Disappointment was momentarily hot in Kolano's eyes. "They are here, O
Great Prince Toka! And your canoe awaits beside the wharf!"
From beneath the voluminous robes of the second pair of Old Ones
appeared Toka's weapons. Snatching his battle knife and buckling it on,
Toka grabbed his great battle-ax and leaped from the altar. The wildly
joyous Kosannans parted. Rok and Old Ledo fleet at his flanks, Toka
raced across the square and down to the wharf. Only a long black canoe
was awaiting. In a split instant Toka was kneeling at the bow thwart
with black paddle in hand. Rok was as ready amidships, Old Ledo in the
stern.
The men thrust free of the wharf and dug their paddles. The canoe
leaped for the down-river cavern. Only dripping gloom met straining
eyes. Only the liquid swishing of three paddles digging fast and
deep came to the ears. And ever Toka's being strained ahead to that
hell-hole where Roya was....