Blood and Diamonds.

[Owlparrot3]

Chapter6.

But while the engagement was a victory,it was not over yet.A few of the Kawga,did manage to flee on their canoes and the Bangala were chasing after them.Some hid in the bushes of the swamps.Some continued to fire from their canoes.Here the Bangalas showed their virtues.They seemed to know by instinct where the enemy was hiding or where the remaining loot was.By 1pm the casualties were counted.About 31 Kawga had lost their lives.17 had been taken prisoner.Only 6 Bangala and 1 Belgian had lost their lives.Unfortunately one of them was the young native who had given William the Acidim.The loot was also hastily counted.The Bangala were allowed to keep everything except Belgian money and European appliances that the Kawga had stolen from the trading post.A great Belgian flag was also found in one of the canoes.The prisoners were put in a makeshift prison abroad the steamer.They were heavily chained and gagged though.

By 4pm everything was finished and the captain distributed honours of money to the Belgians and the Bangala alike.To William he simply said "I watched who shot the chief,good job chap".For William however a bigger honour awaited.The Bangala also liked his skills and wished to reward him on their own.He told them that the reward,he would collect it later.

Late that night William who slept with the white men abroad the steamer decided to get some fresh air when he saw some unknown figure running out of the basement cabin.With his revolver at the ready he chased the figure but it had longed disappeared to the beach were the Bangala had set up camp.Slowly and fearing the worst he went into that particular room.Inside was the dead body of a Kawga his head almost devoid of blood and his nose missing.

The next day 3 of the Bangala were court martialled and shot on account of cannibalism,one of them the bird hunter William had talked too.So in the end he couldn't feed William his promised meal.

For the next few days the Kawga remnants continued to fire arrows or bullets from the swamps but none really affected the convoy in any way.The whole of the Kasia district contained good game for hunting and the white men made the most of their evening stops by hunting Lions and Hippos and a large variety of crocodiles who were bold enough to come up the water.In one such endavour a soldier called Parks was heavily wounded and lost 4 of his fingers and thus his army career.When steaming up the Kasai one day,a huge platoon of bats appeared in such great numbers that the whole sky was blocked by them.The Kasai was like going through a narrow water lane surrounded on two sides by swamp land.From there the convoy went through the Sankuru river which was starkly different from the Kasia for it was quiet and had no game.Thus the white men begin to entertain themselves.The doctor frequently joined William,Hill and Fenderson at chess or carrom.The others played cards.Fenderson and William frequently cheated at cards while Hill and the doctor were much more righteous.The doctor also accounted wild tales of Morroco and Tunis and his romance with the deserts so very different from the forests and swamps of the Congo.Hill also spoke frequently of his childhood experiences with Chicago's circuses run by his relatives.It was from here that he begin to love fire and fire tricks and thus arson.Fenderson spoke little and what little he did spoke was mostly about winter in Ontario and his father's bakery which he ran when not in the army.

The convoy after many weeks of perilious voyage finally made it to respectable civilization at Lusambo.Their arrival there was celebrated by both,the people on board and the ones in the town for they would finally receive their much awaited mail.The local commanders De Vouters and De Husch welcomed the convoy with a grand party.It was also here that a mysterious Belgian appeared and gave small bags full of diamonds to the three specialists.In William's case there was also a letter in his bag.He read it immediately in the room which was alotted to him in the local white men's club.

William Trent.
Do not ask how my man arrived at the perfect time to supply you with your rewards.I like to reward those loyal to me.Now i have no immediate job for you,your next general job is to accompany general Dhanis whenever he goes.He will no doubt put your talents to good use.Now that's all.But then i decided that there are some things that i cant talk to anyone,not even to god.So let's tell you,not that you care anyway.
My daughter Sophie is giving me a hard time.Had she been born a man she would have surely been like you.She is an adventurer like you.This morning she rode a horse at full speed to defeat my servant Picard.She almost did it but for a few meters more.But she also managed to ruin her hair completely.Thank god her aunt fills the void of her mother,may she rest in peace.But an aunt cant scold like a mother of course.Time to find a husband for her.Or the day is not far away when society will mock at me.I saw what happened to the Rogier family,so noble,yet their girl joined a suffragette and disappeared for months.She was found in a Paris police station.No respectable man wants to marry her now,so now she is in a nunnery.
Ah,guess i bored you out.
Goodbye
Yours graciously
Kruger.

Francis Dhanis and the army arrived a few hours later victorius.They had defeated Gongo Lutente in many minor skirmishes and battered his force and his will to fight.

[Owlparrot3]

Chapter7.

The day after their arrival Dhanis and the force publique arranged a mighty large parade which was to be followed by a celebration.William initially wanted to have more rest but in the morning there was a knock on his door.It was the doctor."Let's see the boys son,will add some colour to this drab country"he said.So William also found himself watching the parade.It was a regular one with the soldiers marching along with all the loot,supplies,freed slaves and over two thousand prisoners.All of a sudden one thing caught William's attention.Marching at the exact middle of the parade was a a medival ceremonial regiment.It was supposed to celebrate the medival battle of the golden spurs where the Flemish defeated the king of France.But what caught William's attention was the second line in that regiment.Behind the pikemen were crossbowmen.They were marching gleefully with their crossbows and many arrows."Ah,what a parade,what a stroke of luck"remarked William to the doctor,who answered with a puzzled glance.

Two hours later at 11.30 am,William was at the stone steps of commodant Dhanis's private apartments.Dhanis was having brunch with his officers.On seeing William he suddenly signed them to leave.
"So what brings you here Mr.Trent"asked Dhanis.
"I was at the parade this morning and i noticed the crossbowmen in the ceremonial regiment.Are they real?"asked William.
"Yes,100% real sir,made in Brussels by the best royal blacksimth.But dont worry,the men do have their Mausers underneath their clothes just in case"said Dhanis.
"Actually,i have a wish,i want those crossbows"said William.
"Why,that's a strange wish,they are not antique or anything"remarked Dhanis.
"Actually i want them for on field job,a crossbow is a perfect weapon for me,silent and deadly,if hit in a particular spot on the throat at close range,the man will go down without a sound"said William.
"Why,that's a great idea Mr.Trent,i will have them sent to you immediately,the regiment also carries a huge amount of arrows just in case they lose some,i will provide you with arrows too"said Dhanis.
"Actually,i want them modified,ask your men to make the ropes stronger and tell them to add a scope"said William.
"Ok,anything else i can honour you with?"asked Dhanis.
"Tell me the reason you asked those men to leave,when i entered the room if you don't mind"said William.
"Ah,that is a matter which needs delicate handling,there is a native village a few miles from here,it is inhabited by the Luamon band who are hardened supporters of Sefu Bin Hamid,headed by their chief whom we call Black tiger after his ferocious and barbaric attitude,we were sure that he would cause a nuisance to our arrival in Lusambo,but surprisingly when we passed through the village,it was empty.We were alarmed.Then late last night i got a report from a native of Lusmabo that they had occupied an old lumber camp near here.I want you,Fenderson and Hill to ride out along with 8 of my trusted men to attack that lumber camp and capture or kill Black tiger."said Dhanis.
"What,just 11 men against a whole band?"asked William.
"Its just a small band of 30 men,besides those 8 Mr.Trent are the only ones who dont mind a few acts of wanton violence and 'Protocol breaking' if you know what i mean"said Dhanis.
"Ah,now i see it,ok how soon should the job be done?"asked William.
"No hurry,my experience tells me that they will stay in that lumber camp for a few days more,there is a celebration time for 3 more days,try to finish the job before it ends so nobody notices"said Dhanis.
"Ok i will do it tomorrow,by the way,why cant the police or the force do this job,why so clandestinely?"asked William.
Dhanis smiled and said "Because Mr.Trent,Black tiger has not committed a single crime yet,haha"

A minute later William was out of the apartment.

18 hours later William was in the vicinity of the lumber camp.Like before William chose dawn to attack when the time is past for the natives to use their superior night fighting skills but early enough to allow hunters like William to hunt in peace.In his hand was a Kukri,an eastern knife that one of his many uncles had given him.It was excellent for taking out anything between a dwarf and a giant and William considered it the best type of knife in the world.He also had a light crossbow and 6 arrows slung on his back.In his pocket was his Colt Peacemaker.Initial scouting had proved William's assumptions.At dawn the day guards were asleep and the night guards tired."Dawn is the only time we Europeans have an advantage in stealth"he said to his men.
The camp was built in the middle of a clearing in a small teak forest and a hill to its side, adjacent to which was a vast cotton field.The camp itself consisted of a few buildings with a road in the middle.

The same camp during 1910 with a prototype weapon painted.


"Here's the plan,i want all the men except for Fenderson and Hill to surround the camp on all but the hill side.Fenderson will go on that tree over there,Hill will be ready to start a raging fire in his place of choosing on my mark,speaking of my mark,no one fires until i signal.I am going to get some early kills with my knife and crossbow."said William.
"Mr.Trent pardon me and i dont question your skills but such a lonewolf mission is dangerous"said an officer.
"I will be fine,no one comes forward till i signal,then when i do Hill will start a blazing fire with his materials so that the fire will both scare them and block one route of escape,then while there attention is on the fire the soldiers will march and start firing while Fenderson picks off and covers them with a scoped rifle"said William.
"YES SIR"said all in one tone.

In the above picture taken in 1910,the grass is well cut,but back in those days of the 1890s the grass around the camp was tall and dark.William decided to sneak around the back on the hill side so that he would not be vulnerable to the back.
But why does William like to do these strange things before the main part of any fight.Simple-Psychological warfare.An enemy can be defeated before the fight even starts.
Through the tall grass nobody noticed him.Then the first guard came into view .He was leaning against the first building and polishing his spear.Around him was another guard who when William saw with a binocular was repairing the broken leg of a stool with his hammer.The hammer was making a loud ruckus,so when the first guard turns around then anyone sneaking through the tall grass will be unnoticed.This was William's chance to sneak up behind the first building.
He didn't have to wait long.The first guard turned around to see the progress of the second.Silently like a snake William slithered through the tall grass.All of a sudden the guard shouted "What's that" in German.William's heart stopped.Death was before his very eyes,there was no time to dodge the incoming projectile or to fire back.

"I am doing a little decoration on the seat"replied the second.

For about 5 seconds William lay still,the shock was too enormous even for a hardened fighter for him to take.
Then he continued slithering till he had reached behind the first house.The shadow of the hill was dark but William's sharp eyes could pick out that behind the second house,one man was washing his face from a pail of water.Removing his arrow William took aim and fired.The man went down without a sound,the arrow having ruptured his throat and made him unable to give that final scream.Quietly William went ahead and examined the body.There was nothing to loot.He quickly dragged the body and then removed his rope and Kukri.A minute later he was finished.A part of the body was placed exactly behind the first house in a pool of blood while the second part was placed behind the second.The third house was too guarded and so he had to throw the last part with aim so that it fell behind it.A minute later he gave the secret signal.

The tribesmen were surprised when a huge fire suddenly broke out in the eastern side of the camp(With respect to the above picture,eastern means right).They had barely registered their shock when deadly accurate fire took down 10 of their numbers from different directions.The men to the west quickly went behind the houses for cover and a grisely scene awaited them.Neatly tied with a rope were parts of something terrible behind each of the 3 houses in parts.Even more some of them slipped their balance and fell because there was a booby trap.The immediate horror paralysed them and before long their strength in numbers dwindled.Fenderson was at his best picking them off.William didnt even get a chance to get any kills.
The whole engagement lasted for just 10 minutes and the surprise attack had killed almost everyone.Except for Black Tiger himself who came out with a huge long sword on a horse from behind the last house.His charge was so fearsome that before anyone could fire at him he had hit one soldier with a spear and lightly injured him.For the next few moments everyone was firing at him but was missing because he was riding hard in circles in a frenzied manner.He hit Hill to with his sword causing a minor wound.Hill screamed "Lord Christ" like a good christian.A moment later Christ it seemed gave the answer as William fired just one shot with his colt which hit the chief squarely on the forehead.He went down.

But the soldiers had to spend the next 40 minutes to make it seem as though it was a police action!Signs of a hostage rescue were created and outside Lusambo there were 6 white men waiting with dirt on their faces and minor wounds on their bodies for the party to pick up.The 'Hostage rescue' mission was a success.

That night was a party.Surprisingly enough William observed that night that it was the first time he was seeing Fenderson and Hill as normal gentlemen in normal attire.

Fenderson was dressed in respectable englishman clothes with coat,tie,hat and Wellington boots.But age was showing up on his face,Hill was dressed pretty much the same but he being a devout catholic had a gold cross chained to his neck.

William was still in Khaki however.Many called this ridiculous and unrespectable behaviour.Some people even called him 'savage'.

But Dhanis still shaked hands with him calling him a great 'scout'.

"So gentlemen,we have fought a lot and we have to fight more,but for now,lets enjoy the party"said Dhanis raising his glass of wine.
"Say commodant sir,these cakes are well made,not good as home of course but well enough for Africa"said a soldier.
The whole group laughed.
"Reminds me of the first time my sister made em,father was not there and i was managing the bakery and it was a wonderful time,not as good as father,but okay"chipped in Fenderson.
"Why the hell are these cakes red,are we Marxists"said a drunken soldier.
Everyone laughed again but for one voice.
"The case of the workers and peasants is not something to laugh about"said Hill.
Absolute silence followed.Suddenly Hill left.
The party would continue but except for those who drank a bit too much,nobody could enjoy it fully.


After the party was over late at night a corporal approached William and said "Commodant Dhanis says to keep a watch on that guy Hill,we dont want no trouble here with reds".
"Ok" said William.


Orders had arrived from Brussels to make a new expiditionary force to explore Katagna.
While the preparations were still being made William did see some strange horrors.
One day a prisoner in a cage asked him "We know you dont have much goats or fowl to spare but let us eat that fellow over there(One of the prisoners).He is no use to you alive anyway".

One day William freed without permission a cannibal who was jailed.No one noticed it but the next day he woke up to the scene of that same man being shot.After being released by William,he had gone to a neighbouring village and slit a girl's throat,then proceeding to eat her.

The problem was proved to be even more when the local governer once asked William to ride out with some soldiers to vanquish the Basongo people who were doing a regular human traffic trade behind the scenes.Having supported Dhanis earlier against Gongo they had a wrong impression that they were above the law.

Too bad,it was only after a cleanup mission with 19 Basongo dead that they realised that this wasn't the case.William himself sniped 7.In the long run however these aggressions against almost everyone would harm the Belgians and the force Publiquie.

The problem of cannibalism in Africa was rampart.

Different tribes even had different preferences for which part was to be eaten the first.Once a small jail break occured in Lusambo and against their wishes and lured with the promise of diamonds,William and Hill were sent to catch them back along with the soldiers.Out of the 28 men who escaped,only 3 were found alive.The rest had all been eaten by the neighbouring Iqwa tribe who were punished as per the law.Their leader was hanged the next day.

[Owlparrot3]

Chapter8.

On the 19th of July,Gongo Lutete gave the message that he was sending diplomats with gifts in the hope of peace.De Wouters and the doctor were to go and meet him with William as a bodyguard.So high was the trust that Dhanis bestowed on William,that no Belgian was trusted for this job.

At 5 in the morning,the 3 made their way up river in a canoe.The canoe itself was sturdier than usual made by the Bakuba people who were rice farmers.It was flat bottomed with sides 10 inches high.

While going there William like all other Europeans was drowned in the soft music which the paddler was swinging while paddling and the doctor had to tap him softly on his shoulders to wake him up.

[NorseThing]

Interesting but my domesticated sensibilities find it a bit hard to take in the cruelty combined with the cannibalism. I wonder how William can take this better than me. He must be made of sterner stuff.

[Owlparrot3]

There's a reason William left the civilized west.He was bored of that sweet life.Yup he's made of sterner stuff.
Ah,your comment is like an award for me ,no us,we have managed to get that impact that i wanted.I have managed to capture the wildness of the place atleast partly.


In exile i will not post anything.Norse thing will post what i send him.
Adios.
mad orc.

[Alwyn]

Like NorseThing, I wonder how the horrors which William have seen will affect him.

[NorseThing]

Chapter 9
by Mad Orc and NorseThing
　
The canoe arrived at Pania Mutumba a day later.

It was a very rich village. The village was well built in straight lines with about 3000 inhabitants. This was where rhe native nobility resided. Some even had modern appliances like stoves and gas lamps. But some things remain the same. Those who have died unnatural deaths are eaten for dinner.

Gongo Lutete's five envoys were waiting for the party. They were nervous and knew that if they are not able to reach an agreement now, their master would boil them alive. William was aware of this because unlike in his native country, here that was a quite literal fear. The meeting took place in a fortified hut. William was politely asked to remain outside, but while going in, he gave the Kukri to the doctor 'Just in case'. The meeting went on for about an hour.

After about 10 minutes a few brash white men entered in the village and began to arugue with what looked like its village chief. They were shouting in loud voices. William quickly took out his medal and showing it in the face of one of the younger white men, asked him "What's going on partner".

"Rubber, sir... rubber! We work for the 'Flanders rubber union company'. We needed immediate labour of 60 men. This chief supplied us with prisoners but he forgot to send us hostages. So those vile men had nothing to lose and ran off to the forests. Now, when we began to search them, we found out that some natives had those men for lunch. It is all the chief's fault. So my captain is scolding him." said the man.

William's stomach churned for the first time. "60 men. All eaten!" he said under his breath.

The meeting went successfully. Gongo's men had managed to reach an agreement with De Vouters. They were also ready with gifts to deliver. They would be sent with an armed escort to Lusambo. Meanwhile the 3 white men would return by the route they came, in their private canoe.

William noticed while going back that the drivers of the canoe had changed. "Where did that nice singing chap went, sir?" enquired William to De Vouters.

"Oh, the canoe man? We had to shoot him. Standard protocol for such an important meeting. He knew too much." replied De Vouters.
While the journey to Lusambo was still on going, the party took a breaks at night. Faint traces of light could still be seen in the sky. The Doctor wanted to hunt. He took out a sharps rifle. "So, fine rifles you Americans make. I guess you must have used it Mr.Trent?" asked the doctor.

"No sir, we east coast people dont do such savagery. This and other savage things only begin once you have crossed the Missisippi," answered William.

Suddenly the doctor shriked. "Ahhh!!"

William responded quickly. In a flash, he took out his colt and was ready.

The doctor then quickly mentioned. "Damn mosquitoes,they tear you down. These jungles are malaria infested. I no longer wish to hunt. Let's return to camp."

On arrival in Lusambo when the canoe had stopped, De Vouters called the paddleman. Suddenly William came in between them and shouted, "Nobody touches him!"

"What do you mean Mr.Trent?" asked De Vouters -- completely puzzled.

But the Doctor understood immediately.

"Nobody's shooting them, my boy," said William.

Mr. De Vouters had clear proof that those paddlemen from before were Arab spies. "Hence, we had to shoot them," he said."

Yes, I was just giving them their pay," said De Vouters. An embarrassed William stepped back and disappeared among the busy streets of Lusambo.

Suddenly while he was going back to his lodgings,the commodant Dhanis appeared out of nowhere. "Mr.Trent, a letter from home. They didnt know your location so they sent it to the force publique headquarters in Leopoledville. They diverted it to me and here i am giving it to you" said he.

Back in his room William read.It was from his elder brother Henry

Dear William

Hope you are well,we read accounts of war and malaria outbreaks in the dark continent and we fear for the worst.

Unlike our parents, I understand your plight so i wont ask you the regular questions of 'Wwy's' and how's. I just hope you are happy.Your share of the company is well guarded by me.

Apart from father and mother, Fordham is well too. I made him a nice gold collar with your name inscribed on it.
Recently, I have started taking more interest in the business. I bought shares in General Electric recently. And I tell you, I see the future! We have installed electric lights in our mansion. It is heavely. So much more brighter and cleaner than those gas lamps!

I am going to make a very nice profit. G.E is only going to go up. Edison and JP.Morgan are making dreams come true.
Nowadays I am seeing more and more horseless carriages. We are planning to purchase one too.

What's going on in the Congo? Some say there's a war. But I do not hear much of the accounts. It is a strange war. Here in the states, most don't even know if there is a war.

Hope those Belgians are treating you fine. The press back home is shouting all kinds of insults about Leopold's cruelty. Hope you are not one of those hoodlums he has employed. Though, I suspect you sure are mixing with them considering their numbers.
Remember to keep your heart clean and close to god. He will give you the power to avoid evil and remain true to his cause.
Yesterday I was walking the busy streets of Long island. Somebody told me that there was an exhibition of some kind in a local ground. You will not believe me. In there I saw men flying high in the sky like angels... in a balloon!

Anyway bye for now. Melanine's waiting for you. Please come back when you can. Love is very pure and precious. We all want you engaged to her. Don't let her down. We all wish it.
Bye for now, boy.

Your bother,
Henry. G. Trent.

PS-I am planning to get engaged too. So, if you plan on coming back, then it will be nice as well.

--to be continued--

A Note to the readers: The Mad Orc is in exile and is expected to return. I have posted a chapter update for your reading pleasure. This is mainly the work of the Mad Orc, but there are some NorseThing touches to the chapter. I take the blame for any problems that may have diminished the Mad Orc's voice in the writing. --NT

[Alwyn]

I wonder if William will follow Henry's advice to return. It sounds like New York offers new technology and the possibility of marriage. But, perhaps, in the mind of William, the opportunities in the Congo outweigh the dangers?

[Owlparrot3]

Chapter 10(My exile was due to end at 26th,but i decided to come back,christmas after all)

And then he remembered Melanine,her soft body,her scented lips,his first love.It had been nothing wrong though.She was destined to be married to him and so their crossing of limits was not taken as offensive by their families.She was like any other high class girl.Gracefull and full of joy.Trained fully to become a trophy wife.William had loved her much.At some times he had even wished to take her with him to places,be it the army camp,the college or in the last case,the deadly Congo.But now he realised that it had only been an attraction after all.The love was fake.Something somewhere was wrong.His head throbbed.Why was he not able to concentrate his love for Melanine.Did he really love her.Was something else or rather someone else capturing his heart.He knew that the answer was yes,what he didnt knew was whom.

On the 19th of September Gongo Lutete and his band of Batatela raiders officially joined forces with the crown of Belgium.For some days William was forced to live in rest in Lusambo.During this time William practised his crossbow shooting more.In the future, he thought,it could come in handy.But William did notice one strange thing.Hill had virtually disappeared.

Things became violent with a jolt.

On the 22nd of October 1892 a letter arrived from Sub-lieutenant Debruyne,the Belgian envoy in Sefu Bin Hamid's court in Kasongo.The letter read as follows.

To the governer,

I have been asked to frame this letter by Sefu Bin Hamid himself.I have dire news.We have been imprisoned.
Bin Hamid is marching on our territories with an army 10000 strong armed with guns and swords.He says,that he will destroy us and occupy the Congo upto Leopoldville at the least and take all our money and our men who will be lined up against the wall and shot,unless the following conditions are immediately met.
1)We give up Gongo Lutete,alive or his head on a stick.
2)We immediately leave the Congo and give up our rights to this land which Sefu Bin Hamid maintains is his by birthright.

He expects an answer soon because he is not going to stop.Either he will read your reply letter in Lusambo with 'no white man in sight' or he will still read it in Lusambo with 'no white men alive'.

Yours with respect
Sub-lieutenant Debruyne

PS-I will be granted safe passage when all Belgians will leave the Congo.


The governer responded with a back letter in classic Frankish wrath.He knew from experience that Sefu wouldn't harm Debruyne.It was the only bargaining chip he possesed.A force was created with lieutenant Scherlink and whom but the doctor Sidney Langford in charge of it.
The army immediately marched taking not only specialists like William and Fenderson with them,but also the wives of soldiers and the general workforce.It would be a full campagain and the role of these back workers would be vital.Thus finally real war had begun.By 26th of October the force reached its first destination,the town of Goimuyasso.
After great difficulty the force found a place to camp in a local plantation.The local chief after whom the town was named gave generous amounts of goats and grains to the army but did not tell any vital information either out of the usual apathy or because the arabs were in four hours march time and he would have to change sides at any moment.Better safe than sorry.The next day the doctor announced that his spies had reported the following.
Sefu had ordered Gongo Muchufa and Nyar Gongo,two pro arab chiefs on the opposite sides of the river 5 to 6 hours marching time to have boats ready as in a few days time he intended to finally march against the force.Another local chief called as Dibui 'the timid' had been coerced by Sefu to fight on his side in exchange for 'uncountable' amounts of loot and slaves.

War had come.But that afternoon the Belgians finally got one ally.He or rather she was willing to help them.

A local chiefteness,a nice of a pro Belgium chief who had enough autonomy came to camp.She was ugly and was scarred on her face,the fact that she was old and looked like a monster was not doing any good to her general appearance.She was accopained by her two sons each wielding a huge spear and having a matchlock slung on his back.She went inside the doctor's tent quickly,but before that she pointed to William who happened to be smoking near the tent and whispered something to her son.For nearly 30 minutes she had a meeting with the doctor.At the end of that time,a guard came to William and told him that he had been called inside the tent.

Inside the doctor looked at William,his head hung low,the woman was smiling.He motioned her to go out for a few minutes.She willingly did so.
"William my boy" exclaimed the doctor."I wish something from you,this woman is a very strong chiefteness,she has many warriors who can accompany us,she will help us,but she also demands a cost" he continued.
"Oh yes,let me guess,slaves and goats"said William.
"Yes that and something more" said doctor.
"What?" asked William wondering why the doctor's face was so sheepish.
"William, son,you happen to have the misfortune of being too charming and strong,handsome too.So err.........................umm............................."
"What are you saying doctor"
"She umm.......................wants.........WANTS SOME time with ............"
"WHAT,DOCTOR WHOM DO YOU TAKE ME TO BE"shouted William.
"Look boy,calm down,have a drink,i will pay you enough diamonds to buy a manor,but we need her help"
"NO"
"Look William i will also give you command and a brand new Lee Metford,but do it,just for an hour boy,just for an hour"
"Ok then"said William suddenly changing his decision.

Exactly an hour later William recieved the diamonds then and there.And the doctor got his alliance.For William,he would drink enough whisky to forgot and dissolve all memories of the incident but the doctor advised him otherwise.The force would march at night and William,Fenderson and a few native scouts would march ahead.

It was already dusk and as the whole camp got ready to march ahead(The men would march,the woman and camp followers would stay behind protected by a few chosen guards).William and Fenderson and the elite scouts would now have to go through the dense jungle of Africa at night.
Just then a cavalryman came up to him."Message from the top"said he .Then giving the letter to William he just disappeared.William opened it.

William Trent,

Attached with this letter is an engraved red badge.Show this to whoever is commanding the force,it indicates that you are free of their command and may take decisions you chose.But dont use it immediately unless there is a real danger.

Oh yes,since you are just a nobody let me cry out my heart to you like last time.You may skip this part.
I made a deal with my daughter.I will take her to the Congo after relative peace is made.She can adventure to her hearts content but then she must be married to business Charles Goering and she will be the perfect wife and add to our families prestige.She has agreed for now.
The enthusiasm that my daughter shows in coming to the Congo is frightening.Worse,she even told one of the maids about it and now the maid watches me like i am some outcast.My daughter asked one of her unmarried uncles to teach her shooting.And he the ape that he is agreed.So now my daughter is learning to shoot.I just hope that once i marry her off to that lad Goering.Her beauty will then be maintained i guess.

Yours graciously
Kruger.

[NorseThing]

Glad to see an early return and best of all a new episode. I think the Doctor pushed a bit too far with that last request. Are diamonds enough or will there be still another price to be paid to settle the accounts?

[Owlparrot3]

Thanks for commenting.Cant reveal much of the future to anyone,will spoil the fun.
But i will send 'you' a PM explaining about the future.

[Owlparrot3]

Chapter11.

To anyone who has never marched in the dense forests of Africa,describing it is impossible.The thin trail of swampy road built by some native chief riddled with stones at random points with a high chance of your foot stepping on some anthill,scorpion or god forbid a deadly snake.But the worst of all are the mosquitoes who devour entire regiments and spread deadly malaria.Of course wild animals are not included in this list merely by the assumption that the guns would scare them off.

Marching at night however was ten times deadlier than all that is described above.William had never done it and though he was excited,somewhere in the innermost recesses of his heart was a raw fear.

William was marching in the middle ranks with Fenderson."Greatly exciting,isnt it sir?" asked William."Hmm,finally the snowy dark trails of upper Canada have found their match in my mind"replied Fenderson.William was about to say something more when a soldier near them shouted."Honeycombs,dozens of them,we have distrubed them".
At that moment the Belgians started their standard procedure.Fire was multiplied.The crisis had passed but everyone remained silent thereafter.

After 3 hours of stumbling through the dark forest,they came to a clearing .Waiting in front of them was an army.It belonged to the chieftness.The soldiers begin to take out their water bottles.It was break time.The doctor immediately extended his hand to her.
"My men have stolen all the boats that had been docked for an attack,they wont cross for now"she said.
"Excellent,you are helping us much madame"said he.
"There is one slight problem though,a minor chief among my people has rebelled,he is further ahead on the very bank of the river"said she.
"Ah,we will have to be wary of him then"said the doctor stepping away in a clear show that he would not engage any one at night.

While he had been conversing with the chieftainess he had noticed that William and Fenderson had been conversing with one of the tribe's French speaking soldiers.So curious,the doctor made his way to them."So boys,what did you find out" he asked.
"A local chief,one among the chieftness's band has rebelled,he is currently on our side of the river" said William.
"He may prove to be a useless nuisance when we attack or cross the river" said Fenderson.
"We are going back boys,the night is dangerous"said the doctor.
"We,just we two and 3 Bangalas want to attack him and make an example of him"said William.
"NO,this is a useless adventure that i wont permit"said the doctor firmly.
William took out the red star.The doctors face fell for he knew its meaning.
"But the Bangalas are under my protection,so is Fenderson,no they wont come with you and hence you are not going"said the doctor.
"Remember that you had said you would give me command this afternoon,i want command"said William.

10 minutes later three groups split up.The Belgian army went back to the camp from where they had came.The chiefteness went back to wherever she had come from and a small group of men,two white and 3 Bangalas went towards the river.

The rebel chief was called Kolela in his native tongue.He was a sort of feudal vassal of the tribe claiming the bank of the river as his personal domain.He lived in an adobe and stone reinforced arabian house which though small was big enough to guard like a castle.He had been approached some hours before by an arab envoy to defect.Believing the rumors that Sefu had an army of 100000 and not 10000,he greedily and out of fear decided to rebel.

The Bangala sent to scout ahead returned.These Bangalas were almost invisible in the night."Just 5 men outside,but they are armed with Winchesters,there may be 10 more inside sleeping"said he.
Five minutes later he had elaborated more and now William knew exactly were and how each man was.After another 6 and a half minutes as counted by Fenderson,he had a plan.
"Look boys,we have around 18 men and the chief himself,probable some women inside too,i will go ahead with Momo here(referring to the scout Bangala) and do my job.My cross bow and Momo's native weapons are silent.Once we feel content,we will signal,then you all will take your time and aim carefully at one man each,this will mean that 3 men will die,the you will attack the front gate while we go in from the back,Fenderson,use all the dirty tricks you know,they must think that there is a larger force".

The air was still.Momo was at his side.The dense darkness meant that William could easily go in.The villa was in the middle of a thicket of forest.The river bank was further ahead and could be reached by a road which went downhill from the villa.There was no need for a fence,the trees and the thorny bushes planted by its owners ensured security.

The same villa after a deadly forest fire destroyed the nearby forest in 1907.

Currently William's eyes were on the guard near the gate.He noticed a pattern,the other guard near the gate routinely walked further inside the premises every 2 minutes,while he was gone,this guard was isolated.William waited for an opportunity,then he told Momo"Be ready to sprint ahead on my call".When the second guard decided to go inside again he counted down to three and then taking a deep breathe he fired.The bolt squarely hit the first guard on the neck rupturing his throat.Death came swiftly and he fell down.The next moment William signalled.Momo ran ahead.The second guard had by now almost completed a circle and could look around any moment.But William was swifter than him.Before he could do so William aimed carefully and fired right in his neck again.Had the soldiers of the dark ages saw his performance,they would have said 'Bravo'.But this was also a good performance of modern crafting with scopes,better quality wood and faster bolts as it was of the user.

A minute later they were in.Momo took just one full minute to put the bodies away.In the light of the lamppost(lit with fire,not gas),William could see that there were two guards at the entrance of the huge wooden door.There was one man looking out from the window on the first floor.
Now Momo,we must be careful.I want to bypass the man looking out from the window and go to the back.Momo whose skill filled story will never be told was as talented as William.He quickly took out a special throwing stone made of the right amount of stone and marble(procured from Europeans).He threw it in the dense grass in front of the window in such a way that the guard would notice it.He noticed however that the guard made no action.He was obviously alert though and had noticed the stone.Then Momo threw another stone,this time directly below the window on the stone surface.The guard now lowered his head but was obviously having some difficulty seeing where the stone had fallen.This meant that most probable the guard could not see what was directly below him because of the shadow cast by the huge lamp.

A minute later the two were now directly below the window and now watching the back side of the villa from the corner.Behind were 3 men drinking something while observing the courtyard.William watched them neatly for 10 minutes while Momo kept watch in case any new player got into the game.There was none.

"No Momo,when i fire my bolt,you will go forward as fast as you can and take down the second man.Then the third too."
Had the same seemingly impossible orders been give to a European,he would have wavered,but not Momo,his father had taught him too well how to hunt like a wolf to refuse William's orders.

By the time Momo had dropped the second man,the third man was in shock.Before he could shout Momo had grabbed him in his deathly grip and strangled him.Now with all the outer guards vanquished,William and Momo felt great.

Momo now proposed that they signal the other 3 men and start the battle.But like always William had a plan .Like all his plans,this one too was about doing something extremely hard to achieve a small advantage.

Poor Momo now found himself climbing a tree in front of the window.His job was to confirm William's suspicion partially derived from knowledge of arab houses,that the room where the guard was standing still like stone could not contain any other people,it would in effect be a specialised outpost.

A minute later they were inside.And they saw with their mouths wide open.It was indeed a special room.It was small and cramped.But inside were dozens of crates filled to the brim with something.On opening them,William found that they contained ammunation,explosives,Winchester bullets and many other things.William took a lamp in his hand to further examine the huge amounts of ammunation in the boxes.Suddenly he minced.A fly on his right hand.William screamed.He raised his left hand to swat it.Down went the burning lamp straight into the box.Momo understood immediately and grabbing William shoved him aside to the window and threw him over it and down below.

A second later there was a huge blast and then all was darkness.

[Alwyn]

There is some good action here, and an exciting cliffhanger ending. The lack of a space after commas and full stops was a bit distracting. While some details add to the story, I wondered why some other details were included (for example, I wondered whether the stone which was thrown need to be a 'special throwing stone' - wouldn't any stone have done the same thing?). The image of the villa is a nice addition.

[Owlparrot3]

Thanks for commenting Alwyn.Its good that i have got some hard ciritscism which is always welcome.

I am working hard to give a space after commas but 'not giving space' comes naturally to my hand while typing.
I will post the next chapter in some time.

[Owlparrot3]

Chapter 12 .

The tower of Babel was crumbling .Disaster,shouts of men and women.Disaster was all that he could see.The Jews came out of the tower to see the attackers with swords in hand.
Then out of the darkness came the Philistines .They were just a handful .But they were fighting with great tact .The godly Jews had no answer .They were cut down .Suddenly the west end of the great tower which would have connected the Jews with the gods gave a loud rumble and then within a moment it had collapsed .Even as he watched further ,a lone Jew came near him ,then thinking for just a moment he shot him .Then the lone Jew proceeded towards the road leading to the river Jordan ,the Philistines had let him go so he could carry the message to his master the King Solmon .He was sad now ,very sad ,how come the Jews had lost so badly ,then he looked at his own hand .To his horror he discovered that he......he himself was a Philistine too!

He went into shock and then everything was black again.

When William woke up again ,he was in complete darkness .After a few seconds of eye movements he started observing where he was .It appeared that he was in some kind of closed box .Frantically he started banging on the box .The lid was locked .
But William did not give up ,he quickly kicked harder and started shouting .

In a few seconds there were loud noises of people shouting and soon somebody turned the key in .A minute later he stood up and looked into the startstuck eyes of the Doctor and two natives .

But a greater amazement awaited him .For when he looked down ,he saw the box he was in ,it was a coffin .
He smiled at the doctor who smiled back unlike the native who was on the verge of fainting .

But why,how?

During the 19th century ,both in Europe and the Untied states ,there arose a peculiar preoccupation with premature burial .
To people of this age it might seem foolish but to the oldies it was a genuine fear that they could be buried prematurely .
This was not an artistic obsession but a real problem mainly due to some unique cases like the disputed case of a Welsh boy who had been a victim of drowning .Hardly had the labourers put his coffin down when they heard loud noises .On removing the coffin and opening the lid ,the lad steeped out and called for his parents .

The problem was that people didnt know that cardiac arrest was fully reversible then .That a person could simply go into shock and show no or very fractional pulse and heart beats ,enough to declare him dead.

Many industries then started making safety coffins.They were fitted with breathing tubes and in some cases even bells .



The thing however was that ,this was a high class luxury and most low or even middle class people hardly knew about it ,to the natives in the dark continent it was totally unknown .

So when William came back from the dead ,most of the Belgian white soldiers(middle or lower class citizens) and the natives proclaimed it to be a miracle of god .
The Bangalas said that William was the reincarnation of the god Tore who had come to save them from war .

Hence from that day,a new legend began.William Trent became god .

After that day ,many days went by doing nothing in camp .A false alarm took place on the 8th of November that Sefu would attack on the 9th .It was aptly discovered to be a rumour planted by a witch doctor who claimed that he could change himself into a duck every time he was about to be shot and thus there was no point in shooting him .Even the Bangalas and Batateles,allys of Belgium claimed that he spoke the truth .
An hour later ,just a few grams of lead had shown that he in fact was speaking nothing but lies .It was only on the 10th that William understood that Momo hadn't made it .But he had recieved the biggest reward bestowed by the crown on native allies ,that for saving William's life .

A spy reported that the Arabs may attack on the 11th .He was none other than Fenderson .The doctor had left out William from this activity because he would have killed the men he was sent to spy on .

On the 11th of November a letter arrived from commander Dhanis that he would come on the 14th with 10000 native allies ,until then nobody was to make a single move of violence ,oh how wrong he would be proved !

[Owlparrot3]

Chapter 13 .

"Enough of this resting now,we must hit the Arabs hard and fast" said William to the doctor as they sat in the doctors tent ."What do you want to do again son?" asked the doctor .
"I want to do what i am good at,work behind enemy lines "said William .
"But what about your leg,has the bullet wound healed ?"
"Huh,that doesnt matter ,besides it hardly pains ."said William smiling .
"I am actually growing tired too ,i have decided to send De Heusch upriver to the village where some arab canoes had been found back when you were dead" said the doctor.
"I ?" asked William .
"You may accompany him,of course i cant control you so even after that you may do whatever you want "said the doctor .
As William prepared to leave,the doctor shouted "Wait,i have a gift for you".
He handed William a paper parcel .Thinking it to be another letter William opened it .Inside was a rough map of the arab forces on the other side of the river drawn by the spy .
Smiling William left .

De Huesch was a typical reckless Germanic Teutonic Belgian ,belonging to those families who had accopained their German prince to Belgium where he became king .Well built in stature and with an iron gaze he reminded William more of himself .

"Finally a man like me" were the thoughts in both of their minds .

But his recklessness and sometimes cruel nature was kept in check by strict orders from the doctor telling him not to cross the river on any account .



The journey to the village upriver was mostly uneventful except for a brief bird shooting competition between William and De Huesch which tied just as they reached the village .
There were no canoes on the bank.The Arabs had already taken them back a few hours before .

But De Huesch was not a man to give up .Patching the half canoe with clay he thus invited William and two of the native bodyguards to cross the river and search for the arab canoes .William immediately came on board though the natives simply did it because they had no choice .

De Huesch and the company had hardly reached the tall grass when bullets and arrows ,hundreds of them began to be shot at them .De Huesch beat a hasty retreat and seemed quite content that none of the arab weaponary was actually hitting home .

When suddenly he saw something strange ,William Trent had disappeared .

It was late that afternoon that William found himself on the other side of the bank .He had managed to avoid the enemies firing and had found a lucky stream of water that went inland for about 180 meters .Coming up from it he now decided to do some scouting .The sad thing was that he didnt know what he was after .

But luck favoured him again .The arabs decided to pitch camp on the river bank itself to celebrate their 'Victory' with some intoxicants .William quickly slipped past them .
Inland now ,William could make out a small route that the arabs had made through the forest by relentless cutting .William however was cautious of patrols ,so he then proceeded to sneaking from the side .At the same time he knew that the Arabs may decided to return any moment .

The road now diverged to two sections ,one section was smaller and had several men's footprints on it indicating some domestic business ,most presumably a camp ,the other was wider and had a queer kind of rashes on the road as though cast by some cart .William wanted to go to the camp but some instinct told him to go to the other route .

After about 500 meters of sneaking William finally saw through the thick forest the arab.......................

It was not a camp of various tents but a big lodge like building made of adobe .There were no floors ,but the building itself was wide .

"One man sitting on a stool at the door,another one singing near him ,third man can be seen through the window ,one man behind the building ,there could be more inside" said William to himself counting the dangers that lay ahead .

William ,like he had always done before , began to observe their movements neatly .What he observed was that the man inside appeared to be having some drink so he was not paying any particular attention to what was happening outside .

A few minutes later William was on top of the building having easily desposed off the lone man who was patrolling at the back .He had not even got a moment to cry out as a deadly accurate crossbow bolt hit him squarely on the neck and then its shooter came up from the bushes to put a hand on his mouth .It had then been a simple matter of climbing up .Unfortunately there was no window on the back side of the wide building .

What if you are singing in the sunshine merrily with a strong Winchester repeater slung on your back with a buddy to have your back and your dreams getting wilder when all of a sudden an arrow pierces your buddy squarely on the back of the head and he slumps down ,only about 4 to 5 seconds after all this happens do you recover from the shock ,come to your senses and your hands instinctively goes to your dagger presuming that the danger is close .Your mouth which had gone dry before takes a few seconds more to recover for raising an alarm and when it finally does recover you are about to shout when a hand comes on your mouth from nowhere and then a dagger is pressed to your neck and your throat is slit .

Similarily the man inside had a second to make a move as someone who had spilled a lot of lubricating oil on the door to quieten it opened it and shot him with a silent weapon in the eye.

William now panned his eyes to see everything in the building .He stared in amazement .Apart from the same type of cart that had made those rashes on the road were rows and rows of sparkling new guns .Several of them .There were so many of them that could equip a whole regiment .

But the strangest thing was that they were not Winchesters or Henry's but Fusil Mauser's manufactured in Belgium !

[Caillagh de Bodemloze]

I'm afraid I'm very behind on my reading of this (and of most other things - Christmas got in the way of my reading). It's good to see this still going, though, and I certainly do intend to catch up...

[Owlparrot3]

Thanks so much for commenting Calliagh.

[NorseThing]

I am also catching up on my reading and I do not have the excuse of staff activities on TWC taking up my time. The new year post of the tower of Babel is an interesting break in the routine of posting about war and carnage. A pleasant break from the usual. I somehow think we sometimes take technology for granted and forget how things may have changed.

[Owlparrot3]

You have misread .There is nothing written here about the tower of Babel .Look more closely at that paragraph and you will understand .
Thanks for commenting though .