He looked up, said briskly, “Well, where are we? I wonder if we are not on a fool’s errand after all.”
But the Astronomer was a little in advance and his voice came thickly. “No fool’s errand, sir. Look there.”
VI
Red and Slim had trailed their elders with the experience of youth, aided by the absorption and anxiety of their fathers. Their view of the final object of the search was somewhat obscured by the underbrush behind which they remained.
Red said, “Holy Smokes. Look at that. It’s all shiny silver or something.”
But it was Slim who was really excited. He caught at the other. “I know what this is. It’s a space-ship. That must be why my father came here. He’s one of the biggest astronomers in the world and your father would have to call him if a space-ship landed on his estate.”
“What are you talking about? Dad didn’t even know that thing was there. He only came here because I told him I heard the thunder from here. Besides, there isn’t any such thing as a space-ship.”
“Sure, there is. Look at it. See those round things. They are ports. And you can see the rocket tubes.”
“How do you know so much?”
Slim was flushed. He said, “I read about them. My father has books about them. Old books. From Beforethewars.”