T. D. Hamm

“ Through Canham's faceplate, he could see his face set in agonized strain as he attempted to free his feet in their heavy boots, the water level rising from waist to armpits as he struggled. Bradford redoubled his efforts, muscles cracking as he tried to heave the other free bodily. Canham relaxed suddenly.
"It's no use," he panted heavily. "Don't come closer—it'll just get both of us. Don't stay and watch it—it'll just make it harder. Wait a minute—here, catch!"
With a last convulsive effort, he jerked loose the oxygen tank and gave it a desperate throw. ”

“ Foot by foot, they heaved and plunged their way through the relentless sucking mire.
"We must be nearly to the other side," Bradford wheezed. "We've got to make it before dark. It's a cinch we can't camp here."
Canham looked across the few hundred yards remaining and shook his head wearily.
"This thing is like a moat; I get the feeling that we're being kept out by one defense after another. Those harmless looking, poisonous little beasts that killed Palmer, the wind-devils that got Rodriguez and now—this." ”

“ Bradford with a defiant look at his companion, unhooked Rodriguez' half-empty water bottle from his own belt and placed it upright at the head of the mound.
"He knew what they wanted and I took it away from him. I guess we can spare him this!"
Retrieving the oxygen tank and the heat batteries as they went, they trudged wearily back to their meager shelter, sickeningly conscious of the vacant space beside them.
Canham gave a sudden choked exclamation.
"He didn't even get to smoke his cigarette—"
Bradford caught his up-thrown arm. "He left it for us. When things get tough we'll share it." ”

“ With deadly fury, he would hurl a barrage of rocks through the air, while the little animal eyed them in indifferent curiosity. Occasionally he scored a hit, laughing grimly as the dying animal erected the ruff of lethal spines through its silky fur. ”

“ One gives them what is most precious. Es muy necessario." More and more he was losing his usually fluent, faintly accented English and reverting to his native tongue.
Bradford eyed him sternly. "Rodriguez, you are a good Catholic. You wear a holy medal. What's all this talk about sacrifices to the devil?"
Rodriguez' gaze slid away. "I don't think God knows about this place. This is of El Diablo."
"So now you want to get in good with the Devil," Bradford grunted. "Well, you can do it some other way than with the last of the water." He jerked his head at Canham waiting wearily behind them. ”

“ Compressed food they had, two weeks supply per man; their extra oxygen tanks; an extra battery apiece for the suit heaters. Water would be their worst problem.
Bradford looked at the miles of barren, reddish wasteland and shrugged fatalistically.
"If there's any water at all, it will be at the Polar cap. We might as well get going—we've got a long hike."
Palmer grimaced wryly. "Forward, you Eagle Scouts. We can get our merit badges easy."
"Yeah, we can get them from Santa Claus at the Pole—" Rodriguez made a valiant attempt at his usual sardonic humor. ”

“ If they could only make it to the Pole—there they were sure of water at least, in the vegetation belt surrounding the shallow icecap. If it was ice and not frozen carbon dioxide which some of the experts held out for. In their initial swing around the planet they had seen the narrow green belt dotted with shining pools. Plants meant oxygen, too; and it was possible that in a temperature supporting some kind of growing life, it would be warm enough so that they could remove their helmets for breathing, if only in the brief daylight hours. ”

“ Bradford frowned darkly. "I ought to have you in irons for this, Mr. Canham! Now give me one of those things before I break your arm!"
With a muttered word of thanks, Rodriguez laid his carefully aside on a handy rock and slid out of the shelter into the early dark. Canham tossed a facetious remark after him and received the usual unprintable reply.
The other two sat, inhaling luxuriously. Bradford sighed comfortably.
"I think he's snapping out of it. Good thing you noticed what was happening. We'll all have to keep an eye on each other from now on."
"It's enough to drive anybody nuts. ”