Scene 12

The Guyana Highlands

I threw my arms up to try and divert the jungle cat’s attack, but I knew I was in trouble.

Suddenly, the cat was knocked to the side by a large blur of shaggy fur. The cat hit the ground to my side and rolled, with the shaggy animal right behind it.

The shaggy form turned out to be a large dog, which stood between me and the cat, warning the jaguar away. The jaguar regained its feet and stalked back and forth, frustrated that it had been denied its prey.

The dog made a threatening growl and the cat slinked away to find easier prey.

“Wompet?” I said in disbelief.

The big dog turned and bounded towards me, its tag wagging furiously. I noticed as he ran, that he placed no weight on his right rear leg, as though it were injured.

He reached me and began licking my face in joyful greeting. I took him in my arms and gladly stroked his fur.

“Wompet, old buddy, I believe I owe you a steak for that.”

I pushed the dog away so I could free my foot. I examined it and found that no serious damage had been done. My ankle would be sore for a while, but I could still walk on it.

“Let’s take a look at your leg, Wompet.”

The dog, knowing I would help him, stood still as I looked at his leg. There was a wound there that had become infected in the jungle environment. Wompet whimpered as I gently prodded the area around the wound.

“Somebody shot at you, didn’t they?” I said as I realized the source of the wound. The bullet had not entered, but simply creased the skin. If I didn’t do something, however, it would fester and get worse.

I dug the first aid kit out of my vest and pulled out the disinfectant. I cleaned the wound as gently as I could and applied the ointment. Wompet whimpered as I worked on him, but I could tell he knew I was trying to help.

“That’s all I can do for you right now boy. What happened to you? Why are you out here all alone?”

Of course, the dog couldn’t answer me, but he looked at me in understanding.

“Where are the others, Wompet? Can you take me to them?”

Wompet got on his feet and started into the jungle. He turned around and acted as if I should follow him.

I picked up my gear and followed the dog as he moved through the jungle. I made careful note of my bearing and the distance we were traveling.