"I have a feeling that all is well," he said, wondering how true his thought would prove.
The two men left the ledge and retraced their steps back to the valley. When they reached the foot of the cliff, Na was standing there waiting for them. Ro took her in his arms.
"My stumbling princess," he sighed. "I don't know how you would exist without me."
"I would fare very well," she answered, feigning haughtiness. "I only get myself in trouble to let you enjoy being a hero."
A thought transmitted by Carlson interrupted their talk.
"We must hurry. They may need us." He had retrieved the ray gun the rat man had carried and was fingering the trigger impatiently. "They have only two of these now," he said, "but they will do plenty of damage."
They set off in the direction of the sphere. Ro carried a stone in either hand, ready for instant use.
Carlson urged them constantly to hurry. But Ro needed no urging. He led them at a fast pace through the forest. In a short while they could see the gleaming sides of the sphere.
Ro signaled a halt. He moved on alone, cautiously. His eyes strained ahead for a sign of the enemy, but all was still. Even at the edge of the clearing, he met silence.