"Philip E. High - These Savage Futurians" - читать интересную книгу автора (High Phillip E)

the women. God, it must be a thousand paces to the top—he'd never do it!

Somehow, however, his feet still pounded on the rough soil. His vision
was blurred and ringed with scarlet and he felt as if there were a knife
wound in his side, but he did not falter. It was as if his pain-wracked body
labored upwards on its own; as if his own fears and terrors drove it
onwards and it was determined not to succumb. Yet it shouted for respite,
the lungs burned and throbbed, blood pounded noisily in his head and his
legs felt grossly heavy yet curiously numb.

Then, somehow, as if in a dream, he reached the flat rolling land above
the village, turned onto the path for Del and staggered to an uncertain
stop.

About a thousand paces down the path to Del another group of men
stood ready to head him off. All of them were armed and two carried
bows.

Ventnor, wheezing for breath, did the only thing possible. He turned
and ran in the opposite direction.

There was no path, only the uneven ground and a long slope undulating
slowly upwards. He knew why there was no path—he was heading towards
forbidden territory and, once he reached the boundary line, he would be in
it. He admitted to himself that he was frightened but he was more
frightened of the immediate danger.

The first pursuit party which had, no doubt, been joined by Corby,
thirsting for vengeance, had reached level ground. A quick glance behind
him showed that the second party had also taken up the chase.

Then suddenly there was a second line of stones, this time painted red,
and he hurled himself across them. He ran until he was safely out of arrow
range then let himself collapse, literally sobbing with relief and
exhaustion.

He lay, it seemed, a long time, his heart beating so violently it seemed to
thud against his ribs. His lungs ached, his clothing was soaked and sweat
trickled down his body in streams. Finally he rolled over and sat upright.

"Del boy!" Corby's voice shouting from a distance but was clearly
audible. "Del boy, you think you got away?" The voice paused then went
on. "You think you safe now?" A shout of laughter from the others. "You
safe all right, Del boy, yes, you safe there but try and get back, jest try."

Another shout of laughter from the others then Corby's voice again.
"Maybe you wait for darkness, eh? Won't be no darkness for you, boy, not
for you. We light fires on boundary, walk up and down with torches. Try
getting back, eh? Just try."