|
SubscriptionsSites I Read
|
|
|
|
| Today we finally came across a village that had only an hour before
been deserted. The huts were constructed of fresh palm leaves and
the embers in the fire pits still smoked. No doubt the beggars
became aware of us coming and removed themselves with all
haste. We are all in good spirits to have come so close. If
we continue to force them to flee into the jungle, they cannot last for
long. Already triumph lies within palpable reach. Until we
finally come upon them there are plenty of other objectives to be
fulfilled by this expedition. The men have been quite happy
to take specimens of the queer animals of these parts in
the interest of study. Sergeant Borley shot a strange monkey out
of a tree yesterday and it crashed through the leaves to the forest
floor with a sharp scream. "Corr," he remarked in his vulgar
dialect. "A sound such as I've only heard from a swindled
strumpet." Quite a lewd description but curiously
apt. I shot a giant mammal I haven't even a name for right around
teatime. Hooved, and striped with a neck almost like that of a
giraffe I examined it closely as it still twitched and saw the life
fade from its uncomprehending eyes. Unfortunately, the men in
the regiment are already overburdened with our discoveries and I
am not sure how we are to transport any part of this enormous animal. | | |
| This morning, when the clammy shroud of night fog was burnt away by
the tropical sun's merciless gaze, I ordered the men out to
the nearest marshy pool and we waited. The moment we saw the
stony hide of a crocodile silently break the surface I opened
fire. The creature was wounded now and it thrashed about
furiously, causing great waves and splashing in what had been still,
black, and overgrown with algae a few seconds before. I walked
leisurely to where the creature made its frantic struggles
marvelling that for all its calculation and guile, it was no match
for man. The men laughed and cheered as I fired a few times into
the waters until the reptile ceased to move. I had them pull its
corpse onto the shore and we took its head and scaly hide. They
were quite glad to carry them for me. We are all proud now to be
not just soldiers, but rather naturalists whose duty it is to ensure
that even the darkest lands know the light of science! And jolly
good hunting it was too! | | |
| How tantalizing is this noisome bog! We know we are near
and some of the men even believe they have seen fleeting shapes amidst
the trees and vines. No matter! We will find them and quell
their foolish little uprising nonetheless. Blast it
all! How can any intelligent creature actually live
in this place? I would be glad to face the tall and brave
inhabitants of the great savannahs in battle any day. But
these cowards, no doubt climbing and hiding in all the trees like
misbehaving infants, like monkeys, can't even be bothered to
stand where an honest man can see them. Bah! Now that the
sun begins to set, its final rays shine sluggishly across what
little we can see of this blighted landscape. The eyes of
crocodiles gleam with a cold hunger as patient as it is deep and, upon
observing the reptiles, a brilliant idea has just entered this
troubled head of mine! | | |
| Already, we begin to see the first signs of habitation in this squalid quagmire. We passed their silly ceremonial boundary markers without hesitation and some of the troops were even of a mind to take the painted objects as souvenirs. Certainly, these decorations were crudely marked with the brightest of colors, demonstrating clearly the whimsical zeal of one with the mind of a child. Encouraged, we marched all through the day no one complaining of the clouds of buzzing mosquitoes for now we know the rebellious village is near.
We have now retired for the day and even now the jungle sinks into the thick and heaviness of night. The screeches and hums most bestial begin to fill the strange air of which surely scarce an enlightened man has ever breathed. I think of my sister Caroline and how she would fret for me right now, exhibiting in full capacity the virtuous worry of the fair sex. I think of my quiet country estate, all surrounded with hedges and heather. The game is positively teeming in the nearby woods at this time of year. With that thought I check my rifle yet again hoping that it will serve me as it always has when danger comes upon us, perhaps on the morrow. | | |
| This day, I, Colonel Kensington Worthley, resolutely lead the men of the 34th colonial regiment ever
deeper into the swampy fastness of Longomo to quell with all haste the
most irksome uprising of the local natives. Their inherent
intractibility has made necessary this heroic expedition and I am
honoured to command these men, valorous and bold every one. Certainly,
they are as fine of fellows as have ever marched under the Union Jack.
Our spirits cannot be damped by this depthless mire, nor will we be
slowed by vile vapours or tangled foliage. As God-forsaken as this
place is, a civilized gentleman carries God and country in his heart.
With purpose clear and undiminished by even the languid tropics, we
press forth to bring under the protection of her majesty every shadowed
corner of the world. | | |
|
