Chapter 30
The boatman called Zafro had finally arrived and appeared happy to take them further south in return for dollars. They agreed on a price and hauled their new supplies aboard. Zafro ran into one of the buildings, a flatboard abandoned schoolhouse then returned and clambered in.
Frank immediately noticed he had a pistol tucked casually into his shorts belt.
“For protection?” Frank asked in Spanish.
“Si. Many bad men.”
Frank couldn’t have agreed more. It seemed like they were in very shark-infested waters. He felt edgy without a weapon but was happy to see Zafro was packing.
Zafro fired up the engine and they headed down the broad river, the main artery into the heart of the jungle. They navigated along the river for a few hours until the darkness threatened.
“We stop and ea
