Gracia's problem, and it would soon be Billy's, was that firewood was so plentiful and easy to come by that they were selling into a buyer's market. T...ere were areas, fairly close by, where the same cord of firewood, slow burning hardwoods at least, would command two and a half times as much as they did around south east Connecticut.My Uncle Donald had a big two and a half ton army surplus truck he'd gotten at a government auction, very cheaply. It had eight foot side rails and back locking. By the time the augmented party of travellers reaches Palakkad it may be over two score strong. The size of the groups passing through Thrissur number a dozen at the most.”“Who are these travellers, and are where are they bound?”“Merchants mainly, but also many pilgrims. There are so many gods and goddesses in the Hindu religion there is always a festival day to celebrate one or another of the deities at a temple dedicated to him or her. Many temples are located in the Western Ghats, the. The hardest part would be keeping out of the wayand letting him work things out for himself. * * *A few agonising months later I received an invitation to a party atCassandra's place. I had almost given up hope.I arrived late. I was unsure of how I would be received and wanted thecamouflage of the crowd in case things went badly. There were a lot offamiliar faces there and many new ones. I felt uncomfortable again andwished I could feel otherwise. I. "Anna," I said sadly, still fighting back the tears."Michael? Are you all right?" she asked."N-n-no," I stammered.She was at my side in moments. She said nothing as she looked at the warriors. Then covering two of them with their sheets, she took my arm, and led me out into the fresh air.There were a couple of benches outside, probably used for people who were waiting on patients in the infirmary. Parking me on one of them, she said, "Just wait here. I'll be right back." Then she disappeared.