With a tremendous heave, Karn hurled the giant idol to the floor

The Frightened Planet

By Sidney Austen

Karn was only a savage, but he knew a thing or two

about the way justice should be meted out—and he did it

Against the blackness of the early morning sky the huge ball traced an arc of flame. Had Karn been watching the sky he would have seen the ball slow in its descent and then come to a landing some distance ahead of him. But he was too busy for that.

On the back of his neck the short hairs told him that pursuit was still

close behind. He put on a fresh burst of speed, his bare feet making no sound on the trail he followed. Soon the early breeze would shift and they would lose his scent.