Pride of the Veld

would be expecting them both back at the watering hole soon. If nothing else, Geo had to make sure that Danie didn’t stumble into the middle of this.
    He’d backtracked almost to the water when the shouting started. Any thoughts of getting help fled as Geo tore through the grass at top speed.
    ****

CHAPTER NINE
    “Hallo, my vriend. Is jy verloor?” Danie stepped out from behind the tangle of trees and bushes surrounding the watering hole. He’d waited until the stranger had drunk his fill, sitting back onto his feet in preparation to rise, not much interested in letting him have the advantage.
    The moment Danie asked if he was lost, the man spun on his knees reaching for his gun. Simplifies things. Danie thought. He was prepared for the movement, kicking him in the chest and knocking him backwards onto the muddy bank. The gun sailed out of his hand into the middle of the pond beyond reach, giving Danie time to level his own rifle at the man.
    “Wait, wait! I don’t speak African! Don’t shoot! Don’t shoot! I’m a friend!” The man wailed in panic, his eyes shifting back and forth, trying to find either rescue or escape.
    Now that he was on his back, Danie could see a strong resemblance to one of the men in Drea’s photograph. His brown hair was thin and shaggy, hanging around his ears in uneven strands. His eyes were bloodshot, and any visible skin between the grey-and-black bristles was sallow. He looked unwell, and given the quantity of fetid water he’d just drunk, Danie wasn’t surprised.
    “Well this is your lucky day, friend. I speak English just fine. So do you mind telling me what you’re doing all alone in the middle of the bush?”
    The man blanched when the rifle remained trained on his chest. He glanced over his shoulder; the only evidence left of his gun was the slowly dispersing rings spreading out across the water. He sighed, looking resigned.
    “Uh… trouble with the jeep. They sent me to find water…” He trailed off as he looked into Danie’s face. Whatever he saw there drained the last of the color from his face.
    “Without any way to carry water back? Seems a little impractical,” Danie intoned flatly. “So where are your two friends?” Danie continued to stare the man down.
    “Um… friends?” he stuttered, trying to ease away from Danie but sliding deeper into the mud, pulling a hand out with a squelching sound.
    “Mmm hmm. The other two― the ones who sent you for water… for the… jeep?” Danie prompted. He didn’t have time to wait for this man to break. He needed to speed things up; the other two from the photo must be close by, which meant that Andrea and Geo were vulnerable.
    “Uh, umm… yeah. They’re back where we― uh, um… broke down.” Sweat formed on his brow, rolling off his forehead and dripping onto his shirt. Danie didn’t think he could look suspicious if he tried. Wiping a muddy hand across his face, the man continued, “I could sure use your help friend if you don’t mind lowering that…” he cajoled, waving a finger at the barrel of the rifle, which Danie ignored.
    “We’re looking for our buddy. We got… um, separated, and then we had the problem with the… um thing… Maybe you seen ’im? An I-talian kid?” Now he was just trying to look innocent and sincere. Danie resisted the urge to roll his eyes as the man continued. “He just went off into the brush with just his camera. We’re trying to find him, make sure he’s okay.”
    “And how far is your base camp?” Danie gave a quick glance at his watch. They were definitely late. He’d tuned out the torturous tale being spun for his benefit, and so only caught the last part.
    “He was kind of delirious…” The man trailed off, wriggling deeper into the muck with his squirming to get free. He was lying, of course; even before he started trusting Andrea, Danie had believed his version of events. The Italian’s body language as he shivered in terror was practically screaming his own innocence. This one, however, hadn’t said a single true word.
    Andrea was still in danger, and, by extension, Geo. There was only one thing left to know: where were the other men now? He wasn’t going to get it from this man’s lying mouth. His only hope was to watch for his tell.
    No time like the present.
    Danie tried his best to keep his expression bland and potentially helpful. “Why don’t you take me to your vehicle? I’ll take a look at it and see if we can’t get you out