Pride of the Veld

shoving the mess into his mouth. Geo tried to keep the food from flying out of his mouth as he and Danie laughed at the look of horror on Andrea’s face.
    “Drea, this is Geo’s secret. It’s why he hasn’t been swept up into another’s arms before now. One dinner out and they realize he was raised by wolves and has hollow legs. He will eat for days without gaining an ounce, and unless you want to lose a finger, keep your hands away from his plate.
    “Back at the compound his grandfather makes him dine in the kitchen, or if they have company he sends him out to eat in the kennels!” Geo paused long enough to flip Danie his favorite American salute. Andrea just cocked a brow and studied him like a bug.
    “So then it’s good for us that he’s part animal, in and out of bed.” He smiled and turned his attention back to his own food while Geo choked for real.
    Danie patted him on the back. “S’okay, Geo. You can eat anything of mine you want.”
    Geo glared at him. “Don’t know, sounds like you’re afraid I might bite you. Wouldn’t want you to run the risk of losing something. Think I’ll keep my mouth to myself, thank you.” He huffed and went back to eating.
    ****
    After breakfast, Geo made a point of tearing apart the tent, airing the bedding and repacking both Danie’s and his own bags. The medical kit was tucked just inside the tent flap where it belonged, and they’d taken the time to inspect both rifles. Andrea used this time to climb on top of the disabled Rover, taking photographs across the veld.
    Geo watched him for a while. “Hey! Andrea,” he called over to the man. The Italian swung around with a smile and waved. Geo wandered over with a metal case containing their satellite phones and solar charger. He hefted it up to the photographer before stepping onto the doorframe to raise his chin above the roof level.
    “Here,” he said, flipping the case open and pointing. “Set this up. Like this…” He pointed out how the array unfolded so the collectors were now pointing up. He plugged their phones into the leads and pulled a couple of bungee cords out of his back pocket.
    Andrea was fascinated as he watched the younger man work to secure the equipment to the roof, threading the cords through metal loops on the case before attaching them to the luggage racks. Geo smiled at the question in Andrea’s eyes. “In case of rhinos. We’ve already lost one unit that way. Oupa never lets Danie forget it. Since we’re stuck, I thought we might as well make the most of a nice day.”
    “Aren’t all the days nice out here?” Andrea asked, gazing around in awe.
    Geo grunted and hopped down to the ground. “Mostly. One day in paradise is much the same as the next. The trick is to not forget that it is paradise. Otherwise you become jaded and nothing is ever beautiful enough again.”
    “Hmm… I’ll think on it, caro. But from where I stand, it is not Africa itself that is paradise; it is the treasures one finds there. The true beauty can be found here, in you.” Geo rolled his eyes. Save me from bad Italian poets. He shook his head and smiled at the man grinning like an idiot.
    “Danie! I’m going for water!” Geo called out across the empty campsite, slinging his rifle over a shoulder and grabbing two empty five-gallon containers.
    He’d gone about three hundred yards into the bush when Danie popped out to his right. “Geo, what have I said about heading off on your own?” Danie looked stern behind his sunglasses, his accent thicker than ever. Geo decided now wasn’t the time to be smart.
    “One of us is going to have to be alone at some point.” Geo was trying to be reasonable.
    “Why? Drea can just as easily take pictures while you pick up sticks and I haul water. It’s safer that way.” Danie took the empty jugs away from him with a frown.
    “No, we’ll be leaving the campsite vulnerable, and I’m really not in the mood for another game of rhino in the tent.”
    “That happened once.” Danie folded his arms across his chest making Geo sigh. Stubborn.
    “Once is all I need, I’m a fast learner. We’re smack in the middle of their range; I’ve seen signs of them all over the area, and they’ll have their young with them. I’m just as happy leaving Andreaon top of the Rover with my phones, out of harm’s way.’
    “Maybe he’s out of harm’s way, but you’re not,” Danie persisted.
    “I have my rifle.”
    “On your back, Geo! Not much help if you