They pressed on through the heat of the day. At length, the old blind man stumbled and fell. I . . . I must rest! Then rest and rot! We’re halting for nothing and no-one! Janno’s voice rasped out, commandingly . . . I say we halt! Oh, you do, eh? Well, just you listen to me, my fine young . . . The secret assassin never finished what he had to say. Eeeeaaaaghh! He—e—e—elp! Janno raced forward and grabbed the fallen gun-case. As he did so, he saw the face of the thing in the hollow tree! I’ve got to get that creature before it gets me, too! The hideous arms were already scrabbling at him, as Janno took hurried aim and fired!The assassin’s magnificent killing-weapon did its work swiftly and well. Its owner stared at his rescuer in disbelief. You risked your life to save me! That brute could have got you before you had a chance to fire! One good turn deserves another,. May I repeat my suggestion that we stop for a while? They rested. Later, they set off again. Water! I smell water! We must be close to the river! Presently, they were gazing out across a broad torrent. It’s in full spate! If we built a raft, we’d be carried back to civilisation before tomorrow’s dawn! We could be in Trigan City by midday! They all fell to work. Somehow, a crude raft was put together and borne down to the flood. And then, the great voyage began. High above, a patrol craft of the Caton air fleet appeared. There’s a raft on the river, I can make out four or five people on it! Ah! Heading for Trigan territory! No actual state of war existed between Cato and the Trigan Empire, just mutual hatred. Our orders are to destroy anything suspicious and ask questions afterwards! Prepare to attack!
This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 657 on 17 August 1974.
