these were now covered over by leather cup-shaped blinders.

The skin, mottled liver red, gray and purple, hung in flaps and folds and gave off an unpleasant musty odor. Immediately forward of a hump at the base of the creature's tail the saddles were clamped. A pair of chains attached to the harness constricted the proboscis, and a pole taped to the tail protected the rider, that he might not be lashed or plucked from the saddle.

Wayness asked Glawen: "Are we really sure that all of us want to ride these nightmarish animals?"

"Stay at the lodge, if you like," said Glawen.

"There's nothing | much to see at Lake Dimple, and nothing to do except look for magic | stones."

"I've always been considered at least as reckless as Milo.

If he goes, I'll go. Still, I'd prefer to ride something less intimidating."

"For the usual run of tourists, the burners are just right," said Glawen.

"They'd ride the devil himself to Lake Dimple if they were sure the pictures would turn out well."" "A final point, and I think an important one," said Wayness.

"After I mount the beast and it starts running, how do I control it?"

"Simplicity itself," said Glawen.

"In front of each saddle you'll notice a control board. Each is equipped with three levers, which work cables and electrical contacts to guide the bunter. To go forward, push the left lever forward, then pull it back to center. To increase speed, push the left lever forward again, as many times as you consider necessary. Ordinarily just once is enough; the bunters make no difficulty about running. To decrease speed, pull the same lever back, then return to center. To stop, hold the lever back. To stop fast, hold the lever back and drop the blinders. To turn left, swing the middle lever to the left.

To turn right, swing the middle lever to the right. The third lever, on the right, controls the blinders. A warning light indicates that the blinders are raised. Never dismount without pushing the lever on the right forward, which lowers the blinders and turns off the light. The bunter will become passive and will not move; there is no need to tie him. To the extreme right is a box which houses the emergency radio, which I hope we won't need. Finally, do not walk close in front of your bunter. The proboscis is tied down but the creature sometimes manages to spit at you anyway."

"It seems simple enough," said Wayness.

"Push, pull, swing right, swing left, don't get spit on. I suppose that one should also take care not to walk under the tail. Julian, do you understand all Glawen's instructions?"

"Yes. I understand very well."

"Appearances are often deceptive," said Milo.

"Still, these creatures look neither meek nor sated. Julian's beast is stamping and blowing foam from its nose." He indicated the bunter with the orange saddle.

"I call that peevish behavior."

Orreduc, the head groom, smiled placidly.

"They are restless for their run. All have eaten their fill and destroyed a goodly puppet; they will carry you to Lake Dimple with the keenest pleasure for all."

Julian stepped forward, past the restless orange-saddled bunter.

"Let's be off!" He went to the bunter with the green saddle.

"This is a likely beast! I shall name it "Albers' and ride it with aplomb, and all will marvel to see me dashing at great speed across the plain! Orreduc, help me aboard Albers."

"One moment," said Glawen. He opened the case and placed a gun in the holster to the side of each control board. Then he checked over each bunter in turn, inspecting saddles, saddle clamps, controls, control cables, blinders, radio, tail stiffeners and proboscis de-downs. He said at last: "I can't find anything wrong."

Orreduc came forward.

"Are you ready, then? For the lady here is the proper mount; she shall sit the blue saddle for her comfort. The bunter is of good condition; she will enjoy her ride with great zest. It is what we call a soft mount. I will help you to the saddle."

"I am innocent nice little Wayness," she muttered.

"I can't believe that this is happening to me." Gingerly she climbed upon the bunter.

"So far, so good."

Orreduc turned to Milo.

"Here is the bunter for you! The gray saddle is good luck. Shall I help you to mount?"

"I can manage, thank you."

"Excellent! Well done, sir!" To Julian: "You, sir, have taken a fancy to your Albers, and he shall be your mount. As for you, sir"-he addressed Glawen--"you shall ride secure in the orange saddle. This fine fellow will serve you well.

He is a bit eager, and the froth means that he is happy and ready for his run. Pay it no heed."

The grooms retreated into the stable. Glawen looked around at his companions.

"Everyone ready? Raise your blinders. Now push the lever forward, then bring it back to center."

The burners moved away from the stables, at first slowly, then at a lunging gallop. The Plain of Moans extended before them, a dun colored desolation. On the left hand the Mandala Mountains skirted the horizon, fading into the murk to north and south.

The hunters ran without effort. Glawen's steed seemed particularly mettlesome, and he was forced to maintain a close restraint. All the burners seemed to be running with unusual vigor; Glawen decided that over the recent months they had been insufficiently exercised.

An hour's ride brought them to Lake Dimple: an expanse of water flat and drab, five miles long and two miles wide. The banks were low, muddy and stamped deep with footprints, where animals had come down to the water. An occasional smoke tree or a skeleton oak stood stark and alone along the bank; in the shallows grew reeds, mustard yellow with black tassels. By some freakish circumstance a single tall

dendron stood fifty yards back from the lake. To the side of the dendron a well-trodden area stained gray with the ashes of innumerable fires marked the site of the banjee camp.

Glawen led the others to a spot near the dendron.

"There it is, and as you see, the banjees are off somewhere about their travels. The magic stones are found either in that thicket of canker berry bush over there or on the bottom of the lake, fairly close to shore. But don't dismount without dropping the blinders."

Wayness looked askance at the lake.

"I'm just a bit squeamish in connection with mud."

"In that case, search the thicket, but take care to avoid the thorns. Hold a stick in each hand to push the branches aside. The mud is more squeamish but less painful."

"Perhaps I'll just watch for a while."

"Everybody check their blinders. The right-hand lever should be pushed forward and the cups should be definitely in place over the H eye stalks Milo?"

"Blinders down."

"Julian?"