He at the head of the armed band grated his men to a halt, stared at the earthlings suspiciously. Then:
"Whence come you?" he demanded.
"From Loovil," equivocated Steve. "We come from the territory of Tucki—"
"So?" rasped the Daan captain. And he crisped swift commands to his followers in the Earth tongue. "We have been fortunate to find those we sought so soon. Seize them! Bind them well that we may take them to the Overlords!"
CHAPTER VI
Rodrik of Mish-kin
In the moments that followed, Steve Duane could feel his mantle of "godhood" slipping from him; its loss was plain to be seen in the eyes of the Women who were his companions.
He had no doubt that, given their own choice, Jain's warriors would have died then and there rather than submit to the Venusians' bonds. His conciliatory policy had caused him to "lose face" before these battle-scarred veterans. Beth did not like it, nor did Chuck Lafferty approve. Lafferty argued hotly, "It's one thing to walk into their town, Steve, but it's another to be toted in like a trussed duck! There's only six of these white lobsters. Say the word, and—"
"The word," said Steve grimly, "is—wait!"