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However, his initial furious remonstrations hadhad no effect upon her and he learned swiftly that over her he had nocontrol. The replies that returned to themwere the voice of Sukeena speaking, little jewels of brevity thatdelighted them with occasional flashes of wit and humour. Slowly the ironic cheering and heavy banter of the men died away. Ahmed's mates on the bank shouted encouragement as they paid out theline.

For a long minute nothing else happened, and Hal and Aboli stared at,the other two in bewilderment. That leaves only the drunken sots who lappedup the Buzzard's rum. The stench from themstruck him like a blow in the face. the keel of hislongboat kissed the sands of the beach and he sprang ashore his legsbeneath the plaid furred with wiry ginger hair like a bear's.