Without another word, Charlie suddenly lowered himself into the smoke and let go.
Dim fiery light lit the cave. He alighted in embers and quickly jumped clear. Embers flew. A ram bleated. Charlie saw the enormous sleeping bulk of the Cyclops against one wall of the cave. He heard something behind him, and whirled. It was Chandler. More sparks flew. The sheep bleated again, louder this time.
Robin and a spaceman who was probably Glaudot came toward them. There was amazement on Robin's face. Glaudot looked like a child in the grip of terror he couldn't quite understand.
Charlie held Robin close for a moment. "Quiet," he whispered. "Listen."
The slight disturbance had bothered the Cyclops. He was half awake. He made noises with his lips. One great arm lifted and fell. It could have crushed the four of them.
"There's a stake," Robin said. "Just like in the book."
They got it and took it to the embers of the fire between them. Glaudot, who brought up the rear, dragged his end, the wood scraping on the rocky floor.
"Lift it up," Charlie said.
Glaudot giggled and then began to cry. He was hysterical. "The three of us?" Charlie asked.