Breathlessly I watched the greenish atomic stream play along the bright length of the cable of death, and, as Koto and I steadied the gun together, I knew he shared my relief. Despite the howling of the wind, the yells of the Orconites, the continued slow movement of the ship, and the hideous churning of the waves astern, I laughed to myself.
"Doctor Weeks!"
I saw that Captain Crane had gone aft to watch the effects of our fire.
"All right," I bellowed. "What—"
"Nothing is happening back here! Your gun! What's the matter with it?"
I was too startled to answer otherwise than I did.
"Nothing's the matter with it. What's the matter with you?"
But the next instant I knew she was right.
"My God, Doctor!" Koto cried, and I knew he had leaped to the same conclusion I had.
Suddenly I brushed Koto's hands away from the gun, and myself directed it so that its ray cut straight across one whole group of the queer creatures on the beach. Then I cursed.