Booce said, "These others are Clave and Rather Citizen, from Citizens Tree, a few hundred klomters west of us. Debby Carther we hired before we left."

Meeting strangers was outside Rather's experience. Booce had told him what to do. He said, "A pleasure to meet you, sir," and held out his hand.

"Pleased." The Navy man's handshake was strong for a jungle giant. "I'll speak to you later. Rather. Clave, Debby, a pleasure. Booce, do you have anything to declare?"

"Yes. One log, forty klomters or thereabouts. If you want to measure it yourselves-"

"No, we'll just take half the manifests as you sell it off."

"And the Wart," Booce said complacently. "Our one bit of luck, and a happyfeet tribe almost made off with it."

"That mucking great chunk of metal halfway in?"

"Heh. You've found it already? We haven't measured that either, but it's thousands of tons. Petty, we'd like the Wart classified. We won't get so many thieves that way."

"All right, but if happyfeet attacked you-"

"I don't want to file charges. They got away, but we hurt them, and I don't want them to know who. They might want to come after us with friends."

"That attitude makes life difficult for the Navy, Booce. We'd rather chase them down. You're sure?... All right. We'll want our taxes in metal."

"Fine. I want to keep that makeshift firebox until I can buy more sikenwire. It's not pretty, but it works. Barring that, I'll sell the entire lode to the Navy right now, if you can tear it out and tow it home. Take it off my hands," Booce said.

Rather couldn't help himself: he stared. But what if he takes you up on it?

Petty Wheeler laughed. "I don't have alcohol to tow it, and I can't authorize that kind of expenditure. But we'll inspect it now, and I'll send a team to cut our share loose after you're moored.''

Petty Wheeler's crew began searching Log bearer inside and out. Rather's momentary impulse was to stop them. But Booce showed no surprise . . . and of course there was nothing aboard Logbearer to be found. Meanwhile the Navy officer turned to Rather and said, "Rather, wasn't it? You should consider joining the Navy."

"Why?"

The man smiled. "The pay is good, particularly for a tree dweller, if you can get in. We'll shape you up and teach you things you should know, like how to win a fight. You'll be holding civilization together. The personal advantage is, you're the right shape. You noticed Bosun Sectry Murphy? Short, with red hair-"

"Yes?"

"She'll be wearing a vac suit within six years. Guardian is the highest rank there is, unless you were born an officer. You could do the same."

"I'll have to think about it."

"Talk to her yourself. Ask Booce, for that matter. Booce, we'll fly down and inspect your Wart. Would you like to ride with us?"