Beyond the fence the native, a wisp of a man was still fuming. "The hell away from here get! You I'm warning--no closer come!" Mason displayed a half frown. "He's sure a sour cuss." "You stay with the ship," said Cassidy. "I'll see what's fouling his tubes." * * * * * Before Cassidy reached the fence, his pet Fuzzy Tail came scampering from behind a bush. It clambered up his trousers and wrapped itself around his neck. This encouraged the speculation that perhaps the shipment of Tails could be bartered for repairs to the stabilizer--_if_ there was a local space technology, and _if_ they could corral the animals. The native grew even more frenzied now as Cassidy drew up before him. "Trespasser! Back get! _My_ property this be! Scram! You I'll kill!" The Fuzzy Tail uncoiled itself from around Cassidy's neck. Perching on his shoulder, it fussed back at the native in chirping, excited tones. It not only acted at times as though it owned Cassidy, but it also exercised a personal responsibility for his welfare. "Quiet!" Cassidy snapped out. It caught both the Fuzzy Tail and the old man by surprise. The animal bounded for cover while the native rocked back on his heels. "Be you not just a--_little bit_ afraid?" His eyebrows mounted the wrinkled expanse of his forehead. The nearby hedge rustled and parted to let through a dark-haired girl whose tanned skin suggested accustomed exposure to the multiple sunlight. Wearing a belted tunic that lacked inches of reaching her knees, she confronted the old man calmly. "It's all about what, Papa?" she asked, with a trace of an amused smile. "Trespassers! On _our_ property, Riva! The alarm sound! Scat! To the woods take! Or a dead duck you be!" "Now, Papa," she chided. Then, through the fence, "Him you musn't mind. It's only his duty he's attending to." From the distance, Cassidy had suspected the man was of Terran descent. Now, with Riva in the picture, he was certain this world was stocked either by intent or accident with true humans. "We're from Terra," he said. She frowned. "Ter-ra?" "Earth. The original world--" Incomprehension flooded her even features. But her confusion was only temporary. "Let's play." It seemed like an altogether acceptable suggestion, Cassidy thought, eying the attractive girl. But he went on, "This is our ship and--" "Ship?" Then she chased away her puzzlement with a sudden smile. "Some nice games I know." There was no space technology on this planet, Cassidy decided. They'd be strictly on their own as far as repairing the directional stabilizer was concerned. By this time Papa, his eyes focused afar, had exploded again. "Charge!" he roared. "After him! Wa-hoo! Away don't let him get!" He was gripping the fence and straining toward the field.