Chapter 27
Following the Enemy Into Darkness
ON THE TRACK Never for a moment did Marguerite Blakeney hesitate. The last sounds outside the “Chat Gris” had died away in the night. She had heard Desgas giving orders to his men, and then starting off towards the fort, to get a reinforcement of a dozen more men: six were not thought sufficient to capture the cunning Englishman, whose resourceful brain was even more dangerous than his valour and his strength. Then a few minutes later, she heard the Jew’s husky voice again, evidently shouting to his nag, then the rumble of wheels, and noise of a rickety cart…
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Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Witness Moments
Think of three situations in your life where you had to witness something difficult you couldn't prevent or fix. For each situation, write down what information you gathered, how your presence mattered, and what you learned that helped later. Consider work conflicts, family struggles, community issues, or personal relationships where staying present was your only option.
Consider:
- •Focus on times when your observation provided value even without direct action
- •Notice how bearing witness positioned you differently than those who looked away or fled
- •Consider what information or insights your attention provided that others missed
Journaling Prompt
Write about a current situation where you feel powerless to change outcomes but could position yourself as a strategic witness. What would you need to observe? How might your presence and attention create value even if you can't fix the problem?
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