Читать книгу The Science Fiction Anthology онлайн

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“Killing?”

“Hunting,” Extrone repeated harshly.

The farn beast coughed. Another answered. They were very near, and there was a noise of crackling underbrush.

“He’s good bait,” Extrone said. “He’s fat enough and he knows how to scream good.”

Ri had stopped screaming; he was huddled against the tree, fearfully eying the forest across from the watering hole.

Extrone began to tremble with excitement. “Here they come!”

The forest sprang apart. Extrone bent forward, the gun still across his lap.

The farn beast, its tiny eyes red with hate, stepped out on the bank, swinging its head wildly, its nostrils flaring in anger. It coughed. Its mate appeared beside it. Their tails thrashed against the scrubs behind them, rattling leaves.

“Shoot!” Lin hissed. “For God’s sake, shoot!”

“Wait,” Extrone said. “Let’s see what they do.” He had not moved the rifle. He was tense, bent forward, his eyes slitted, his breath beginning to sound like an asthmatic pump.

The lead farn beast sighted Ri. It lowered its head.