Page 7 of The Voice of Wild Places
Nina’s hand swept through the air dismissively.“I am not inclined to believe Dyott’s findings, as hard won as they were.He was more concerned with a good story than the truth, if you ask me.‘Man Hunting In The Jungle,’“ she scoffed, shaking her head.“You know the story, then?”
Cornelius nodded.Instead of admitting he had a binder that looked suspiciously like one a stalker would use regarding Fawcett’s last trip, he said, “The Kalapolo told Dyott’s party that Percy and the boys disappeared into the forest, and after five days their fires could no longer be seen, that they were possibly killed by the Nafaqua.Except the Nafaqua say that it was the Kalapolo who committed the murder, not them.”
Nina nodded, looking every minute of her sixty years.“And three years ago Sergeant Couturon claimed he saw Percy while hunting alligators,” Nina said softly.She glanced at Watt, who smiled gently in return.There was so much warmth between them that Cornelius felt compelled to look away, but didn’t.
With much less vigor than before, she quietly added, “Every year there is a new fantastical tale, a new child of Jack’s or bones of Percy’s.But the rescue missions thus far have been conducted in entirely the wrong area.I’ve received letters from the local rancher Percy stayed with, Hermenegildo Galvão, that can attest to this, and I’ve my own evidence that Percy is elsewhere as well.”
“Oh?”
Nina rubbed at her temple, looking away from Cornelius.Her eyes glazed over with thought, and Cornelius found it hard to stop watching her.
Watt cleared his throat and proceeded to pick up where she left off, his voice low.“Our main objective is to assist in the dig and do what we can there.It’s in an area that the Colonel took great interest in, and isn’t far at all from his true coordinates.I think it would be best if we retraced his steps exactly, from Bacairy Post to Dead Horse Camp and beyond.I’m not personally familiar with the area, or South America for that fact, but …” Watt parsed out his next words carefully.“I understand that you spent a good deal of time there a few years ago.”
Cornelius frowned.“In Colombia, and some in Peru, but not Brazil.I’ve never been there, all of South America is not all the same.”Cornelius looked away, afraid that he might give himself away.His leg screamed at the thought of trekking through the wild, a stark contrast to his whooping heart.TheWild.
How long had it been since his skies were clear, and the stars ever so bright?
How long had it been since he heard the creeping howls of snakes, and felt the sting of their bite?
“While that may be true, it does not change the fact that your skill set would be a great asset to the expedition.”Watt nudged the conversation.“I need a trustworthy guide, and you are greatly familiar with the Colonel’s work, as you said.The terrain varies throughout South America, true, but there is much that is the same, yes?”
“Yes …” Cornelius allowed, too confused to say much more.
He didn’t understand.
He was not special.
Adventurers were a dime a dozen these days, and most of them were much more fit for a journey like this than he was.More ambitious, too.He was more fortunate than most to have a roof over his head and money to his name in these desperate times.He could’ve used the money and fame, sure, but he didn’t need it, not like others did.
Then again, the adventurers whohadgone looking for Fawcett hadn’t all made it back.
There wasn’t much rhyme or reason to surviving the jungle.You could throw the most seasoned explorers in with a bunch of greenhorns, shake them about, and each time get a different result.The only reason Cornelius escaped with his life was the same reason others did.Wicked luck.
Cornelius shifted his attention to Nina and caught a glimpse of hope in her eyes, the slackening of tension in anticipation of a yes.
It nearly changed his mind.Nearly.
“Mrs.Fawcett, I cannot deny that I’ve had my own suspicions regarding Dyott’s findings, and your proposal is intriguing, but I’m no longer the man I once was.I would be a burden on an expedition like this.I must refuse, but I can recommend some reputable men who would be up for the task.”
“But I do not want other reputable men, Dr.Sawyer.I want you,” Nina said, like she’d already told him a hundred times before.She bent down and reached into the bag at her feet.
“I understand that, ma’am,” Cornelius said, although he truly didn’t.“But I—"
Nina withdrew a hefty journal from her bag, and all air ceased to exist.Without a word having to be uttered, Cornelius knew what it was.Knowledge and adventure seeped from the rough pages hidden between those leather coverings.Nina laid the journal in her lap and smiled down at it, running a finger over its face.
“Did you know I was the one who found Raposo’s document?”
Cornelius swallowed.“Yes, ma’am.”
Without looking up she said, “I asked to go, you know.All my life I stayed behind while he went on adventures, and on the trip before his last one I all but demanded it of him.But the jungle was no place for a woman, he said.He was awfully backwards that way, insisting that the Indians are our equals while still calling them savages.Accepting my help and education, while firmly believing a woman’s purpose was only to run the household.”
Nina Fawcett exhaled, and placed the journal on the desk between them.
That damned curiosity of his sparked Cornelius’ nerves, forced his muscles into motion.He reached for weathered pages and worn leather, then paused upon remembering his manners.He looked to his guest for permission and Nina smiled, tired and quivering.She said, “Brian, bless him, compiled all his father’s journals.We thought we could find answers within its pages, we’ve found enough questions, certainly.Brian attached some of his letters, and Jack’s too, along with a few from Raleigh.The only people to have seen this are my family, Mr.Johnson, and now you.I—we are not ready to publish it yet, but you may read it.If I cannot convince you to join this adventure, perhaps my husband can.”
Nina stood, and Watt did the same.She smoothed her hands over her dress and nodded, as if everything was settled.“I will send Mr.Johnson for it, and your final answer, on Wednesday morning by eight o’clock sharp.I do hope you change your mind, for my husband’s sake just as much as your own.”
Nina Fawcett cast her gaze over the room, and him, one last time.Chidingly, she said, “You’re meant for adventure, Cornelius.”She and her companion turned away, leaving him behind.
