Winter in Eden

found that she could discuss basic concepts with Moorawees. It was then that the chance came at last to get Ambalasi involved.
    "Opportunity unrivaled," she signed as she hurried toward the scientist—who instantly abandoned her Winter in Eden - Harry Harrison
    work and radiated obedient attention. Enge was flustered by this—had never suspected that Ambalasi even knew these subservient gestures.
    "Urge of explanation," Ambalasi said.
    "Forthcoming. My informant mentioned that one of her companions—there is no shade of male-female attached to the term that I could tell—has been wounded in some manner. I informed Moorawees that one of us was skilled in repair of bodies and Moorawees grew excited. I think she will lead us to the injured one."
    "Excellent. I have studied their communication as you have recorded it." She stood erect and spoke in the proper Sorogetso manner. "Help-given, person-aided, gratification."
    Enge was truly impressed. "That is perfect. The time has come for us to penetrate the jungle. I fear only for your safety this first occasion. Perhaps I might take Setessei now, she has healing skills, and might be more suitable for this first visit…"
    "It is I who will go now." Said with all her imperiousness and might. Enge accepted; this was one time she knew that Ambalasi would not be disagreed with.
    Ambalasi pushed the bulge on the hide of the carrying creature and its mouth opened to reveal the medical equipment stowed inside. After carefully checking the contents Ambalasi added more nefmakels, large ones for serious wounds, and other items that might be called for. When she was satisfied she shut it, then turned to Enge.
    "Carry this yourself—we want no witnesses with us now. Lead the way."
    The Sorogetso was waiting in the river, only her head above the water. Her eyes widened with fear when Ambalasi came up and she turned about and moved away through the stream. They followed her into the river but she was the faster swimmer and her orange crest quickly vanished from sight. Ambalasi saw her emerge on the distant bank and splashed ponderously in that direction. Enge followed, much burdened by the medical supplies. She was gasping for breath when she finally stumbled ashore. Moorawees was at the forest edge, slipping away between the trees as they approached. They hurried after her, losing sight of her finally, but noting that they were following a well-trod path. When they emerged from the shadow of the jungle, on the bank of a stream they found her waiting for them.
    "Stop," her palms flashed, with head-movement controllers of danger-imminent. The two Yilanè stopped at once, looked about in all directions yet saw nothing to fear.
    "In-water," Moorawees signed, then opened her mouth wide and emitted a high-pitched warbling cry. She did this a second time until there was an answering call from the other side of the stream. There were movements in the brush there and two more of the Sorogetso emerged and looked doubtfully across the Winter in Eden - Harry Harrison
    flowing water.
    "Danger of strangers, much-fear," one of them signed.
    "Death of Ichikchee greater danger," Moorawees answered with some firmness. It was only after more hesitation, and shouted commands from Moorawees that they shuffled to the large tree trunk floating by the shore and pushed it out into the stream. One end remained secured on the far bank so that, when the free end had drifted across and lodged on the shore, a bridge was made across the stream. Moorawees led the way, hooking her claws carefully on the rough bark and holding to the projecting stubs of branches.
    Enge waited for Ambalasi to precede her—but the scientist was rigid and uncommunicative.
    "I will go first," Enge said. "I believe that there is nothing to fear."
    "Stupidity and incomprehension," Ambalasi said with some vehemence. "I am not afraid of these simple creatures. It was the silence of thought and observation that stayed me. Did you see what they did?"
    "Of course. Floated this log over so we could cross the stream dryshod."
    "Brain-of-lowest-fargi!" Ambalasi snapped with quick anger. "You see with your eyes but fail to understand with your brain. They have used an artefact in the manner of the ustuzou—not the Yilanè.
    Now do you see what is happening?"
    "Of course! Joy-of-revelation, acknowledgment of stupidity. Though physically like us, they are fixed at a social level scarcely above the lower animals with no knowledge of Yilanè