"Let him go," said Spike. "I never did like Martians."
Rusty wearily started to turn back. He tried to persuade the others. Spike and the Uranian laughed at his "girlish" exhortations. Every man for himself—they were probably right. He had a story to tell on Earth, one which he must live to tell. But Earth was far away.
They trudged on.
This time Rusty saw it happen. Or thought he did.
Spike was walking a short distance ahead. A thick, slender something fell slightly over his head.
Rusty screamed to him.
Long acquainted with danger, the man fell flat.
And the rope-like thing whipped back, vanished into the plants above. It had been long and green, a slick, menacing danger of no name.
After that, the three walked side by side.
And the jungle stopped abruptly. Before them was the purple sea.