"Why not? I've got feelings and a conscience. That's why! I couldn't just stand by and do nothing. Especially when the sedative worked on the boy!" "It would have been far better to let one man die than to have the aliens come to regard you as higher than their own priests." "It's easy enough for you to say what I should have done here, but I think your own actions would have been far different if you had been in my place." "I doubt it. I'd never have been made trouble-shooter, if I didn't have the brains to avoid a mess like that. I still think you're just plain stupid." "My thoughts of you are better left unsaid. At any rate, when we got to the village...." * * * * * It was the same hut, and a crowd that may or may not have been present the earlier night. The numbers were the same. The only change was the lack of the overhanging pall of smoke from the lamps. The man occupied the same pallet as the boy, and the crowd made way for Dillon as he moved to his side. It was readily apparent that he was very ill, and Dillon uttered a silent prayer that he had something in the kit to help him. The leg wound was nasty and crusted over. He swabbed it clean, blanching when he saw its depth. Steadying himself, he bound it tightly, and sat back on his heels to ponder his next move. The bandage would prevent any further infection, but the Earthman was afraid the damage had already been done. The fever lay heavily on the native, and he tossed and turned in his coma. The drugs in the bag were all intended for use by Terrans only, and an attempt to aid the slight alien might only result in death. Whereas if he were left alone to ride out the fever, he just might come through all right. Kylano let out a muted sob, and struck out wildly, nearly hitting Dillon in the face. He cursed, and turned to his bag, selecting the most catholic antibiotic it contained. He looked up at the watching crowd, but they just stared back impassively. He cursed again, and swabbed a spot on the native's arm, and thrust home the needle. He threw the empty hypo back in the bag, and shut it savagely. Then he stood up, and looked around for Bila. "A drink of water, please," he said, catching the other's eye. "Certainly, starman," he replied, handing over a gourd. Dillon drank deeply, then wiped his mouth. He handed back the gourd and picked up his bag. As he pushed his way through the crowd, Bila followed. "Kylano will be well now?" said the alien. "I don't know. I just don't know. I hope so." "Is there anything more you can do?" "Perhaps. If I knew just what he was sick with, and I had the right drugs to treat it, I could do a lot. As it is...." He left the sentence hanging. "If the Gods will it, he will live." "Pray that they will it. In the meantime, you might bathe his forehead every now and then. It'll help to make him more comfortable." "In any event, we thank you, starman. With our priest gone...."