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Page 109

| solve a problem on their trek to their new land. |

| "First we've got to kill us several opossums and skin them," Ashton said, yanking a revolver from its holster. He waved his firearm in the air. "Opossums are a'plenty in the outback. Every man for himself. We need a lot of skins if we're to get rid of those damn fleas." He lowered his gun and looked at Sasha. "It's up to you to search and find us several ant hills. While we're preparing the 'possums, you find the ant hills and then start carrying everyone's blankets to them." |

| "Whatever on earth for?" Sasha asked, giving him a quizzical stare. |

| "Just do your part, Sasha," Ashton said gruffly. "You wanted to be my partner? Now's the time to prove it." |

| Stung by his attitude, Sasha placed her hands on her hips. "As if I haven't proven time and time again that I am capable of being here with you andand those men," she spat. |

| She ignored Ashton's amused grin and began walking through the tangled brush, her eyes peeled for the ant hills. As she walked, the ground became mantled in a crackling skin of dry gum leaves and grasses. The fallen strips of eucalyptus bark were like a stretched drum, a delicate resonator that informed every animal of Sasha's approach. |

| She moved stealthily onward. A wombat, a marsupial resembling a squat, blunt-skulled bear, peeked from a hole, then dove headfirst into it when Sasha came closer. |

| Then she spied the ant hills. They were like large sand castles beneath the hot, broiling sun, sculpted beautifully by the never-tiring ants. |

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