I had no weapon. I did not even have anything to use for a weapon, except the folding umbrella which hung at my side.
These umbrellas are of a very light but strong construction. The ribs and handle are made of alloy steel of a great springiness. The covering is remarkable opaque silk cloth. When open they are about four feet in diameter and closely resembled an ordinary parasol such as we have on earth. But when closed they are scarcely larger than a rolled-up copy of a magazine.
Accordingly, in the folded condition in which it hung at my side, it was not likely to prove of much value for defensive purposes; so I endeavored to extend it to its full length, and had to open it first in order to do so. The opened umbrella entirely filled the tunnel, with its point toward the spider and its handle toward me. In an instant I realized that I had effectively blocked the way against my adversary.
The umbrella, although not much good as a sword, might prove quite valuable as a shield.
And so it turned out. The spider hurled himself against it, rending the silk cover, but driving the ends of the ribs firmly into the walls of the passageway. The spring steel proved strong enough to withstand his onslaught, so Lilla and I withdrew out of reach of his legs and waited further developments.
We had not long to wait, for soon we heard the radiations of ant-men outside the entrance.
“They must have gone in here,” said one, “for it is here that I saw their lights flash and heard the scream.”
A light appeared at the opening, and I could see that the spider had turned around and was now facing the other way.
Evidently our pursuers could see this, too, for one of them remarked, “The spider has got them cooped in there. Come, you keep his attention diverted while we go around behind and dig them out.”
I seized Lilla by the hand.