We headed westwards at, for us, quite a brisk pace and soon left the paved roads of Chapoti behind us. Sumala led the way along a good, wide dirt road through an agricultural area with wide irrigation ditches and small areas of woodland. Frequently we had to move to one side as a horse or oxen drawn cart carrying fruit or vegetables for the market, took most of the road width. Always we were greeted with friendly smiles and a greeting. With the rising sun now dispersing the chill and mist of the morning, I felt happy and free as we ambled through the undulating landscape. Ahead of us I could see mountain peaks rising up and from what Sumala had said, I knew we’d have to cross them before we reached Neambu, where Allaice lived.

Sumala was in his element, striding along bare-footed with the graceful ease of a young panther and carrying his bulky framed rucksack like it weighed nothing. We, on the other hand, only had small cotton rucksacks we’d bought in the market and, at Sumala’s insistence, only brought a single change of clothing, a sweater and a few essential toiletries. I tried to imitate his long strides and found they caused my buttock muscles to complain but I quickly adjusted to a stride length and pace that suited me and was soon lost in thought and admiring the scenery. It was pleasant and homely; different to England but not a scene of forceful grandeur. Occasionally Sumala would stop and point out things of interest but generally we walked in silence. For a while I forgot about Roger holding my hand but gradually I noticed him give a bit of a sigh and have to make a few hurried steps to keep up. I knew it wouldn’t be long before he interrupted my reverie. We’d been on the move for only an hour and a half when he gave a little moan. Here it comes, I thought, Trust him to spoil things with his whining.”

A few minutes later he asked, Can we have a rest? I’m sure this pack has rubbed my welts and chafed them raw.”

“No! I told him more forcefully than I intended, We need to get as far as we can while it is still relatively cool. We’ll have a break in another hour or so. Sumala turned and gave me a grin.

“I don’t think I can go that long without a rest.”

I just tugged on Roger’s hand and said, You can and you will. Now shut up. We’re all in the same boat. I can feel the pack on my back too and I don’t know how Suma can take all that weight on his whipped shoulders without complaining.”

“We could go back.”

“Don’t even think about it.”

Ten minutes later, Ellie, we’ve got to stop now, my feet are sore.”

“And your arse will be sore also if you don’t shut up. He kept dragging his feet and slowing me down and constantly I had to pull on his hand. I was fed up. Stop for a moment Suma please. Roger thought he was getting his way. Can I have the rope please? Out of his pack, Sumala produced the twenty feet of so of rope that we’d intended to use when crossing the mountains. Roger was about to slip the pack from his back when I removed the cuff from my wrist and fastened it to his. Both his hands were then linked in front of him by a length of chain. I tied one end of he rope to the centre of the chain and the other around my waist. You will keep the rope slack at all times, I instructed, Otherwise I will get Suma use his big knife to cut a switch and he can gee you up from behind like a donkey. He called me a cruel bitch but the threat must have had some effect because it was twenty minutes before he started to complain again.

Rather than having the rope pull directly on my waist, I held a bight of it in my hand. Twice it became tight enough to pull it from my fingers but I didn’t remark on it. What annoyed me more was the constant pathetic whimpering.

By now the agricultural landscape was giving way to scrub and the grass road had deteriorated into a track that climbed steadily upwards. Although we could still have walked side by side it was preferable to me to keep my partner at a distance. Three-quarters of an hour later we came to a small clear stream and Sumala suggested we had a five-minute break. We dropped our packs but Roger of course, couldn’t get his right off because of the cuffs but he could rest it when sitting on the ground. I took the opportunity to check his back but there was only minor chafing but to shut him up I put some cream on it. The heat of the day caused us to sweat and the back of his shirt and my blouse was soaked.

Don’t drink too much of the cold water, Sumala warned. We did have a drink and I rinsed my face and legs and then sat in the shade of a small tree. We’re doing quite well, our guide informed me, But we’re not a far along as I planned. See that line of trees that are the start of the mountains? A forester, Gordmu, and his family have a hut there. We will be obliged to visit them and they will feel obliged to offer us food and drink. You Miss Bluestone, must act as though you are in full charge of Roger and me. Out here they are more traditional than in the town and they are old and set in traditional ways. When they offer food accept but remember they will not have much in stock and there is no town nearby to get more. If they offer to refill your plate, respectfully decline. The other thing is, they will only speak a few words of english although they will understand much of what you say if you speak slowly. I have some difficulty with their dialect but I would guess that I will have to interpret for them. At our pace it will take another hour to get there and then we can have a proper rest. I think we should push on straight away. What do you think Boss Lady? He gave me a teasing smile.

“Fine Mr. Guide. Let’s go. On your feet Roger.”

Ten minutes later and again in full sun I was soaked with sweat and getting more and more irritable from the chafing of my pack and almost having to tug Roger every step of the way. Worse was his continual griping about the conditions. We stopped again. Why did you have to agree to this? If you’d agreed to fuck the Major a few times he’d have provided transport. You’ve fucked nearly every one else and yet you drag me along and torture me in this hell on earth. While he was ranting I whispered to Sumala what I wanted him to do. From the grin he gave I knew he agreed with what I was about to do and chuckling left the track, cut a short stick and then ferreted in his rucksack for some string.

“You’ve turned into a mean bitch Ellie. I just hope that I don’t get on the wrong side of you! With Sumala’s help I forced the stick crossways in Roger’s mouth and tied it in place with string around his head. The ends of the stick stuck out several inches either side of his head like a grotesque horse bit.

“Stand him up Suma please. With Sumala holding him upright I undid his shorts and let them fall to the ground. Neither of them anticipated my next more. Undoing the rope from his chain, I formed the end into a small noose, slipped it around the base of his prick and behind his balls and lightly tightened it. Tears flowed from his eyes when he realised the implications. It would be really painful if he didn’t keep up. My stuffing his shorts into his backpack only added to his humiliation but we didn’t meet any others on our journey.

“I’m leaving you like this until we get to the forester’s place so the sooner we get there the better. I will put it back on for the next stage of the trip if you start griping and abusing me again. Understood? He nodded but his eyes glared their hatred. You might have a lower pain threshold to us but there’s no need to act like a spoilt five-year old, nor is there any need for you to say the vilest things about us, especially when you know they are not true. Now I suggest you grip the rope with your hands so there is no pressure on your balls unless you get too far behind me. He was mumbling something but nothing intelligible came out before I told Sumala to lead the way again.

Not wishing to be too unkind I did keep the pace down but deliberately didn’t look behind. Twice when he stumbled, the rope became taut but not enough to tighten the noose. Even so it was well over an hour before we arrived at a group of three grass huts.

Gordmu closely followed by his wife Tuva came out to greet us. Apparently the sons were away in the forest working. He immediately went towards Sumala who stepped aside and indicated that I should go first. The old man hesitated for only a second and then noting my bluestone badge came and hugged me and jabbered in his dialect. I caught the word Gordmu and gathered it was a ritual greeting. Stepping back slightly I answered in my best London accent, I’m Ellie and I’m pleased to meet you Sir. He nodded and smiled and greeted Sumala before his wife came and greeted me. She indicated for us to sit in the shade outside their hut. I introduced Roger and ordered him to sit and then asked Sumala to remove the gag. Don’t you dare say a word, Roger, or it goes straight back in, I warned when his gag came out. Fortunately he only worked his jaws but kept quiet. Sumala then removed the noose and, on my instructions, tied the rope around Roger’s waist.

Tuva through Sumala suggested that we might like to rinse ourselves and wash the sweat out of our clothing in the stream and then sit with them while we had some food and drink. I readily agreed and she took us a short distance behind the hut to where a cold, fast flowing stream from the mountains gurgled past. Without hesitation I shed my clothes and stepped into the chilly water. Sumala did the same and when he was close enough to me, whispered, Order the boy to wash our clothes. Releasing one of his cuffs and handing the rope that was still around his waist to Tuva to hold, gave the order in a loud voice. Tuva seemed to approve and was amused by his efforts at washing but she didn’t intercede to help him.

Roger managed to get himself clean at the same time although he did squeal a bit at the coldness of the water, but a look from me and he shut up. It gave me a little pleasure to take photos of him doing this chore without a washing machine. Tuva touched the welts on my back a few times and asked about them and when we’d returned to Gordmu, she mentioned it to him. Both seemed surprised at the extent of my punishment and the whipping Sumala had. They’d heard about it of course because the boys had been to the market since then.

While our clothes dried, we sat naked outside the hut and talked in a stilted language with our hosts. Sumala soon had a full erection and I wondered if I would be expected to allow him to use it but fortunately Tuva brought out the food; flat bread with a huge pitcher of honey. Gordmu explained that his sons had found a wild bees nest earlier in the week. It was delicious and so different from the refined supermarket stuff that I usually bought. This had everything in it; bits of honeycomb and even bits of bees. I could have eaten it until I was sick but remembered to decline more when I was offered.

Wyche’s ointment for my feet came in useful. I didn’t have any blisters at the time but there were places between my toes that were red. Sumala put in on for me and whispered that I was being impolite by not asking to service his erection so after he’d treated Roger’s feet I did so and noticed the look of satisfaction on our host’s faces when Sumala entered and pounded me until he loosed his load. Whatever Roger thought of it, he kept to himself. I wondered if Gordmu would fuck me as well but I guess he was too old to get it hard enough. I almost offered Roger to Tuva but I had already alienated him enough for one day.

All too soon Sumala suggested we ought to move on. The way for the next ten miles or so is a steep zig-zag uphill path and the first part is through the forest. It will be darker and cooler under the trees and much more humid so expect to sweat at least as much as you did earlier. Once we get above the tree line, it will be bare rock and earth landscape but we’ll be in the sun again. I am hoping that we can get over the pass and down to a tiny village before nightfall so that we can have a roof over our heads. Unfortunately Gordmu said he smelled rain in the air and at this time of year it means a storm probably like the one we had in Chapoti some days ago now. Storms in this area are pretty fickle so we could easily miss any rain even though places nearby get a downpour. If it catches us in the open, it won’t be pleasant. We need to make as much progress as we can now so we don’t have to spend a night without shelter.”

“Okay Mr. Guide, let’s get going. As Sumala predicted, we were soon soaked in sweat and I wondered why we bothered with washing our clothing. It was also dark and gloomy. Eerie. Mostly quiet, but every so often we would be startled by a group of monkeys hurling themselves through the trees making a loud clattering noise. We only caught glimpses of them though.

Despite our best efforts, progress was slow. Roger lapsed into a sullen silence but managed to keep up, no doubt fearing further punishments from me if he didn’t. I took the cuffs off him completely and fastened the rope around our waists so we had both hands free to clamber over rocks and fallen trees that lay in our path. I tried to give him words of encouragement but he more or less ignored them, preferring, I suspect, to treat me as a wicked sadistic bitch. In several places Sumala had to hack a path through the undergrowth and I could only admire his sense of direction. I would have been completely lost. Each time the path seemed to disappear, after a hundred yards or so of clearing, it reappeared again. His clearing the pathway lost us time but eased the pressure on us. It was well into the afternoon before the trees thinned and eventually we emerged into bright sunshine.

“Fill your water bottles here, Sumala ordered, This is the last little stream before we get well down on the other side of the col there. He pointed to a low place between two mountain peaks. It looked a long way off and was at a much higher elevation than we were. I heard Roger give a little cry of fear and I too knew the feeling. It would be a long hard slog to get to the col and with sore feet, it would be a painful descent. I gave him a hug and whispered, We’ll make it. No problem.”

The ground quickly became rough with small boulders everywhere making walking difficult. In places we had to go between or around large outcrops of rock. It was more like a landscape from a science fiction film. At times, where the land fell away sharply and we were close to cliffs several hundreds of feet high, we had superb views over the surrounding land. I took a few photos but spectacular wide vistas like that never seem impressive in a picture.

At four o’clock we noticed a dark cloud coming over the peaks, heading in our direction. I looked at the col again but it seemed almost as far away from us as it did when we came above the tree line. The route wasn’t as tortuous or as steep as the way through the forest but it would take a long while to reach to top of the pass. Sumala led us from the track, if ever there was an actual path, to a huge, slightly overhanging rock formation. Take all your clothes off and put them inside plastic bags inside your packs and then we’ll huddle down in what little shelter there is here. That way at least you will have dry clothes to put on after the rain stops. It will get pretty chilly so we’ll need to keep each other warm. Roger had pooh-poohed the idea of using plastic bags inside our packs yesterday. It won’t rain now for months, he’d declared. Only on his camera did he lavishly encase in plastic and that was more to keep grit out. I took pity on him and put the clothes he took off in with mine.

Hardly had we completed the task and we heard the loud hissing which became a roar as the rain reached us. Sumala managed to fish out a small tarpaulin he intended to use as a ground sheet from his pack and we wrapped that around us. The inside rapidly became wet from our moisture but it did protect our bodies a little from the stinging bite of the raindrops. It was a frightening sensation. There we were crouched down and sitting on our packs in the dubious shelter of a large rock on an exposed mountainside with the rain beating on our bodies so hard that it was almost like being stoned with fine pebbles. I must say that Sumala took the brunt of it. Roger and I were pressed back against the rock and he was on the outside but nevertheless we still felt a lot of its force. Soon the chill air caused us to shiver and we hugged each other tighter but no one spoke, not even Roger. A bright flash of lightening crept through the cracks under the edges of the tarpaulin, immediately a tremendously loud crack of thunder pierced our eardrums. It was a scenario that repeated itself time and time again over the next hour.

Several times Roger screamed in terror but all I could do was hug him. I too was frightened but with him I knew that his shaking was more from fear than cold. I rethought my decision to take him on this adventure, an adventure that had turned out to be another ordeal but in my heart I knew I would have made the same decision again. It was sheer chance that this storm had come at this time. What if we had made better time earlier in the day? What if we hadn’t stayed so long with the forester? Would we have missed it then or caught it when we were in shelter? Questions without answers.

For a short while the rain eased slightly and Sumala peered out. Shit! he swore. We soon found out why. The storm rebounded from the peaks on the eastern boundary and headed back towards us. We’d no time to change our position so we caught the full force. Fortunately it had lost a little of its power but was still worse than any storm I’d been in at home. For a further half an hour it battered us until we thought we couldn’t stand it any more. The top of my head felt bruised and sore and the thunder reverberated around inside my skull until I thought I would pass out from the noise alone. I didn’t and surprisingly, Roger didn’t either.

Almost as though the tap had been turned off, the rain suddenly ceased, the black clouds disappeared and the sun shone brightly. Steam rose from the ground, the rocks and us. The noises in our heads didn’t disappear as quickly though and it was several hours before we began to hear properly.

The landscape took on a surreal look when we finally started out again. Steam rose in dense clouds as the warm evening sun dried up the surface water making it seem that we were walking through a sauna. It didn’t matter that we’d put on dry clothing because only minutes after leaving, we were soaked with sweat. By now I was footsore too so progress was slow but we put in a few more miles and then called a halt to have something to eat. Where will we spend the night? I asked our guide.

“Good question. To be honest with you, I don’t know. I expected to be over the col before now and into the forest area but we won’t do that before dark. We’ll be stuck in this rocky stuff until dawn without wood for a fire. That storm cost us dearly in time. I noticed that he didn’t blame our snail’s pace walk. After we’ve had a bit of a rest we’ll go on and keep our eyes open for a smoother patch of ground

“Or a cave?”

He grinned, If there is a cave it will almost certainly be inhabited by something you won’t like Ellie. One good thing about the storm is that there are now pools of water although I expect they will be gone by morning.”

Actually we did have a little luck later. A half hour after walking again, we came to a rock formation that almost formed a little bay and in here the prevailing wind blew much of the debris from the surrounding hills. The ground would be hard but at least we could have a fire and rest even if we didn’t sleep too much.

It turned cold and I put on the sweater that I’d brought, Roger’s was still wet as was most things in his pack so we had to erect a little rack near the fire to dry his stuff out. As the night wore on, so the cold increased and we doubled up on our clothing and lay huddled together on the tarpaulin, our only protection from the hard ground.

The whining started almost as soon as we settled down, this time though I didn’t turn on him. Roger, just remember we’re all in the same situation. We’re no better off than you and no worse off either. We’ll get through it together. He groaned and started weeping but he turned away from me and his comments stopped.

None of us slept much during what seemed an endless night. At intervals Sumala got up and added fuel to the fire and usually for a while after I sat on my rucksack with his arms around me watching the flames consume the twigs. We didn’t speak but each was lost in our thoughts.

At first light, we boiled some water and made tea and had a couple of the thick biscuits we’d brought. I treated our feet with the ointment and was pleasantly surprised that I hadn’t any blisters and neither had Roger although both of us had redness between several of our toes and on the balls of our feet. Shortly after we packed and set off again while the air was still cold. The walking helped to restore our circulation and before long we made good progress.

Two hours later and still not nine o’clock, we crested the col and began the long and winding descent into a valley, only to climb out of it again on to another high plateau. At times we walked along the very edge of the border with Malawi but the high sheer cliffs made it impossible to cross over. I wondered if I would have done so had I been given the chance. Twice we stopped at tiny villages and were given refreshment and at one I was given a good fucking by two lads and both Roger and Sumala serviced a girl each. It provided a pleasant interlude but before long, Suma indicated that we should continue but it was nearly dark again before we reached Neambu. The day’s journey had been a much pleasanter experience and even Roger seemed more cheerful. Both of us though were very tired but Sumala still walked with an easy stride.

On the outskirts of the village, a young, light skinned girl ran up, grabbed my hand and almost dragged me through the streets to a small wooden house. Other villagers seemed to know what was happening as they waved and greeted me by name as I was led passed them. News certainly seems to travel quickly even in these remote areas, I thought but my guide didn’t allow me to stop.

“Welcome, Allaice greeted our arrival in her slightly accented english, I expected you earlier.”

“You expected us?”

“Of course, the transport driver told us you were coming when he brought the supplies yesterday. Why you not get a lift with him?”

“The Major, the bloody Major! He deliberately put us through hell again, I fumed.

“But you did see more of our countryside. Sumala laughed. Roger looked angry too. He probably still thought that I could have fucked some proper transport out of the major.



Chapter sixteen. I punish Roger

“You’ve met Alicia my fifth daughter and this giant teddy bear is JeanPaul. The biggest man I’d seen so far in Tumali came laughing from behind her, threw his arms around me and lifted my feet well off the ground. That’s a real bear hug, Allaice grinned but I cried out from the pain and then grinned when he set me down.

“JeanPaul is not my real name but this Frenchie woman couldn’t say it and renamed me. Now everyone calls me JeanPaul. I don’t mind though. A huge grin lit up his face and as soon as my feet were back on the floor he gave his partner a similar hug and playfully tossed his daughter squealing in the air a couple of times. I introduced Roger and Sumala although I guessed they already knew their names.

“Why is he tied to her mummy? Alicia asked.

“So he does not run away and get into trouble, I answered which caused more laughter from everyone except Roger.

“You would like shower I expect?”

“We had a very good shower yesterday afternoon, Sumala commented, But we’d better have another.”

“Something a little less powerful and quieter would be nice, I quipped and we had to explain about the storm.

“Leave us your clothes and I will wash them so you have clean for morning. You will not need any tonight. It is warm in house and we do not wear any in evening.”

Refreshed, we sat around the table and ate our first proper meal in several days. The conversation was on us, and each time I broached the subject of her being in Tumali, Allaice said we would talk on her life tomorrow when we would be less tired.

That was true. By ten o’clock my eyes were closing. JeanPaul had taken Alicia to the children’s house for the night and Allaice showed us to their bedroom. It had two beds, one much bigger than the other which I guessed was to hold the enormous bulk of JeanPaul. You won’t mind I think, if I take Suma to bed me tonight. The big bear will like to have you. It is the custom in Tumali I think you know. I smiled, more at her phrasing than at what she said but she assumed I agreed. In fact, having seen that his prick was in proportion to his frame, I was a little concerned that I might not take it easily. She must have noticed my expression. You not worry. He is gentle. I know from first time he fuck me.”

Roger and Sumala were both sporting erections and I didn’t want to alienate him further. Would you like to take Roger first? I asked her praying that she would agree. A further slight would flatten his self esteem even further.

“Do I have to chain him to me too? She adopted the Tumalian habit of smiling widely.

“No, but I mustn’t unchain him without fastening him to another.”

“You get to watch then. Poor Roger’s face went red. I don’t know why. I’d watched him before and he’d watched others fuck me often enough. Maybe it was because JeanPaul had returned and sat with his arms around me while we watched. Fortunately Roger’s erection kept standing and, after some initial faltering, he gave Allaice a creditable fuck. Having abstained for a couple of days, he wasn’t long in shooting his seed into her. From what I could see of her belly, I guessed she was in the early stages of pregnancy so he wouldn’t be fathering a baby with her.

I shooed him to the far side of the big bed and readied myself for the Big Bear’s weapon. I won’t hurt you, he said, I’ve had many women now.”

His entry did hurt a bit but it was nothing I couldn’t withstand without crying out and soon I was thrusting back to meet his loins. When I glanced at Roger he silently mouthed whore and I felt like giving him a backhander but was too busy holding on to JeanPaul. I almost couldn’t get his near hard prick in my mouth to clean it and had to lick up and down the length of his shaft. My vagina once again felt tender but I wasn’t about to mention it, nor get up for some lotion. I quickly fell asleep snuggled in the big man’s arms.

I awoke when he moved his frame to go for a piss. Roger was already awake and I noticed his usual morning hard-on. I spoke, I thought, in a kindly way, Okay Roger, come and relieve yourself.”

“Don’t patronise me bitch! You think I wish to bring myself down to your level Miss Innocence now turned in to Miss Bluestone Slut. No thank you! He turned away.

The hatred in his voice appalled me and I almost started crying but when I moved my head I saw, all the others were watching and they’d all heard the remark. I had to do something. I had to keep my authority over him. Suma, would you get the strap the Major presented to me when he gave me the bluestone please. It’s in my backpack. He seemed surprised and Roger looked apprehensive but he had just a hint of a smile that in my mind said, She’ll only threaten me with it. She’ll never dare use it. She knows what I’m like with pain. Thank you Suma. Now would you mind holding him over the edge of the bed please?”

Because of the chain, it took a few minutes to get him into a suitable position and by then Roger began to realise that he’d gone too far and that he was going to feel the strap. He started pleading, then begging but I ignored him. Allaice would you mind getting my camera out and taking a few pictures of this so he can have a reminder of who is in charge of who here?”

“JeanPaul’s better with camera than me. He takes good pictures. So it proved although at the time I wondered how his huge hands would cope with the tiny controls.

“Ready? Sumala and JeanPaul nodded, Roger screamed NO! I knew I had to make my mark and do it quickly. CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! Without a pause I whipped the strap across his backside with all the force that I could muster in the short space of time. He gave an almighty cry and then went limp but soon came round. Despite the shame I felt from having hurt him, there was also a sense of elation. I’d used my power and he’d had to submit to it. Tears rolled down his face and he sobbed and tried to rub his arse but with Sumala still pinning him he was unable to move his arms sufficiently. Still feeling my power, I ordered, Release him Suma please. Roger started to stand and massage the soreness. Kneel! I stood with the strap still in my hand and indicated he should kneel at my feet. Kiss me. With his face level with my pubic mound, there was no doubt as to where I wanted to he kissed. I tried to keep a stern face but it was difficult with the others trying to suppress their laughter. Roger, if you ever talk to me like that again, I’ll skin your backside even if it takes all day to do it. Understand? Slowly he looked up and nodded. Now you can think up a suitable apology, one that befits a journalist of your ability. I don’t wish to hear, I’m sorry Ellie’. You should be able to do better than that. A few minutes later he found a form of words and stuttered a suitable apology. At least the apology seemed genuine and his voice more respectful, but I guessed he was seething inside.

Sumala and JeanPaul both had erections by this time and serviced us again before we showered. Allaice made a hearty breakfast and Alicia came and picked her stuff up ready for school. The young girl quickly spotted Roger’s striped arse and asked, Did he try to run away?”

“Not this time but he was very cheeky to me.”

“And you’re a bluestone power girl! He should know better. We all had to laugh at that.

JeanPaul had to go to work at the timber yard and I sent Sumala to get a few pictures of the village while I helped Allaice clear the breakfast things and I could have a woman-to-woman chat with her without the formality of an interview. Roger sullenly followed me around, keeping as far away as the chain allowed. I found that she’d had seven children but only kept the one. The first baby was sold because she couldn’t be sure that JeanPaul or any other Tumalian man was the father. It could be that it was one of the pirates baby, she said, I don’t think it was but there was a remote possibility, before turning to the topic food differences between Tumali. England and France.

When Sumala returned and showed me the pictures on the camera screen, I scrolled back to the ones of Roger’s strapping and saw that JeanPaul had indeed taken some good ones. Probably his high viewpoint helped. I didn’t show them to Roger; he was very quiet and subdued and had hardly spoken a dozen words since I’d threatened him with the gag if he started whining. He did, however, make a great show of walking stiffly and sitting down with the utmost care and trying to elicit the maximum amount of sympathy from Allaice. She just laughed and told him not to be a baby. Now the four of us sat in easy chairs that actually matched, ready for Allaice to begin her account. Fortunately I’d carried the little Sony recorder and it had survived the deluge in the mountains so I didn’t really need to takes notes but I did anyway. The speedwriting technique I learned in college, as usual, proved a godsend. I still couldn’t trust machines to behave; like computers, they seem to break down at the most inconvenient times.

On tape I introduced Allaice and told Roger and Sumala that they would be free to comment and ask questions at any time. Which they did and I was able to piece together a coherent report.