Read Online The Twelve by William Gladstone - Free Book Online Page B

jaguars, he smiled and said that he would have his guard take them to the only hotel in town, and that in the meantime he would hold onto their passports for as long as they were in his jurisdiction.
    Aware of their dwindling funds, Rolf indicated to Max that he should tell el dice that they weren’t ready to go to the hotel yet because they wanted to explore the town first. In fact, their plan was to camp by the river and avoid paying a hotel bill, which was the way it worked out.
    Unfortunately, Max and Rolf lay their blankets on top of an anthill, and in the morning when the ants woke up so did the duo, nursing several major bites.
    The morning was ferociously hot, and as they walked back to town for lunch and to meet up with their jungle guide and restaurant owner, Rolf turned to Max and confessed that between the heat and ant bites, he had lost his enthusiasm for the hunt.
    â€œWe’ve gotten to see this exotic jungle, and plenty of rare birds and animals,” he offered. “That was really my main goal. It’s not that important to me that we actually shoot a jaguar, and our budget is pretty tight already. Maybe we should just head back to La Paz and then have some extra time to visit Cuzco and Machu Picchu.”
    â€œThat’s fine with me,” Max replied.
    So with their sombreros perched on their heads and their heavy decorative ponchos tucked under their arms, they headed back to town and sat down to eat.
    They ordered two platos americanos—thin steaks served over rice, fried bananas, eggs, and a type of bean indigenous to Bolivia. Of course, this was accompanied by several beers, and after a leisurely meal ordered some of the rich Bolivian coffee. Just as they were finishing their first cup, a Jeep drove up and stopped smartly in front of the restaurant, kicking up a large cloud of dust.
    A uniformed guard stepped out of the jeep, entered, and walked over to their table.
    â€œThere seems to be some irregularities with your papers,” he said brusquely. “The lieutenant at the military barracks wants to talk with you.”
    Max just looked at Rolf to see what he should do or say. Rolf smiled and called the waiter to come and pour him a second cup of coffee.
    Not knowing what else to do, Max ordered a second cup as well. He then turned to the guard.
    â€œJust let us finish our meal, and we will be right there.”
    The uniformed man left, and ten minutes later Rolf ordered a third cup of coffee. So did Max.
    â€œRolf, what are we going to do ?” Max asked nervously. “I can’t drink a fourth cup of coffee, and I think those guards in the jeep are getting fed up waiting for us.”
    â€œDon’t worry,” Rolf responded confidently. “They’ll wait as long as they have to. I’ve been in the army in Holland, and this is just fun and games to them. The lieutenant probably just wants to check and see what plans we have since we never showed up at the hotel last night.”
    So the two leisurely paid their bill and headed to the front of the restaurant, where four uniformed military men had patiently remained seated in the jeep with heavy rifles at their sides.
    The sun was still high, and it was hot. Rolf peered at the bumpy, dusty road and turned to his friend.
    â€œMax, tell them that after such a big meal we need to walk. They can just follow us in the jeep, but I know we will both feel much better if we walk the two miles to the barracks and not squeeze into that bumpy jeep.”
    He relayed this to the head guard, who had been patiently waiting, and it was at that moment Max realized that it was no longer a game.
    The commander barked an order, and all four guards leaped out of the jeep, then trained their rifles on Rolf and Max.
    â€œYou will get into the jeep, and you will get in now,” the commander informed them in a loud, firm voice against which there would be no resistance. Max was now frightened, but Rolf still seemed to