"We had to stay," Adams said. "You know what would happen to this camp and our supplies if we weren't around here to guard them."
"The only thing that's given us any trouble is that old mastodon. If he comes around again, I'm going to take a skillet and bang him in the brisket."
"That isn't the only reason, either," said President Adams, "and you know it. We can't go deserting this nation now that we've created it. We have to keep possession. Just planting a flag and saying it's ours wouldn't be enough. We might be called upon for proof that we've established residence. Something like the old homestead laws, you know."
"We'll establish residence sure enough," growled Secretary Cooper, "if something happens to that time unit or the helicopter."
"You think they'll do it, Johnny?"
"Who do what?"
"The United States. Do you think they'll recognize us?"
"Not if they know who we are."
"That's what I'm afraid of."
"Chuck will talk them into it. He can talk the skin right off a cat."