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CHAPTER 6

BACK TO ASRIAMAS

You could set your watch by Karl. I awoke in the morning to find him once again up and about. When he saw that I was up, he beckoned to me urgently. He pointed to fresh tracks on the riverbank, just fifteen yards from the tent. 'It's a jaguar. A big one. Look at the size of those paws. He was this close to our camp. It's a good thing the fire didn't go out during the night.'

A great deal remained to be settled, and over breakfast the four of us discussed our alternatives.

Karl said, 'Just look at my boots. They certainly are ready to head back to Asriamas, but I'm willing to keep on going, no matter what, barefoot if I have to, to get to the Indian village. Trust me.'

But Karl's opinion didn't really count. He was merely our guide. He had to do as we chose.

Marcus was adamant. 'We're going back!'

I objected just as stubbornly, 'We're going on!'

Kevin would cast the deciding vote, and I was sure that he would side with me. It surprised me when he took a long time weighing the options, making up his mind. Finally he cast his vote. 'We're going back.'