Now Peter saw none but Spenski, until Samarc reached him, lifted, called. Peter saw the body raised from the ground to Samarc's arms—saw the little man's body open upon his friend like a melon that has rotted underneath.
Chapter 5
All went black for Peter. The slope rose up and took him. For an eternity afterward he felt someone tugging at him—hands of terrible strength that would not let him die, would not let him sleep. After that a familiar voice began calling at intervals.
“Hello,” said Peter at last. “What have I been doing?”
“Not anything that you've pulled before. Is this an old habit?”
“What?”
“Passing out unhurt—lying like a log for an hour or two?”
“No, it's a new one. Where are we?”