relaxed than it appears." "Something caused their mother to hide them here several days ago, they haven't seen her, or their father, since then." "They're growing hungry." "They may soon be forced to take a critical step towards independence and to begin hunting for themselves." "This female has been the most confident of them all since they were cubs." "It's she who finally leaves the security of the fort and heads out on her own." "On the furthest edge of the family territory, she catches sight of another tiger." "It's her mother." "She is behaving strangely." "A male, but he's not the cub's father." "A new male in the territory can mean only one thing - that her father's rule is ending." "Her mother has little choice butwoods-runners now gave vast respect to Karyl, and scarcely less to Rob, whose mounted scouts had helped them chase the hated Rangers back into Crève Coeur. They proved willing to let go of their traditional distaste and distrust for the Seated Folk enough to help the dispossessed. At least those who showed goodwill. Those who didn't vanished; and Rob for one, wasted scarce thought on them, and less pity.

So Rob expected no trouble of this fine evening. But he hadn't survived the life Fate had led him through by taking his own safety for granted. So often did he run the craziest risks that, when chance allowed, he took extra care.

When the shadowy figure emerged from the weeds at the causeway's side he raised the axe-haft from his