"And they're calling to us. They're waiting for us. They know that we'll come, and then they'll get us."
The flap of the tent moved, and Obroski jumped to his feet with a nervous start. The girl sat straight up on her cot, wide-eyed. The flap was pulled back, and Rhonda Terry stepped into the light of the lone lantern.
"Hello, there!" she exclaimed cheerily.
"I wish you'd scratch before you come in," snapped Naomi. "You gave me a start."
"If we have to camp this close to the black belt every night we'll all be scratching." She turned to Obroski. "Run along home now; it's time all little Lion Men were in bed."
"I was just going," said Obroski. "I—"
"You'd better. I just saw Tom Orman reeling in this direction."
Obroski paled. "Well, I'll be running along," he said hurriedly, while making a quick exit.
Naomi Madison looked distinctly worried. "Did you really see Tom out there?" she demanded.
"Sure. He was wallowing around like the Avalon in a heavy sea."