inconceivable
lightning bolt which had passed between the ships on contact. The Plumie
was again puzzled. Baird made it clear that the generator-room supplied
electric current for the ship's normal lighting-system and services. The
Plumie could grasp that idea. They examined the crew's quarters, and the
mess room, and the Plumie walked confidently among the members of the
human crew, who a little while since had tried so painstakingly to
destroy his vessel. He made a good impression.

"These little guys," said a crewman to Baird, admiringly, "they got
something. They can handle a ship! I bet they could almost make that ship
of theirs play checkers!"

"Close to it," agreed Baird. He realized something. He pulled the
communicator from his pocket. "Diane! Contact the skipper. He wanted
observations. Here's one. This Plumie acts like soldiers used to act in
ancient days--when they wore armor. And we have the same reaction! They
will fight like the devil, but during a truce they'll be friendly,
admiring each other as scrappers, but ready to fight as hard as ever when
the truce is over. We have the same reaction! Tell the skipper I've an
idea that it's a part of their civilization--maybe it's a necessary part
of any civilization! Tell him I guess that there may be necessarily
parallel evolution of attitudes, among rational races, as there are
parallel evolutions of eyes and legs and wings and fins among all animals
everywhere! If I'm right, somebody from this ship will be invited to tour
the Plumie! It's only a guess, but tell him!"

"_Immediately_," said Diane.

* * * * *

The Plumie followed gallantly as Baird made a steep climb up what once
was the floor of a corridor. Then Taine stepped out before them. His eyes
burned.

"Giving him a clear picture, eh?" he rasped. "Letting him spy out
everything?"

Baird pressed the communicator call for the radar room and said coldly:

"I'm obeying orders. Look, Taine! You were picked for your job because
you were a xenophobe. It helps in your proper functioning. But this
Plumie is here under a flag of truce--"

"Flag of truce!" snarled Taine. "It's vermin! It's not human! I'll--"

"If you move one inch nearer him," said Baird gently, "just one inch--"

The skipper's voice bellowed through the general call speakers all over
the ship:

"_Mr. Taine! You will go to your quarters, under arrest! Mr. Baird, burn
him down if he hesitates!_"

The