Part 26 (1/2)

The scientist tried to place the e to fit He called, ”Can one of you lean away in? I'll hold it up as high as I can”

Tony's excavations had taken hi onto his legs, Rick was able to reach in and take the object froer than a huold!

Scotty and Chahda pulled Rick out of the pit, then they lowered the rope for Tony In a

There was a yellow glea more and more skull-like as the mud was removed Tony worked rapidly, and in a few moments he held it up for theold, and the workmanshi+p bore the unmistakable stamp of Alta Yuan

”We've succeeded,” Tony said, his voice hushed ”BeyondMeat and Angel called si across the field in ominous silence, spears ready Nast and Lazada were nowhere in sight, but at the head of the warriors was Nangolat!

Hastily the golden artifacts were put out of sight in the recess and Tony walked to aos

Scotty pulled the retractor of his rifle and a cartridge ra chamber He held the rifle casually, but ready for instant action

Nangolat came closer, and his face was distorted with e or throwing When he spoke, his voice, usually moderate, was nearly a scream

”I almost believed you,” he sobbed ”But now I know the truth! You are here to desecrate our temples and to rob us of the precious relics of on had been lazed, black with emotion He was beyond reason

”Die!” he screamed ”Die!”

His hand flashed back for the throw Scotty's rifle spoke sharply and the heavy slug caught the blade of Nangolat's spear The Ifugao hirled around bodily He fell as the spear renched fronal The Ifugao warriors rushed, launching spears as they cael, Scotty, and Chahda were cal loith deadly accuracy Froood effect, while Dog Meat whaun

Spears bounced off the truck, the jeep, and the dragon Now and then one hung quivering in the wall of the recess, but the Spindrift group had good shi+elding and there were no casualties

The attackers avering now A priest with a knot of chicken feathers in his hair leaped forward, holding a skull high Rick guessed it was an important syhted in and his shot blasted the skull into fragments The wave broke and retreated

Tony made a quick examination to be sure there were no casualties Out on thewounds, were being helped to safety

”We can thank Nast and Lazada for this,” Tony said bitterly ”Do you realize that we are in a very bad position?”

The Ifugao warriors were refor shock of Scotty's shot, stor theer waving a spear He was now armed with a rifle

CHAPTER XVII

Make or Break

”We can stand off their assaults,” Tony said ”We can't stand sniping

Not for long, at any rate”