Themba from his perch above them was continually calling to Ken, giving him directions.
'Without this guy,' Ken confided to Gaye, 'I'd never find the camp. He has a compass built inside his head.'
After half an hour's drive, during which time they disturbed a large herd of zebras which went crashing away into the thick bush almost before they could be seen, they came out of the bush on to a wide flat clearing where the helicopter was parked.
Squatting before the helicopter were four Bantus who rose to their feet with wide grins as the Land Rover pulled up.
'Here we are,' Ken said getting out of the truck. 'I'll pay these guys off. We don't want them hanging around. Themba and I can get the tent up.'
Garry went at once to the helicopter. Gaye slid to the ground and stretched. It had been a bumpy ride and she felt stiff and hot. Fennel got down and lit a cigarette. He showed no inclination to help Themba unload the equipment, but stood with his hands in his shorts pockets, eyeing Gaye as she stood with her back to him, her legs wide apart, her hands on her hips.
Ken got rid of the Bantus and came back to the Land Rover. 'There's a big pool beyond those trees and a waterfall,' he said to Gaye, pointing. 'It's safe swimming . . . no crocs.'
'Can I help?'
'No, thanks . . . Themba and I can handle it.'
He joined Themba, and together the two men unloaded the tent.
Breathing unsteadily, Fennel moved over to Gaye.
'A waterfall, huh? Suppose we go take a look at it?'
He was expecting her to refuse, and already his vicious temper began to rise. She regarded him, her face expressionless, then to his surprise, she said, 'Yes . . . let's look at it,' and turning, she walked ahead, making for the thick line of trees and high elephant grass that surrounded the clearing.
Fennel felt a hot rush of blood through his body. Was this an invitation? He looked quickly towards the helicopter. Garry was busy stripping off the engine tarpaulin. Ken and Themba were occupied with unfolding the tent. Shaking a little, Fennel strode after Gaye who had now disappeared into the bush.
He caught up with her as she moved along a narrow track and he slowed his pace, his eyes on her slim back and long beautiful legs. Some twenty metres further on they came to a small waterfall that fell some ten metres into a big basin of water which flowed at its far end into a broad stream. The basin formed a perfect, artificial bathing pool.
She turned as he reached her.
'Isn't it lovely?'
The sun beat down on them. They were surrounded by trees. They could have been the only two people on earth.
'Let's have a swim,' Fennel said and stripped off his shirt. 'Come on, baby, strip off.'
She looked at his hairy, muscular torso, her eyes watchful as she shook her head. 'I swim in private, Mr. Fennel.'
'Aw, come on! You don't imagine I've never seen a naked woman before, and I bet you've seen a naked man.' He grinned fixedly, his face flushed with desire for her. 'You don't have to be coy with me. Strip off, or I'll have to help you.'
Her cool, unafraid gaze disconcerted him.
'You swim . . . I'm going back.'
As she turned away, he caught hold of her wrist.
'You're staying here,' he said, his voice low, and unsteady, 'and you're stripping off. You want some loving, baby, and I'm the guy to give it to you.'
'Take your hand off me,' she said quietly.
'Come on, baby, don't act coy . . . a little loving and then a swim.'
She moved towards him, and for a brief moment, he thought she was going to submit to him. Grinning he released his grip to encircle her waist. Her hand gripped his wrist and an excruciating pain shot up his arm, forcing him to cry out. Her foot slapped against his chest as she fell flat on her back. Fennel felt himself shooting into the air and then he splashed into the pool. The cool water closed over him, and when he bobbed to the surface and had dashed the water out of his eyes, he found her standing on the bank, looking down at him. Choking with rage, his
