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"X marks the spot," he said happily "I can't say I look forward to the hike"

Pitt looked at hih that botanical nightmare?"

Giordino gave him a quizzical stare in return "How else do you expect to reach the wreck?"

"This y has a winch You can lower h the trees"

Giordino peered at the thickup in the trees We'd never be able to hoist you out again"

"Not to worry I checked the tool locker beneath the floor before we left Quito So froain"

"Won't work," said Giordino with a trace of concern in his voice "We don't have enough fuel to hang around while you play Jungle Jim and still reach the airport in Manta"

"I don't expect you to wait at the curb Once I'round, you head for Manta After you refuel, you come back and pick me up"

"You ht have to wander around before you find the wreck No way you can be spotted from the air Hoe know exactly where to lower the harness?"

"I'll take a couple of smoke canisters with me and set them off when I hear you return"

The expression in Giordino's eyes was anything but cheerful "I don't suppose I can talk you out of this craziness"

"No, I don't suppose you can"

Ten minutes later Pitt was secure in a safety harness connected to a cable leading to a winch mounted on the roof of the helicopter's cabin While Giordino hovered the craft just above the top of the trees, Gunn operated the controls to the winch

"Don't forget to bring back a bottle of chah the open door of the ship and hung suspended

"We should be back in two hours," Gunn yelled back over the sound of the rotors and the engine exhaust He pushed the descent button and Pitt dropped below the skids of the helicopter and soon disappeared into the dense vegetation as if he had jureen ocean