A wave of warmth rippled through the boy's veins as he watched the light flickering intermittently in the distance and listened to the dreamlike barking of the dogs. He felt that only weeping heavily could release the emotion in his heart, and so he began to sob loudly. The young horse narrowed her eyes in satisfaction. The boy was seized with an impulse to stroke her cool skin, brush her mane, and nestle his face against the bridge of her long, beautiful nose. The firm eyelashes of the young horse rubbed against his cheeks as he pressed his lips against her eyes. The young horse's body became red-hot after a time. She clutched the boy with her four legs, drawing him tight against her belly. Her mouth, steamy with the odour of fresh grass, nearly pierced the boy's scalp. Later, as they walked toward the light, they still cuddled against each other. They hadn't dared to move an inch during the previous nights for fear of sinking into the mud in the dark. But on that night they ignored the danger. The light and the barking of the dogs -- signs of human life -- endowed them with mystical power. They felt that their bodies were light as swallows. Even the foul bog seemed to emit the fragrance of orchids. Finally they found the spot from whence the light emanated. "There was a golden tree -- With wood of fragrant musk -- On the treetop was a large nest -- In the nest were two square eggs -- A huge golden bird started and flew away -- In a fiery glow -- Calling out like the dog barking"......

　　Little Halfbreed asked the man in black, "Have you ever seen the Grey Woff?"

　　The man in black heaved a long sigh. Little Halfbreed heard the oxen and the sheep chewing grass in the darkness and saw the gleam in the eyes of the man in black. He looked more haggard at night. Dogs howled madly in the village, and a woman called out in a long hoarse voice.

　　The dark man gathered a pile of dry twigs and rotten leaves and began to strike a rock against an iron sickle. A spark fell on the dry leaves. He pursed his lips and blew. A thread of green fire, writhing like a snake, began to slowly emit warmth and light. A large meteorite fell from the sky, leaving a bright trail of light across the heavens. He dug two cassavas from the ground near the fire and, without peeling them, placed them directly in the flames. The fire dimmed momentarily and then flared up again.

　　"Should I go home now?" Little Halfbreed asked.

　　"You mean you have a home to go back to?" The man in black replied sarcastically.