They saw very few of the natives. Far ahead of them they occasionally glimpsed a native slipping furtively out of the way. Behind them, always at a distance, heads occasionally poked around corners at them.
"They're very cowardly," the instructor said.
"Where's Billy Kasker?" Susan Sidwell suddenly asked.
The group halted. Billy Kasker was no longer following them. A little stir of consternation ran through them as they realized the class president was missing.
"Billy! Billy!" the instructor called.
There was no answer.
"I just don't understand this. He knows he should remain with us."
"Maybe some of these horrible natives grabbed him!" Susan Sidwell said. The group was startled—and suddenly afraid.
The instructor took a deep breath. "I have a Thor gun. I'll go find him. Joe, you are in charge of the group until I return. All of you remain in the middle of the street and don't move."