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it, it is hard for them to remember.”
    Bengati immediately introduced Dr. Jacob Cooper to the crowd. Dr. Cooper picked up his cue and introduced his children and Dr. Henderson, and Bengati interpreted again.
    The chief spoke several sentences. Bengati interpreted, “Our Chief welcomes you and says the people have gathered to hear whatever it is you have to say.”
    Dr. Cooper confided in a lowered voice, “I’m not really sure what I’m supposed to say. Is there—”
    Bengati interpreted Dr. Cooper’s confidence to the crowd before he could stop him, and everyone exchanged puzzled looks.
    Dr. Cooper hurried to say, “But, uh, we are scientists from America, and we have come here to study this vast, mysterious stone that has appeared in the desert.”
    The people fell silent and serious when Bengati told them that, nodding their heads, their eyes glued on Dr. Cooper.
    The chief asked a question.
    â€œThe chief and the people want to know, what does the stone mean?” Bengati interpreted.
    â€œMean?” That question caught Dr. Cooper by surprise. “Uh, well, we’re not sure what it means.
    We’ve only just arrived and as you know, encountered some trouble with our airplane. We’re not even sure where the Stone came from, or how it got here.”
    When Bengati delivered that answer, Jay and Lila could see it didn’t please the crowd at all. In perfect unison, all those awestruck, expectant faces changed to disappointment.
    The chief wasn’t very happy either. He fired another question, his voice a little more stern.
    Bengati interpreted, “You really do not know how it got here?”
    â€œUh . . . no, not yet.”
    The chief rose to his feet, exasperated, shaking his head and waving his arms as if trying to erase the whole event. He bellowed an announcement to the crowd, and everyone stood up and started to leave.
    â€œThe meeting is over,” Bengati told the Coopers.
    â€œYou did not answer the chief’s questions correctly.”
    â€œYou could have made up something,” Dr. Henderson muttered.
    The chief stepped up to Dr. Cooper, still shaking his head, and made a simple statement.
    Bengati interpreted, “Have you no eyes? God put it there.”
    Lila’s mouth dropped open. She shot a triumphant glance at Dr. Henderson. The geologist merely sneered.
    The chief continued to speak while Bengati interpreted. “We hoped you would teach us, but now we must teach you.”
    The chief gave some quick orders to his warriors and stomped from the building, obviously angry and disappointed.
    The warriors moved forward and surrounded them again, pushing Bengati to the outside of the circle. The warrior in charge shook his spear and shouted, gesturing toward the village. Bengati called from across the crowd, “You are to go with those men now.”
    Four warriors got their arms locked under Dr. Henderson and picked her up, but there were no such seats for the Coopers.
    They had to walk, guided by the points of spears.
    â€œWell, it seems our popularity has lagged,” said Dr. Cooper.
    â€œFace it, Cooper, you bombed,” said Dr.
    Henderson.
    Surrounded tightly on all sides and led by armed warriors, they left the meeting hall and went out into the village square as the crowd continued to disperse. Some returned to their homes, others back into the fields, and several back to the open prairie, disappearing over a low rise. The formidable Stone filled the sky beyond them.
    â€œWhat do cannibals do?” Lila asked. “I mean . . . do they just throw you into a big soup pot or what?”
    Dr. Cooper touched her. “Lila, don’t give in to thoughts like that.”
    Jay sniffed. “Hey. Smells like a barbecue.”
    â€œOf course,” said Dr. Henderson. “And guess who the main course is going to be!”
    Jacob Cooper’s voice was firm. “Dr. Henderson, I’ll thank you to