by Dan Gleed
“But back to our theme. First, the police. Tell them everything you know, and be prepared to act as their undercover agent, because that’s what they’re going to expect of you. It won’t be easy bringing down the slavers and, from time to time, your life will be in danger, but you will not be on your own and the end result will be rewarding – freedom for so many. You can’t, you mustn’t leave your fellow slaves in the lurch, especially since you alone hold the key to any future they might have in human terms. So first, settle your account with the human authorities and this time you’ll find your incarceration is a useful time in which to prepare yourself, because what God has just done for you is only the beginning, not the end, of your life’s journey. A couple of years from now, you’ll be ready to set out with me on the expedition of a lifetime. A mission on which you’ll achieve your true destiny, provided you go on believing and trusting in Jesus. You and the others who have been selected to make up an elite band of evangelists will be starting at more or less the same time.”
“Individually, you’re to be prepared for an utterly essential task. And, by the way, when I talk about ‘evangelists’, I simply mean people who are prepared to tell others about the one true God and his offer of eternal life. And in your case, we’ll want you to relocate to your motherland, Britain. There you’ll reveal some fascinating information to any who will listen. Most won’t, of course, but what you’ll have to say will concern the coming Day of Judgement. You’ll be warning Britain that what the Bible says on this subject is true in every respect, even if most of them are too busy to listen. Or too sceptical. However, there are some who will listen and those who do and who act on what they hear will be spared much of what’s to come. Soon a vast war is due to break out in the Middle East and it’s going to involve a great deal of hardship for a lot of people. But don’t worry, these things will not harm you personally.”
“Anyway, I think that’s enough for now. There’s much for you to learn, much more for you to absorb, so right now I’ll leave you to get on with it. While you remain here, you’ll stay concealed, so don’t worry about being spotted. And don’t be afraid, even when you go to the police. You have but to ask and help will be available, although I won’t necessarily manifest myself to you again. In general, it’s not a good idea and anyway, it depends entirely upon my orders. More importantly, the Holy Spirit is now your principal guide and teacher. You’ll get to recognise his voice and when you do, listen carefully. So, finally, let me give you God’s endorsement.” At which point he raised an instantly glittering hand, palm towards me, and declared, “The blessing of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit rest upon you now and in the future.” Which left me with a great peace and a mental note to enquire about this mystery. “We’re going to have a great time together, you and I, and this time I’ll make sure you get enough food in prison.”
* * *
I watched him fade from view and could have sworn he was laughing as he went, but he left me with a distinct feeling of euphoria. For the first time in a very long time I felt ‘good to go’.
Unfortunately, it didn’t take long for the immediate impact to fade and I soon found myself relegating the experience to illusion, or an overwrought imagination. However, what refused to go away was Israfel’s advice to confess everything to the police. Which only encouraged me to start justifying myself. Most of it wasn’t my fault anyway – some, maybe – but surely it was really all down to ‘them’. And in any case, what the police don’t know about, the police won’t worry about. Right? Right.
* * *
To my lasting shame, it took me less than an hour to return to my old way of thinking. Less than an hour to convince myself that my judgement remained superior. Which left just the one problem. Unless I could be sure of clearing my name apropos the Eldoret Askaris and perhaps, for good measure, appraising them of my prime candidate for the Jouberts’ killer, there seemed little point in breaking cover. Only one need seemed paramount – stay ahead of Ahmed even if, for now, he could have no idea where I was. Thus reassured, I began to walk slowly back towards the town centre, mind in neutral, thumb in etc. etc., until the quiet snick of several rifle bolts being rammed home shocked me into the present. Confused, I glanced up to discover not only several Askaris glaring at me over the ends of raised rifles (not again, surely?) but a stocky white figure, clearly in command, eying me speculatively.
“Well, young Moncton – I’m assuming that’s who you are – it’s good to meet you at last. Happy chance, perhaps, but let me make myself clear. I am Superintendent Foley and I have a certain reputation around here for getting exactly what I want and, right now, what I want is you. So, on your knees and get your hands in the air. Make it quick and I might not have you shot. And make no mistake. Any wrong move will be your last. These men are well aware that you killed a couple of their compatriots, and they’re only too keen to repay you in kind.”
Even with my heart apparently on strike, I had begun casting around frantically for a way out, struck by the thought that I should have followed Israfel’s advice after all. Fortunately, it didn’t take me long to spot the one slim opportunity left. All of which was noted by one of Hell’s numerous underlings watching intently from the shadows (did it ever stop?). And with real pleasure, Josephus would confirm to Satan that he had just the right demon to assign to the case. Assuming death hadn’t already intervened.
Notes
CHAPTER 1
1. Donga – Dry river bed.
CHAPTER 3
1. Giriama (or Mijikenda) – One of a group of nine Bantu peoples, living along the East African coast (between Mombasa and Malindi).
CHAPTER 4
1. Syce – One who looks after horses.
2. Mzee – Term of respect for an old man.
3. “Ndiyo, bwana” – “Yes, sir.”
CHAPTER 5
1. “Huko, bwana, huko” – “Over there, sir, over there.”
2. Bundu – Any uncultivated or untamed land.
CHAPTER 10
1. Marram grass – A tough native grass that can withstand dry conditions.
CHAPTER 11
1. “Haraka, haraka. Watu mpega kifungua.” – “Come quickly. Someone’s broken the lock.”
2. Askaris – Used either to describe local Kenyan soldiers or, as in this case, policemen serving in the Colonial Police Force.
CHAPTER 13
1. Murram – In Africa, laterite soils were and are used to build roads – known colloquially as murram in East Africa. Virtually all of East Africa’s roads, other than those in towns, were so constructed at the time.
CHAPTER 15
1. Kanzu – A long, usually white garment worn by African men, particularly those in catering or service.
2. Betel – Betel, or the areca nut, is the seed of the areca palm, which grows in parts of East Africa. It is commonly referred to as betel nut, and is a frequently used minor drug often chewed wrapped in betel leaves.
CHAPTER 16
1. Jalabiyas – Arabic Islamic clothing for men, usually long, white coverings roughly equivalent to the East African kanzu.
CHAPTER 17
1. Sjambok – A heavy whip, usually made of rhinocerous or hippopotamus hide.
CHAPTER 18
1. The fallen angel described in the Bible as king over evil spirits dispatched to ‘the bottomless pit’. In Hebrew he is called Abaddon, and in Greek, Apollyon.
CHAPTER 20
1. Gharry – Car.
CHAPTER 21
1. Summuni – Half a Kenyan shilling (twenty shillings to the British £ at the time).
2. “Jambo, abari yako?” – A standard Swahili greeting: “Hello, how are you?”
3. Kikoi – The ubiquitous and usually only garment worn by men in the hot coastal belt.
CHAPTER 33
1. Kwetu – literal translation – Us.
CHAPTER 37
1. Totos – Children (toto – child).
2. Posho – A form o
f porridge made from maize.
CHAPTER 40
1. “Kuwa Kimya” – “Be silent.”
CHAPTER 54
1. Thobe – An ankle-length garment, usually with long sleeves, similar to a robe.
CHAPTER 61
1. Ugali – Thick, cooked maize grain, known more commonly as posho.
2. Baobab – Particularly ugly water-filled tree found in dry areas (known as the upside-down tree, because that’s what it looks like!)
CHAPTER 62
1. Burnouse – A long, loose-hooded cloak worn by Arabs.
