Luana by Alan Dean Foster Page A

Albright in disbelief.
    “That’s all, Herr professor.”
    The basket looked less than flimsy. Barrett stepped into the contraption, slipping his legs through the two holes on either side of the small seat.
    “See you on the other side,” he grinned. He relaxed, let his weight pull the cord taut as he snapped the shackle onto it. A thinner cord ran from the seat to a coil in Murin’s hands. He took a deep breath and lifted his feet off the ground.
    The incline was gentle. Nevertheless, he seemed to shoot across the chasm.
    His landing was awkward. He crashed into the bushes on the far side, but he was unhurt.
    “Nothing to it!” he yelled, climbing out of the basket. “Izzy, care to try it next?”
    Murin pulled on the thin cord and dragged the basket back towards them. She considered. Noticing her hesitation, Albright ventured a hopeful opinion.
    “Really, dear Isabel, I think this risk is quite unwarranted and dangerous! Surely we can go around. It may take a few weeks, but—”
    “Norman,” she said evenly, “I appreciate your concern for my safety. Honestly I do. But you know we haven’t got weeks to ‘circle around.’ We have to cross here. Mr. Barrett just did it and I’m sure I can manage at least as well,” She stepped into the basket. Murin made sure the straps were all in place.
    “Now, don’t look down,” he whispered to her, giving her a reassuring pat. “When you’re ready to go, just lift your feet. George will catch you on the other side.”
    “All . . . all right.” She clutched the top of the sling below the shackle and closed her eyes. “I’m ready.” She lifted her feet.
    There was a sensation for several seconds of flying through the air, like diving from a high springboard or platform. She slammed into a pair of arms, a hard body. The impact wasn’t much, but the shock was overwhelming. She gasped and found herself staring into Barrett’s smiling face.
    “You did right well, Izzy! You all right?”
    “I think so,” she replied. She stepped out of the cords and looked back. Yes, she’d really crossed over. Then she grinned slightly.
    “It was kind of fun, actually.”
    Albright, wishing to squelch any doubts as to his willingness to listen to Barrett, went next. The chemist managed the short but breathtaking trip with admirable scientific detachment.
    Rather surprisingly, it was Kobenene who gave them the most trouble. The big man, it was revealed, was utterly terrified of heights. Albright had to swear up and down at him before he’d finally consent to climb into the basket. Once safely across, Barrett had to practically pry the man’s hands free of the sling rope.
    After that things moved briskly. Crates and cartons and other supplies zipped across. The rest of the bearers followed, one after another. For those who’d worked with Barrett before, the journey was routine.
    Murin was the last. He unwrapped the line from around the thick tree and coiled it snugly around his waist. Barrett and several of the bearers stood ready on the other end. The wiry second in command moved to the side of the canyon. Putting his legs over the side, he sat on the edge. Then, giving them the okay, he pushed off and flew across the chasm.
    Isabel and Albright gasped and ran to the edge—to see Murin waving reassuringly up at them. He’d made a smooth arc across the gap and let his powerful legs take the impact of hitting the far side, rather like a broad rappel.
    “Juhu, up, up!” ordered Barrett. He and the bearers pulled. A few seconds later Murin was standing with them on the side of the canyon, uncoiling the line from his waist.
    After the troop had moved off the canyon returned to former silence, broken only by the light sound of the stream running over rocks below. Then, on the far side, small shapes appeared.
    “What now, sister?” asked Ohoh, hanging onto a bush and surveying the drop. Luana pointed upstream.
    “There is a broken place there where we can cross. A