e. In some way that guard would
maneuver matters so the encounter could come about. Besides, he would
endeavor to keep Luke in his squad where he would be able to drive him
to the utmost. The guards, Novak had said, were on the job only a month
when they were replaced by fresh recruits--and their pay was based on
the productivity of the squads they commanded. Kulan had seen that the
Earthman was a real sapper; worth three of the others. And he'd try to
keep it so.

That working period was a highly gratifying one to Luke. With the
rankling hatred concentrated and directed at Kulan, he was positively
gleeful. And yet he was content to bide his time. He swung his pick and
wielded his rock drill with joyful abandon, so that three men were kept
busy loading the ore he removed.

Kulan, he saw with satisfaction, was sullen and watchful. But no word
passed between the two. And the Earthman knew he had planted a seed that
was bound to sprout and grow until it bore fruit.

* * * * *

At the midday mess it happened. The shifting of men had brought Novak in
the same squad with Luke and they came in to sit at the long table
together. Kulan eyed them narrowly from the head of the board.

"Say," Novak whispered, "yuh got under Kuley's skin, know it? He'll run
yuh ragged."

"Yes?" Luke looked up at the guard, saw he was scowling darkly in their
direction, and grinned evilly. "I'll run him, you mean. I'll bust him in
two if I get my hands on him."

"Yuh ain't got a chance, I tell yuh. I seen a guy once, take a poke at a
guard, and what they done to him was plenty. They----"

With that, the wasted body of Novak bent double and he dropped to the
ground screaming. Blood gushed from his nostrils. Luke had seen the same
thing happen to several others and he knew what to expect. It was all
over for Novak, or nearly over.

Kulan came running and turned the stricken man face up.

"You'll last another period," he snarled. "Get up and eat."

He yanked Novak to his feet and shook him as he would a sack of meal.
The sick man moaned and begged, his head rolling from side to side and
his eyes filmed with pain.

"Let me have it," he whimpered. "I'm done, I tell yuh Kuley. Get
Gannett, if yuh don't believe me."

Kulan slapped him heavily with the flat of his massive hand. "You'll
work another period, sewer rat, if I have to prop you up!"

Then Luke Fenton took a chance. He didn't care particular