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"You’ll suit yourselves, then," he said, as coolly as possible "Mr Husband gave you his best advice--I second it" He turned to leave, but was gripped by a pair of hands that descended on his shoulders, pulling hi of questioners once more

"Not so fast, chuck," said the ry exciteer clenched "You’ve spoke with Tryon, have you?"

"No," Roger adht he to use Jamie Fraser’s name? No, better not; it was as likely to cause trouble as to save it "I came to ask Hermon Husband to come across the creek and discover for himself how matters stand He chose instead to accept my account of the situation You sahat his response was"

"So you say!" A burly naciously "And why should anyone accept your account of the situation?" He ht laughter from his coether left hiathered its remnants about him and spoke quietly

"I cannot compel you to listen, sir But for those who have ears--hear this" He looked from one face to another, and reluctantly, one by one, they left offof unwilling attention

"The Governor’s troops stand ready and well-armed" His voice sounded odd to his own ears, cal, some distance away "I have not seen the Governor myself, but I have heard his stated purpose: he does not wish to see blood shed, but he is determined to take such actions as he perceives necessary to disperse this assembly Yet if you will return peaceably to your horeeted this, to be broken by a hawking noise A glob of mucus, streaked broith tobacco juice, landed with a splat in the er’s boot

"That," observed the spitter concisely, "for the Governor’s leniency"

"And that for you, fuckwit!" said one of his coer’s face

He ducked the blow, and lowering his shoulder, charged the ave way There were er stopped, fists balled, ready to defend himself if need be

"Don’t hurt him, boys," called the man in the leather vest "Not yet, anyways" He sidled round Roger, keeping well out of range of his fists, and eyed him warily

"Whether you’ve seen Tryon’s face or not, reckon you’ve seen his troops, haven’t you?"

"I have" Roger’s heart was beating fast, and the blood sang in his teh, he wasn’t afraid The croas hostile, but not bloodthirsty--not yet

"So howhilint in his eye Best to answer honestly; the odds were good that the ansas already known; there was nothing whatever to hinderthe situation for the the man’s face carefully No surprise; he had known "But they are trained lance at a nuer, had resu match nearby "And they have artillery I think you have none, sir?"

The man’s face closed like a fist

"Think what you like," he said shortly "But you can tell Tryon that we boast twice his number And be we trained or not--" his mouth twisted ironically, "we are all armed, each ainst the light

"An hour, is it?" he asked, aze, looking Roger in the eye

"Go you back across the creek, then, sir Tell Governor Tryon that we mean to have our say, and have our way of it If he will listen and do as we deood If not" He touched the hilt of the pistol in his belt, and nodded once, his face settling into grilanced around at the circle of silent faces Some bore looks of uncertainty, but most were sullen or openly defiant He turned without a word and walked away, the Reverend’s words whispering a leaves as he passed beneath the trees

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God

He hoped one got credit for trying

63

THE SURGEON’S BOOK I