A/N: I've decided to expand on this little story. Who know what will transpire.
Dick, Tim, and Alfred are on safari in Africa. While there an extraordinary event takes place that Tim and Dick will never forget.
Safari
By AJRedRobin
Part 2
Alfred, Dick, and Tim climbed into the land rover. Bujiba climbed into the driver's seat and they headed North of the camp.
'Saheeb Penny," Bujiba stated. "Please take the gun. You are to guard our backs."
"Guard our backs?" Tim questioned.
"What for?" Dick also asked.
"As I said before, this is wild country.
"There is nothing to worry about young sirs,' Alfred explained. "I am after all a marksman. I shall be sure to watch for lions and hyenas."
"Lions?" Tim gulped.
"Hyenas? Dick added his own gulping to Tim's.
"This is not an outing to a petting zoo," Alfred reminded them. "At a watering hole many types of animals will be present, even dangerous ones."
"Of course, Saheeb Penny," Bujiba stated. "This is Africa after all."
Bujiba drove the jeep as quickly as he could. There were no roads where they were heading. Their tire's tracks would lead them back to camp. It was the animals' tracks that lead them to the watering hole they were visiting that morning. Like large nomadic tribes, the herds of wildebeest, giraffe, zebra, and gazelle led the way to the nearest and largest watering hole. They were only five miles from camp when they came upon the family of elephants that had traveled through their camp. How could they have gotten so far so fast? Maybe it was a different group. They were a few females and one large bull. They too appeared to be heading to the watering hole. Tim pulled out his camera and started taking pictures. To be in Africa, seeing herds like these, he was sure to have quite a story to tell when he returned to junior senior class in the fall.
In another five miles they came upon the large watering hole. It was no more than a large pond, almost a small lake. They spotted several birds, zebra, and even a wild boar. The size of the watering hole was actually large enough where even predators could come and drink and not disturb the calm setting of this place.
Tim was snapping pictures left and right while Dick had pulled out a guidebook to help him identify each of the animals that approached the water.
'Isn't that an addax? They have the spiral twist to their horns." Dick pointed out.
"You are correct Saheeb Richard. It is unusual to see them at watering holes. Many get their moisture from the plants they eat."
"What is that one over there with the very long horns?"
"That is an oryx, Saheeb Timothy," Bujba stated. "It is unusual to see one in these parts. They can be found mostly in Eastern Africa." Bujiba's eyes went wide. "I do not believe it. They must have been separated from their herd."
"What is it?" Dick asked.
"Those antelope with the reddish orange color and the white vertical striping. They are called bongo, but they are supposed to be nocturnal and usually in the dense woodlands."
"There are lots of trees around here," Tim pointed out.
"Aw, but they are also in the mountains. It is unusual to see them at a watering hole or spring before dusk."
"Ah, look Master Timothy, a small herd of zebra approaches. Each striping on a zebra is different. It is to confuse a predator whenever the herd runs together."
Tim was snapping shots left and right when the animals suddenly stopped drinking. The animals all lifted their heads. Something crept closer toward the water in the tall grass on the other side. Tim adjusted his lens to spy what it could be. Suddenly a large cat poked its head out and crouched down to drink.
'Oh my . . ." Tim zoomed in to get a better look. "Dick . . . I think that cat is a cheetah."
"A cheetah, here?" Bujiba exclaimed. "Let me borrow your lens."
After snapping a few more pictures, Tim handed his camera over to their guide.
"That's encouraging," Bujiba stated. "To see a cheetah here means their numbers are growing once more. They are quite endangered."
"Wow. I can't wait to post that one," Tim exclaimed. He took his camera back from Bujiba and was about to take a few more shots when he saw two smaller heads emerge out of the grass. "Oh my god, there are cubs."
"That is indeed encouraging. I must mark that down," Bujiba said as he pulled out a log book.
"You're keeping track of cheetah sightings?" Dick asked.
"Every new cheetah that is spotted, especially ones with cubs must be recorded to count their numbers."
The four of them sat and watched the animals come and go for another half hour when the small herd of elephants came lumbering up to the watering hole. This time Dick spotted the young adolescent male from within the family group. He must have been hidden from view. The large bull spotted them and faced toward the land rover.
"We must be careful," Bujiba stated. "Male elephants are very protective. We must not make any sudden moves or he will charge."
Tim slowly raised his camera to get a photo of the large bull. The male started shuffling his feet and bobbing his head.
"Please Saheeb Timothy, put your camera away. He may be perceiving it as a threat."
Tim took two more shots before putting his camera down. "Why would that antagonize him?"
"Because he may mistake your camera for a gun. Poachers have been raiding herds, not for their ivory but for their young," stated Bujiba.
"Young elephants?" Dick's ears perked up. "That's terrible."
"Yes, it is," Bujiba stated. "This is supposed to be protected. It is within an animal reserve, but the elephants' range is so large it is difficult to protect them. Sometimes they kill the herd to get at the young."
Just as Bujiba stated those words, a gunshot reverberated against the nearby hills. The elephants and the animals were spooked and started stampeding eastward, away from the watering hole, over a nearby hill, and out of sight.
"That sounded very close," Tim said.
"The herd," Dick exclaimed, his face paling. "We've got to get to them!"
"Which direction did that shot come from?" Alfred asked.
"The sound came from the west," Tim replied.
Another shot sounded, then another this time coming from the east and over the hill. The look on Dick's face was one of pure unadulterated rage.
"We've got to stop them!"
"No, Saheeb Richard," Bujiba said with worry. "It is too dangerous."
"You're not going to convince him, Bujiba," Tim added. "When it comes to loving elephants and protecting them, he won't be swayed. Alfred, did you bring our other trunk?"
'Yes, Master Timothy," Alfred answered. "You know I always prepare of every contingency."
'Then we better get back to camp, but I want to see the damage."
"You still wish to go there, Saheeb Richard? If there are poachers they may still be there."
"If we don't, a young elephant might disappear without a trace,' Tim countered.
"Very well Saheeb Timothy. But it will not be pretty."
Continues with Part 3