The Explorer by Katherine Rundell

Author:Katherine Rundell
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781408854884
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Published: 2017-09-17T04:00:00+00:00

The explorer returned as they were roasting the caracara, squatting outside their stone room with the meat on sticks. He held a cluster of mangos balanced along one arm, and a gourd of water in the other hand. They didn’t hear him until he was very close. Con jumped, and dropped her hunk of bird in the ashes.

The explorer didn’t look any of them in the eye. ‘You’re all still growing,’ he said gruffly. ‘Especially the small one. It occurred to me the bird might not be enough.’ He flushed as he set the gourd down next to their fire, dropped the mangos in Max’s lap, and turned on his heel.

Fred jumped to his feet. ‘Please – just a minute! We wanted to ask – what is this place? Do other people know about it? Do you live alone here?’

‘Why? Were you hoping to throw a garden party?’

‘I meant, do other people ever come?’

‘Sometimes people pass by this place, yes.’ The explorer squatted down, took Max’s meat, which had caught fire, out of his hands, and shook it until it went out. He balanced it in the tips of the flames.

‘None of them stay long. Some are travelling long distances. Tribespeople. People whose ancestors lived here. They usually stay a few days.’ He twisted the chunk of bird in the tips of the flames. Juice dripped from it on to the fire. ‘But yes,’ he said, ‘in short, people do come.’

Con and Lila exchanged delighted glances. Baca, who was unusually full of energy – for a sloth – waved one claw in the air.

‘Would they help us?’ asked Lila. ‘Could they take us with them, to Manaus?’

‘They might. Very possibly. It depends on the people.’

‘How often do they come?’ asked Fred.

‘Oh, every few years.’ He blew on the meat, and handed it to Max. ‘That’s ready.’

Fred saw Lila and Con sag. They each looked a little more tired, a little older.

‘Years?’ said Lila. ‘Our parents wouldn’t be able to wait that long.’

‘No, I had imagined not,’ said the explorer.

‘But in that case,’ began Con, ‘couldn’t you –’ She stopped as the vulture flapped out from behind a stone pillar and came to rest against the man’s knee, eyeing her meat. The bird ruffled its wings at her and cawed. Con held her food closer to her chest.

Lila took up her words. ‘Could you help us get home?’

The explorer gave them an appraising, sharp-edged look. ‘Perhaps.’

‘Perhaps?’ said Lila.

‘I could point you towards Manaus. It’s a month’s walk, or a week and a half by canoe. I could give you some provisions. And a map. I might come a short way with you. I’ll have to see.’

Lila’s eyes lit up. ‘That would be absolutely wonder–’

‘But –’ said the explorer.

‘But?’ Fred held his breath.

‘You will have to swear never to speak about this place; never to tell that you saw a city in the jungle. More than swear – you will have to prove to me that you will not.’

‘What?’ Fred stared at

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