"E. C. Tubb - Dumarest 24 - Nectar of Heaven" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tubb E. C)

season. Regular pay, no sweat with the hammer, one of the
established. An easy number," he urged. "Extra pay for handling
a digger. Just run guard during the winter, do your duty, help
entertain the others and you'll not regret it." He frowned as
again Dumarest shook his head. "No?"

"No." Dumarest finished his drink. "But I thank you for the
offer."

"It's a good one," the supervisor insisted. "And yours if you
want it."

"For how much?"

"As I said, you're smart." The man smiled and moved thumb
against finger in an unmistakable gesture. "Ten percent for
meтАФfair?"

More than fair. The man was entitled to his reward for giving
a snug berth and what it entailed. But Dumarest had other
plans.

"Thanks for the drinks," he said. "But the answer's still no.
Why not try someone who needs the job more than I do? Wiess,
for instance."

"A loser." The supervisor shook his head. "You know better than
that, Earl. He's broke and desperate. He'll cut corners on the job,
try to steal, try to build a stake by cheating at cards. They'll catch
him and we'll be a man short. I can't risk the trouble." He
shrugged, corking the bottle. "Well, think it over. I like the way
you went to work yesterday when most of the others were
flapping their gums. Change your mind, let me know, eh?"




It was late when the rafts finally returned. Dumarest moved
forward with those waiting, while an overseer snapped his
impatience.

"Come on! Come on! Get aboard or get left. You miss this trip
and you walk!"

A man said, "Which raft do I take?"

"Any you likeтАФno reservations. Just get on and let's finish the
closedown."

The man ran to where a raft was almost full. It lifted as he