“There’re two of them critters left. And if either one gets in here now it’s gonna push that car right back on us. But-if there’s any smashin’ done-I’m gonna be the one to do it!”
He padded purposefully back to the carrier. Dard hurried after him. The picture Santee had evoked, of the lizard things pushing that ear down upon them, was one he didn’t want to think about. He had no idea of what Santee had in mind, but any action now was better than just waiting for such an end.
“All right,” Santee put his hands on the back of the carrier, “put away that torch and start pushin’! Here’s where we give them lizards a big surprise-a nasty one, too, I hope!”
Dard dropped the torch and put his hands beside Santee’s. Together they set their strength against the immobility of the carrier. It moved, much more easily than it had before. There was a low hum which became a steady purr. It gathered speed-moving away from them.
“We’ve started it to workin’!” Santee’s exultant cry arose to explain. He caught Dard and held him away from the entrance as the carrier sped on.
There was a shock of impact followed by a hissing scream. Then they saw the clear circle of daylight marking the entrance, carrier and besiegers were both gone!
8. DESSIE’S MERMAN
WHEN NOTHING moved across that circle of light, they dared to retrieve their packs and go out.
The carrier had plunged full speed ahead, leaving the curve of the monorail. Under it, but crushed legs pinned to the sand and rock of the valley floor, threshed one of the monsters, writhing over the torn remains of the one Santee had shot earlier. Leaping out of the reach of the prisoned creature’s darting head the Terrans rounded its body and made for the opposite wall of the canyon.
Here the rock afforded holds and they pulled themselves up. But the lizard crushed beneath the car appeared to be alone and nothing menaced their retreat. Panting they reached the top and dared to look back.