Far In The Wilds Read Online Free PDF Page B

hand with a grudging smile. “I accept, Mr. White. And in light of your terms, I suggest that we dispense with the formalities. You may, for the duration of the safari only, address me as Freddie.”
    Ryder shook his hand and they turned toward the truck. Strapped atop was a crate of chickens for fresh eggs, and the back was quickly loaded with the prince’s personal baggage as well as Mademoiselle’s. Jude had shoved her necessities into a rucksack and she tossed it into the back, shading her eyes with her hand as Ryder finished loading.
    “Isn’t that Gideon?”
    Ryder looked to the distance. Silhouetted against the westering sun was a tall figure, his features obscured by the brilliant light. But there was no mistaking the elegant height or the graceful, loping stride of the Masai. He covered ground swiftly, and in a few moments he trotted up, smiling his broad smile.
    “I have heard there was to be a leopard hunt,” he said by way of greeting.
    Ryder grinned and pitched his voice low. “I was hoping you’d find us. I need a lead on a problem leopard for my client to take as a trophy. Got anything?”
    Gideon tipped his head. “There is a lion preying upon the goats of my grandmother’s village, but this is not a leopard. I have heard of a child that was taken from a Masai village near the lake called Waridi. Perhaps this was from the chui .”
    Ryder slammed the tailgate shut. “It’s a place to start.”
    * * *
    An afternoon’s ride was just enough to be properly annoying, Ryder thought as they drew to a halt a few hours later. A full day could get you right out onto the savannah, away from everything you thought you knew. A couple of hours only bought you trouble. There had been two punctured tires, a snakebite from something more cranky than venomous, and a litany of complaints from the headman of the Kikuyu at having to walk while a Masai was allowed to stand on the running boards of the truck.
    “My safari, my rules,” Ryder said flatly. The Kikuyu held his eyes a moment then turned away.
    The prince was at his elbow. “Grievances already?” A small smile played about his mouth, as if the idea of Ryder having difficulties pleased him.
    Ryder shrugged. “Nothing new. The Kikuyu hate the Masai. But they don’t have to answer to Gideon. He’s not here as their headman, just my personal guide.”
    “Perhaps if you had that one whipped for insolence it would set a better example to the others,” Freddie offered.
    Ryder stared at him. “Oh, yes, it might. And when the Kikuyu decide they’ve had enough of our white men’s example, perhaps they’ll do to us what they did to a hunter near Nakuru who mistreated his porters. They dragged him back to their village, staked him out under a blazing sun, and let the entire village take turns pissing in his mouth.” He watched in satisfaction as the color drained out of the prince’s face. “Or we could try things my way.”
    Freddie turned on his heel. Jude was laughing outright at the expression on his face, but Mademoiselle was thoughtful. She shook her head slowly. “I wonder, Ryder White, if you are not a terrible bully.”
    Ryder folded his arms over his chest. “Why? Because I won’t lick his boots?”
    “He seems ridiculous to you, but he is not accustomed to being thwarted. He is a powerful man in his country. But not as powerful as he wants to be. He is only a youngest son of a youngest son, and the little taste of power he has makes him thirsty for more. This makes him dangerous.”
    * * *
    In a short while the tents were up and the fires built, and Ryder shouldered his gun.
    “Are you expecting trouble?” Mademoiselle asked archly.
    “It’s time to hunt. The cook needs meat for dinner.”
    Mademoiselle nodded to where the cook was busy stirring up pots of fragrant stews and patting flatbreads into shape. “It looks as if he has everything in hand.”
    “That food is for us. I’m getting meat for the porters.”
    Jude checked her