"Hey, you up there!" she called in clear ringing tones. "Who are you?"
"The National Cosmographic Society's Expedition to Mars," Matt replied cautiously.
There was a vague stirring from the black wood, but no other figures appeared.
"You mean you've just returned from Mars?" the woman asked.
"Yes."
"Lower a ladder. I'm coming aboard."
Matt, who had caught the dull gleam of moonlight on metal, said, "Leave your rifle at the edge of the wood."
The woman hesitated; then she leaned something against a tree. Matt gave the signal; the ladder slowly descended and came to rest. He saw the woman take hold of the rungs and begin to climb.
"Give me a hand," she said.
He extended his hand and she grasped it. He was surprised at the strength of her grip as she hoisted herself to the deck and straightened. She gave him a penetrating look from narrowed eyes and then flung her glance over the faces blocking the passage. She was as tall as he was, Matt realized, with hair cropped short about her face.