Katherine gazed up at the distant green canopy. Monkeys chattered and parrots cawed, but she couldn't see a thing - so much for the exotic wildlife of the Amazon! She pictured Professor Collier enjoying the cool British Autumn, and cursed him roundly. What with the heat, humidity, and lack of sleep, the constant irritation of the mosquitoes...

A muffled exclamation made her turn. John Pangborn was enjoying this expedition as much as she, it seemed. She stifled a grin at his red-faced discomfort - perhaps the mosquitoes had a saving grace after all.