"Norton, Andre - Flight in Yiktor" - читать интересную книгу автора (Norton Andre)

the pointed chin to lace a hold in the tatters which crossed the
bowed shoulder hump.

FLIGHT IN YIKTOR 5



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What did she want with Dung?

"Come." Her hold unchanging, she urged him forward
just behind the man who walked with the swing of one who
has spent most of his years in space, and who was now
heading toward the entrance to Russtif's domain at the other
end of the tent. Whether or not the lurker wished to accom-
pany them was not asked. There was no breaking that hold
which was drawing Dung along. Somehow the thought of
fighting for freedom had vanished.

There was the thick and nasty smell which was Russtif s--
one of uncleaned cages with weak and sickening captives--to
fill the nose as soon as they had pushed past the open flap.
Things rustled and squeaked until Russtif roared and the
silence of fear snapped down.

He was a big man who had once been proud of his strength
but now was entombed in rolls of greasy fat. His bare skull
shone with oil in the light of the lantern he had set on the
table where there was also a cage--Toggor's place of prison.
Now he looked up with a sullen scowl. Then that changed,
by a visible effort, into a showman's ingratiating grin.

"Gentle Fern, Gentle Homo, how can I serve you?" His
back was to the table now, and he had dropped the prod on
it. It was then he caught sight of Dung.

"Has the trash made some trouble?" He took a ponderous
step forward, his hand lifted as if to aim a blow at the

hunchback.

"What trouble is this one noted for making?" asked the

woman.
"A thief, a piece of walking dung, a monster like that?

Why, whatever comes to hand to upset honest people--"
"Such as Beastmerchant Russtif perhaps?" asked the man.