new was a pool that supplied the
crude system. Beyond it Loah and Gor were waiting.

Gor read the look on Rawson's face. "It is useless," Gor said. "And
now I have decided. The People of the Light must die--but not in the
fires of the Reds. With my people I shall walk into the sea."

And Rawson could not protest. He could only follow as Gor turned back
toward the village and the mountain beyond.

From a spur on the mountainside Rawson could see the full length of
the island. One way lay the village; beyond it the green fields; then
the wide scarlet band of the Place of Death. And beyond that the
little crystal hills and the valley between that led out to the point.
It was now dark with massed clusters of bodies, red even at that
distance. He could even see the glint of metal from time to time.

And behind the mountain were the People of Light, where Gor was only
waiting for the attack to lead them out to the island's farther end
and then on to a kindlier death in the emerald sea. Only Loah was with
Dean, although there were others of the White Ones not far away,
watching, ready to warn Gor when the attack began.

Not an hour before, Rawson had stood in the inner chamber and had
listened to the mountain as it repeated the words of a far-distant
man: "Attack of the mole-men growing increasingly ferocious ...
heat-ray projectors--almost invincible ... our forces have entered the
Tonah Basin--they are descending into the crater. But whether warfare
can be carried on advantageously under ground is problematical...."
Rawson unconsciously gritted his teeth behind his set lips as he
watched the Reds.

He knew why they had been so slow in attacking. They must have a
carrier of some sort, a shell like that of Loah's, and they were
bringing their fighters one shell-load at a time. When the entire
force was ready they would attack. And Rawson was convinced that this
force would be limited in number.

"They'll have plenty to keep them busy up there," he argued. "If only
we could wipe out this one lot we could prepare to defend ourselves."
And now, standing on the side of the mountain, he startled Loah with
the fury of his sudden ejaculation.

"Fool! Quitter! Waiting here for them to come and get you! There's one
chance in a million--" Then he was rushing at full speed along the
roadway that circled the mountain toward Gor and the terrified throng.

* * * * *

The waiting savages must have l