Then a vast white-and-black shape was pushing past
him, the limp naked form of Folly bouncing lightly on one
shoulder like a hunting trophy. Jon-Tom’s heart stopped for
a second, until he saw that her condition was no different
THE DAY OF THE DISSONANCE
131
from that of the rest of die ship’s complement. His spell-
singing had put Folly to sleep also.
“Satisfied?” Roseroar snarled.
“Quite.” He muffled a grin as he raced her to the stern.
Mudge and Jalwar were just boarding the sloop, Mudge
having negotiated the short swim with ease, while Jalwar
displayed typical ferret agility by walking the swaying tow
rope all the way down to the boat. Roseroar was about to
step over the side when she saw Jon-Tom hesitate for the
second time.
4’Now what’s the mattah?”
“I’ve done a tot of running, Roseroar, and I’m a pretty
good swimmer, but the sea’s rough and my shoulders are
so sore from pushing that damn scrub brush that I’m not
sure if I can make it. You go on. I’ll try and catch up.
When you cast off the line you can swing her ’round and
pick me out of the water.”
She shook her head. “Ah declah, ah nevah heard any-
one, not even a human, talk so damn much. Grab hold.”
She turned her back to him.
Deciding this wasn’t the time to salvage whatever remained
of his already bruised male ego, he put both arms around
her neck, using one to help balance Folly. Roseroar ig-
nored her double burden as she went hand over hand down
the towrope until all of them were standing safe on the
deck of the John B.
“Cast off!” Jon-Tom shouted at Mudge as he ran for the