The forest began to thin. In the distance between the trees he could see the open flatness of the plain. Far out upon it Anshan burned like a great jewel in its setting of green forest by the river.
He crouched, trapped and desperate, tried to think.
Abruptly, overhead, he heard the whistling thunder of great wings and leaped up snarling. Then he saw that it was Ei and he heard Ei's mind speaking to him with urgent swiftness.
"This way, outlander! You can dodge the pack if you do as I order."
He could do no worse than obey.
The eagle swooped skyward again, where he could see the movements of the whole pack, and sent his guarded thought down to Nelson.
"Run hard this way, outlander! Now. Into the pool. Swim, swim quickly, upstream. Stay in the water, the wind is with you. Now! Under the overhang of the bank there and crouch still — still!"
Nelson crouched, wet and shivering, half submerged, and heard the pack swing past him and go on. Presently Ei swooped down and perched on a nearby rock. Nelson crawled out where it was drier and lay panting.
"We will wait," the eagle told him, and composed himself.
Nelson studied the other. Finally he sent a questioning thought. "I don't understand. Why should you come to help me?"