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 3
Bujiba drove to where they heard the shots. It was a few miles to the east from their position. The elephants and the zebras ran pretty far in a span of just a few minutes. The poachers could not have captured the young male so quickly. They started seeing evidence within a mile. One of the females lay on the ground, her limbs still twitching. Blood poured from the gaping wound in the middle of her forehead. Another female could be seen up ahead in the same condition. The poachers had planned an ambush. It was as if they knew the route the elephants would take. The group of four followed a bloody trail that showed another elephant had been mortally wounded. They found that elephant partially submerged in another watering hole. It was another female. The two younger men remembered that the family group had been small. Where were the large male and the adolescent?
"This way," Tim stated. "The tracks turn back south."
'They are heading toward a grove of mangos," Bujiba stated. "The bull must be trying to lead the young male to the safety of the trees."
'We've got to head them off! " Dick shouted.
'And what would you do, young Sir," Alfred pointed out. "We are not equipped to handle poachers."
'Saheeb Penny is correct. We only have my one gun. And they may have many. There were at least four our five men in the hunting party. There may even be more. A young healthy elephant child costs more than ten year's salary.
"How much?"
'In Africa, that is 20,000 American dollars.
'That's criminal," Alfred exclaimed.
"The poachers are richer than my own village combined. I am one of the lucky ones. I have a good job. I count the cheetah population and I take care of the preserve."
'You're the caretaker of the preserve?" Tim asked.
"Yes, Saheeb Timothy," Bujiba explained. "This is where many elephants walk. A Saheeb such as you set up this preserve so his young man may come and see elephants in the wild someday, but he never brought him. Even so, I maintain the preserve as best I can. The poachers normally do not come in this area. Somehow they have gotten wind of this place."
"Who was the person who set up the preserve?" Tim asked.
"His name means great bat in my native tongue, though you would not expect it to be so. His name is Wayne."
The man pronounced the name strangely, Way-nee. Two of the three companions had puzzled looks on their faces. The third did not, but knew immediately who that person was. He gave a knowing slight smile.
"Great bat?" Dick questioned. "Sounds like someone we know."
"We do?" Tim questioned Dick.
"Who do we know that's a great bat?" Dick placed his hands in the air and made quotes.
Tim's eyes went wide when realization sunk in. "Oh you mean . . ."
"Yeah," Dick said interrupting Tim before he could spill an important secret.
"We still have to stop those poachers," Dick said changing the subject.
Bujiba headed toward the trees just as the two remaining elephants had in their flight to avoid the poachers.
Dick and Tim kept a look out as they moved closer. Once again they heard the sound of gunshots and the sound of a large trumpeting elephant on the charge. They also heard voices. They were speaking in a language only Bujiba was privy to.
=You fools! I sad not to harm the young one!=
=He is charging again!=
=YEEEAAHH!=
=SHOOT HIM! SHOOT HIM!=
"No," Bhujiba said. "We must hurry!"
"What's the matter?" Dick questioned. He could hear the concern in Bujiba's voice.
"It seems someone has made a grave error!" Bujiba stated. "Quickly, while the bull is distracted."
"It's the adolescent," Tim exclaimed. "He's over there. It looks like he's wounded."
"We must aid him, Bujiba," Alfred exclaimed.
Everyone watched in horror as the large bull elephant gored one of the poachers. The others quickly fled, but the bull was not through with them. He rushed after one of the other poachers and trampled the man to death. The remaining poachers fled the scene in haste, trying to get away from the angered male.
While the bull elephant was busy with the poachers, Dick raced to where the adolescent elephant lay among the trees.
"He's hurt bad." Dick removed his shirt and pressed it against the wound to try to stop the bleeding. The young elephant reached with his trunk to touch Dick's face.
"Please don't die," Dick pleaded. He couldn't stand the fact that he had made a friend of the young elephant and he could lose him so quickly.
Bujiba came up beside Dick. "That wound needs medical attention. I will call for assistance." Bujiba went back to the jeep and radioed the station. "Yes, a young male elephant. He has been shot in his left back hip." After speaking with the person on the other radio, Bujiba went back to inform his companions. "They will be sending a helicopter along with a large evacuation platform. He will be sent to the animal rehabilitation center."
"Can I ride with him?" Dick asked.
"It is not safe. It is an open platform. The elephant will have to be strapped down for safety."
'It's all right. Dick isn't scared of heights. And he was in the circus so, he knows how handle himself,' Tim stated.
"We are all forgetting something," Alfred reminded. "The bull elephant."
"He's right," Tim interjected. "Are we in any danger?" He was charging the poachers. He might think we're with them."
"I do not think so," Bujiba said with surprise and wonder. "Look Saheebs."
Tim and Alfred turned in the direction Bujiba was pointing. The bull elephant had stopped no more then ten feet away. He was swaying back and forth anxiously, but he made no move to charge.
"He's worried," Dick said as he continued to press on the gunshot wound.
"Reminds you of anyone?" Tim questioned.
"Yeah, he does," Dick smiled. "Don't worry big guy. We'll take good care of him." Dick talked to the larger elephant. "What do you want to bet that he'll follow us,' he said to Tim.
"I'll probably lose that bet," Tim replied.
"Yes, I do believe that particular bull elephant will follow his progeny to be sure he remains safe," Alfred said with conviction.
"Bujiba, how far is the rehabilitation center from here?"
"20 kilometers."
"Then we better be sure this little guy gets the best of care."
Continues with Part 4