Strange Creatures of Dr. Korbo by Gilbert L. Morris Page A

time passed quickly, and before long, it seemed, Reb came to stand watch.
    He held a sword. “You two go get some sleep,” he said.
    â€œThanks, Reb. I am tired,” Sarah said.
    When she went off, Reb asked, “Josh, have you thought about it?”
    â€œThought about what?”
    â€œAbout what we’ve talked about a dozen times. Dave’s no good as a leader. He’s strong, and he’s the best swordsman I’ve ever seen, but he’s just not a leader. You are.”
    â€œBut I’m such a wimp. I can’t shoot a bow like Sarah. I can’t use a sword like Dave. I can’t ride a horse like you can.”
    â€œThat doesn’t make no never mind,” Reb said. “Some guys and some girls are just natural born leaders. They’re not always the biggest or the strongest, but there’s something in them that makes people want to follow them. I reckon that’s what Goél saw in you, but you’ve let him down.”
    â€œYou really think so, Reb?”
    â€œSure I think so. You think about it.”
    Josh did indeed think about it. He could not sleep for a long time. He lay with his hands locked beneath his head and stared up at the stars. Ever since the failure of the last mission, he knew he had allowed himself to be swamped with selfpity. It was one thing, however, to know it and something else to come out of it. How does a guy stop feeling sorry for himself? he wondered. He thought for a long time but came up with no answers.
    The next day, as usual, they milked the goats, fed the babies, and started out on their journey. They traveled steadily all morning, stopping at intervals to rest. Josh saw no opportunity to exert leadership, and he spent most of the morning talking to Gus, who walked along beside him. He had come to like the skinny young man very much indeed.
    Gus entertained him by quoting his love poems. He said, “I wrote a new one last night. It’s for Meta.”
    â€œCan I hear it?”
    â€œOf course you can’t hear it. It’s for her.”
    â€œBut you let me hear your other poems.”
    â€œThis is different. The first time a poem is said, it has to go to the one it’s written for.”
    â€œOh.”
    Josh watched as Gus dropped back then and fell into step with Meta. The young woman’s face brightened. He could not hear what they were saying, but he knew that Gus was giving a rendition of her poem. He saw her face light up even more, and Josh thought, Well, I’m glad somebody’s happy on this trip.
    They fed the babies when they were hungry and stopped at noon to eat. It was the middle of the afternoon when Josh felt bold enough to move up beside Dave. “Remember, Dave, we’ve got to find shelter before nightfall.”
    â€œKnow that. Plenty of daylight left.”
    Josh said firmly, “Dave, don’t be bullheaded about this. We can’t wait until dark to start looking.”
    Dave’s face reddened. “Don’t tell me what to do, Josh!”
    â€œWell, somebody needs to!”
    The two got into an argument. Josh knew everyone was listening, but no one jumped in to help settle it.
    Finally Dave said, “Josh, I’m handling this, and I’ve already thought about it. Look ahead there. See that?”
    Josh looked. He had been walking with Gus in the middle of the procession, and the trees were thick. Dave, at the front, had seen what Josh could not. It looked like a conical mountain.
    Dave said with satisfaction, “ That’s where we’re going to camp.”
    â€œDoesn’t look like there’re any trees on it,” Josh muttered.
    â€œBut there’ll be some caves in it. And it’s not more than a mile away from here. So come on, Josh. Let’s move.”
    Josh gave up and went back to walk with Sarah. He said, “Dave says we’re going to camp at that little mountain up ahead. Says there will probably be caves in