 What saves Thig life in his fight with Torp?
QUEST OF THIG By BASIL WELLS Thig of Ortha was the vanguard of the conquering "HORDE." Thig carefully smoothed the dark sand and seaweed of the lonely beach over the metal lid of the flexible ringed tunnel that linked the grubby ship from another planet with the upper air. He stared appraisingly around at the luxuriant green growth of foliage further inland; and started toward the little stretch of trees and brush, walking carefully because of the lesser gravitation. Thig was shorter than the average Earthman—although on Ortha he was well above the average in height—but his body was thick and powerfully muscled. The Orthan entered the narrow strip of trees and crossed to the little-used highway on the other side. Here he patiently sat down to wait for an Earthman or an Earthwoman to pass. His task now was to bring a native, intact if possible, back to the carefully buried space cruiser where his two fellows and himself would drain the creature's mentality of all its knowledge. In this way they could learn whether a planet was suited for colonization by later swarms of Orthans. Already they had charted over a hundred celestial bodies but of them all only three had proven worthy of consideration. This latest planet, however, 72-P-3 on the chart, appeared to be an ideal world in every respect. Sunlight, plenty of water and a dense atmospheric envelope made of 72-P-3 a paradise among planets. Its squat body was covered with baggy strips of bluish cloth and it carried a jointed rod of metal and wood in its paw. The mighty muscles of the Orthan sent him hurtling across the intervening space in two prodigious bounds, and his hands clamped across the mouth and neck of the stranger.... Feebly he had punched a key two days ago and a $ sign had appeared. Then he had no time for further speech, the massive arms of the stranger had wound around him and two hamlike hands shut off his speech and his wind. "There it is," announced Thig, dropping the limp body of the captured Earthman to the metal deck-plates. "Thig will be this creature!" announced Torp. "With a psychic relay we will transfer the Earthman's memories and meager store of knowledge to the brain of Thig! He can then go out and scout this world without arousing suspicion. "Do not question the word of your commander," growled Torp, swelling out his thick chest menacingly. "For the good of the Horde," Thig intoned almost piously as he lifted Terry's body and headed for the laboratory.
 Torp allowed his rage to blind him, so he did not realize he left Thig alive.
 Torp did not have the strength to kill him, despite hitting him for some time.  Thip's body had been left last to be disposed of.  Torp allowed his rage to blind him, so he did not realize he left Thig alive.  Torp wants to investigate his body for diseases before killing him.