Ralph Helfer (19 page)

Before they left he spoke to Sian, quietly explaining that no matter what had happened or would happen, he would never stop
loving her. “He took nothing away from us. A bit of dignity, perhaps, maybe he caused an embarrassment, but nothing more. Do you understand?”

She looked down into her lap, nodded her head.

“No,” said Bram. “Look at me.
Look
at me with your eyes so I can see that you understand.”

He took her chin, raising her head. Her eyes were filled with tears. Little quakes shook her body at intervals. Her lips trembled.

“I love you, Bram,” she said, and then, “He…took…nothing…away from us.”

Bram brought her to him. They held each other for a long time. Her tears dampened his shoulder.

“Now let’s go.”

Outside was a different world. The quiet from within was overshadowed by the hustle and bustle of people, soldiers, trucks, smoke, yelling, fires. All the activity seemed to be directed to the river where the elephants were tied out.

“Sian, I want you to go your father’s house. Stay there until I come for you.”

“But I don’t want to be alone. My father is working. What happens if
he
comes…I will die before I let him…”

“Don’t worry, honey, he and his men are too busy, and besides, I’ll be with him so I will know where he is every minute.”

“He hates you, Bram. Please watch yourself. Be careful.”

“He needs me. That will keep us safe.”

They kissed and he was gone.

“What do you need me to do?” Bram had come up behind the captain, who was barking orders to anyone within range.

“Well, well, I see you have decided to join us in our endeavor.”

“I am not joining you, I will do as you say only to keep the people safe.”

“Bullshit! You are afraid I will pluck a petal from your little flower. Right? Huh? Right?”

Bram knew he was trying to break him, to get him angry. “You’re right, I am,” he said.

“Well, my enemy, you are wise to worry.” He put both of his hands on Bram’s shoulders, drawing him near. “The first chance I get I plan on having your lady, and you can watch. Now come with me so we can become better acquainted, huh?”

Captain Mohinder pivoted, putting one arm around Bram’s shoulder as they headed for the elephant building.

Bram was put in charge of the operation. For the next two days the whole village helped the guerrillas prepare for the trek across the mountains. Heavy cross frames were made from the biggest bamboo, tied with reed and fitted to the elephants who would carry the load.

Machine guns were mounted on special racks and set high up on the backs of the biggest elephants. Modoc was one of them. Bram saw that thick swamp grass mats were woven and placed under the mounts to prevent them from resting on the bare skin of the elephants.

The elephants to carry the guns were taken into a small valley by the mahouts so they could practice getting them used to the gunfire. Many panicked and ran off. It took the whole of two days before they were quiet enough to allow the guns to be set on them and fired.

Bram’s thoughts went to Sian. At least he felt she was safe for the moment. If the captain had touched Sian, Bram would have tried to stop him, even to the point of death. The captain needed him too much to risk that.

Singh was mostly locked up unless information that he could supply was needed.

Kalli Gooma was never asked to work. He sat under the Rumor Tree and watched. Bram spoke with him at times, asking if he was all right. All his thoughts had a special connotation.

“Tomorrow is a new day. Let’s hope it doesn’t rain.”

Ja kept the village going. Food was prepared on schedule each day. The village had given over the main office building to the guerrillas’ needs. Beds were brought in, tables and chairs were rearranged, and the communication board was manned by the soldiers.

Each day the captain pushed the men to their fullest capacity, and at night he drank his fill of liquor and slept deep. Bram knew that the next day would be the day of leaving.

He and Sian woke early. Bram spoke softly to her. He could see that she was panicked over his leaving.

“This morning, take Swati to our lake and hide until someone comes for you. Pack enough food for a couple days.”

“They’ll find me! I know it! I know it!” Sian was near hysterics.

“Sian, now listen to me! By time they notice you have gone, it will be too late. Mohinder has hours of work to see to, and he won’t leave the elephants until he is sure that everything is done. I will be with him at all times. Now then, there have been so many elephants coming and going for reed, grass, timber, you won’t even be noticed.” He kissed her forehead. “Wear something to hide your beauty, dress in rags if you have to.”

“But if you leave today, I won’t see you.” Her voice echoed the fear in her face. She was whispering and crying at the same time. “I want to go. Please, Bram, let me go!”

“Sian, baby, listen. The captain will come looking for you before we go. I know he will. He needed me for preparation only. If he finds you, I will die trying to save you and we will both be violated. Do you understand? I have to go with him but I’ll be back.” He cupped her head in his hands. “I must know that you are safe. Some of the other women will do the same as you. Once you return to the village, calm the others—they will need your help—and take care of your family.”

He kissed her many times, her lips, her ears, her nose.

“Please take care, come back.”

He was out the door and gone. “I will,” she heard. “I will.”

T
HIRTY-FOUR ELEPHANTS STOOD READY
. Eight had been outfitted with machine guns, the others carried the equipment, food supplies, and men. Heavy, thick hemp ropes laced with fig vine were used to tie the equipment on. Some elephants seemed nervous. This was all new to the elephants but the mahouts kept them in line, talking softly to them. The villagers were quiet, except for some women who were crying, saying goodbye to their men.

Bram had been with Mohinder since early morning, carrying out his orders. Bram wanted them to be on their way as fast as possible to avoid a clash with the army. And then there was Sian. Maybe if he kept Mohinder busy the captain would not have time to think about her.

Ja was doing a final check of the food bags that hung from the howdahs. Each elephant carried six soldiers, who in turn carried rifles.

The children of the village wandered glassy-eyed, not comprehending what was happening. Singh was brought down to the loading area as well.

“They’re taking all the best teak elephants. Those that are left are too small to work,” said Singh.

“Do you think any will come back?” asked Ja.

Singh’s look was enough for Ja not to set his hopes too high. Mohinder started up the trail leading to the village. Bram went with him.

“You realize that the elephants will never get over the pass. Maybe the men but nothing more.”

“Have you been there?” asked Mohinder.

“No.”

“Then you don’t know. So shut up.”

“Where are we going?”

“To be with your wife.”

“I can’t let you do that.”

“Then I will have to shoot you or you can watch!”

Bram prayed Sian had gotten out all right. They arrived at the house to find it empty. Captain Mohinder yelled a few profanities, then turned to Bram.

“Well, asshole, where is she?”

“I don’t know. I have been with you the whole day. Maybe she’s just around.”

“Just around, huh!” Bram felt this was the deciding moment. If he was to be shot this would be the time. Mohinder grabbed Bram’s arm, hustling him outside. “Hey you, soldier.”

“Yes, sir.”

“The pretty girl, Sian’s her name, find her.” As an afterthought: “Get some of the others to help.”

The hours went by. The mahouts climbed down from their mounts to rest under the nearest shade trees. The elephants stood quiet, their trunks playing with blades of grass or one another’s tails. The village dogs slept. The heat of the day was taking its toll.

“We’ll have to unload soon,” said one of the mahouts.

“The sweat is building up under the howdah pads.”

One by one the soldiers came back, each afraid to approach the captain with the news.

“Nowhere to be found,” said the soldier.

“Nowhere to be found. Bullshit, she has to be here.” Mohinder started to bark some new orders when far off in the distance, toward town, gunfire could be heard.

“Shit,” was his only word. “It’s time to go.”

From out of nowhere Mohinder’s fist collided with Bram’s jaw. He went sprawling, blood gushing from his mouth.

“You bastard, you’ll get yours. All right, load up!” he shouted, “we’re moving out.”

The village sprang to life. Elephants lowered their heads to let the mahouts board. The dogs barked. Ja did a final check of the loads on the elephants. Kalli Gooma came to say his goodbye.

“Survive, my friend. Stay alive and don’t look over your shoulder.” He placed his hand over Bram’s heart, then mounted his elephant and left.

A special howdah had been rigged on the front elephant, a massive beast called Sinja. This was for the captain. Two soldiers rode with him. An umbrella had been rigged up to keep sun and rain off him.

Bram rode Modoc, who was packed full of equipment and a machine gun that took up most of her back. One soldier manned it, another walked alongside.

Bram, in the eyes of the captain, was just another mahout. Bram liked it that way. It kept him out of problems.

Bram saw the captain whisper something to one of his soldiers, who nodded yes. He figured it was something to make Bram pay for the captain not having Sian. Well, whatever it was, it was worth it, Bram thought.

As the convoy ambled up the trail, Bram looked back as though he would see Sian waving goodbye. But no one was there. At least he knew she would be safe.

In the beginning the trail up the mountain was gradual, but
the difficulty increased as the days wore on. The elephants, who generally worked four hours a day, were not accustomed to this kind of effort.

Their muscles had been developed to lift and pull, not for the long strides and constant uphill movement for hours on end. The weight of the howdahs was burdensome to them all.

Though Bram had carefully fitted each to carry a proper load, the soldiers were ordered to put on more, thus the weight was too heavy, not balanced, and constantly shifting because of the unevenness.

“You must tell the captain to stop more often,” said one of the mahouts. “The elephants need to eat and drink or they will lose their strength.”

The soldier came back with the message, “Go to hell.”

It was four days into the climb when one elephant went down. Bram saw it was dehydrated from lack of water.

“They will all go down if we don’t let them drink and eat more often!” he said.

Reluctantly Mohinder gave in, for without the elephants all would be lost.

The Dullirah Pass loomed ahead. Usually covered in thick fog, it sometimes revealed itself in the early mornings. Many prayers were offered that night. All knew it would take a miracle to get through it.

Mohinder’s plan was to cross the pass into the valley below. At a town there he could regroup his men and become productive again. He knew from that position he would have the advantage and could advance on his enemy without their knowledge.

Bram spent a sleepless night thinking what lay ahead the following day: the entrance to Dullirah Pass. For the years he had been in the village, he had heard many speak of the lives it had taken, of its steep terrain, treacherous avalanches, and dark fog. His worry was centered on Modoc. For the first time her size would be a disadvantage.

The sun was casting its morning rays into the small glen that
housed the men and elephants for the night. Their equipment lay everywhere. The elephants were enjoying the swamp grass and low brush that grew on the floor of the hollow. Suddenly they stopped foraging and stood stock-still. Something was happening. Bram stood up to share what they were tuned in to. Then he heard it. An elephant trumpeted from the valley down below! Bram ran to a nearby hill, raced to the top, and saw below a young elephant with two riders coming fast up the trail! The elephant was blasting away, telling all that it had arrived. The herd answered back in full accompaniment. Their tails arched, their ears bent forward, waiting patiently for the arrival.

As the trio came closer, Bram’s heart began to beat faster. How was it possible? Why? But as they neared he knew. It was Sian riding Swati. Seated with her was one of Captain Rajah Mohinder’s men!

When they arrived, Sian jumped off Swati and ran into Bram’s open arms. They smothered each other in kisses. He held her tight, so very tight. His passion was mixed with the pain of the situation. Now he understood what the captain had probably whispered to his man: “Stay behind. When she comes, bring her.”

“Well, my good friends, you can never say I don’t have feeling for my good comrades.” The captain could hardly contain himself. His eyes found Sian’s. “Enjoy yourselves for the moment until we pack up, then you ride with me.”

They sat under a nearby tree. Sian explained how she had waited. But when she came out to the valley the soldier was there.

“We hardly stopped along the way so we would catch up to you. And not carrying a load made it all the easier.”

Now, what to do? Riding with the captain was not a problem. The seats in the howdah were separated, and the only intimacy one could have would be to hold hands. It was the thought of the coming night that sent chills through Bram.

With the elephants loaded, the caravan headed into the pass. Sian rode with Mohinder. Bram took a position just behind. The captain seemed to like that, as he would constantly try to touch Sian and then look to see if Bram was watching.

The pass was as treacherous as Bram had dreamed it to be. Perhaps twenty miles long, it arched its serpentlike curves up the side of a thousand-foot cliff. The terrain was barren except for the odd oaken tree, leafless and skeletal against the sky.

The weather turned cold and the winds were constant. The elephants formed a single line. Their equipment was repacked so as not to jut out from their sides. The walls of the cliff housed large rocks that could hang up the equipment or, worse, bump it and send the elephant over the edge. Sometimes the walls arched over the trail, and the howdah had to be taken off and hand-carried until it could be put back on farther down the trail. Most of the elephants were shaking from the cold. Bram silently thanked Ja for remembering the quilted blankets. He saw to it that they were spread across the elephants’ backs.

The fog had moved in, making any forward movement impossible. They were lucky and reached a small open spot where the elephants could crowd together for warmth. There was no food or water. They just stood absorbing their pain. The night wore on. One elephant tried to lie down and almost pushed another over the cliff.

The only sign that morning had come was that the fog had become pink rather than gray. Mohinder sent a soldier ahead to see if the trail was getting any better. When the soldier returned the news was grave.

“The trail is no more,” he said. “An earth slide has covered the trail for at least two hundred feet. The earth is loose so it must have happened recently.”

“Take twenty men, get the shovels out of the packs, and clear it!”

Bram and the mahouts tended their elephants as best they could, unloading a few at a time, as there was danger of slipping off the edge.

They stole some foodstuffs, bread, fruit, and vegetables, and distributed it among the weakest elephants.

When the trail was opened up they continued on their way. Both Sian and Bram were thankful that with Mohinder being so busy and uncomfortable, Sian was the last thing on his mind.

It rained that night and continued into the early morning, making the trail slippery. The mud caused small land falls on the trail. The elephants were starting to slip and slide, some falling to their knees. Many hours were spent getting them on their feet again.

Bram thought they had about two more days before they would be out of the pass.

The following morning the fog was the thickest it had been. Visibility was nil. Mohinder seemed to be a man possessed…he hit his men, swore, and made irrational decisions.

“Get him up and moving or I’ll shoot him!”

Sinja, the lead elephant, had gone down and refused to budge. There was no room for the others to go around.

“If he dies on the trail you will never get around him,” said Bram. “And there is no way of moving him once he is dead.”

“Oh no? I’ll move him. If I have to cut him into pieces! I’ll move him!” Mohinder took out his pistol. “Tell me where to shoot, Bram. I never shot an elephant before.” He pointed the pistol at Sinja’s head.

“Wait a minute! Look! These elephants are on the verge of panic. There’s a danger of them bolting and crashing to their death a thousand feet below and taking all of us with them! At least give us a chance to try. Okay? Okay?”

Mohinder seemed catatonic. Bram didn’t wait for an answer. He brought Modoc up to the downed bull, turned her around, and positioned her facing down the trail. Getting his pull sling out of his pack, he lowered the chest plate over Mo’s head, letting it settle on her chest. Then he carried the two pull ropes over to Sinja and tied them together under Sinja’s chest. Taking a bunch of rattan and blankets, he stuffed them between the pull ropes and his chest.

Bram knew Sinja had the strength to stand. He had just lost his will. He needed support from his friends. Ten mahouts got in front of him. At a command from Bram for Modoc to “move up,” the mahouts started to push, talking encouragement to him.

“Come on, boy, you can do it!” they yelled.

“Up you go!”

Mo pulled gently and, as the men pushed, Sinja got his front feet under himself and slowly began to rise. When he was standing on all fours, Bram released the ropes and slowly talked him into backing up. Once he reached a place he could turn around, Bram praised him, feeding him a bit of food from the soldiers’ packs.

The fog had taken away the ability to see one’s own feet, but the trail, small as it was, was there. Bram put Modoc in the lead position, placing her where the side of her body rubbed against the cliff wall. Then he had her slide her front foot along the trail. He figured keeping her side against the wall would prevent her from falling off the cliff on the other side, and sliding her foot would keep her on the trail.

As she moved, Bram had the other mahouts do the same with their elephants. The line moved slowly but it was enough to keep Mohinder from killing an elephant and maybe the rest of the party.

Hours went by until the fog began to clear. Bram noticed that many elephants were bleeding from sliding their feet in the dirt. An elephant with sore feet can be a serious problem, so the first chance they got, the mahouts treated their feet with a medication, then trimmed away any of the pieces of flesh that hung from their pads.

It happened so quickly that there was nothing anyone could do. Bram heard a cry for help go up somewhere back in the line. He looked back into the mist, and as if in slow motion, he saw one of the elephants going down on her knees. She bellowed her pain, her tired feet, her hunger and weakness. Then she lay over and fell…to her death. She never made a sound going down. All that was heard was her hitting the bottom, many light years away.

“She committed suicide,” said Bram to Sian.

Bram knew that when an elephant dies, the others announce the death with a great deal of commotion. This time none said a word. They knew…and so did Sian. Before the day was out two more had chosen the same fate. There was no need for Mohinder to kill. They were doing it themselves. By now the soldiers themselves would have turned back, but it was too late. They had to make it or die trying.