Johnny trudged on under the weight of his armor while Baba bounced along beside him. A mile away loomed New Plymouth Rock. The huge mesa-like rock made up one corner of the settlement's barrier against the animals. The thick concrete walls of the settlement, topped with live wires, were joined to the rock on two sides. On its summit, stood a stunted diamond-wood tree. This was Johnny's and Baba's destination.
Baba jumped high in the air, made himself into a ball and bounded on ahead.
"Hurry up!" he clicked.
"Hungry for nuts, eh?" Johnny asked.
"Crunchy ones," the little bear clicked back, turning a somersault in the air. "Come on, hurry!"
Johnny made a face at Baba. "Bear," he said, "you're certainly getting bossy lately."
Baba did another somersault, bounced, and landed on Johnny's shoulder with a thump, almost knocking the boy down. He put his nose in Johnny's ear.
"I'm a grown-up," he clicked in heavy tones. "Hear my beautiful new voice?"
Johnny hunched his shoulders hard, spilling Baba to the ground. Then he grabbed him by the harness, and stood up. While Baba squeaked piteously, Johnny swung him round and round. At the top of one of the swings he let go, tossing Baba high into the air.
"Help! Help!" clicked Baba, beating paws into the air, and screwing up his face. Just before he hit the ground he made himself into a ball. He hit with a smack and bounced higher than Johnny had thrown him. Both of them were laughing when he stopped bouncing.