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continue our journey."
"Our ships and gliders trade on these seas we have never seen others," replied
Reejaaren. "I fail to understand one point.
The trader far to the south from whom I learned your language said that he
came from a country that lay on the farther side of a sea across the western
continent. We know that there is no sea passage from that ocean to this
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ice; yet you were sailing from the north when we first sighted you. That would
suggest that you were quartering back and forth through these seas in
deliberate search of land. How does that square with your story? We do not
like spies."
"We came from the north, after crossing the land between this ocean and ours."
Barlennan had no time to think up a convincing lie, though he realized that
the truth was likely to be unbelievable. Reejaaren's expression showed that he
was right.
"Your ship was obviously built with large tools, which you do not have. That
means a shipyard, and there is none to the north on this ocean. Do you want me
to believe you took her apart and dragged her across that much land?"
"Yes." Barlennan felt that he saw his way out.
"How?"
"How do you fly? Some would find that much harder to believe." The question
was not quite as good a one as Barlennan had hoped, judging by the
interpreter's reaction.
"I am sure you do not expect me to tell you that. Mere trespassers we may
tolerate; but spies receive much harder treatment."
The captain covered up as well as he could. "I did not expect you to tell me.
I was simply pointing out as tactfully as possible that perhaps you should not
have asked me how we crossed the land barrier."
"Oh, but I should and must. You do not yet seem to realize your position,
stranger. What you think of me is unimportant;
but what think of you counts a great deal. To put it simply, to leave here as
you desire you will have to convince me that
I
you are harmless."
"But what harm could we do you the crew of a single ship? Why should you fear
us so?"
"We do not fear you" The answer was sharp and emphatic. "The damage you could
do is obvious one person, let alone a shipload, could take away information
which we do not wish to give. We realize, of course, that the barbarians could
not learn the secret of flight unless it were very carefully explained to
them; that is why I laughed at your question. Still, you should be more
careful."
Barlennan had not heard any laughter, and began to suspect a good deal about
the interpreter and his people. A half-truth that seemed like yielding on
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Barlennan's part would probably be the best move.
"We had much help pulling the ship across the land," he said, putting a little
sulleness in his tone.
"From the rock-rollers and river-dwellers? You must have a remarkably
persuasive tongue. We have never received anything but missiles from them." To
Barlennan's relief, Reejaaren did not pursue the subject any farther. He
returned to more immediate matters.
"So you desire to bade with us, now that you are here. What have you to trade?
And I suppose you wish to go to one of our
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cities?" Barlennan sensed the trap, and answered accordingly.
"We will trade here, or anywhere else you desire, though we would rather not
go any farther from the sea. All we have to trade at the moment is a load of
foods from the isthmus, which you doubtless have in great quantity already
because of your flying machines."
"Food can usually be sold," the interpreter replied non-committally. "Would
you be willing to do your trading before you got any closer to the sea?"
"If necessary, as I said, though I don't see why it should be necessary. Your
flying machines could catch us before we got very far, if we tried to leave
the coast before you wanted, couldn't they?" Reejaaren might have been losing
his suspicions up to this point, but the last question restored them in full
force.
"Perhaps we could, but that is not for me to say. Marreni will decide, of
course, but I suspect you might as well plan on lightening your ship here.
There will be port fees, of course, in any case."
"Port fees? This is no port, and I didn't land here; I was washed up."
"Nevertheless, foreign ships must pay port fees. I might point out that the
amount is determined by 'the Officer of the Outer
Ports, and he will get much of his impression of you through me. A little more
courtesy might be in order." Bar-lennan restrained his temper with difficulty,
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