babies, and it was at this point that the natives' interest became
deeply stirred.

The language barriers were breaking down rapidly. Many of our regular
visitors were females, and with Joe's help as an interpreter they were
soon able to ask questions. Their greatest curiosity hinged on the
fabulous care we gave our infants.

Although I wouldn't permit Sue to do it, several of our women began
using female natives for baby-sitters. This led to the first basic
behaviour change we had noticed. The females began to pay more attention
to their own offspring. It was as if they had just discovered the
pleasure of fondling their babies and watching them crawl and kick and
gurgle. Even after the first week they were still carrying them around,
finding choice morsels of fruit for them, fanning off the insects and
singing them to sleep with their new-found abilities to make music.

Benson noticed it and called a meeting of the secret six. He said, "Our
little program had better work this time or we are in for it. Apparently
this _koodi_ animal that Sam had the tussle with is the principal
population control, and now the mothers are packing their kids around
until they're old enough to fight off the _koodi_."

Donnegan shook his head. "Damned if I can find out where we slipped up.
Frost and I just finished a series of tests with native ova and human
sperm. They don't mix. Of course, we didn't expect them to, but what in
hell is the answer?"

I hadn't known of this project. I said, "You didn't think that our male
colonists--"

Benson scowled with exasperation. "We don't know what to think, Sam! We
sterilized 481 native males last fall, and the babies are just as thick
as ever."

I said, "Well, we got to 496 of them this time. That should do it for
sure. Joe says he'll keep a lookout for any males without the two stains
on his shoulder."

Benson narrowed his eyes. "You know, it strikes me that Joe is being
awfully helpful. What reason did you give him for wanting this
information?"

"He didn't ask," I said.

* * * * *

Our 12-month year was composed of 37-day months, except February which
we shorted six days to make it come out even.

According to this calendar the "May-flies" came in July, just a month
before our first anniversary. The little winged insects were a seasonal
life-form, one more item that escaped the exploratory party, and for
which we were unprepared.

They came out of