Already the sailors were tossing guns to their comrades who had been held prisoner. The look on the men's faces as they eagerly grabbed the weapons boded no good for any Ogrum who tried to stop them from escaping. Meanwhile Craig and Higgins revived Margy Sharp. The man who had been prepared for the Ogrum sacrifice was released.
"Everybody out!" Craig yelled.
In a long line the sailors trotted toward the passage through the temple that led to the exit. Once outside, they would reform their phalanx and fight their way through any opposition that might develop. No sound had come from the rear-guard they had left at the exit, proving that the Ogrum had not yet discovered that their prisoners had been released.
"We've won!" Craig said huskily. "We've tricked those devils and beaten them to the punch."
"You've worked a miracle," Captain Higgins said. "If we were back home, you would get a Congressional Medal for this."
"Thanks!" the big man grinned. Then the grin vanished from his face. "What's that?" he said sharply.
From the passage ahead of them came the metallic rattle of machine gun fire.
"It's the rear guard at the exit!" a sailor said. "They're shooting at something."
Craig ordered the file to halt and he and Higgins slipped forward to the exit. Through the hole that served as a doorway came a dull glow of light. The guard had taken refuge in the passage itself. An ensign came stumbling down the passage.