Slim mopped around camp and spent most of the time sitting in a chair watching Jasmine work. His usual jovial self was a thing of history and Jasmine felt sorry for him. She did what she could, but nothing she did brought him out of his misery for the loss of his friend. Matt tried to cheer him up by taking him for long walks in the mountains. That was Matt’s excuse to look around for some clues to where the white rocks might be. Unknown to Matt he was watched by the Massai whenever he went walking in the mountains. The Massai were not worried about Slim, but they were suspicious of Matt.
Chapter 8
The study of the Massai was drawing to a close. The professor was happy with his new found study as was Clare. She was confident she had what she needed for her doctorate. As far as Sean was concerned she felt terrible that she didn’t forgive him and sincerely hoped she would see him again. She loved the guy and now that the study was over, she could concentrate on her life and hopefully make amends with Sean when she saw him again.
The wedding of Slim and Jasmine was a gala event. Slim seemed to come out of his stupor and enjoyed the traditional wedding. The dancing and celebration lasted until dawn when the two of them entered their new hut made of grass and cow dung. That would be their new home while in the compound. For the next few days, Slim back to his old self, went walking with Matt into the mountains enjoying the sights and trying to adjust to life without Sean. Matt, ever the watchful, constantly looked for sign of a cave or crevice in the mountain. A time or two he thought he found some clues and upon a closer look, all was in vain.
The Massai were getting a little concerned about his poking around in their sacred mountain. They decided to give him what he was looking for and then maybe turn his mind into what they did with Red. They admired him more than Red, but thought he needed a little lesson in respect. A slightly smaller dose of demon juice would do the trick.
One day before the safari was to return to their origin, just after midnight, three Massai went into his tent where he was sleeping and kidnapped him. Blindfolded and hog tied, he was carried out of the compound and made to walk high up into the mountains. Matt knew what was happening to him, but couldn’t do anything about it. He was not scared and tried to talk to the silent Massai, but no answer came back. Much later weary from climbing, he was led into a cave. The blindfold was taken off and he rubbed his eyes. Only one torch was burning in the dark cave. The Massai were standing in the mouth of the cave and only one was standing next to the far wall with a torch in his hand.
Matt’s eyes took in the wall of the cave next to the torch man and his first clear look from blurry eyes was of a glistening red and a dull white sprinkled looking wall. Matt rubbed his eyes some more and walked closer and discovered the wall was full of egg sized white rocks and smaller red ones. The red were rubies and of course the white rocks were diamonds in the rough. Matt fell to his knees and thought he had gone to heaven. Just a few of the gems would make him rich beyond his dreams. He reached out and touched them and later in his life, would remember something about things that were valuable, but couldn’t place it or remember where or when. He always woke from the dream frustrated that something was nagging at him that he lost the chance of dying a rich man. He often rolled over and went back to sleep only to wake up and start a new day clear of any thoughts of the dream.
Matt, on his knees, felt and one of the big white rocks fell out of the wall onto the floor. He picked it up and stood up so the light was better. He examined it closely and knew he had his retirement in his hand. But, he also knew it would never leave the cave with him. Matt, thinking, and looking at the Massai with the torch, I wonder what will become of me after this night is over? He turned around as the group in front of the cave walked towards him. He handed the diamond to the torch man and when the container of juice was handed him, he smiled and said thank you while raising the juice to his lips and drinking deeply.
Matt woke up the next morning with a hangover and the old woman was waiting outside his tent flap with a hangover cure. He drank it off and went to the creek to wash. His toilet complete, he walked back to camp thinking of nothing but making the safari ready to depart. No recollection of the night before, he wondered how come he had a hangover? He never drank nothing last night and thought it a little strange the old lady was waiting for him with a headache cure. Oh, well, he thought, living in another land in the home of a strange and intelligent culture, he cast aside his thoughts and walked into camp ready to take on the world.
Clare had all her stuff packed and ready to go. The Massai helped them load up and with a fanfare of goodbyes and waves. The two trucks of white people moved slowly down the hill to the other camp where Charlie was waiting for them. Clare was in the back of the truck and looked with fondness and sadness as the children ran alongside and behind the trucks. Tears rolled down her face as she wondered if she would ever see the Massai people again; and some tears were for Sean as she thought the same thing of him.
The professor had a smile on his face as he rode the truck down to the other camp. His thoughts were only on his return to England and his many conferences with his colleagues. He smiled again at the thought of standing in front of the Science College giving his lecture and answering their many questions. Maybe he would receive a knighthood from the study? Sir Higgins had a nice ring to it, he thought.
A little while later the safari could be seen walking slowly down the mountain into the savannah. They had had beautiful weather and very little rain had fallen during their time in the Massai compound.
Chapter 9
Sean woke up with a terrible hangover in the fat lady’s hotel. He remembered drinking way too many beers and talking to the same two white down and out guys that were there before when Charlie played his game with the treasure map. He kept his mouth shut about where he had been and why he was back in town alone.
After a small breakfast, he packed his horse and left town for the big city of Mombasa. He had some money in his pocket and with the sale of the horse he could go where he wanted. Where? He had no idea at the moment, but try as he might, he couldn’t get Clare out of his mind. Mounting up he left town slowly as the fat lady looked on with sorrow at her boarder knowing something very troubling was bothering him. Life was like that, she thought. Never seems fair and why such bad things happen to nice people completely eluded her.
His head hanging down against the rising sun, Sean tried to get his spirits up and get on with his life. He knew the safari would be leaving soon and would end in Mombasa. He would have a reunion with Slim and tell him goodbye. It was time for him to move on alone. The run with Slim had been a good one, but now, at the age of over thirty, it was time to seek a look at newer horizons.
The safari plodded along without mishap or having any hungry lions feeding on them the entire way back to the port. It was a rather solemn group, but friendly. Slim and Jasmine were very happy and if one looked closely at her, you might see a little bulge in her belly. Clare noticed and smiled wondering what the baby would look like? Slim seemed to get stronger each day and he and Matt talked about future business together. Clare took notice and was sorry to not see Sean involved with them. She also wondered where he was and longed to see him and apologize for her rudeness knowing full well he was not schooled in relationships.
Sean arrived in the port city and sold his horse at a nice price. He went to the steamship office and inquired about passage to Ireland. He hadn’t been home for many years and even though he had very little family, an uncle and aunt or two were what he remembered. He needed a break from Africa and with good and bad memories; he needed to touch base with his homeland. Maybe it would only be for a little while and then he might go to America where opportunity still existed for a young smart guy like him.
He found out from the shipping company a passenger ship leaving in two weeks. He asked about cargo ships and was told there were two in port loading now for England at about the same time as the passenger ship was due to depart. He got the names o
f the cargo ships and left to inquire about passage in exchange for work. After two hours of looking and finding the captain or first mate of the cargo ships, he signed on one of them as a ships hand for the exchange of passage to Liverpool England.
Sean was staying at a hotel that when he and Slim were in town they always stayed there. It was owned by a German guy who stayed on after the war and after dabbling in this and that, bought the hotel and slowly modernized it into a clean well run place that was reasonable. He and Sean were on good terms as the safari big game guides such as Slim and Sean used his place for an office. As Sean walked in to check in, Dolf was leaning on the check in counter and when he saw Sean, he broke into a big smile and held out his hand for a shake. He asked Sean, ‘Where is your partner?
Sean told him, ‘He’ll be along in a few weeks or so as he’s still with the safari and they’ll be returning here soon.’
Doff had a frown on his face and sensed something was not right with Sean here and Slim still out on safari. Inwardly he thought, none of my business and said to Sean, ‘Your room is available and after you clean up, let’s have a glass of wine together and you can tell me what the news from Nairobi is.’
Sean nodded and took his key and went up the stairs to his room. In his room, Sean looked around and all was the same as usual. He sat on the bed and wanted no part of talking to his friend Dolf. He sent him a message that he was tired and would see him the next day. However, the next day came and Slim was gone to England. Dolf found a note telling him to give his rife and other things to Slim when he came to town.
Slim and the other members of the safari checked into Dolf’s hotel. Dolf told him he had news of Sean and would see him in the bar at Slim’s convenience.
Slim after washing up, went down to the bar where he found Dolf. Dolf had given him the high sign and Slim was anxious to know what he wanted. He guessed it was about Sean. He found him standing at the bar talking to another safari guide Slim vaguely knew. Slim took his beer to a table and waited for Dolf to join him. A few minutes later Dolf sat down and told Slim about Sean. ‘Well Slim, Sean left his rifle and knife with me for you. He left yesterday on a cargo ship bound for Liverpool. He never smiled the whole time he was here and every morning early, he would go out and not return till dark. I asked him a few times where he had been and his reply was always out walking.’
Slim sat there in silence and couldn’t believe his ears that his friend and partner was gone. He said out loud, ‘God will I ever see him again? I don’t believe it. He can’t be gone.’ Dolf saw a tear in his eye and got up and left Slim alone with his thoughts.
Clare was lying on her bed staring at the ceiling. Her father was fussing around and talking nonsense to no one in particular. Clare was thinking about Sean and what could she do about finding him. She got up and went to Jasmine’s room and knocked on the door. Jasmine opened the door and said to come in. Slim was not there, Clare noticed. Jasmine told her to sit down and tell her what the trouble was, if she didn’t know. Clare said she needed to find Sean and tell him she was sorry for the way she acted. Jasmine said to have patience and all good things will come in time. Clare didn’t want to hear that, as Slim walked through the door carrying a rifle and knife.
Clare recognized the rifle as Sean’s and the knife too. She blurted out, ‘That’s Sean’s rifle and knife! Where is he? Please Slim tell me what you know,’ she pleaded with him.
Slim sat on the bed with a long look on his face and said through trembling lips, ‘He’s gone. He’s on a ship headed for England. He left yesterday and he told Dolf he was going to Liverpool and then to Ireland.
Clare completely broke down and Jasmine kneeled on the floor in front of her and held her while she cried it out. The three of them were sad and after awhile, Clare said she was fine now and went to her room. She cried herself to sleep and in the other room, Slim cried in Jasmines arms too. They both couldn’t believe he was not in their lives anymore.
Next morning they all met in the restaurant to finalize the safari and to check on the ship they had booked many months ago for the return trip to England. After breakfast the girls went shopping in the market. Clare was starting to come out of her depression and Jasmine wanted to buy her something to remember her by. Walking around the market Jasmine spotted what she was looking for: a handmade bag from the skin of a Zebra. Jasmine told Clare she would put in a few trinkets she had in her room and then give it to her just before she left on the ship.
The ship came in the next day and was scheduled to leave in two days back to England. Lucky for Slim a rich European from Belgium was looking for a guide to lead him to see some gorillas. They made a deal at the hotel and were scheduled to leave in a week’s time. Jasmine would go with them of course and Slim rounded up some porters.
On the day of Clare and the professor’s departure, Jasmine came to Clare’s room. She told Clare she almost forgot to give her the bag and handed it over to her while Clare was finishing packing a few last minute things. Jasmine helped her and when all was ready, they departed for the ship. At the ship, they said goodbye and promised to stay in touch as time went on. Clare hugged them both and said to name the baby after either Sean or Clare. She laughed and waved good bye and boarded the ship.
Chapter 10
On the ship headed for London, Clare did a lot of thinking about both her doctorate and Sean. First she must concentrate on her work and then she was determined to find her man. She would hire a private investigator to locate him and write him a letter. She had found out from Slim his town in Ireland and the name of a relative of his there. She wrote the letter many times while on the sea and finally had what she wanted when the ship docked in London.
After settling in back home and her first order of business was to find Sean. She contacted a reputable firm and they said they would start immediately to locate him. That settled she returned home and started in on her journals. They lived in a big two story house and Clare used the library as her office. She organized her notes and then the next day she made a formal request to enter the doctoral program with her advisor from her undergraduate days. She met with him and told him in detail what her study was about and even though he was old school, he was impressed with her approach and direction her thesis would take. He would take it to the committee and let her know in a few days time. She thanked him and walked out of his office with her head held high.
Meanwhile her father was the hit of the town. Not two days went by and he was right in the middle of the committee of scientists relating his finding in general. A specific meeting would take place with the full body of stoic scientists in a week or so.
Sean, after docking in Liverpool, headed over to Ireland. A slow steamer laden with cargo destined for Dublin was all he could find to get there. The last he knew of his relatives, what was left of them, lived near Athlone on the Shannon River. A train would take him there, he found out at the station. The weather was a typical fall day. Rainy and windy and he went shopping to buy a rain coat and wool hat. He was cold to the bone after Africa and wished now he had let his beard grow. A few hours later in the dry carriage he watched out the window while the train moved slowly from one town to the next. Dark was coming early and soon he was sleeping the night away. Near dawn the conductor woke him up saying Athlone was next up. Sean gathered his things and waited for the train to stop. More than a few passengers got off and when he asked where the hotel was, one guy said follow him. It was still raining and dark out when they walked up the steps of the hotel. Sean couldn’t get the feeling he was looking for returning home. He was originally from a small town north called Strokes town. His father’s brother moved down here when Sean was a boy. Sean was not sure he would recognize him when he saw him or even if he was alive.
He checked in and found the room cold and damp. A small pile of coal lay in a brazier and he lit it off. One ceiling light hung by a cord and a single bed was next to the window where the rain beat against the glass. The walls were covered in o
ld green paint showing white through the worn out places. A picture of a lake with a boy fishing hung crookedly from over the small wooden dresser. He lay down on the bed with the covers over him fully dressed. He stared at the ceiling with tired eyes and waited for the room to heat up. The room was so draughty it never heated up and finally at six he went down to the dining room for breakfast. The dining room was as cold as his room and he went to the kitchen to see if anyone was around. He found an old cook woman starting the stove and swearing at the young boy who was trying to fill the stove with wood. The wood was a little damp and she scolded him and for the first time in a long while, Sean laughed out loud.
Both the cook and boy looked up at him and wondered why this stranger was laughing at them. Sean said, ‘I used to do that job and my mother said the same things you’re telling that boy there. By the way my name is Sean Mahoney and I’m looking for my uncle whose first name is Clancy. Would you know the whereabouts of him and his family?’
The cook stared at him and she smiled and said she was the sister of his uncle’s wife. Sean couldn’t believe his luck. She told him to sit down and coffee would be ready in a little while if the boy could get the fire going. She told him her name was Gladys and there was no stopping her from telling Sean about the whole family.
‘His uncle,’ she said, ‘lost an arm in the war and it was just the two of them living on a small farm not far up the river. His cousins, both boys ran off to Dublin after the war and no one has heard hide nor hare of them since. Some think they both went to America but nothing is for sure. Your uncle is a little bitter about losing his arm, but his wife, my sister, is the backbone of the family. My sister will be here about eight to deliver her usual eggs to me for the hotel. No one around these parts has much of a living as times are still hard. Not much of a future here and most of the young folks have moved to the cities. By the way, where have you been all these long years?’
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