Page 5 (2/2)

His voice was deep and slow, the accent lish public-school man, which he was, than like an African Van Cleef felt uncoh the cloud banks from the coast, asked himself why he had come

“I didn’t bring any supplies, sir There weren’t any ”

Another precedent set He had sworn he would not call the man “sir” Not a Kaffir It had just slipped out But they were right, the other mercenary pilots in the hotel bar in Libreville, the ones who had met him This one was different

“Then why have you coeneral softly “The children perhaps? There are a number here the nuns would like to fly out to safety, but no ht”

Van Cleef shook his head, then realized no one could see the gesture He was embarrassed, and thankful that the darkness hid it Around hiuards clutched their submachine carbines and stared at him

“No I came to collect you If you want to come, that is”

There was a long silence He could feel the African staring at hiht a flash of eye-white as one of the attendants raised his cigarette

“I see Did your governht?”

“No,” said Van Cleef “It was my idea”

There was another long pause The bearded head was nodding slowly in what could have been comprehension or bewilderment

“I arateful,” said the voice “It must have been quite a trip Actually I have my own transport The Super Constellation Which I hope will be able to take me away to exile”

Van Cleef felt relieved He had no idea what the political repercussions would have been if he had flown back to Libreville with the general

“I’ll wait till you’re off the ground and gone,” he said and nodded again He felt like holding out his hand to shake, but did not knohether he ought If he had but known it, the African general was in the same quandary So he turned and walked back to his aircraft

There was silence for a while in the group of black men after he had left