90 Many a time the enemy would run in terror from
harmless billowing rockets. Red Serpent had left Hawk, rushing north to
arrange for reinforcements, ammunition, and supplies. The
enemy, confident in their victory in other places, were massing a great
force to move against him.
91 At a village just north of where the swamps ended, he was prepared
to make one final defense, in the hope of keeping the enemy from
crossing the canals and reaching One, or, coming north towards Hawk.
But his efforts had not borne much fruit. Disappointed, he marched back
south and as he passed an obscure coastal village, he heard a
tremendous explosion.
92 "What was that?" he asked. "The civilian use of powder for any
reason, has been strictly forbidden."
93 There came another great blast, and he and his men hurried off,
trying to find its source. In an old quarry they saw an old man and
young boy loading cannon made of old pipes. The man and boy retreated,
and as the charge went off, the cannon was blown apart. The old man
came and examined the damage angrily.
94 Red Serpent went down to speak with him. "Sir," he demanded, "what
is the meaning of this? The use of powder is strictly forbidden. You
have wasted at least three good charges and that could have done much
damage to the enemy."
95 "Oh, we're not using powder," the old man replied, waving at him
with an unconcerned air. "I'm a Witch. It's my invention- Yellow
Thunder! We're trying to shoot it out of a cannon. Doesn't work! Too
delicate! Goes off, BOOM! No good! Ought to be some way to use it.
Maybe mines! Now, where's my note pad?" The man wandered off.
96 "You'll have to forgive my master, Gray