him, and as usual, when he tried to look straight at any of
them, they vanished. Gneechees were those suggestions of
88
Alan Dean Foster
THE DAT OF THE DISSONANCE
89
something everyone sees out of the corner of an eye but
aren’t there when you turn to look at them.
But he sensed their presence. So did Roseroar and the
others. It was a good sign, an indication that the spellsinging
was working. Certainly the tune he played seemed harm-
less enough, even to the wary Mudge, whose opinion of
Jon-Tom’s musical tastes differed little from that of the
average PTA president.
The otter had to admit that for a change the otherworldly
ditty Jon-Tom was reciting was easy on the ears, even if
the majority of the words, as was true of all of Jon-Tom’s
songs, were quite incomprehensible.
Jon-Tom had chosen the song as much out of despera-
tion as need. The song was “Sloop John 5.,” by the
Beach Boys. Given their present needs, it was a logical
enough choice.
Nothing happened right away. But before long, Jalwar
was making protective signs over his face and chest while
cowering close to Mudge for protection, while the otter
waited nervously for the unexpected to manifest itself.
Despite her own awe at what was taking place on the
beach, Roseroar stood her ground.
Mudge was worrying needlessly. For once, for the very
first time, it looked like Jon-Tom’s efforts were to be
rewarded with success. For once it appeared that his
spellsong was going to produce only what he wanted. The
otter moved hesitantly out from behind the shelter of the