1889: Journey To The Moon (The Far Journey Chronicles) Read Online Free PDF

also noted that he wore a slender sword in an ornate black scabbard laced with bright brass filigree and wave-like swirls.
    Ekka returned to Billy, “Inform Jude that Denys is here.”
    “He’s not the cry-baby is he?”
    “The large man is Sir Cecil Rhodes, hero and founder of Rhodesia, and a friend of Denys, here to see him on his journey.”
    “Uh-huh.” He watched the two men embrace. “I believe I’ll go get Merkam.” As Billy left he muttered, “I hope this dandy has some kitchen skills.” No one on the Arcadia could cook, or even boil water properly. He thought, And we sure won’t make it to Luna without starving, even if once we get there the whole thing is made of cheese. Come on, Jay-Patten, have a pan and some bacon. His mouth watered at the thought.
    Denys broke the embrace and held Cecil at arms length. “It will be all right, my dear Cecil. I will be returned to this terra firma before you realize.”
    Rhodes composed himself and straightened his suit coat. “Yes, yes, of course.” He reached inside his coat and removed a fat, fist-sized leather pouch covered in intricate paintings of gazelles. “This was given to me by the Zulu chief, Shaka, many years ago. I wish you to have it.”
    Denys was touched. He took the pouch and opened the top. Uncut diamonds the size of bird eggs filled the inside. They caught the sunlight and glittered. Some were clear, others canary yellow, and still others were a deep, rich indigo. Denys was stunned. He said, “This is too great a gift. I can’t accept it.”
    He tried to give it back but Cecil insisted. Rhodes said, “It’s a way for me to be with you. They are a part of Rhodesia, the heart of it, and so they are a part of me. Do with them as you choose.” Cecil teared up again, but caught himself. “I hope to see you again, Denys, so that we might see Africa together. Now, I have to depart before I make a fool of myself.” He turned, crying, and walked through the gate without a backward glance.
    Denys looked at the diamonds again, then closed the pouch and turned toward the Moon ship, regarding it with an appraising stare. Judah Merkam emerged from the hatch to greet him, with Billy slightly behind. Merkam indicated the wagon to Billy, “Show them where to store Denys’s luggage.
    “Yes sir,” Billy said. As he went by Denys, he smelled perfume. Billy wrinkled his nose, and hailed the wagon drivers as he trotted to them.
    Merkam stepped forward, extending his hand to Africa’s Great White Hunter, “Denys, I am so glad you’re joining us.”
    “I look forward to our adventure, Jude.”
    Merkam said, “Come, let me show you the Arcadia.” Merkam, Dr. Conklin and the African hunter went inside as Billy helped the two wagon men cart the trunks and canvas tubes through the cargo hatch. Billy felt the outline of what was in the tubes and knew they were rifles and shotguns, with one being noticeably lighter than the others, and with odd bumps and extensions on it. They used the ladders to enter the close-fitting sleeping quarters and Billy had the men place the steamer trunks beside the center bed. He arranged the canvas tubes longwise on the bed, with the odd rifle on the outside for easy reach, in case he had a chance to peek at it later. “Let’s go, boys,” he said and led them out of the Arcadia.
    Billy watched the men depart through the compound gate just as Dr. Conklin was entered. The man made Billy uneasy. Conklin had a faint, smug smile on his face like he knew a secret no one else knew. As he passed, he nodded at Billy, and Billy did the same.
    There’s his smell again, Billy thought. An odor so thin, no one else seemed to notice. It emanated from Conklin like the faintest of fumes and reminded Billy of the buffalo skinners who, after a full season of hiding and gutting the entrails from the shaggy animals, would come into town ready to cleanse themselves. They threw their old clothes away and bought fresh ones, and they would bathe and