Page:Weird Tales Volume 23 Issue 5 (1934 05).djvu/5

Rh cloak flowing out on the wind. Far up the street came the shout and clatter of pursuit, but the horseman did not look back. He swept out onto the wharfs and jerked the plunging stallion back on its haunches at the very lip of the pier. Seamen gaped up at him, as they stood to the sweep and striped sail of a high-prowed, broad-waisted galley. The master, sturdy and black-bearded, stood in the bows, easing her away from the piles with a boat-hook. He yelled angrily as the horseman sprang from the saddle and with a long leap landed squarely on the mid-deck.

"Who invited you aboard?"

"Get under way!” roared the intruder with a fierce gesture that spattered red drops from his broadsword.

"But we’re bound for the coasts of Cush!” expostulated the master.

"Then I’m for Cush! Push off, I tell you!” The other cast a quick glance up the street, along which a squad of horse-men were galloping; far behind them toiled a group of archers, crossbows on their shoulders.

"Can you pay for your passage?” demanded the master.

"I pay my way with steel!” roared the man in armor, brandishing the great sword that glittered bluely in the sun. "By Crom, man, if you don’t get under way. I’ll drench this galley in the blood of its crew!”

The shipmaster was a good judge of men. One glance at the dark scarred face of the swordsman, hardened with passion, and he shouted a quick order, thrusting strongly against the piles. The galley wallowed out into clear water, the oars began to clack rhythmically; then a puff of wind filled the shimmering sail, the light ship heeled to the gust, then took her course like a swan, gathering headway as she skimmed along. On the wharfs the riders were shaking their swords and shouting threats and commands that the ship put about, and yelling for the bowman to hasten before the craft was out of arbalest range.

"Let them rave,” grinned the swordsman hardly. "Do you keep her on her course, master steersman.”

The master descended from the small deck between the bows, made his way between the rows of oarsmen, and mounted the raid-deck. The stranger stood there with his back to the mast, eyes narrowed alertly, sword ready. The shipman eyed him steadily, careful not