Entry in the Kaliman tribal records by Matikhara Kaliman

    February 2, 2005

    Another day hunting. I catch sight of a tasty bird and dash toward the tree, ready to fire, when I see a menacing six-foot jaguar advancing on me with stealthy speed. I drop my bow and arrows, hoist my backpack onto my shoulders, sheathe my sword and run like the wind. by the time I reach the village, I look back to see the persistent jaguar entering the village itself not a minute before me. I dash into the nearest building and lock the door. It seems to be deserted, but I see a bunch of forms, waivers, lawsuits, and liabilities lying on a metal table in the center of the room. With nothing better to do until the jaguar leaves, I fill them out with a pen lying on the floor. I note that one of the liabilities says something about not messing with history, because time travel is— "Hello!" says a pleasant-looking American woman carrying a bunch of dice and life jackets. "I'm Teresa, and I'll be your guide on your trip to Brazil via the H. M. S. Beagle. Enjoy!" "But how? The Beagle was the ship Darwin sailed on back in 1832!" I say. "Follow me! This is going to be a long journey..."