QUICKLY, RODDIE DREW the hammer from his waist. Then, with weapon ready for an instantaneous blow, he stretched his left hand through the darkness. He touched something warm, softish. Gingerly he felt over that curving surface for identifying features.
While Roddie investigated by touch, his long fingers were suddenly seized and bitten. At the same time, his right shin received a savage kick. And his own retaliatory blow was checked in mid-swing by an unexpected voice.
“Get your filthy hands off me!” it whispered angrily. “Who do you think you are?”
Startled, he dropped his hammer. “I’m Roddie,” he said, squatting to fumble for it. “Who do you think you are?”
“I’m Ida, naturally! Just how many girls are there in this raiding party?”
His first Invader—and he had dropped his weapon!
Sc
