cussler.blueandgold-第16章

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ouldn't　e　in　his　place。〃
　
　〃I　heard　through　the　jungle　telegraph　that　a　couple　of　scientists　from　the　United　States　were　in　the　neighborhood。　I　never　dreamed　you　would　honor　us　with　a　visit。　How　is　the　esteemed　Dr。　Ramirez　these　days？〃
　
　〃He　would　have　liked　to　e；　but　he　hurt　his　ankle　and　couldn't　travel。〃
　
　〃Too　bad。　It　would　be　nice　to　see　him。　Well；　it's　been　a　long　time　since　I　had　pany；　but　that's　no　excuse　for　being　a　poor　host。　Please　e　ashore。　You　must　be　very　hot　and　thirsty。〃
　
　Paul　and　Gamay　exchanged　glances　that　said；　Okay；　but　be　careful；　and　stepped　off　the　boat。　Gamay　slung　the　bag　with　the　gun　in　it　over　her　shoulder；　and　they　started　toward　the　cluster　of　huts　arranged　in　a　semicircle　at　the　top　of　a　rise。　Dieter　yelled　in　another　language；　and　each　hut　disgorged　a　load　of　Indian　men；　women；　and　children。　They　came　out　timidly　and　stood　at　silent　attention。　Dieter　gave　another　mand；　and　they　began　to　go　about　their　tasks。　Paul　and　Gamay　glanced　at　each　other　again。　Dieter　did　not　suggest　in　this　village；　he　manded。
　
　An　Indian　woman　in　her　twenties　came　out　of　the　largest　hut；　her　head　bowed。　Unlike　the　other　women；　who　were　dressed　only　in　loincloths；　she　had　a　red　sarong　of　machine…loomed　fabric　wrapped　around　her　shapely　body。　Dieter　growled　an　order；　and　she　disappeared　into　the　hut。
　
　A　thatched　roof　stood　in　front　of　the　hut　on　four　poles。　The　roof　shaded　a　rough…cut　wooden　table　and　stools　carved　from　stumps。　Dieter　gestured　toward　the　stools；　sat　in　one　himself；　and　removed　his　straw　hat。　He　mopped　his　sweating　head　with　his　handkerchief　and　snapped　an　order　at　the　open　door　of　the　hut。
　
　The　woman　came　out　carrying　a　tray　with　three　mugs　made　from　sections　of　hollowed　tree　limbs。　She　set　the　mugs　down　and　stood　respectfully　a　few　paces　away　with　her　head　still　lowered。
　
　Dieter　raised　his　mug。　〃Here's　to　meeting　new　friends。〃　There　was　a　distinct　clinking　as　he　swished　the　contents　of　his　mug。　〃That's　right；〃　he　said。　〃You　are　hearing　the　beautiful　sound　of　ice　cubes。　You　can　thank　the　wonders　of　modern　science　for　allowing　me　to　have　a　portable　gas…powered　ice　maker。　There　is　no　need　to　live　like　these　brown…skinned　Adams　and　Eves。〃　He　slurped　half　his　glass　down　in　a　single　gulp。
　
　Paul　and　Gamay　took　tentative　sips　and　found　the　drinks　cool；　refreshing；　and　strong。　Gamay　looked　around　the　settlement。　〃Dr。　Ramirez　said　that　you're　a　trader。　What　sort　of　goods　do　you　trade？〃
　
　〃I　realize　that　to　an　outsider　this　must　look　like　a　poor　place；　but　these　simple　people　are　capable　of　artistic　work　that　is　quite　sophisticated。　I　give　them　my　services　as　a　middleman　in　marketing　their　crafts　to　gift　shops　and　the　like。〃
　
　From　the　impoverished　appearance　of　the　village　the　middle　man　must　take　the　lion's　share　of　the　money；　Gamay　guessed。　She　made　a　show　of　looking　around。　〃We　also　understand　that　you　are　married。　Is　your　wife　away？〃
　
　Paul　hid　his　smile　behind　the　mug。　Gamay　was　very　much　aware　that　the　native　woman　was　Dieter's　wife　and　she　didn't　like　the　way　the　Dutchman　treated　her。
　
　Dieter　flushed；　then　called　the　woman　over。　〃This　is　Tessa；〃　he　grunted。
　
　Gamay　stood　and　extended　her　hand　in　greeting。　The　woman　looked　at　her　in　surprise；　and；　after　a　moment's　hesitation；　she　took　the　proffered　hand。
　
　〃Nice　to　meet　you；　Tessa。　My　name　is　Gamay；　and　this　is　my　husband；　Paul。〃
　
　The　fleeting　ghost　of　a　smile　crossed　Tessa's　dusky　face。　Sensing　that　Dieter　would　make　Tessa　pay　for　it　later　if　she　pushed　too　far；　Gamay　nodded　and　sat　down。　Tessa　stepped　back　to　where　she　had　been　standing。
　
　Dieter　covered　his　annoyance　with　a　meaty　smile。　〃Now　that　I　have　answered　your　questions　。　。　。　the　purpose　of　your　arduous　trip？〃
　
　Paul　leaned　forward　onto　the　table　and　looked　up　over　the　top　of　his　nonexistent　glasses。　〃The　body　of　an　Indian　came　ashore　upriver　in　a　dugout　canoe。〃　
　
　　Dieter　spread　his　hands。　〃The　rain　forest　can　be　dangerous；　and　its　inhabitants　are　only　one　generation　removed　from　savagery。　A　dead　Indian　is　not　unusual；　I　am　sorry　to　say。〃
　
　〃This　one　was；〃　Paul　replied。　〃He　was　shot。〃
　
　〃Shot？〃
　
　〃There's　more。　He　was　a　Chulo。〃
　
　〃That　is　serious；〃　Dieter　said　with　a　shake　of　his　jowls。　〃Any　thing　to　do　with　the　ghost…spirits　means　trouble。〃
　
　〃Dr。　Ramirez　mentioned　that　the　tribe　is　led　by　a　woman；〃　Gamay　said。
　
　〃Ah；　you've　heard　the　legends。　Very　colorful；　yes？　Of　course　I　have　heard　of　this　mythical　goddess…chief；　but　I　have　never　had　the　pleasure　of　meeting　her。〃
　
　Gamay　asked；　〃Have　you　ever　run　into　members　of　the　tribe？〃
　
　〃I　have　no　firsthand　knowledge　of　them；　but　there　are　the　stories　。　。　。〃
　
　〃What　kind　of　stories；　Mr。　von　Hoffman？〃
　
　〃The　Chulo　are　said　to　live　beyond　the　Hand　of　God。　That's　what　the　natives　call　the　Great　Falls　some　distance　from　here。　They　say　the　five　cascading　waterfalls　resemble　giant　fingers。　Natives　who　have　gone　too　close　to　the　falls　have　disappeared。〃
　
　〃You　said　the　forest　was　dangerous。〃
　
　〃Yes；　they　could　have　been　mauled　by　some　animal　or　bitten　by　a　poisonous　snake。　Or　simply　bee　lost。〃
　
　〃How　about　nonnatives？〃
　
　〃From　time　to　time　men　e　this　way　to　seek　their　fortune。　I　have　given　them　what　poor　hospitality　I　could；　shared　my　knowledge　of　my　surroundings；　and；　most　important；　warned　them　to　stay　away　from　Chulo　territory。〃　He　made　a　washing　motion　with　his　hands。　〃Three　expeditions　ignored　my　cautions；　and　three　have　vanished　without　a　trace。　I　notified　the　authorities；　of　course；　but　they　know　the　impossibility　of　finding　some　one　once　the　trees　have　swallowed　them　up。〃
　
　〃Were　any　of　those　groups　looking　for　plants　that　could　be　useful　as　pharmaceuticals？〃　Paul　said。　
　
　　〃They　came　looking　for　medicine；　for　rubber；　timber；　treasure；　and　lost　cities；　for　all　I　know。　Few　who　pass　this　way　share　their　secrets。　I　don't　ask　questions。〃
　
　While　Dieter　rambled　on；　Tessa　had　silently　raised　her　hand　and　pointed　toward　the　sky。　He　finally　noticed　the　strange　gesture　and　the　Trouts'　quizzical　expressions。　His　face　went　rock　hard；　then　the　unctuous　smile　reappeared。
　
　〃As　you　can　see；　Tessa　was　most　impressed　by　a　group　that　passed　this　way　not　long　ago　in　search　of　specimens。　They　employed　a　miniature　zeppelin　to　move　above　the　tree　canopy。　The　natives　were　very　much　in　awe　of　the　machine；　and　so　was　I；　I　must　admit。〃
　
　〃Who　were　these　people？〃　Gamay　asked。
　
　〃I　know　only　that　they　represented　a　French　firm。　You　know　how　close…mouthed　the　French　can　be。〃
　
　〃What　happened　to　them？〃
　
　〃I　haven't　the　slightest　idea。　I　heard　they　moved　on。　Maybe　they　were　captured　and　eaten　by　the　Chulo。〃　He　laughed　heartily　at　the　prospect。　〃Which　brings　me　back　to　the　purpose　of　your　visit。　I　thank　you　very　much　for　warning　me；　but　now　that　you　know　the　dangers　that　lurk　here；　I　trust　you　will　go　back　to　Dr。　Ramirez　with　my　appreciation。〃
　
　Gamay　looked　at　the　lowering　afternoon　sun。　She　and　Paul　knew　that　in　the　tropics　the　sun　drops　with　the　swiftness　of　a　guillotine　blade。
　
　〃It's　a　little　late　to　be　starting　back；〃　she　said。　〃What　do　you　think；　Paul？〃
　
　〃It　would　be　dangerous　trying　to　navigate　that　river　by　night。〃
　
　Dieter　frowned；　then；　seeing　he　was　getting　nowhere；　smiled　and　said；　〃Well　then；　you　will　be　my　guests。　Tomorrow　you　will　get　an　early　start　after　a　good　night's　sleep。〃
　
　Gamay　half　heard　his　words。　Tessa's　head　was　no　longer　downcast。　She　was　looking　straight　at　Gamay；　her　eyes　wide　open；　almost　imperceptibly　shaking　her　head。　Paul　caught　the　gesture　as　well。　
　
　　They　thanked　Dieter　for　the　refreshing　drink　and　his　offer　of　a　place　to　stay　and　said　they　wanted　to　retrieve　some　gear　from　the　boat。　As　they　walked　toward　the　river　the　natives　shied　away　as　if　the　couple　were　surrounded　by　an　invisible　force　field。
　
　Gamay　made　a　pretense　of　checking　the　engine　for　oil。
　
　〃Did　you　see　Tessa？〃　she　said。　〃She　was　warning　us。〃
　
　〃No　mistaking　the　terror　in　those　eyes；〃　Paul　said；　examining　the　dip　stick。
　
　〃What　do　you　think　we　should　do？〃
　
　〃We　don't　have　much　choice。　I'm　not　enthusiastic　about　spending　the　night　here　in　Camp　Happy；　but　I　wasn't　kidding。　It　would　be　crazy　to　run　this　river　in　the　dark。　Do　you　have　any　suggestions？〃
　
　〃Yes；　I　do；〃　Gamay　said；　watching　a　bat　the　size　of　an　eagle　flit　across　the　river　in　the　failing　light。　〃I　suggest　that　we　don't　dose　our　eyes　at　the　same　time。〃
　
　Chapter　9
　As　Austin　scudded　through　the　blue…green　Baja　waters　on　the　back　of　a　mini…submersible；　he　wondered　how　a　National　Geographic　photographer　filming　a　whale　migration　would　react　if　a　man　riding　a　giant　boot　suddenly　appeared　in　his　camera's　viewfinder。　Perched　outside；　like　a　rumble　seat　passenger　in　an　old　roadster；　Austin　could　see　Joe's　head　and　shoulders　outlined　by　the　blue　light　from　the　control　puter　screen　inside　the　watertight　cockpit。
　
　Zavala's　metallic　voice　crackled　in　the　headphones　of　Austin's　underwater　municator。　〃How's　the　weather　out　there；　cap？〃
　
　Austin　rapped　on　the　Plexiglas　dome　and　curled　his　finger　and　thumb　in　the　okay　sign。
　
　〃It's　fine。　This　beats　muscle　power　any　day；〃　he　said。
　
　Zavala　chuckled。　〃Contos　will　be　pleased　to　hear　that。〃
　
　The　skipper　of　the　Sea　Robin　had　beamed　with　pride　as　he　showed　Austin　the　new　submersible　sitting　in　its　deck　cradle。　The　experimental　mini…sub　was　a　marvelously　pact　vehicle。　The　operator　sat　in　the　dry；　pressurized　cabin　like　the　driver　of　a　car；　legs　stretched　out　into　the　extended　eight…foot…long　hull。　Two　pontoons　flanked　the　miniature　cabin；　and　on　the　back　were　the　air　tanks　and　four　thrusters。
　
　Austin　had　run　his　fingers　over　the　transparent　bubble　dome　and　said；　〃I'll　be　damned。　This　thing　does　look　like　an　old　boot。〃　
　
　　〃I　tried　to　get　you　the　Red　October；〃　Contos　said；　〃but　Sean　Connery　was　using　it。〃
　
　Austin　wisely　kept　his　silence。　NUMA　people　were　known　to　form　personal　attachments　to　the　high…tech　equipment　under　their　mand。　The　uglier　the　gear；　the　more　intense　the　relationship。　Austin　didn't　want　to　embarrass　Contos　by　explaining　how　he　knew　the　sub　was　being　field…tested　off　California　where　the　main　ponents　had　been　assembled。　He　had　missioned　the　design　and　building　of　the　mini…submersible　for　the　Special　Assignments　Team；　and　Zavala　designed　it。　NUMA　had　subs　that　could　go　faster　and　deeper；　but　Austin　wanted　a　tough　little　vehicle　that　would　be　portable；　easily　transported　by　a　helicopter　or　boat。　It　would　have　to　be　unobtrusive　as　well；　Austin　specified；　so　as　not　to　attract　attention。　Although　he　had　approved　the　blueprints；　this　was　his　first　glimpse　of　the　final　product。
　
　Zavala　was　a　brilliant　marine　engineer　who　had　directed　the　construction　of　many　manned　and　unmanned　underwater　craft。　For　inspiration；　Zavala　used　the　DeepWorker；　a　mercial　mini…sub　designed　by　Phil　Nuytten　and　Zegrahm　DeepSea　Voyages；　an　adventure　expedition　cruise　pany。　Zavala　extended　the　range　and　power　and　added　sophisticated　testing　capacity。　He　claimed　the　instruments　aboard　the　submersible　could　tell　what　river　or　glacier　a　drop　of　ocean　water　came　from。
　
　The　sub　was　originally　named　the　D