THEY WENT UP A WOODEN ladder. It was suddenly getting hot. Campbell guessed that Romany was in the sun again. The Martian opened a door at the top, very, very slowly.
A young, vibrant voice sang out, "All clear!" They piled out of the doorway. Four or five husky young Paniki barbarians from Venus stood grinning beside two bound and slumbering Earthmen.
Campbell stared past them. The air was still and hot, hung with veils of steamy mist. There was mossy earth dotted with warm pools. There were liha-trees, sultry green under a pearly light that was still brightening out of indigo gloom.
A slow, hot breath of wind stirred the mist and liha-trees. It smelt of warm still water and growing things, and - freedom.
Campbell drew a long breath. His eyes stung and the veins in his neck hurt. He k
