south. Your Yellow Thunder will be needed again,
and, your skill at using it. By the way, I'm promoting you two grades
in rank. I don't think
anyone will question it. You won this battle today!"
47 "I don't know if I want it," moaned Little Dog, "but I suppose I'll
have to take it. No matter how much it hurts, I will do my duty. I
will kill THEM before THEY can kill my people. I do not have to like
it."
48 I hope you never do," prayed Red Serpent, "I hope you never do."
49 They pushed south again and again, Yellow Thunder driving the enemy
before them. Back in his village Gray Toad spent all of his time making
more, as Little Dog sent back word of how successful its uses had
been. "Damn good man!" his former Teacher started saying, "Damn good
man! Going to be a good Witch some day."
50 In Canal, its Warlock, Leaping Deer, grew more desperate every day.
Their water was almost gone. They had virtually no food. Most of his
people had only eight or nine rounds for their weapons. He had a few
kegs of powder left, but most of his cannon were gone. And the enemy
pounded him day and night.
51 They had slipped a few ships in under cover of darkness, and got out
the last few children and young women. But now the enemy had built a
boom, and put it across the harbor. Their only chance was to fight
their way out. But that would mean they would be massacred.
52 As he sat in the rubble watching the enemy through his glass, he saw
the refuse works far beyond their lines. He remembered as a youth, how
he had worked in the tunnels as a Push Boy, pushing and pulling the
sewerage along with his long paddle.