With a tremendous effort, he said loudly, "Water! There. Only a little way off."

And he staggered off into the desert, his arms extended eagerly, his hands fluttering aimlessly.

Leeda watched him go. Watched him chase his mirage out into the Martian wastes that extended for hundreds of miles without the slightest trace of water. Watched him stagger into oblivion until he became small with the distance.

Kneeling, she pushed the mud aside in the water-hole forming a small trough into which the red water could seep. Then she advanced the gauge on her head-bubble until she was breathing almost pure oxygen. Patiently she breathed in the mixture. After fifteen minutes, she removed the head-bubble and bent her lips to the accumulated water. Her oxygen saturated system would easily permit her to go a full ten or more minutes without having to take a breath.

Twice she lay back and let the water regain its level. Then drank. Satisfied at last, she placed the head-bubble once more onto its flange in the suit.

Rising, she pulled the poison sign from the mud and carried it over to the skeleton. There she eased herself to the sand and gently placed her hand on the head of the skeleton.

"We did it, Terry," she said gently. There was triumph in her voice; a feeling of peace and wholeness once more inside her. "The fools thought they could beat us. Four days to make an easy five hour walk. Circling; around and around. Waiting. Waiting and planning, and killing. Now they are dead and I can give you a decent burial.

"Forgive me, my Darling for moving you over here that first night. But I needed the sign and you to get even. Thanks for your help."

 Prev. P 10/10