Scared out of our wits, we stood frozen. Then, slowly, the spotlight moved, and the government’s boat continued upstream. My knees were shaking so bad that I couldn’t stand. I slowly sank to a sitting position on the boat.

Dad said, “We’re going to spend the night here.

My mind screamed, “What?”

Dad said, “I don’t think we could go through another fright like the one we just had tonight. Everyone find a comfortable spot, and I&rsq...