The searchers had been traveling for about two hours. Roxton was alert for any signs of Marguerite and Malone. He realized the rain would have washed any tracks away but there should be some signs of broken bushes or evidence of someone traveling, but ever since they had left the main trail, there were fewer signs of anyone ever having come this way. He couldn�t shake the feeling that they had made a wrong turn.
The jungle was thick and they were using machetes to carve out a trail. Veronica was walking behind the Zanga warrior and watching for any sign of their missing friends. So far there had been none. She looked behind her and saw that Challenger was falling behind. Roxton had slowed up to keep up with him. She also noticed Roxton was too busy looking around to pay any attention to the scientist.
Veronica spoke in Zanga to the warrior, telling him it was time to stop for a rest.
�I think we need to take a short break,� Veronica said. She watched as Challenger walked over to a fallen log and sat down. She knew the scientist was exhausted. They had been struggling with the encroaching jungle and trying to keep as fast a pace as possible. It was difficult for the scientist but Veronica knew he would never complain. The Zanga warrior came and sat by Challenger. Both men were enjoying a cool drink of water.
Veronica walked over to where Roxton stood. She knew something was bothering the hunter.
�What�s wrong?� she asked.
�We�re going the wrong way,� Roxton replied.
�Are you sure?�
�Have you seen any sign of a trail in the last hour?� Roxton asked. �We know Malone had a machete, yet your Zanga friend is cutting a new trail. They didn�t come this way.�
�I think you�re right Roxton. So how far back do we go?�
�Back to where the trail ended. We�ll check all directions until we find the right one,� Roxton replied.
Veronica could tell he was worried and the truth be told so was she. She nodded to the hunter and then walked over to Baio. She sat down on the ground beside him and began speaking to him in his native language.
Roxton watched as he took out the map the elders had drawn and showed it to Veronica. They seemed to be in a lively discussion for a few minutes and then it appeared they had reached an agreement. Baio nodded his head and stood up.
�Challenger we need to go,� Veronica said. �We have to go back.�
�Go back?� Challenger asked. �What possible reason could there be for going back?�
�We�ve come the wrong way,� the blonde replied. �We have to go back and try and pick up Marguerite and Malone�s trail.�
�How could that have happened?� the scientist asked.
�The map was drawn from memory,� Veronica explained. �No one from the Zanga has been here in years. We just made a wrong turn.�
�Let�s get going,� Roxton called. �We�re wasting daylight and we can�t afford to, not if we intend to find the others before sunset.�
The four headed back. Roxton led the way back at a fast pace. The others kept up with him, even Challenger. He knew how important it was they found the right trail. When they arrived back at where the path had ended. They all started looking around.
�I think we should split up and go in different directions,� Roxton stated. �Anyone finds any sign of them, mark the trail and come back and get the others.�
Veronica explained the plan to their Zanga friend. He nodded his understanding and headed off in one direction. Roxton, Veronica, and Challenger all went off in separate directions.
Roxton had gone a few hundred yards. There was no sign of anyone having been this way. He decided to circle around hoping to find some evidence of a trail but so far he had not had any luck. He headed back to the clearing to meet with the others, hoping someone had found something. When Roxton got back, Challenger was waiting for him.
�Any luck Challenger?� he asked hopefully.
�Unfortunately no,� Challenger replied. �I take it you were also unsuccessful.�
�Yes,� Roxton said. �I circled around and covered quite a large area, but still found no sign of Marguerite and Malone.� The hunter tensed as he heard something coming from the jungle. He turned quickly raising his rifle, and aiming it at the source of the sound. He was relieved to see Veronica and Baio come out, obviously excited.
�We found their trail,� Veronica said. �There�s a narrow path that they took part of the way. Their trail starts when they turned off of it. That�s why we didn�t spot it at first.�
�Let�s get going then,� Roxton said impatiently. �The sooner we start the sooner we�ll find them.�
The four took off through the jungle with Veronica and the Baio leading the way. Soon they were on a narrow path. They went a short distance and then veered off into the dense jungle.
Roxton could see where branches had been hacked. Small limbs were broken and some bushes had been cut away to allow Malone and Marguerite to pass. A small trail had been made that was fairly easy to follow. Hopefully it wouldn�t take long to find the missing duo.
The four had traveled for some time. Even though Malone had made a trail the jungle growth was so thick it was still just an overgrown path. The going was slow and was taking a toll on all of them especially Challenger.
Challenger stopped and called to Veronica. �I don�t want to slow you down but I need to take a short break.�
�It�s okay Challenger,� Veronica replied. �We could all use a break.�
Veronica went to talk to the Zanga warrior while Challenger sat down on the ground. Roxton pulled out his canteen and took a refreshing drink. Challenger wasn�t the only who was hot and tired. Roxton had tossed and turned most of the night, worrying about Marguerite. He looked around checking out the area. Roxton knew they needed the rest stop but he was anxious to continue the journey. Marguerite was out there somewhere. They had not run into her and Malone and he could not stop the feeling of dread that was quickly taking over his senses. He watched as Veronica walked towards him. Her Zanga friend seemed to have disappeared.
�Baio has gone to scout ahead,� Veronica said. �According to his map we should not be far from the bridge.�
�The map hasn�t proven to be too accurate so far,� Roxton replied.
�Well it has been years since anyone has been here,� Veronica said defensively. �Considering that, I�d say it�s pretty good.�
Roxton never got a chance to reply. Baio came running back. He was shouting in his native language, pointing the way he had just come. Veronica went over to calm him down and try to make some sense of what he was saying. Challenger stood up and walked towards the pair as did Roxton.
�What�s going on Veronica?� Roxton asked. Judging from the expression on Veronica�s face the news was not good.
�Baio says the bridge is just beyond those trees. But the bad news is the bridge is gone. Completely collapsed.�
�That is unfortunate,� Challenger stated. �Perhaps it�s been destroyed for some time and Marguerite and Malone were forced to find another way around.�
�Baio doesn�t think so,� Veronica said. �He says it may have collapsed with them on it.�
�What?� asked Roxton. �Did he see them? Are they hurt?�
�No he says they�re not there,� Veronica replied, �But there�s evidence they may have been.�
�What are we waiting for?� Roxton asked. �Let�s get going.� Veronica spoke to the Zanga and he turned to lead the others to the bridge.
When they emerged from the jungle, they found themselves staring at a treacherous ravine and what used to be a bridge. They walked closer to the edge and peered over. It was deep and very steep. Veronica knew there was no way anyone could climb down that. She stared at the other side of the ravine, searching the ground for any evidence of their missing friends.
�Roxton look,� Veronica called, pointing to the other side of the ravine, where the bridge had once stood. There hanging down from the cliff was a lone rope. There was a loop on one end.
�Someone was pulled up from the bottom of the ravine,� Roxton stated solemnly. �At least one of them is seriously injured.�
�Yes but which one?� asked Veronica.
�Marguerite of course,� Challenger stated. He looked around at the expressions of concern on his companions� faces. �It�s the only explanation that makes sense. There�s no way Marguerite could have pulled Malone up that cliff. She doesn�t have the strength.�
�They could be right across the ravine and we can�t see them,� Veronica said excitedly.
�Ned, do you hear me?� Veronica shouted across the ravine. �Ned answer me. Are you there?�
�Veronica I don�t think they�re there,� Challenger said. �Remember the bad storm we had? They would have had to find shelter. My guess is they probably went on to the caves. Of course it probably depends on how badly Marguerite was injured. Malone could also be injured. We just won�t know until we find them.�
Roxton heard Challenger but he wasn�t really focusing on what the scientist said. He was standing close to the edge of the ravine desperately searching for something to show the missing pair was alright. Suddenly he spotted something but it was too far away to tell what it was.
�Challenger let me borrow those binoculars,� Roxton said, holding out his hand towards the scientist. Challenger had them hanging around his neck. He quickly passed them to Roxton.
Challenger watched as Roxton scanned the side of the ravine. Suddenly the hunter tensed up.
�What�s wrong Roxton?� Challenger asked. �What do you see?� Roxton handed the binoculars to Challenger and just stared at the ravine.
Challenger looked through the glasses and immediately spotted what had obviously upset the hunter. Marguerite�s hat was lying by a huge boulder. Challenger looked around that area and spied something that made his blood run cold. The ground next to the boulder was stained red.
�What do you see Challenger?� Veronica asked, worry evident in her face.
�I see Marguerite�s hat,� Challenger replied, lowering the binoculars. �I can also see some blood stains. Can�t tell from here how much blood was spilled though.�
�We�re wasting time,� Roxton spoke up. �We need to find a way over to the other side.�
�Yes I agree,� Challenger said, �But we can�t go that way,� he nodded towards the rope on the opposite side.
�I disagree Challenger,� Roxton said. �I can lower a rope on this side and make my way over to the other side of the ravine.�
�Roxton it is too steep,� Veronica said. �The best way is too follow the stream and hopefully find an easier way to cross.�
�That could take days,� Roxton said, obviously agitated. �Marguerite may not have that kind of time.�
�John it is very unlikely you will make it from this side to the rope without injuring yourself,� Challenger said laying his hand on Roxton�s shoulder. �Even if by some miracle you made it, there�s no way we could bring an injured person down the rope and traverse the treacherous ravine. We have to find a safer way.�
Roxton knew Challenger was right, but his fear for Marguerite made him want to find the quickest way. He thought about trying to cross the ravine and climb the rope by himself. At least he could be with her until the others arrived. But he knew the others needed him. It was very important that Challenger reached Marguerite and Malone as soon as possible. The scientist was already exhausted. Veronica couldn�t watch him and cut out a trail too. He would be more useful assisting them in finding another route to the caves.
�Alright Challenger,� Roxton said, �we�ll try it your way. We don�t need to be wasting time here. The sooner we�re on our way, the sooner we�ll find them.�
He turned and started walking parallel to the stream. The other followed. This area had not been traveled and was overgrown with jungle plants, bushes and trees. Baio was hacking away at the growth trying to create a makeshift trail.
�I hope we can find a better way to bring Marguerite and Malone back,� Challenger said. This way is too overgrown.�
Veronica looked around and nodded agreeing with Challenger. Even when they found them, and she believed they would find Ned and Marguerite, it would be difficult to bring them back safely if they were injured.
They had been walking for less than an hour when Challenger stopped and called to the others.� I think we need to rest for a while and maybe eat a little something.�
�I think we should keep going,� Roxton replied. �We�re wasting precious daylight.�
�It is almost noon and we haven�t eaten anything since early this morning,� Challenger said. �We must keep our strength up or we�ll be no use to Marguerite and Malone when we find them.�
�Challenger is right,� Veronica spoke up. �We all need to rest and have a bite to eat.�
Roxton reluctantly agreed. He could tell the others were tired, especially Challenger. Everyone sat down in a little spot Baio had cleared, everyone but Roxton. The truth was he was too agitated to sit. He knew they all needed to take time to rest and eat but he was anxious to find Marguerite. It had been three days and he was worried about the condition she would be in.
He had admitted to himself he was in love with the volatile woman. Losing her before he had a chance to tell her was unacceptable. He could not bear the thought. She was everything to him. Every time he closed his eyes all he saw was her blood in that ravine. Roxton had no idea how badly she was hurt and the fear was eating him alive.
Roxton ate a little fruit and dried meat. After taking a big drink from his canteen he turned to the others. They were still eating. Veronica watched him as he turned away. She stood up and walked over to the hunter.
�I know you�re worried,� Veronica said softly. �We all are. We will find them in time.�
�But suppose we don�t Veronica?� Roxton asked. �What if we�re too late?�
�We won�t be,� Veronica said, reaching up to touch her friend�s shoulder. �Malone and Marguerite will be alright.� Roxton nodded half heartedly and began to turn away. Veronica grabbed his chin and turned his face towards her. �She will be alright. I�m sure Malone is taking good care of her.�
�She wouldn�t be hurt if it wasn�t for Malone,� Roxton said angrily. �She wouldn�t even be here. This is all his fault.�
�You don�t know that,� Veronica replied. �You are only guessing. We won�t know what happened until we find the others and hear their side of things. Let�s not jump to conclusions.�
Roxton nodded at the young woman. For now he would try to keep his anger under control. Then he walked over to where the others sat. �I�m going to explore up ahead. I�ll be back shortly.�
Challenger watched as the younger man began to walk away. �There�s no need for that. We�re ready to go.� Challenger stood up and Baio followed.
Roxton nodded and they began their journey again. Baio and Roxton were cutting down overgrown brush while Challenger and Veronica watched their backs. Their task was made even more difficult by the heat and the fatigue of the explorers.
All of a sudden Baio stopped. He turned and pointed towards the stream. They had finally found a place that they would be able to cross.
�Well I knew we�ve been descending for some time now,� Challenger said. �I did not realize we had come so far.� He walked over to the edge of the stream. He took the binoculars and looked across to the other side. �The area did not seem to be over abundant with plant life. I believe we can still carve out a usable trail.�
Challenger noticed that Veronica and the Zanga warrior seemed to be deep in conversation. He was pointing in the opposite direction in which they needed to travel. He walked over to the pair. �Veronica is there a problem?�
�Baio says this place is familiar to him,� Veronica replied. �According to him, there is an old Zanga trail starting here.� Veronica pointed in the same direction the Zanga had. Roxton and Challenger both looked and were surprised to see an obvious trail leading off into the jungle.
Baio believes that trail leads to the Zanga village,� Veronica said.
�But he doesn�t know for sure does he?� Roxton asked.
�He seems pretty sure of it,� Veronica said. �I believe he is right.�
�But suppose he�s wrong Veronica,� Roxton said. �We could bring the others down and end up lost in the jungle. Time is of the essence especially if either of them is injured.�
�I have a suggestion,� Challenger said. �Baio can take that trail and make sure it does lead to the Zanga. We will cross the stream and continue our search for Marguerite and Malone.�
They all agreed this was the best solution. Veronica explained the plan to Baio. He handed Veronica his machete and Roxton took the stretcher and the four parted ways with the Baio heading out into the jungle and Veronica, Roxton and Challenger crossing the stream.
Malone was worried. Marguerite�s fever had not gone down. She slept most of the day. Sometimes she would awake but she didn�t seem fully alert. The willow bark was not working. He knew she needed something stronger but he did not know herbal medicines like Veronica and Challenger. Even if he knew what she needed he would not know where to find it.
Malone used the cool water from the canteens to wet down cloths to lay on Marguerite�s head. He also wet down a cloth and bathed her neck trying to cool her down. All he could do now was try and keep Marguerite comfortable until help arrived. He just hoped it was soon.
