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not likely to get a waltz out of this bunch. Look at them stomp. I’ll bet they’re all flat-footed.”
    After the entertainment, the chief made a long speech. He spoke about how Goél had once visited their village and how they had committed themselves to him. “We very glad to see servants of our master, Goél,” he said finally. “Now,
you
make speech.”
    Josh hated to make speeches, but Sarah whispered, “Get up, Josh. Tell them what we’re going to do. Make them feel good about following Goél.”
    Josh stood and began his speech. He quickly learned that these people had somehow heard of the Seven Sleepers, even out in this far reach of the jungle. That surprised him. He had not realized how far the power and the name of Goél had reached.
    Nevertheless, he was pleased. He said, “We are on a mission for Goél, and we could use some help. We would like for some of you to escort us, if you would, to the land of Fedor.”
    A shout went up.
    Josh was startled—what had he said? He looked around at the other Sleepers, who appeared to be as mystified as he was. “What’s the matter?” he asked the chief, who was shaking his head violently. “What’s wrong with Fedor?”
    â€œNo go Fedor,” the chief said, almost sullenly.
    â€œWhy not? What’s wrong with it?” Josh said.
    â€œBad place. Fedor bad place. Hurt our people, steal our people.”
    This was all that Josh could get out of the chief,and it seemed that their friendly relations were at an end, at least for the moment.
    That night the young men slept in one hut, while the girls were put in another. The boys talked together about the chief’s reactions.
    Wash said, “Doesn’t sound like no place we’d go for a vacation, this here Fedor.”
    â€œThat chief was plumb scared of them,” Reb said thoughtfully. “Wonder what they’re like. Couldn’t be any worse than some of the critters we already met.”
    â€œOne thing’s clear,” Josh put in. “They’re not going to take us anywhere. We’ll have to make it ourselves.”
    The villagers were quick to give them fresh food to take with them but evidently were relieved when the Sleepers bade them farewell the next day.
    When they were out of sight of the village, Josh said, “Well, no help from them, but at least we’re on track.” He pulled out the map as they walked along. “I figure we ought to make it in about three more days.”
    They made a good two-day trip. Then on the afternoon of the third day, they came to a small river.
    â€œI’d like to stop and camp here for the night,” Josh said, “but it’s too early. We can make another ten miles before sundown.”
    â€œLet’s just rest a minute,” Abbey said, slipping her pack off. “I’m tired.”
    â€œAnd we might as well eat up the last of that meat that them folks gave us back there,” Reb said.
    Jake started for the river. “I’m just gonna go see how deep this thing is. It looks pretty swift.”
    He waded out into it, and in the meantime Reb tasted the meat. “
Fah!”
he said. “Spoiled!” He threw it into the water, and the instant the meat hit, it disappeared.There was the rolling flash of a white belly, and Reb yelled, “
Jake, get back here!”
    Jake turned and said, “What?” He looked at Reb waving frantically at the river—which suddenly seemed to be filled with fish, all headed straight for him. He scrambled back to the bank, his face pale and his lips trembling. “What’s that
in
there?”
    Josh had seen the piece of meat disappear, and now he walked down closer to the water. “Throw another piece in, Reb.” He watched as Reb tossed another chunk.
    Instantly it disappeared.
    â€œWell,” Josh said, “it’s a good thing you didn’t try to wade out