The morning was laden with a heavy fog and it was quiet out on the plains. While riding in the jeep down the rutted roads, I thought I saw movement at the base of a large tree. The tree's branches spanned the sky, some with foliage and the others gnarled with age. The tree appeared black against the fog back drop. So it was difficult to make out the shadow at the base of the old tree. I would have to take the jeep off the road to get a clearer picture of what I was seeing. The morning's fog kept a wild scent in the air, a scent that wakes the morning and the jungle predators. Over the hum of the jeep's engine it was difficult to hear the movement in the mist, but I knew I was not alone, ever, when I traveled this wild terrain.
I shortened the distance between me and the tree and the outline was becoming clearer. I could see now that it was a person. This area is a long way from the village where people would be found, so it is uncommon to find someone out here alone. I approached with apprehension. I did not want to put myself in any danger, or startle the person out here, perhaps they were not alone, or was waiting for someone. As with all hunters, you must anticipate bait and traps at every turn of the road.
As I neared, I could see this was a woman, a small of stature, petite in frame sitting high atop a large rock at the base of the old tree. I didn't know if I could communicate with her, but was soon to find out. She was clearly a white woman, though her skin was deeply tanned by the sun. There were laugh lines and a wariness in her blue eyes. It seemed as if we were both sizing each other up in our approach. I stopped the jeep and sat still in the vehicle. She dismounted from the rock and stood to her full height. She was a tall woman, nearly as tall as myself. Neither of us spoke yet.
With her in the jeep with me now, I took Mercy Auhnyu back towards the city. She was exhausted and hungry. I was able to give her water from my camelback but I could tell she needed more sustenance. She spoke softly as she told me her story about being abandoned by her safari group. They had run into a group of tribesmen and it was a fierce conflict at their vehicle. If it had not been for her being out to explore and photograph a young zebra she would have been in the altercation. She had managed to stay hidden in her place beyond the road when she saw the terrible slaughter that took place. She knew that the entire group was doing all they could to outrun the tribesmen. Once they had taken the food and water from them and the young children, they had lost further interest in the caravan.
With great anxiety she watched as the caravan drove in haste away from the site. There were dead tribesmen left on the road as their compatriots fled also. They wanted to separate themselves from the dead and dying. Mercy stayed hidden until there was not a soul left on the plains. She had only been on the safari for two days and they were to have traveled together for ten days. She didn't know which way to begin her trek back to the city. Hunger and heat had overtaken her until she found her safe spot on this large rock. There was a gap between the rock and the tree that was just enough space for her to lay down and take cover while she planned her next move.
