An Unexpected Adventure

THE MIDDLE

Darkness enveloped them as they leaped over the bushes and laid foot into the woodland. For a few moments they were blinded, but soon regained their vision and slowly edged forward, deeper and deeper into the primeval jungle. Tall, massive trees surrounded them on all sides; the canopy was so dense that barely any sunlight was able to penetrate it and reach the ground, and, holding hands, Hari, Chandra and Sulochan continued their journey. They treaded over grass, mud, shrub, and thorn. The sounds of the animals of the jungle were soon audible to them; at one time they heard the screech of bats and at another the laugh of the hyena. Once they heard the trumpet of elephants and once the chatter of monkeys. The noises seemed to be coming from close, but not a single creature was in sight. Hari and his companions were enthralled by the beauty and majesty of the forest....imagine living so close for years and never exploring this wonderful realm. It felt as if they had entered another world. They went on walking steadily, brushing aside bushes, jumping over shrubs and crushing the muck below their feet.

Suddenly, Chandra froze in his tracks and held the other two firmly.

"Do not move a muscle" he said,very slowly, as if mustering courage to utter the words.

Hari and Sulochan sensed some trouble so obeyed without question. A few moments passed in silence, thick with apprehension. Just as Hari's patience was about to give way he came across the cause of Chandra's consternation.

"I say, what on earth's the ma-" the words froze on his lips as he saw a cobra raise its hood and hiss menacingly. The signature mark of the cobra was clearly visible. Horror filled their hearts. They didn't know what to do- wait or run, keep silent or scream? Hari stood like a statue with terror in his eyes, Chandra whispered prayer after prayer to the Almighty and Sulochan shivered like a leaf. Suddenly, the serpent slithered rapidly towards Chandra and before he knew what was happening the serpent had dug it's poisonous fangs into his leg, just above the ankle. A cry of agony broke forth from his lips and he collapsed onto the ground, clutching his wounded leg. Hari and Sulochan were frightened out of their wits. Fortunately, the reptile felt that attacking one human was more than enough, recoiled, and disappeared through the thick grass. The woodland was absolutely silent; no sounds could be heard other then Chandra's groaning and cries of pain.

Sulochan was the first to recover from the shock. He had learnt from his father, the Vaidya of the village, skills of first aid and these he put into practice. He rapidly tore a piece of cloth from his vest and deftly tied a tourniquet round Chandra's ankle, so as to prevent the venom from spreading. He also knew some medicinal herbs and roots which nullify the effect of a cobra's poison, and, leaving Chandra is Hari's care, went out to search for them. While Sulochan was away, Hari could not think of anything to say which would provide solace to Chandra and they passed the time in silence. At length, Sulochan returned with some leaves in his hand. He made a paste of some and applied it on the wound and gave the others to Chandra and instructed him to chew them. A while after the treatment was over, the colour returned to Chandra's pallid face, the area where the fangs had pierced his body stopped burning and a slimy fluid started oozing out of it.

"This indicates that the herbs have played their part....Chandra is free from danger" said Sulochan as he saw the indications. "Poor Chandra had to pay the price of not listening to the warning of the merchant .....I had told you repeatedly not to put yourself in danger but you wouldn't listen to me." He cast a reproachful glance at Hari, who had tears in his eyes. "Now, without wasting another minute lets get out here"

"Yes, please" whispered Chandra.

"There is a problem"Hari faltered. "We're lost."

Due to the panic caused by the attack on Chandra, the boys had forgotten everything for the moment and directed all their attention to him. Now they realised the gravity of their situation. Not only were they lost in a vast jungle, but also it was late evening, nearing night. What was to be done now? Even the few beams of sunlight that managed to pierce the canopy and reach the ground earlier had stopped and there was pitch darkness all around. In the tenebrosity, the cries of the animals were heard even more clearly and the encounter with the cobra had shaken them so much that they put one foot after another, slowly, steadily and shot wary glances all around them; although nothing at all was visible. Seconds seemed like minutes to them, and minutes like hours as they tried to find their way out of the maze of trees. Chandra wasn't able to keep pace with then due to his leg and this slowed them down even more. They stumbled and rose, gave up hope and regained it, cried and wiped their tears, lost their courage and found it again. They felt they were going round in circles but nobody knew for certain whither they were heading. The moon was visible high up in the sky and the stars shone brightly providing just enough light needed for one to be able to move around. Once when they were sitting on the ground, taking rest, they heard the grunt of an animal; undoubtedly a tigers'. Panic seized them once more; facing a tiger would be sure death. They waited for a while, their hearts in their mouth, but the grace of Almighty was on them so a meeting with the tiger did not take place.

Luck favoured them at last. After who knows how many rounds in the forest and attempts to find the exit, at last they saw, between the trees, the maidan from which they had come. Their eyes were quite used to the darkness so they had no problem spotting the ground. They leaped with joy and tears filled their sore eyes....they were overwhelmed with a surge of emotion.

"We're through al last! " exclaimed Hari with a cry of joy.

"No you aren't, the worst is yet to begin" said a cold voice behind them.

They turned to find that they were surrounded by tribal people with spears and axes in their hands. In the middle of them stood Angamala, whom they recognised with surprise as none other then the butt of their jokes, their stupid old friend who was supposed to be down with fever, Priyakant.