“Think we better turn north now, Biff?” Muscles said. “Be lot easier traveling. Faster, too. We’ll be moving along the valley. Not so much of this up and down stuff. Particularly the up. I’ve had enough of that. I’ll take my climbing in a plane.”
“I guess so, Muscles. We’ll head up the valley, now, Chuba,” Biff directed.
They set off again. Traveling was easier. They moved along briskly. The air was becoming warmer, and soon the floor of the valley sent up shimmering heat waves in front of them.
Except for brief pauses, no one called for a break until Muscles looked at his watch.
“It’s noon. How about a breather and something to eat?”
Chuba broke out his supply of food—his “goodies,” Biff had named them.
“This is food?” Muscles asked skeptically, looking at the portion Chuba handed him. He ate it, but his face twisted comically as he tasted and then quickly gulped the food.
After a half-hour rest, during which Muscles complained bitterly about the menu, they were ready to continue. Their progress up the valley continued smoothly for the first hour. Rounding a sharp bend, the valley came to an abrupt end.
“Now what’s this little obstacle placed in our path?” Muscles asked.
“Wish it were just a little obstacle,” Biff replied. Directly ahead of them, the ground angled sharply upward. Above, it leveled off like the outside rim of a giant football stadium.