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Rude Awakenings - Forest Sangha Publications

Rude Awakenings - Forest Sangha Publications

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^0 T H I R D M O O N 06a wooden stave in hand and one of them with an axe. I have never beenone for giving in to people easily, even when it was obviously the sensiblething to do, and my reaction this time was typical. I was not goingto let three small Indians rob me without some resistance. As theyapproached I lunged at one of them. He backed quickly away, and thenI turned on another who then ran into the forest. I chased him but assoon as I was out of sight, I cut away and took off—I had escaped! I ranon through the forest, crashing through the trees and the spiny shrubs,oblivious to the cuts they were giving me. As I ran I kept thinking that Ishould hide the valuables before I was found. I was panicking and usedthe first thing I found—an old rabbit burrow. Into it I stuffed the camera,our money, and my passport. I quickly covered them with earth,then got up and ran on.The trees suddenly ended at an abrupt drop. I was on the top of a longscree slope that ran down to a dry stream bed—far too steep for me toclimb down quickly. I stopped and, bent double and panting heavily,tried to think what to do. There was no sound of them coming after me,and I realised I was probably safe. I had escaped—but I had also left mycompanion in the hands of six Indian bandits. The sensible thing wouldhave been to stay put, but I was worried about what might happen tohim. I was in two minds as I stood there panting. Eventually my heartwon over my head, and I decided to go back.I hid my pack in a hollow and cautiously made my way back to thetrack. I could hear nothing. As I neared the forest’s edge, I spied AjahnSucitto sitting with the young lad beside him. Beyond them, down thetrack, were the others, milling about and looking into the forest. Evidentlythey lacked the courage to go in after me. As soon as I cautiouslyemerged, the young lad shouted and they all came running, all shoutingand in quite a frenzy. This time I stood there submissively, but theystill surrounded me and started hitting me with their sticks. One ofthem was shouting and gesturing, “WHERE IS THE MONEY?WHERE IS THE BAG?” I tried to say that it was okay and I would take2 4 0

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