by John Muir
CHAPTER 33
UNAPPRECIATIVE AUDIENCE
Rangi looked at the last small lane leading down to the sea. It was not a sand beach as he hoped, but covered in small pebbles. The sea was still, no surf, not that he expected any in this sheltered coastal area. A few small bancas were pulled up above the high tide mark. Whatever the state of the beach he decided he was at least going to remove his thongs and wade in up to his knees. That should cool all of his body.
"God of nations at thy feet," one of the Filipino's had burst into the New Zealand national anthem with what Rangi considered was quite reasonable skill. "In the bonds of love we meet. Hear our voices we entreat, God defend our free land."
The Filipino stopped outside the third to last hut, with the vacant section nearby. He pretended to look at his well worn thongs. Rangi and Nilo pretended to look on with interest.
When there was no reaction to their singing they moved on the 20 or so metres to the next building which was slightly more substantial. Rangi noticed it was a two storey design, though it looked, from the missing boards on the downstairs walls, that it was unlikely that anyone lived downstairs. The access to the upstairs part he presumed was behind the closed door on the right of the construction. A rough and not too secure looking balcony without any protective rail sat out along the front of the upstairs part of the house. The sections each side of the house were vacant, with a few random banana and other trees growing above knee high weeds burnt down in some areas by household rubbish fires on another empty section with a large single tree.
“That’s a balite tree” said Nilo. Many Filipinos believe there is a spirit inside it. Sometimes a good spirit, sometimes bad.”
There were no vehicles nearby. Rangi decided he would do it his way as he started a song that often brought him to tears when he thought of the death of his Father and this song being sung at the funeral.
"Po karē karē ana. Nga wai-o Rotorua. Whiti atu koa hinē. E ine anu ē." He paused and waited.
He realised his eyes widened suddenly. He heard a response he was not expecting.
"Kamatē, kamatē. ka ora ka ora."
The Maori war challenge he heard was followed by a thump. There was no further response.
His hand went to his pistol behind his back and under his barong as he looked around. He was tempted to charge into the door and see who, or what was inside. Nilo put his hand on Rangi's gun arm and nodded to a group of people coming down the lane but still about 100 metres distant. He relaxed and turned to walk back in the direction of the main road. This called for a co-ordinated effort.
As they reached the first of the cross lanes running parallel to the shore, he counted that there were nine men in the group approaching them. From their expression, their intention did not look friendly. Each was carrying either a machete, a building plank or a baseball bat.
Nilo and his companion were becoming nervous. The leader in the group began yelling something at them which Rangi did not understand. The argument seemed to become quite heated. While it was going on, Nilo was waving his hands in the direction of the beach.
Rangi looked at the possible challengers, just as they were looking at him. They seemed to be a little overawed and amazed at his size. It was possibly one of the reasons that they did not push the aggression too far.
Despite that, Rangi felt relief when he saw the approach of Pater's group from one side and Marivic's group from the other. Then he noticed that both the other groups too had smaller but nevertheless still menacing escorts behind them all carrying home gathered weapons.
Pater began to talk to the local group, though Rangi did not understand a word being said. Then he waved to his own crew and they followed him back toward the main road. Rangi quickly fell in beside Pater and Henry who had already moved to Pater's shoulder.
In a quiet voice Rangi said, "He's here. Second house from the end."
Pater cast a quick but all encompassing glance back over his shoulder. "Are you sure?"
"Someone replied to Po kare with the haka."
"Shit, what else?"
"Only a few words, then a thump like someone falling."
"It's gotta be him."
"What's with the escort?" asked Henry.
"The locals want to know what we're doing here. I told them we're looking for a decent beach for a swim."
"They buy that?"
"Hope so. But they still won't let us swim here. They say all the land round here is private. No strangers allowed. So we've been told to P.O.Q. They're escorting us to make sure."
The jeepney was at the end of the middle lane when they reached the main road, also with six threatening men standing around it and the driver looking very scared.
After they all climbed in, the driver did a U-turn and started to head back toward Iligan.
"So near yet so far," said Rangi.
"Only for now," replied Pater.
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T.A. woke with a pain in the back of his head, then, struggled against the chain which was once again holding him down. He opened his eyes and looked up at Omar's face which reflected anger.
"Why did you hit me like that?"
"You gave me your word that you would not try to communicate with anyone."
"I didn't. The guy was singing a well known New Zealand Maori song. I just added my little bit of Maori to it."
"What was the language you were speaking?"
"None. I mean it was Maori. But all I know were just the words of a Maori war dance. I don't know what they mean. The song that whoever it was, was singing, is well known in lots of places."
"We don't want problems. Someone might have guessed you’re here"
"Sorry. I just reacted instinctively. Who knows I’m missing?"
"People are searching."
"They're looking for a Japanese. And that wasn't any Japanese song."
Omar’s glare at T.A. softened, but only slightly. "Maybe, but maybe not. It might be better to shift you tonight."
"What about your surprise for your wife?"
Omar grinned. "Yeah. Maybe a bit later today. I’ll set the lines with my oldest boy first. Show him my new marker buoy."
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