Waltk stared at him. "You do not like me? You have just used what I have to help yourself?"
"Yes, you big dumb ox," Jarl Gare gloated. "Your weakness is too obvious. You're strong, but the Venusians have tests for such strength, and even your mighty body will fail."
"And you have no weakness?" Waltk asked. "Suppose they give you the test of strength?"
"The Chameleon men don't do it that way. They read your mind, almost, and figure out a test that should not be impossible, if you are uniformly strong in body, mind and courage. The test is for all three, and you must have the brains to go with strength."
"I see," Waltk said, and when he looked at Jarl Gare, there was almost a sense of pity in the glance.
At last they came to the pool. Out of the fog-shrouded lake came the Chameleon men, their bodies dripping, their webbed hands carrying the great shells.
The band of Chameleon men leading the Jovian and the Earthman halted. Two of them dived into the pool. After long minutes the pair reappeared, lugging between them a gigantic clam.
They set it down before Waltk. They stared at Waltk. Finally, Waltk grinned and nodded. With their metal spears, four of the Chameleon men pried open the bi-valve, and held it open by standing on the shell edges.
Waltk flexed his great muscles and clamped a huge hand on each shell edge.