for the time being, the order does not include missionaries. A new general has taken over the military leadership of the government, and he blames foreigners and minorities for the country's horrible economic state. He is making foreigners and the various mountain tribes the scapegoats-and the people are believing him. I'm afraid it will be just a matter of time before the missions will also be closed."
"What has happened to turn the government against foreigners and minorities?" Sarah asked. "A truce was signed between the rebels and the army four years ago."
Swift forced a small smile. "Mrs. Brown, you live in another world here in the mountains. In the lowlands and especially in Rangoon, the Burmese live in horrible poverty. Their economic system is in shambles. The government is corrupt.
Vietnam and Laos are close to all-out war because of the communists. The junta doesn't want the same thing to happen to them, so it is clamping down, and it has convinced the people that their enemy is us, the foreigners."
Swift shifted his eyes to Henry. "I don't think the truce will stay in effect. The new general is talking of waging a campaign to once and for all rid the country of rebels and communists. The Shan are included."
Henry lowered his head. "So much good has come in the past four years . . . and now this. Since the truce, our Sawbaw has been able to concentrate on the bandits and the Wa. He has eliminated them as a threat to the Ri. It will be all for nothing if the army comes to the Shan state. It will mean war again."
Swift stood. "I'm sorry to have brought the bad news.
Now, I must ask a favor of you. I need to get in contact with a warlord named Xu Kang. I understand his camp is in this area."
Henry studied the taller man's face a moment. "Why would you need to contact him?"
Swift furrowed his brow as if not used to being questioned. "Pastor, Xu Kang is one of the best-known and most respected rebel leaders of the minorities. We are trying to mediate a meeting of the rebel leaders and the junta. None of us want another war. It is not in Burma's best interests, nor our country's."
"You will not find Xu Kang, Mr. Swift. He will find you," said Henry, motioning toward the village. "Take the new road that travels north just outside the village. Somewhere along it you will be stopped. Xu Kang's men patrol all the roads in the region."
"I'd best be off, then. I'll stop here again on the way back to Namti. It was a pleasure meeting you both, and I hope everything turns out all right."
Sarah shook the American's hand. "Don't hope, Mr. Swift.
Prayer is the answer."
Henry walked down the steps with Swift and spoke in a harsh whisper once the two men had reached the vehicle. "I think I know what you do in the embassy, Mr. Swift. I warn you, don't use these people. It can only come to ruin."
Swift gave Henry a deadpan stare. "I don't know what you're talking about, Pastor."
Henry lifted an eyebrow. "You know ... and our Savior knows you have ulterior motives for coming here. I'm not a fool. I am aware of your CIA working with Xu Kang. I know you send your secret teams into China from Kang's camps to gather information. I have seen your planes and some of your people when I travel to the northern villages. Just remember my warning. Using these people for whatever you're planning will cause their ruination. Let them be. In God's name, don't involve them."
Standing alone on the porch, Sarah watched the sun set behind the distant purple mountains. She closed her eyes to pray for more strength but heard the gentle plod of hoof beats and creaking leather. Turning, she smiled at the old Horseman climbing down from his saddle.
"Greetings and blessings, Master Horseman. I am pleased to see you."
The old man bowed his head as he walked up the steps.
"Greetings and blessings, Mrs. Brown. I am always made to feel younger in your presence."
"Sit down, Master Horseman. Join me in a cup of tea.
Henry has gone to Namti and
"What has happened to turn the government against foreigners and minorities?" Sarah asked. "A truce was signed between the rebels and the army four years ago."
Swift forced a small smile. "Mrs. Brown, you live in another world here in the mountains. In the lowlands and especially in Rangoon, the Burmese live in horrible poverty. Their economic system is in shambles. The government is corrupt.
Vietnam and Laos are close to all-out war because of the communists. The junta doesn't want the same thing to happen to them, so it is clamping down, and it has convinced the people that their enemy is us, the foreigners."
Swift shifted his eyes to Henry. "I don't think the truce will stay in effect. The new general is talking of waging a campaign to once and for all rid the country of rebels and communists. The Shan are included."
Henry lowered his head. "So much good has come in the past four years . . . and now this. Since the truce, our Sawbaw has been able to concentrate on the bandits and the Wa. He has eliminated them as a threat to the Ri. It will be all for nothing if the army comes to the Shan state. It will mean war again."
Swift stood. "I'm sorry to have brought the bad news.
Now, I must ask a favor of you. I need to get in contact with a warlord named Xu Kang. I understand his camp is in this area."
Henry studied the taller man's face a moment. "Why would you need to contact him?"
Swift furrowed his brow as if not used to being questioned. "Pastor, Xu Kang is one of the best-known and most respected rebel leaders of the minorities. We are trying to mediate a meeting of the rebel leaders and the junta. None of us want another war. It is not in Burma's best interests, nor our country's."
"You will not find Xu Kang, Mr. Swift. He will find you," said Henry, motioning toward the village. "Take the new road that travels north just outside the village. Somewhere along it you will be stopped. Xu Kang's men patrol all the roads in the region."
"I'd best be off, then. I'll stop here again on the way back to Namti. It was a pleasure meeting you both, and I hope everything turns out all right."
Sarah shook the American's hand. "Don't hope, Mr. Swift.
Prayer is the answer."
Henry walked down the steps with Swift and spoke in a harsh whisper once the two men had reached the vehicle. "I think I know what you do in the embassy, Mr. Swift. I warn you, don't use these people. It can only come to ruin."
Swift gave Henry a deadpan stare. "I don't know what you're talking about, Pastor."
Henry lifted an eyebrow. "You know ... and our Savior knows you have ulterior motives for coming here. I'm not a fool. I am aware of your CIA working with Xu Kang. I know you send your secret teams into China from Kang's camps to gather information. I have seen your planes and some of your people when I travel to the northern villages. Just remember my warning. Using these people for whatever you're planning will cause their ruination. Let them be. In God's name, don't involve them."
Standing alone on the porch, Sarah watched the sun set behind the distant purple mountains. She closed her eyes to pray for more strength but heard the gentle plod of hoof beats and creaking leather. Turning, she smiled at the old Horseman climbing down from his saddle.
"Greetings and blessings, Master Horseman. I am pleased to see you."
The old man bowed his head as he walked up the steps.
"Greetings and blessings, Mrs. Brown. I am always made to feel younger in your presence."
"Sit down, Master Horseman. Join me in a cup of tea.
Henry has gone to Namti and
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