15/03/2026 00:45

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Assoon as they were aboard the Buzzard weighed anchor and set out tosea. A pile ofgear was stacked beside the entrance, and Sir Francis began work onthis immediately. Hal and Sir Francis sat side by side on the stone shelf that served asa bed. They were farmer's hands, broad and strong and calloused,the backs covered with stiff bristles.

Then Sir Francis whispered, Welldone, Hal! I think he is dead, Hal answered, in a small voice. Hal rose from the pile ofcarpets. Both menbegan to limber up with a series of practice cuts and thrusts that madetheir blades sing and glitter in the early light. But each time as he closed with the herd, the wind hadtricked him.