Марсианские хроники

           Hehadtodragheraroundbackofthestandwherethetwomachinesstood,histruck,whichhehadusedsteadilyuntilamonthago,andtheoldMartiansandshipwhichhehadbidforatauction,smiling,andwhich,duringthelastthreeweeks,hehadusedtocarrysuppliesbackandforthovertheglassyseafloor.Helookedathistrucknowandremembered.Theenginewasoutontheground;hehadbeenputteringwithitfortwodays.

           "Thetruckdon’tseemtobeinrunningcondition,"saidElma.

           "Thesandship.Getin!"

           "Andletyoudrivemeinasandship?Ohno."

           "Getin!Icandoit!"

           Heshovedherin,jumpedinbehindher,andflappedthetiller,letthecobaltsailuptotaketheeveningwind.

           ThestarswerebrightandtheblueMartianshipswereskimmingacrossthewhisperingsands.Atfirsthisownshipwouldnotmove,thenherememberedthesandanchorandyankeditin.

           "There!"

           Thewindhurledthesandshipkeeningoverthedeadseabottom,overlong-buriedcrystals,pastupendedpillars,pastdeserteddocksofmarbleandbrass,pastdeadwhitechesscities,pastpurplefoothills,intodistance.ThefiguresoftheMartianshipsrecededandthenbegantopaceSam’sship.

           "GuessIshowedthem,byGod!"criedSam."I’llreporttotheRocketCorporation.They’llgivemeprotection!I’mprettyquick."

           "Theycouldhavestoppedyouiftheywanted,"Elmasaidtiredly."Theyjustdidn’tbother."

           Helaughed."Comeoffit.Whyshouldtheyletmegetoff?No,theyweren’tquickenough,isall."