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“I’d be very appreciative if you took care of those drunk soldiers,” Siegfried said in a controlled fashion, while pointing toward the post. “There’s another group where Officer O’Leary can take you. And tell one of these jeeps full of soldiers to follow us. We may need their firepower.”

Kevin motioned for Jack to slow down. Jack cut back on the throttle and the heavy pirogue quickly lost momentum. They had entered the narrow channel between Isla Francesca and the mainland. It was significantly darker than out in the open water because the trees on either side formed a canopy.

Kevin was worried about the rope for the feeding float and he’d positioned himself in the bow. He’d explained it to Jack so Jack was prepared.

“It’s eerie in here,” Laurie said.

“Listen to how loud the animals are,” Natalie said.

“What you are hearing are mostly frogs,” Melanie said. “Romantically inclined frogs.”

“It’s coming up just ahead,” Kevin said.

Jack cut the engine then stood in order to tip the outboard out of the water.

There was a soft thud and a scraping noise as the boat passed over the rope.

“Let’s paddle,” Kevin said. “It’s only a little way farther, and I wouldn’t want to hit a log in the dark.”

The dense jungle on the right fell away as they reached the staging area clearing. Once again they were in moonlight.

“Oh, no!” Kevin cried from the bow. “The bridge is not deployed. Damn!”

“That shouldn’t be a problem,” Melanie said. “I still have the key.” She held it up, and it glinted in the low light. “I had a feeling it would come in handy someday.”

“Oh, Melanie!” Kevin gushed. “You’re wonderful. For a moment there, I thought all was lost.”

“A deployable bridge that needs a key?” Jack questioned. “That’s mighty sophisticated for out here in the jungle.”

“There’s a dock coming up on our right,” Kevin said. “That’s where we’ll tie the boat up.”

Jack was in the stern. He used his oar to back paddle so the bow turned toward the island. A few minutes later, they quietly bumped against wood planking.

“Okay, everybody,” Kevin said. He took a breath. He was nervous. He knew he was out of character since he was about to do something he’d never done before: be a hero of sorts. “Here’s what I suggest. You all stay in the boat. At least for now. I really don’t know how these animals are going to react to me. They’re unbelievably strong, so there is a risk. I’m willing to take it for the reasons I’ve already talked about, but I don’t want to put any of you in jeopardy. Is that reasonable?”

“It’s reasonable, but I don’t know if I agree,” Jack said. “Seems to me you are going to need some help.”

“Besides, with this AK-47 it’s not as if we can’t defend ourselves,” Warren said.

“No shooting!” Kevin said. “Please. Particularly not for my benefit. That’s why I want you all to stay here. If things go badly, just leave.”

Melanie stood up. “I’m almost as responsible as you for these creatures’ existence. I’m helping whether you like it or not, bucko.”

Kevin made an expression of exasperation.

“No pouting,” Melanie said. She climbed out of the boat onto the dock.

“Sounds like a party,” Jack said. He stood up to follow Melanie’s lead.

“You sit down!” Melanie said sternly. “At the moment, it’s a private party.”

Jack sat.

Kevin got out his flashlight and joined Melanie on the dock. “We’ll work very quickly,” he promised.

The first line of business was the bridge. Without it, the plan would fail no matter what the response was from the animals. Kevin put in the key. As he turned it on and pressed the green button, he held his breath. Almost immediately he heard the whine of a battery-driven electric motor from the mainland side. Then in slow motion the telescoping bridge extended across the dark river to make contact with the cement stanchion on the island.

Kevin climbed up on it to make sure it was solidly seated. He tried to shake it but it was rigidly in place. Satisfied, he got down, and he and Melanie hiked in the direction of the forest. They couldn’t see the cages because of the darkness of the shadows, but they knew where they were.

“Do you have any plan or are we just going to let them all out en masse?” Melanie asked as they walked across the field. Kevin had the flashlight on so they could see where they were stepping.

“The only idea that came to my mind was to find my double, bonobo number one,” Kevin said. “Unlike me, he’s a leader. If I can make him understand, maybe he’ll take the others.” Kevin shrugged. “Can you think of a better idea?”

“Not at the moment,” Melanie said.

The cages were all lined up in a long row. The smell was rank since some of the animals had been in their tiny prisons for more than twenty-four hours. As Kevin and Melanie walked along, Kevin shined the light in each enclosure. The animals awoke immediately. Some backed against the rear wall, trying to shield themselves from the glare. Others stood their ground obstinately, their eyes flashing red.

“How are you going to recognize him?” Melanie asked.

“I wish I could count on seeing my watch,” Kevin said. “But the chances of that are slim. I suppose it’s up to recognizing that awful scar he has.”

“It’s rather ironic that he and Siegfried have almost the same scar,” Melanie said.

“Don’t even mention that man’s name,” Kevin said. “My gosh, look!” The light illuminated bonobo number one’s frightfully scarred face. He stared back defiantly.

“It’s him,” Melanie cried.

“Bada,” Kevin said. He patted his chest as the bonobo females had done when he, Melanie, and Candace had first been brought to the cave.

Bonobo number one tilted his head and the skin between his eye furrowed.

“Bada,” Kevin repeated.

Slowly, the bonobo raised his hand and patted his chest. Then he said “bada” as clearly as Kevin had.

Kevin looked at Melanie. They were both shocked. Although they had tentatively conversed with Arthur, it had been in such a different context, they’d never been entirely sure they were actually communicating. This was different.

“Atah,” Kevin said. It was a word they’d heard frequently starting from the moment bonobo number one had yelled it when they’d first encountered him. They thought it meant “come.”

Bonobo number one didn’t respond.

Kevin repeated the word then looked at Melanie. “I don’t know what else to say.”

“Neither do I,” Melanie said. “Let’s go for it and open the door. Maybe he’ll respond then. I mean it is hard for him to ‘come’ when he’s locked up.”

“Good point,” Jack said. He stepped around Melanie to reach back along the right side of the cage. With trepidation, Kevin released the latch and opened the door.

Kevin and Melanie stepped back. Kevin directed the flashlight toward the ground rather than shine it in the animal’s face. Bonobo number one emerged slowly and stood up to his full height. He looked to his left and then to his right before redirecting his attention at the two humans.

“Atah,” Kevin said again while backing up. Melanie stayed in step.

Bonobo number one started forward, stretching as he walked like an athlete warming up.

Kevin turned his body around so he could walk easier. He repeated “atah” several more times. The animal’s facial expression didn’t change as he followed.

Kevin led to the bridge and climbed up on it. He again repeated “atah.”

Bonobo number one hesitantly climbed onto the concrete stanchion. Kevin backed up until he was standing in the middle of the span. The bonobo came out onto the bridge warily. He glanced frequently from side to side.

Kevin then tried something they’d not tested on Arthur. Kevin strung bonobo words together. He used “sta,” from the episode when bonobo number one tried to give the dead monkey to Candace. He used “zit,” which bonobo number one had used to get them to go to the cave. And finally he used “arak,” which they were quite sure meant “away.”