Ro dismounted the limp body. His face wore a wildly triumphant expression. It changed as he remembered the girl. He ran to her side.
Na was just opening her eyes. She stared around her fearfully, then smiled as she recognized Ro. The young Martian breathed a sigh of relief.
Na turned her head and saw the body of the rat man. She shuddered.
"I was coming down the side of the mountain," she said. "I saw him standing at the foot. The shadows were deceiving. I thought it was you. It wasn't until too late that I discovered my mistake."
Ro gathered the girl in his arms. He spoke softly to her to help her forget.
When she had recovered from her shock, the small group traveled on. Ro led them about a mile further along the base of the cliff, then up, to a cleverly concealed cave.
"We will stay here," he told the others, "until we are ready to attack the Oan."
"But there are only six of us," one of the white men protested. "There are hundreds of the beasts. We wouldn't have a chance."
Ro smiled.