The Field

Despite the fear of those caught out in the open on the grasslands during the night, the inevitable slaughter never arrives. Kenneth only has to expend three rounds when a pair of hunting laughers - perhaps too old to take part in the mating frenzy on the clay flats - comes upon the band of refugees. The two animals are safely put down, their pelts taken by firelight in the dark and added to Bazzer's growing collection. There is also a bit of the strange, tough laugher meat to be eaten the following day.

At the climber tree camp, there is an awful lot of noise but none of the animals seem to come closer than the edge of the field. Jasper and her two small charges cling to the wicker hammocks, swaddled in her single sleeping bag for warmth. Aside from the chilly drop in temperature at night (15C, 59F), it is uneventful.

On the island, the night is very quiet, save for the occupants. The grazers low every now and then as they jostle each other and doze on their feet. The humans keep the fire going throughout the night to keep the larger animals at bay and they also huddle for warmth, as it dips to 13C (55F) up there. There's a damp feel in the air, which the fire holds back a little.

Dawn comes and brings only a lightening grey to the sky. Clouds had rolled down from the north during the night, out of the mountains. In the distance, the peaks are invisible as a dark storm has enveloped them. Lightening can be seen from a distance and thunder crashes over the flat landscape from time to time. The rain comes by mid morning, though it's intermittant, and the wind is chilly. It makes for a bit of mud which slows them down a bit but at least there's no worry of sunburn or stroke today. By nightfall, the lake is in sight. Camp? Or push on in the dark?

( Mod Notes - Please Read )