The_AT Laugh_NN1 Neal_NP1 had_VHD believed_VVN all_DB the_AT myths_NN2 about_II hyenas_NN2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 believed_VVD they_PPHS2 were_VBDR cowards_NN2 until_CS he_PPHS1 saw_VVD them_PPHO2 fight_VVI ,_, scavengers_NN2 until_CS he_PPHS1 saw_VVD them_PPHO2 kill_VVI ;_; and_CC after_CS the_AT first_MD time_NNT1 they_PPHS2 cornered_VVD him_PPHO1 in_II the_AT Jeep_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 began_VVD to_TO take_VVI more_DAR notice_NN1 of_IO the_AT local_JJ stories_NN2 :_: their_APPGE big-eyed_JJ curiosity_NN1 ,_, their_APPGE unnerving_JJ persistence_NN1 ,_, the_AT relative_JJ ease_NN1 with_IW which_DDQ they_PPHS2 let_VV0 themselves_PPX2 into_II gated_JJ villages_NN2 ._. 
They_PPHS2 were_VBDR talking_VVG about_II the_AT funeral_NN1 when_CS the_AT lights_NN2 went_VVD out_RP ._. 
They_PPHS2 had_VHD been_VBN sitting_VVG on_II the_AT porch_NN1 for_IF almost_RR two_MC hours_NNT2 ,_, and_CC Neal_NP1 ,_, still_RR on_II his_APPGE first_MD gin-and-tonic_NN1 ,_, was_VBDZ telling_VVG Roland_NP1 about_II the_AT priest_NN1 he_PPHS1 had_VHD found_VVN in_II Longido_NP1 to_TO do_VDI the_AT services_NN2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ telling_VVG Roland_NP1 about_II how_RRQ the_AT priest_NN1 ,_, Father_NNB Abasi_NP1 ,_, had_VHD once_RR been_VBN watering_VVG the_AT garden_NN1 in_II shorts_NN2 and_CC clogs_VVZ when_RRQ a_AT1 man_NN1 came_VVD by_RP from_II the_AT village_NN1 and_CC asked_VVD to_TO see_VVI his_APPGE boss_NN1 ,_, and_CC how_RRQ Father_NNB Abasi_NP1 said_VVD "_" I_PPIS1 'll_VM go_VVI get_VV0 him_PPHO1 ,_, "_" and_CC turned_VVD off_II the_AT hose_NN1 and_CC went_VVD inside_RL and_CC changed_VVN into_II his_APPGE cassock_NN1 and_CC came_VVN back_RP out_RP and_CC then_RT went_VVD to_TO bury_VVI the_AT man_NN1 's_GE daughter_NN1 ._. 
Neal_NP1 was_VBDZ talking_VVG ,_, and_CC Roland_NP1 had_VHD his_APPGE hat_NN1 on_II his_APPGE knees_NN2 and_CC was_VBDZ pouring_VVG himself_PPX1 another_DD1 gin_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 had_VHD brought_VVN Femi_NP1 's_GE coffin_NN1 back_RP from_II Longido_NP1 around_II noon_NNT1 ,_, and_CC Roland_NP1 had_VHD been_VBN drinking_VVG steadily_RR since_II then_RT ,_, except_II21 for_II22 the_AT 20_MC minutes_NNT2 before_II dinner_NN1 when_CS he_PPHS1 had_VHD gone_VVN upstairs_RL to_II bottle-feed_JJ Nyah_NP1 and_CC put_VVN her_PPHO1 to_II bed_NN1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 think_VV0 Femi_NN1 would_VM have_VHI liked_VVN this_DD1 priest_NN1 ,_, "_" Neal_NP1 was_VBDZ saying_VVG ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 think_VV0 she_PPHS1 would_VM have_VHI tolerated_VVN him_PPHO1 ._. "_" 
Then_RT the_AT porch_NN1 went_VVD dark_NN1 ._. 
Neal_NP1 needed_VVD a_AT1 moment_NN1 to_TO realize_VVI what_DDQ had_VHD happened_VVN ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ already_RR turning_VVG in_II his_APPGE seat_NN1 to_TO call_VVI for_IF Mrs._NNB Halima_NP1 ,_, the_AT housekeeper_NN1 ,_, to_TO tell_VVI her_PPHO1 she_PPHS1 'd_VHD turned_VVN the_AT porch_NN1 lights_NN2 off_RP by_II mistake_NN1 ,_, when_CS he_PPHS1 realized_VVD that_CST he_PPHS1 could_VM n't_XX see_VVI the_AT house_NN1 behind_II him_PPHO1 ,_, could_VM n't_XX see_VVI the_AT tourist_NN1 bungalows_NN2 or_CC the_AT gate_NN1 lamps_NN2 ._. 
The_AT generator_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 realized_VVD ._. 
The_AT generator_NN1 had_VHD blown_VVN in_II the_AT heat_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 bright_JJ half-moon_JJ clung_VVN to_II the_AT side_NN1 of_IO the_AT main_JJ house_NN1 like_II something_PN1 unfinished_JJ ,_, and_CC Neal_NP1 could_VM see_VVI the_AT fever_NN1 trees_NN2 that_CST lined_VVD the_AT drive_NN1 ,_, thick_JJ with_IW roosting_VVG vultures_NN2 ,_, bald-headed_JJ and_CC silent_JJ ,_, and_CC the_AT rolling_JJ tilt_NN1 of_IO the_AT hills_NN2 that_CST clustered_VVD on_II the_AT horizon_NN1 and_CC then_RT dropped_VVD off_RP into_II Ngorongoro_NP1 ._. 
The_AT darkness_NN1 ,_, the_AT sudden_JJ crippling_JJ of_IO his_APPGE senses_NN2 ,_, brought_VVD back_RP his_APPGE awareness_NN1 of_IO the_AT wildebeest_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 had_VHD been_VBN on_II the_AT move_NN1 since_CS last_MD week_NNT1 ,_, and_CC now_RT the_AT smell_NN1 of_IO them_PPHO2 on_II the_AT dry_JJ wind_NN1 made_VVD the_AT air_NN1 rancid_JJ and_CC dense_JJ ._. 
He_PPHS1 could_VM hear_VVI them_PPHO2 on_II the_AT plain_NN1 beyond_II the_AT lodge_NN1 gate_NN1 ,_, hundreds_NNO2 of_IO stragglers_NN2 from_II the_AT main_JJ herd_NN1 spread_VVD out_RP on_II the_AT veld_NN1 ,_, swarming_VVG the_AT dirt_NN1 trail_VV0 that_CST led_VVD down_RP to_II the_AT water_NN1 hole_NN1 ._. 
The_AT light_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 realized_VVD ,_, had_VHD given_VVN him_PPHO1 the_AT illusion_NN1 of_IO distance_NN1 ,_, and_CC now_CS21 that_CS22 it_PPH1 was_VBDZ gone_VVN the_AT night_NNT1 felt_VVD crowded_JJ with_IW soft_JJ grunts_NN2 ,_, the_AT insistent_JJ ,_, rubber-soled_JJ scraping_JJ of_IO their_APPGE voices_NN2 ._. 
Last_MD night_NNT1 ,_, lions_NN2 had_VHD brought_VVN down_RP a_AT1 bull_NN1 by_II the_AT water_NN1 ,_, and_CC the_AT screaming_NN1 before_II the_AT windpipes_NN2 gave_VVD way_NN1 had_VHD been_VBN extraordinary_JJ ._. 
In_II the_AT morning_NNT1 ,_, Neal_NP1 had_VHD found_VVN the_AT red_JJ domes_NN2 of_IO the_AT rib_NN1 cage_NN1 swarming_VVG with_IW vultures_NN2 ._. 
In_II large_JJ part_NN1 this_DD1 was_VBDZ why_RRQ he_PPHS1 had_VHD relocated_VVN his_APPGE tourists_NN2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ glad_JJ ,_, more_RRR than_CSN ever_RR ,_, that_CST he_PPHS1 had_VHD ._. 
Roland_NP1 had_VHD n't_XX moved_VVN at_RR21 all_RR22 ,_, but_CCB now_RT Neal_NP1 heard_VVD him_PPHO1 say_VVI ,_, "_" Where_RRQ 's_VBZ the_AT dog_NN1 ?_? "_" 
"_" Upstairs_RL ,_, "_" Neal_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" With_IW the_AT baby_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" Where_RRQ 's_VBZ Simon_NP1 ?_? "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 sent_VVD him_PPHO1 home_RL ,_, "_" Neal_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" We_PPIS2 do_VD0 n't_XX have_VHI any_DD tourists_NN2 to_TO guard_VVI ._. "_" 
He_PPHS1 heard_VVD Roland_NP1 lower_VVI his_APPGE feet_NN2 from_II the_AT porch_NN1 railing_NN1 and_CC push_VV0 the_AT chair_NN1 back_NN1 ._. 
"_" Let_VM21 's_VM22 wait_VVI for_IF the_AT generator_NN1 ,_, "_" Neal_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" Let_VM21 's_VM22 wait_VVI and_CC see_VVI what_DDQ it_PPH1 does_VDZ ._. "_" 
&hellip;_... &hellip;_... Silence_NN1 ,_, then_RT chortling_VVG from_II the_AT zebras_NN2 somewhere_RL on_II the_AT endless_JJ plain_NN1 ._. 
Roland_NP1 said_VVD ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 need_VV0 a_AT1 minute_NNT1 ._. "_" 
And_CC he_PPHS1 heard_VVD Roland_NP1 crouch_VVI down_RP in_II the_AT grass_NN1 ._. 
Neal_NP1 stood_VVD by_II dumbly_RR ,_, with_IW his_APPGE hand_NN1 in_II his_APPGE pocket_NN1 ,_, waiting_VVG for_IF the_AT thump_NN1 of_IO the_AT rifle_NN1 butt_NN1 hitting_VVG the_AT dirt_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 did_VDD n't_XX come_VVI ._. 
"_" Are_VBR you_PPY throwing_VVG up_RP ?_? "_" 
"_" No_UH ._. "_" 
"_" What_DDQ are_VBR you_PPY doing_VDG ?_? "_" 
Neal_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
No_AT answer_NN1 ._. 
Neal_NP1 fumbled_VVD for_IF his_APPGE flashlight_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 turned_VVD it_PPH1 on_RP again_RT and_CC found_VVD Roland_NP1 with_IW it_PPH1 ._. 
Roland_NP1 was_VBDZ crouching_VVG in_II the_AT trampled_JJ dirt_NN1 of_IO the_AT trail_NN1 ,_, his_APPGE bald_JJ head_NN1 clenched_VVN in_II his_APPGE hands_NN2 like_II some_DD kind_NN1 of_IO buffed_JJ fruit_NN ._. 
The_AT rifle_NN1 lay_VVD across_II his_APPGE knees_NN2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 looked_VVD up_RP at_II Neal_NP1 ,_, and_CC Neal_NP1 turned_VVD the_AT flashlight_NN1 off_RP ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 'd_VM want_VVI you_PPY to_TO take_VVI Nyah_NP1 ,_, "_" Roland_NP1 said_VVD suddenly_RR ,_, "_" if_CS anything_PN1 happened_VVD ._. "_" 
"_" Do_VD0 n't_XX say_VVI that_DD1 ,_, "_" Neal_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
He_PPHS1 felt_VVD a_AT1 new_JJ wave_NN1 of_IO heat_NN1 on_II his_APPGE face_NN1 ,_, and_CC he_PPHS1 put_VVD his_APPGE fist_NN1 up_II21 to_II22 his_APPGE forehead_NN1 and_CC pressed_VVD it_PPH1 there_RL ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 keep_VV0 thinking_NN1 ,_, "_" Roland_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
Neal_NP1 heard_VVD him_PPHO1 thrum_NN1 his_APPGE fingers_NN2 on_II the_AT rifle_NN1 butt_NN1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 keep_VV0 thinking_VVG about_II that_DD1 coffin_NN1 ._. "_" 
The_AT sound_NN1 of_IO him_PPHO1 dusting_VVG the_AT hat_NN1 off_RP ,_, putting_VVG it_PPH1 back_RP on_II his_APPGE head_NN1 again_RT ._. 
"_" It_PPH1 's_VBZ light_JJ ._. "_" 
Standing_VVG up_RP ._. 
"_" The_AT coffin_NN1 --_NN1 do_VD0 n't_XX you_PPY think_VVI it_PPH1 's_VBZ light_JJ ?_? "_" 
Neal_NP1 said_VVD ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX know_VVI ._. "_" 
He_PPHS1 did_VDD n't_XX want_VVI to_TO think_VVI about_II it_PPH1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 keep_VV0 thinking_VVG maybe_RR I_PPIS1 should_VM have_VHI had_VHN her_PPHO1 cremated_VVN ,_, "_" Roland_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" Maybe_RR she_PPHS1 would_VM have_VHI liked_VVN that_DD1 ._. "_" 
"_" Maybe_RR ,_, "_" Neal_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
He_PPHS1 wanted_VVD to_TO say_VVI something_PN1 comforting_JJ ,_, something_PN1 generous_JJ ,_, something_PN1 that_CST would_VM have_VHI meaning_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB he_PPHS1 could_VM n't_XX think_VVI of_IO anything_PN1 to_TO say_VVI ._. 
Suddenly_RR Roland_NP1 said_VVD :_: "_" Do_VD0 you_PPY hear_VVI that_DD1 ?_? "_" 
"_" No_UH ,_, "_" Neal_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" Listen_VV0 ._. "_" 
A_AT1 warthog_NN1 family_NN1 was_VBDZ rooting_VVG around_RP in_II the_AT dirt_NN1 somewhere_RL nearby_RL ,_, snorting_VVG softly_RR --_JJ the_AT sound_NN1 ,_, like_II everything_PN1 else_RR in_II the_AT bush_NN1 ,_, muted_JJ by_II a_AT1 coarse_JJ layer_NN1 of_IO dust_NN1 ._. 
Wildebeest_NN1 grunts_NN2 ._. 
Somewhere_RL far_RR behind_II them_PPHO2 ,_, a_AT1 heron_NN was_VBDZ calling_VVG from_II the_AT riverbank_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 strange_JJ ,_, echoing_JJ cry_NN1 that_CST made_VVD Neal_NP1 feel_VVI exposed_JJ ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX hear_VVI anything_PN1 ,_, "_" Neal_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
Roland_NP1 was_VBDZ still_RR listening_VVG ,_, so_CS Neal_NP1 listened_VVD too_RR ._. 
The_AT cicadas_NN2 went_VVD quiet_JJ ,_, and_CC then_RT came_VVD back_RP in_II again_RT ,_, louder_JJR than_CSN ever_RR ,_, hissing_VVG like_II a_AT1 current_JJ through_II the_AT grass_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 heard_VVD the_AT muffled_JJ clamor_NN1 of_IO the_AT herd_NN1 ,_, the_AT indistinct_JJ click_NN1 of_IO hooves_NN2 in_II the_AT dirt_NN1 ._. 
Moments_NN2 later_RRR ,_, he_PPHS1 heard_VVD a_AT1 low_JJ moaning_JJ rumble_NN1 over_II the_AT hills_NN2 ,_, a_AT1 sound_NN1 like_II a_AT1 foghorn_NN1 ._. 
"_" Lions_NN2 ?_? "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" They_PPHS2 're_VBR miles_NNU2 away_RL ._. "_" 
He_PPHS1 suddenly_RR realized_VVD that_CST he_PPHS1 had_VHD underestimated_VVN his_APPGE own_DA anxiety_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 wanted_VVD a_AT1 cigarette_NN1 ,_, water_NN1 ,_, something_PN1 to_TO calm_VVI his_APPGE nerves_NN2 ,_, anything_PN1 ,_, because_CS Roland_NP1 was_VBDZ saying_VVG ,_, "_" No_UH ,_, not_XX that_DD1 --_NN1 listen_VV0 ,_, "_" and_CC Neal_NP1 still_RR could_VM n't_XX hear_VVI what_DDQ he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ being_VBG told_VVN to_TO listen_VVI for_IF ._. 
He_PPHS1 closed_VVD his_APPGE eyes_NN2 and_CC thought_NN1 of_IO Femi_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 listened_VVD ._. 
Then_RT he_PPHS1 heard_VVD it_PPH1 ,_, a_AT1 high-pitched_JJ singsong_NN1 ,_, melancholy_NN1 ,_, almost_RR human_JJ ,_, almost_RR too_RG indistinct_JJ ._. 
"_" What_DDQ is_VBZ that_DD1 ?_? "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD ._. 
Again_RT ._. 
Low_NP1 ,_, then_RT rising_VVG ._. 
Roland_NP1 's_GE voice_NN1 was_VBDZ quiet_JJ ._. 
"_" Hyena_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" Are_VBR you_PPY sure_JJ ?_? "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD ._. 
The_AT cry_NN1 sounded_VVN like_II something_PN1 else_RR to_II him_PPHO1 ,_, something_PN1 closer_RRR ,_, like_II the_AT creak_NN1 of_IO the_AT porch_NN1 swing_NN1 at_II the_AT house_NN1 ,_, or_CC the_AT wind_NN1 ,_, maybe_RR ,_, the_AT wind_NN1 whining_VVG in_II the_AT branches_NN2 of_IO the_AT jackalberry_NN1 trees_NN2 outside_II his_APPGE window_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 could_VM feel_VVI the_AT sweat_NN1 gathering_VVG on_II his_APPGE back_NN1 ,_, the_AT coarse_JJ feel_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE shirt_NN1 where_CS it_PPH1 clung_VVD to_II his_APPGE skin_NN1 in_II wet_JJ patches_NN2 ._. 
Roland_NP1 's_GE breathing_NN1 in_II the_AT darkness_NN1 had_VHD grown_VVN fast_RR and_CC shallow_JJ ._. 
"_" Where_RRQ 's_VBZ it_PPH1 coming_VVG from_II ?_? "_" 
Neal_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 'm_VBM not_XX sure_JJ ,_, "_" Roland_NP1 told_VVD him_PPHO1 ,_, and_CC started_VVD walking_VVG back_RP up_RP the_AT trail_NN1 through_II the_AT grass_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 could_VM hear_VVI Roland_NP1 's_GE boots_NN2 on_II the_AT dirt_NN1 ,_, and_CC he_PPHS1 ran_VVD to_TO catch_VVI up_RP ._. 
They_PPHS2 entered_VVD the_AT thick_JJ of_IO the_AT grove_NN1 at_II the_AT bottom_NN1 of_IO the_AT hill_NN1 and_CC started_VVD up_RP ,_, through_II the_AT trees_NN2 ,_, toward_II the_AT gate_NN1 ._. 
The_AT smell_NN1 of_IO the_AT wildebeest_NN1 was_VBDZ sour_JJ ._. 
At_II the_AT top_NN1 of_IO the_AT slope_NN1 ,_, the_AT house_NN1 was_VBDZ still_RR dark_JJ ._. 
He_PPHS1 wanted_VVD to_TO see_VVI candles_NN2 ,_, he_PPHS1 wanted_VVD to_TO see_VVI that_CST Mrs._NNB Halima_NP1 had_VHD gone_VVN back_RP inside_RL ._. 
But_CCB now_RT he_PPHS1 saw_VVD nothing_PN1 ,_, and_CC that_DD1 empty_JJ feeling_NN1 ,_, the_AT empty_JJ feeling_NN1 of_IO the_AT house_NN1 and_CC the_AT dark_NN1 and_CC the_AT long_JJ drive_NN1 winding_VVG up_RP the_AT slope_NN1 ,_, jolted_VVD him_PPHO1 ,_, and_CC then_RT he_PPHS1 heard_VVD it_PPH1 --_JJ up_RP ahead_II21 of_II22 them_PPHO2 ,_, somewhere_RL close_VV0 ,_, certain_JJ and_CC loud_RR :_: the_AT laugh_NN1 ._. 
One_MC1 late_JJ afternoon_NNT1 ,_, a_AT1 year_NNT1 after_II Neal_NP1 had_VHD bought_VVN the_AT lodge_NN1 ,_, while_CS he_PPHS1 sat_VVD on_II the_AT wicker_NN1 swing_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 book_NN1 across_II his_APPGE knees_NN2 ,_, comfortable_JJ in_II the_AT knowledge_NN1 that_CST his_APPGE first_MD group_NN1 of_IO tourists_NN2 was_VBDZ out_RP on_II safari_NN1 somewhere_RL with_IW Roland_NP1 ,_, he_PPHS1 had_VHD seen_VVN Baviaan_NP1 stand_VVI up_RP ,_, apparently_RR unprovoked_JJ ,_, and_CC trot_VV0 out_RP to_II the_AT gate_NN1 ,_, where_CS the_AT dog_NN1 stood_VVD perfectly_RR still_RR for_IF a_AT1 long_JJ time_NNT1 watching_VVG the_AT plain_NN1 mist_VVI over_RP ._. 
Mrs._NNB Halima_NP1 had_VHD come_VVN out_RP with_IW the_AT laundry_NN1 ,_, and_CC she_PPHS1 ,_, too_RR ,_, noticed_VVD Baviaan_NP1 there_RL ._. 
But_CCB she_PPHS1 only_RR laughed_VVD at_II him_PPHO1 ._. 
"_" No_UH ._. 
It_PPH1 means_VVZ hyena_NN1 ,_, "_" she_PPHS1 said_VVD ,_, and_CC pointed_VVD ._. 
"_" He_PPHS1 's_VBZ standing_VVG at_II the_AT gate_NN1 to_TO listen_VVI ._. 
You_PPY ca_VM n't_XX hear_VVI them_PPHO2 ,_, but_CCB look_VV0 --_NN1 they_PPHS2 're_VBR calling_VVG his_APPGE name_NN1 ._. "_" 
It_PPH1 had_VHD taken_VVN him_PPHO1 a_AT1 long_JJ time_NNT1 to_TO get_VVI used_JJ to_II almost_RR everything_PN1 :_: strangled_JJ lion_NN1 cubs_NN2 by_II the_AT gate_NN1 at_II dawn_NNT1 ,_, drowned_VVD wildebeest_NN1 damming_VVG the_AT river_NN1 ,_, baboons_NN2 in_II the_AT kitchen_NN1 stealing_VVG dog_NN1 food_NN1 and_CC granola_NN1 ,_, scattering_VVG coffee_NN1 grounds_NN2 ,_, making_VVG off_RP with_IW cans_NN2 of_IO Pringles_NP2 and_CC ,_, when_CS they_PPHS2 could_VM get_VVI their_APPGE hands_NN2 on_II it_PPH1 ,_, toilet_NN1 paper_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ he_PPHS1 would_VM afterward_RL pick_VVI out_II21 of_II22 the_AT acacia_NN1 groves_NN2 for_IF days_NNT2 &hellip;_... &hellip;_... .._... 
Femi_NN2 had_VHD never_RR been_VBN in_II a_AT1 balloon_NN1 before_RT ,_, and_CC Neal_NP1 had_VHD offered_VVN to_TO take_VVI her_PPHO1 up_RP that_DD1 evening_NNT1 --_NN1 because_CS the_AT wind_NN1 was_VBDZ pleasant_JJ ,_, because_CS he_PPHS1 had_VHD just_RR brought_VVN the_AT tourists_NN2 back_RP and_CC the_AT launching_NN1 crew_NN1 was_VBDZ still_RR there_RL to_TO help_VVI ,_, because_CS Mrs._NNB Halima_NP1 had_VHD the_AT baby_NN1 and_CC Roland_NP1 had_VHD gone_VVN on_II a_AT1 game_NN1 count_NN1 and_CC would_VM n't_XX be_VBI back_RP for_IF days_NNT2 ._. 
Femi_NN2 had_VHD stood_VVN aside_RL and_CC watched_VVN him_PPHO1 pump_VV0 up_RP the_AT burners_NN2 before_II the_AT canvas_NN1 envelope_NN1 filled_VVN and_CC the_AT blue-and-white_JJ drape_NN1 lifted_VVN out_II21 of_II22 the_AT grass_NN1 ,_, swollen_VVN with_IW air_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ late_JJ afternoon_NNT1 and_CC the_AT sun_NN1 was_VBDZ melting_VVG into_II the_AT red_JJ haze_NN1 over_II the_AT savanna_NN1 when_CS he_PPHS1 helped_VVD her_PPHO1 into_II the_AT basket_NN1 and_CC fired_VVD the_AT jets_NN2 and_CC tossed_VVD the_AT sandbags_NN2 over_II the_AT side_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 wondered_VVD if_CS she_PPHS1 had_VHD been_VBN afraid_JJ at_RR21 first_RR22 ,_, going_VVG up_RP in_II that_DD1 little_JJ wicker_NN1 basket_NN1 with_IW the_AT hills_NN2 falling_VVG away_RL ._. 
He_PPHS1 wondered_VVD if_CS the_AT sight_NN1 of_IO the_AT crowded_JJ rivers_NN2 of_IO wildebeest_NN1 below_RL had_VHD instilled_VVN in_II her_PPHO1 the_AT same_DA feelings_NN2 of_IO exhilarated_JJ panic_NN1 he_PPHS1 had_VHD felt_VVN on_II his_APPGE first_MD visit_NN1 there_RL ,_, that_DD1 vitality_NN1 of_IO the_AT cradle_NN1 he_PPHS1 had_VHD searched_VVN for_IF all_DB his_APPGE life_NN1 ,_, the_AT push_NN1 and_CC pull_NN1 of_IO the_AT wind_NN1 ,_, the_AT birthing_JJ grounds_NN2 and_CC killing_VVG grounds_NN2 ,_, endless_JJ and_CC unyielding_JJ ,_, that_CST allowed_VVD him_PPHO1 to_TO somehow_RR reassemble_VVI himself_PPX1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 could_VM n't_XX remember_VVI quite_RG what_DDQ had_VHD happened_VVN ,_, but_CCB he_PPHS1 knew_VVD he_PPHS1 had_VHD reached_VVN for_IF her_PPHO1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 had_VHD put_VVN his_APPGE hand_NN1 on_II the_AT small_JJ of_IO her_APPGE back_NN1 ,_, or_CC pressed_VVD himself_PPX1 against_II her_PPHO1 where_CS she_PPHS1 stood_VVD holding_VVG the_AT ropes_NN2 ,_, and_CC she_PPHS1 had_VHD indulged_VVN him_PPHO1 ,_, for_IF a_AT1 moment_NN1 or_CC two_MC ,_, perhaps_RR out_II21 of_II22 kindness_NN1 ,_, or_CC because_CS it_PPH1 was_VBDZ unexpected_JJ and_CC she_PPHS1 did_VDD n't_XX quite_RR know_VVI how_RRQ to_TO react_VVI ._. 
But_CCB then_RT she_PPHS1 had_VHD stepped_VVN away_RL with_IW a_AT1 forgiving_JJ smile_NN1 ,_, the_AT laugh_NN1 that_CST came_VVD with_IW it_PPH1 embarrassed_VVD ,_, and_CC she_PPHS1 had_VHD stayed_VVN against_II the_AT opposite_JJ end_NN1 of_IO the_AT basket_NN1 while_CS they_PPHS2 sailed_VVD on_RP and_CC eventually_RR came_VVD down_RP in_II a_AT1 stretch_NN1 of_IO grassland_NN1 where_CS the_AT antelope_NN1 were_VBDR in_II summer_NNT1 rut_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 had_VHD climbed_VVN out_RP by_II herself_PPX1 and_CC walked_VVN home_RL ._. 
He_PPHS1 finally_RR made_VVD himself_PPX1 look_VV0 through_II the_AT window_NN1 at_II the_AT face_NN1 outside_RL on_II the_AT porch_NN1 ,_, and_CC when_CS the_AT lamplight_NN1 eyes_NN2 caught_VVD his_APPGE look_NN1 ,_, the_AT black_JJ lips_NN2 pulled_VVN away_II21 from_II22 the_AT teeth_NN2 ,_, grinning_VVG ,_, and_CC the_AT hyena_NN1 laughed_VVD ._. 
For_IF a_AT1 long_JJ time_NNT1 ,_, Neal_NP1 stood_VVD there_RL thinking_VVG he_PPHS1 would_VM raise_VVI the_AT empty_JJ gun_NN1 ,_, turn_VV0 it_PPH1 in_II his_APPGE hands_NN2 ,_, reach_VV0 for_IF a_AT1 knife_NN1 from_II the_AT block_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB the_AT face_NN1 that_CST stilled_VVD him_PPHO1 did_VDD not_XX move_VVI ,_, and_CC the_AT hyena_NN1 did_VDD not_XX come_VVI back_RP inside_RL ._. 
He_PPHS1 would_VM think_VVI about_II it_PPH1 afterward_RL ,_, at_II the_AT funeral_NN1 ,_, and_CC then_RT again_RT after_II the_AT service_NN1 in_II the_AT parlor_NN1 ,_, where_CS Mrs._NNB Halima_NP1 would_VM put_VVI out_RP pictures_NN2 of_IO Femi_NP1 and_CC serve_VVI wine_NN1 and_CC tea_NN1 until_CS everyone_PN1 was_VBDZ finished_VVN and_CC had_VHD gone_VVN away_RL ;_; he_PPHS1 would_VM think_VVI about_II it_PPH1 that_DD1 night_NNT1 ,_, as_CSA he_PPHS1 took_VVD Roland_NP1 and_CC Nyah_NP1 home_RL ._. 
He_PPHS1 would_VM think_VVI about_II the_AT flour_NN1 bags_NN2 and_CC how_RRQ he_PPHS1 had_VHD laid_VVN them_PPHO2 there_RL ,_, in_II the_AT coffin_NN1 ,_, and_CC he_PPHS1 would_VM think_VVI about_II the_AT coffin_NN1 ,_, with_IW earth_NN1 smoothed_VVN over_II it_PPH1 ,_, lying_VVG near_II the_AT church_NN1 in_II a_AT1 plot_NN1 overlooking_VVG Mount_NNL1 Longido_NP1 ,_, with_IW the_AT flour_NN1 bags_NN2 inside_RL ._. 
And_CC when_RRQ he_PPHS1 set_VVD off_RP that_DD1 evening_NNT1 from_II Roland_NP1 's_GE place_NN1 ,_, the_AT lights_NN2 disappearing_VVG behind_II him_PPHO1 ,_, the_AT gun_NN1 over_II his_APPGE shoulder_NN1 ,_, all_DB the_AT forward-facing_JJ eyes_NN2 in_II the_AT darkness_NN1 coming_VVG on_RP ,_, pair_NN by_II pair_NN ,_, while_CS the_AT moon_NN1 came_VVD up_RP over_II the_AT wind-rubbed_JJ plain_NN1 ,_, the_AT laugh_NN1 --_NN1 her_APPGE laugh_NN1 --_NN1 would_VM follow_VVI him_PPHO1 all_DB the_AT way_NN1 home_RL ._. 
