The buzzing, too, was demoralizing.
"Now, to release the two men!" reminded Deltos, and led the way to the
torture-place. They found Corrus and Dulnop exactly as the two women had
left them six weeks before, except that their faces were drawn with the
agony of what they had endured. Below the surface of the ground their
bodies had shriveled and whitened with their daily imprisonment. Only
their spirits remained unchanged; they, of all the natives, had known
what it was to feel superior.
For the last time they were dug out and helped to their feet. They could
not stand by themselves, much less run; but it is not likely they would
have fled. Somehow they knew that the strange head-coverings had human
faces be hind them. And scarcely had they been freed before Sorplee,
glancing about, gave an exclamation of delight as he saw a group of
natives running toward them.
"Just what we want!" he exclaimed. "They've seen the scrap, and realize
that we've won!"
Looking around, the nine could see the other groups likewise hurrying
their way. All told, there were a couple of hundred of the villagers,
and all were armed with tools they knew how to use very well.
"Who shall do the honors?" asked Sorplee. "Wish Somat was here, to
explain for us.
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