Garstang at last was discouraged and found nothing more to hope for. “I am exhausted, spiritually as well as physically; perhaps here is where I die.”

Subucule looked to the north. “I return to take my chances on the Silver Desert. If all goes well, I will arrive once more at Erze D?math, or even Pholgus Valley.”

Garstang turned to Cugel. “And what of you, since the fane of Gilfis is nowhere to be found?”

Cugel pointed to a dock at which a number of boats were moored. “My destination is Almery, across the Son-gan Sea. I propose to commandeer a boat and sail to the west.”

“I then bid you farewell,” said Subucule. “Garstang, will you come?”

Garstang shook his head. “It is too far. I would surely die on the desert. I will cross the sea with Cugel and take the Word of Gilfig to the folk of Almery.”

“Farewell, then, to you as well,” said Subucule. Then be turned swiftly, to bide the emotion in his face, and started north.

Cugel and Garstang watched the sturdy form recede into the distance and disappear. Then they turned to a consideration of the dock. Garstang was dubious. “The boats seem seaworthy enough, but to ‘commandeer’ is to ‘steal’; an act specifically discountenanced by Gilfig.”

“No difficulty exists,” said Cugel. “I will place gold coins upon the dock, to a fair valuation of the boat.”

Garstang gave a dubious assent “What then of food and water?”

“After securing the boat, we will proceed along the coast until we are able to secure supplies, after which we sail due west.”

To this Garstang assented and the two fell to examining the boats, comparing one against the other. The final selection was a staunch craft some ten or twelve paces long, of ample beam, with a small cabin.

At dusk they stole down to the dock. All was quiet: the fishermen had returned to the village. Garstang boarded the craft and reported all in good order. Cugel began casting off the lines, when from the end of the dock came a savage outcry and a dozen of the burly villagers came lumbering forth.

“We are lost!” cried Cugel. “Run for your life, or better, swim!”

“Impossible,” declared Garstang. “If this is death, I will meet it with what dignity I am able!” Aad he climbed up on the dock.

In short order they were surrounded by folk of all ages, attracted by the commotion. One, an elder of the village, inquired in a stern voice, “What do you here, skulking on our dock, and preparing to steal a boat?”

“Our motive is simplicity itself,” said CugeL “We wish to cross the sea.”

“What?” roared the elder. “How is that possible? The boat carries neither food nor water, and is poorly equipped. Why did you not approach us and make your needs known?”

Cugel blinked and exchanged a glance with Garstang. He shrugged. “I will be candid. Your appearance caused us such alarm that we did not dare.”