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Thus, she neither saw nor heard the pious pilgrims ere on their

way to Allaha to pray in that teainst

wild beasts Fortunately, they did not observe her

The pilgriht say, a

fascinating kind of sport To es are as

tame as rabbits would be to the hunter of lions They alk froging all the

way Eventually they becouished citizens in a

clutter of mud huts

They deposited some corn and fruit at the foot of the tree and

departed, leaving Kathlyn in peace But later, when the moon poured

its white, cold radiance over her face it awakened her, and it took her

some time to realize where she was

Below, belly deep in the river, stood several water buffaloes, their

sweeping horns glistening like old ivory in the moonshine Presently a

leopard stole down to the brink and lapped the water greedily, frolance over his sleek

shoulders The buffaloes never stirred; where they were it was safe

Across the river a bulky shadow ht, and a fat, brown

bear took his tithe of the water The leopard snarled and slunk off

The bear washed his face, possibly sticky with purloined wild honey,