"We'll pitch camp right here, then," Extrone said. "We'll go after it
tomorrow." He looked at the sky. "Have the bearers hurry."
"Yes, sir."
Ri moved away, his pulse gradually slowing. "You, there!" he called.
"Pitch camp, here!"
He crossed to Mia, who, along with him, had been pressed into Extrone's
party as guides. Once more, Ri addressed the bearers, "Be quick, now!"
And to Mia, "God almighty, he was getting mad." He ran a hand under his
collar. "It's a good thing that farn beast sounded off when it did. I'd
hate to think of making him climb that ridge."
Mia glanced nervously over his shoulder. "It's that damned pilot's
fault for setting us down on this side. I told him it was the other
side. I told him so."
Ri shrugged hopelessly.
Mia said, "I don't think he even saw a blast area over here. I think he
wanted to get us in trouble."
"There shouldn't be one. There shouldn't be a blast area on this side
of the ridge, too."
"That's what I mean. The pilot don't like businessmen. He had it in for
us."