Dawn was rapidly filtering through the mists about them. The brief five hour night of Saturn was ending.
"Curse these cold fogs!” muttered Sual Av, his teeth chattering as he worked. “I wouldn't trade one hot, steamy swamp of Venus for all these outer worlds."
"If you liked that mud-puddle native world of yours so much, why did you leave it?” demanded Gunner.
They had the last of the teeth out, and were putting them into the pouches at their belts, when Thorn suddenly sprang to his feet, gripping his heavy atom-gun.
"Stand by, boys, and don't show any excitement,” he said in a low, rapid voice.
Through the chill, dawn-lit mists of the fungus forest toward the three comrades were coming a dozen green-faced Saturnians, all heavily armed.
CHAPTER XI
Secret Police
John Thorn perceived that the approaching Saturnians were slith-hunters. They were a rough-looking crew, wearing stained leather and carrying heavy atom-guns. In their lead was a hulking man of middle age who hailed the Planeteers in a bull voice.
"What luck, friends?” he called jovially. “I see you've got a few sliths, at least."