ome, making the distance
between his short horns seem much too great.

"He's purple!" Dan gasped. "Why in the Government don't you put him in
the ring?"

Stonecypher gestured toward the choppy surface of Kings Lake, nine
hundred feet below. He said, "Coincidence. I make out the ringmaster's
barge just leavin' Highland Pier."

"You're selling him?"

"Yeah. If they take 'im. I'd like to see 'im in the ring on Dependence
Day."

Glancing at the watch embedded in the left pectoral of his half-armor,
Dan said, "That would be a show! I'll take the dog and fly. I've a duel
in Highland Park at 11:46."

"The pup's not for sale."

"Not for sale!" Dan yelled. "You told--"

"Thought you wanted a guard. I don't sell for dogfights."

A sound like "Goood!" came from the paddocked bull.

Dan opened his mouth wide. Whatever he intended to say died without
vocalization, for Catriona came driving the mule team up through the
apple orchard. The almost identical mules had sorrel noses, gray necks,
buckskin flanks, and black and white pinto backs and haunches. "Great
Government!" Dan swore. "This place is worse than a museum!"

"Appaloosa mules," Stonecypher said.

Catriona jumped from the seat of the mowing machine. Dan stared.
Compared to the standard woman of the Manly Age who, by dieting,
posturing, and exercise from childhood, transformed herself into a
small, thin, dominated creature, Catriona constituted a separate
species. She was taller than Dan, slightly plump, and her hair could
have been classed as either red or blonde. Green overalls became her
better than they did Stonecypher. With no trace of a smile on face or in
voice, Stonecypher said, "L. Dan, meet Catriona."

* * * * *

Like a hypnopath's victim, Dan walked to Catriona. He looked up at her
and whispered, but too loudly. Stonecypher heard. His hands clamped on
the hobbyist's neck and jerked. Dan smashed in the grass with sufficient
force to loosen the snaps of his armor. He rolled to his feet and swung
his staff.

Stonecypher's left hand snatched the staff. His right fist collided with
Dan's square jaw. Glaring down at the hobbyist, Stonecypher gripped the
staff and rotated thick wrists outward. The tough plastic popped when it
broke.

Scuttling backward, Dan regained his feet. "You inhuman brute!" he
growled. "I intended to pay for her!"

"My wife's not for sale either," Stonecypher said. "You know how to
fly."

Dan