City of the Dead

Chapter 5

We make our way back to the direction of the shore line, when I see David, Bernard and Beni leaning against the railing on the other end of the deck. We soon joined them when I noticed Beni meddling with a revolver. A thought crossed my mind as I contemplated on how we allowed him to be our guide. I questioned Beni as he was playing with that gun, "So Beni, how long do you think it would take to get to Hamunaptra?"

He did not stop with what he was doing to answer, "It is three days down the nile, then two days by camel, my flower." I paused at that last remark when David continued to say, "With all the money we're paying you, there're better be something under that sand." I thought the same when Isaac pats David on the back to say, "Hamunaptra Daniels, thats all you got to keep telling yourself. Hamunaptra." Isaac then wraps his arm around my shoulder to try and get me to smile. Probably to deter me from that comment Beni made, but more so to try and lighten the mood. Which worked because Bernard was just as enthusiastic when he said, "We're going to find it boys! We're going to make history!" To which Isaac replied with the same amount of energy, "And get rich doing it!" Soon after, we hear the horn of the river boat announcing its departure from the shore line.

This is it, no going back now. Hamunaptra here we come.

We find ourselves killing time until we reach our destination. It wasn't long after that dawn was approaching and soon after the moonlight sky.

Bernard, David, Dr. Chamberlain and I were sitting under the awning of the main deck at a rather small table, as the group was conversing about sports, politics and any other topics that would pass the time.

"Look, all that I'm saying is that if the Yankees would have played their cards right and placed Ben Paschal more as an outfielder, maybe that would have had a better chance at winning the World series!" explained David.

"Babe Ruth was the only one in that game picking up the slack, it's not his fault that he was caught stealing second in the bottom of the ninth inning." rebutted Bernard.

I can never get into sports lingo, I would always get lost in the middle of the conversation. I then see Isaac, bringing over a few cups of whiskey and placing it on the small table that we had procured.

"All right boys, enough chit chat! Time to place some bets!" announces Isaac as he brings out a deck of old playing cards and starts shuffling the worn out cards.

"Now you're talking!" replied David.

I grab a cup of whiskey from the table so that they can have more playing room. I took a sip from the glass cup, when the burning sensation of the drink ran down my throat and caused me to cough a little. Isaac must have seen this coming, as he pats my back trying to get me to stop coughing out my lungs. I then watch the boys play few rounds of poker, noticing that Bernard seems to be having the better hand as luck seems to be on his side tonight. I get up to grab another drink from the bartender, when a man with a pith helmet came up and asked "Can I buy you a drink miss?" I look at the stranger and see that he's obviously British from his accent, but he's wearing a tan suit with his pants raised up to his waist and black boots to complete his "Safari look".

I politely declined the offer as I said, "No, thank you, I don't take drinks from strangers."

When immediately he responded with, "Well we are all strangers until we get to know each other." I pause at his response as I can tell he's the kind to not take no for an answer. He then proceeds to introduce himself, "Jonathan Carnahan miss! World adventurer and treasure seeker. Perhaps we can share a drink on this fine evening, miss...?"

"Annabelle Cambell and I would have to decline as I was already spending my evening with my colleagues here." I point to the playing table where Bernard wins yet another hand of Poker.