|
Read Part ONE and TWO if you've missed them. Fish curry very hot
Eat your belly full my dear
Lie down on the cot.
Mary went to church my dear
Prayer book in her hand
Buffalo came behind my dear
Pushed her in the sand. (thats all I remember)
But, I digress.It was mid afternoon when everybody got up. All the hunting gear in the bullock cart was checked,the bullock was hitched up and we set off.Richard and Noel,pretending to be grownmen, walking with grown men,trying to take grown men steps, laughing,when grown men laughed. The talk always turned to the "Good old days".Stories of "Gunboat Jack and Steamboat Jack" the" well of death" -- tap-dancing, boxing,boxing and boxing,three rounds in the ring for thirty rupees,which in those days was a lot of money--- (why does every AI, know sombody who did that??) taking on the "Tommies"-- bar room brawls with the "Yanks" who dared to call them racist names,"The War"and women("take it easy men,the kids are here") Richard would drift off into his own daydream.----He and Noel were stalking a tiger,who,was stalking a big male buck,who looked like Rudolph the red nosed!!---- suddenly, he was brought back to reality as the bullock,shied away and took-off down the track,everybody ran behind the cart,it eventually slowed down and after much discussion as to what spooked the bull,the general feeling was that it was a snake.
Two hours of trekking,behind a bullock cart,at 2 miles an hour,in the hot sun was very tiring for Richard and Noel.Thankfully,they were now in the forest,having a break.One of the village men was boiling water over a small fire for tea,which everyone really needed.It turns dark very quickly in the forest,so the whole camp was bustling with activity.All the village men by now,had gone off into the forest,they were the beaters.
"Richard and Noel, listen, we are going into the forest,-- not far.We want you to stay in the cart,no matter what,ok?"said Richards dad."But dad,we want to come with you,please!" "No, in the dark it will be differcult to keep watch over you" "but dad,we have our guns,we could help you,please dad -- please??" begged Richard, "no Richard,and thats that,keep your guns with you in the cart,and stay quiet".
He and Noel frustrated, opened up their tuck box and had some comfort food -- chapatties and jam -- suddenly it was very quiet,everyone had gone.It was only now that they noticed how dark it was,and what were those noises?There! What was that? There it was again!!The two of them gripped their guns,eyes wide open,trying to pierce the darkness that sat on them, heavily.
Then faintly, in the distance, they could hear men shouting-- and banging noises,--getting louder --coming closer! then the almighty roar of gunfire as the twelve bore shotguns discharged,not very far away.Did they get anything? All that shooting,must have got a couple of wild boar! Then it all went quiet again.
"Noel,are you ok?"said Richard."Yes ---- you?.-----"Noel",said Richard "We must not be afraid" "But its dark,and those scary noises"said Noel."could be the wind"said Richard."You stay at one of the cart and I'll stay at the other,that way we'll have both ends covered,like in The Lone Ranger" said Noel brightly."Ok" said Richard.Soon,all the excitement and walking,tookits toll,and Richard was dreaming of Rudolph again,and Noel was the Lone Ranger.
Thats how the "Shikaris" and the villagers found them,when they returned early morning.Richard and Noel fast asleep,still clutching their precious Daisy air rifles.
"The Shikaris" were very pleased with their shoot.six wild boar and any number of wild duck that they bagged at first light at the edge of kamasamudra lake.The boars were carved up and shared out at the village and wrapped up in gunny sack cloth.Uncle Ian took them back in his tipper truck,and soon a tired but happy Richard was fast asleep on the sofa,and his mum said "I still wish he would'nt wear that belt so tight.
Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register. |
Written by bluesman on 2007-07-31 00:43:50
 | Written by Guest on 2006-05-14 20:19:10
if you want to marry my daughter do not come at one
As papa will be waiting with his double barren gun | ernest
Written by Guest on 2006-05-10 19:01:24
dear ray.c.if your dad was in the madras guards he was more of a hero to AIs than gunboat jack.the madras guards were so feared that the british disarmed them and confined them to barracks a few months before independence.they were garrisoned at fort st george in madras.god we AIs have so much to be proud of.regards ERNEST | Written by Florence on 2006-05-02 12:25:37
Again another good one Brother. Such happy memories! Isn't it wonderfull that there are people out there who can relate to these stories. Looking forward to the next one.  | Gunboat Jack
Written by Raoul on 2006-05-01 23:53:55
Yeah,Gunboat Jack lived in Park town in Madras and married a Lady from the Brisson family, I remember (as a kid) my old Neighbour Wally Brisson talking about Gunboat and their exploits as boxers and street brawlers,I think I'll post some of old uncle wally's stories here, Madras in the 1940's , there is just one old man (Denzel D'Monte)I know who is still alive from that era.Will mailhim for his coments and post them.Keep it coming ernest. | Mr. Ray C.
Written by Guest on 2006-05-01 21:17:32
I remember my dad talking about Gunboat Jack and it brings back a lot of fond memories. Apparently Gunboat Jack was a big 6' something American sailor who jumped ship in Madras and never went back home. He was a boxer and joined a traveling circus (in those days they held boxing sideshows before the main event started), he was unbeatable and they did used to offer Rs.30/- to anyone who would take him on. My dad was in the Madras Guards and a boxer too, he always spoke of fighting with Jack but, I don't know if he actually fourght him himself but I believe they were good friends. I think Gunboat Jack married a local A/I and lived out his life in Madras - not sure.
Ray. C. |
Powered by AkoComment 2.0! |
