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protruding roots and was glad it wasn t far to the pirate encampment. They heard it before they could see
it.
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Drunken laughter, shouts, blithe obscenities filled the air. Cautious gestured for them to slow down as
they neared a place where much of the underbrush had been cleared away. It was an ideal anchorage.
Morgels and cypress gave way to a wide sandy beach. The action of the current had cut a small inlet into
the shore and a crude dock had been built out into the water. The ketch was moored to this ramshackle
jetty. On the beach a single large one-story structure had been erected. It had the look of an old
warehouse. Perhaps at one time some hopeful entrepreneur had tried to start a plantation in this part of
the world, only to eventually abandon it and several smaller outbuildings to the unyielding swamp from
whence it had subsequently been reclaimed by the pirates.
A few of the brigands were much closer than the beach. All were in an advanced state of intoxication.
They were lying or standing around an isolated wepper tree, playing paddle ball with something hanging
from one branch. Jon-Tom had to physically restrain Mudge from rushing forward.
Weegee s wrists and ankles were bound together by a single rope. Her head hung toward the ground.
She had not been gagged. As far as her tormentors were concerned this only added spice to the game.
As they swung her dizzily back and forth she tried to take a mouthful of flesh out of each of her
persecutors, who would dance aside as her teeth neared them, laughing and taunting one another. Two of
them were utilizing long paddles both to protect their fingers and enhance the sport. The solid bang of
wood on fur and flesh echoed across the clearing.
 Rotten bloody bastards.
Jon-Tom kept his hand on his friend s trembling shoulder.  Easy, Mudge. We ve rested ail day. They
haven t. At the rate they re collapsing they ll all be asleep soon enough. Then we ll get  em. Don t look.
 I  ave to look, mate. I  ave some faces to memorize.
Jon-Tom s appraisal of the pirates condition proved correct. Half an hour later the last one erect took a
wild swipe at the swinging body of Weegee before crumpling to the ground. The onlookers waited
another ten minutes to be sure the corsair s stupor was all-encompassing before Cautious gave the word.
 We go get her away fast, you bet.
 Right. Jon-Tom rose and broke through the remaining brush.  And remember, Mudge; no unnecessary
killing.
The raccoon frowned at the man, then looked to the otter.  He always talk like that?
 Don t pay  im no mind.  E can t  elp it. The poor sod s the victim o a deformed set o ethics.
Staying close together they emerged into the clearing. There was no sign of Sasheem or the rest of the
crew. Probably sleeping on board the ketch or inside the main building, Jon-Tom reflected.
Weegee was unconscious, exhausted and dazed from hanging upside down for too many hours. Mudge
greeted her with that delicate rapid-fire succession of kisses otters employ as he put a paw over her
mouth to keep her from shouting out in surprise. She bit him gently.
 About time you got here.
Mudge worked on the knots securing her wrists and ankles.  Wot made you so sure I was comin ?
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 Because I m your only true love. You told me so, at least four dozen times on the ship.
 Right, but I ve an ignoble memory.
 It s good enough for me. Mudge reached for his knife to cut the main rope and she hurried to protest.
 Better not, unless you re prepared to catch me. If I fall on my fundament it s liable to shatter,
considering the pounding it s taken the past couple of days.
 Creeps. He used the point of the blade to work the knots free. Jon-Tom finished the job as the otter
set her gently on her feet. Her muscles were so cramped she could hardly stand, let alone walk. As she
fought for balance an old seadog came limping out of the main building. He was missing one leg and
walked with a crutch. Jon-Tom recognized him as an original member of the pirate crew from their earlier
sojourn on Corroboc s ship; this was the one who had tried to warn the unfortunate captain of the danger
Jon-Tom and his companions presented.
There was no time to retreat. The veteran saw them and began yelling at the top of his aged lungs.  Up,
everybody up! By my tail, the water rat and the magician have come back for us!
Mudge let Weegee balance against the raccoon, slipped his longbow off his back, and put a feathered
shaft into the alarmist s neck. Too late. The cry did none of Weegee s recent tormentors any good
because Cautious, utilizing a wicked little curved knife, rapidly made the rounds of the inebriated and cut
their throats where they lay.
The only survivor was a lynx who had passed out unnoticed beneath a bush. He reached out to trip the
retreating Jon-Tom and send him sprawling.
 Clumsy man, Weegee chided him,  get on your feet!
Not enough time, as pirates erupted from the warehouse.  This way quick or we are lost. Cautious
beckoned frantically from the undergrowth.
Jon-Tom rolled to his knees and stood, holding his ramwood staff out in front of him. Weegee and [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]