The other campers had left this morning to go hot air ballooning, 'An experience of a lifetime' the advert had said, but Dawn being afraid of heights had chickened out. Nick also preferred to keep his feet on the ground. They were still hoping to see a leopard. This was the one still waiting to be ticked off on their list of 'what to see'. Their 'big five' was gradually being marked off.
Speaking with Thomas that morning, Nick told Dawn that Thomas was quite happy to spend more time helping them look for one.
Thomas had heard of a leopard with a cub supposedly living up in the rocks. They would go there first thing. Thomas had wanted to check it out for himself, and with his two tourists eager to see a leopard, this would be an excuse for hanging around in that area for a longer time. He had been asked to report anything unusual happening in the park. He thought maybe the poachers were around again. He would also drive them to the Masai village and they could watch the dance that was put on for visitors, and be taken around their huts, and listen to tales of tribal life. Hopefully he would then get the chance to speak with his friend there.
He had to know what was going on.
Soon they were bouncing along some of the familiar tracks they had got used to. The rocky hill loomed up in front of them. Trees and shrubs grew in in the cracks and crevices, looking greener than the rest of the area. Thomas explained there must be a natural water spring somewhere under the rocks. Baboons had been seen coming here.They were very good at seeking out water. Baboons was also a favourite meat of the leopard.
The drove quietly around and then stopped under a tree. Getting his binoculars out Thomas scanned the area. Nothing seemed to move. All was still.
"We will drive around, maybe we will see something on the other side". Reversing out of a rut he drove as quietly as the vehicle would let him. Today they were in one of lodges landrovers painted in zebra stripes, and not the old rust bucket they had come to love. Although old, it had so far taken them over anything a road could give them and more!
"Look", whispered Thomas, as he pulled up against some bushes, putting them into some shade. "Over there, on the ledge by the big rock" They quickly found the ledge he was pointing at and there lying down, they caught a glimpse of the golden fur and black spots. 'Leopard.
Sitting still, hardly breathing, they looked on.
Nearby a baboon barked, and within a flash the big cat was gone. "Where did it go?" Dawn looked in astonishment. "I think into that opening by the ledge, you can just make it out"said Nick. Thomas was looking a little concerned. He thought he had caught a flash of something, but maybe it was just the glimmer of the sun reflecting of a piece of quartz in the rocks. He swept his glasses around the area, but all seemed still.
"We go now, don't want to be late for the dance", you can dance with warrior." Much big man"
He laughed and put the landrover into gear and moved off. The quicker he caught up with his friend the better.
They had had a wonderful day, leopard, the fun of the dancing, and Dawn was thankful that thy lived in modern times after looking into the huts, and being offered some cows milk and blood to drink. Her stomach had turned right over at the first sip, that was enough to last her a lifetime.
On the way back they had stopped off to see a couple of lions drinking thirstily at the river, with the sun going down, a perfect end to a perfect day.
That night as they lay curled together as one in the bed. Nick thrust the seed of a new life deep inside the womb of the women he loved and cherished.
The scavengers of Africa.
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I have filled in most of the area now, only a little more at the front and some tweaking to do here and there.
Now to choose what to do next.
Remember to click on any picture to enlarge it.
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