They are heading to the Mosquito Flats Commune. It is reachable only by boat. Before they head out, they pull into a camping supply store and stock up on deet, long sleeve shirts, long pants, which Rosie instructs them to tuck into their socks and Face nets, which go over pith helmets and tie under the arms. They also donned leather gloves.
For some reason, Rosie was strapping on a firearm. JC looked at her, looked at Reese whose eyes were getting wide.
"Is this necessary,?" they sort of say in unison. "Ayep," Rosie says, "This part of the delta still has meth labs, moonshiners, and white slavers and I don't plan on having any trouble with anyone. Plus there are a lot of wild pigs loose.
They pile into the long flat bottomed boat and Rosie pays the toothless guide in golden halfpennies that she pulls out of her waist-belt.
"They don't use US money down here either".,. she anticipates their question. "At least, not where we are going"
Everybody quiets down as they slough along the marsh. "Keep your hands inside the boat, those copper-mouths are fast on the water." Reese pulls her hand in right smartly.
Pretty soon, the clouds of mosquitoes stir up and face screens are put to work, keeping them out from their lungs and off their mouths. Speaking requires periodic blowing of the fabric away from the face, and a few determined bugs find their way in.
Reese felt right at home, being from Wisconsin.
When we get to the landing, be sure to stay on the planking, I don't want to have to pull anyone out of the silt. The guide admonishes. "The topsoil in places is ten feet deep", Rosie adds.
They had been making steady progress through the canals, passing makeshift shanties where bon fires were lit and dogs, kids and pigs ran freely together along the banks, through the thick smoke that the night blazes had smudged up, waving to the threesome. The grownups returning wordless greetings and nods with the guide.
Rounding the final canal turn, they came up to a lit up landing where oil smudge pots had been put up along the bank, burning cheerfully in a row. a Homemade sign announced the compound. Mosquito Flats commune.
The guide pulls out his walkie talkie and spits and crackles a warning message to the clan. People slowly make their way down to the tie up post as the guide lands the boat on a built up sand bar and jumps out helping steady the boat as they all alight..
Rosie pulls out a medallion fastened to a leather thong round her neck and show it in the flashlight's glow being trained on her by the people meeting the visitors. She also pulls off her glove and undoes her shirt cuff and shows the raised marks on her inner wrist. The group nods their welcome, accepting her identification, and she passes a water tight packet to the leaders' hands.
JC notices that many of the girls are scantily clad and apparently not being bothered by the bugs swirling around. Several of them cluster around him and pull him towards the fire, offering him homemade drinks and bars of chewy brownies.
Reese is captivated by the exquisite Tipis lined up along the planked path. A dozen tall structures made of Pine poles and stretched sewn canvas are set along the levee , each one lit up from the inside from small lights.
They make their way towards the largest Tipi, in the middle of the encampment., It was used for ceremonies, group meetings and housing visitors.
The inside of the tipi is as comfy as can be.
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