Leopard Adventure by Anthony McGowan

Author:Anthony McGowan [McGowan, Anthony]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780141339467
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Published: 2012-04-30T04:00:00+00:00

Soon they were all warm and dry. Makha and Dersu had found the body of the deer that had caused the accident floating in the water. It was of the species known in Russia as the izyubr – a close relative of the European red deer and North American elk.

This was a magnificent specimen, with antlers as wide as Boris’s outspread arms. The two Udege quickly skinned and butchered the carcass, and soon skewers of venison were cooking on the fire.

However it was not a happy group.

Doolins was agitated about the time they’d lost, and there was bad blood among the rest of the group, most of it centred on Boris, who’d managed to fall out with pretty well everyone there.

‘How far is it to the area of the forest fire?’ Miranda asked Doolins.

‘Another hour and we should be at the site,’ he said. ‘Let’s just hope we make it before the fire is totally out of control.’ He turned to Frazer, who was trying to keep a low profile. ‘I hope you’ve learned your lesson here, boy. Someone could have been killed. And we’ve lost some of the fire-fighting equipment the troops needed.’

Surprisingly it was Kirov who spoke up for him.

‘The boy was not really to blame. That deer came out of the forest very fast. And when he swam in the water, only his head was showing. Not easy for the boy to see.’

Dersu suddenly was paying very close attention. He spoke to his grandfather, who replied in a tone of great agitation.

‘This is bad sign,’ Dersu said. ‘Izyubr is only afraid of one thing: Amba!’

At the word ‘Amba’ Boris the Dog whined and snuggled close to Amazon. She stroked his ears. She was growing fond of the stupid, cowardly creature. ‘It must be the same tiger that was at the cabin last night,’ Dersu continued. ‘My grandfather is unhappy. We must go.’

In half an hour they were back on the water.

Frazer had asked Dersu if he could ride in their boat. ‘Bit awkward over in the inflatable,’ he’d said.

‘Of course,’ said Dersu. ‘But my grandfather thinks it best if I am at the helm. We have killed enough deer for one day.’

It wasn’t much later that Amazon caught the first whiff of smoke, and soon Frazer was pointing out the angry grey plume lying over the land ahead on the right shore of the river.

In a few more minutes they came upon a ragged collection of tents by the river. Beyond them the forest was engulfed in thick smoke, pierced here and there by flashes of intense red flame. The boats pulled in, and a group of Russian soldiers appeared. Most of them had cigarettes in their mouths, which struck Amazon as pretty stupid given the situation.

‘Looks like Mr Doolins has his work cut out with that lot,’ said Frazer.

‘Not good men,’ added Dersu. ‘Not good men at all.’

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