided to hang onto Sheila, and she was soon Mrs. Waring. Marriage to the witty, ruggedly handsome Australian businessman had proved a delight for Sheila, who found herself living a fantasy life from a daydream.
"Being married to Mick is like a fairy tale come true," admitted Sheila, blushing as she reflected on how much she loved her man.
"I need to get a man," Susan said dreamily. "Mrs. Challenger told me during the seige of the D.C.'s place to try to marry the Professor if anything happened to her. He's very distinguished, and he'd take great care of me, but I'm hoping for someone younger. Besides, the Challengers are so close that I doubt that any other woman would ever really replace Finn in his heart. I admire them both so much! Except that I need a bloke of my own, my life is like yours: a fairy tale!"
As she drifted off to sleep later, Susan wondered whether she'd ever fully regain her vision. If I can't really see him, maybe I'd settle for a man who's not really handsome. But I want him to love me. How many worthwhile men would want a girl who's half blind?
She sobbed into her pillow until Finn heard and sat by her, holding Susan until she slept. Finn nearly wept, herself, for she felt responsible for Susan being in Africa when the snake had struck at her eyes. In time, she eased back into her own bed, hugging Challenger fiercely before she slept.
Challenger held Finn, stroking her arm until she relaxed. Then he lay awake, wondering if they'd find the man-eaters. And he worried about Susan's eyes, too. Such a dear girl, and becoming almost like a member of his family.
It seemed like no time until he was wakened by the personal boy at the tent door. "Bwana, mem'Sahibs, mimi lette chai." The tea service...
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Posted - September 20 2009 : 04:51:27 AM
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Challenger let in the tea boy and arranged the trays and other items as quietly as he could, to let the ladies sleep a bit longer. But Finn yawned, sat up and helped him pour and lay out hot croissants, butter, and his beloved blackberry preserves.
To let Susan sleep, they communicated via gestures, carresses, and by pointing to what they wanted. After six years together, half of those married, they knew one another's natures intimately, and sometimes did much the same as they woke fully at home. Granted that the silver tea service that the upstairs maid rolled in at their home in Kent was rather more elegant than the one in this safari camp, much else was the same.
After consuming two croissants and swilling his tea, Challenger leaned over, pulled Finn's short black silk robe aside, and kissed her on the inner thigh, as she sat cross-legged in bed. She shivered, but shook an admonitory finger at him and pointed to the drowsing Susan.
Challenger nodded, pulled on his boots -he had slept in trousers and undershirt- and whispered into her ear that he had to visit the loo.
Finn nodded, and pointed to his rifle. Take that, said her gesture.
He picked up the Holland & Holland .375 Magnum, shrugged into his bush shirt, and slipped quietly out the door.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Posted - September 20 2009 : 05:09:41 AM
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Susan stretched, opened her eyes and asked, "Ma'am? Do I look awake, or am I fooling myself?"
Finn laughed, told her that she was awake, and to have a croissant and tea. "Stay there," she ordered. "I'll pour and pass things to you. The tent is pretty cramped, anyway."
Susan looked embarrassed. "Mrs. Challenger, I'm YOUR secretary. I should be be serving YOU."
"No worries," said Finn. "You just finish getting well. By the way, how well can you see? Do I look a fright? George and I just woke and he's gone to the gents' room. I had to remind him to take his rifle. How that man ever got along without me, I couldn't say, but I'm glad that he has me now."
Susan smiled, radiantly."Oh, Mrs. Challenger, he is also thrilled to have you. I hope desperately to some day have so great a love as you two do. It must be elusive. To see the way that many married couples treat one another in public, I think divorce would be more common, if better accepted. But you, the Malones, and the Roxtons all love one another, and it is wonderful to see. Except sometimes, when Lady Roxton expresses herself forcefully when she gets unhappy. But they soon make up, and most of it rolls off of Lord Roxton's back. He seems an enormously tolerant and loving man."
"He is," gushed Finn. "Johnny is my best male buddy and almost big brother. Guys like him are terrific to find, but God didn't make nearly enough of them. Maybe it's so women will really appreciate the ones whom we do have. I couldn't believe it when I learned that Marguerite jerked him around for about two years before I met them. If I'd known that he loved me, I'd have grabbed him so fast that his head would've spun. She can be so...frustrating and headstrong, sometimes. But I think she was afraid to admit that she could fall for a man as badly as she did for him."
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Posted - September 20 2009 : 05:54:31 AM
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Challenger rapped at the entrance, having heard the women speaking.
"Ladies, if you want to dress, I think I'll join John at the table. Eggs and the rest should be along shortly. Don't dally; they'll grow cold."
"Genius, wait," called his wife. "You forgot your gunbelt. I'll pass it out." And she did, kissing him as he took it.
The girls finished eating, talking happily, especially after Susan decided that she could indeed see better detail than she could the previous evening. She held out a hand, concentrating on how well she could see the fingers. Still somewhat of a double-vision effect, she realized. And things were a little red-tinged as broken blood vessels healed.
When it was time to dress, Finn unselfconciously slipped off her short gown and decided to wear the same black bikini panties that she'd put on the previous night. Susan stared openly, complimenting her on her magnificient body. Finn thanked her, and admitted that she had once felt underaccomplished regarding her breasts. "Not that George ever complained. He always told me that he loved them, even then. But having two babies has made me fuller and happier there."
She laughed, and took out a matching bra from her pillowcase of clothes brought over from the Challenger tent. A light blue shortsleeved shirt and tan shorts completed her usual safari look.
She chose tall tan socks and tough ankle-high suede chukka boots for her feet, and grabbed her gunbelt, with the Smith & Wesson .38 and the sharp Remington stag-handled RH-36 pattern hunting knife.
"Susan? Do you want to ride with us looking for lion tracks today? Can you see well enough to shoot? You can always stay in camp, and Geoff and Holly will look after you. Stuart can lead the rest of us. The Malones may stay in camp, too, unless Ned wants to shoot some birds. He's pretty handy with that Winchester 12 gauge pump gun. And we need some fowl, preferably francolins. Gad, those taste good! Anyway, think what you prefer, while I trot off to the loo. You can dress while I'm gone, if it'll embarrass you if I see you naked. But I think you're better built than I am, so no need to feel shy. You are definitely a hot chick, as people used to say where I came from. Trust me, that's good."
She picked up her .375, having chosen it so that the Challengers need bring only one caliber of rifle ammunition to Susan's tent and because she thought it was her best all-round rifle when lion might be involved.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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A Lion Comes!
