By Neil Primus

A TEAM of five disembarked from the speed boat. Quickly they unpacked their equipment and waited on their guide. They were heading for an area that was earmarked for mineral extraction. Their task was to mark the boundary and map the area; only then could the company send its big machines to begin clearing the heavy foliage.Their guide arrived, and very soon they were heading into the jungle. It was tough going because of the thick vegetation that had to be hacked away. The team made slow progress. Night approached and they stopped moving. A fire was started and food prepared. Everyone ate and then they talked into the night. The next day they set out again.

Their guide, an Amerindian man, taught them many things about the forest through which they were trekking. They saw creeks with cold water, plants they could eat, and those in which water was stored. He pointed out some snakes to avoid and a few that could be ignored. He told them about the animals that lived in the surrounding area. This seemed to excite them.

That evening, when they pitched camp, they asked him to take them hunting. They had two guns and were itching to use them. “We want to eat some wild meat”. He agreed, and told them to be ready before the onset of dawn.

Next morning, they followed him into the jungle. The group travelled for about an hour and a half before stopping. Then their guide spoke to them: “I will go into the bush to locate the animals. You wait here, conceal yourself; pretty soon you’ll see a herd of bush hogs charging through here. Take your pick, but remember: do not shoot the animal at the back of the herd.”

They readily agreed and hunkered down to wait, excitement racing through their bodies. The guide slipped into the jungle and disappeared. The wait began. Early morning noises in the forest were a collection of chirps, screeches and howls. Birds flew by the dozens and monkeys frolicked recklessly in the trees above.

Then they heard them coming. At first it sounded like a far-off grumbling. This quickly became a low thudding, then a growing rumble. Suddenly the wild pigs erupted from the bush and charged straight towards a dense and bushy area. The animals were a few hundred yards away.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
Three pigs fell, struggled and lay still. The herd increased speed racing for the safety of the trees. As they grew less and less, the hunters got ready to retrieve their prize. Then came the last bush hog. It was the biggest and best looking of the lot. That was too good to pass up. The rifle bellowed again and that animal also fell. Grabbing their gear they headed to the kill zone to collect their prizes. What a shock awaited them.

As the group emerged from the bushes, they saw three animals lying where they had been shot. They headed for the fourth kill, the beast of the lot. When they arrived at the spot, they stopped dead in their tracks. Mouths fell open in shock and disbelief. Lying there in a pool of blood was their guide. He had been the last bush hog.