THE BATTERED AND BLOODY MAN lay crumpled just beyond the entrance to the caves.

A bellowing roar of indignant fury shattered Leseach's stunned horror.

She stooped, slipping an arm under his shoulder and swung, throwing her other arm around his thighs and lifted, stumbling out of the thicket.

Snapping snarls followed her.

Shoulder blades flinching at the sounds, Leseach tightened her grip on the moaning man, lurching across the rocky riverbed, aiming for ...