suddenly the water was filled with their boats.
In moments
they filled the beaches. From both sides of the camp they attacked. It
was not until almost high sun that those who were still alive withdrew.
47 The Hawk counted the dead and was not pleased. One-third his army
was dead or wounded. Many boats had been burned, much of their supplies
destroyed. But the enemy had been hurt far worse. For every one of The
Hawk's people killed, they had lost three, and their wounded lay
everywhere, moaning and crying. Many would lose arms and legs.
48 "Damn!" moaned The Hawk "I want to bring an end to this!"
49 As soon as they were able, they sat sail again. The Hawk knew it was
not over. They would not see the enemy's city without another attack.
They could see his scout boats just ahead of them, as they paddled and
sailed on, towing their disassembled siege towers and supplies. For Mu
was a full day's journey from any shore and they would have to sleep on
their boats and on their rafts while they fought to take the city.
50 Dawn the next morning and hundreds of dots appeared on the water
before them. As they got nearer The Hawk could see the line of Mu war
boats twenty across and three deep. Smaller boats followed behind them.
51 The Hawk formed his own fleet into a V, the strongest boats on the
outside two deep, and weaker ones within, and they plowed straight on,
swords and shields alone, no armor.
52 For hours the battle raged, the enemy attacking again and again,
fighting with all he had. But finally they turned their bows and ran
for home, those who did not floated face down in the water, or lay on
the bottom.
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