Behind me was heathendom and the black fever flats.

In front were the cool mountains and bright streams, and the guns of my own folk.
As I struggled on--for I was getting very footsore and weary--I became aware of an odd sound in my rear.

It was as if something were following me.

I stopped and listened with a sudden dread.

Could Laputa's trackers have got up with me already?
But the sound was not of human feet.