CHAPTER 9

The hunting party came to a halt. They had reached the base of the volcano, and Gilligan knew that there was a good-sized sounder of wild boar that frequented the area. Many of the boar were very large, so he had never ventured in too closely. Now, with such a large, experienced party, it was the perfect opportunity to secure some meat for the coming rainy season.

The party split up into their respective roles. Gilligan, Pilipo and Nahele took the lead, heading to the higher ground. The turned into the jungle and headed up a steep animal-trampled trail to the top of the volcano. The women, along with Akoni, Ikaia and Professor, took sticks and started walking around the edges of the thick jungle, to start herding the animals up to the waiting hunters.

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Skipper and Lalani were not really interested in the actual hunt. They were just enjoying each other's company. They decided to continue on the trail and wind around to the beach.

"Jonas," she said, as they strolled out onto the sand holding hands. "Would you come to the joining ceremony? At our island?"

Skipper stopped walking for just a moment, then started again. "Well, I . . . uh," he stammered.

"All of you, I mean," she corrected. "You'd all be invited. As the mother of the bride, I invite you."

"Well, I'd have to talk to the others, of course," he answered. "How would we get there?"

"I could have some of the men come and get you all. We have enough canoes," she said. "Think about it . . . please."

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Back in the clearing, Lilo was lying on Mr. Howell's lounge chair, with Haruki hovering nearby. Ginger sat at her side, pressing a cold, wet compress onto her forehead. And Meka and Kalia were pestering her to try and eat something.

Kapena clapped Haruki on the back with a knowing smile and a shrug. He pulled the worried husband over to the table where Mr. Howell was sitting with a flask. He held it out to Haruki, who took a drink. He coughed for a moment, looked at his father-in-law and laughed, and took another, longer drink.

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At this time, high at the top of the volcano, Gilligan and Pilipo were crouching down in some jungle shrubs. Nahele was up in a tree, off to their right waiting patiently. In the distance, down at the bottom of the volcano, they could hear the others shouting and banging trees with their sticks. They also heard some snorts and grunts. They were doing it. The others were definitely herding some of the boars their way.

Gilligan was wound tight. He was trying to sit still. He shifted his position, and Pilipo looked over. He motioned for the young first mate to be patient.

Gilligan looked around and took in his location. They were at the top of the volcano, just above a small ledge, overlooking the southeastern shore. There were some trees growing out on the ledge and their roots hung out the side of the mountain. Because of the boars, Gilligan hadn't explored this area very much. The animals were too dangerous for him to confront on his own.

Down below, he could see Skipper and Lalani holding hands and walking on the beach, just at the edge of the water. He smiled. It was nice to see his big buddy looking so happy. Then he frowned as a thought crossed his mind . . . what would Skipper do when the natives left tomorrow?

All of a sudden, there was a crashing sound from his right. A huge male boar, with 5-inch tusks was barrelling down on them. Nahele shouted to Gilligan - the boar was heading straight for him. Everything happened so fast; there wasn't time to do anything but react.

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From high above them, Skipper heard an eruption of shouts. He was pretty sure that one of those voices was Gilligan's, but he couldn't make out the words. He and Lalani backed up into the water a few feet to try and see what was going on.

Then he heard Gilligan shouting, "Look Out, Look Out!" Then a flurry of unintelligible answers. There were shouts . . . and then a scream. He could just make out what he thought must be the top of Gilligan's white cap racing across the top of the precipice.

Then, to his horror, he saw a flash of red, as his little buddy . . . his first mate . . . the boy who was like a son to him . . . came hurtling over the edge. He gasped and jumped back, quite unable to believe his eyes. Lalani screamed and her hands flew up to her mouth. Skipper stood there, in shock, trying to process what he was seeing and what to do about it. But there wasn't anything he could do . . .

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A/N - I appreciate all the wonderful reviews and comments I have been receiving. Please keep them coming - I love hearing from you. However, I am going to be off the grid for a week -

In honor of the old 80's show, Dallas, and the infamous "Who Shot JR" episode, I thought I would leave you with this little cliffhanger . . . see you in a week.