Terry took the hand. It was leathery and cold.
"I am glad to meet you," Terry said. He forced the words from his lips. "We came to Mercury on a peaceful mission."
"You're afraid, Terryhall," Chomby replied. "I do not intend to kill you. Nor will I hurt Cappyupjohn."
Cappy brushed forward and shook hands with Chomby. He concealed a wince as he touched the creature's corpse-like flesh.
Then he unstrapped the caseknife he wore at his side and handed it to Chomby. "A gift of friendship," he said.
Chomby reached awkwardly toward the knife. As he took it, the knife fell to the ground. Chomby leaned over and fumbled. He could hardly grasp the knife. Terry noted now what had been so repulsive about Chomby's handshake. The Mercurian had no thumb.
Instead of the five-fingered hand of a human being, there were only three flabby fingers on the end of a round, gristly hand.
Terry stooped and picked up the knife. He handed it to the Mercurian who seized it in both hands and clutched it to his body.
"You want food and drink?" Chomby asked. "Terryhall and Cappyupjohn follow me to my village. Sorry I have no gift of friendship otherwise. My people are unskilled in handicraft. We can hardly make our own clothes."
Chomby led the earthmen eastward. The shadows deepened and the sky grew dark. The stars appeared; among them the brilliant blue planet that was Earth.