“You mean,” Pitch interrupted, “I’m not the same guy I was in the valley. Maybe not, Steve. Maybe not.” He paused and glanced again at the people in the street. “I guess they did it—and all this.” He nodded his head in no particular direction. “We’re part of it now. We have responsibilities.”

“I don’t get you, Pitch. What are you driving at?”

“Back in the valley,” Pitch said slowly, “I was a boy again. I was thrilled at finding our secret world. I wanted nothing more than for us to keep it to ourselves. But I’m afraid we can’t—”

“Pitch!” Steve shouted. He had his hand on his friend’s arm. He whirled him around, forcing him to look his way. “You wouldn’t! You can’t!” His eyes were blazing in anger.

“Steve! Steve! You’ve got to understand the responsibility we have. We’ve made a discovery that should be made known to the world!”

“But, Pitch—”

They stood looking at one another, each trying to make the other understand.

“I feel the same way you do, Steve, about having our very own world. Please believe me, Steve,” Pitch pleaded. “I meant every word I said on the island about keeping it to ourselves. But now that we’re back, now that we’re a part of civilization again, I can’t help feeling that it’s our duty, our responsibility, to make known our secret.”

“And Flame?” Steve asked bitterly. “What do you think will happen to him and his band? Have you forgotten all about Tom, Pitch? You know as well as I do what he’d do with those horses. And even if I could have Flame, I wouldn’t sacrifice the others to Tom. I won’t let you do it, Pitch.” Steve’s voice was cold and determined. “I don’t know just how I’ll stop you, but I will.”

“Stop talking that way, Steve,” Pitch said angrily. “You know that I don’t want the horses to fall into Tom’s hands any more than you do. All I’m asking is that you talk this over with me, realizing, as I do now, that we have a great responsibility on our shoulders. Do you think it’s easy for me to give up what we’ve found? Don’t you realize how much I’d like to continue with my explorations?”

“I’m sorry, Pitch,” Steve said.

“It’s just that I’m older, Steve,” Pitch sought to explain, “and I do realize the importance of our discovery.”

Steve looked at him, trying to understand all that Pitch was telling him; but it was difficult, in view of his love for Flame and the band.