 10. Alone in the Jungle. Johnny was afraid. Behind a boulder by new Plymouth Rock, he had been sitting and waiting for Baba for almost one hour. It was too long a time to wait with nothing to do but imagine what might happen in the jungle. Johnny was stressed for the cold night to come in a synthetic fur parker. Strapped on his back was a pack containing food and jungle equipment. Beside him was Baba's harness. He was very tired and sleeping. He leaned over and peeked cautiously from behind the boulder. The lights around the storage shed were still on. He wondered what was keeping Baba. He made himself comfortable again and listened to the night sounds. He listened hard for any sound of rhinoceros outside. There was only the sigh of wind through the trampled morsberries. As he listened his head knotted down on his breast and his eyes closed. He wished Baba would come. Maybe he couldn't make it. Maybe he—but his thought trailed off into a dream. He was up in the meat-tree being attacked by a rhinoceros standing twice as high as the tree. Far away someone began shooting at the rhinoceros. Then the tree was being shaken back and forth. Baba was clicking something in the dream Johnny couldn't understand. Wake up, Johnny! Wake up! Johnny's head jerked up. The shaking was real. It was Baba pushing his shoulder. The shooting was real, too. Men were running about the settlement with flashlights. It was hard to see for any distance through the green twilight which would last for many hours longer. Hurry, Johnny! Baba clicked. OK, Johnny said. He was still dazed with sleep as he helped Baba struggle into his harness. As soon as the harness was on they began to run deeper among the boulders. Hundreds of small stones under their feet made a sound like a landslide. They stopped still, listening. The men had not heard. Maybe we'd better go straight up the main rock, Johnny said. Baba knotted. Both knew it would be hard to work, but safer. Johnny tested the straps on Baba's harness. There was no time to tie himself on. This time it was going to be harder for both of them. Baba didn't dare bounce, so they started right from the foot of the rock. In the half-light it was not likely that the men would see them. Even if they did, there was a good chance they would hold their fire when they saw Johnny. If so, the two of them would still get away. Oddly, Johnny's fear was gone. From below them came the sound of a man moving among the rocks. Quiet, Baba, Johnny whispered. Baba stopped. Jeb flashed his light among the rocks and up along the main rock. For a fraction of a second the light was full on them, but it passed without pausing. Nothing over here, Jeb called out in the loud voice. Dang critter must have got clear away. There was the sound of footsteps hurrying toward them. Johnny and Baba froze to the rock. Hey, you two! Jeb's voice came softly. I don't know what you're aiming to do, but you'd better hurry up about it. They're fixing to mount searchlights on the wall. Johnny was flabbergasted. The old hunter was helping them. There was a chuckle from below. Hurry up now. I don't want no more baby marvors hunting me like the one I told you about. Thanks! Johnny whispered. Golly, thanks! Come on, Baba. He clicked, turning his head back to the little bear. Baba began to scurry along up the rocks once more. Just one thing more, the whisper followed them. Ain't that clicking the way those critters got up talking? Yes, Johnny answered. I figured it by gosh! Jeb chuckled deep in his throat. I just knew you was fixing up a getaway. Good luck, you two. Good-bye, Johnny said. You are a good man, Baba clicked, a true friend. Baba said you are a good man and a true friend, Johnny whispered. Thank you, Baba, the old man said. Then he was gone. Baba and Johnny began climbing in earnest now. Johnny couldn't let himself get tired. As silently as they could, they went on and on. They climbed for what seemed an hour. Actually, it was fifteen minutes later when they reached the ledge leading to the cave in the rock. They were barely inside when searchlights cut through the twilight and began to play on the rock. The two sat down to rest, but not for long. Soon they were tearing down the pile of rocks at the back of the cave so they could get into the main caverns. They had talked about staying the night within the inner rooms, but decided it was too dangerous. Sooner or later the colonists were bound to drop someone from a helicopter to search for Baba on top of the rock, and there was too great a chance the entrance would be discovered. Once inside the main caverns, the first job was to make their way through the long passageways to the top of the rock to block the entrance they had made earlier in the day. It took precious time, but they had to do it. They almost didn't make it. For as they were filling in the last stone at the cave mouth, they heard the sound of copter motors. Johnny grabbed Baba's harness and down the long winding passageways they went full tilt. Soon they were picking their way about the brush near the exit of the long damp tunnel. Through the green twilight, they could see the searchlight's brightening new Plymouth rock. Baba was sniffing the air. Johnny listened carefully for the sound of rhinoceros or of tanks. There was no evidence of either man or animal. We made it, Grandfather Bear. Johnny said aloud to Baba, You're safe! Baba grinned. No rhinoceros around either, he clicked. We'd better hurry. Let's stick close to trees for a while, just in case, Johnny suggested. Only heavy brush surrounded them. We'd better get to a tank path, Baba clicked, or we won't get very far, very fast. Johnny nodded. He settled his pack on his shoulders and the two moved for a while. He settled his pack on his shoulders and the two moved forward. Using Johnny's compass, they cut through the brush and soon came to a tank path. It was very still. There was no sound but the wind rustling the trees. All around them were trees and brush and pools of deep green shadow. The first two miles were the easiest. In the absence of rhinoceros, there was nothing much to fear here but arrow birds, and they would soon be heading for their nests. Most of the venous animals kept well away from the settlement. Twice a flight of arrow birds came shrieking down at them, and twice Baba's cliques sent them whirring on their way. Otherwise the jungle was empty of life. It was a relatively safe zone, but in order to make sure of Baba's safety they would have to go on into an area of teeming life. Johnny thought of the comfort and safety of the settlement, of the love and protection his parents had given him. He had left the note for his parents. I am sorry to take Baba away since he is worth so much to the colony, he had written, but he is just like a brother to me. Don't worry, I will be safe with Baba. He hoped they would understand. Though he had bravely told his parents not to worry, here in the jungle Johnny himself was already frightened and very homesick. Baba, he said suddenly, it's going to be hard being away from mom and pup. They were walking now through the thick grove of meat trees that edged a forest of diamond woods that loomed up in the distance. Yes, Baba clicked, I know. Well, I was thinking, Johnny continued, that after we find your people, maybe after a month or so, I could go back home. Later I could come for visits and things. Johnny watched Baba from the corners of his eyes to see how the little bear would take to the idea. For a while Baba bounced along beside Johnny his eyes straight ahead. I know what it's like being without a mother and father. The little bear clicked so softly Johnny could hardly hear him. It happened long ago, but I remember how it was at first. I can't bear to think of your going away, but we will see what happens. Baba turned toward Johnny. I think you shouldn't have come. Johnny was sorry for having brought up the subject. Let's skip it, he said. Don't be an unhappy old grandfather bear, he joked. Think about the nuts he'll find right ahead. The nuts were not really very close. It took a good deal of hiking before the tank trail began to wind among gigantic trees. Bigger than earth redwoods they rose almost like mountains around them. Here even the wind did not enter, and beneath their feet was a cushion of fine leaves. All was silence. Johnny was glad to rest his feet while Baba gathered a few nuts. Then they trudged on. Hours later they emerged from the darkness of the diamond wood forest into the green twilight of the surrounding meat trees. Johnny was exhausted. A sudden coughing roar in the distance sent a shiver up Johnny's back and brought them to an abrupt halt. It was a sabre tooth leopard. Johnny heard a slight stir of movement in the underbrush. About them birds of all kind twittered and chirped, readying themselves for the long darkness of Venus night. They were out of the safety zone. Though many hours had gone by, it was still Venus evening. He and Baba had to push on into the deadly part of the jungle before they could rest. The leopard's roar had come from far away and there was no immediate danger, but from that time on the two watched every step they took. A faint breeze blew in their faces. That was good. Johnny's scent would not be blown to any of the animals. Johnny set his voice to click, not to speak. He had to try to forget human speech and talk always like Baba. He spoke to Baba constantly in the Marvel language and Baba corrected him when he let his clicks become high-pitched as Baba's once had been. The meat tree grove was thinning out. The tank tracks were getting fainter and fainter. Vines wound round the trees and bushes. On the vines great orange flowers seemed to burn with color in the green light. Johnny watched the flowers carefully because one might really be a spotted ape. Men call these flowers monkey flowers since they were so near the color of those small apes that lived on the edge of meat tree groves. As the two adventurers walked the noises of animals became louder and more numerous. A large bird fluttered across their path and went shrieking ahead of them. Then there was sudden silence. They stopped. Baba hurriedly clicked louder into the silence. Friend pets, friend pets, brother. He did not have time to finish the sentence. Johnny was struck suddenly on the back and since sprawling on his face. A hundred tiny hands seemed to be pulling at his hair. He felt a rip of cloth and then a sharp pain as a small claw cut into his back. Baba was clicking loudly. As suddenly as he was struck down the attack on him stopped. Dazed he painfully got to his hands and knees. Friend pets, bother us not, bother us not. Baba was repeating over and over again as loudly as he could. Johnny's eyes widened. Surrounding them were hundreds of tiny monkeys, no more than eight inches high. Scarlet red in color, they sat perfectly still, their eyes fixed on Johnny and Baba. Sitting high on a nearby bush, one of the little apes held a packet of Johnny's food in its tiny hands. Johnny stood up to his full height and a low growl went up from the animals. The monkey with Johnny's packet hurled it at Johnny with surprising strength. Johnny made a quick catch. Thank you! Johnny clicked in the marvel tongue. The monkeys chattered excitedly. Thank you, friend pet. Give it something! Baba clicked. Oh, I'm afraid, Johnny. They hate you so much I can feel it. Johnny knew why. The skins of these animals were much in fashion for coats back on earth. Johnny reached down for his knife to cut the strings of the packet. As the knife came in sight a menacing growl went up. As Johnny and Baba stood there, more and more of the monkeys leaped from the bushes to join the crowd. The whole path was covered. The trees seemed to be filled with red flowers. Some of the newcomers were intent upon rushing Johnny when the knife glittered in the half light. But Baba stopped them with his sharp repeated commands. Johnny cut the packet open. Among other things a large bag of candy was inside. He had radiated the cupboard well. Come here! Johnny clicked as firmly as he could manage. Friend pet, come here! He pointed at the little creature who had thrown the package at him. Showing its teeth and growling faintly, the monkey bounded forward. Johnny held out a piece of candy to it. It sidled up, snatched the candy and ran back to the others. It sniffed at the sweet, chattering wildly. Then its long black tongue went out and licked it. The monkey's eyes widened and it popped the candy into its mouth, smacking its lips. Again Johnny was almost knocked down. He was surrounded, climbed over, patted, peered at, and deafened by chatter. In a few seconds not a piece was left. But the monkeys no longer growled. Go away! Go away! Baba clicked. Reluctantly the animals parted from Johnny. And took to the trees along the path. The branches swayed under them as they chattered among themselves. Suddenly, as quickly and mysteriously as they had appeared, the monkeys were gone. Something was wrong. Johnny's fear returned with the sense that something was watching him. Horly daring, too, he looked behind him. There, in the half-darkness, glowed three pairs of green eyes. Crouched, ready to spring, a leperdice was watching them, her two cubs beside her. How long had they been watching, Johnny never knew. He froze in his tracks. Baba had not looked around. Friend, pets, bother us not, bother us not. Baba was clicking loudly in preparation for going forward. As Johnny watched, the leopard, followed by her cubs, slipped into the jungle. You didn't see her, Johnny clicked. There was a leperdice and two cubs. Baba turned in the direction toward which Johnny was pointing. We'd better go back, he clicked. No, Johnny insisted bravely. She and her cubs went away when you began to talk. Not far away, Baba sniffed the air. I can smell them. I smell rain, too. Then we'd better find shelter. Come on. Maybe we'd better take a path over to the right, away from the tank trail. Johnny suggested. The leperdice went the other way. Baba nodded. They trudged on and took the first animal trail to the right. Baba went slightly ahead, crying, Friend, pets, bother us not, over and over again. It was almost a chorus now. Most of the time Baba clicked it, but when he got tired, Johnny took over for a while. They never ceased repeating the magical words. Once an antelope walked by their sides a few yards off, but he soon bounded away. Shortly afterward, Johnny thought he saw a large black shadow moving in the deep brush. They walked steadily and found nothing but brush land. Then, not a hundred yards from them, a river shone through the deepening twilight. The shine of the water stopped them. They had proved they could control some of the animals, possibly even the leperds and rhinoceros. But if a river snake struck with our warning as the monkeys had done, it would be the end of Johnny. While Johnny stood where he was, Baba went forward, chanting the cry of, Bother us not, as he went. When he returned he looked worried. It is too dangerous to try to swim, he clicked. In some places the branches of the trees on this side almost touch branches of the trees on the other. If we keep on the path, maybe we can find a place where it would be safe to climb over. The path they were on turned and followed the river. They walked on for a few minutes. Baba stopped again, sniffing the air. I don't like it, he clicked. The leperds are close again. They moved forward cautiously, but when minutes passed and no attack came, they walked with more confidence. The magic formula of clicks seemed to be working. Though nothing bothered them, they knew from rustling noises and from cries that animals were all about them. Nowhere could they find a place where the tree branches made a bridge across the river. Nowhere could they find a place of refuge. The trail began to lead away from the river toward a little hill that stood in black outline against the almost darkened sky. Big venus fireflies had begun to come out, sparkling like so many blue stars. The two weary travelers followed the path, hoping it would lead back to the river. It ended completely at the base of the small rocky hill. So tired he almost wanted to cry, Johnny sat down in the middle of the path. Then he noticed a spot of deeper darkness among the rocks. He jumped to his feet. Hey, Baba, he said, it looks like a cave, come on. The two of them hurried forward. A nice comfortable cave was just what they were looking for. They were within a few yards of the cave when they heard a crashing noise from the underbrush and the pad of soft footsteps. A leopardous leaped in front of them, cutting them off from the cave. The big cat growled low and two cubs scuttled through the entrance. The leopardous sat back on her haunches in the mouth of the cave, her eyes two gold green lights burning in the dark green of the late twilight. Slightly larger than an earth lion, the venus sabertooth leopard is the venus sabertooth leopard is cold black marked with golden spots. Her two tusk-like fangs show why leopards are among the most deadly fighters of all the venus animals. Baba began clicking again. Johnny stood stock still. The leopardous watched them. She looked as if she might spring at any moment. Then, with a ripple of her powerful shoulder muscles, she lay down in the mouth of the cave. Let's go before she changes her mind and attacks, Johnny said. No, wait, Baba said. You stay here. Slowly Baba walked up to the spot where the big cat was lying, clicking as he went. She appeared to pay no attention to him, but when he was right beside her she stood up. She made a low rumbling in her throat that sounded strangely like a purr. When Baba paused the leopardous made a little coughing sound. The two cubs, who were as large as collie dogs, came tumbling out of the cave, their tongues hanging out. They came up to Baba, cocking their heads. They rubbed themselves in a friendly way against the little bear. Come on, Johnny, Baba clicked. I think we have a home. His heart in his mouth Johnny walked forward. Friend, pet, he clicked firmly. I am your friend. Repeating this he walked straight up to the deadly beast. He reached out a trembling hand and patted the ugly, fanged head. The creature stood rigid. But as he patted her she relaxed, and the purring noise began in the back of her throat. The big head moved around. Her mouth opened slightly and she licked his hand. She made a little coughing noise and the cubs came up to him. He petted them too and looked at Baba. Come on, said the little bear. Let's see what the leopards house is like. Together the two explored the inside of the cave with the help of Johnny's flashlight. It was surprisingly clean. The big cat had dragged in straw which was arranged to thickly over part of the floor. It sure looks like he would make a good bed, Johnny said. He was so tired. So much had happened. Trader Harkness and the meat fruit, the climbing of the new Plymouth Rock, the rhinoceros raid and ricks betrayal, and the entrance into the jungle. Johnny ate a few antelope berries to quench his thirst, but nothing more. He arranged a place for himself on the dry grass and curled up. He was almost asleep when he heard the big cat come into that part of the cave. He opened his eyes to see the saber-tooth leopard looming over him. For a second he was afraid. Then, just as the house cat will do, she pushed her paws back and forth into the straw, circled a few times, and lay down right by his head, pushing him aside. He rearranged his bed and lay his head against her soft flank. With his head pillowed against a saber-tooth leopard, Johnny Watson slipped off to sleep. End of Chapter 10 Chapter 11 of Venus Boy by Lee Sutton This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 11 The Friends Are Separated Johnny was hot and sweaty. He was glad to see the cool, dark cave ahead. It was like home to him by now. The mother leopard was lying in front of the cave, and the two cubs came running to greet them. Hi, Pat. Hi, Mike, he called. They came up to be petted. They seemed happy to see us. Baba clicked as he bounced along. And I'm glad to see them, Johnny said. Golly, I'm hot! Baba and he had just been down to the river, trying to find a place where they might cross. Immediately after the long Venus night was over, they had gone exploring in hopes of finding a colony of wild marva nearby, but the only diamond wood groves close to the cave were still too close to the settlement. The marva must have left them because of the danger. The two had gathered a good supply of nuts for Baba, but otherwise the trip had been useless. Though they were still afraid of the horned river snakes, there was no way of avoiding crossing the river. If they went downstream, they would soon be in the Rhinosaur Morseus. Upstream the river curved back toward the colony. Johnny and Baba had spent the whole long night in the cave, and Johnny had got to know the leopard family quite well. He had discovered they too had something like a language. It was made up of different kinds of growls. Each growl meant something, but there weren't many of them. The mother leopard could say things like come or go to her kittens. She had a different growl for each of them, though Johnny named them Pat and Mike. Throughout the time Baba was asleep, Johnny had practiced these growls until he could talk a little in the leopard language. He had also taught the little ones to like meat fruit roasted over the open fire he had had to like to keep warm. All three cats had been afraid of the fire when he had first lit it. They soon learned it was harmless if they didn't step into it. They were very smart animals, but by no means as smart as Baba. Baba was just as clever as a person. All the rest of the animals now seem friendly too. Johnny thought he knew why. Not only the leopards, but all the animals could talk. They couldn't say much, but just enough to tell one another Johnny wouldn't hurt them. And all of them could understand the marvel language. He and Baba talked about this, but they weren't yet ready to take a chance on river snakes. The snakes stayed deep in the water and struck before they could be seen. It didn't seem likely that they would have learned Johnny was a friend. Baba was going to go down to the river by himself. Perhaps he could find one of the horned snakes and bring it back with him. Then Johnny could make friends with it. If what Johnny thought was true, then the snake would tell the others and he and Baba could float safely across the river on a log they had found. After patting the mother leopard on the head, Johnny took off his pack and laid it in the mouth of the cave. I think I'll go over to the waterfall and have a shower, he said. That's not such a good idea, Baba said. Stay here, I won't be gone long. Oh, stop worrying, grandfather. Johnny left. He was stripping himself down to his shorts. The three leopards sat on their haunches, watching him. They were fascinated by his clothes. The first time he had taken them off, they had been almost afraid of him. I'll take Mama Leopard along with me for a guard, Johnny said. You tell her, Baba. Maybe I can growl better than you, but she still seems to do everything you say. Baba clicked directions to the leopard. She was to go along with Johnny and protect him. When Baba was through clicking, the mother leopard came over and licked Johnny, making a growling sound that meant she understood. Then, with a wave of his paw, Baba bounced away toward the river. Johnny was happy to see him go. Baba himself had suggested that the trip be taken. It was the first time he had ever offered to leave Johnny for such a long time. Johnny loved the little bear and it was fun in the jungle, but he couldn't help wishing he were home. The waterfall was not much of a waterfall. A little wave from the leopard's cave was a small spring high up in the rocks. A tiny stream of water fell about ten feet, making a great spray and quite a little noise. It made a wonderful shower. The mother leopard lay on the rocks below while Johnny climbed up to the waterfall. Johnny danced about as the cool water hit his hot, dusty skin. It felt wonderful running all over him. Then he walked into a pool and splashed happily. Then Johnny began to sing. With him the little waterfall sang a tinkling, merry tune that blotted out even the chatter of the birds and the surrounding trees. It did not blot out a coughing roar that came from the mother leopard. Johnny knew that sound it meant calm. Johnny stopped singing and looked down. The leopardess was on her feet now looking into the sky. Johnny looked too. A helicopter floated soundlessly overhead its jets off. Johnny looked around for some place to hide. There was none. The mother leopard crouched. Her muscles rippled under her black and gold skin. In one mighty spring she was beside him. Before Johnny knew what was happening, her great jaws opened and closed around him. The long sabre teeth barely touched his skin. With no more effort than if she were carrying a feather, she leaped through the air with Johnny in her mouth. When she landed, Johnny's feet thumped painfully against a rock. Where she was holding him about the middle in her teeth, he was unharmed. Johnny heard the roar of gunfire as the helicopter's motors were switched on. Still carrying Johnny in her jaws, the mother leopard leaped in pain. Johnny was tumbled to the ground, half dazed. A very shaken Johnny watched the mother leopard run away a short distance, then turn his spring back toward him. A second later she was standing over Johnny, putting her body between him and the helicopter. She roared her defiance at the machine. Johnny marveled at her courage. She started to pick him up again. The helicopter was getting into a position where it could hit the big cat without hitting Johnny. In a few seconds the courageous animal would be dead. Run, friend pet. He clipped loudly. Run! They won't hurt me. Run! She looked down at him and growled in a questioning way. Her muscles tensed and with a great spring she was gone. The gun's roared, but the leopard's last bound carried her safely into the brush. Before Johnny could get to his feet, the copter was beside him. Two men in armor and head globes jumped out. Hurry, yelled the pilot from inside. You just grazed the leopard. One man grabbed Johnny by the heels, the other by his shoulders. With one swing he was tossed heavily onto the floor of the copter. The two men jumped in after him. The armored door clang shut. The motors roared and they were going straight up into the sky. Johnny lay quietly on the floor for some moments. He was still dazed by his fall and by the sudden turn of events. That leopard was crazy, one of the men was saying. I never saw one come back like that except for a cub. Johnny looked up into the face of the speaker. It was a thin, narrow face with full red lips and small black eyes. Johnny didn't know him. That was a narrow squeak you had. The hunter said to Johnny in a high nasal voice, two minutes later you'd have been leopard food. Are you hurt? Johnny sat up slowly, moving his arms and legs. Uh-uh, he said. With the whine of the motors the copter went into a hover. It floated over the spot where they had picked up Johnny. What in the name of all the moon devils were you doing out like that? Stark naked and no armor. Taking a bath, Johnny was too bewildered to make up an excuse. The man raised his black eyes to heaven and looked at his companion. Crazy, he muttered. But kid, he addressed Johnny. What made? Skip it, the pilot said in a low, hard voice. The black-eyed man stopped abruptly. Johnny decided the pilot must be the leader. The man turned around and looked at Johnny. He was a large man, slope-shouldered but powerful. His blonde hair was slicked down against his head. Two long red scars cut across a white heavy jawed face. His eyes were so pale they were almost white. Where's the bear? He snapped. Johnny was silent. They were after Baba. Come on, kid, the low voice said again. Where's the bear? He ran away. Johnny blurted out the first thing he could think of. I've had an awful time. We got lost in the jungle and he ran away right at first. I led fires to attract attention and keep off animals, and the rains put them out and my matches got wet. I've had an awful time and- You ain't seen nothing of the bear. The scar-faced pilot cut in. Johnny crossed his fingers carefully and looked the big man straight in the eyes. Not since right at the first. The pale eyes bored into his. Johnny's eyes dropped down. The kid's lying. The big man said to the others and turned back to Johnny. Okay, kid, let's have it straight now. But no matter how much they questioned him or how they threatened, Johnny insisted he did not know where Baba was. Finally, Ed, the blonde scar-faced leader, gave up. He turned to the others. You guys search the ground, he commanded, while I called in to the boss. He turned and dialed the radio telephone on the instrument board of the copter. Hello, he said. I want to speak to the boss. There was a pause. Hello, he said again. We got the kid. Found him where Stevenson thought he saw the fire. Johnny heard a voice coming back over the instrument. He thought he recognized it, but he couldn't make out any words. No, the pilot spoke into the instrument. The kid says the bear ran away, but I think he's lying. We're going to search from the plane. Can't send anybody down because of the leopards. One had the kid when we found him. There was another pause. No, not hurt. When we're finished, I'll drop him at the colony. There was a long pause. Johnny caught the words. If I know that bear. And then there was more he couldn't catch. That's a smart idea, the Scarface man said. We'll do just what you said. Okay, be seeing you. The pilot turned back to the other two who had binoculars trained down into the jungle. See anything, morning? Not a thing, Ed, the black-eyed man said. You, shorty? The other man shook his head. Not even a bird. For over an hour they searched. While they were searching, Ed, the pilot, put in another call and told someone else what had happened. He hinted that even if they didn't find the bear, there was still a way they might get their hands on him. Johnny sat with his fists clenched. He knew they would shoot if Baba showed himself. After an hour went by and the copter had gone over every foot of the surrounding territory, the men had to give up because they were running low on fuel. As they went higher up Johnny peered out. The copter veered Venus East, away from the colony. At that moment Johnny's heart sank. The hunters weren't taking him home. Baba would have seen the copter come and go. The little bear would think anyone finding Johnny would take him back to the settlement. Johnny knew just what the little bear would do. He would go back to the settlement looking for Johnny. Johnny had succeeded in keeping those hunters from getting Baba. Now the colonists would get him. Or would they? Suddenly Johnny knew whose voice it had been on the radio telephone. The voice was that of the traitor Willard Harkness. End of Chapter 11 Chapter 12 of Venus Boy by Lee Sutton This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 12 The Price of a Boy They were in the air over two hours traveling at maximum speed before they arrived at their destination. This turned out to be a small cabin surrounded by the usual high wall, with a space inside the wall for a helicopter and a tank. It was a hunter's hideout entirely hidden from view by diamondwood trees. The pilot had had to work his way through branches and then fly for a time between the trunks of the gray trees before hovering in for a landing. A man was standing in the yard waiting for them when they landed. As soon as Ed shut off the copter's motor, the man who was waiting for them yelled, No arrow birds that I can see! Tell the kid to run for it! The man had been informed about him by the helicopter's radio. Okay, kid, scoot! Ed jabbed Johnny in the ribs. Johnny scooted. The large door slammed behind him and he opened the inner door. The large central room was surprisingly neat. The floor was bare but polished. Some hunting trophies were on the windowless walls. Chained on a perch in one corner of the room, a miserable little scarlet ape sat huddled up with its chin upon its knees. When it saw Johnny it screamed and chattered. Johnny walked toward it about to click a greeting. Better watch out! A red head was thrust from the door of another room. Ed's monkey is meaner than he is. It was Rick Saunders. Glad to see you safe! The big red-haired man grinned easily and waved. Hello! Johnny said. He didn't smile. If Rick were here it meant only one thing. These were the same men who had stolen the colony's marvel claws. He had all but glared at Rick Saunders standing in the inner doorway. You don't seem too happy about being rescued, Rick said with a laugh. I wasn't rescued. I—Johnny stopped. He knew he shouldn't have said that. Rick's eyebrows went up. It seems I heard something about a leopard. Well, I guess I was rescued sorta, Johnny admitted lamely. I guess you were, Rick paused looking at Johnny. You sure don't sound very friendly. I don't like thieves and traitors, Johnny said defiantly. Wait a minute, Rick began. At that moment the four hunters entered the room, cutting off the rest of Rick's sentence. The scarred face leader spoke to Rick. You know you're not allowed in here. Get out. His voice was low and threatening. Rick turned to go. Hold it. Call Barney the narrow-faced hunter. Carry this into the kitchen. He dropped a haunch of antelope on the floor. His face set and calm. Rick walked slowly past Johnny and hoisted the meat to his shoulder. Any other orders? He asked quietly. Yep, Ed said. Take the kid with you. Russell him up some clothes of some kind. Then you can put him to work helping you. Come on, Johnny. Rick put his hand on Johnny's shoulder and started for the door. Johnny followed him, shrugging off the friendly hand. The kitchen was even neater than the main room. As soon as they entered the room, Rick tossed the haunch of antelope into the sink. He turned, faced Johnny, and grasped the boy's shoulders with his big freckled hands. He seemed angry. What's this thieves and traders business mean? He demanded. First you pretended to be on our side. Johnny answered, and then you let the rhinosaurs get in so those hunters could steal our marver claws. So that's what you think, Rick said. He regarded Johnny gravely. Does the rest of the colony think that too? Johnny nodded. Take a good look at me, Johnny. Rick touched the cloth tied around his middle like an apron. I'm cook and housekeeper here, not one of the gang. I wasn't pretending anything. And I didn't let any rhinosaurs inside. I came with these outlaws because they had their tank guns leveled on me. But why did they do that? Johnny demanded. Harkness's orders, Rick replied. Remember his threat? I sure do, Johnny said. His eyes grew wide. I was right, he went on. I thought Mr. Harkness was the boss those hunters called. He sure is the boss, Rick said. He's given out word he'll pay for any information about you and Baba. Any information he gets he passes on to this bunch. The gang has to work for him so he'll market their stolen claws and arrange their passage to earth. Why, he's even offering to pay double for Baba, just to prevent the colony from getting him. Golly! Johnny breathed. He really must be sore at us. Johnny sat down on a kitchen stool. It was cold against his bare bottom. He looked up at Rick. Gosh, I'm sorry, Rick. I mean about thinking you were—well, you know. That's all right, Johnny. Rick was smiling now. I'll admit it did look bad. Let's forget it and get you into some clothes. We have a meal to fix. Johnny jumped up. With a friend beside him, things didn't seem quite so bad. Helped by a pair of scissors, Rick soon had him into a pair of cut-down trousers and a baggy shirt. As soon as the clothes were on, the two started preparing the meal. As they worked, Johnny questioned Rick about what had happened to him. Outside of beating him up once the hunters hadn't treated him too badly, he was being saved for a traitor harkness. They made Rick stay in the kitchen and wouldn't let him into the main room except to clean it up, and they kept a gun on him. The gang kept him from escaping by a very simple means. They locked up the rhinoceroside armor in a closet. Ed kept the closet keys, as well as the keys to the tank and helicopter, fastened to his wrist. Rick had been watching carefully but had not seen one chance to escape. As Johnny served the meal to the outlaw hunters, he looked the room over carefully. When the men weren't looking, he clicked a greeting to the little scarlet ape. It immediately became quite excited. A plan for escape began to shape itself in Johnny's mind. He said nothing to Rick, however. After the outlaws had eaten, Johnny and Rick had their meal. Rick thought it strange, but Johnny couldn't bring himself to eat any of the antelope. He remembered all too well the tiny antelope leader he had held in his hand. When they were finished and had washed the dishes, Johnny was all too glad for a blanket thrown on the kitchen floor, the same kind of bed Rick had. Johnny tried to push away his fears for Baba, but it was a long time before he could get to sleep. It seemed only minutes later when he was rudely awakened by a rough blow on his shoulder. Actually, it was ten hours later as he could see by the clock above the stove. Johnny reared up to see Ed standing over him, a smile on his thin lips, his pale eyes jubilant. Get up and get your clothes on, he ordered. We're going places. Johnny jumped up and reached for the bag he clothes Rick had made him. Come on in when you're ready and don't waste any time about it, Ed directed, and strode back into the other room. Johnny slipped on the pants and was soon stuffing in the shirt-tails of the oversized shirt. Rick stood by the stove and watched sympathy in his eyes. Baba, he said slowly, arrived at the colony an hour ago. I was listening at the door when the call came from Harkness. These guys are planning, come on, Ed stuck his head in through the door and cut Rick off. Numb with worry Johnny followed Ed into the main room. Better wrap him up in something, the outlaw called Borny, said. His narrow face twisted in a strange grin. We can't let the arrow birds get him now. Johnny stood while they strapped man-sized armor on him and put a head globe on his head. He followed Ed out of the door and into the helicopter. The outlaw leader seated Johnny beside him, switched on the motor, and they roared away. Where are we going? Johnny asked. You'll find out, Ed snapped. Keep quiet till I tell you to talk. They flew on for almost an hour. Then Ed set the helicopter controls on automatic cover and snapped the radio telephone on. He dialed a number. Johnny saw that the number was that of Colin E. Headquarters. Hello? Ed made his voice high and nasal. I have information concerning Johnny Watson. Let me speak to his father. The slick-haired blonde man put his hand over the telephone mouthpiece. He grabbed Johnny by the collar and stared directly into his eyes. Listen, he said, when your father comes on, I want you to speak to him. Tell him you were rescued by us and we've treated you okay. Understand? Johnny nodded, his mouth dry. I'll tell him what happened, Johnny said. He didn't understand why Ed was making such a fuss about it. Hello? Hello? This is Frederick Watson. Johnny was thrilled by the sound of his father's voice over the telephone. Hello, Mr. Watson? Ed said in the fake voice. We've found your boy and here he is. Ed handed Johnny the telephone, his hand over the mouthpiece again. Remember, he said in a threatening voice. Hello, Dad? Johnny said into the telephone. I'm safe all right. Thank God! his father's voice replied. I was rescued by these men and outside of making me wash dishes and sleep on the floor. They've treated me fine. I'm—Ed took the telephone away from him in mid-sentence. But where are you, Johnny? Johnny could still hear his father's voice. Right now, Ed said into the telephone, Johnny's up in a copter. You needn't try to get a direction finder on us. Rescuing this boy cost us a lot and we gotta be sure you pay us for it. I offered a reward. Mr. Watson's voice was anxious. It ain't enough, Ed said. We lost a tank and a copter getting him. He was surrounded by rhinoceros. We have the boy. You've got a live marva. I figured it should be a trade. You bring the marver to the old tank road by the river and we'll bring the boy. Bring one tank driven by one man, that's all. Be there forty-eight hours from now. Do as I say and the boy will be delivered on schedule. Hello? Hello? Frederick Watson's voice was frantic. I don't know if the colony will—Ed hung up and snapped off the radio. They will, he said. Johnny's spirits had never been so low. Everything he touched seemed to turn to disaster. The colony was all but ruined. In trying to protect Baba, he had caused the Marsh Berries to be destroyed and had given these outlaws a chance to steal the colony's marva claws. By running away with Baba, he hadn't saved the Little Bear at all. The outlaws, Trader Harkness's outlaws, were going to get him. Johnny would not only lose Baba, but the colony too would lose its last chance for a survival. End of Chapter 12 Chapter 13 of Venus Boy by Lee Sutton This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 13 Outwitting the Outlaws The little red monkey screamed and chattered its hate as Johnny and Ed stepped through the doorway of the cabin after their eventful flight. Johnny had noted that the cabin door was the only exit. As was usual on Venus, the exit was a double door. When the outdoor door was open, the inner one could not be opened. It was just like the school door. If Johnny could once get through the outer door and block it open, it would be a while before the men could break the lock on the inner door and get out. Getting out the first door would be the problem, but not too big a problem. The outlaws didn't think that he could go into the jungle without armor so they did not watch him or the door too carefully. As soon as they were inside, Ed took off Johnny's oversized armor and locked it away. He then winked at the other men and sat Johnny down in front of him on a high stool. You know who I am? Ed asked him. Sure, Johnny said, you're Ed. The big man cuffed him so hard he fell from the stool. Boy, he said, you never saw me before. He frowned, making his scored faces evil as he could. When you get back to that colony, you're going to forget you ever saw us. Do you know why? From the floor Johnny shook his head. Because if you tell anybody our names or anything about us, you know what we're going to do, Ed asked. Again Johnny shook his head. We'll catch you and take you out into the jungle and tie you to a tree without any armor on and leave you for the arrow-birds. You understand? Johnny nodded his head. They thought they were scaring him. They talked a little while longer, describing things they might do to him if he told their names, and Johnny pretended to be afraid. All right, Ed said after the lecture, get back to the kitchen. Can I play with your monkey? Johnny asked. Play with that monkey? Ed's pale eyebrows went up. Hey, chew an ear off you. I've been trying to tame him for a month, and he don't do anything but bite. You leave him alone. He won't bite me, Johnny said. I don't think he will. The monkey would be a big help in escaping if only they let Johnny get close to him. I'll just go get some sugar cubes from the kitchen. Let him, Ed. It'll teach the brat a lesson. The narrow-faced borny put in. Okay, Ed said. Get bit if you want to. Johnny rushed through the open door into the kitchen. Rick was sitting at the table with a book beside him. You got any candy, Rick? Johnny asked. Or maybe some sugar cubes? You better not fool with that muck, Johnny, Rick said. He's plenty mean like all the Venus creatures. He won't hurt me, Johnny said. He saw a box of sugar cubes in the cupboard and grabbed it. Monkeys just love sweets. No. Rick leaned over and a big freckled hand closed around Johnny's small brown one. He took the box of sugar away. I'm going to tell them you got scared. Only two things will happen if you try playing with that muck. You'll get bitten and they'll get a big laugh. Please let me, Rick, Johnny said. He paused a minute and whispered. I've got an idea how I can get away. What? Rick exploded. He closed the door and went on in a whisper. It's impossible. You haven't any armor. You don't have any weapon or a tank. Don't be silly. He paused and looked at Johnny. Well, how were you going to do it? Simple, said Johnny. First I make friends with the monkey. Then I let him go and tell him to run around and jump on Ed and the rest. While they're chasing him, I'll open the inside door. I'll let him out first and dive through myself. I'll wedge open the outside door and by the time they get their armor on and break the lock on the inside door, I'll be over the wall and going. The words tumbled out of him. Rick shook his head. Johnny, that weekend in the jungle is going straight to your head. In the first place, how are you going to make friends with the monkey? Then how are you going to tell him anything? How are you going to get any armor? Rick, Johnny said, I don't need any armor. Oh, Johnny, Rick exclaimed, exasperated. They just won't bother me. Johnny took a deep breath. I can talk to them, same as I can talk to the monkey. What? Now listen, Rick, Johnny whispered earnestly. I wasn't hurt when I came here, was I? I'd been in the jungle six Earth days without any armor. Rick was looking at him with a strange expression. Do you remember, Johnny went on, how I looked when you rescued me from the rhinoceros? Rick nodded. Did I have any armor on then? Rick stared at Johnny for a few seconds. By golly, his mouth was slightly open in amazement. You didn't have any armor on. I wasn't hurt, was I? Rick shook his head slowly. No, he said, but what about that leopard and the rhinoceros? The leopard wasn't hurting me, Johnny said. She was trying to get me away before the man got me. She was my friend. As for the rhinoceros, well, Baba and me hadn't learned for sure about them yet. But how can you talk to them? Rick asked in wonder. Johnny knew he had no choice. He had to trust Rick completely. It was Baba, Johnny said. Then very quickly he explained about Baba's clicks and told Rick about his three secrets. Jeb said something about those clicks one time, Rick said thoughtfully. I never dreamed it could be true. It is true, though, Johnny insisted. Ed stuck his scarred face through the doorway. Well, kid, getting cold feet about the monk? No, sir, Johnny said. Rick was just getting me some cubes, sugar. Well, hurry it up. Ed went back out. Johnny, Rick said. You show me with that monk and by the moons of Saturn I'll come with you, armor or no armor. Johnny was bewildered. This was something he hadn't counted on. He wanted to explain that there was a chance even he alone could not succeed without Baba. Just as Johnny started to speak, Ed appeared in the doorway again. Well, he said in his heavy voice. Johnny took the sugar cubes from Rick and followed Ed into the main room. As he always did, the monkeys screamed and chattered at them as they entered. The little animal was chained to its perch. A spraying catch too strong for its tiny fingers fastened the chain to its collar and kept it from getting away. The outlaws began to gather around. You'll have to stay at the table way over at the other end of the room, Johnny said to the men. He's scared of you. He pointed to the table, which was as far as possible from the door leading outside. All right. The four men seated themselves where Johnny pointed, ready to watch the fun. Johnny walked slowly up to the tiny monkey. As he did so, its little red face twisted and it showed its razor sharp fangs. It screamed at him. Then it leaped out, only to be jerked back cruelly as it came to the end of its chain. But it ran out as far as it could and clawed at Johnny, its eyes red. Friend, pet, friend, pet! Johnny clicked very low in the back of his throat. The animal stopped screaming and cocked his head at him. It looked from one side to the other as if looking for a morva behind Johnny. Johnny repeated the phrase again and again, holding the sugar out where the red monkey could see it and smell it. Johnny didn't have any idea how much the little animal could understand, but he went on clicking. I'm your friend. We are going to get away from these men. He repeated this many times. Then he remembered that Rick was going to try too. You and I and the big man in the other room are going to escape. As Johnny talked, he moved forward. Soon he was well in range of the little monkey's nails. It jumped forward. Johnny put a sugar cube in its paws. With a girdle of pleasure, the monkey swaddled the sugar and put out its paw for more. Jump on my shoulder, Johnny clicked. The little creature regarded him silently. Then with a graceful hop, it was on his shoulder. I don't believe it, adds voice rumbled. As soon as the hunter-outlaw spoke, the little monkey growled and bared his teeth at him. The man muttered something under his breath. Angry that a small boy had done what he couldn't do. He started out toward them and was quickly in range of the creature's teeth. You'd better not, Johnny said. He'll— The monkey dived at Edd, his teeth slicing into the man's shoulder. The outlaw jumped back, cursing. Blood ran down his shirt. I'm sorry, Edd. Johnny said, let me work with him just a little while, and maybe he'll make friends with you two. In his anger, the man had picked up a heavy stick to hit the monkey. The other men broke into laughter. Edd grunted something and threw his stick at the men who were laughing. Come on, he said, let's play cards. Johnny turned back to the monkey. For almost half an hour, Johnny talked to the monkey in the Marva-clicking language, while the outlaws played cards across the room. He guessed the little animal could understand a little more than the mother leopard could. That wasn't too much, but it was enough. He made the creature understand that when he was released, he was to fly at the men. He wasn't to hurt them, but make them chase him until Johnny could get the door open. Then the monkey was to leap for the opening. The hardest job was getting the monkey to understand that he shouldn't harm Rick if the ex-bodyguard came with him. Johnny wasn't sure the monkey understood. With his back turned to the outlaws, Johnny undid the collar about the monkey's throat. Keeping the little animal out of sight, he walked toward the exit door. He picked up an old boot to use on the outer door. Hey, Edd suddenly shouted, where's the monkey? After them, Johnny clicked. The monkey leaped at the oncoming Edd. He clawed his face then leaped at the other men. He made great jumps by swinging from light fixtures by his long black tail. Edd wheeled and charged like a bull after the tiny screaming creature. The kid let the crazy thing loose, he shouted. Catch it! Shoot him, yells Shorty, drawing his Ato tube pistol from its holster. Edd knocked it from his hand and it went sliding along the floor. Want to kill us too, you fool? In the excitement, Johnny worked the latch on the exit door and pressed the button that opened it. He saw Rick halfway through the kitchen door. Rick reached down and grabbed up something from the floor. The monkey was jumping from head to head among the yelling outlaws. Not one of them noticed what Johnny was doing. The door was open. Johnny nodded his head toward Rick, who came at a dead run. When Rick was almost there, Johnny clicked as loud as he could. Come, friend pet, come! In one leap, the little animal sailed across the room and landed on his shoulder. Johnny and Rick pushed through the door, slammed it behind them, and opened the outside door. Johnny paused a second and wedged the boot he had picked up into the outer door. The outside door could not close and the safety lock would keep the inner door closed. Come on, Johnny! Rick shouted, this way. He rushed through the helicopter landing space toward the tank entrance. Rick pulled a switch that opened the Euro steel door. Die for the nearest tree trunk, Rick shouted. They have gun mounts on the roof. Johnny ran after Rick, his short legs unable to keep up with the older man. The little monkey was riding on top of his head, shrieking and chattering. As soon as they reached the forest, the monkey jumped into a tree. Johnny stopped dead. He needed that monkey. The little animal could tell other animals he and Rick were friendly. Friend pet monkey! Friend pet monkey! He clicked. Come with me! For an instant he was afraid the animal had not heard. Then with a shock, he felt a drop down on his head. Rick, he yelled. Stay with me! With relief he heard the big man coming back. You gotta stay with me! Johnny panted. Arrow birds! Rick nodded and ran along beside Johnny. They ran among the great pillars of the Diamondwood forest until Johnny thought his breath would come no more. His feet were heavy against the springing leaves. His legs began to twist with fatigue. When he was about to fall, Rick whisked him up in his arms. The little monkey screamed and jumped at Rick's head. No, no! Johnny clicked. The tiny creature jumped back on Johnny's head, but he had left red claw marks on Rick's face. Far in the distance, they heard the noise of a tank motor starting. The Diamondwood trees were beginning to thin out. Soon there would be in the jungle of meat trees which always surrounded a grove of the giant trees. The sound of a helicopter motor starting up was added to the sound of the tank. The noise of the tank motor lessened. The outlaws had headed in the wrong direction. The helicopter was a great danger now. Hiding under a meat tree with its heavy leaves was their best chance. We'd better get under something, Rick, Johnny said. His breath had returned. Let me down. Rick nodded. His breath was coming in great gasps. A heavy leaf tree surrounded by brush was a few hundred yards ahead of them. Johnny pointed to it and Rick nodded. Johnny prayed that there were no arrow birds feeding there. This close to the hunter's lodge there shouldn't be many animals, but arrow birds were always on the watch. As they worked through the brush to get under the meat tree, Johnny really missed Baba. The first branches were too high for either Johnny or Rick to reach. If Baba had been there, they could have easily climbed up into the protection of the tree's leaves and branches. Luckily the brush was high and thick around it, screening them from view from the side. The tree itself screamed off the sky. Once they had reached the trunk of the tree, they stood wordlessly for a while, breathing hard. Any idea where we are, Rick? Johnny asked in a whisper. Rick's big bony face spoke into a smile. He reached into a pocket. Out came a small map of the Venus continent. Not for sure, he said, but we can't be far from the lodge. He pointed to a mark on the map. Once we see the lay of the land we should be able to tell. Suddenly Rick froze stone still. Johnny looked up. An arrow-bird had flown into the tree. Since its head was not in position to strike, it was probably looking for a meat-fruit. Just as Johnny saw it, its head turned toward them. Johnny clicked out a sharp command for it to leave them alone. As the little purple eyes sought them out, its head snapped into striking position. But as Johnny clicked on, it moved his head back to a friendlier position. Its little purple eyes stared directly at them. Rick regarded Johnny with wonder. I don't know what that little bear taught you, but it sure is a miracle, he said. Then he reached into his shirt. I'm glad I got this. Did you see Ed knock it out of Shorty's hand? He pulled an attotube pistol out of the shirt. As soon as the gun came out, the red ape leaped from Johnny's head, screaming. The arrow-bird snapped its head into position to strike. Drop it, Rick, drop it! Johnny yelled. Amazement swept over Rick's face. But why? Bother us not, friend-pet. Johnny clicked loudly. At the same time, he knocked the attotube from Rick's hand. He was too late. The arrow-bird shot with a sickening smack into Rick's shoulder. Almost as quickly, it withdrew its blood-stained beak and was hovering in the air for another strike. End of Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Of Venus Boy By Lee Sutton This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 14 Captured Rick stood rigid, his face twisting with pain, a hand clutching his upper arm. The greenish bird hovered in the air, its wings a blur of motion. We are friends. We are friends. Bother us not, friend-pet. Johnny clicked deep in his throat. The bird continued to hover its little purple eyes darting back and forth from Johnny to the wounded Rick. Its bloody head stayed in arrow position, but it drifted farther away. Johnny remembered that when he had had an arrow-bird on his shoulder, the others had left him alone. He dreaded changing his command, but he did. Come to your friend, he clicked firmly. The arrow-bird stared at him distrustfully, but came closer. The monkey dropped back on Johnny's head. With a sigh of relief, Johnny saw the arrow-bird's head snap out of attack position. He put out his hand and the arrow-bird lit on it. Are you hurt bad, Rick? he asked. The words made the arrow-bird flutter with alarm, but Johnny soothed it by petting it with his other hand. Rick shook his head. Not too bad, he said through clenched teeth. The thing seemed to dodge when you made that clicking noise. I'm sorry, Rick, Johnny said. You shouldn't have shown that gun. You'll have to leave it behind. If they think you'll harm any of them, they'll kill you just like that. The monkeys almost got me because of a pocket-knife. I didn't know, Rick said. He looked at the bird on Johnny's shoulder. Seems peaceful enough now. You better let him sit on your shoulder, Rick. Johnny looked down at the arrow-bird and stroked it again. When it was quiet, he placed it on Rick's shoulder. The man was nervous and the bird was worried, but they both did as they were told. They waited under the tree while the helicopter went back and forth above them. Johnny looked at Rick's wound. It didn't look too serious, but Johnny knew better than to count on that. The slightest arrow-bird wound could be deadly if not treated. Johnny had seen hunters brought into the colony sick from an untreated scratch. They should have brought an emergency kit, but the kits were only carried in special pockets of the armour. They let Rick's wound bleed to cleanse it as much as possible. Then Johnny bound the arm tightly and made a sling for it from a piece of Rick's shirt. Rick gave Johnny his wrist watch to wear since his wrist was hidden by the sling. After that, they waited. It seemed that the helicopter would never go away. Once it hovered almost directly above them, but then went on. While they waited, Johnny looked over the map. The outlaw hideout was not as far from the colony as he had feared. They had to start soon and make good time, but they just might be able to make it to the meeting place the outlaws had set before Johnny's father got there. There was a fighting chance if Rick didn't get too sick. Finally, they heard the sound of the helicopter landing far in the distance. Taken direction from the map, they set out on their way. Rick's wound was less painful now, but Johnny kept his eye on his red-haired friend. They started out at a fast clip, following an animal track which led in the direction they wanted to go. In a few hours of steady marching, they were a safe distance from the outlaw hideout. Johnny's idea was working out. Several flights of arrow-birds had passed them by with no more than a glance in their direction. One flight had hovered above them while the arrow-bird on Rick's shoulder twittered and shrieked at them. Then they had flown off at top speed. A troop of muggies had also let them pass without doing them any harm. Hundreds of the small red apes had followed along beside them for some time. Johnny's mucky chattered to them from his perch on the boy's head. They too had swung off through the trees at top speed. Rick had been awed, for he had never seen venous animals so close, except when they were attacking. At first Rick's strides had been long, and Johnny had had to run every few steps to keep up. Now Rick's steps were short and slow. He seemed to be getting weaker and weaker. They had stopped and cleaned his wound again at a spring and rebounded, but he was not doing well. The big red-haired man was pale under his freckles, his lips were set tight. Johnny kept close beside him as they moved forward. They had worked out a path to follow that skirted diamond wood groves and avoided rivers. It was too easy to become lost in the dense forest, and Johnny was very unsure of what river snakes would do. Suddenly Rick stumbled. He stopped and balanced himself by leaning on Johnny's shoulder. He looked at Johnny with bloodshot eyes, sighed, and crumpled up on the ground. The arrow-bird that had been sitting on his shoulder hovered in the air above him, making little squeaky noises. He flew toward Johnny and then down an animal trail that led off toward a diamond wood grove. As Johnny leaned over to look at Rick, the monkey jumped from Johnny's head. Johnny stared down at Rick's saunders face. His cheeks were flushed, but the rest of his face was gray. The little monkey sniffed the wounded man and chattered something at Johnny. Then he too ran down the side trail. When Johnny paid no attention, he came up to Johnny and plucked his sleeve, chattering all the while. Johnny looked around. He thought the monkey was drawing his attention to some antelope berries growing down the path. Johnny clicked to the little red monkey to gather some. When the red monkey returned, clutching a cluster of large berries in each tiny paw, Johnny took them and squeezed the clear red juice into Rick's mouth. The man coughed and turned his face away, but gradually his eyes opened. They were dull and feverish. His hand went to his shoulder and he winced. In the few hours that had passed, his arm and shoulder had already swollen a great deal. He raised his head. Johnny helped him to his feet, but when he staggered, Johnny helped him lie down again on a patch of grass by the antelope berry bush. I can't go any farther, Johnny. Rick's voice was hoarse. Those birds must have some kind of poison on their beaks. That wound feels like it's on fire. It's not poison, Rick, Johnny explained. They eat the meat fruit and little pieces stick to their beaks. The pieces get rotten and infect wounds bad. Johnny remembered that Rick was an earthy and had been on Venus barely a year. There's only one thing to do, Johnny went on. I'll have to light a signal fire with lots of smoke. Somebody'll see us then. Rick shook his head slowly. No, Johnny, it won't do. If those hunters come, they'll get you again and they're likely to finish me off. You take the map and go on. Rick's voice trailed away. He struggled to set up. Johnny stepped forward wondering what was wrong. The monkey leaped off his head and bounded into a tree. Slowly, Rick raised his good arm and pointed directly behind Johnny. Johnny turned. Staring at him through a bush was a cold black saber-tooth leopard rouched to spring. Friend, pet, go away! Johnny clicked in the marv-a-tongue. Oh, if Baba were only here, the monkey chattered from a tree. Go away! Go away! Johnny repeated. Then he saw a second leopard, a third. None of them was his friend the mother leopard. These leopards stood almost a foot higher and were solid black. Their saber fangs were a full foot long. These were deadly males hunting in a pack. The one behind the bush gave a coughing growl. All three slinked slowly toward Johnny and Rick on silent feet. Their mouths half opened, their white teeth shining. Go away, bother us not! Friend, pet, bother us not! Johnny repeated. The leopards moved smoothly forward, their steel-like muscles rippling under the shining black fur. Frantically Johnny turned to Rick who was struggling to his feet. They won't obey, Rick! Run, Johnny! Rick said. Run for a tree! Rick thrust the boy behind him, but Johnny would not leave his friend. Rick turned, pulling Johnny, and started to run. At the same moment a leopard sprang through the air high over their heads. A split second later he was in front of them, borrowing their way, his gold eyes glistening, his fanged mouth giving forth a low growl. The growl met. Come! Johnny looked about. Not four steps away was another of the lion-sized cats. They were ringed round by the creatures. Johnny tried clicking again, but they paid no attention. My arm, Johnny! Rick groaned. He ran his hand over a forehead which was dripping sweat. Slowly his legs gave way and he fell in a heap beside Johnny. The leopards moved closer, their mouths wide. The one in front was getting so close that Johnny could feel its breath blowing against his bare arm. Then it moved too fast for Johnny to follow. Johnny felt the great jaws close around his middle and he was hurled off his feet. Frantically he beat at the big head. The jaws tightened, gripping him painfully. As Johnny cried out in pain he saw the other two leopards leap upon Rick. A few seconds later Johnny was being carried down the path in the jaws of the monster cat. The jaws had tightened no more than was necessary to hold him firmly as the animal trotted along. From this strange position Johnny witnessed an even stranger sight. Behind the leopard-carrying Johnny strode the other two. Side by side they walked dividing Rick's sander's weight between them. One had its jaws about Rick's arms and shoulders, the other held his hips and legs. They moved along easily, their heads held high so that his feet would not drag on the ground. Then Johnny saw that his arrow-bird friend was riding on the shoulder of one of the leopards that was carrying Rick. He heard a chattering noise and knew that the little red monkey was close by. The leopards were taking him someplace but who could know where. In his odd position Johnny could not tell even the direction they were going, but soon they were in the patchwork shadow of a meat-tree forest. Here the leopards had their lairs but they did not stop. They went on and on. Johnny kept trying to watch the leopards which carried Rick. Once in a while he could catch a glimpse of them. Rick's head bobbing as they moved. He was still unconscious. Then Johnny heard a shout and a scuffling noise. The leopard carrying him turned around. Rick was conscious. His head was turning about wildly and he was yelling, his eyes lit on Johnny. What happened? He all but screamed. They're taking us somewhere, Johnny answered. They haven't hurt me yet. Rick was kicking his feet and struggling, making it hard for the leopards to walk. Johnny could see their jaws tightening as Rick struggled. You better not fight, Rick, Johnny said. You can't get away and they'll just hurt you more. I'll tell them you won't fight if they'll hold you easier. He clicked the message to the big cats. His own leopard turned back up the trail and he couldn't see what the other leopards did. A few seconds later he heard Rick's voice. You were right, Johnny. When I eased up they eased up too. Then he laughed in a strained way. I wish they'd eat us right now and get it over with. Maybe they won't. They said no more. They were coming to the edge of the meat tree grove. As was often the case, the last group of meat trees was beside a river. Beyond was a diamond wood grove. The three animals plunged into the cool water and soon were swimming with Johnny's and Rick's head hell well above the water. On the opposite bank they dived into the shadow of the diamond wood grove. As soon as they entered the grove, Johnny was startled to see that there were several antelope walking beside them. Then suddenly the little red mucky he had rescued from Ed was squatting on the leopards back. Johnny heard a swishing sound almost under his head. By twisting hard he could see the ground. There was a river snake crawling beside them. Its ugly horned head was right beneath him. It was the first time he had ever seen one. Then his heart leaped. He heard the clicking of the marvel language. Johnny twisted his body against the leopards' teeth, trying to see where the clicking was coming from. The leopard growled and Johnny lay still again. Take the big killer to the healer, the voice clicked, the little killer take to the council. The clicks were somehow different from Baba's, firmer and louder, but Johnny could understand them perfectly. Johnny caught sight of the two leopards carrying Rick. They were turning down another path. The river snake and the antelope took the same path, but Johnny's leopard went on forward. After a short time the leopard stopped and very carefully opened its jaws and eased Johnny to the ground. It turned and walked a few steps away. There it crouched. Johnny slowly got to his feet. The little red mucky jumped on his head. The arrow-bird perched on his shoulder. In a clearing among the diamondwood trees, Johnny stood in the center of a circle of jewel-bears, their blue nails glowing in the half-light. All but one or two were dark about the muzzle. They sat on their haunches, staring straight at Johnny. End of Chapter 14 Chapter 15 of Venus Boy by Lee Sutton This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 15 A City in the Trees Except for faint animal sounds in the distance, there was silence in the diamondwood grove. More marver than any other person had ever seen surrounded Johnny. Most of them were dark muzzled and very old. From old Jeb's hunting-tails, Johnny knew that as a marver grows older, the fur about its muzzle darkens. A jewel-bear with a black muzzle was a rare thing. This was no ordinary group of marver but a gathering of elders. They seemed neither friendly nor unfriendly. They seemed to be waiting patiently for Johnny to do something. Hello! Johnny broke the silence, greeting them in their own clicking language. I am very glad to see you. Once started, Johnny had so much to say the words fairly rushed from him. Your leopards are scared of us. Maybe you can tell me how to get some people quick. Before it, Newby wouldn't hurt it. This arrow-bird wounded my friend, and he's very sick, and Baba's got caught again, and some bad men are trying to get him. If you could help us get back to the colony. Oh, I thank you. Baba's a marver, you know. Just like you, and he's my best friend. We tried to find you, but the outlaws captured me, and Baba went home because I'm his friend pet brother, and he thought I'd be there. Rick will die if you— The torrent of words was cut short by a marver with a cold black muzzle. He stood up and raised both furry blue paws for silence. It is well reported that the little killer can speak our language, he clicked, with a sound very like a human chuckle. You speak well, he clicked to Johnny, but you speak too much at once. A ripple of amusement passed over the faces of the jewel-bears. Then they became stern once more. You must try to tell a little at a time, the old marver continued, but first let me answer one of your questions, for I think you are full of questions. The red furred killer has been sent to the healers. He will soon be treated. We heard of you and of the wound from our friend pets. You need not worry, little killer. Our healers have had many wounds to deal with, since your kind has been in the green lands. You mean you will fix up, my friend? Johnny asked. You have doctors? Yes, little killer, the black muzzled one answered. But he won't understand, Johnny said. He wouldn't let any of you touch him, not unless I talk to him. Follow the leopard then, he will take you to the healers, then return here. The black muzzled marver waved his paw, and the leopard rose and trotted off. Johnny ran beside him. In another clearing Johnny paused in amazement. It was filled with many animals. He saw several rhinoceros with great gaping attotube wounds. A leopard with a cut on its shoulder lay whimpering before a marver who was squeezing the juice of some berries upon the cut. Fascinated Johnny watched as the marver sewed up the cut, a fine piece of marver claw for his needle. The berries juice must have killed the pain, for the leopard stopped whimpering and lay very still. Then Johnny saw Rick. He was lying on his back, but his eyes were open. The two leopards were right beside him, their heavy paws holding him down. Rick, Johnny called, running up to him. Get away from here, Rick yelled. There's a horned snake right beside me. He'll kill us. No, Johnny answered. If he'd wanted to, he could have done it long ago. Rick, we're safe. The leopards brought you here to get your wound fixed up. Then he clicked to the leopards. Let him go, he won't run away. He turned back to Rick. I just told the leopards you won't run away, he explained. Just watch the marver over there. Unsteadily, Rick got to his feet. He quickly sat down again, overcome by weakness and amazement. He had caught sight of the marver healers at work. One was sewing up a rhinocer, another was splinting up the leg of an antelope. Rick shook his head. I'm dreaming, he said. I must be. Isn't it wonderful, Johnny said? They're going to fix your wound, too. The leopard beside him growled in the way Johnny knew meant come. I gotta go now. Goodbye. Don't worry. Let them do what they want to. Johnny and the leopard made their way among the sick animals. Johnny let out a cry of pleasure. There was his friend the Leopardess. The Atotube burn was not a bad one, and it had already been treated. She rose when she saw him. Though the big male leopard growled his disapproval, Johnny ran over and patted her in her cubs before he went on. Is she a friend of yours? Johnny was startled by the sudden appearance of the black muzzled marver who had spoken to him earlier. Yes, old one, Johnny answered respectfully. Come. The marver addressed the Leopardess. The two leopards, the cubs, Johnny and the marver, walked off together. Soon Johnny was in the circle of marver again. This time he was over his surprise and he tried to tell his story as clearly as he could. He was beginning to get worried about the time that was passing and looked at Rick's watch again and again. There was always the chance that the outlaws would try to get Baba even though they no longer had Johnny to give in return, but he told his story as best he could. In spite of his worry he had to explain all about men on Venus. He even had to tell where men came from since the Jewel Bears had never seen stars or planets in their sky. He told about overcrowding earth and his father's desire to make a colony. He told about the hunters and traitor Harkness. He told about his trip into the jungle and how the outlaws had captured him and finally of his escape with Rick into the jungle. The group of marvers listened carefully. Sometimes they knotted their heads in approval of what he had done and sometimes they seemed puzzled, but they seemed more friendly when he had finished. When at last he came to a halt the old marver who was acting as spokesman for the group arose. You say this young marver friend of yours is named Baba? The old one used the word in the clicking language for Baba's name. Yes. We have heard of him. The black muzzled marver clicked, though he was not of our grove. His mother and brother were killed. We have wondered why he was not killed, too, since your people feel we are your enemies. Our observer on Council Rock has watched your people often and has seen little we can understand. Tell us why Baba was not killed at first. I already explained, Johnny said. His teeth and claws are black. Now they are blue and of course he's worth a lot of money. What is this money? The black muzzled one asked. Johnny was surprised. The word Baba used for money must not be a real marver word. If only Baba was here to explain. Johnny tried the best he could to explain how money works. The marver shook its head in wonder at the strange ways of men. But why do you want our claws and teeth? the marver asked, to make rings and plastic. But they understood neither the word ring nor the word plastic. Johnny had to explain that plastic was the material that head globes were made from. He explained also that rings and jewelry were used for decoration. And that is why we are killed on sight? asked the marver. Yes, old one. It made Johnny sad for himself, for marver and for his people, to have to admit this. His answer caused a stir among the marver. I have one more question, the old marver said. Why did you come into the jungle with the marver Baba? He would have died or been killed otherwise, and he was my brother, or like my brother. It was like the song he sang. You help your friends and your friends help you. It is the law, and will be the law as the trees stand. Between friend and friend there is no parting more than the fingers of a hand. We know the song, the marver said gently. But didn't you think these, the marver gestured at the leopards, might kill you? Yes, Johnny said, but I had to take the chance. They asked many more questions about men and their ways. Many were hard for Johnny to answer or even to understand, but he tried very hard to be as clear and truthful as possible. Finally they seemed satisfied, and there was again silence in the diamond wood grove. With a nod to Johnny, the black, muzzled marver led the rest of the jewelled bears away, and left Johnny and his animal friends alone. A short distance away the marver again formed a circle and clicked together quietly. Then they called over his friend the Leopardus, the red monkey and the arrow-bird. They appeared to be asking them questions. Johnny left to himself, wondered what was happening. It was all very strange. Rick's wrist-watch said too much time had passed already. The black, muzzled marver returned to Johnny. Come with me, he clicked, and walked toward one of the great trees. One of the younger jewelled bears waited at the foot of the tree. Grass pimped by the shoulders, the black, muzzled marver directed Johnny, and hold tight. Johnny found he could easily ride on his back. The marver started up the tree at a breathtaking speed. The full-grown marver climbed three times as fast as Baba could without anything on his back. Down below them the black, muzzled marver followed with a slow dignity of age. Up and up they went, the full two hundred feet toward the sky. Johnny looked down at the sick animals and the healers. They look very small now. Finally Johnny and the marver reached the branches. As they came up to the first huge branch, it appeared to move slowly away from the trunk of the tree to reveal a large opening. The tip of the branch was fastened to a branch above. Two huge snakes, the color of the branch, were coiled about it. These snakes had pulled the branch from the opening so that the marver and Johnny could enter. Johnny could see that the branch had been hollowed out until it was fairly light. Once inside Johnny's eyes were dazzled by light. The young marver started back down the tree. In a few moments the black muzzled marver was before Johnny again. He made a little bow. Men, child, he clicked, welcome to the tree of Ketak, leader of the council of this grove. May you have long life. Thank you! It was the only thing Johnny could think up to say. Before him was a beautiful room. There were finally woven grass mats upon the floor and in places about the room piles of mats of soft blue and delicate pinks made places to sit. The room was flooded with light that came from directly over their heads. The walls were made of the living wood of the tree carved with many scenes of venus and colored to make beautiful designs. Johnny looked up to see where the light came from. He gasped. Above them there was a great cluster of marver teeth and claws glowing with light. When Ketak the leader of the council moved forward, the light floated along the ceiling following him. Finally Johnny realized what the light was. It was a cluster of the large venus fireflies, each clasped a marver claw in its tiny feet. As the insects glowed the claw multiplied the light. In the middle of the ceiling was a hive where the fireflies lived. Johnny watched with wonder as the flies went back and forth from hive to light. Ketak noticed Johnny's interest. As one becomes tired, he said, another takes his place. We give them food and they give us light. Is it not a good system? Suddenly Johnny understood. And the rhinosaurs protect you from the sea beasts. And we help them when they are sick or hurt. We help take care of their marshmallows and see that they have food. All living things are our friends, but the killers of the sea. Gee! said Johnny. It's just perfect. The little bear appeared to laugh. Hardly, he clicked. We have our quarrels too and many of our friends sometimes forget. That's right, Johnny said. The monkey sure didn't trust those leopards until after we got here. It is hard for many of them, Ketak went on. I often wonder what the rhinosaurs will do when there is nothing left to fight. We are already beginning to make friends with the killers of the sea. Not long ago the arrow-birds were killers. And it was only in the lifetime of my great-grandfather's great-great-grandfather's father that we made friends with the river snakes so that they too do as we advise them to do. You mean obey you? Johnny asked. In a way, Ketak answered, most of the animals obey us. But they don't obey your little ones. Johnny was excited. It's only when your blue teeth came in and your voice gets deep that other animals will obey you. Isn't that right? Yes, said Ketak. We say a deep voice is a sign of the coming of wisdom. Then that's why the arrow-birds obeyed Baba and me. Yes, Ketak nodded. Now would you like to see the remainder of our tree? Please, Johnny answered politely. It's a lot like the caves in New Plymouth Rock. Indeed so, said the Marva leader. Those caves served as a yearly meeting-place for the council of all the groves. No one tree was large enough for all of us to live in while we talked together. Before your people came to the Greenlands, we had happy times there each year. Now we use the rock only for watching you. I'm sorry, Johnny said. Come now, Ketak clicked. I will show you the tree. Johnny would have been terribly excited by the suggestion if it hadn't been for his fear that they were taking too much time. The whole upper part of the tree was honeycombed with rooms. Each level was connected by a winding passage as in the caverns of New Plymouth Rock. Each was lit in the same way. It was not Ketak's tree alone. Many Marva families lived there together. As they entered each level a Marva would come forward and welcome Johnny. He was fascinated by the little ones who grinned at him just as Baba did. The Marva cubs always came in twos. Peaking around from the back of the mothers were always two pairs of bright blue eyes. But one family was different. Johnny and Ketak entered that level to the sound of growling and tumbling and scratching. In the middle of the room a small bear bounced hard on the floor and up to the ceiling where it clung like a fly. Below it a cold black leopard cub growled in a way Johnny understood. It was a pleading growl saying, Come! As soon as the baby bear hanging on the ceiling saw Johnny and Ketak he dropped to the floor and stood with his arm around the black leopard cub. A mother Marva came rushing from another room. I'm sorry my cubs were so rude, she clicked, but you know how much mischief one of ours and a friend pet brother can get into. Of course, Ketak clicked. This is the friend pet brother of one of ours so he will understand. Oh yes, Johnny said. Then he looked over at the two cubs. The little Marva was still very small and had black claws. He shows off just like Baba used to, Johnny exclaimed. Johnny remembered the trouble his mother had had with Baba's game of walking on the ceiling. With that they went on, but Johnny touched Ketak on the shoulder. Though the bear was old he came no more than to Johnny's shoulder. The leopard cub. Was that Marva cub's friend pet brother just as Baba is mine? Johnny asked. For the first time the Marva seemed to smile, opening his mouth wide as Baba did when he grinned. We would say you were his friend pet brother, the black muzzled one clicked. Perhaps it is better to say you are friend brothers. It is not strange. Many of us have had companions of another race. But why is this? Johnny asked equally. You have seen that our cubs always come in pairs. The pair is almost one until they are grown. Ketak explained. If only one cub is born or one of a pair dies we give the lone cub a friend pet, a cub of another race to grow up with him. They become brothers just as you and Baba did. Without this the lone cub would die. Cubs need the love of a brother as much as they need food. It is sometimes a very good thing for in this way our friends of the plains and the groves are needed to us with ties of very deep love. Now I understand why Baba would never leave me, Johnny said. And then he went on earnestly. And you should understand why I've got to get back to Baba in the colony. There may still be some way I can save him, but I don't have much more time. I can make no promise yet to let you go, Ketak said. Still there may be a way we can save your friend brother and do something more besides. He would say no more. Soon they were back in Ketak's rooms. You will wait here, Ketak said. Johnny seated himself on one of the piles of mats and waited. He didn't quite understand what was going on, but he wished Ketak would hurry. He looked at Rick's watch. It had been twelve hours since he had spoken to his father on Ed's radio telephone. He had only an earth day and a half to get to the settlement if he were to keep Baba out of Ed's hands. A few minutes later Ketak re-entered the room, surrounded by some of the furry bears who lived in his tree. My friend, he clicked, I have a gift from the people of my tree to your people, those whom you say are making a colony. It is a gift of friendship and a gift of peace. If the Council of the Grove decides to let you go back, I hope you can use these to pay for the life of your friend and your brother, Baba. In his hand the Marva held a small package wrapped with woven rushes. Thank you, Johnny said and took the package. You may unwrap it. Johnny folded back the stiff material and gasped. In his hand glowed a pile of Marva claws, hundreds of them.