The idea of waiting in the canoe was better than trying to cross the lake in the darkness, but it did not address the potential problem of running into the hippos in the marshy field.

“Remember it was your suggestion to come out here,” Melanie reminded him.

Kevin started to strongly protest, but he stopped. In a way, it was true. He’d said that the only way to learn whether the bonobos were protohumans was to come to the island. But from then on, Melanie had been the one to call the shots.

“It was your suggestion,” Candace said. “I remember it well. We were in your office. It was when you first raised the question about the smoke.”

“But I only said…” Kevin began, but he stopped. From past experience, he knew he was ill-equipped to argue with Melanie, and especially when Candace supported her as she was now doing. Besides, from where Kevin was sitting, he could see a clear path of moonlight along the cave floor all the way to the entrance. Except for a few rocks and branches, there were no obstructions.

Kevin began to think maybe he could do it. Maybe it was best not to think of the hippos. Maybe it was true that the creatures’ hospitality could not be counted upon, not because of the bonobo part of their heritage but because of the human part.

“All right,” Kevin said with sudden resolve. “I’ll try.”

“Hooray,” Melanie said.

Kevin pushed himself up onto his hands and knees. He was already trembling with the knowledge that there were fifty powerful and wild animals in the immediate environment that wanted him to stay where he was.

“If something goes wrong,” Melanie said, “just get yourself back here in a hurry.”

“You make it sound so easy,” Kevin said.

“It will be,” Melanie said. “Bonobos and chimps fall asleep as soon as it gets dark and sleep until dawn. You’re not going to have any trouble.”

“But what about the hippos?” Kevin said.

“What about them?” Melanie asked.

“Never mind,” Kevin said. “I’ve got enough to worry about.”

“Okay, good luck,” Melanie whispered.

“Yeah, good luck,” Candace echoed.

Kevin tried to stand up and start out, but he couldn’t. He kept telling himself that he’d never been a hero, and this was no time to start.

“What’s the matter?” Melanie asked.

“Nothing,” Kevin said. Then suddenly from some place deep within himself, Kevin found the courage. He rose to a hunched-over position and began to pick his way along the path of moonlight toward the mouth of the cave.

As Kevin moved, he debated whether he would do better to move at a snail’s pace or make an out-and-out dash for the canoe. It was an argument between caution and getting the ordeal over with. Caution won out. He moved with painstaking baby steps. Every time his foot made the slightest noise, he winced and froze in the darkness. All around him, he could hear the stertorous breathing of the sleeping creatures.