Roaring, they fell back.
The Earthman raced away in a monstrous circle—driving in the beasts, crowding them together in a milling herd that numbered hundreds.
The column was in the pass now, hurrying forward faster, as if its commanders realized the danger of such close quarters.
Craig rounded up the last straggling djevoda ... hovered just above and beyond them, waiting.
Down the pass, lights gleamed. Drifting dust set Craig to coughing. The rumble and clanking echoed like distant thunder.
Craig dropped to one knee on his disc; brought out his fire-gun.
The approaching lights shone brighter. A beam sprayed across the first of the djevoda.
The creatures' great, tusked snout-heads lowered. Huge feet churned up choking clouds of dust.
Craig held his breath.