"When you find it, the Mercurians will know. They'll be ready to keep us from using the weapon—whatever it is—before we know we've got it."
"Some day we'll have a chance. Some day we'll have a chance to slug our guard and get back to the spaceship—"
Terry paused. He looked at the dozing Mercurian at the mouth of the cave. Even as Terry looked the Mercurian roused out of his sleep. The thought thread had roused the guard from a deep slumber.
"Now!" Terry yelled. "Now's our chance!"
Terry sprang. The guard tried to seize the stone club at his side, but his clumsy hand was not made for swift action. Terry was on him before the guard could send out a mental alarm and the young earthman's fist crashed against the base of the guard's skull.
Terrestrial muscles, built for a heavier force of gravity, delivered a sledgehammer blow. The guard toppled forward. Terry leaped over the figure and darted into the open.
Another figure rose before Terry, but again Terry's fist smashed.
Cappy was beside Terry now and together they raced toward the path that led in the direction of the spaceship.
"They'll follow us!" Cappy said. "They can trail us by our thoughts. If we miss the ship and have to double back, we'll run into them."
"We won't miss!" Terry said.