This little man before him, who, common sense said must be feeling uneasy, to put it mildly, in the presence of a stranger of hitherto unknown size and undetermined strength--someone who was as different in make-up and physique from his as night is from day--still had been able to suppress his fears sufficiently to extend a cordial invitation. "Oh--I can stay on the ship," Drawers replied, his mind sparring for additional time to clear its confusion. "My people would be very interested in meeting you," the golden man replied. Still, Drawers hung back with obvious reluctance. This man was small, but it wasn't size that counted, as experience had taught him--it was brains--and this alien had those in super abundance. How was he to know the creature's motives? Perhaps they might overcome him with some strange ray, and use him for some diabolical experiment. Even as the thoughts surged through his mind, a trace of a smile seemed to flicker across the golden man's features. As if he had read his thoughts the golden man challenged. "Certainly you are not afraid to accompany me? I should be the one to fear, not you. One of those great arms that hang at your side could overpower me in an instant. You have nothing to fear." Mental argument was an achievement Michel Drawers had never been particularly adept in. He found his fears being chided, and his own subconscious mind seemed to tell him there was no danger, still-- Michel stepped slowly forward to accompany the golden man, his hands tapping his hips for the butts of his low-voltage guns and finding only the empty holsters. _He had left them in the ship!_ Without further thought the golden man turned and strode gracefully from the clearing. Michel Drawers lumbered self-consciously along behind, tripping occasionally over vine-like foliage--and with the light of curiosity growing ever brighter within him. Through thick growths of blue plants they trailed. Across chuckling stream's of bubbling, brilliant liquids; through fields thick with yellow blossoms, and overhead a golden sun hung resplendent in the sky as if to match the make-up of the planet. Drawers' attention was suddenly distracted by one of the most unusual plants he had yet seen. This one was golden as were the others but had long, regular veins of blue running like a well formed design up the outside of the blossom. Instinctively he sniffed at it. As he did so he felt his new found companion plucking at his sleeve. He paid no notice, preferring to again smell the beautiful blossom. The fragrance affected him like a heady, aromatic perfume. Entirely different from any scent he had ever known before. Persum finally distracted his attention by mental urging. "Come away, that plant is deadly. I cannot understand why you have not been already overcome." Drawers turned back to Persum in curiosity. "This plant deadly? Why it has a delightful fragrance. The most pleasing I've ever smelled."