（外文电子版资料）TITAN-JohnVarley_ch07-ch.docVIP

CHAPTER SEVEN Before Cirocco quite had a chance to settle down, they were all sitting in a circle and Calvin was talking. I came out not far from the hole where the river disappears, he was saying. That was seven days ago. I heard you on the second day. So why didnt you call us? Cirocco asked. Calvin held up the remains of his helmet. The mike is missing, he said, extricating the broken end of wire. I could listen, but not transmit. I waited. I ate fruit. I just couldnt seem to kill any of the animals. He spread his broad bands, and shrugged. How did you know this was the right place to wait? Gaby asked. “I didnt know, for sure. Well, Cirocco said. She slapped her palms on her legs, and then laughed. Well. Fancy that. just when wed about given up hope of finding anybody else, we stumble over you. Its too good to be true. Isnt it, Gaby? Huh? Oh, yeah, its great. Its good to see you folks, too. Ive been listening to you for five days now. Its nice to hear a familiar voice. Has it really been that long? Calvin tapped a device on his wrist. It was a digital watch. Its still keeping perfect time, he said. When we get back, Im going to write a letter to the manufacturer. Id thank the maker of the watchband, Gaby said. Yours is steel and mine was leathery Calvin shrugged. I remember it. It cost more than I made in a month, as an intem. It still seems like too much time. We only slept three times. I know. Bill and August are having the same trouble Judging time.pi Cirocco looked up. Bill and August are alive? Yeah, Ive been listening to them. Theyre down there, on the bottom. I can point to the place. Bill has his whole radio, like you two. August only had a receiver. Bill picked out some land- marks and started talking about how we could find him. He sat still for two days, and August found him pretty quick. Now they call out regular. But August only asks for April, and she cries a lot. Jesus, Cirocco breathed. “I guess she would. You dont have any ide