"It won't work, Sammy," Lutscher warned.
"On your feet," Tang said.
Lutscher rose without hesitation and walked to the door ahead of Tang. Outside they found a dozen of the natives waiting. Others were coming up fast. They blocked the way with their bodies.
"You might kill a few of them," Lutscher said, "but you'll never get away."
It took Tang only a second to weigh the odds and make his decision. "It looks like the first round is yours," he said, putting up his gun.
They walked back into the hut and sat down. "Tell me," Tang said. "Am I a prisoner?"
"Not at all," Lutscher answered. "You may leave anytime you like. But you can't take me with you."
Tang eased himself down on the cot Lutscher offered and sat in deep introspection. But not for long. He decided quickly that he must learn more about the present set-up before he made his next move. Perhaps he could get the information he needed from Lutscher. "What's the deal here, Bill?" he asked. "Have they set you up as some sort of demi-god?"
Lutscher seemed eager to talk. "Part of the deal, as you call it, will have to remain my secret," he said. "I'd be a fool to show you all my cards. But ask any questions you care to. I'll answer some of them at least."
"All right. How did you get word to your friends to stop me when I started out with you? Or did you station them outside your door when I first came?"