never recognized squatters' rights out there and I'm afraid there's no time to fight it out with Congress now." He hesitated. "Your land is being sold to an Earth fur corporation for a million dollars."

Flint sat there staring at the Governor for a long moment. Then abruptly he got to his feet. "They're the guys I've been running into ever since feather-deer became the fur coat rage on Earth." He spoke through his teeth. "I've seen their work—thousands of raw, skinned carcasses strewn about the woods—vultures everywhere. They're butchers! In two months there won't be a feather-deer left in the Ring. They'll be extinct. Do you think I'm going to stand by and watch that happen?"

He leaned over the desk, resting on his big fists. "I'm a hunter, but I hunt animals that can fight back—tigodons, baragators, swamp wolves—not these helpless little things you can run down and kill with a club."

The Governor shook his white head sadly. "I'm truly sorry, Lou. I wish there were something I could do but the owner of this fur outfit is coming in on tonight's space liner. He wants to go out to the Ring just as soon as he arrives. I've been asked to find a guide."

"One million dollars," Flint thought aloud. "It's entirely a matter of money."

"I'm afraid it is. If you could only get a space bat now, Lou—doesn't that Earth circus still offer a million to anybody who captures one alive?"

"Yeah," Flint said dejectedly. "But nobody's ever captured a space bat, dead or alive." He stuck his hands deep in his pockets and walked around the room, staring at the floor. Suddenly he halted in his tracks. Then he whirled back to the desk. "If I get a million dollars to you before this guy gives you his check, is the place mine?"

The Governor's smile was puzzled. "Well, I could probably arrange it, but—"

"Fine. Now could you also arrange for me to meet this guy at the space port tonight? I'll be his guide."

"I don't like the way you're acting, Lou. I don't want any trouble."

Flint grinned. "You old goat. You're thinking about your reputation. When you and Dad were with the first settlers that took Saturn away from the natives, you didn't worry about trouble then. But I promise—I won't do anything to hurt your politics."

The Governor shook his head resignedly. 

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