“Actually, I could eat a horse,” said Dana, standing.
“Me too,” said Randall. The two slowly half walked, half limped over to the backpack.
“Well, I don’t have a horse but I do have something that I think will tide you over until we can get you a hot meal.” Ben handed out two large flattened pieces of jerky that looked like old dirty, burnt leather. He didn’t know what kind of meat it was, but it definitely was not beef.
“Beef jerky, I love this stuff,” said Randall, tearing gingerly into one end of his slab. Dana was a bit more particular, taking a few seconds to look at what she was getting ready to eat. Both had to contend with a few lost teeth.
As Randall pulled off a stringy piece and began to chew, his eyes widened. He looked perplexed as he tried to figure out what he was eating.
“Oh, by the way, that’s not beef jerky, Randall,” Ben said grinning. Dana looked up from her perusal of the snack and looked at Randall. He was trying to swallow his piece, clearly struggling with the taste. Finally it went down.
“Ben, what are we eating?” asked Dana.
“Yeah, Ben, what did I eat?” asked Randall. Ben was grinning ear to ear. Tim was snickering.
“That’s not good when you two are laughing,” smiled Dana.
“Oh, it’s not bad,” said Ben. “It’s just that it is not beef. Tecal and his men made it. I think it might be better if you don’t know what it is. Even Tecal did not tell me what it was. If I had to guess, I would say some sort of water oxen or jungle deer.” Tecal was sitting over by the backpack happily chewing on a piece of the jerky.
“It good to eat,” Tecal explained. “It made from good meat.”
Dane had to laugh. It was the first time they all laughed together and it felt great. Dana finally took a bite and chewed it.
“Well, other than being much gamier than beef, it’s not too bad. In fact, after what we have been through it’s the best I’ve ever tasted.”
Suddenly a large explosion was heard in the distance, then another. This time they felt the ground shudder. The group all went silent. Each was worried about Hugo.
“Those were much larger explosions than those earlier,” said Ben. “You guys really touched off a mess.” Dane was looking into the distance toward the continuing explosions. His furrowed brow showed his concern.
“No, this is something else,” Dane said quietly. “What we did couldn’t have done that much damage. It sounds like Hugo may have added to their troubles.” Now a huge cloud of black smoke was rising above the jungle. “It looks like the complex is under attack.” Dane wondered if his friend may have gone too far in an effort to save them all. Hugo was not one to fail in any of his responsibilities. He would not hesitate to sacrifice his own life for the group if needed. For the first time Dane felt really scared.
Ben looked out in the distance toward the complex. He too saw the dark column of smoke rising. “Wow, that’s a helluva fire to see this far away. I wonder what happened.”
“I don’t know, but I hope Hugo gets back pretty soon. That looks like his work but I certainly hope he got out,” said Dane. He stepped over beside Dana and Randall. “Well, let’s get as comfortable as we can and wait on the ol’ boy.” His tone was intentionally upbeat, but his thoughts were not. Come on, Hugo… he thought to himself.
Dane began to gather his gear. Internally he was fighting the urge to go find Hugo. At the same time he didn’t want to keep Dana and Randall in the jungle longer than he had to. They both needed medical attention. After a few minutes he made his decision.
“I’m going back in to get Hugo.”
“Wait a minute, Dane,” said Ben, stepping in beside him. “We are all worried. But Hugo can take care of himself. We cannot afford to lose you or any other person in this group. Hugo will come in. I know he will.” Dane looked Ben directly in the eye.
“Ben, that man is my brother. Maybe not in the strictest sense but a brother no less. He has risked his life for me many times. I have to help him if I can.”
“I understand, Dane. I’m not saying we give up on him. But let’s give him some time to get out. He definitely has a great diversion with all that is going on over there. Let’s wait a few more minutes.”
Tecal heard the conversation and decided to take matters into his own hands. He sent out a man to scout ahead back toward the base camp. Then he sent another man back toward the Fortress to warn of any Germans who may have made it out this far. Tecal walked over to Ben and Dane.
“I send out men to see what is happening. You wait. My men find Mr. Hugo.” Tecal smiled widely.
“That little guy is worth his weight in gold,” said Ben looking at Dane. “Come on, let’s wait over here. Everything will be all right.”
Everyone could breathe easier knowing those two were out there watching out for them. The group ate and settled down for a rest. After all, they faced a very long trek back to base camp. Within minutes Dana and Randall were sound asleep under a large fern.
Ben and Tim lay on the opposite side of the small clearing, both snoring. Dane was resting but wide awake. His guard nevertheless up, he wanted to be reasonably ready if need be. He and Hugo had gotten Dana and Randall out of the Fortress alive. He didn’t want to lose them to a fleeing German with a score to settle.
What seemed like many hours was actually only two. All but Dane and Tecal were still asleep when one of Tecal’s men hustled back to the clearing. Dane sat up.
“Big truck coming,” said the small native. “Big truck!” Dane thought that was what he heard from the native but what in God’s name would a truck be doing here in the jungle? Then it hit him; the Germans! They escaped and were fleeing the Fortress. Dane jumped up.
“Everybody up! We have company coming,” shouted Dane. Ben and Tim popped up like they were shot out of a gun. Dana and Randall were a bit slower getting up. Dane turned to them. “Hit the deck, you two. We are not out of this yet.”
“What’s up? “Ben asked.
“One of Tecal’s men says there is a big truck coming our way.”
“A truck?” gasped Tim. “How the hell can a truck be out here?”
“My thoughts exactly,” said Dane, checking his weapon. “It has to be from the Fortress and you know what that means. Some pretty pissed off Germans are headed our way.”
“Oh, boy, here we go again,” moaned Ben. “I am getting too old for all of this.”
Dane smiled. “Come on, old man. Let’s kick some ass.” The three men dispersed into the edge of the jungle, rechecked their weapons and ammo and waited for the Germans. It was about two minutes later they heard the distinctive growling sound of a large truck.
“Here they come,” said Dane, giving a thumbs-up to both Tim and Ben. The roaring growl got louder and louder until they could see the jungle bush being pushed back and aside as a huge six-by-six truck rolled forward. The men readied their weapons. Dane had moved Dana and Randall out of the clearing behind everyone. Dane could retreat, grab the two and slip off into the jungle if needed. The growling sound was now overwhelming. The truck burst through the edge of the clearing and stopped. Everyone aimed their weapons at the truck and readied themselves.
“Honey, I’m home!” The cry came from inside the truck as the motor revved down and turned off. Out popped Hugo onto the running board. Dane was momentarily stunned.
“I should have known,” grinned Dane as he rushed over to shake Hugo’s hand. “Damned glad to see ya!”
“Not half as much as I to see you guys,” answered Hugo with a wide smile. “It’s kinda hard to drive this bucket of bolts through the jungle chased by Germans and find a handful of folks that are hiding from you.”