Quest_NN1 :_: A_AT1 Dane_NN1 Maddock_NN1 Adventure_NN1 With_IW a_AT1 click_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 door_NN1 swung_VVD open_JJ ,_, revealing_VVG a_AT1 dark_JJ passage_NN1 in_II the_AT base_NN1 of_IO the_AT altar_NN1 ._. 
"_" What_DDQ ..._... "_" 
Hasdrubal_NN1 must_VM have_VHI remembered_VVN Aderba'al_NP1 's_GE warning_NN1 against_II interruption_NN1 ,_, because_CS he_PPHS1 clamped_VVD his_APPGE mouth_NN1 shut_VVN and_CC followed_VVN without_IW protest_NN1 as_CSA Aderba'al_NP1 led_VVD them_PPHO2 down_RP into_II the_AT tunnel_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 required_VVD no_AT light_NN1 ,_, so_RG familiar_JJ was_VBDZ he_PPHS1 with_IW this_DD1 passage_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 walked_VVD along_RP in_II silence_NN1 as_RG complete_JJ as_CSA the_AT absence_NN1 of_IO light_NN1 ._. 
Their_APPGE footsteps_NN2 echoed_VVN in_II the_AT empty_JJ corridor_NN1 and_CC it_PPH1 was_VBDZ almost_RR possible_JJ to_TO forget_VVI the_AT enemy_NN1 at_II the_AT gates_NN2 ._. 
Not_XX once_RR ,_, in_II all_DB the_AT time_NNT1 he_PPHS1 followed_VVD Aderba'al_NP1 into_II the_AT unknowable_JJ blackness_NN1 ,_, did_VDD Hasdrubal_NP1 speak_VVI ,_, though_CS he_PPHS1 surely_RR was_VBDZ wondering_VVG where_RRQ they_PPHS2 were_VBDR going_VVG and_CC why_RRQ ._. 
When_CS he_PPHS1 tasted_VVD the_AT salty_JJ tang_NN1 of_IO sea_NN1 air_NN1 ,_, Aderba'al_NP1 knew_VVD they_PPHS2 had_VHD almost_RR arrived_VVN at_II their_APPGE destination_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 emerged_VVD in_II a_AT1 grotto_NN1 overlooking_VVG a_AT1 sheltered_JJ cove_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 place_NN1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 temple_NN1 secret_NN1 ,_, but_CCB it_PPH1 was_VBDZ far_RR from_II the_AT most_RGT important_JJ one_PN1 he_PPHS1 would_VM reveal_VVI today_RT ._. 
Down_RP below_RL ,_, sailing_VVG ships_NN2 were_VBDR being_VBG loaded_VVN and_CC made_VVN ready_JJ to_TO sail_VVI ._. 
Hasdrubal_NP1 looked_VVD scandalized_VVD at_II the_AT sight_NN1 and_CC he_PPHS1 rounded_VVD angrily_RR on_II Aderba'al_NP1 ,_, his_APPGE face_NN1 red_NN1 and_CC his_APPGE eyes_NN2 flashing_VVG ._. 
"_" You_PPY want_VV0 me_PPIO1 to_TO flee_VVI like_II a_AT1 coward_NN1 ?_? 
I_PPIS1 shall_VM not_XX do_VDI it_PPH1 ._. 
You_PPY know_VV0 my_APPGE bloodline_NN1 and_CC the_AT obligation_NN1 it_PPH1 carries_VVZ with_IW it_PPH1 ._. 
How_RRQ can_VM you_PPY ask_VVI me_PPIO1 to_TO run_VVI ?_? "_" 
"_" What_DDQ I_PPIS1 ask_VV0 you_PPY to_TO do_VDI requires_VVZ more_DAR courage_NN1 than_CSN anything_PN1 you_PPY have_VH0 ever_RR done_VDN before_RT ._. "_" 
This_DD1 gained_VVD Hasdrubal_NP1 's_GE attention_NN1 and_CC he_PPHS1 lapsed_VVD into_II an_AT1 uneasy_JJ silence_NN1 ._. 
Aderba'al_NP1 drew_VVD from_II his_APPGE robes_NN2 an_AT1 oilcloth_NN1 pouch_NN1 and_CC handed_VVD it_PPH1 to_II him_PPHO1 ._. 
"_" As_CSA you_PPY are_VBR well_JJ aware_JJ ,_, our_APPGE ancestors_NN2 were_VBDR the_AT greatest_JJT sailors_NN2 in_II history_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 passed_VVD down_RP to_II us_PPIO2 knowledge_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 land_NN1 ,_, wild_JJ and_CC unconquered_JJ by_II civilized_JJ man_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 lies_VVZ far_RR across_II the_AT great_JJ water_NN1 beyond_II the_AT white_JJ stones_NN2 ._. 
These_DD2 maps_NN2 will_VM show_VVI you_PPY the_AT way_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" Beyond_II the_AT white_JJ stones_NN2 ?_? 
Across_II the_AT water_NN1 ?_? "_" 
Aderba'al_NP1 nodded_VVD gravely_RR ._. 
"_" There_EX is_VBZ no_AT other_JJ choice_NN1 ._. 
You_PPY must_VM go_VVI beyond_II the_AT reach_NN1 of_IO our_APPGE enemy_NN1 ._. "_" 
Hasdrubal_NP1 held_VVD the_AT bundle_NN1 in_II his_APPGE hands_NN2 ,_, looking_VVG sadly_RR at_II it_PPH1 ._. 
"_" Surely_RR there_EX are_VBR other_JJ sailors_NN2 who_PNQS can_VM take_VVI this_DD1 command_NN1 ._. 
Other_JJ men_NN2 ..._... "_" 
"_" But_CCB there_EX is_VBZ only_RR one_MC1 man_NN1 with_IW your_APPGE blood_NN1 ._. 
One_MC1 man_NN1 who_PNQS can_VM sail_VVI ,_, fight_VVI ,_, and_CC command_VVI their_APPGE unwavering_JJ allegiance_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 must_VM be_VBI you_PPY ._. "_" 
"_" So_CS I_PPIS1 am_VBM to_TO find_VVI this_DD1 faraway_NN1 land_NN1 and_CC found_VVD a_AT1 new_JJ colony_NN1 ?_? "_" 
Regret_NN1 filled_VVD his_APPGE voice_NN1 and_CC it_PPH1 was_VBDZ obvious_JJ the_AT man_NN1 would_VM rather_RR fight_VVI to_II the_AT death_NN1 on_II the_AT walls_NN2 than_CSN abandon_VV0 his_APPGE home_NN1 ._. 
"_" That_DD1 is_VBZ a_AT1 part_NN1 of_IO it_PPH1 ,_, but_CCB there_EX is_VBZ something_PN1 much_RR more_RGR important_JJ that_CST you_PPY must_VM do_VDI ._. 
It_PPH1 is_VBZ a_AT1 sacred_JJ duty_NN1 that_CST reaches_VVZ back_RP beyond_II the_AT history_NN1 of_IO our_APPGE people_NN ._. 
Few_DA2 know_VV0 of_IO if_CSW ,_, and_CC should_VM our_APPGE city_NN1 fall_VVI ,_, as_CSA I_PPIS1 fear_VV0 it_PPH1 will_VM ,_, you_PPY will_VM perhaps_RR be_VBI the_AT only_JJ living_JJ man_NN1 with_IW that_DD1 knowledge_NN1 ._. "_" 
Aderba'al_NP1 remembered_VVD die_VV0 day_NNT1 the_AT secret_NN1 had_VHD been_VBN passed_VVN down_RP to_II him_PPHO1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 had_VHD not_XX believed_VVN it_PPH1 at_RR21 first_RR22 ,_, but_CCB when_RRQ he_PPHS1 had_VHD seen_VVN the_AT proof_NN1 with_IW his_APPGE own_DA eyes_NN2 ,_, it_PPH1 had_VHD been_VBN a_AT1 wondrous_JJ revelation_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 wondered_VVD how_RRQ Hasdrubal_NP1 would_VM react_VVI to_II what_DDQ he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ about_RPK to_TO be_VBI told_VVN ._. 
Taking_VVG a_AT1 deep_JJ breath_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 began_VVD his_APPGE talc_NN1 ._. 
"_" The_AT ship_NN1 on_II which_DDQ you_PPY will_VM travel_VVI carries_NN2 ..._... "_" 
Hasdrubal_NP1 stepped_VVD off_II the_AT ship_NN1 onto_II sand_NN1 as_RG white_JJ as_CSA snow_NN1 and_CC as_RG hot_JJ as_CSA a_AT1 forge_NN1 ._. 
The_AT deep_JJ green_NN1 of_IO the_AT forest_NN1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 pleasant_JJ change_NN1 from_II the_AT months_NNT2 of_IO unrelenting_JJ blue_JJ sea_NN1 under_II blue_JJ sky_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 had_VHD sighted_VVN land_VV0 a_AT1 few_DA2 times_NNT2 in_II recent_JJ days_NNT2 ,_, and_CC the_AT others_NN2 had_VHD pleaded_VVN with_IW him_PPHO1 to_TO take_VVI the_AT ships_NN2 ashore_RL ,_, but_CCB he_PPHS1 had_VHD refused_VVN ._. 
The_AT maps_NN2 indicated_VVD that_CST these_DD2 were_VBDR small_JJ islands_NN2 and_CC wholly_RR unsuitable_JJ to_II their_APPGE purpose_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 needed_VVD to_TO disappear_VVI in_II this_DD1 strange_JJ new_JJ world_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 would_VM lead_VVI them_PPHO2 into_II its_APPGE dark_JJ depths_NN2 until_CS the_AT gods_NN2 told_VVD him_PPHO1 they_PPHS2 had_VHD found_VVN their_APPGE new_JJ home_NN1 ._. 
When_CS they_PPHS2 reached_VVD that_CST place_VV0 ,_, they_PPHS2 would_VM plant_VVI die_VV0 seeds_NN2 of_IO their_APPGE new_JJ civilization_NN1 ..._... literally_RR ._. 
A_AT1 man_NN1 stepped_VVD out_RP from_II the_AT darkness_NN1 of_IO the_AT forest_NN1 ._. 
Short_NP1 of_IO stature_NN1 ,_, with_IW dark_JJ skin_NN1 and_CC glossy_JJ ,_, black_JJ hair_NN1 ,_, die_VV0 man_NN1 looked_VVN at_II him_PPHO1 ,_, not_XX with_IW enmity_NN1 ,_, but_CCB curiosity_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 carried_VVD a_AT1 primitive_JJ spear_NN1 ,_, but_CCB no_AT other_JJ weapon_NN1 ._. 
Hasdrubal_NP1 's_GE hand_NN1 itched_VVD to_TO reach_VVI for_IF his_APPGE sword_NN1 ,_, but_CCB he_PPHS1 remained_VVD calm_NN1 ._. 
Step_VV0 by_II hesitant_JJ step_NN1 ,_, the_AT man_NN1 came_VVD closer_RRR ,_, until_CS he_PPHS1 stood_VVD only_RR a_AT1 few_DA2 feet_NN2 from_II Hasdrubal_NP1 ,_, certainly_RR close_VV0 enough_RR to_TO use_VVI that_DD1 spear_NN1 if_CS he_PPHS1 chose_VVD to_TO do_VDI so_RR ._. 
A_AT1 tense_JJ silence_NN1 hung_VVN in_II the_AT air_NN1 as_CSA everyone_PN1 waited_VVD to_II sec_NNU what_DDQ would_VM happen_VVI next_MD ._. 
The_AT roar_NN1 of_IO waves_NN2 crashing_VVG on_II the_AT shore_NN1 filled_VVD Hasdrubal_NP1 's_GE ears_NN2 and_CC the_AT cool_JJ breeze_NN1 ruffled_VVD his_APPGE hair_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 would_VM not_XX be_VBI the_AT worst_JJT place_NN1 to_TO die_VVI ,_, but_CCB he_PPHS1 somehow_RR sensed_VVN this_DD1 was_VBDZ not_XX his_APPGE day_NNT1 ._. 
His_APPGE mission_NN1 was_VBDZ not_XX yet_RR complete_JJ ._. 
The_AT dark_JJ man_NN1 looked_VVD up_RP at_II him_PPHO1 in_II wide-eyed_JJ wonder_NN1 ._. 
The_AT moment_NN1 stretched_VVN into_II an_AT1 excruciating_JJ span_NN1 of_IO three_MC heartbeats_NN2 ._. 
Then_RT ,_, without_IW preamble_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 let_VVD his_APPGE spear_NN1 drop_VVI ,_, and_CC fell_VVD face-down_NN1 alongside_II it_PPH1 ._. 
Hasdrubal_JJ thought_NN1 ,_, for_IF a_AT1 moment_NN1 ,_, that_CST the_AT man_NN1 had_VHD died_VVN ,_, but_CCB then_RT ,_, more_DAR figures_NN2 melted_VVD out_II21 of_II22 the_AT jungle_NN1 ._. 
Like_II the_AT first_MD man_NN1 ,_, they_PPHS2 too_RR laid_VVN down_RP their_APPGE weapons_NN2 and_CC fell_VVN prostrate_JJ in_II the_AT sand_NN1 ._. 
"_" It_PPH1 is_VBZ as_CS21 if_CS22 they_PPHS2 think_VV0 we_PPIS2 are_VBR gods_NN2 ,_, "_" Shafat_NP1 whispered_VVD ._. 
A_AT1 fine_JJ sailor_NN1 ,_, his_PPGE was_VBDZ one_MC1 of_IO only_RR four_MC ships_NN2 that_CST had_VHD survived_VVN the_AT journey_NN1 ._. 
"_" It_PPH1 is_VBZ well_JJ that_CST they_PPHS2 do_VD0 ,_, "_" Hasdrubal_NP1 replied_VVD ._. 
"_" Perhaps_RR they_PPHS2 shall_VM be_VBI of_IO some_DD use_NN1 as_CSA we_PPIS2 search_VV0 for_IF our_APPGE new_JJ home_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" And_CC where_RRQ will_VM that_DD1 be_VBI ?_? "_" 
There_EX was_VBDZ no_AT disrespect_NN1 in_II Shafat_NP1 's_GE voice_NN1 ,_, only_JJ curiosity_NN1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 will_VM know_VVI it_PPH1 when_CS I_PPIS1 find_VV0 it_PPH1 ._. "_" 
Percy_NP1 Fawcett_NP1 looked_VVD up_RP from_II his_APPGE book_NN1 and_CC frowned_VVD ._. 
"_" Tell_VV0 me_PPIO1 ,_, would_VM you_PPY open_VVI die_VVI door_NN1 to_II someone_PN1 's_GE house_NN1 and_CC shout_VV0 to_II them_PPHO2 ,_, Adam_NP1 ?_? 
Or_CC would_VM you_PPY knock_VVI first_MD ?_? "_" 
Adam_NP1 hung_VVD his_APPGE head_NN1 ._. 
"_" And_CC wash_VV0 your_APPGE face_NN1 ._. 
You_PPY embarrass_VV0 me_PPIO1 ._. "_" 
Apologizing_VVG profusely_RR ,_, the_AT man_NN1 backed_VVN out_II21 of_II22 the_AT tent_NN1 ._. 
Fuming_NP1 ,_, Fawcett_NP1 pulled_VVD on_II his_APPGE boots_NN2 ._. 
Weak_JJ men_NN2 who_PNQS could_VM scarcely_RR maintain_VVI their_APPGE humanity_NN1 in_II the_AT jungle_NN1 were_VBDR an_AT1 affront_NN1 to_II his_APPGE sensibilities_NN2 ._. 
Why_RRQ was_VBDZ it_PPH1 so_RG difficult_JJ to_TO find_VVI men_NN2 with_IW pride_NN1 ,_, dignity_NN1 ,_, and_CC a_AT1 bit_NN1 of_IO backbone_NN1 ?_? 
Disappointments_NN2 ,_, every_AT1 one_MC1 of_IO them_PPHO2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 pushed_VVD aside_RL the_AT flap_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE tent_NN1 ,_, wondering_VVG what_DDQ absurdity_NN1 had_VHD prompted_VVN them_PPHO2 to_TO bring_VVI him_PPHO1 out_RP so_RG late_JJ ._. 
Despite_II the_AT lateness_NN1 of_IO the_AT hour_NNT1 ,_, ir_NN1 was_VBDZ still_RR hot_JJ and_CC muggy_JJ out_RP ._. 
The_AT others_NN2 had_VHD kept_VVN their_APPGE cookfire_NN1 burning_VVG and_CC were_VBDR huddled_VVN around_II it_PPH1 ,_, seeming_VVG to_TO find_VVI comfort_NN1 ._. 
Weaklings_NN2 !_! 
Doubtless_RR they_PPHS2 had_VHD called_VVN him_PPHO1 out_RP here_RL for_IF something_PN1 preposterous_JJ ._. 
Perhaps_RR a_AT1 large_JJ insect_NN1 or_CC something_PN1 of_IO the_AT sort_NN1 ._. 
When_CS he_PPHS1 saw_VVD the_AT young_JJ man_NN1 lying_VVG beneath_II a_AT1 blanket_NN1 by_II die_NN1 fire_NN1 ,_, however_RR ,_, he_PPHS1 revised_VVD his_APPGE opinion_NN1 at_RR21 once_RR22 ._. 
Fawcett_NP1 knelt_VVD down_RP beside_II the_AT young_JJ man_NN1 and_CC pushed_VVD back_RP his_APPGE hair_NN1 to_TO get_VVI a_AT1 better_JJR look_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 did_VDD not_XX resemble_VVI the_AT natives_NN2 of_IO this_DD1 region_NN1 ._. 
In_II fact_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 had_VHD a_AT1 distinctly_RR Mediterranean_JJ look_NN1 about_II him_PPHO1 ._. 
"_" Who_PNQS is_VBZ he_PPHS1 ?_? 
Where_RRQ did_VDD he_PPHS1 come_VVI from_II ?_? "_" 
"_" We_PPIS2 do_VD0 n't_XX know_VVI ,_, "_" Adam_NP1 replied_VVD ._. 
"_" He_PPHS1 came_VVD staggering_VVG into_II camp_NN1 and_CC collapsed_VVD ._. 
He_PPHS1 has_VHZ n't_XX stopped_VVN babbling_VVG ._. 
Alberto_NP1 understands_VVZ some_DD of_IO what_DDQ he_PPHS1 says_VVZ ,_, but_CCB he_PPHS1 ca_VM n't_XX make_VVI out_RP die_VV0 half_DB of_IO it_PPH1 ._. "_" 
Fawcett_NP1 listened_VVD closely_RR ._. 
The_AT language_NN1 was_VBDZ an_AT1 odd_JJ one_PN1 ._. 
Some_DD of_IO die_VV0 words_NN2 were_VBDR recognizable_JJ as_II a_AT1 dialect_NN1 similar_JJ to_II that_DD1 of_IO the_AT natives_NN2 of_IO this_DD1 region_NN1 ._. 
The_AT rest_NN1 was_VBDZ ..._... 
Fawcett_NP1 gaped_VVD ,_, the_AT pipe_NN1 falling_VVG from_II his_APPGE mouth_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 found_VVD that_CST he_PPHS1 could_VM understand_VVI much_DA1 of_IO what_DDQ this_DD1 young_JJ man_NN1 was_VBDZ saying_VVG ,_, but_CCB die_VV0 language_NN1 was_VBDZ ..._... 
It_PPH1 could_VM n't_XX be_VBI !_! 
"_" Adam_NP1 ,_, be_VBI a_AT1 good_JJ fellow_NN1 and_CC fetch_VV0 my_APPGE book_NN1 and_CC my_APPGE pen_NN1 ._. "_" 
Heart_NN1 pounding_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 stared_VVD down_RP in_II excitement_NN1 and_CC disbelief_NN1 at_II die_VV0 strange_JJ young_JJ man_NN1 who_PNQS had_VHD so_RG fortuitously_RR stumbled_VVN into_II his_APPGE encampment_NN1 ._. 
And_CC if_CS Fawcett_NP1 understood_VVD his_APPGE words_NN2 correctly_RR ,_, this_DD1 youth_NN1 just_RR might_VM be_VBI the_AT key_NN1 to_II what_DDQ Fawcett_NP1 had_VHD been_VBN searching_VVG for_IF all_DB these_DD2 years_NNT2 ._. 
"_" It_PPH1 's_VBZ getting_VVG late_RR ._. "_" 
Denesh_VV0 ,_, his_APPGE neck_NN1 twitching_VVG in_II that_DD1 annoying_JJ nervous_JJ tic_NN1 of_IO his_PPGE ,_, glanced_VVD up_RP at_II the_AT tattered_JJ bits_NN2 of_IO sky_NN1 visible_JJ through_II the_AT canopy_NN1 of_IO trees_NN2 ._. 
"_" You_PPY know_VV0 how_RGQ quickly_RR night_NNT1 can_VM come_VVI on_RP in_II this_DD1 jungle_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX want_VVI to_TO be_VBI stuck_VVN out_RP here_RL when_CS it_PPH1 does_VDZ ._. "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 know_VV0 ._. "_" 
Thomas_NP1 took_VVD another_DD1 look_NN1 at_II his_APPGE notebook_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 had_VHD found_VVN all_DB die_VV0 landmarks_NN2 up_II21 to_II22 this_DD1 point_NN1 ,_, but_CCB this_DD1 next_MD one_PN1 continued_VVD to_TO elude_VVI him_PPHO1 ._. 
Perhaps_RR just_RR a_RR21 bit_RR22 farther_RRR ._. 
Of_RR21 course_RR22 ,_, he_PPHS1 'd_VHD been_VBN telling_VVG himself_PPX1 that_CST for_IF the_AT better_JJR part_NN1 of_IO die_VV0 last_MD hour_NNT1 ,_, with_IW no_AT success_NN1 ._. 
With_IW a_AT1 sigh_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 tucked_VVD the_AT notebook_NN1 back_RP into_II his_APPGE pocket_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 were_VBDR close_JJ ._. 
He_PPHS1 just_RR knew_VVD it_PPH1 ._. 
His_APPGE research_NN1 had_VHD proved_VVN to_TO be_VBI accurate_JJ up_II21 to_II22 this_DD1 point_NN1 ,_, with_IW all_DB the_AT landmarks_NN2 exactly_RR as_CSA they_PPHS2 should_VM be_VBI ,_, so_CS there_EX was_VBDZ no_AT reason_NN1 to_TO assume_VVI it_PPH1 would_VM not_XX continue_VVI to_TO be_VBI so_RR ._. 
They_PPHS2 were_VBDR on_II the_AT verge_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 discovery_NN1 that_CST would_VM rock_VVI the_AT world_NN1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 did_VDD n't_XX hear_VVI anything_PN1 ._. "_" 
The_AT truth_NN1 was_VBDZ ,_, Thomas_NP1 was_VBDZ so_RR focused_VVN on_II his_APPGE thoughts_NN2 that_CST a_AT1 truck_NN1 could_VM have_VHI driven_VVN over_II him_PPHO1 and_CC he_PPHS1 probably_RR would_VM not_XX have_VHI noticed_VVN until_CS it_PPH1 was_VBDZ too_RG late_JJ ._. 
"_" Let_VM21 's_VM22 head_VVI back_RP ._. 
Tomorrow_RT we_PPIS2 'll_VM get_VVI an_AT1 earlier_JJR start_NN1 and_CC see_VVI how_RGQ far_RR we_PPIS2 can_VM get_VVI ._. 
We_PPIS2 might_VM even_RR break_VVI camp_NN1 and_CC haul_VVI the_AT gear_NN1 along_II21 with_II22 us_PPIO2 ._. 
That_DD1 way_NN1 we_PPIS2 can_VM range_VVI even_RR farther_RRR ._. "_" 
Denesh_NP1 's_GE coffee_NN1 complexion_NN1 paled_VVD at_II the_AT suggestion_NN1 ,_, but_CCB he_PPHS1 nodded_VVD ._. 
A_AT1 brilliant_JJ graduate_NN1 student_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ finding_VVG the_AT expedition_NN1 difficult_JJ ,_, to_TO say_VVI the_AT least_RRT ,_, but_CCB he_PPHS1 had_VHD braved_VVN it_PPH1 all_DB without_IW complaint_NN1 ._. 
The_AT young_JJ man_NN1 had_VHD potential_JJ ,_, assuming_VVG Thomas_NP1 could_VM ever_RR get_VVI him_PPHO1 back_RP out_RP into_II the_AT field_NN1 after_II this_DD1 experience_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 now_RT stood_VVD stock-still_JJ ,_, his_APPGE knuckles_NN2 white_JJ as_CSA he_PPHS1 clutched_VVD the_AT hilt_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE machete_NN1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 'm_VBM not_XX crazy_JJ ,_, Professor_NNB Thornton_NP1 ,_, I_PPIS1 swear_VV0 I_PPIS1 heard_VVD something_PN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ the_AT strangest_JJT sound_NN1 ._. 
Like_II a_AT1 giant_JJ sheet_NN1 of_IO sandpaper_NN1 being_VBG dragged_VVN across_II the_AT ground_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" That_DD1 's_VBZ probably_RR what_DDQ it_PPH1 was_VBDZ ,_, then_RT ._. 
Congratulations_NN2 ._. 
You_PPY 've_VH0 solved_VVN the_AT mystery_NN1 ._. "_" 
I_ZZ1 le_FW elbowed_VVD Denesh_NP1 in_II the_AT ribs_NN2 ,_, coaxing_VVG a_AT1 weak_JJ smile_NN1 ._. 
"_" All_RR21 right_RR22 ,_, it_PPH1 's_VBZ time_NNT1 to_TO test_VVI your_APPGE woods_NN2 craft_NN1 ._. 
Do_VD0 you_PPY think_VVI you_PPY can_VM guide_VVI us_PPIO2 back_RP to_II camp_NN1 without_IW getting_VVG us_PPIO2 hopelessly_RR lost_VVN ?_? "_" 
Denesh_NP1 took_VVD up_RP the_AT challenge_NN1 ,_, and_CC only_RR managed_VVN to_TO lead_VVI them_PPHO2 off_II course_NN1 twice_RR ,_, but_CCB both_RR times_NNT2 he_PPHS1 found_VVD the_AT trail_NN1 again_RT without_IW any_DD help_NN1 from_II Thomas_NP1 ._. 
By_II the_AT time_NNT1 camp_NN1 was_VBDZ in_II sight_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 had_VHD a_AT1 bit_NN1 of_IO bounce_NN1 in_II his_APPGE step_NN1 ._. 
The_AT promise_NN1 of_IO food_NN1 ,_, no_RGQV31 matter_RGQV32 how_RGQV33 poor_JJ ,_, and_CC a_AT1 camp_NN1 bed_NN1 beneath_II a_AT1 screen_NN1 of_IO mosquito_NN1 netting_NN1 ,_, seemed_VVD like_II high_JJ living_NN1 in_II this_DD1 part_NN1 of_IO the_AT world_NN1 ._. 
Thomas_NP1 sensed_VVD something_PN1 was_VBDZ wrong_RR the_AT moment_NN1 he_PPHS1 entered_VVD camp_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 quick_JJ inspection_NN1 revealed_VVD nothing_PN1 obvious_JJ that_CST might_VM be_VBI amiss_RR ,_, but_CCB still_RR ,_, things_NN2 were_VBDR not_XX right_JJ ._. 
There_EX was_VBDZ a_AT1 tension_NN1 in_II die_NN1 air_NN1 ,_, as_CS21 if_CS22 the_AT world_NN1 were_VBDR as_RG taut_JJ as_CSA piano_NN1 wire_NN1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 work_VV0 at_II a_AT1 vet_NN1 's_GE office_NN1 every_AT1 summer_NNT1 "_" Emily_NP1 added_VVD ._. 
"_" Even_RR in_II the_AT early_JJ stages_NN2 of_IO rabies_NN1 ,_, if_CS an_AT1 animal_NN1 goes_VVZ into_II the_AT aggressive_JJ state_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 's_VBZ accompanied_VVN by_II other_JJ symptoms_NN2 ,_, like_II disorientation_NN1 ,_, trembling_VVG ,_, loss_NN1 of_IO muscle_NN1 coordination_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 saw_VVD none_PN of_IO that_DD1 ._. 
That_DD1 animal_NN1 was_VBDZ different_JJ ._. 
We_PPIS2 kept_VVD the_AT body_NN1 if_CS you_PPY would_VM like_VVI to_TO look_VVI at_II it_PPH1 ._. "_" 
They_PPHS2 led_VVD him_PPHO1 to_II the_AT spot_NN1 where_CS the_AT opossum_NN1 lay_VVD ._. 
Thomas_NP1 took_VVD his_APPGE time_NNT1 examining_VVG the_AT disfigured_JJ remains_NN2 of_IO the_AT small_JJ mammal_NN1 ,_, though_CS ,_, in_II truth_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 doubted_VVD he_PPHS1 would_VM recognize_VVI even_RR the_AT late-stage_JJ signs_NN2 of_IO rabies_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 kept_VVD his_APPGE features_NN2 calm_VV0 ,_, letting_VVG die_VVI silence_NN1 and_CC his_APPGE own_DA serenity_NN1 settle_VV0 the_AT nerves_NN2 of_IO his_APPGE upset_JJ students_NN2 ._. 
Finally_RR ,_, he_PPHS1 gave_VVD a_AT1 diagnosis_NN1 of_IO "_" perhaps_RR "_" and_CC rose_VVD to_II his_APPGE feet_NN2 ._. 
"_" Our_APPGE notebooks_NN2 are_VBR complete_JJ ,_, Doctor_NNB Thornton_NP1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 have_VH0 been_VBN for_IF two_MC days_NNT2 ._. 
Victor_NP1 took_VVD half_DB die_VV0 remaining_JJ supplies_NN2 ._. 
Let_VM21 's_VM22 just_RR go_VVI home_RL ._. "_" 
Emily_NP1 sounded_VVD as_CS21 if_CS22 she_PPHS1 were_VBDR on_II the_AT verge_NN1 of_IO tears_NN2 ._. 
The_AT pleading_JJ tone_NN1 grated_VVD on_II his_APPGE nerves_NN2 ._. 
They_PPHS2 had_VHD to_TO leave_VVI ,_, he_PPHS1 understood_VVD that_CST ,_, but_CCB that_DD1 did_VDD not_XX mean_VVI he_PPHS1 had_VHD to_TO be_VBI happy_JJ about_II it_PPH1 ._. 
To_TO have_VHI come_VVN so_RG close_JJ and_CC yet_RR failed_VVN ._. 
It_PPH1 would_VM be_VBI another_DD1 year_NNT1 ,_, at_II the_AT soonest_RRT ,_, before_CS he_PPHS1 could_VM return_VVI ,_, and_CC that_DD1 was_VBDZ assuming_VVG his_APPGE sponsors_NN2 would_VM fund_VVI another_DD1 trip_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 had_VHD promised_VVN results_NN2 ,_, and_CC they_PPHS2 were_VBDR not_XX going_VVGK to_TO be_VBI happy_JJ when_CS he_PPHS1 returned_VVD empty-handed_JJ ._. 
"_" Fine_JJ ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD ,_, rising_VVG to_II his_APPGE feet_NN2 ._. 
"_" Pack_VV0 up_RP as_RG much_DA1 as_CSA you_PPY can_VM ._. 
We_PPIS2 'll_VM leave_VVI in_II the_AT morning_NNT1 ._. "_" 
