They saw Eakins appear on the fringe of the jungle.
"Lousy traitor," Cable said, raising his rifle.
Sorensen slapped the muzzle of the rifle aside. "Don't do it."
"But he's helping that bug!"
"He can't help it," Sorensen said. "And he's not armed. Leave him alone."
Eakins watched for a few moments, then melted back into the jungle.
The attack by the rats and crabs swept across half of the cleared space. Then, as they came closer, the men were able to pick their targets with more accuracy. Nothing was able to get closer than twenty yards. And when Recetich shot down the bird of paradise, the attack began to falter.
"You know," Drake said, "I think we're going to be all right."
"Could be," said Sorensen. "I don't understand what the Quedak is trying to accomplish. He knows we can't be taken like this. I should think—"
"Hey!" one of the men called out. "Our boat!"