I first heard them upon my arrival into the Australian outback on my way to meet my husband. They pounded so faint in the distance and so loud in my memory, those native drums beating so forcefully to some hidden ceremony, some secret warning.
I recall them completely invading the river route I was taking to my destination. The small boat carrying me held three passengers, Botomi an eighteen year old native boy who worked for my husband, the old Captain (also native) Mr. Jamal and me a thirty two year old Filipina nurse.
The drums didn't seem to bother my companions, as much as they did to me. There was something unnatural in their sound and in their rhythm. I could feel it brush across my face, and my back and torso like warm silk, slithering its way straight between my legs. Between my legs, I could believe the feeling, the very thought, it was so vulgar. Of course I dismiss this rude concept, primarily because I could. Still I couldn't dismiss the sound, and I never felt isolated as I did down that dirty dismal river of dark wilderness.
Somewhere along the way Botomi mentioned that the drums are the sound of bad Ju Ju, an ancient form of black magic practiced by several rivaling tribes. He also mentioned that its voodoo was common and plentiful in the region we were going too, and that none of the aborigines took well to strangers.
I let him know that such things were of no concern of mine nor did they frighten me. But he knew other wise and gave me a drink to calm my nerves. The beverage was delightful, a sort of creamy colada with a sweet instinctive banana and vanilla taste. It didn't take me long to finish it, and a couple more. I enjoyed the drink very much and made a point from that moment on to have several more during my stay.
When Botomi approach to tell me that we'd only a few more miles up the river before I reach my new home and Roger, I was already feeling the effect from the drink, or rather drinks, he'd given me earlier.
The sound of the drums began to intensify, and I was completely consumed in a hypnotic state by their estrange rapture. From that point nothing mattered much over the enchanted music. I was lost in its spell and completed subjected to its every command.