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returning to the rafts. Archers at the ready rested near the bow, Just out of
range of crossbow.
"They've seen the busted runner," said September. "And they're not about to let
us fix it, not by the Horse's Head, what? .any work party we put over the side
will get cut to pieces. Somehow we're going to have to get that thing fixed so's
we can make a break tomorrow. No way we can stand off another all-day assault.
We're almost out of our pacific school-master's bombs, too."
It was a grim group that gathered in the captain's cabin that night.
"There it stands, sirs," concluded Hunnar. He'd just re-peated, with
embellishments, what he'd told Ethan earlier. As is apparent, our chances of
repulsing the vermin's next attack is, realistically speaking, very low. We have
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few thunder-packages left, few crossbow bolts, and far too few men. When the
bombs and bolts run out, they will have us. we must try to break away. Yet we
cannot get a crew safely outside to repair the runner."
"The starboard runner is completely repaired and reposi-tioned," added
Suaxus-dal-Jagger. "I would say that the other would collapse the moment any
pressure is put on it. Truly, we cannot move unless it is fixed."
The raft's plan was laid out on the table in front of them. Now Ta-hoding, who'd
been listening quietly while studying the schematic, spoke up.
"There is one thing that might be tried, sirs."
"At this point all suggestions are welcome ones, captain," said Balavere,
holding his shoulder.
Ta-hoding leaned forward and ran a finger over the dia-gram. "We might chop
through the flooring around the central runner brace here, and here. Our
craftsmen could then work safely from within the raft. Possibly even part way
out-side, for the enemy will surely be looking only for men trying to slip over
the side."
"Can the runner be fixed from inside?" asked than.
He was disappointed at Ta-hoding's negative gesture. The captain continued. "Not
very well, nor permanently, no. There is no way to perform the necessary final
metalwork. But a temporary held might be fastened through the bolt-holes with
double-thick cable, which could then be lashed and tightened around the interior
bracing."
"Sounds not firm," mused Balavere. "Would it hold at all?"
Ta-holing made the trap equivalent of a shrug with his eyes.
"There is no way to predict, noble sir. Such an arrangement could hold fast for
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days. Or it could snap, as the squire says, the moment pressure is put to it."
"I'm placing this in your hands, captain. Do you think it will hold?"
Ta-holing hedged, obviously not fond of being put on the spot. Finally, "I would
think for a morning, certainly. The ca-ble would be strong enough to handle that
much friction, if it is made very tight and does not work loose too quickly.
Yes, I would stake my life it will hold for a morning-time. I will stake any
life to it."
"A safe wager, captain," said Hunnar. "if you are wrong there will be none of us
about to collect. Can this be made ready by morning?"
"Not if we sit here jabbering all night," broke in Balavere excitedly. "Captain,
see to your men and to your repairs. And mind they proceed quietly. We have no
wish to arouse the animals' curiosity."
Ta-hoding nodded and departed at as close to a run as Ethan had ever seen him
use, the schematic of the ship held tightly in his paws.
"Then sirs, if that is all there is to be decided upon ... "
"Your pardon, General, but that is not all," said September. "Let's say we make
the repair secretly and in time. Let's say further that this jury-rigged setup
of the captain's actually holds together. a pull free of that meat-mountain and
start running into the wind. I assume we can make better time into the wind than
they?"
"No question of it," said Balavere.
"All right then, we show them our fundament and laugh ourselves silly as they
disappear astern. What's to prevent them from following doggedly in our tracks
... this thing does leave tracks ... and catching up with us as soon as that
temporary hitch does fail?"
Balavere thought, hesitated. "We must take that chance. Likely we can lose them.
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Or, not knowing the precariousness of our situation, they may believe we are
beyond overtaking."
"And they may not," September countered. He looked around the table, This
awkward thought which the big man had raised refused to run away and hide. It
demanded an an-swer, and no one had any.
"I beg your pardon, noble sirs," said Eer-Meesach from the quiet end of the
table. "I am not often involved in matters military, I know, and would prefer to
shins this one. But 1 have had a thought. We may have other allies in this."
"Don't talk an riddles, wise one," admonished Balavere. "I am too tired for
games, and nay shoulder hurts."
"Very well. Tis a risk and a considerable one. hat as seems certain, our lives
are balanced on the blade of fate as this ship is on those runners. One more
risk should not drive us onto it any deeper &
Chapter Twelve
One thing, Ethan reflected moodily the next morning, was that the wind wakes you
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