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"We
need to go to Bulawayo...and Obawe will be our guide."
Jed said confidently.
"How
come you so sure? You act as if you..."
"I
SAID," Jed broke in "We are going to Bulawayo and
Obawe can take us there!"
This
seemed to shut Ngubu's mouth for the moment as the two walked
to the other side of the village where they could meet Obawe.
After Ngubu explained to him what Jed wanted, Obawe shook
his head and spoke fervently, waving his hands.
Ngubu
explained "Obawe says that the Jabarus are nowhere near
Bulawayo!""We're going to Bulawayo." Jed said
a final time and with this, the three set out.
As
luck would have it, Bulawayo was only a few hours away. Jed
was relieved. After everything he had been through, he was
anxious now to find his father and get back to the US.
Upon
entering Bulawayo, Jed was surprised to see such a domestic
setting. He had a mental image of warring tribesmen and war-paint,
of blood and sacrifices. What he found instead was basketry,
weaving and children playing water games. Obawe began asking
some nearby men some questions. In response, they pointed
to an elaborate hut in the center of the small village.
When
the three walked in, a soft voice spoke up "Jed, is that
you? Ha! Yes it is!" In the center of the hut sat a very
regal, Jabaru tribesman, obviously the chief or close to it.
However, standing next to him, soon running over to Jed, was
an elder white man - smiling and wrapping his arms around
his son.
"Father!"
Jed exclaimed and likewise wrapped his arms around the frail
man. "What happened? I don't understand. I thought you
had been captured!"
Joseph
explained. "I WAS captured, but not by the Jabarus. Jaru,
our final guide, led us right into a sacred territory of the
Galinkas. They took us captive - all except one. They told
us at that time that we were to be given away as slaves to
the Jabarus. I talked them into letting Obawe, our other guide,
go so that he could wait at the village for you to arrive.
I just knew you'd figure your way there! I just thought that
it would have taken you a lot less time to do it, though!
Anyway, Charles and Joseph escaped. I thought that they were
going to bring back help. However, once they found out about
the gem mine, they must have given in to their greed and come
back for them. Well, it doesn't matter now. You're here, and
that is all that is important!"
Jed
broke in "But what about Millie...and Charles...?"
"Oh,
didn't I mention that? They arrived here yesterday. It seems
that the Galinkas spotted the both of them! They remembered
Charles and immediately took them captive. When I heard about
it last night, I went to the village to speak with them. They
told me everything in hopes that I would help free them. I
guess there was some note that Charles sent Millie in code.
She couldn't find his notes in order to translate it. She
thought that she could ask you to translate it and then beat
you here to leave with the gems before you found me. Actually,
she told me that she thought that you would have never come
here - that you just didn't have the fortitude to brave the
mission...And, if that didn't work, she hired some poor, greedy
guide to lure you into the jungle and leave you there to die..."
Jed
just looked at the sheepish-faced Ngubu. Then, turning to
his father again, "Enslaved? I wished I brought something
to barter with..."
"No
need, Son. Once I heard the story last night, I knew you were
close and I decided to collect on an old favor. I learned
the symbol writing system of the Galinkas while captured by
them. When sold to the Jabarus, I told the Chief that I knew
their writing and would freely translate it as needed. I agreed
to teach some of his subjects the writing on the condition
that once my son came to the village to bring me home, that
I was free to go. The Chief agreed and I then waited...and
waited. Until now...So, I am ready. What did you arrange?
Boat? Plane?"
Jed
shrugged "Dad, let's just get back to Beira. We'll worry
about the rest later..." With this, the four headed out,
led by Obawe and Ngubu.
A
little later, Jed asked "What ever happened to Charles
and Millie?"
"Well,
I tried to talk to the Galinka Chief, but he wouldn't see
me. I am afraid that they are facing the future that they
thought they were leaving behind for me..."
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