Bing Gananda 28

Bing Gananda slept for a long time. The fog never lifted. After a time Tomono came and called to Tindor, to come out.
"Sam Eu-el, come with me."
Tindor crawled out of Pandurina's den to where the big cat was waiting for him. Tomono led the way to the beach. It was closer than Tindor had realized.
"Stay here and watch."
Tindor crouched down and peered out though the vegetation. He could see the wreck and the dejected sailors standing by the fire.
At first he felt sorry for them, until he remembered the mutiny, and killings. Now, he felt detached from it all, almost as an outsider. Somehow, he was beginning to feel as if he belonged here, with Tomono and Bing Gananda. It must be the Blood.
He wondered what the men would do now, but it was only out of curiosity.


"What do we do now?"
"We're marooned on this bloody island."
"And what about him?" Ben asked, looking down at Martin laying there.
The rest turned to Hull now. He was next in command, if it mattered.
"We'll rot in this cursed place."
"We still have two boats," said Isaac.
The others were quiet. The prospect of going to sea in an open boat was not very appealing, especially after experiencing this last storm.
"We could make it to the coast..."
"And be hung as pirates!"
"No one knows about the mutiny," Isaac continued. "We were shipwrecked, that's all"


Tindor could hear it all from his hiding place. If they left, he would be here alone. But there were the cats, and Bing Gananda. What if he had to live out the rest of his life here, he wondered? Would he lose his mind? His attention was caught by the mention of his name.
"... Mr Tindor can."
Tindor can what? he wondered.
"Aye, the Captain, Martin, and Mr. Tindor could all navigate."
"We have Martin." It was said hesitantly.
"Martin? We should cut his bloody throat! This is all his doing."
Martin was listening from his place by the fire. He would be better off dead anyway, he thought. He had realized by now that his legs were paralyzed. Just make it quick.
"We'll need to take him."
"Damn him. Let's find Tindor."
"Would he come?"
"It's that, or stay on this dammed island!"


And that was the question in Tindor's own mind.
He looked at the cat beside him. Tomono had saved his life. But was there really a place for him here? The sailors conversation brought him back to attention.
"...Aye, he's just the sort to tell it all."
"We'll have to kill him too. But not till we make it to land."
There was no question of his going with them, now. The men continued their discussion.
"When this dammed fog lifts, we'll find him. He'll come, one way, or the other."
"What about this one?" indicating Martin.
"Let the bloody crabs have him," Ben said, and gave Martin a vicious kick in the side. Martin could no longer help himself and shrieked in pain. Ben merely spit at him, and walked away into the fog.


Tindor drew back. He had heard enough. Tomono led him back to where Bing Gananda lay sleeping.



*Bing Gananda may also be found in the sidebar, at the right.