He glanced back. They were gaining on him. A tangle of buildings loomed up ahead and he made for those.
A rough hand clamped around the back of his neck and dragged him to a halt. Mason spun around and waded in without waiting for an introduction.
His fist crashed into the stomach of the nearest Mordargan and sent him rocking back against his companion. Mason hit him again and he started to sag. The heavy body thudded against the pavement.
But the other Mordargan was more sober. He stepped over his companion's unconscious body and wrapped mighty arms around Mason's middle.
The Earthman gasped and turned purple. His fists pounded at the alien without avail.
"Had enough, Earthman?"
"You're choking me! Let go!"
"When a Mordargan invites you to drink with him, you drink!" The alien tightened his grip and Mason felt the universe reel. He could hardly see; his eyes were ready to pop. Against the 300 pound Mordargan he stood no chance at all.
Suddenly the alien released him. Mason took several hesitant, dizzy steps, sucking in breath as fast as he could. The alien's bearhug had nearly finished him.
The big Mordargan was chuckling happily. "Earthman, you don't know how close you came to death just then!"