Johnny's father stood there and watched them.
"Remember, Johnny," he cautioned, "this is just a visit. What the colony decides in this matter goes."
"I know, Dad," Johnny answered.
"I'll be back in half an hour," his father said. "Get him to eat, if you can. Night will be here in a few hours and he'll sleep then." With this he opened the door and left.
Johnny rushed to the cage. His hand was on the latch when the door opened again. It was old Jeb.
"Sorry, son, but I got orders not to leave you alone with the critter. If he ever got out he'd be mighty hard to catch." Jeb walked over and seated himself on a box.
"That's all right," Johnny said, and squatted down in front of the cage. It wasn't part of the plan for Baba to get away—yet. "Besides, he wouldn't run away while I'm here," he said.