Chasing the River
With his mother and siblings missing after a raid on their village, 13 year old Oby follows the Great White River in search of his father, an itinerant farm labourer. He journeys by camel with traders across a Salt Lake, over mountains and across the Zuda Desert. Falling into the clutches of war lord, Yaki Zakariah, Oby is badly beaten and becomes enslaved. With new friend, Ramu, Oby escapes. However, Yaki Zakariah's thugs are soon on their tails. Oby and Ramu become disoriented and end up in the midge ridden Junka Marsh. Having fallen sick, they are discovered by UN engineers who organise a boatman to carry them North on his felucca. Following the bizarre death of the boatman, Oby and Ramu retreat into the bush, only to come across tourists who have been fleeced of their belongings. Oby and Ramu are accused of being thieves and chased all the way to the heaving capital city, Salima. From the myriad of alleyways, they are saved by Sarah and her father who help street kids. In a safehouse Ramu reveals all that he has witnessed over the years: guns, diamonds, ivory. It is clear to everyone that this puts Ramu's life in peril. Eventually, the police close in on Yaki Zakariah and his accomplices. Oby and Ramu finally arrive at Madam Betcha's farm in the peaceful enclave of El Malla and Oby is reunited with his father. Ramu goes to study and fulfil his dream of becoming a teacher. Oby is finally reunited with his mother and siblings in a new village and he starts a new life working with camels ... something he always dreamed of
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