"E. C. Tubb - Dumarest 01 - The Winds of Gath" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tubb E. C)

It was good food, expensive, probably bought from the
Resident's store. Dumarest spooned it down, savoring every
drop. When the can was two-thirds empty he handed it to
Megan.

"Finish it."

"No, Earl. You need it more than I do."

"Finish it and don't be a fool. I'm not strong enough to carry
you back to camp. Now eat up and let's get moving."

Megan had brought more than food. He knew what could
happen to men tossed into the sea. Dumarest dressed while the
other ate, packed the things and stamped out the fire. Together
they set off across a rolling field covered with stunted vegetation.

"We're about halfway between the camp and the mountains,"
said Megan. They walked slowly, taking care where they set their
feet. "We'll hit the path soon and then the going will be easier."

Dumarest nodded, making no comment. Megan must have
followed the coast every foot of the way from the camp. It was a
long, hard trip. Dumarest slowed his pace a little. He froze as
something rustled to one side. A small animal, lithe, sleek, darted
across his path and away from his feet. Another, larger, followed
it, catching it as it reached cover. There was a brief flurry, white
teeth flashed in the shadows, red stained the ground.

Neither creature had made a sound.
 Dumarest walked past the spot, wondering why those in the
camp had neglected this source of food. Megan shrugged when
he asked the question.

"We can't catch them. You set a snare and go away. You come
back to find the snare tripped but the body stolen. You set up
nets and wait and never see a thing, some of us made crossbows
and tried to shoot them on sight. We wasted our time."

"Guns?"

"If we had them, which we haven't, they wouldn't do any good.
Some of the tourists have tried. All have failed." He saw
Dumarest's expression. "Sure, they can be caught," he admitted.
"You could set up a line of nets and use sonic guns to drive them
into the traps, but who the hell is going to all that trouble for a
handful of rats?"

"Has anyone?"