"They cannot help themselves," the young hunter insisted. "They must do the demon's will." He paused again. "They cannot be gods, to obey the demon, but we should not harm them." Suddenly the funeral drum ceased in mid-note. * * * * * The village began to stir uncertainly, and a native burst, running, upon the clearing. He was crying something in an excited voice. A wail went up from those nearest him, and each ran off toward his house. A young lad sped toward the seated hunters. When he arrived, he was panting. "A demon comes! _It is in the air like a bird!_" The hunters glanced at Neju for leadership. Then, from a great distance, they heard a whirring like the beat of giant wings. "Run!" Neju cried, and they scrambled to their feet. "Separate and run!" Neju cried. The other villagers were scattering toward the forest in all directions. Neju glanced around him. He saw a female stop, rush back, scoop up a child who had been playing with a polished bone. Then, almost as if by magic, the village was empty. The staked animals began to whine, and one of the _corlieu_ at the far edge of the clearing gave a gigantic leap and disappeared into the tightly woven branches. Then Neju turned to run and the sound of the air demon was nearer. But he had taken only two or three steps before he stopped, frozen, for a single instant. Then he turned and sped toward the Chieftain's lodge. No one had warned the old Father. At the moment he reached the door of the lodge, the helicopter burst upon the clearing. Neju darted it one frightened glance and then ducked through the doorway. The old one still sat as Neju had left him, motionless, staring at the strange weapon before him. He did not even look up when Neju entered. "Come, Father," Neju said very gently. "Eh?" Neju glanced over his shoulder. The sky demon was heading straight for the lodge. Very tenderly, Neju drew the old one to his feet. He wrapped two arms around his body, protectively. "We must hurry, Father." The old one blinked, but he moved as Neju urged, and the two of them stepped from the back entrance of the lodge. The helicopter was flying low, and it seemed almost on top of them. It was then that the Chieftain saw it. There was fear and wonder in his eyes. "We must run!" Neju said. Together they trampled across the dying garden, their feet moving rapidly, and the old one's breath came in sharp rasps. Then the very edge of the helicopter's shadow touched them. And there was a blinding light and a great wave of air that threw them to the ground like a giant hand, and there was a roar greater than the northern cataracts. And the sound and light was gone, but still their ears rang with the thunder of it and their eyes pained.