"Holsteins, sir?"
"You may go. Oh, you might tell the others to prepare for a crash landing. Straps and all that."
The young man smiled faintly and left.
"I'm a little frightened, Friden; I think I'll go to my cabin. Take charge and have them wait for my orders."
Captain Webber saluted tiredly and walked back down the long corridor. He paused as the machines suddenly roared more life, rubbed his cheek and went into the small room.
"Cows," said Captain Webber bracing himself.
The fiery leg fell into the cool air, heating it, causing it to smoke; it burnt into the green grass and licked a craterous hole. There were fireflags and firesparks, hisses and explosions and the weary groaning sound of a great beast suddenly roused from sleep.
The rocket landed. It grumbled and muttered for a while on its finny tripod, then was silent; soon the heat vanished also.
"Are you all right, sir?"