funds?” He indicated the rows of buildings lining the
harborfront. “We need food and a place to sleep and
supplies.”
Jon-Tom glanced up at the heretofore silent Roseroar.
“You wouldn’t sell her, would you?”
The tigress turned away. “It ain’t fo me to say.” She
sniffed toward the girl. “Perhaps she’s just tryin’ to tell yo
she wants to go her own way.”
Jon-Tom posed the question. “Is that true, Folly?”
“No. I have no place to go, but I don’t want to cause
trouble or be in the way, and I do want to help.”
“Sensibly put,” said Mudge brightly. “If you’ll allow
me, mate, I’ll begin searchin* out the likely markets, and
we can—”
“Wait a minute.” Jon-Tom was nodding to himself.
“We can sell the sloop.”
“The magic boat?” Jalwar looked doubtful. “Is that
wise?”
“Why not? From what Clothahump told me, Cranculam
lies overland from Snarken. We’ve no further need for a
boat, magic or not. As for returning home, I hope to be
able to pay our way. I’m tired of sailing. I’d like to be a
passenger for a while.” He put a hand on Mudge’s
shoulder.
“You saw the way the wharfmaster jumped at the
chance to get those two hammers. Think what some rich
local would pay for the whole boat. There’s nothing like it
anywhere around here.”
“I’d rather sell the girl,” he murmured, “but the boat
would fetch more. You’re right about that, guv. I’m no
yacht broker, but I’ll do me best to strike us the best
bargain obtainable.”
Teas DAY or THE DISSONANCE
143
“Mudge, with you doing the dealing, I know we’ll
come out well.”
The otter concluded a sale that very afternoon. Payment