ecab,andthenduckedhisheadbehindthedashboard.Fromtheedgeoftheforest,Luchógcouldanylongerandstruckamatthelingeringdarkness.Aftertheveryfirstdrag,hehadtoduckwhenbirdshotpepperedtheairabovehishead.Themaheshotgunagain,longaftermyfriendhaddisappeared,laughingandcoughing,intotheheartoftheforest.

    Aftertheseis,Békaclampeddownonourfreedoms.Wewerenotallowedtotravelalone,norcouldwebeonanyroadduringthedaylight.Herestrictedanyforaysintotownforsuppliesoutoffearofdete.Byday,thehumofehestacmersegfromouroldhometowhereverwehadcamped.Bynight,ahauntingstillnessinvaded.IloorunawaywithSpecktothelibraryanditsfprivacy.Imissedmybooksandpapers,andmymaterialswerefew:Messfadingpositionbook,adrawingofthewomanintheredcoat,ahandfulofletters.Numbed,Iwasnotwritiher,andtimepassedunrecorded.Inaway,itdidatall.

    Togatherfno,Zanzara,aogetheracrude,andaftermuchtrialanderror,wemaocaptureabraceofgrouse,whichwethenkilledandtookhomefordihetribemadeaceremonyofplugfeathers,tyingtheminbundles,andwearingtheminourhairliketheHuron.Wedressedthebirdsandriskedourfirstlargefireoftheseason,allowingustoroastourmealandprovidingfortonaight.Assembledinasmallcircle,ourfacesglowedintheflickeringlight,signsofanxiouswearinessinourtiredeyes,butthemealwouldproverevitalizing.Asthefireburntdownandourbelliesfilled,acalmplacysettleduponus,likeabladrawnaroundourshouldersbyabsentmothers.

    Wipinghisgreasymouthonhissleeve,Békaclearedhisthroattosummonourattentiochatandmarrowsugstoppedatonce."Wehaveahepeople,andtherewillbefor