"What do you want with that mine?" Flip stalled. "You know the market price."
"Your questions are unhealthy, Earthman. Tell me the mine's location or your friend goes in the swamp—without a rope."
Flip told her. He didn't lie. He gave the exact Venusio-magnetic direction he'd taken to find it. But he was sure of one thing—that there was more here than he knew. The radio report must have been wrong....
"You shouldn't of told her, Flip," said Charlie.
"Your life will be short if he lied," said the woman. She glanced up at the fog. It was a shade darker than when they had come and the rain was stronger. The mist was thickening and it was much cooler, Flip noticed.
"Come," said the woman, "we must prove his words while there is light." She turned, walked up the rock toward the ship. "Tie them in the cabin," she ordered over her shoulder. "If he lied, we shall return. If he spoke truth—they have only to free themselves before they starve...."
When the men left, Flip immediately tried the rope. Pulling with all his strength, he couldn't slacken it and, with the pain in his arm, there was little Charlie could do.
"Lordy!!" said Flip. "What now?"
"We're lucky to be alive," said Charlie. "Captain Vixen must have taken a fancy to you."