Africa Calls.

                                                             

                                                                     

Chapter 5.
                                           

It had been a rather slow morning as far as seeing game went. They were both enjoying being the only couple in the truck with Thomas, who was always happy to point out a flower, an insect or titbit's on african life. They had built up quite a rapport with him, and enjoyed being out in this vast wilderness, which seemed to have no end as far as the eye could see.
They had gone off the game trail on the hope of finding some animals. Thomas had mentioned that there had been a sighting of a leopard living around a huge clump of rocks. That would be the icing on the cake if they could catch a glimpse of one. They had driven around, but to no avail.  Maybe like them, the animals were feeling the heat.
Suddenly Nick saw a clump of trees at the side of the road move. They were quite dense with what looked like dry, thorny foliage, when the head of an elephant appeared.

As it lumbered out they were struck by it's massive size. Huge creamy coloured tusks, too heavy to carry swayed as the head was tossed from side to side as the elephant plucked the dry leaves off and stripped bark off the branches, totally ignoring them.
Thomas had kept the engine idling quietly, and for a change it was not belching out fumes. He put a finger to his lips to motion them to be quiet.
The bull lifted it's trunk and sniffed at the air, trying to get the scent, but they were uphill from him, although they could certainly get his delicate aroma. Thomas had also pointed out the fresh heaps of dung, still steaming on the road ahead of them.
Dawn was convinced it had a beady eye on her. Seeing one of these huge animals on T.V. or in a book was definitely different to being right next to one. She could feel her heart pounding, and the clamminess of her palms, as the grip tightened on the back of the seat. sweat appeared in little droplets on her brow and she looked towards Nick. He had quietly stood up and was snapping away. What shots he would have to show his family back home. Suddenly the head lifted, the ears started to flap, Thomas shifted a gear but did not move the truck.
The elephant shifted his body to face them, they could just about feel him starting the charge, but with a wave of the trunk and a snort,  the elephant went back to ripping leaves and small branches off the trees.Slowly from behind some more shapes appeared until a small herd was quietly browsing on what they could find.
As the herd slowly disappeared back into the trees, they moved slowly off.

They all breathed a slight sigh of relief. It was not that far back on the trail they had come across a crumpled car that Thomas had told them was the result of an elephant attack. Luckily nobody had been injured, but you had to respect the law of the wild. That was why you kept your engine running, in case a quick getaway was needed!
On the way back they pulled to the side of the river and watched some hippos cavorting in the water.
                                       

With the breeze gently blowing onto her as they drove, Dawn thought how she was falling in love with this country, the beauty of the really wild wilderness, green some places, others dry and barren, the wonders to be seen, the thrill of it all. Little did she know what lay in store.

          ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was nice being back to art with Jill, I feel a lot of talking and catching up was going, but we still managed to get some work done!
I am still building up the colours in the fur, gradually getting there. Hope to get this area finished  next time.
                                                    

               Join me again next week to catch up on the story and on 'Ratty'
Don't forget to click on any picture to enlarge it.