Hemming had not thought about examining the fossil with any other senses than sight and touch, and perhaps it was a good idea. Kansas joined him quickly, though, and the grin he gave was reflected back to him as Hemming quickly forgot about anything but the thrill of the hunt. Perhaps being on all fours and closer to the ground would make it easier to spot fossils. The white wolf seemed to be flipping stones with ease, as well, while Hemming had to bend over. After briefly considering the issue, Hemming concluded that it was possible that having one wolf on four legs and one wolf on two could be even better, and he didn't bother shifting. He preferred having his hands available anyway, even if it did mean bending his knees more.
He was squatted down, his fingers running across stones as he picked them up, when his fellow fossil hunter called to him. It was more the excitement that dripped out of his voice than the actual words that he was saying that forced Hemming up onto his feet. He made his way over quickly, squatting beside Kansas and peering at the little treasure he had found. This creature had long, spindly legs that extended from a central core. Hemming could barely form any words, and for a few moments he only stared, his eyes likely wider than they had ever been.
Finally, he sputtered, "It's beautiful," and still failed to remove his gaze from it. In his mind he pictured a world where little shelled creatures roamed across the bottom of an ocean while large spiders skirted upon its surface. He had no clue if the two fossils would have come from creatures living in the same time period, and even wasn't sure how one might find out. His thoughts raced by too quickly to make any comprehensible words out of them, so his lips remained shut as he revelled in another tiny piece of history. |