“Your theory is even wilder than mine,” Rhes said. “That’s not in at all. I admit that life isn’t too easy on this planet-if what I have read in the books about other planets is true-but it doesn’t change. You have to be fast on your feet and keep your eyes open for anything bigger than you, but you can survive. Anyway, it doesn’t really matter with the junkmen always looking for trouble and I’m happy to see that I have enough.”

Jason didn’t try to press the point. The effort of forcing Rhes change his basic attitudes wasn’t worth it-even if possible. He had succeeded in convincing anyone in the city of the lethal mutations even when they could observe all the facts. Rhes could still supply information though.

“I suppose it’s not important who started the battle,” Jason said the other man’s benefit, not meaning a word of it. “But you’ll have agree that the city people are permanently at war with all the local life. Your people, though, have managed to befriend at least two species that I have seen. Do you have any idea how this was done?”

“Naxa will be here in a minute,” Rhes said, pointing to the door, “as soon as he’s taken care of the animals. Ask him. He’s the best talker we have.”

“Talker?” Jason asked. “I had the opposite idea about him. He didn’t talk much, and what he did say was, well-a little hard to understand at times.”

“Not that kind of talking,” Rhes broke in impatiently. “The talkers look after the animals. They train the dogs and doryms, and the better ones like Naxa are always trying to work with other beasts. They dress crudely, but they have to. I’ve heard them say that the animals don’t like chemicals, metal or tanned leather, so they wear untanned furs for the most part. But don’t let the dirt fool you, it has nothing to do with his intelligence.”

“Doryms? Are those your carrying beasts-the kind we rode coming here?”

Rhes nodded. “Doryms are more than pack animals, they’re really a little bit of everything. The large males pull the plows and other machines, while the younger animals are used for meat. If you want to know more, ask Naxa, you’ll find him in the barn.”

“I’d like to do that,” Jason said, standing up. “Only I feel undressed without my gun-”

“Take it, by all means, it’s in that chest by the door. Only watch out what you shoot around here.”