Read "Outside the Universe" by Edmond Hamilton online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
Racing forward as they were, the serpent-creatures rushing upon us could only loose their death-beams at chance upon us, and it was that alone that saved us, the deadly rays going wide except for one that struck and annihilated two of our party in its wild whirling. Then, before they could loose the beams again upon us, we had rushed forward to meet them and were among them; while at the same moment I shouted hoarsely over my shoulder to Jhul Din, who with his three followers had reached now the open door of our ship, behind us, and who now had hesitated for an instant as he saw our new foes rush down upon us.
"Go on, Jhul Din! " I cried. "Get away in the ship -- we'll hold them till you get clear -- -- !"