the number of miles he has seen. He hates people, whom he says haveabused him whenever they could. He is the guardian of the graveyard.He is too old to go raiding any more, so he has stood guard over thespare parts heap for many years. He is not the sort who can repairhimself, as the younger ones do, so he must rely on their charity andtheir auto-repair units. He wants to know what I want here."

"Ask him where the others are."

But as he said it, Murdock heard the sound of many engines turningover, until the valley was filled with the thunder of theirhorsepower.

"They are parked on the other side of the heap," she said. "Theyare coming now."

"Hold back until I tell you to fire," said Murdock, ad the firstoneчa sleek yellow Chryslerчnosed around the heap.

Murdock lowered his head to the steering wheel, but kept his eyesopen behind his goggles.

"Tell him that you came here to join the pack and that you'vemonoed your driver. Try to get the black Caddy to come into range."

"He will not do it," she said. "I am talking with him now. Hecan broadcast just as easily from the other side of the pile, and hesays he is sending the six biggest members of the pack to guard mewhile he decides what to do. He has ordered me to leave the tunneland pull ahead into the valley."

"Go ahead, thenчslowly."

They crept forward.

Two Lincolns, a powerful-looking Pontiac, and two Mercs joined theChryslerчthree cars on each side of them, in position to ram.

"Has he given you and idea how many there are on the other side?"

"No. I asked, but he will not tell me."

"Well, we'll just have to wait then."

He stayed slumped, pretending to be dead. After a time, hisalready tired shoulders began to ache. Finally, Jenny spoke:

"He wants me to pull around the far end of the pile," she said,"now that they have cleared the way, and to head into a gap in the