empty horizon. Mudge had no difficulty in matching the
ferret’s vision.
“I see ‘er, mate.”
. “What does she look like?”
“Rigged normal, not like this thing.” The last of
Jon-Tom’s hopes vanished. Not a speedboat, then. “Big,
two rows of oars. That I don’t like.”
“Why not?”
“Think about it, mate. Only a fool would try rowin’
across an ocean. Only a fool… and them that’s given no
choice in the business.”
The visitor was bearing down on them fast. Soon
Jon-Tom could make out the silhouette. “Can you see a
flag?”
Mudge stared hard. Then he began to shake. “That’s all
she wrote, mate. There’s a ‘eart with a knife through it
flyin’ from the yardartn. Pirates.” He raced sternward,
Jon-Tom hurrying after him.
“I thought only traders traveled the Glittergeist.”
“Aye, traders and them that preys on ’em.” The otter
was dancing frantically around Roseroar. “Do somethin’,
you bloody great caricature of a courtesan!”
Roseroar put the wheel hard over, said evenly, “They’ve
probably seen us already.”
“Jon-Tom, spellsing us out o’ ‘ere!” By now the huge,
swift shape of the pirate ship was bearing down on then-
stern. Strange figures lined the rails and the double rows of
oars dipped in unison.
“There’s not enough wind,” Roseroar observed. “What
there is, is at our back, but they’re supplemental’ their
own sails with those oahs.”
Jon-Tom was trying to untangle his duar from around
his neck. “Our engine’s out of diesel.” He found himself
eyeing the approaching behemoth in fascination. “Interest-
ing lines.”
“Interestin” my arse!” Mudge was saying frantically.