Chapter Twelve

Rescue

PART ONE

"Malone," Roxton shouted, relieved from the sight of his friend.

The journalist, startled, whirled around.  "Roxton?  Roxton!"  He rushed over towards them while yelling: "Veronica!  Challenger!  Over here!"

Instantly, the two other members of their makeshift family came bursting through the trees.

Marguerite released a sigh and sank onto a log, exhaustion settling in now that their adventure was finally over.  She dropped her head into her hands, rubbing her temples and staring at the ground.  Suddenly a pair of boots filled her line of vision and a soft voice asked: "Are you all right?"

Marguerite groaned, raising her head to look up at her housemate.  "Do I look all right," she replied softly, wearily.  She pointed down at her skirt.  "Look what that man did."

Veronica gave an amused smile, but then squatted down, scrutinizing the bandage/split around her leg.  "What happened?"

"Snake bite," Roxton chimed in from behind the jungle beauty.  "I didn't get a good look at the snake."

Challenger was instantly kneeling beside Veronica, carefully taking Marguerite's leg into his hands.  "How long ago were you bitten?"

Marguerite shrugged.  "I don't know.  Nine, ten hours."

"Any pain?"

"No."

Roxton gave her a stern look and she recanted.  "Ok, maybe a little.  It hurt a lot more when I was first bitten.  It's not too bad now."

Challenger looked grave.  "I can't be sure until I take the bandage off.  But we best get back to the tree house first.  Are you all right to walk?"

"Fine," she drawled out and then climbed to her feet.  "After what we've been through, a little more walking isn't going to kill me."

PART TWO

Safely back at the tree house, Malone eyed Roxton curiously.  "So, what did happen to you two?  Last we knew Marguerite was going to the garden to give you a drink."

Roxton slumped down onto a chair.  "What didn't happen to us," he mumbled.

Challenger came out of Marguerite's room.  "She was bitten by a venomous snake."

Roxton was immediately on his feet, storming towards her room, but Challenger halted him.

"Roxton, let me finish.  She isn't poisoned.  Your quick thinking saved her life."

"Thank God," Roxton praised.

"Yes, indeed.  She's resting at the moment.  She told me somewhat of your ordeal.  Quite an amazing defeat."

"You have no idea."

End Chapter Twelve

Only the Epilogue left…