Chiu-Ming was now well in advance; Ruth and Dick less than half a mile from the opening of the green tunnel.

I saw Drake stop, raise his rifle, empty it before him, and, holding Ruth by the hand, race back toward us.
Even as he turned, the vine-screened entrance through which we had come, through which we had thought lay safety, streamed other armored men.

We were outflanked.
"To the fissure!" shouted Ventnor.

Drake heard, for he changed his course to the crevice at whose mouth Ruth had said the--Little Things--had lain.
After him streaked Chiu-Ming, urging on the pony.

Shouting out of the tunnel, down over the lip of the bowl, leaped the soldiers.