ped his fingers on the grass and reluctantly stood. "All right
gentlemen, let's go. And on the way perhaps someone can tell me just
who Hertug Persson is and what is going to happen next."

"I'll tell you," Snarbi bragged as they started the march. "He is
Hertug of the Perssonoj. I have fought for the Perssonoj and they knew
me and I saw the Hertug himself and he believed me. The Perssonoj are
very powerful in Appsala and have many powerful secrets, but not as
powerful as the Trozelligoj who have the secret of the _caroj_ and the
_jetilo_. I knew I could ask any price of the Perssonoj if I brought
them the secret of the _caroj_. And I will." He trust his face close
to Jason's with a fierce grimace. "You will tell them the secret. I
will help them torture you until you tell."

Jason put out his toe as they walked and Snarbi tripped over it and
when the traitor fell he walked the length of his body. None of the
soldiers paid any attention to this exchange and when they had passed
Snarbi staggered to his feet and tottered after them shouting curses.
Jason did not hear them, he had troubles enough as it was.

XI

Seen from the surrounding hills, Appsala looked like a burning city
that was being slowly washed into the sea. Only when they had come
closer was it clear that the smoke was from the multifold chimneys,
both large and small, that studded the buildings, and that the city
began at the shore and covered a number of islands in what must be a
shallow lagoon. Large sea-going ships were tied up at the seaward side
of the city and closer to the mainland smaller craft were being poled
through the canals. Jason searched anxiously for a spaceport or any
signs of interstellar culture but saw nothing. Then the hills
intervened as the trail cut off to one side and approached the sea
some distance from the city.

A fair-sized sailing vessel was tied up at the end of a stone wharf,
obviously awaiting them, and the captives were tied hand and foot and
tossed into the hold. Jason managed to wriggle around until he could
get his eye to a crack between two badly fitting planks and recited a
running travelogue of the cruise, apparently for the edification of
his companions, but really for his own benefit since the sound of his
own voice always cheered and encouraged him.

"Our voyage is nearing its close and before us opens up the romantic
and ancient city of Appsala, famed for its loathsome customs,
murderous natives and arch