Lion, Tiger, Bear | 55 Malta-Alex run. Rations? Damn, an ashy blackamoor and a South Seas cannibal. Wonder if they raped me? Five days of canteen water and a few British rations. One med kit. Two rifles and seventy-six rounds. Tonight, I will go back into the village and trade for supplies. A black man in the desert draws little attention. Gwafa held up a pile of local clothes. Tris chic, madame. A cool wisp of a breeze ran down her neck from behind. How big is this cave? Any animals? Christ, any scorpions? Camel spiders? Gwafa stood. It goes far back; we need torches beyond here. No spiders.Takuta killed one scorpion outside under his boot. Well keep em off ya, mum. Orders, madame? asked Gwafa, handing her a moistened sweet biscuit to eat. She groaned. Let me think. If Jerrys this far south, he must be gathering forces and securing water supplies to head north to flank uscoughAllies. Most of the fighting is still along the northern coastline. Reconnaissance aircraft will sweep the area, nowhere to hide in the desert. Lots of tracks. Takuta added: The tanks and trucks are hidden well under the thick palm groves. Under nets too. This is one helluva big oasis. Bea thought for a few moments, chewing, her mouth dry. Well need to count their forces, Ive had a little intelligence training. Then well have to cobble up a small caravan of camels and head west to the Nile via Al-Fayyum, then to Cairo along the Nile. I dunno, something. But well need money or something to barter. The locals arent fond of any of us. Who can blame them? Its not their fight. Gwafa dabbed her forehead with a little ointment. We cant trust anyone. They might turn us in for a reward. You both will need desert attire. She pointed. Its a risk, but trade the rifles. They wont be much use to us. Unarmed well create much less suspicion. Two blokes, one hen. We could be shot as spies, mum, worried Takuta. I know, but well keep our uniforms on underneath. This is a voluntary plan for you two. If Im caught, sent back to Tunis and possibly recognized by any SS personnel, itll be a death sentence for me. Gwafa dabbed her forehead. Why, madame?