We were discovered a few minutes
ago; already we have lost many men. Just give us the lights, so
that we can get at them! It is a waste of men, with the advantage
all on their side."
Then, lapsing into English for Chick's benefit: "'Tis welcome ye
are! Ivery mon helps, how."
"What are these sounds? You say they are fighting?"
"'Tis the deherers ye hear, lad. They fight with silent guns.
Don't let 'em hit ye, or ye'll be a pink pool in the twinklin' of
yer eyelid. 'Tis no joke.
"Are they more powerful than firearms?"
"I dinna say, lad. But they're th' devil's own weapon for
fightin'."
Chick did not answer--he had heard a low command from the Geos.
Next instant the space before them was illuminated by clear white
light, in the form of a circle--bright as day. In the centre
shimmered an object like a mist of blue flame, a nimbus of
dazzling, actinic lightning. There was no sign of man or life, no
suggestion of sound--nothing but the nimbus, and the brilliant
space about it. The whole phenomenon measured perhaps three
hundred feet across.
They were in darkness. Chick took a step forward, but he was held
back by MacPherson.
"Nay, lad; would ye be dyin' so soon? 'Tis fearful quick. See--"
He did not finish. A red line of soldiers had rushed straight out
of the blackness into the circle of light. It seemed that they
were charging the nimbus.
Pages:
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377