Dances were in progress, given by various members of the beast cults. At the moment, the Sathgohani, a cult representing a medium-sized deerlike animal, were performing. They could be recognized by the three red dots on their foreheads. Waiting their turn were the men of the Dresfeyxi and the Taganyes, cults representing other forest animals. The beasts adopted by the cults were taboo and there was an absolute injunction against their slaughter. Carver had been unable to discover the rationale behind this rule. The Lorayans refused to speak of it. Deg, the medicine man, had removed his ceremonial mask. He was seated in front of his hut, watching the dancing. He arose when the Earthmen approached him. "Peace!" he said. "Sure," said Fred. "Nice job you did this morning." Deg smiled modestly. "The gods answered our prayers." "The gods?" said Carver. "It looked as though the serum did most of the work." "Serum? Oh, the sersee juice!" Deg made a ceremonial gesture as he mentioned the name. "Yes, the sersee juice is the mother of the Lorayan people." "We'd like to buy some," Fred said bluntly, ignoring Professor Carver's disapproving frown. "What would you take for a gallon?" "I am sorry," Deg said. "How about some nice beads? Mirrors? Or maybe a couple of steel knives?" "It cannot be done," the medicine man asserted. "The sersee juice is sacred. It must be used only for holy healing." "Don't hand me that," Fred said, a flush mounting his sallow cheek. "You gooks think you can--" "We quite understand," Carver broke in smoothly. "We know about sacred things. Sacred things are sacred. They are not to be touched by profane hands." "Are you crazy?" Fred whispered in English. "You are a wise man," Deg said gravely. "You understand why I must refuse you." "Of course. But it happens, Deg, I am a medicine man in my own country." "Ah? I did not know this!" "It is so. As a matter of fact, in my particular line, I am the highest medicine man." "Then you must be a very holy man," Deg said, bowing his head. "Man, he's holy!" Fred put in emphatically. "Holiest man you'll ever see around here." "Please, Fred," Carver said, blinking modestly. He said to the medicine man, "It's true, although I don't like to hear about it. Under the circumstances, however, you can see that it would not be wrong to give me some sersee juice. On the contrary, it is your priestly duty to give me some." The medicine man pondered for a long time while contrary emotions passed just barely perceptibly over his almost blank face. At last he said, "It may be so. Unfortunately, I cannot do what you require." "Why not?" "Because there is so little sersee juice, so terribly little. There is hardly enough for the village." Deg smiled sadly and walked away. * * * * *