camp, and we can summon others to
aid us."

"To return to Homeport will take several days even if we push,"
pointed out the scout.

"Word can pass swifter than man," the merman returned, with confidence
in his own plan of action. "We shall put other eyes, other ears, many
eyes, many ears, to service for us. Be assured we are not the only
ones to fear the return of Those Others from overseas."

Dalgard caught his meaning. Yes, it would not be the first time the
hoppers and other small animals living in the grasslands, the runners
and even the moth birds that only the mermen could mind touch, would
relay a message across the land. It might not be an accurate
message--to transmit that by small animal brains was impossible--but
the meaning would reach both merman and colony Elders: trouble in the
north, help needed there. And since Dalgard was the only explorer at
present who had chosen the northern trails, his people would know that
he had sent that warning and would act upon it, as Sssuri's message
would in turn be heeded by the warriors of his tribe.

Yes, it could be done. But what of the traces they had left here--the
slaughtered snake-devils--?

Sssuri had an answer for that also. "Let them believe that one of my
race came here, or that a party of us ventured to explore inland. We
can make it appear that way. But they must not know of you. I do not
believe that they ever learned of you or how your fathers came from
the sky. And so that may swing the battle in our favor if it comes to
open warfare."

What the merman said was sensible enough, and Dalgard was willing to
obey orders. As he left the storehouse, Sssuri trailed him, scuffing
each dusty print the scout left. Perhaps a master of trailcraft could
unravel that spoor, but the colonist was ready to believe that no such
master existed in the ranks of Those Others.

In the outer hall the merman approached the now dead snake-devil and
jerked from its loose skin the arrow which had killed it. Loosing the
head of his ruined spear from his belt, he dug and gouged at the small
wound, tearing it so that its original nature was concealed forever.
Then they retraced their way through the underground passages until
they reached the sanded arena. Already insects buzzed hungrily about
the hulks of the dead monsters.

There was a shrill squeal as the remaining infant reptile fled from
the pouch where it had hidden. Sssuri hurled his knife, and the blade
caught the sm