own with horror at the shaft protruding
from his side.

The boy didn't see the piling. His last quick impression was of the
bodyguard falling forward, then there was a stunning impact as the side
of his head met creosoted wood and darkness flooded in.

CHAPTER XIX

Lucky Lefty

Rick awoke to fiery agony. His face was burning, the flames searing his
flesh. He tried to reach a hand up to ease the pain and found the hand
gripped firmly. He struggled, and Steve's voice said, "Take it easy,
Rick. We'll be through in a minute."

The boy subsided and gritted his teeth. If Steve was there, it was okay.
But why didn't Steve put out the fire?

"Don't move," Steve said sharply. "I don't want to hurt you any more
than I can help."

Rick closed his eyes and fought the pain. He heard Steve say, "Give me
the spray can." Then something cool and soothing spread over his face.

An arm circled his shoulder and raised him to a sitting position. He
opened his eyes and looked into Scotty's worried face. Rick managed a
grin. "It's okay," he said hoarsely.

"If being alive is okay, then it's okay," Scotty said with relief. "But
you're a mess, boy."

Rick looked up dazedly. Steve was smiling at him, and next to Steve,
Orvil Harris! "Glad you're all right," the boy murmured.

"Thanks, Rick. I'm glad you finally came around. You had us worried for
a bit. And, Rick, meet my cousin Link."

A tall, gaunt man stepped forward. "Howdy, Rick? How do you feel?"

"Woozy," Rick said honestly. "Help me up, somebody."

Scotty lifted him, then guided him to a lawn chair. "Sit down. You're
too weak to stand."

Rick subsided gratefully. He could see better now, although it was
nearly dark. There were other people seated in chairs on the Calvert's
Favor lawn. Camillion, his electronics expert, and two others. At full
length, covered by a blanket, was the guard. He looked up at Rick, his
eyes dull and malevolent, but he said nothing.

"What happened?" Rick asked.

Joe Vitalli stood behind Camillion and company, his riot gun ready. The
JANIG agent was wet up to his armpits. Chuck Howard came into sight from
behind Rick, and he carried an open first-aid kit.

"You jumped for the balloon," Steve reminded him. He motioned to the
bodyguard. "This one tried a pot-shot at you and Scotty nailed him with
a spear. Then you smashed into the piling and got knocked out. The
piling was rough. Your mask was ripped off and your face dragged along