До Адама

           Comingaroundasharpcornerofrock(wewentverycarefully,becausewedidnotknowwhatwemightencounter),wecameuponthreepuppiesplayinginthesun.

           Theydidnotseeus,andwewatchedthemforsometime.Theywerewilddogs.Intherock-wallwasahorizontalfissure—evidentlythelairwheretheirmotherhadleftthem,andwheretheyshouldhaveremainedhadtheybeenobedient.Butthegrowinglife,thatinLop-Earandmehadimpelledustoventureawayfromtheforest,haddriventhepuppiesoutofthecavetofrolic.Iknowhowtheirmotherwouldhavepunishedthemhadshecaughtthem.

           ButitwasLop-EarandIwhocaughtthem.Helookedatme,andthenwemadeadashforit.Thepuppiesknewnoplacetorunexceptintothelair,andweheadedthemoff.Onerushedbetweenmylegs.Isquattedandgrabbedhim.Hesankhissharplittleteethintomyarm,andIdroppedhiminthesuddennessofthehurtandsurprise.Thenextmomenthehadscurriedinside.

           Lop-Ear,strugglingwiththesecondpuppy,scowledatmeandintimatedbyavarietyofsoundsthedifferentkindsofafoolandabunglerthatIwas.Thismademeashamedandspurredmetovalor.Igrabbedtheremainingpuppybythetail.Hegothisteethintomeonce,andthenIgothimbythenapeoftheneck.Lop-EarandIsatdown,andheldthepuppiesup,andlookedatthem,andlaughed.

           Theyweresnarlingandyelpingandcrying.Lop-Earstartedsuddenly.Hethoughthehadheardsomething.Welookedateachotherinfear,realizingthedangerofourposition.Theonethingthatmadeanimalsragingdemonswastamperingwiththeiryoung.