That was why Firebird had moved the sled. He went back into the burning building and fought his way to a back window out of the enemy's line of fire. He found Firebird waiting for him there. The smell of smoke was in her hair, but she seemed unharmed by the flames. She gave him no time for questions. "I'm going to drive around the town. Fire every building with the rifle. That will drive him out eventually." She twisted the sled out through the narrow street to the open desert and began circling. Nathan pressed the rifle through the open port and fired continually at the wooden buildings. They watched sharply for their assailant, but he was apparently not aware of their escape. As they finished the circle, Firebird turned the sled out into the desert and swung up the far side of a high dune. "We'll watch for him to make a break for his sled," she said. "When he does, we'll let him get started and follow closely. He won't be able to fire while driving, and he won't dare stop because we'll be on him." Nathan nodded. As Firebird stopped the sled, he handed her the cloak, a mere handful of cloth. "I'd like to know what the secret of this cloak is--and how you made it through that fire without protection." Firebird smiled. "So would a lot of other people." Then she sobered and added, "I think perhaps you will be the one to know--some day." She turned away and watched the burning ghost village. It was a beautiful hell of flame. Every building was yellow with fire. The desert was lit for miles around, and the sound of the crackling was like the sound of some great battle. "He can't stay in there much longer," said Firebird. The heat was already strongly felt at the dune. "There he is!" Nathan exclaimed. * * * * * A figure burst suddenly out of the inferno and ran towards the far side of the burning town. "We're on the wrong side," said Firebird. "Keep your eye on him and we'll move over if we can do it without being seen." Cautiously, through the blow holes and behind dunes, they made their way forward. The sound of their engines and propellers was muffled in the roar of the fire. They topped a rise and Nathan exclaimed, "There's his sled. He's moving." "He must think we're dead," said Firebird. "He probably plans to come back and search the ruins for the Jewels when it's cooled off." She added speed to overtake the other sled. It was in sight only part of the time and it would be easy to lose in the dunes and blow holes. Nathan lowered the port a trifle and stuck the nose of the rifle through. He got a bead on the forward sled. And the instant he pressed the trigger, their own sled dipped down so that his shot went low. But it served to warn their quarry of their presence. He must have whirled to get a look at them, for the sled wobbled crazily for an instant.