chapter 40

Rescue

Nate slammed into the side of the cliff, feeling as if his arm was being pulled out of its socket.

The rope, wrapped around his arm, swung him into the rock and knocked the wind out of him. He hadn’t time to celebrate contact before the rope began to uncoil. He grasped as tight as he could, desperate to arrest his fall, but the slick rope continued to run through his burning hands. The roar of the rapids in the gorge far below filled his ears.

His raw hands caught the final braid; he clung to the rope and called, “Mr. Gunn, if you please!”

William leaned over the edge and was amazed to find his guide alive, although rather precariously suspended above the chasm. But as Nate slowly swung, the cords of the rope holding the Yank rubbed on the sharp outcrop and frayed dangerously. To avoid parting the rope altogether, William tried to pull him up gradually. The closer Nate got to the edge, the thinner his lifeline became. William decided to heave more swiftly; his arms burned with the effort. Almost at the top, he saw the last cord about to split. “Your hand, quickly!” he shouted, lunging over the edge.

Nate reached up as the worn rope parted; William just managed to seize the Yank’s outstretched hand but watched helplessly as the American dangled in thin air, his shaky grip slipping. Frantically scratching at the cliff face with his feet, Nate found a small rock ledge with his right foot, enabling him to reach up with his other hand; William grasped it tightly and pulled. When the American’s shoulders appeared over the side, Pax gripped Nate’s shirt in his mouth. Together, the officer and the dog dragged the Yank to safety. The Brit and the American collapsed backward, exhausted.

“If we’re ever going to do that again, mate, you’re going to have to lose some weight,” William gasped out.

“Don’t worry, Gunn—where we’re headed,” he gulped, “we’re both going to lose some weight.” Nate examined the rope burns on his bleeding hands. “And by the way, thanks.” He rubbed Pax’s chin. “You too.”

After a brief rest, they continued to ascend the Inca road.

William said what they were both thinking, “That son of a bitch Dutchman sold me out to the Spanish. If ever I get my hands around his neck . . .”

But now their enemy was no longer faceless. And things could have been a lot worse. At least they were still alive, and although they would miss the mule, they hadn’t lost all the provisions.

William asked, “Do you think the Spaniard’s threats were real?”

“I think he’ll be in for some surprises in the Amazon. Overconfidence may get him in trouble.”

William added, “He’s got a good lead and access to better roads. We’re going to have to go hard.”

“So let’s not waste any more time. Let’s beat that murdering bastard to this Sacred Land of yours.”