If only I could open my mouth, I'd eat all of you, although my appetite is poorly this warm weather." With this the Rak began to roll its immense body sidewise, so as to crush the officers more easily; but in doing this it rolled completely off from them and the entire sixteen scrambled to their feet and made off as fast as they could run.
Private Files could not see them go but he knew from the sound of their voices that they had escaped, so he ceased to worry about them.
"Pardon me if I now bid you good-bye," he said to the Rak.

"The parting is caused by our desire to continue our journey.

If you die, do not blame me, for I was obliged to shoot you as a matter of self-protection." "I shall not die," answered the monster, "for I bear a charmed life.
But I beg you not to leave me!" "Why not ?" asked Files.
"Because my broken jaw will heal in about an hour, and then I shall be able to eat you.

My wing will heal in a day and my leg will heal in a week, when I shall be as well as ever.

Having shot me, and so caused me all this annoyance, it is only fair and just that you remain here and allow me to eat you as soon as I can open my jaws." "I beg to differ with you," returned the soldier firmly.