"Laumer, Keith - Retief of the COTUC" - читать интересную книгу автора (Laumer Keith)

"AyeЧbut stillЧ"

"Taking me in as a prisoner would look a
lot better than having me saunter in on my
own and tell Hoobrik you showed me the

route."
"Wouldst do such a dirty trick?" Fim gasped.

"I wouldstЧunless we start immediately,"

Retief assured the Tsugg.

"O.K." Fim sighed. "I guess I know when
I'm licked. I mean when you're licked. Let's
go, prisoner. And let's hope His Truculence is
in a good mood. Otherwise, he'll clap ye on
the rack and have the whole tale out of ye in a
trice!"

RETIEF OF THE CDT
4

33

A few dozen heavyweights lazing about the
communal cooking pot or sprawling in the
shade under the striped awnings stretched be-
tween the trees looked up in mild interest as
Retief appeared on Strukeback, Fim Gloob
behind him astride his Vorch, glowering fero-
ciously as he verbally prodded the lone Ter-
ran forward.

"Ho, that's far enough, varlet!" he roared.
"Dismount, whilst I seek instruction o' His
Truculence whether to h'ist ye out of hand, or
ha' a bit o' sport wi' ye first!"

"Ha, what be this, Gloob?" a bulky outlaw
boomed as Retief swung down from the sad-
dle. "An Off-worlder, I trow!"

" 'Tis no Oberonian, 'tis plain," another of-
fered. "Mayhap 'tis a two-eyed variety o'
Five-eyes."

"Avaunt ye, rogues!" Fim yelled. "Clear the
way! I've fetched this Terry here to divert the