Citizen in Spase. Stories / Гражданин в Космосе. Рассказы. Книга для чтения на английском языке

Herrera leaned forward and, with considerable precision, clubbed Paxton behind the ear with a stick of firewood. Stellman caught him as he fell.

They stretched Paxton out in the rear of the cave and returned to their vigil. The lady in distress moaned and pleaded for the next five hours. Much too long, as Paxton had to agree, even for a movie serial.

A gloomy, rain-splattered daybreak found Drag still camped a hundred yards from the cave. He saw the Mirash emerge in a tight group, weapons ready, eyes watching warily for any movement.

Why had the Mirash horn failed? The Scouter Manual said it was an infallible means of attracting the bull Mirash. But perhaps this wasn’t mating season.

They were moving in the direction of a metallic ovoid which Drog recognized as a primitive spatial conveyance. It was crude, but once inside it the Mirash were safe from him.

He could simply trevest them, and that would end it. But it wouldn’t be very humane. Above all, the ancient Elbonaians had been gentle and merciful, and a Young Scouter tried to be like them.

That left ilitrocy. It was the oldest trick in the book, and he’d have to get close to work it. But he had nothing to lose.

And luckily, climatic conditions were perfect for it.

* * *

It started as a thin ground-mist. But, as the watery sun climbed the gray sky, fog began forming.

Herrera cursed angrily as it grew more dense. “Keep close together now. Of all the luck![15 - Of all the luck! – Как некстати!]”

Soon they were walking with their hands on each others’ shoulders, blasters ready, peering into the impenetrable fog.

“Herrera?”

“Yeah?”

“Are you sure we’re going in the right direction?”

“Sure. I took a compass course before the fog closed in.”

“Suppose your compass is off?”

“Don’t even think about it.”

They walked on, picking their way carefully over the rock-strewn ground.

“I think I see the ship,” Paxton said.

“No, not yet,” Herrera said.

Stellman stumbled over a rock, dropped his blaster, picked it up again and fumbled around for Herrera’s shoulder. He found it and walked on.

“I think we’re almost there,” Herrera said.

“I sure hope so,” Paxton said. “I’ve had enough.”

“Think your girl friend’s waiting for you at the ship?”

“Don’t rub it in.”

“Okay,” Herrera said.