flame gun n.

This was the crew of Yultats who were busily engaged in erecting a monster flame-gun in a balcony just above Starr’s head.

The first wave of attack came hurtling, baying like hounds on their trail. He caught them unawares. His flame gun spouted a long streamer of gas. The inflammable gas united explosively with the oxygen of the air, spread a wide sheet of flame over the oncoming men. There was a howl of pain, suddenly hushed screams, and half a dozen crisped bodies tumbled awkwardly to the rock. The rest recoiled hastily.

The lips of the man hardened. His hand jerked swiftly to his belt, and now his own flame gun spat a crackling emanation. Others were following his lead. There followed several moments of hysteria, during which the liquid blobs divided and redivided, but as the flames subsided almost simultaneously from lowered weapons, a feeling of inexorable danger came over them, for numerous lesser liquid blotches were swirling forward.

His eyes narrowed into cunning slits of evil, as he loosed the flame gun in the holster by his side.

He found himself with a flame-gun in his hands. He trained it on the vines. Yellow-crimson fire leapt forward.

‘Okay!’ shouted Murdoch. ‘This is my score. I’m bringing you down for this. Harbouring, possession, bootlegging. The whole shit. You’re getting it.’ She pulled a flame gun from her waistband.