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beckoned to Tommy to join him, whose face conveyed the horror he felt at having to do this duck’s dance. Tarna returned to Tommy’s aid but more slowly, pointing to his feet as he did so. It wasn’t until the Omnian almost reached his starting point that Tommy noticed a long row of broad, flat stones set in the riverbed with their uniformly wide tops just below the level of the river surface. Nonetheless, he still didn’t feel over-safe stepping out into the unknown even with Tarna directly before him, and so his progress could only have been described as deliberate. Never before had the feel of firm soil under his feet been as welcome as when he finally came to earth not ten paces from the great hut.
    His relief soon changed to wonder and amazement as the companions approached the eastern entrance, for not only was the wall smooth, it was hard as rock, and cold; a coldness which all but froze the flesh to the bone. They passed through the doorway and an eerie blackness fell about them, blocking out both sight and sound. Looking back the few paces he had come, Tommy could see no exit even though no door had shut.
    â€œDo not be afraid,” Tarna reassured. “Nought but evil needs have fear in here. Now, please close your eyes and do not re-open until I tell you.”
    At this command, there was no question of disobedience; the eyes simply closed without will or consent of the owner. They were opened just as abruptly soon after, to be almost drowned in a sea of intense white light, rendering him totally unseeing and helpless. The light gradually faded to a more acceptable level, allowing Tommy time to readjust his eye muscles, when to one end of the hut he caught the faint shadow of another man whose form became more and more distinct. Medium height, with a shock of curly brown hair and dancing eye brows, it was like...
    â€œUncle Reub...?” blurted out Tommy, and stopped in mid-word.
    â€œWhat was that you said?” Tarna asked, turning to face Tommy. “I do not know what you are saying. What is ‘Unclereub’?”
    Tommy tried to answer but the eyes kept him motionless, and as he was released from their hold he could have sworn he beheld a twinkle of recognition. This, however, was not reflected in the man’s facial expression, which remained cool and stern throughout.
    â€œI am the Chieftain of All Omni,” he boomed in a voice which fell like thunder, rupturing the profound, comfortable silence forever as it rolled around the room, reverberating from roof to wall as it went. Suddenly, when he thought it would ring in his mind forever, it stopped, leaving behind it a silence to fill the space it had created; a silence so profound it threatened to swallow him up. The silence remained, externally, but with it came long fingers probing the depths of his mind, asking, searching until every thought he had ever had was known to him. His release from this mind questioning was swift, without warning, and so sudden that Tommy was sent reeling backwards, to be stopped from falling to the floor by an enormous rush-covered couch.
    â€œI know everything now,” said the Chieftain. “Your search is almost too late. I see a hole; a black, gaping hole on the brink of which I see a shape; a small shape with coat fastened about its waist, and ...”
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    â€œJimmy!” gasped Tommy. “That’s our Jimmy! Where is he? Please tell me. I’ll catch it from mum if he tears his coat or gets hurt.”
    â€œGreat Gaping Ghyll,” the Chieftain continued, almost ignoring Tommy’s pleas. “We will bring it here.”
    â€œHow on earth can you ... bring ... a ...?” he asked, slowing to a halt before he had had time to finish.
    â€œDo not ask; simply observe and hope that the child is where he should be,” replied the Chieftain.
    The light both inside and out faded as they looked towards the doorway. At first nothing happened, but then,