sgthelossandruin.Theraspberriescrusheduhebackhoe,thechokecherryfelledbyabulldozer,thepathsandlanesofourcarousalsandmadecstasieserasedasonemightrubawayadrawingortearupapage.ThatcampsitehadexistedsihearrivalofthefirstFrenchfurtraders,whohadenteredthetribesattheiraralterritory.Homesick,wedriftedaway,huddlinginmakeshiftshelters,lostfood.

    Wewanderedroughtryintoearlyautumn.Theinfluxofmen,dogs,andmaesmademovingaboutdifficultandunsafe,sowespentharddaysandnightstogether,boredandhungry.Wheneversomeoneroamedtoofarfromthegroup,weranintodanger.RagnoandZanzarawerespottedbyasurveyorwhentheycrossedinfrontofhisspyglass.Themanholleredandgavechase,butmyfrieoofast.Dumptrucksbroughtinloadsofgraveltoliroadcarvedfromthehighwaytoouroldclearing.ChavisoryandOnionsmadeagameoffindinggemsamongtherubble;anyunusualstonewoulddo.Bymoonlight,theypickedovereaewlyspreadload,untilthenightwhentheywerediscoveredbyadriversleepinginhisrig.Hesneakeduponthemandgrabbedthegirlsbytheircollars.TheywouldhavebeencaughtifOnionshadntsnappedfreeandbittenhimhardenoughtodrawblood.Thatdrivermaybetheonlymanalivewithafaerysscarslineduplikebeadsinthewebofskiweenhisthumbandfinger.

    Onthestrusitewherethemendugcellars,Luchógspottedanopenpackofcigarettesrestingonthefroofaytruck.Quietasamouse,heskitteredover,andashereachediealthesmokes,hiskhehorn.HegrabbedtheLuckyStrikesasthedoortoanearbyouthouseburstopen,andtheman,tugginguphistrousers,sworeandcursedashecamelookingaboutforthetrespasser.Hehustledovertothetruck,searchedaboutih