They negotiated the hardest part of the slope, then Zircon leaned back against a boulder and rested for a moment. The final hundred yards wasn't steep, but it was strewn with loose boulders and lava chunks. Zircon wouldn't be able to speed up much. Rick looked at his watch again, then at the sky. He didn't say anything. The big physicist was doing more than any man should be asked to do. He couldn't do it any faster.
Scotty moved to his side. "Got arrows left?"
"Yes. Most of the big broadheads and half a dozen of the small broadheads. Why?"
"We may need them. I'm scared. The guard's relief must know by now that his pal got conked."
"We're both scared," Rick corrected. "But what can we do?"
"Be ready to fight."
Zircon called hoarsely, "Let's go!"
They were off again, the scientist plodding slowly ahead, down the last stretch to the cove. About half of the distance had been covered when Rick saw the first sail. It was close to shore, near the cove where they had anchored the vinta.
Zircon saw it, too. He called softly, "Scotty! Leave the rope to the others. Get ahead of me and cover us. But don't shoot until they start something."
Scotty moved ahead, unslinging his rifle as he went.