JUNGLE COURAGE
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
The African or Cape buffalo is considered one of Africa’s most dangerous animals. Weighing up to 1,700 pounds and standing nearly six feet high at the shoulders, these powerful beasts are known for their mean dispositions and their unpredictable behavior.
Late one morning as they hunted, Harold and Paul encountered a rare lone buffalo. They had come upon it grazing in a small open spot in the jungle forest. Fortunately, it had not heard them, and they ducked quickly into the undergrowth to plot their plan of attack. Beyond what they needed for the family and to care for the students at the Bible school, this giant animal would provide food for the entire village for several weeks.
Harold instructed Paul and the native hunting party to remain where they were while he maneuvered to get a good shot. Slowly, he moved forward and to the left, selecting a spot downwind where he would have a clear, unobstructed field of fire.
As he settled into position, Harold could see the animal more fully. It was huge, and its horns were enormous. His shot would have to be well placed if it was to bring the beast down. He was close, perhaps only seventy feet, so he knew he could do it.
Harold braced his left leg against a tree root and lifted his rifle. Aiming carefully, he began to gently squeeze the trigger. The root supporting him broke just as he fired. The shot went wide. It struck the buffalo in the shoulder, causing significant damage but not coming close to killing it.
The stricken animal reacted instantly. It bellowed, charging off into the jungle at a startling speed.
“I can’t believe I missed,” Harold said in disgust as Paul and the hunting party ran up to him.
“It wasn’t your fault, Daddy. The tree broke. You had him. Let’s go. We can still catch up to him,” Paul urged.
Moses, the native leader of the hunting party, spoke, “It not be good to go after the buffalo. He mean. He will kill us. We jus’ go home now. Leave him.”
“I don’t like to do it,” Harold responded, “but I think you’re right, Moses. He’s going to be real mad about now, and I don’t want to get any of us killed. We’ll leave him.”
Discouraged and unhappy, the hunting party began working its way back through the jungle toward the Bwah mission station. There was little conversation. Each man was licking the wounds to his ego at having failed to bring home such a prize—none more so than Harold.
They were not following the same path they had when they had run across the buffalo. They were cutting their way through the jungle on a more direct route. It would still take them the better part of two days to reach home.
The going was difficult, but instead of adding to their gloom, it seemed to provide a means of letting out their frustration as they hacked their way through the dense jungle foliage. Besides, they might still encounter some worthwhile game before they made it back to Bwah.
They were traveling light, a total of only six in the hunting party. Moses, the chief tracker, was in the lead, with Harold about fifteen paces back. Paul was immediately behind him. Following Paul were two gun bearers and a porter.
They had just crossed a small stream and were rounding a large rock outcropping. Moses was temporarily out of sight ahead of Harold. As Harold cleared the last large boulder, he sensed something before he saw anything. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw the huge black animal standing motionless, waiting for its prey—waiting for Harold.
Harold turned quickly, instinctively facing the danger. Suddenly, the buffalo was no longer motionless. It was crossing the short distance between them like a locomotive traveling at full speed.
There was no time for Harold to grab for his rifle. The animal was upon him. He yelled for everyone to run and then, at the last instant, jumped to the side, narrowly avoiding the animal’s deadly giant horns as the buffalo’s charge missed and carried it past him. With remarkable agility, the enraged beast turned and was bearing down on him again.
The rest of the team had scattered at Harold’s first yell, not knowing what was happening. Now, as they sought a place to escape, they were beginning to understand the wounded buffalo had, unbelievably, circled back on them and was attacking them hours after their first encounter. It was a hunter’s worst nightmare come true.
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
When they left America in the 1930s to serve as missionaries in the remote jungles of Liberia, West Africa, Harold and Ella Landrus could never have imagined the challenges they would face.
They had no way of knowing the joys they would experience, the heartbreaks they would endure, nor the unbelievable adventures they would encounter.
From deadly snakes, to marauding leopards, rampaging elephants, and terrifying airplane crashes, the Landrus family faced every challenge with faith, courage, and purpose.
Written by a retired missionary who spent time with Harold and Ella while they were still ministering in Liberia, their story will challenge and inspire you.
This is the account of a remarkable missionary family striving to make a difference in the lives of native tribespeople deep in the jungles of the African interior. They led lives of worth and meaning while living out adventures that go beyond anything any movie could ever offer. The difference is their story is true.
About the Author
William Blake Gibbs was born in Pasadena, CA and grew up in neighboring Arcadia. He graduated from of Arcadia High School. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Claremont Men’s College (now Claremont McKenna College).
After serving in the US Army in Viet Nam, Blake began a more than forty-year career in a variety of business fields, including banking, management education, manufacturing, management consulting, and construction.
He married Esther Landrus in 1965. During their lives together, they have travelled extensively in Africa, Asia, and Europe. When Blake turned sixty, he and Esther felt the Lord was calling them to become missionaries with Agape Children’s Ministry. Agape rescues street children and other at-risk children in Kenya. The ministry’s focus is to share the Gospel with the children and, after preparation and counseling, to reintegrate them back with their family or extended family. Blake and Esther retired from Agape in 2019.
Blake’s experiences as a missionary, both traveling and living for extended periods in Africa; his visit with Harold and Ella while they were still ministering at New Hope Town; and his life with Esther learning the details of the Landrus family’s experiences in Liberia, place him in a unique position to understand and communicate the remarkable story of the Landrus family and their lives and ministry in Arica.