"I am glad that I arrived in time. I happened to be on the river wall as you drifted past, and saw your encounter with the men from Kormor. My interest was aroused; and, knowing that you were headed for trouble down river on account of the falls, I hurried down to try to warn you."
"A rather unusual interest in strangers for a man of Amtor," I commented, "but I can assure you that I appreciate it even if I do not understand it."
He laughed shortly. "It was the way you handled those three creatures of Skor," he explained. "I saw possibilities in such a man, and we are always looking for better qualities to infuse into the blood of Havatoo. But come, let me introduce myself. I am Ero Shan."
"And this is Nalte of Andoo," I replied, "and I am Carson Napier of California."
"I have heard of Andoo," he acknowledged. "They raise an exceptionally fine breed of people there, but I never heard of your country. In fact I have never seen a man before with blue eyes and yellow hair. Are all the people of Cal—"
"California," I prompted.
"—of California like you?"
"Oh, no! There are all colors among us, of hair and eyes and skin."
"But how can you breed true to type, then?" he demanded.
"We don't," I had to admit.