KI-GOR placed a plump, scarlet berry in his mouth, and munched slowly,with much satisfaction. He lay in the cool shade of a flowering shrub,completely relaxed, obviously at peace with the world and pleased withlife in general. The only sounds were the soft hum of insects drawn bythe heavy scent of flowers and the lulling murmur of the broad riverwhich flowed a scant twenty paces from where Ki-Gor rested.Helene, his mate, vibrantly young and alive, stood beside Ki-Gor. Shelooked down at her lounging husband and feigning disapproval, sheplaced hands on hips and sighed with disgust."You lazy thing, Ki-Gor. Are you going to lie there all day eatingberries?" she asked, pouting lips as red and much more inviting thanthe fruit which had occupied her Jungle Lord the past half hour.The bronzed giant stirred only slightly, and without opening his eyes,he plumped another luscious berry in his mouth, and began chewingcontentedly. But a little boy's smile of guilt slowly edged his lips,as he opened one cautious eye to peer at the accusing figure of hiswife."For two days, Mister Ki-Gor, you've been rushing me along like mad,saying you had an important meeting here with Tembu George," she said,pointing a meaning finger at the Jungle Lord. "Now that we are here, Ifind no Tembu George, no important meeting, nothing but a lot of fruityou persist in stuffing yourself with because it is the nearest andeasiest thing at hand!"Ki-Gor's gray eyes opened wide in a great show of innocence. He made avaliant, though completely unsuccessful, effort to show hurt dismaythat Helene would doubt his motives for a moment."Why, Helene, you know how healthful fruit is, and the fact it happensto be hanging right at arm's reach from me has nothing to do with myeating it," he righteously pointed out. "And you know also how verygood rest is to build a person up. That's the only reason I am lyingdown."The red-haired girl looked at the superbly proportioned body of hermate, and burst out laughing. "You certainly look like you need to bebuilt up, you frail little mountain of a man!""Well, anyway," he grinned, "it is only proper to show adequateappreciation of gifts so conveniently and lavishly provided for us bynature." Stretching out his hand he urged, "Here, try some of theseberries you'll find them delicious."Helene tossed her red hair in a definite negative reply, and nudgedKi-Gor's ribs with one small foot."I will not let you fill me up on those things," she declared. "Youpromised to catch me some fish for lunch if I would hurry, and I wantmy fish!"Ki-Gor shook his head apologetically. "Wrong time of day. Never catchfish this time of day. Better wait until morning."He watched the slim, briefly clad girl turn with a switch of her hipsand walk to where his spear rested on the ground. She bent, picked itup, and returned to place it across his chest."I want fish!" she said.The white man glanced from spear to river, and reflected sadly, "Toomuddy. I could never get anything in that muddy water. Besides, TembuGeorge is due to arrive any minute, and there wouldn't be time to cookfish even if we caught any.""Fish, Ki-Gor!" Helene stated, catching the arm of the feeblyprotesting Jungle Lord, tugging mightily. With much groaning he got tohis feet, and then abruptly he swept Helene up under one arm, andgrasping the spear with the other, strode toward the river, hummingloudly and tunelessly."Put me down, Ki-Gor! Don't you dare throw me in that river!" Helenecried, wriggling and kicking as she tried to escape. On he strode,unperturbed by the rising din of her cries. At the very edge of thebank, he halted, carefully putting his spear down. He appeared todebate as to where to throw the laughing, struggling girl, and thenhis solemn face breaking into a smile, he carefully set her down onthe bank."Now sit there, and don't go puddling around the river bank," he toldher, "because there are some very discerning crocodiles hereabouts whowould like nothing better than a red-haired, long-legged young ladyfor dessert today.""Yes, sir," she replied. "Now you go to work."Helene watched the agile grace with which the big man crouched andpicked up the spear. He straightened, threw back his massiveshoulders, and walked several steps away to where the bank overhung aquiet, deep pool. He studied the spot, and then satisfied, he bent toone knee, holding the spear ready.