if a _caroj_ passed two or
three days ago, maybe more. And once there was a place where someone
had built a cooking fire, but that was very old."

"Nothing to be seen, Mikah?" Jason asked with raised eyebrows. "See
what a lifetime of _krenoj_ hunting can do for the sense of
observation and terrain."

"I am no savage. You cannot expect me to look out for that sort of
thing."

"I don't. I have learned to expect very little from you beside
trouble. Only now I am going to need your help. This is Snarbi's last
night of freedom whether he knows it or not, and I don't want him
standing guard tonight, so you and I will split the shift."

Mikah was astonished. "I do not understand. What do you mean this is
his last night of freedom?"

"It should be obvious by now--even to you--after seeing how the social
ethic works on this planet. What did you think we were going to do
when we came to Appsala--follow Snarbi like sheep to the slaughter? I
have no idea what he is planning. I just know he must be planning
something. When I ask him about the city he only answers in
generalities. Of course he is a hired mercenary who wouldn't know too
much of the details, but he must know a lot more than he is telling
us. He says we are still four days away from the city. My guess is
that we are no more than one or two. In the morning I intend to grab
him and tie him up, then swing over to those hills there and find a
place to hole up. I'll fix some chains for Snarbi so he can't get
away, then I'll do a scout of the city...."

"You are going to chain this poor man, make a slave of him for no
reason!"

"I'm not going to make a slave of him, just chain him to make sure he
doesn't lead us into some trap that will benefit him. This souped-up
_caroj_ is valuable enough to tempt any of the locals, and if he can
sell me as an engine-mechanic slave his fortune is made."

* * * * *

"I will not hear this!" Mikah stormed. "You condemn the man on no
evidence at all, just because of your nasty minded suspicions. Judge
not lest ye be judged yourself! And you play the hypocrite as well,
because I well remember your telling me that a man is innocent until
proven guilty."

"Well this man is guilty, if you want to put it that way, guilty of
being a member of this broken down society, which means that he will
always act in certain ways at certain times. Haven't you learned
anything about these people yet? Ijale!" She look