Page 16 (1/2)

I grab Nudd’s rope an we dive out a the way Nero flaps of in a panic

The boat scrapes to a stop, right where as standin

There’s silence fer a roan an the boat tips forwards Another silence Then, I real y ency stops, says the voice

There’s a lit le old in to the mast like a lizard on a stump

Don’t say a word, I whisper to Em I’l take care of this

Good day to you! he cries I … er … let et my--

He reaches into his coat

Don’t ht between his eyes Hands up! I says

Wait! he says We coo of that mast I take two quick steps closer Put yer hands up

I assure you! We have nothing worth taking, ot on there? Tel ’em to come out

Did I say we? I ue, an error under duress!

I let fly with a arrow It sticks in the htened squawk Then he hol ers, Miz Pinch! Miz Pinch!

A head struggles out froe frohtful young lady would like to iant, the wo head like a horse an pock-pit ed skin, red an angry-lookin She takes one look at me an says to him, Yer a idiot, Rooster

I said hands up! I says

They raise their hands above their heads They got a be the strangest pair I’l ever see He only jest coot a fat round bel y set on top of skinny lit le bird legs an he wears a cookin pot on his head fer a helether from the kinda rubbish you’d find in a landfil --cloth, slippy bags, shimmer discs an what have you There’s pieces of tire strapped around his knees

That it? I says Jest the two of yuz?

Yes! He bobs up an down, lookin like a sil y quail Yes, that’s it! Please--I beg of you, my dear--please don’t hurt us You see, I have a weak heart and the slightest--

It’s only a girl, you old fool! Miz Pinch kicks him in the ankle Hard He cruasps But, as you can see, she’s a veritable warrior, arin! I yel

They raise their hands If thievin’s yer gaot nuthin worth takin

I ain’t no thief, I says Who are you? What’re you doin out here?

Rooster Pinch at your service, he says Man of business and captain of the good ship Desert Swan And may I present my lovely wife Miz Pinch, whom you’ve already--

Shut up, I says I nod at the woman You do the talkin

We’re pedlars, she says On our way to Hopetown We got blown of course

Shohat yer peddlin, I says

Wel , what’re you waitin fer? she says to him Show her the trunk

I … I’l have to put my hands down, he says

Go on, I says But no funny stuf

He disappears inside the hut an coin a bat ered metal trunk behind him He throws back the lid an starts liftin out bits of junk, holdin ’elass bot les, pieces of bashed up Wrecker tech, a shovel, one squashed boot