There wasn't any power so they had to use the hand cranks. But after several minutes of laborious work the loading ramp touched the ground. A man ran up aannouncing he'd climbed a tree and looked into the cockpit. One side was riddled with bullet holes. One pilot's head had been blown open, the other one was dead too. She must have just managed to land the plane, and then died.
"I'd say a customs plane spotted in illegal flight," Samuel remarked, "and when they refused to land opened fire. These animals were probably on their way to some private game reserve, or, to be sold illegally to zoos. Get the trucks with winches chained to those trees over there. Play out the winches. We'll use them to haul the cages out."
One by one they got the cages out. The animals they couldn't save were put out of their misery and butchered. The ones that could be saved were stitched up, watered and fed.
The women made fires and started to cook some of the meat. "No sense it going to waste!"
Samuel agreed. "We've got to eat!"
Darkness came, and they worked under lights. Finally the last cage was pulled back, its charges released, and the cockpit door was exposed.
"Well, we'd better see to the dead," Samuel remarked.
The door was jammed but a little work with a pry bar finally freed it. The man and woman's bodies were lifted out, wrapped in blankets. Samuel went through their papers. They said their names were John and Alice McClain, but he doubted if they were real. Then he heard something....a faint little whimper. He looked around then he heard it again. He saw something behind the co pilot's seat and knelt down. It was a baby carrier! He tried to pull it but the seat had sprung back after the impact and was jammed.
"There's a BABY up here!" he cried. "I can't get it out. I need help!"
Soon the pry bars were again being put to use. After several minutes of frustration the seat popped back on its rails, and slid forward. Samuel yanked the carrier out, rushed through the plane and out to the back of a nearby truck. "I need water," he cried, "clean rags!"
Sahid appeared with a carrying bag. "Here are her things!" he cried.
They quickly washed the baby , got her in a clean diaper, slipped her into a fresh nightgown, wrapped her in a blanket, and gave her some of the prepared formula that they found in the bag. As soon as the doctor got back he examined her.
"A little dehydrated," he remarked, "but she looks all right."
Samuel picked up the baby carrier. Two bullets had ripped through it. "She damned near wasn't!" he remarked. "What kind of damned parents were they to try to outrun a customs plane with a baby on board?"
The baby began to cry. Sahid picked her up. "There, there, Candy!" he cooed, "It's all right, child, you're fine now."
The baby quickly quieted down. "There's a man with the magic!" Samuel remarked. "I have never seen anyone who can quiet a fussing child as easily! Where did you get her name from?"
His driver pointed to the baby's pajamas. Samuel picked them up and found the name embroidered on them. "Well!" he laughed, "At least we didn't have to guess at that. I guess we'll take charge of her until somebody shows up to claim her."
"Well," Sahid remarked, "welcome to the family, Candy! You will find it a very good one. You will have many brothers and sisters to play with!"
Everyone laughed. Solassie came up. "What are we going to do with the animals?" he asked.
"Well," Samuel answered, "our city used to have a renowned zoo. The buildings need a little work, but I think we could get it up and running in short order. I think these animals would be a fine beginning for a new collection, that would bring joy to young and old for a long time. I'm sure the government will pay you for their care until the facility can be prepared. As for the plane, it's salvage! We'll put it up for bid. Whoever buys it can come in, repair it, and fly it out. The profit will be split by everybody that helped. I can't take a share."
"Nor I," his driver put in. "I have all I need."
"You know," Samuel remarked, "I could use some sleep. Tell the boys to get my tent sat up."
"Nonsense!" Solassie argued, "Come along. My friends sleep in MY house when they're visiting. There's plenty of room in the barracks for your men. I think sleep is a VERY good idea, too!"
They were soon bedded down. In the morning they all got up and got ready to leave. As they were getting in their trucks Solassie came up dragging a European girl behind him. "Got something for you," he remarked, "this thing has been staying in one of my villages, claimed to be the daughter of a rich man, ran up a considerable bill! She paid with this."
He handed Samuel a stack of Spiritist credits. "They're fake!" Solassie commented. Samuel examined the currency.
"Damned good!" he remarked. "But you're absolutely right. They're counterfeit! You're in big trouble young woman!"
Sahid spoke up. "How much does she owe you?"

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