ledatlast,theeffectwasassuddenandpercussiveasthepunch-lioajoke.

    "Givetheboyapuff,"Smaolachsuggested.

    "Idontknowhowtosmoke."

    "DowhatIdo,"saidLuchógthroughchedteeth."Butwhateveryoudo,donttellIgelaboutthis.Donttellaall."

    Itoontheglowingcigaretteandbegancoughingandsputter-ingfromthesmoke.Theygiggledaonlaughingwellafterthelastscraphadbeeniheairbeheevergreenboughswasthickwithastrangeperfume,whichmademefeeldizzy,light-headed,andslightlynau-seous.LuchógandSmaolachfelluhesamespell,buttheymerelyseemedtent,simultaneouslyalertandpeaceful.Thesleetbegantotaperoff,andsileurnedlikealostfriend.

    "Didyouhearthat?"

    "Whatisit?"Iasked.

    Luchógshushedme."First,listentoseeifyouhearit."Amomentlater,thesoundcametome,andthoughfamiliar,itssubstandinmysti-fiedme.

    Luchógsprangtohisfeetandroustedhisfriend."Itsacar,littletreasure.Haveyoueverchasedanautomobile?"

    Ishookmyhead,thinkihavemefusedwithadog.Bothofmypanionstookholdofmyhandsandoffwewent,runningfasterthanIhadeverimaginedpossible.Theworldwhirredby,patchesandblursofdarknesswheretreesoood.Mudandsnowkickedup,mottlingourtrousersaswespedonataninsanelygiddypace.Whenthebrushgrewthicker,theyletgoofmyhandsandweraceddowrailonebehiher.BranchesslappedmeinthefadIstumbledandfellintothemuck.Scramblingtomyfeet,coldaanddirty,IrealizedIwasalohefirsttimeinmonths.Feartookhold,andIopenedmyeyesaotheworld,desperatetofindmyfriends.Fierc