"Do you think they can help us?"
"If they want to help I'll lay you even money that they can snake the jeep out of that muck and polish it clean in three days."
"You really think so? I knew the Venerians were friend but a job like that-"
"Don't underrate the Little People. They don't look like us but don't let that throw you."
Matt squatted down and started fanning the insects away ' from the unconscious officer. Presently Oscar slapped the | water again, in the same pattern. - |
"Looks like nobody's home, Oz." 1
"I hope you're wrong, Tex. Most of Venus is supposed to be inhabited, but this might be a tabu spot."
A triangular head, large as a collie's, broke water about-ten feet from them. Tex jumped. The Venerian regarded ; him with shiny, curious eyes. Oscar stood up. "Greetings, j thou whose mother was my mothers friend." |
The Venerian turned her attention to Oscar. "May thy'^ mother rest happily." She surface-dived and disappeared al- I most without a ripple. 1
"That's a relief," said Oscar. "Of course they say this I planet has only one language but this is the first time I've | put it to a test." |