That was something new. "Okay," said Sam, and turned back.
They were approaching the ship when the sound of a pebble falling came to Sam's ears. Automatically, his hand reached for his gun, and he swung around to face what might be danger. As he did so, something snarled and fled. He could see no sign of motion, but he could hear the scattering of other pebbles along a gully as the creature retreated.
"Looks like we're not alone here, after all," he said. "Wonder what that was."
"It couldn't have been very big," said Mark. "Big animals don't run away."
"Not usually, unless they're smart, or they've met people before. I'll have to set traps."
"Do you think maybe if you caught him you could sell him to a circus, Pop?"
"I'll have to see what he's like, first," said Sam. He looked around. "If there's one animal, there are likely to be others. It's strange that I didn't detect any sign of them."
He put his arm absently over Mark's shoulder. He didn't notice the expression on the kid's face at this unexpected gesture.
