Page:Amazing Stories Volume 07 Number 08.djvu/60

Rh He tiptoed to the portal and attempted to cut the fastenings with his knife. This wasn't as easy as he expected, for the material was as tough as copper wire. It took him so long to sever the bonds that he cast several apprehensive glances at his watch before he was through.

As he passed the two girls on his way back to his own cell, he whispered, "Hold everything until the guard makes the rounds again. Then we'll scramble.

Then he crawled inside his cage and replaced the disk which he had cut out of the window. As he sat waiting for the watchman to reappear, his fingers ran nervously through the heap of queer-looking plant stalks which had evidently been put there for bedding. He picked up a large tuft of it and screwed it into a compact twist.

"By Universe!" he exclaimed. "Now there's an idea! Here, Jimmy! Help me twist this straw into bundles, will you?"

"What do you expect to do with that stuff?" Sullivan wanted to know; but Brink said cryptically, "Never mind what they are to be used for until the time comes to use them. But while you are twisting them, please pray that my scheme will work."

A few minutes later, after the Titanian had slithered once more around the room and had crept back to the cellar, Brink, with a large bundle of twisted fiber under his arms, led his three companions out into the deserted plaza. Keeping close to the buildings, he hurried to the edifice which he knew housed the two rocket-ships.

Assuming that this door would be fastened in the same way as the other one, he ran his knife along the crack until it encountered something hard. He directed Sullivan to locate a similar obstruction closer to the ground. In feverish haste they sawed away at the fastenings until their blades grated through. To reach the third bond, it was necessary for Brink to stand on Sullivan's shoulder.

Hardly had he severed it and carefully slid the door open when a powerful impulse shocked his consciousness. It was like an ear-piercing scream, although not a sound was audible.

Brink turned and was horrified to see the watchman oozing swiftly toward him. At the same instant, one of the girls gave a cry of alarm and Frank wheeled to find himself confronted by another Titanian, who evidently had been on guard over the space-fliers.

Brink snatched up one of the twists of straw, struck a match and set fire to the improvised torch.

"Here, Jimmy! he cried as he ignited a second torch and thrust it into Sullivan's hand. "Take this and help me drive those two brutes back into the building."

ITH a running leap, he hurdled the first Titanian. thus getting behind him. Then he thrust the brand toward the amoeba-man, who shrunk trembling before it.

"I thought so!" he yelled triumphantly. "Those bozos have never seen fire before. Like all animals except man, they are afraid of it! Don't let them get away, Jimmy! Chase both of them into the building."

When the four humans and the Titanians were all inside, Brink shut the door behind them. With Sullivan's help, he forced the two amoeba-men into the cellar of this second building and pulled a heavy, grotesquely fashioned table over the trap-door.

"You had better stand guard over the door, Jimmy," the captain commanded. I'll go and see what condition the ships are in."

He went first to the craft belonging to the Valentine girls. One glance convinced him that it was beyond repair.

"How were your fuel tanks when you landed here?" he asked Vera.

"They were over half full—plenty to carry us back."

"I'm afraid our tanks are empty," he affirmed. "Perhaps I can replenish them from your supply."

At that moment the large outer door slid open with a rumble like thunder. In the opening a threatening, sinister throng of Titanians milled and surged. The front ranks had scarcely crossed the threshold when Jimmy, with a flaming torch in his hand, was driving them back.

Brink ran to help him, but the plucky lieutenant waved him back.

"I can take care of these brutes. You'd better get the girls into the flyer and see if you can replenish our fuel tanks."

Realizing the wisdom of this advice, Brink entered the girl's flyer and examined the fuel gauge. Consternation gripped him when he saw that it registered zero. He tested the gauge and found it was working properly. Even when he opened the throttle wide, there was no hiss to indicate that gas was escaping.

Sweat was dripping from his forehead when he came out and faced the ladies.

"Sorry, girls," he faltered. "Your tanks are empty too. It looks as if we were done for."

"Please don't give up yet," Velma pleaded. "Perhaps you have enough fuel left to reach some remote part of Titan. There's always a chance that we'll be saved by another rescue party."

"All right," Brink muttered. "Climb in."

When he took a look at his own fuel gauge, he let out a cry of astonishment: "That's funny. According to this indicator, our tanks are five-eighths full. I am sure I didn't have anywhere near that much fuel when I landed."

"Maybe Santa Claus came last night and filled your tanks," Vera suggested.

"By Universe! It is Christmas day today, isn't it? With all the excitement, I forgot all about it. Take a look and see how Jimmy is making out, will you?"

She stepped to the window and reported: "He seems to be holding them but they are creeping closer to him. Great heavens! He has used up that whole heap of torches! And the one in his hand is burnt down almost to his fingers."

"That means we'll have to move fast," Brink shouted. "Velma, run to the door and yell for Jimmy to beat it into the ship. As soon as he gets inside, shut the door and bolt it."

"Can't you give me something to do?" Vera begged.

"Sure! Take this box of matches. In case any of the beasts are too close to Jimmy to get the door shut, light some of the matches and drive them back."

The matches were not needed. As soon as Sullivan heard Velma's call, he made a phenomenal sprint for the ship. Caught by surprise, the Titanians did not reach the flyer until Jimmy was safe inside with the door bolted securely.

But before Brink had time to start the gravity nullifiers and to turn on the rockets, scores of the creatures had swarmed over the outside of the ship, weighting it down with their great bulk.

In spite of this handicap, Brink succeeded in maneu-