Tashtu said: "Two raiding bands, Lord. One go north. Other south. We follow?"
They had reached the advance Indian camp on the fringe of the Wild Country. So far they had seen nothing of the Cyclopes who lived in this part of the world. Of all their creations, Charlie and Robin feared and avoided only the Cyclopes, the enormous one-eyed giants which had so intrigued Robin in the encyclopedia that she'd had a compulsion to create them, and had done so.
"We can't follow both bands," Charlie said, looking troubled.
"Why can't we?" Robin asked. "You go north with some of the braves, Charlie. I'll go south. We ought to be able to overtake the raiding parties before anything happens."
"I can't let you go alone."
"All right. I'll take Tashtu with me. Don't you think Tashtu can take care of me as well as you can?"
"Well, I just don't like the idea—" Charlie began.
"That's silly. If we have to find them before there's trouble, we have to find them. Well, don't we?"
Charlie gave her an uncertain nod. He had grown up with her and had seen her every day of his life, but every time he took a good look at her, at the lovely face and the tawny, long-limbed form ill-concealed by the gold-mesh garments, it took his breath away. Although in a sense a whole world was his plaything, he had never seen anything so lovely. Finally he said, "I guess you're too logical for me. Take care of her, Tashtu."