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The crowd roared its assent Though not every voice Astrid clung to that fact: there was gru and uncertainty as well as acquiescence

“Then grab on to the rope!” Zil cried

The rope stretched across the plaza It ended around Hunter’s neck It would take noexecutioners to do the foul deed

Astrid began to pray She prayed in a loud voice, hoping it would shah the madness

“Grab on!” Zil cried, and he jumped down and seized the rope himself The rest of his crew did the same

Then four…five…ten…

Kids Astrid knew by name took hold of the rope

“Pull!” Zil screamed “Pull!”

The rope tightened More caed their o

It was a confusion of hands Amatch

The rope still tightened It becaht line

And Astrid, to her eternal horror, saw Hunter lifted off his feet

But the fight over the rope had turned nastier Kids were pu wild fists

The rope slackened Hunter’s kicking feet touched the ground

Kids rushed to pull on the rope Others blocked their way It was beco a kind of full-scale riot And then a couple of kids rushed at thepast Antoine and Hank and Turk, literally walking over them in their desperation