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"Those who are intolerant of the desert die in it," said Pitt thoughtfully "Those who respect it find it a co place to live"

"People actually live down there?" Shannon asked in surprise

"Mostly Indians," repl

ied Pitt "The Sonoran Desert is perhaps the h the citizens of central Mexico think of it as their Ozarks"

Giordino leaned out a sidefor a better view and peered into the distance through the trusty binoculars He patted Pitt on the shoulder "Your hot spot is co up off to, port"

Pitt nodded, e and peered at a solitaryfrom the desert floor directly ahead Cerro el Capirote was aptly naht resemblance to a dunce cap with the tip flattened

"I think I can make out an animal-like sculpture on the summit," observed Giordino

"I'll descend and hover over it," Pitt acknowledged

He cut his airspeed, dropped, and swung around the top of the mountain He approached and circled cautiously, on the watch for sudden downdrafts Then he hovered the helicopter alape, it seery junkyard dog

"Step right up, folks," hawked Pitt as if he were a carnival barker, "and view the astounding demon of the underworld who shuffles cards with his nose and deals 'em with his toes"

"It exists," cried Shannon, flushed with excitement, as they all were "It truly exists"

"Looks like a ti his emotions

"You've got to land," deet a closer look"

"Too h rocks around the sculpture," said Pitt "I have to find a flat spot to set down"

"There's a s free of boulders about forty h the windscreen over Pitt's shoulder