Chapter 15 — The Giddy Bridge

           Justforamomentthathostilepauseendured.IsupposethatbothweandtheSelenitesdidsomeveryrapidthinking.Myclearestimpressionwasthattherewasnothingtoputmybackagainst,andthatwewereboundtobesurroundedandkilled.Theoverwhelmingfollyofourpresencethereloomedovermeinblack,enormousreproach.WhyhadIeverlaunchedmyselfonthismad,inhumanexpedition?

           Cavorcametomysideandlaidhishandonmyarm.Hispaleandterrifiedfacewasghastlyinthebluelight.

           “Wecan’tdoanything,”hesaid.“It’samistake.Theydon’tunderstand.Wemustgo.Astheywantustogo.”

           Ilookeddownathim,andthenatthefreshSeleniteswhowerecomingtohelptheirfellows.“IfIhadmyhandsfree—”

           “It’snouse,”hepanted.

           “No.”

           “We’llgo.”

           Andheturnedaboutandledthewayinthedirectionthathadbeenindicatedforus.

           Ifollowed,tryingtolookassubduedaspossible,andfeelingatthechainsaboutmywrists.Mybloodwasboiling.Inotednothingmoreofthatcavern,thoughitseemedtotakealongtimebeforewehadmarchedacrossit,orifInotedanythingIforgotitasIsawit.Mythoughtswereconcentrated,Ithink,uponmychainsandtheSelenites,andparticularlyuponthehelmetedoneswiththegoads.Atfirsttheymarchedparallelwithus,andatarespectfuldistance,butpresentlytheywereovertakenbythreeothers,andthentheydrewnearer,untiltheywerewithinarmslengthagain.Iwincedlikeabeatenhorseastheycameneartous.