“Just a little way, Patch. Who knows—this might even lead to something important.”
“I think you’re way off base, Garry, but I’ll admit I’m curious too. Let’s go.”
Katrinka had already gained some distance on them while they were debating what to do, and she did not wait for them. They started running to catch up and presently did so. But the robot traveled at such a fast pace that they still had to move in long, antelopelike jumps to keep up.
Katrinka was definitely headed in one particular direction because she varied hardly any in her line of motion. She seemed to be going toward an area where the rocks rose high and ominous looking. It was much like the spot where the boys had had their recent harrowing experience.
“Garry, please,” Patch begged, panting for breath, “let’s call this crazy chase off! That athletic gal is running me ragged! Besides, she seems to be taking us straight into those rocky walls!”
“Well, there’s one thing certain,” Garry replied. “She’s got to change direction pretty quick, or she’ll crash into something. Let’s stick it out a few more minutes.”
They drew closer to the shadowy outcropping. But the robot did not even slow her pace. The boys knew she was heading for a collision, but there was nothing they could do but watch.
Somehow she got past the first row of stones, tripping and nearly falling, then recovering automatically. But her luck was short lived. The path went downhill beyond this spot, and her big metal foot slammed against a boulder. The robot arched through the air and crashed headfirst into a rocky wall. It crumpled her metal cranium, spewing out wires and electronic parts.
The boys came running up and stood looking at the fallen giant.
“Poor old Katrinka,” Garry said. “She was almost like one of us. It’s nearly as if another one of us had died.”