We had a momentary shelter. Claire whispered to me, "I'm going to him. He'll kill you otherwise, and take me anyway."
"No!" I croaked. "No!"
Gogrol heard, and was coming. Claire said hastily. "He's—bestial. At least I can plot a course that will—kill us!" Then she called, "Gogrol! I'll surrender."
I snatched at her ankle—too late. I went crawling after her as she strode into the open, but her steps were too rapid. I heard her say, "I give up, if you won't—shoot him again."
Gogrol mumbled, and then Claire's voice again, "Yes, I'll plot your course, but how can I cross the peaks?"
"Walk," he said, and laughed.
"I can't breathe up there."
"Walk as far as you can. You won't die while I take you the rest of the way."
There was no reply. When I finally crept into the open, they were a hu
