Chapter 5 Scene 6

John and Bukela are at the passageway leading southwest from the mountain chamber when the large room rumbles. This is the longest of the passages, with many turns, rises, and dips. There are more rises than dips, though, so the general direction is somewhat upward.

After a while Bukela sees a blue mushroom and picks it up.

"That was very observant of you," compliments John.

"A hunter needs to be very observant at all times."

"The boy I met on the other island, Phato, is determined to be a great hunter."

"You're not a hunter, are you?"

"No, I'm a professor, a teacher. I study archaeology -- people who lived a long time ago."

"Like our ancestors?"

"Yes."

A little while later John jumps at the sight of a lizard scurrying by. Bukela shakes her head, and then John realizes he should have kept his composure. He says, "We must be near the exit," and gets the lizard in his bag.

You found a Red Mutlifaced!

They can see cracks of daylight ahead, when Bukela spots something else hanging from a vine on the ceiling.

"Look! It's a statue!"

John had gone past it, but looks up and sees it. "I think you're right, but it's too high to reach. That must be five meters."

"That's not a problem; I got the bow. Put your torch down, and hold your bag right under the statue."

John isn't used to taking orders from a child, but doesn't want to argue with the native girl with the bow and arrow, so he does as instructed. Bukela sets her torch and bag down, steps back, takes careful aim, and shoots a perfect shot the severs the vine holding the statue. As expected, the statue drops straight down and John catches it in his bag.

You found the Statue of Ushumare!

They go around a bend and get to the exit, an opening a meter in diameter. They look down as the sun is setting.

"Where are we?" asks John.

Bukela answers, "This is good: that is the Abandoned Village below."

"That's a long climb down."

"Yes, and we should do it in good daylight."

They eat some of the food they have and settle down for the night. Bukela is fine sleeping flat on the floor, while John tries to use a rock as a pillow.

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