DeRudder said carefully, “And it is in good supply on this planet, uh, Caledonia?”

John said blankly, “Why, honored guest, it is certainly the most common of metals, is it not?”

The other licked his lower lip unconsciously. “Your sword, there, is steel, isn’t it?”

John nodded, still uncomprehending of this bent of conversation.

“Ah, is platinum more common than iron? Cheaper?”

“Cheaper?” John said blankly.

The skipper was leaning forward, and John again got the impression of narrowed eyes, though he didn’t know why. The older man said, “We don’t know anything about your means of exchange, but this platinum is so abundant that you use it instead of iron for such things as household fixtures?”

“Why yes, honored guest. I suppose so. As I say, we Hawks are herdsmen, not metalworkers. I know little about it.”

DeRudder cleared his throat. “All right,” he said. “Thank you.” !

John shrugged inwardly and turned again to leave.

He heard their voices, in excited conversation, when he had emerged into the long hall beyond. He made a face, accentuating his youth. The travelers from Beyond were certainly an incomprehensible group.

Robot, Sachem of the Clann Hawk, came hurrying up, his face anxious. As was usual, he was a clann elder and deserved the respect granted him by his clannsmen. Past the age of raiding, he devoted full time to participating in the government of the clann and of the phylum, and younger Hawks took over the burdens of herding the flocks and otherwise participating in the economies of the clann.

John saluted him respectfully.

The sachem said, “John! I left messages for you, but evidently you have failed to receive them. Your home has lid 11 relinquished to travelers.”

“Yes,” John said unhappily. “I am shamed. I intruded upon them.”