"In this sort of place, chances are that the first people you run into are typical. I'm afraid—"
"Say!" Mason interrupted, staring outside. "Look at this!"
Cassidy went over to the hatch and watched a dozen or so men sprinting across the field, their voices rising in excited waves. A lithe young woman was in full flight before them. But she was screaming in delight as she turned now and then to beckon them on. One overtook her and brought her down with a waist tackle. She rebounded to her feet, however, and took off again.
Two of the pursuers collided and sprawled on the ground. They sprang up and tore into each other. Unconcerned with the personal dispute, the chase struck off in a new direction, heading toward the ship as it paralleled one of the nearby fenced-in estates.
Behind the wire mesh, a burly young man came charging down the main steps of the manor and raced along with the others.
"That be the way!" he yelled encouragement. "Her go get! It's gaining you are! Hurry!"
He drew up in time to avoid crashing into the side fence, then stood there watching the chase recede in the distance.
Within a hundred feet of the ship, one of the men fell out of the group, panting. He squinted at the vessel, then crept forward, circling to the right. Within arm's reach, he walked back and forth alongside the hull, giving it a close inspection. Finally he paused and fumbled with his clothes.
Cassidy started. "Look what he's doing!"
"Against the side of the ship, too!" said Mason.