"How do you work your way upstream?"
"By shaihans on the towpath, same as ye do on the Pichidé. We have sails but seldom use them on the upstream passage."
"What cargo do you carry?" persisted Reith.
"Now, now," said Sainian. "All that can wait. Tell us how went your hunt for ancient bones, and how befell the battle."
Reith was well into the tale of their dig when Alicia came in with Ilui, the rancher's wife. The sight brought Reith's tale to a halt. Alicia had not only been scrubbed but also provided with a filmy violet dress, cut below the breast in the manner seen in Mishé. The captain broke the silence, saying:
"By Batch's mercy, Sainian, this Terran frail's a well-found vessel. Pity 'tis she be not a human being; she'd lay many a fine egg for one of our lusty swains."
"You flatter like a courtier, sir," said Alicia, with a smile that brought Reith's heart into his throat.
Ilui said: "Like ye the dress, Master Reef?"
"I'm dumb with admiration."
"Ah, ye do but blandish our poor rustic fashions. Methinks 'tis not the dress but its occupant that doth kindle your admiration."
"Let's say, they complement each other," said Reith. He was about to ask whence the costume came, but Sainian had poured a second round, saying:
"Pray proceed with your story, Master Reef. I am agog to hear it."
The tale of the Terrans' adventures continued through dinner. Afterwards, as all but Reith and Alicia lit strong cigars, Reith said: "We need your advice, squire."
"Do but ask."
Reith told of the loss of their cash. "Were this one of those decadent cities you speak of, I could borrow enough to get us back to Novorecife on the strength of this token."
Reith drew the chain of the tessara over his head and handed the green slab to Sainian, who said: "Nought like this have I seen; nor, I'll wager, hath any of the villagers. Another time, I'd lend the money without asking more than a handclasp to secure it. But ye come when we have but little coin in the house—barely enough to pay my shaihan-herds till more comes in."
"When will that be, sir?"
"After the next shaihan-drive—in two or three moons. Meanwhile ye are welcome to stay here, for I fain would hear more tales of distant places and strange adventures. Shaihan-ranching's the only life for me; but betimes it grows monotonous. We've had no variety since I drowned that rascally peddler in the aya trough."
Reith shook his head. "I fear we cannot accept your generous offer, sir. We must get back to Novorecife to meet the next incoming ship from Terra. I have a flock of tourists coming in; while Doctor Marot has a berth reserved on the return passage."
"Then I know not ..."
Captain Sarf blew smoke. "Ye escaped the rogues on ayas, did ye not?"
"So we did."
"If they haven't been foundered, they should fetch you enough to get you home."
"It's a Hishkak of a walk from here to Novorecife, takings—" (Reith paused in calculation.) "—at least a solid moon of hiking. I might be able, but I doubt if my companions could do it.".
"Besides," said Sainian, "I've examined those beasts. They should bring a good five hundred karda. Methinks that sum's not to be had in Kubyab, an ye turned every villager upside down and shook him."
"Is the railroad from Jazmurian to Majbur running?" asked Reith.
"Aye," said the captain, "or 'twas the last I heard."
"Do you carry passengers?"
"Aye; we can sleep up to ten."
"What's the fare to Jazmurian?" asked Reith.
"Thirty-five a head. Oho, I see whither blows the wind! Let's say, I'll bear the three of you to Jazmurian at a special rate: one hundred for the three, plus carriage for your beasts. That were an additional fifty."
"Fine, if we had the hundred and fifty karda," said Reith.
"Since Sainian seems to trust you," said Sarf, "I'll do the like. Let ye and your beasts ride with me to Jazmurian. There ye can sell them, pay me what ye owe, and buy your way homeward."
The squire interrupted. "Why ask the Terrans to pay for shipping ayas to Jazmurian, when the beasts were useful here? I'd say, leave the animals and board the Morkerád. I'll give you a letter to my agent in Jazmurian, praying him to advance four hundred karda to you and pay my cousin Sarf the hundred for your passage. The agent can deduct the debt from the profits due me after the next shaihan sale. Four hundred should see you safely back to Novorecife."
"Admirably thought on!" said Sarf. "What say ye?"
"An excellent idea," said Reith. He was struck by the informality of the arrangement. In Mishé or Majbur, there would have been an endless haggle, paring sums down to fractions of a kard, followed by written contracts with witnesses, bonds, and guarantees. He continued:
"I agree with all my liver. Permit me, squire, to thank you for your courtesy to strangers."
Sainian waved a hand. "I've lent money many a time and oft, mostly to shaihan-herds when, at the end of a drive, they'd squandered their pay on drink, gambling, and their other great pastime. Never have I lost an arzu. Nay, that's not quite sooth. One town sought to cheat me of money I'd lent him for a house." The squire puffed smoke.
"What happened to him?" asked Reith, suspecting that he already knew the answer.
Sainian made a negligent gesture with his cigar. "I slew him."
"When you can, will you please pay Doukh and Girej whatever I owe them, and deduct it from the sum your agent is instructed to advance to me?"
"Aye; though methinks ye owe those poltroons little, since they fled from the fight."
"I can't blame them; the odds were great, and they weren't fighters."
Captain Sarf arose. "Ye'll forgive me, cousin, but I maun get home, where my good wife awaits me."
"Captain!" said Reith. "When does your ship sail?"
"Day after tomorrow, soon after dawn. I'll look for you at the pier. Good-even, all!"
When the captain had taken his leave, Sainian chuckled. "Sarf hath a double comfort, with a wife at either end of's voyage. Thus he never wearies of either."
Alicia said: "I thought the Chilihaghuma were monogamous?"
"So they be, like unto the other Varasto nations, saving the promiscuous knightly class in Mikardand and the loose-living Balhibuma. But since Sarf's wives dwell in different jurisdictions, he's not like to be called to account."
Reith suppressed a yawn. "I trust you'll excuse us, too, sir. It's been a long, hard day."
"Indeed it hath! I see the learned doctor hath fallen asleep in's chair. Then to bed, my friends. And—ah—there's a little matter ..." Sainian hesitated.
"Yes?"
"As ye've seen, ye have two rooms, with one large bed and one small. I know not the Terran custom in a case like unto yours ..."
"Don't worry, squire. We have our arrangements all worked out."
"Ye relieve my mind; I feared embarrassment. How were ye fain to pass the morrow? I can take you on aya-back for a fifty-hoda tour of the ranch ..."
"Thank you, squire," said Alicia sweetly, "but after today's adventures, I'm sure we shall be happy to do nothing at all and let our cuts and bruises heal."
"I grasp the nib. Remain bedded the livelong day, an ye would. Rise when ye will, and Babir shall feed you."
Reith and Alicia took the larger room. After Reith had closed the door, she put her hands on his shoulders and gave him a long, vigorous kiss. "Darling Fergus, I'm sorry I was beastly again this afternoon! You were right as usual. You were a real hero."
"Huh!" he grunted. "I feel anything but heroic. All day, events were one jump ahead of me, and I've been too stupid to catch up. I'd be dead now but for your cutting us loose and the blunder of Foltz's gang."
"How do you mean?" She sat down on the bed and pulled him down beside her. Morosely, Reith explained: