"Thanks, Kole. Report aboard ship. Don't get mixed up with the giants."
"They won't bother me, sir. It's like a bunch of big bees tearing after a vat of nectar out here. They don't even see me."
"What did he mean?" asked Circe. "A trap?"
"Plastikoided lead box, twelve by twelve feet. All the alcohol in the ship was poured into it an hour after we left, and they set it outside as far from the ship as they could safely go. I didn't know it would work, but it was a try. It still doesn't affect Jackson's orders. I didn't know, I still don't know, but that some of the djinn can resist the stuff."
"The what?" she asked, startled.
"Never mind. We've got about a quarter hour to get back. Where in blazes is Daley?"
A small, weakened voice said in his ear, "I'm here, Pink. Jerry too. But he's out cold. I don't feel so hot myself."
"Daley!" he roared. "Where are you?"
"Big cave, about size of Texas. Came across it trying to find our way out. Lot of giants here. One of them saw us and picked us up and banged us together. I think he must be saving us for a hearty lunch. He's sitting ten feet off watching us."
"Your guns, boy!"