AT the first hint of dawn, we tumbled out of our hammocks and ran down to the river. After a brief swim and bath in the cold black water, we returned to the hut and dressed quickly. There was the thumping of boots being knocked out and the swishing of clothes shook vigorously to relieve them of scorpions, tarantulas, and centipedes. This done, we emerged from the hut and looked around us, our hungry eyes eagerly devouring the magnificence of our surroundings.

We were an advance party for a new mining company. We were to scout likely locations for the mining of gold. There were seven of us. We had two weeks’ worth of supplies and some heavy equipment. Today we were going to cut a line marking one of the chosen areas.
One week passed and we selected and marked two spots. Work was progressing well but our ration was running pretty low. It was two days travel to go for ration and five days to bring back the heavy load.
Two days later, we were almost out of everything. None of the others showed any inclination of going for ration. I decided to walk to Base Camp to get more food. Early next morning, I was on my way. It was cold and dim as it tends to be in the deep interior. The forest was alive with the sounds of birds.
As the day wore on it became very hot even though the thick jungle canopy kept a great deal of the sunlight out. It was the kind of heat that made you wet and clammy and drained you of energy. By midday, I was wet with sweat and weak from energy-sapping heat. I trudged on determined to make good time to camp.

Suddenly, a new and strange sound caught my keen ears. My father had taught me the ways of the jungle when I was a teenager. One of the most important lessons was identifying sounds in the jungle. I heard the distinct rustle of dry leaves being trodden upon. Someone or something was following me through the jungle.
I paused and looked around. There was nothing there. I continued on at a quicker pace. The sound also began to move swifter. I stopped and checked again. Nothing. I continued my journey feeling a little tense. The sound mimicked my progress. I decided to play a little trick. The perpetrator had to be one of my friends from camp trying to spook me. I would start walking and then turn suddenly. I would catch him red-handed. This was bound to take him by surprise.The next time I turned and started walking I suddenly swung round. I still count my lucky star that I did. To this day I still believe that the quick turnaround saved my life. As I swung to face the person following me I got a terrible awakening. Standing about one hundred yards away and crouched to strike was a jaguar. My hot blood froze in my veins. All I had on me to protect myself was a small cutlass. It had been reduced in size by plenty of sharpening. That would be little help against a jaguar. I started to pray silently.
My keen observation of this deadly threat helped me to realise that the animal was young. Even though it was not fully grown, I knew I did not stand a chance against this 300-pound predator. I had to come up with a plan: a plan to live.
I turned and began walking swiftly. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw with some concern that the animal was still on my tail. I knew that running would cause it to attack immediately. Whenever I stopped it did the same. I increased my speed. The jaguar followed suit. I threw caution to the wind and did something completely insane. I turned suddenly on the animal and advanced purposefully smashing my cutlass against every available tree.

The big cat stopped and looked at me uncertainly. I gained courage from this and decided to add another dimension. I began to scream and shout. As I drew nearer carrying on like a madman, the jaguar looked intently at me. Then it turned and disappeared into the thick bushes.
I turned and tried to do the same. To my horror, I heard the familiar rustle of dried leaves. I looked back but the coast was clear. Then I realised what was happening and I felt cold fear for the first time. The smart cat was tracking me using the jungle for cover.
In desperation and panic, I took off running. Luckily for me, I heard the rumble of a bush truck. Sprinting for my life and not daring to look back, I emerged onto the trail. A large truck was heading in my direction. I raced towards it and quickly got on board. The clever jaguar was going to be disappointed and very, very hungry.

On my return to camp with the ration, I told the others of my near death experience. There was loud laughter and plenty of tantalising (taunting). Rupert who was the eldest in our team gestured for me to sit close to him. He began to share a strange experience he had not too long ago.
Rupert and a friend were wandering porknockers. They worked as a team and shared all finds equally. One evening after a hard day’s work they pitched camp and decided to hunt for supper. They both crept silently into the jungle eyes and ears on the alert. They decided to stake out a small area near to a creek. Animals would have to pass there to go to the water. They huddled down to wait.

This is Rupert’s account of that story.
“I was hidden behind a tree. My back was braced to the trunk and I was relaxing but listening keenly for any sound. I must have dozed off because a small sound caused me to jump and open my eyes. Something big was moving nearby. I peeped carefully around the trunk of the tree and got the shock of my life. I found myself looking at a human-like creature standing a short distance away.

It had a yellowish golden complexion and its hair was the colour of copper. The head was twice the size of a big-head human, and boy, it was ugly. But that is not what scared me. As I examined it, my stare settled on its feet. My heart nearly stopped with fright. The creature had no knees and one of its feet was pointing backwards. The fingers resembled claws and the sound it was making was a heavy, rasping breathing. I tried to blink back tears from my eyes. This was a Bush Dai Dai, one of the most feared spirits of the forest. It seemed to be hunting too; but what?
To my utter disbelief and horror, I saw it advance stealthily towards my partner. My limbs were frozen in fear. I became a helpless spectator. He spotted it and he began shooting at the beast. That was his biggest mistake. With an animal like snarl, it descended on him in a flash. Talon-like nails went to work rendering my friend unconscious. The shotgun was smashed by a blow from the creature. It took less than two minutes for it to disarm and badly injure my friend.

I stayed low and prayed. It sniffed around a bit and the glided from sight. I crept towards my friend keeping an eye out for the Dai Dai. My friend was bleeding and had what looked like a broken hand and concussions. I sighed in relief. He was not dead or fatally wounded. What I noticed was the utter disbelief on his unconscious face. I picked him up and headed for help.
Next day, I went to see him at the clinic. He was resting and recovering.
“Boy, you never see a Bush Dai Dai yet. That is why you looked so shocked,” I began.
“No!” Was his indignant reply. “I can’t believe I emptied a whole magazine into dat ting and it still get me.”

I shook my head in resignation.
“Boy, you were really lucky to escape.”
“No. You were really lucky. I nearly died, remember.”
We both smiled then burst into loud laughter.
“That thing could have killed you.”
“I know. Maybe it was just warning me.”
“About what?” I enquired.
“Keep out of my territory. Leave my friends (animals/Amerindians) alone.”
He said this in a mocking semi-scary voice. We both laughed.
“Next time we’ll hunt somewhere else for small game.”
“No way! I already ordered a new gun; semi-automatic. It spits out thirty rounds per minute. I know just where I want to go hunting next time.”
He said this in a determined, sinister tone. I kept silent. He knew a lot of things but what he didn’t know was that he would have to find another hunting partner. I had no intention of hunting any bad spirit.”
By the time Rupert had finished his story I had already made a silent vow to head for GT. No Bush Dai Dai there.