,,! ,,TWO ,,COLL>S

                  ,BY
             ,,J]I ,,MASSI

              ,PUBLI%$ BY
      ,BOB ,J"OS ,UNIV]S;Y ,PRESS1
        ,GRE5VILLE1 ,S\? ,C>OL9A
             ,COPY"R #AIHH
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4

      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
     ,M>TI ,LOVE1 ,MIKE ,CAVANAU<1
     ,D5ISE ,MANN+1 & ,SUSAN ,FLEM+
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
             ,9 #B ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #A
         ,PAGES ;I-;VI & #A-AAD

          ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP (
  ,WA%+TON ,TALK+ ,BOOK & ,BRL ,LIBR>Y
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
                 #BJJD
          ,! ,BRACK5 ,TRILOGY        ;II

.,! .,BRIDGE
.,CR[N .& .,JEWEL
.,! .,TWO .,COLL>S




















            ,PUBLI%]'S ,NOTE        ;III

  ,DUR+ ! E>LI] "P ( ? C5TURY &! LATT]
HALF (! N9ETE5? C5TURY1 ,*RI/IAN WRIT]S
(T5 MADE USE ( 8WISE WOMAN0 /ORIES4 ,^!
FANCI;L /ORIES 7 POPUL> = -B9+ HI< ADV5-
TURE ) GD MORAL LESSONS = *N4 ,IMITAT+ ?
G5RE1 ,J]I ,MASSI HAS WRITT5 ! ,BRACK5
TRILOGY ( BOOKS4 ,X -PRISES .,!
.,BRIDGE1 .,CR[N .& .,JEWEL1 & N[ .,!
.,TWO .,COLL>S4
  ,AL? ? NOVEL /&S AL"O & MAY 2 R1D F/1
X IS ! LA/ (! ?REE BOOKS T *RONICLE !
K+DOM ( ,BRACK54 ,9 ? BOOK1 ,BRACK5 IS
SE5 F ! EYES (A =EIGN]1 A "Y SLAVE GIRL
"ND ,KREA1 :O HAS BE5 BR"\ 6! K+DOM4 ,L
ANY SLAVE 9 T _W1 ,KREA WE>S A L1!R COL-
L> 69DICATE T %E IS N FREE4
  ,KREA'S 5C.T]S )! WISE WOMAN >E DRA-
MATIC & LIFE-*ANG+4 ,Z %E PASSES 96!
S]VICE ( H] AG$ ,MI/RESS1 %E 2COMES M
AW>E (! W> T IS ?R1T5+ ,BRACK54 ,AT !
SAME "T1 "! IS A 3FLICT 9SIDE ,KREA Z %E
/RU7LES 62LIEVE T H] ,MI/RESS TRULY
LOVES H] 9 SPITE ( H] UNDES]V+ POSI;N Z
A SLAVE4 ,X IS N UNTIL ! WISE WOM-   ;IV
AN T1*ES ,KREA 6LOVE O!RS ) G5U9E HUMIL-
;Y T ,KREA IS A# 6A3EPT A NEW COLL> (
S]VITUDE4





















                 ,3T5TS               ;V
                                   ,PAGE
#A ,A ,SLAVE """""""""""""""""""""""" #A
#B ,CAMP """"""""""""""""""""""""""" #AA
#C ,H1DWAT] """""""""""""""""""""""" #AI
#D ,FEV] """"""""""""""""""""""""""" #BI
#E ,! ,WOMAN ,AG """"""""""""""""""" #CE
#F ,! ,BROK5 ,COLL> """""""""""""""" #DC
#G ,?REE ,YE>S """"""""""""""""""""" #DI
#H ,! ,QUE5 """""""""""""""""""""""" #FA
#I ,NEW ,S]VICE """""""""""""""""""" #FI
#AJ ,! ,/RANG] """"""""""""""""""""" #GC
#AA ,A ,DES]T] """"""""""""""""""""" #HA
#AB ,! ,SWAMPS """"""""""""""""""""" #HE
#AC ,BONDAGE """"""""""""""""""""""" #IC
#AD ,! ,RIV] """""""""""""""""""""" #AJA









                                     ;VI
























           ,,! ,,TWO ,,COLL>S         #A

               ,*APT] ,"O
               ,A ,SLAVE

,A HALFP5NY1 A HALFP5NY1
,-E LL *N1 -E & SEE
,ALL DELI<TS >E A HALFP5NY4

  ,TWO PLUMP & GRAY+ WOM5 7:O _H D"O _!
BE/ 6LOOK "Y & HAPPY7 A3OMPANI$ EA* O!R
ON LUTES & SANG ? 9VIT+ S;G 9 ! /REETS (
,WILD]TON4 ,!Y /ROLL$ BACK & =? F "O
SIDE (! /REET 6! O!R & SANG ! REFRA9 OV]
AG4
  ,2H !M1 3V5I5TLY BLOCK+ MO/ (! WAY S T
P WD H 69T]RUPT OR /AY & WAT*1 F\R O!R P
7 PREP>+ _! 5T]TA9;T4 ,OV] ALL "! HUNG A
W9T] *ILL T EV5 ! *E];L S++ & COLOR;L
7?\< RA7$7 CLO!S (! TR\PE CD N MAKE W>M
NOR DRIVE AWAY4
  ,! "Y GIRL1 ,KREA1 2GAN H] "P 0JU7L+
?REE WORN WOOD5 BALLS4 ,X 0 S BITT]LY
COLD T %E _H 6/>T SL[LY4 ,! WOOD5 BALLS
PLOPP$ RHY?MIC,Y 96H] H&S1 ?UMP+ !M A
BIT EA* "T1 SL[LY WAK+ !M F NUMB;S    #B
6FEEL+4 ,! WOM5 REC$$ 2H ! LL TR\PE
& W5T ON PLAY+ _! LUTES4 ,JOLLY & ,PIP]1
TWO BOYS ( AB ! SAME AGE1 TOOK _! PLACES
& TURN$ C>T:EELS ACR ! /REET1 EA* />T+
AT "O SIDE & PASS+ EA* O!R EXACTLY 9 !
MI4LE4 ,:5 EA* BOY R1*$ ! OPPOSITE SIDE1
HE SWIT*$ 6=W>D H&SPR+S4 ,BO? BOYS1 Z
,KREA WELL KNEW1 7 HUNGRY & MIS]A#--EMP-
TY Z WELL Z COLD4 ,B !Y LOOK$ SP"RLY &
*E];L Z !Y "W$1 :OOP+ & YELL+ Z !Y W5T
5D OV] 5D4
  ,KREA H]F 0 MIS]A# & FELT A*ES ALL OV]
H]1 W>N+S T A FEV] 0 -+4 ,%E _H V D>K
HAIR & BLUE EYES1 & %E WD H BE5 A PRETTY
* IF ANYBODY _H "E TAU<T H] 6-B H] HAIR
& WA% H] FACE4 ,Z %E WAS1 "! 0 / A WILD1
UNTAM$ K9D ( PRETTI;S AB H]4 ,%E A4$ A
F\R? WOOD5 BALL1 JU7L+ TWO BALLS ON EA*
H& Z H] BLOOD W>M$ UP4
  ,! ,MA/]1 8 WORN R$ CAPE FLUNG OV] 8
RA7$ HOMESPUN CLO!S1 D(F$ 8 CLO? CAP &
TOSS$ X HI<4 ,HE CAU<T X1 %OOK X 6MAKE
C]TA9 X 0 EMPTY1 & TURN$ X OV]4 ,B"R
CO9S P\R$ F X 96HIS H&4
  ..,IF ONLY !Y 7 .R1L4 ,KREA _H      #C
WI%$ T 2F1 B %E _H (T5 SC\R$ UP ! LL
CO9S H]F1 & %E KNEW !Y 7 WOR?.S T94
  ,! ,MA/] TOSS$ ! CO9S UP 96! AIR "O AT
A "T1 CAT*+ EA* "O ) 8 CAP4 ,!N HE TURN$
! CAP OV] & NO?+ CAME \4 ,X 0 EMPTY4
  ,A FEW *N & "O OR TWO R\<-LOOK+ FI%]M5
CAME 6WAT*1 &! *N ASK$ = ANO!R TRICK4
,M1N:ILE1 ,PIP] /OPP$ 8 H&SPR+S L;G 5 TO
WALK "? ! CR[D ) 8 TWO H&S CUPP$ TGR1
COLLECT+ HALFP5NIES4 ,AL? ! ,MA/] 0
TALK+ 6! SMALL CLU/] ( P & TELL+ JOKES !
:OLE :ILE1 ,KREA KNEW T 8 %>P EYE N"E
LEFT ,PIP]'S H&S = L;G4 ,2F ! M"OY _H
BE5 P\R$ 96! LL FELT BAG 6BE C.T$ LAT]1
! ,MA/] WD ALR "K H[ M* ,PIP] _H COL-
LECT$ ON ! F/ TURN4
  ,%E A4$ ! FIF? WOOD5 BALL 6! JU7L+ AS-
SORT;T4 ,FIVE 0 H] LIMIT1 & EV5 AT T X 0
H>D 6FEEL CALM ) T _M4 ,OLD ,DOLLY1 :O
0? "T 0 PLAY+ H] PIPE 9/1D ( H] LUTE1 _H
(T5 SD T ,KREA 0 TOO "Y 6C.T FIVE1 LET
AL"O JU7LE T _M4 ,B ,KREA _H LE>N$4
,MA/] &! BELT _H SE5 6T4
  ,! ,MA/] W5T "? 8 ?REE ROPE TRICKS4 ,M
P _H -E UP1 %IV]+ & WAT*+ 9 ! COLD    #D
W9T] MORN+4
  ,! VILLAGE ( ,WILD]TON 0 A M]E BL1K &
/ORM-LA%$ HU4LE ( BUILD+S T DIDN'T SEE
M* 5T]TA9;T4 ,! SMALL TR\PE 0 WELCOME1
EV5 9 BAD W1!R4
  ,PIP] QKLY DROPP$ BACK4 ,HE JO9$ !
WOM5 & PULL$ \ 8 [N FIFE4 ,BET PUT D[N
H] LUTE & PICK$ UP H] CYMBALS 6CLA% !M 9
"T 6! TWO PIPE PLAY]S4 ,! ,MA/] GE/UR$
6,JOLLY1 :O JUMP$ A BACK FLIP4 ,"S"O AP-
PLAUD$4 ,JOLLY JUMP$ ?REE M V QKLY1 DID
A H&SPR+ =W>D1 !N "O BACKW>D1 L1P$ 6HIS
FEET & B[$4
  ,KREA CAU<T H] WOOD5 BALLS :ILE ! CR[D
CLAPP$ = ,JOLLY4 ,%E !N W5T >.D ) H] [N
H&S CUPP$1 ASK+ = M"OY3 8,A HALFP5NY IF
Y PL1SE2 HALFP5NY =! %[2 HALFP5NY IF Y
PL1SE10 %E ASK$1 GO+ F P]SON 6P]SON4
,MA/]'S EYE 0 ON H]4 ,! P FI%$ 9 _!
POCKETS4 ,"S CAME UP ) CO9S1 & "S DID N4
,%E W5T >.D 6EA* "O1 B>ELY HE>+ _! RE-
PLIES4
  8,"H Y >E1 !N40
  8,ALL ,I GOT1 LASS40
  8,"H'S A SP>E = MY FR40             #E
  ,%E CAME 6A WOMAN :O /OOD BUNDL$ 9 A
GRAY CLOAK & HELD \ H] H&S4 8,HALFP5NY
IF Y PL1SE40
  ,0HABIT1 ,KREA N"E LOOK$ AT _! FACES1
ONLY _! H&S 6SEE IF !Y WD GIVE H] ANY?+1
& "S"TS _! G>;TS 6SEE IF !Y 7 RI* OR
POOR4
  ,AN AG$ H& PRODUC$ A HALFP5NY F ! GRAY
SLEEVE & PUT X 9 H] PALM4 ,B !N ! H&
HELD H]S =A MO;T4
  8,H[ COLD Y M/ BE10 SD A K9D VOICE4
  ,KREA LOOK$ UP 6SEE TWO B1UTI;L EYES
LOOK+ AT H]4 ,=A MO;T %E ?"\ T ! WOMAN 0
RE,Y V "Y AF ALL1 B !N %E SAW T NO--X 0
AN OLD WOMAN4 ,! WOMAN'S EYES 7 S "Y &
B"R T ! FACE--?\< WR9KL$--WAS B1UTI;L4
  ,=A MO;T ! "Y JU7L] /OOD Z ?\< FROZ5
6! GR.D1 PUZZL$ &A LL 3FUS$4 ,S9CE !
WOMAN DID N IMMLY REL1SE H] H&1 %E DID N
PULL AWAY4 ,9 FACT1 = "O WILD1 FREE MO-
;T1 %E IMAG9$ T IF %E FLUNG H]F = PRO-
TEC;N 96T GRAY CLOAK1 X WD FOLD OV] H] L
A PROTECT+ SEA1 &! OLD WOMAN WD TAKE H]
AWAY--,"S": ,ELSE3 A DELI<T;LLY W>M1
FRAGRANT PLACE SPIC$ ) BO? DANG] &    #F
-=T4
  8,TW9KLE1 MY .D>L+ '''0 ,! ,MA/]'S
VOICE1 SWEET & SMOO? Z H"OY1 C>RI$ XS
SIL5T W>N+ 6H]4 8,! %[ M/ G ON1 MY DE>4
,HURRY AL;G40
  ,%E PULL$ AWAY F T W>M H& & W5T ON "?
! CR[D4 8,A HALFP5NY1 A HALFP5NY IF Y
PL1SE40
  ,0 X A CO9CID;E T %E CAME 6! BAG ) H]
H&S FULL ( CO9S8
  ,! ,MA/] W5T 96HIS SWORD-SWALL[+
TRICK1 & ,KREA R1DI$ ! KNIVES4 ,! CR[D
APPLAUD$ HM1 & HE GE/UR$ 6H]4
  8,LOOK AT H]1 W Y80 HE ASK$4 8,H] PAP-
PY 0 A PIRATE (! S\?2 H] MAMMA A RO2]
QUE54 ,%E -ES 0H] LOVE ( KNIVES NATUR,Y1
DOESN'T %E80
  ,KREA TOSS$ ! ?REE KNIVES >.D Z ?\< !Y
7 NO?+4 ,! GULLI# P OOOH$ & AAAH$ H]4
,HE W5T ON3 8,FIVE YE>S OLD6 ,ONLY FIVE
WE>S OLD %E IS60
  ,"O (! FI%]M5 CALL$ \1 8,Y RAGTAG
TR\P]6 ,Y SD %E 0 FIVE LA/ YE> :5 Y CAME
"?40
  8,AYE1 &! YE> 2F T60 "S"O ELSE      #G
A4$4 ,! -;TS DREW A LAU<4
  8,NAY1 T 0 H] OLD] SI/]4 ,RUN (F &
JO9$ ! RO2]S1 .T "O DID10 ! ,MA/] A4$1
?9K+ FA/ 6COV] 8 LIE4 ,HE D(F$ 8 CAP &
W5T >.D ) X4
  8,YR APPRECI,N1 MY -RADES8 ,APPRECIA-
;N80
  8,-E GET A BITE10 A MAN SD--AN 9NKEEP]
6JUDGE F ! APRON %[+ "U 8 COAT4 8,ALL O'
YE4 ,Y'LL DRAW A FAIR GD CR[D = ME4 ,-E
IN1 !N40
  8,AT YR S]VICE10 ! ,MA/] ANSW]$4 8,Y
HE>D ! K9D G5TLEMAN4 ,LOOK LIVELY &
AWAY40
  ,!Y HURRI$LY PACK$ UP _! W>ES & FOLL[$
! ,MA/] ACR ! DIRT /REET 6A PLANK WALK4
,WOOD5 BUILD+S 7 CR[D$ CLOSE TGR--A NET
MAK]1 A ROPE MAK]1 A C>P5T]'S %OP4 ,KREA
KNEW !M 0! W>ES HANG+ 9 _! W9D[S1 N 0_!
SIGNS4 ,%E CD N R1D4
  ,%E SMELL$ A DELICI\S SMELL ( HOT
BR1D1 SCALD$ MILK1 & COOK+ FI%4 ,! 9N-
KEEP] L$ !M 9SIDE 8 9N4 ,! CR[D FOLL[$4
  ,SOON ,KREA F.D H]F S1T$1 )A B[L ( FI%
*[D] &A MUG ( HOT MILK 2F H]4 ,JOL-   #H
LY & ,PIP] 7 ON EI SIDE ( H]4 ,S]V+
MAIDS BR"\ HOT BR1D = !M4 ,! ROOM QKLY
2CAME CR[D$4 ,_M "QS 7 ASK$ (! TR\PE1 B
! ,MA/] ANSW]$ MO/ ( !M1 ) O3A.NAL HELPS
F 8 WIFE1 ,BET4 ,DOLLY1 ! "M ( ,JOLLY1
SAT Z QUIETLY Z ! *N4 ,:5"E ANY EYES
TURN$ 6H]1 %E PRET5D$ 6BE HELP+ HM M9D 8
MANN]S4
  8,YR *N80 "S"O ASK$ ! ,MA/]4
  8,OH NO4 ,BET & ME N"E _H ANY ( \R [N4
,DOLLY & ,JOLLY G TGR--"M & SON4 ,PIP] &
,TW9KLE IS ORPHANS4 ,B ,I TR1T !M J L ,I
WD TR1T MY [N40
  8,HE'S PROBABLY TELL+ ! TRU?10 ,PIP]
:ISP]$ 6H]4 ,BO? HE & %E WORE ! L1!R
COLL>S ( SLAVES HI45 "U _! W9T] G>;TS4
,X 0 A FACT (T5 HI45 F T[NSPEOPLE :O
MI<T TURN A D>K EYE ON A TR\PE MA/] :O
[N$ * SLAVES4
  ,! TA#S 7 FULL & NOISY4 ,^? PRIVILEG$
FEW :O _H GOTT5 PLACES AT ! TR\PE'S TA#
SOON 2CAME BUSY ) _! M1LS4 ,B SU45LY "O
(! T[N BOYS PU%$ UP 2T TWO M5 SITT+ OP-
POSITE ,KREA & ,PIP]4
  8,WAS YR PAPPY RE,Y A PIRATE80 HE   #I
ASK$ H]4
  ,PIP] LOOK$ UP4 8,GET \ ( "H10 HE
SNAPP$4 8,W Y 2LIEVE "EY?+ ANY BE7>
SAYS80
  ,! BOY SCURRI$ AWAY1 B ,KREA FELT !
,MA/]'S EYES ON !M4
  8,HE HE>D Y10 %E :ISP]$4
  8,!N LET HM BELT ME10 HE :ISP]$ BACK4
,%E SD NO M4















                                     #AJ
























              ,*APT] ,TWO            #AA
                 ,CAMP

  ,! NI<T SANK L A COLD WEI<T ON !M4
,ANO!R P]=M.E1 L ! W>M M1L AT NOON1 LAY
2H !M4 ,CAMP$ 9 A FIELD A FEW MILES F
T[N1 !Y SAT HU4L$ >.D A FIRE1 %IV]+ 9 _!
BLANKETS4 ,EXCEPT = ,PIP]4 ,HE LAY FULL
L5G? 9 8 BLANKET1 TOO SORE F ! BELT+ HE
_H GOTT5 6SIT UP4
  8,& Y10 ! ,MA/] SD 6,KREA4 8,Y %D GET
! SAME--/&+ & GAWK+ AT T OLD HAG L A
FOOL60
  8,H[ CD ,I PULL AWAY1 ,MA/]8 %E ASK$
HUMBLY4 8,:AT IF %E _H TAK5 ! CO9 BACK80
  8,AYE1 "! SP1KS S5SE10 ,BET SD4 ,BET 0
N EXACTLY A K9D WOMAN1 B %E (T5 HELD !
,MA/] BACK 6"O B1T+ A NI<T4
  8,& LOOK "H60 HE SD 6,KREA4 8,YR "N IS
,TW9KLE4 ,TW9KLE6 .,N ,KREA6 ,T'S CAVE
TALK4 ,WE TALK CIRCUS TALK4 ,P DOESN'T
PAY HALFP5NIES 6GIRLS "ND ,KREA4 ,B !Y L
LL GIRLS "ND ,TW9KLE4 ,I'VE SP5T TWO
YE>S TRY+ 6GET T "N 96Y1 & ,I DON'T FAN-
CY SP5D9' TWO M40
  8,SUPP]1 ,MA/]10 ,DOLLY SD MEEK-   #AB
LY1 LADL+ UP ! RA2IT /EW4
  ,HE 0 QUIET AF T4 ,!Y ALL ATE 9 SIL;E1
UNTIL ,BET1 USU,Y SIL5T ONCE ! "D 0 D"O1
SPOKE UP4 8,T OLD WOMAN1 N[10 %E SD4
  ,HE GRUM#D 96HIS SPOON Z HE SLURP$ UP
! /EW4 ,AL? ,BET 0 M>RI$ 6! ,MA/]1 HE
TR1T$ H] M L A SUP]IOR SLAVE ?AN 8 WIFE4
,B EV5 HE DID N USU,Y CROSS ,BET OR SEEK
6MAKE H] ANGRY4 ,"! 0 A SEV];Y 9 ,BET T
ALL ( !M RESPECT$4 ,%E W5T ON1 8,T OLD
WOMAN4 ,%E DID LOOK ODD ON ,KREA "H40
  8.,TW9KLE60 HE BELL[$4
  8,TW9KLE1 !N40
  8,WELL1 S :AT80 HE ASK$ AF A MO;T4
  8,L %E _H A M9D AB H]40
  ,KREA %OT A N]V\S GL.E AT ,BET4 ,?US
F> %E _H FELT O4LY *>M$ 0! WOMAN 9 GREY2
= "S R1SON %E 0 FILL$ ) L;G+ & HOPE4 ,&
! L;G+ & HOPE _H BE5 (A DI6]5T SORT ?AN
! L;G+ = -=TS S* Z W>M? & FOOD T %E USU-
,Y FELT2 ?\<1 9DE$1 W>M? & FOOD _H AL
"SH[ BE5 ALL TI$ UP ) X4
  ,N[ ,BET'S ^WS DROVE "S ( T *>M AWAY4
,S F> ! ONLY P :O _H "E %[$ M* 9T]E/ 9
,KREA _H BE5 CRUEL P :O _H PUR*AS$   #AC
H] & :O _H POSSESS$ ! P[] 6DEPRIVE H] (
FOOD OR 6PUNI% H]4
  ,%E GL.ED AT ! ,MA/] 6SEE :AT HE WD
SAY4 ,B !N ,JOLLY BOLDLY SPOKE UP4 8,P]H
! HAG WANT$ 6SELL H] 96SLAV]Y60 ,& HE
BUR/ \ LAU<+ AT 8 [N JOKE4
  8,%UT YR M\?60 ! ,MA/] RO>$4 8,NO-
BODY'S GO+ 6/1L & SELL ANY"O--EXCEPT Y
IF Y DON'T WAT* \4 ,AYE1 ,I'D L 6SEE Y 9
A CAVE )A BUCKET 9 YR H&S60
  ,JOLLY'S LAU<T] DI$1 & HE HU4L$ UP TO
8 "M1 ABA%$ &A LL AFRAID4
  8,HE DIDN'T M1N X10 ,DOLLY SD 6H] SON4
8,B X'S N GD 6SAY S* ?+S OR 6JE/ AB !
CAVES40
  ,! CAVES6 ,T 0 ! PLACE ": BO? ,PIP] &
,KREA _H -E F1 ":--Z F> Z !Y KNEW--ALL *
SLAVES CAME F4 ,X 0 9 A L& OV] ! WAT]
"S":4 ,*N "W$ 9 ! CAVES EMPTY+ RUB# &
CLIMB+ 96N>R[ FISSURES 6M.T LI<TS & *ECK
= AIR =! GR[N M9]S4 ,:5 A * 0 TOO BIG =
T1 HE 0 EI MADE A M9] OR 0 %IPP$ AWAY TO
2 SOLD 9 A M>KET4 ,NEI ,KREA NOR ,PIP]
"E SPOKE (! CAVES UN.S ! ,MA/] DEM&$ X (
!M4 ,!Y N"E EV5 SPOKE (! CAVES TO    #AD
EA* O!R4
  8,WELL10 ! ,MA/] SD AF "S ?"\4 8,? IS
COA/ T]RITORY ": X'S A SIMPLE JOB 6/1L
*N & :ISK !M AWAY4 ,MAYBE T 0 9 ! HAG'S
M9D4 ,A BODY CD PULL (F S* A DE$ "R
EASY40
  ,KREA (F]$ A W1K PROTE/4 8,I'M ALR
COLL>$4 ,ANYBODY ON A %IP OR 9 A M>KET
WD "K T ,I'VE BE5 B"\ ALR40
  ,PIP] SPOKE UP 9 AGREE;T4 8,ANYBODY
BUY+ H] )A COLL> WD RECKON %E'D BE5 /O-
L540
  8,COLL>S C 2 BROK5 & M>KS REMOV$10
,MA/] SD1 Z HE DUG ?"\;LLY 96HIS /EW4
8,PIP]1 Y & ,KREA WAT* \ = EA* O!R4 ,?
IS A H>D LIFE1 B Y DON'T WANT NO H>D]4
,DON'T LET YRVS 2 /1L$ (F4 ,IF Y SEE T
HAG AG1 TELL ME40
  8,YES1 ,MA/]40
  8,YES1 ,MA/]10 ,KREA SD4
  8,& Y1 SON10 ,DOLLY SD 6,JOLLY4 8,Y 2
W>Y1 TOO40 ,HE NO4$1 LOOK+ SLEEPY1 &
L1N$ AG/ H]4
  ,MA/] ROSE & PULL$ ! H& WAGON CLOS] 6!
FIRE S X WD REFLECT ! H1T BETT]4     #AE
,DOLLY GE/UR$ 6,KREA1 & !Y ALL SETTL$
D[N 6SLEEP 9 ! FRO/Y NI<T4
  ,WRAPP$ UP 9 H] BLANKET & HU4L$ AG/
,DOLLY'S BACK1 ,KREA WAT*$ ! %AD[S F !
FIRE FLICK] AG/ ! B"RLY PA9T$ WAGON4 ,X
0 _! ONLY HOME1 & !Y ALL LIV$ \ ( X4
,"S"TS %E _H 6LIVE 9 X =A FEW "DS :5 %E
CAU<T FEV]4 ,!Y WD PROP ROCKS "U X 6MAKE
X LEVEL1 & ,DOLLY WD NURSE H] "? ! WOR/
( H] ILL;S4 ,!N ! ,MA/] WD 3COCT "S BIT-
T] & BURN+ & T]RI# M$IC9E 6P\R D[N H]
?ROAT T WD KEEP H] ON H] FEET 6JU7LE =!
CR[D4
  ,%E ?"\ AB 2+ A PIRATE'S DAU<T]4 ,(
C\RSE %E KNEW %E WASN'T4 ,%E _H SP5T H]
E>LY LIFE 9 CAVES ) O!R *N EMPTY+ PAILS
( S& & RUB#4 ,NOBODY "! _H A "M OR A "F4
,!Y 7 SLAVES4 ,T 0 ALL4 ,X WASN'T UNTIL
%E _H BE5 TAK5 6M>KET1 SOLD 6A SLAVE
D1L]1 %IPP$ OV]S1S1 & !N SOLD AG 6!
,MA/] T %E _H LE>N$ T "EYBODY _H A "M &
"F4 ,EV5 SLAVES4
  ,": 7 H]S1 %E WOND]$4 ,_H !Y BE5
SLAVES1 TOO8 ,OR _H !Y DI$8
  ,! FIRE _H 2GUN 6G 6COALS4 ,%E     #AF
CDN'T SEEM 6GET W>M1 & ,DOLLY _H BE5 TOO
TIR$ 6PULL "EGRE5 B\<S OV] !M4 ,DOLLY N[
LAY ) ,JOLLY CU4L$ 9 H] >MS1 KEEP+ HM
W>M1 :ILE ,KREA 0 CURL$ AG/ H] BACK4
  8,H[ COLD Y M/ BE10 ! VOICE _H SD1 B
,MA/] _H W>N$1 8,DON'T LET YRVS 2 /1L$
(F40 ,HE 0 S T]RI#4 ,B S CL"E4 ,HE KNEW
"EY?+4
  ,%E TRI$ 6?9K AB JUMP+ 96! SAFETY ( T
CLOAK1 B %E DIDN'T FEEL ! SAME AB X4 ,X
0 L A DR1M F L;G AGO--N R1L ANYMORE4
,N"E!.S1 A SL[ W>M? AT LA/ SPR1D "? H]4
,%E FELL ASLEEP4
  ,9 ! MORN+ !Y PACK$ UP _! GDS & TOOK
6! L;G TRAIL AG4 ,MA/] PULL$ ! C>T4 ,HE
_H 6D MO/ (! PULL+1 ?\< ,BET & ,DOLLY
TGR CD PULL X A %ORT 4T.E1 & ,JOLLY &
,PIP] WD PU% 2H X MO/ (! "D 6HELP HM4
,IF ,KREA HELP$ )! WAGON1 %E WDN'T 2
/R;G 5 6P]=M2 S %E 0 ALL[$ 6WALK AL;G-
SIDE UNTIL %E GREW UP A LL M4 ,B = H]1
WALK+ =A :OLE L;G "D 0 A H>D 5 *ORE4
  ,!Y _H _! NOON+ ON ! TRAIL & RE/$ = AN
H\R 9 ! COLD1 EAT+ OLD BISCUITS &
LEFTOV] /EW4                         #AG
  8,WE'LL /AY A :ILE AT ,H1DWAT]10 ,MA/]
SD Z !Y ATE4 8,BIG PLACE1 & ? COLD C'T
LA/ M ?AN A FEW WEEKS1 EH80
  ,BET & ,DOLLY NO4$ ASS5T4




















                                     #AH
























              ,*APT] ,?REE           #AI
                ,H1DWAT]

  ,KREA _H BE5 6,H1DWAT] TWICE 2F4 ,X 0
! BI7E/ C;Y %E'D "E SE54 ,! /REETS--"S
WIDE1 "S N>R[--MADE UP A P]FECT MAZE4
,ONCE1 ,MA/] _H EV5 HELD H] H& :ILE HUR-
RY+ "? ! _M CR[DS "!4 ,X 0 S EASY 6BE
LO/4
  ,%E & ,PIP] WD N BO!R 6HIDE _! COLL>S
9 T VA/ C;Y4 ,! SLAVE %IPS--9DE$1 MO/
%IPS--BR"\ _! W>ES 6,H1DWAT] & SLAV]Y 0
-MON4 ,! C;Y _H HUGE CANNONS FAC+ ! H>-
BOR 6W>D (F PIRATES4
  ,BET SD X 0 ! OLD CAPITAL ( ,FOLG]4
,DOLLY J MURMUR$ T X 0 A %AME4 ,:5 ,PIP]
_H ASK$ H] :AT 0 A %AME1 %E'D TOLD HM T
%E CD REMEMB] :5 SLAV]Y 0 =BI45 9 ,FOL-
G]1 & ,H1DWAT] _H BE5 A CL1N C;Y4
  8,CL1N80 HE'D ASK$1 N "U/&+4 ,& ,MA/]
_H TOLD BO? ( !M 6BE QUIET4
  ,9 PLACES L ,WILD]TON1 _! T9Y TR\PE 0
ALW A BIG EV5T1 B 9 ,H1DWAT]1 !Y _H TO
-PETE ) O!R -PANIES =! ATT5;N ( PASS]S-
BY4
  ,ON _! F/ MORN+1 :ILE ,MA/] 0      #BJ
LOOK+ 6GET !M A PLACE 6/AY1 ,KREA SAW
ANO!R TR\PE--? "O ( S+]S--/,N !MVS AT A
CORN] (! PLANK WALKWAY1 ": TWO /REETS
MET4 ,!Y SANG "O (! OLD BALLADS T ,KREA
KNEW WELL3

,H]RON 0 A MI<TY MAN1
,A MI<TY MAN 0 HE2
,ALL CLAD 9 GRE5 ) 8 BIG BOOTS ON1
,AN AXE 0 9 8 H&2
7,AN AXE 0 9 8 H&1
,AN AXE 0 9 8 H&47
,! BRIDGE ACR ! WAVES DID SPAN1
,XS SOCKETS ALL ( /"O2
,B X WD N /& 'GA9/ ! MI<TY MAN1
,^: AXE 0 9 8 H&2
7,HIS AXE 0 9 8 H&1
,8 AXE 0 9 8 H&47

  ,_! S++ 0 HE>TY & MUSICAL4 ,X DREW A
GD CR[D4 ,EV5 ,KREA WAT*$ ! BIG1 BEEFY
MAN & 8 F\R BOYS--ALL FREE1 6JUDGE 0_!
B>E NECKS--Z !Y /AMP$ & CLAPP$ 9 "T 6!
S;G4 ,! P WAT*+ /AMP$ & CLAPP$1 TOO4 ,X
0 A GD WAY 6W>M UP ON T COLD "D4     #BA
  8,ANO!R R.D IF Y PL1SE60 "S"O CALL$1 &
?REW A SILV] CO9 6! BIG MAN4
  8,_M ?ANKS1 MY PATRON10 HE CALL$4
8,J591 RUN & BR+ U "S HOT BR1D1 EH80 ,&
HE PASS$ ! CO9 6"O ( 8 BOYS4 ,!N HE %UF-
FL$ 8 FEET F SIDE 6SIDE & SANG1

,S+ HEY6 ,=! SUN
,AT BR1K ( "D
,S+ OH6 ,=! BIG
PALE MOON
,2 X NI<T OR MORN
OR J AT NOON
,I L 6S+ ? TUNE4
,S+ AYE6 =! FLAG
T SNAPS ON HI<
,9 =E/ DEEP
OR S&Y DUNE
,2 X V LATE
OR V SOON
,I L 6S+ ? TUNE6

  ,"! 0 M* CLAPP+ & :I/L+ = HM1 & HE
B[$4 ,KREA--S 9T]E/$ 0? JOLLY S+] :O
SEEM$ S /R;G & K9D--_H PU%$ =W>D     #BB
6LOOK AT HM4
  ,HE _H BIG BOOTS &A PLA9 BR[N TUNIC1 B
8 HOOD 0 B"R R$4 ,8 SP>KL+ EYE CAU<T
SI<T ( H]4 8,HO1 MY PRETTY GIRL60 HE
CALL$4 8,:AT W Y HE>8 ,H[ AB ?--0

,MY LASS HAS GOT
,! BIG BR[N EYES
,& LOVELY *E/NUT HAIR4
,%E IS ! F>M]'S
,*E/NUT HORSE
,& ,I AM ! /A# BOY6

  ,"EYBODY LAU<$1 & HE W9K$ AT ,KREA1 B
%E FELT %Y & $G$ \ (! CR[D4
  ,KREA &! TR\PE SP5T _! F/ NI<T 9 ,H1D-
WAT] MIS]ABLY COLD1 )A GALE BL[+ (F !
FRIGID WAT]S (! H>BOR4 ,MA/] _H BE7$ _!
WAY 96A LIV]Y /A# : 0 EMPTY ( HORSES
DUR+ ! COLD SNAP :5 MO/ TRAVEL]S /AY$
HOME4 ,"! 0 A /OVE 9 "!1 & !Y LOAD$ X
UNTIL X GL[$ R$ HOT1 B ! H1T SEEM$ 6VAN-
I% 9 ! NUMB+ COLD4
  ,H[ %E WI%$ = GLOVES6 ,:AT WD %E D !
NEXT "D :5 %E TRI$ 6JU7LE )\T !M8    #BC
  ,!Y ALL CR[D$ TGR1 A HU4LE ( SIX
WRET*$ P1 )! H& WAGON AT _! BACKS &!
/OVE 2F !M4 ,& EA* "O ( !M FAC$ ! PROS-
PECT ( TRY+ 6P]=M 9 ! BIT+ COLD4
  ,KREA KNEW T IF %E DROPP$ "O (! WOOD5
BALLS X WD 2 ! BELT = H]4 ,"SH[1 %E
KNEW1 %E M/ GET GLOVES4
  ,DAWN BR"\ LL RELIEF F ! COLD4 ,AT F/
LI<T ,MA/] %OOK !M AWAKE & !N RAN ! *N
>.D 6WAKE !N UP & W>M !M4
  ,HE S5T ,BET \ = MILK 6SCALD1 B EV5 )
HOT MILK A4$ 6H] BR1KFA/1 ,KREA KNEW !
W>M? WD L1VE H] ONCE !Y GOT ONTO ! COLD
/REET4
  ,AF _! BR1KFA/1 %E W5T ) ,BET UP ! L;G
PLANK SIDEWALK 6RETURN ! MILK BUCKET 6!
/ORE [N] :O _H L5T X 6!M4
  ,AL? X 0 E>LY MORN+1 ! FRONT DOOR (!
/ORE 0 UNLOCK$1 & !Y W5T 9SIDE4 ,! %UT-
T]S 6! W9D[S 7 CLOS$1 B AN ASSI/ANT 0
BUSILY UNLAT*+ !M & TAK+ !M D[N "O AT A
"T4 ,GL1M+ T9 BUCKETS HUNG F PEGS 9 !
RAFT]S OV]H1D4 ,BOLTS ( CLO? TOOK UP "O
:OLE WALL4 ,& "R 2F ,KREA'S EYES 0 A R[
( WOOL5 GLOVES3 TI<T FITT+1 SMOO?1   #BD
LI<T-TEXTUR$1 B W>M4 ,!Y 7 ID1L = JU7L+4
,!Y CO/ J A HALFP5NY =A PAIR4 ,B T
DIDN'T MATT] 2C %E CDN'T H AF=D$ !M :AT-
"E !Y _H CO/4
  ,BET _H HURRI$ 6! C.T] )! EMPTY BUCK-
ET4 ,KREA'S H& T\*$ "O (! GLOVES4 ,"SH[
9 ! NEXT 9/ANT ! PAIR ( !M 7 9 H] RA7$
SLEEVE4
  8,*40
  ,KREA SPUN >.D4 ,X 0 !N T %E NOTIC$ T
! FRONT DOOR _H BE5 OP5$ = BUSI;S4 ,!
%UTT]S 7 ALL TAK5 D[N4 ,%E _HN'T R1LIZ$
H[ ! MORN+ LI<T 0 N[ FLOOD+ D[N ^U H]4
,ANYBODY AT ALL1 F ! FEW MORN+ CU/OM]S
6^? PASS+ 0! DOOR1 CD H SE5 H]4
  ,B ,KREA F.D H]F /&+ 2F ! AW;L FIGURE
(! WOMAN 9 ! GREY CLOAK4 ,E ?"\ ( L;G+ &
DELI<T 0 G"O4 ,%E CD N SEE ! WOMAN'S
FACE1 B =! F/ "T %E FELT ! %AME ( :AT %E
_H D"O4 ,%E & ,PIP] & ,JOLLY _H (T5 PIL-
F]$ ?+S F /OREKEEP]S 9 ! PA/4 ,& ,MA/] &
,BET N"E ASK$ !M AB ANY BIT ( FOOD OR
CLO?+ OR TR9KET T !Y _H4
  ,N[ ,KREA 0 A%AM$--& AFRAID4 ,! P5ALTY
= /1L+ 0 A BR&+ (! H&S4 ,! WOMAN1    #BE
)A SLI<T GE/URE1 DREW H] HOOD BACK 5 6%[
H] FACE4
  ,H] O!R H& R1*$ 6,KREA'S & DROPP$ A
CO9 96X4 8,Y ASK$ = ? 2F10 %E SD4 8,B !
MAN TOOK X4 ,I GIVE X 6Y AG4 ,USE X =
:AT Y NE$40
  ,KREA GL.ED AT ! CO94 ,X 0 A HALFP5NY4
,:5 %E LOOK$ UP1 ! WOMAN 0 G"O4 ,%E TOOK
! CO9 6! /OREKEEP] AT 8 C.T] & PD =!
GLOVES4 ,BET 0 SURPRIS$ B SD NO?+4
  ,B ,KREA'S 3C5TR,N 0 RU9$ =! MORN+4
,%E =GOT 6SMILE Z %E JU7L$4 ,%E DIDN'T
PAY ATT5;N 6! O!RS4 ,X 0 Z ?\< %E /OOD A
L;G WAY (F1 UN9T]E/$ 9 ! CR[D4 ,M ?AN
ONCE1 ,MA/]'S EYES FELL ON H]1 B %E
DIDN'T EV5 NOTICE T4 ,& :5 %E TOOK H]
TURN 6BEG HALFP5NIES1 %E LOOK$ UP 96EA*
FACE4 8,HALFP5NY1 PL1SE4 ,HALFP5NY =!
%[4 ,HALFP5NY IF Y PL1SE40 ,%E LOOK$ AT
EA* FACE1 B ! "O %E SE>*$ = 0 N AM;G !M4
,/1 H] C>E;L BE7+ SAV$ H]1 = %E CAME
BACK ) BO? H&S FULL & P\R$ ! CO9S 96!
BAG4 ,& EV5 !N "S (! P ?REW CO9S AT H]
FEET4 ,MA/] _H ,JOLLY HELP H] SCOOP !M
UP & PUT !M 96! BAG4                 #BF
  8,>E Y A4L$80 HE DEM&$ ( H] T NI<T 9 !
LIV]Y /A#4
  8,NO1 ,MA/]10 %E :ISP]$4
  8,%E BR"\ 9 M ?AN ANYBODY'S GOT 2F10
,BET PO9T$ \4
  8,:AT AILS H]1 ?\<80 HE DEM&$4 8,WAS X
T HAG BACK 9 ,WILD]TON--AH60 ,= H] EYES
GOT BIG4 8,X WAS6 ,T 0 "DS AGO6 ,>E Y
2WIT*$8 ,0AN OLD W5* 9 RAGS80
  ,BET & ,DOLLY SU45LY LOOK$ AT H]1 !N
BACK AT ! ,MA/]4
  8,MAYBE ! HAG DID GET A HOLD ON !
GIRL10 ,BET SD4
  8,OH NO60 ,DOLLY MOAN$4
  8,EH80 ,HE LOOK$ AT !M4
  8,Y "K ,FOLG]'S 9 AN UPRO> N[ )! ?R"O
2+ 9 4PUTE10 ,BET SD4 8,X'S SD "! >E AS-
SASS9S & RO2]S LOOSE4 ,FOLKS T USE WICK$
M$IC9ES & POISONS4 ,!Y C A4LE P'S M9DS1
,I HE>40
  ,HE GL.ED %>PLY AT ,KREA4 ,JOLLY &
,PIP] LOOK$ UP ) 9T]E/4 ,KREA FELT F"R-
5$4
  8,%E TOOK A L;G HOLD ( H] H& "! 9
,WILD]TON10 ! ,MA/] RECALL$4 8,%E    #BG
MAY H RU2$ A POISON 96H]40
  8,6MAKE H] NO GD = U60 ,BET A4$1 A LL
ANGRY AT 2+ *1T$ (A SLAVE4
  ,DOLLY *IM$ IN1 8,B FIT = !M6 ,OH1
,KREA60 & ,DOLLY CLUNG 6,KREA & SO2$4
  8.,TW9KLE60 ! ,MA/] RO>$4 8,& :AT >E Y
GLU29' =8 ,!Y WON'T GET H]1 ,I SAY4 ,I
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8,Y FI<T X6 ,& /AY AWAY F ANY OLD HAG Y
SEES60
  ,%E NO4$ ^W.SLY :ILE ,DOLLY HU7$ H] &
SO2$ \ -=T+ ?+S L1 8,:AT % WE D )\T Y8
,!Y'LL EAT Y UP4 ,I "K !Y W -E 9 ! NI<T
6TAKE Y1 & T W 2 ! LA/ ANY % SEE ( Y
ALIVE4 ,OH ,KREA6 ,H>D LIFE6 ,H>D LIFE60
  8,WOMAN1 2 QUIET60 ! ,MA/] RO>$4
8,%E'S S T]RIFI$ %E'LL 2 FIT = NAU<T 9 !
MORN+6 ,FIX U UP "S HOT SUPP]4 ,FOOD 9
H] BELLY'LL FI<T (F POISON1 ,I'D SAY4 ,G
GET U MILK1 ,BET40
  ,KREA SD NO?+ 6!M AB HAV+ SE5 ! WOMAN
AG1 NOR AB ! HALFP5NY %E _H RCVD4 ,%E
D>$ N 3FESS 6! ,MA/] ( HAV+ SP5T ANY
M"OY4 ,B _H ! WOMAN BE5 TRICK+ H]8
  ,0 %E--D[N "UN1?--"S?+ M DR1D;L    #BH
?AN ! ,MA/]8
  ,!Y SP5T ?REE "DS 9 ,H1DWAT]1 F9D+
LIKELY PLACES 6P]=M4 ,3SID]+ H[ COLD X
WAS1 _! PR(ITS 7 GD1 B -P>$ 6NORMAL W9T]
W1!R1 _! P]=M.ES SU6]$ F SMALL AUDI;ES4
,! ,MA/] SD X 0 "T 6MOVE ON4 ,!Y N[ 5T]$
! DRE>IE/ "P ( _! CIRCUIT4 ,! T[N ( ,L1/
,BITT]N LAY S"EAL "DS 4TANT1 ) ONLY R\<
CAB9S AL;G ! WAY4 ,9 ^! CAB9S LIV$ H>DY
& UNC\? WOODCUTT]S :O 7 Z LIKELY 6PELT
VISITORS ) /"OS Z 6MAKE !M WELCOME4













              ,*APT] ,F\R            #BI
                 ,FEV]

  ,_! F/ "D \ F ,H1DWAT]1 ,KREA FELL
SICK ( FEV]4 ,%E CD N WALK1 EV5 )! MA/]
5C\RAG+ H] ) 8 BELT4 ,POOR ,DOLLY WEPT
AT 8 CRUELTY1 & EV5 ,BET SPOKE UP 6SAY1
8,Y'LL 2 ! D1? (A GD JU7L]60
  ,AT LA/ HE SD1 8,WELL !N1 GET H] 96!
WAGON1 B HURRY60
  ,JOLLY & ,PIP] TOOK PACKS ON _! BACKS4
,! BLANKETS 7 SPR1D = ,KREA 9 ! BOTTOM (
! WAGON ON "O SIDE &! RE/ ( _! GDS 7
LA%$ TGR ON ! O!R4 ,!Y LEFT ! DOORS OP5
= H] 6BR1! FRE% AIR4
  ,B ! FEV] GOT WORSE Z ! "D WORE ON4
,%E PEEL$ H] GLOVES (F 9 H] DELIRIUM &
CALL$ \ =! WOMAN 6-E BACK 6H]4 ,/ WEEP+1
& NE>LY \ ( H] WITS ) FE> = ,KREA1 ,DOL-
LY WD PUT ! GLOVES BACK ON H] :ILE ,MA/]
FUM$ AT ! DELAY4
  ,!Y /OPP$ AT A CAB9 9 ! E>LY EV5+ 6ASK
=A M1L 9 EX*ANGE =A P]=M.E4 ,B :5 !
WOODCUTT] :O LIV$ _! KNEW T !Y _H FEV] )
!M1 HE DROVE !M (F4
  ,!Y W5T ON 9 ? SORRY 3DI;N ANO!R   #CJ
"D4 ,KREA AT LA/ FELL QUIET1 DULL ) FEV]
& "S:AT WA/$4 ,! COLD SNAP BROKE1 B !
*ANGE DID H] NO GD4 ,%E LAY ALT]NATELY
BURN+ OR FREEZ+4 ,MA/] HELP$ ,DOLLY =CE
M$IC9E 96H]1 B X DIDN'T SEEM 6D ANY GD4
  8,%E 0 A LL ?+ 6/>T )1 & %E'S D[N TO
B"OS1 N[10 ,DOLLY M\RN$4 ,JOLLY & ,PIP]
TOOK ! H9T4 ,!Y SN1K$ 96! FIELDS & CEL-
L>S & /OREH\SES NE>BY & RETURN$ ) POTA-
TOES & H5S & O!R GD ?+S 6MAKE S\PS4 ,T
HELP$ ! ,MA/]'S TEMP] A LL1 B ,KREA /
DIDN'T SEEM 6GET ANY BETT]4
  ,"O WE>Y NI<T :5 ! O!RS LAY SLEEP+ &
,KREA 0 9 A K9D ( /UPOR1 ,DOLLY SAT
AWAKE 9 ! OP5 WAGON1 WAIT+ = "S *ANGE4
,"! 0 A *ANGE1 B N 9 ,KREA4 ,DOLLY'S
R.D1 SLEEPY EYES 7 FIX$ ON ! FIRE T _H
BE5 LEFT BURN+ ON ! GR.D NE>BY4 ,GRADU,Y
%E R1LIZ$ T A %AD[Y FIGURE 0 /&+ ON !
O!R SIDE ( X4 ,J Z %E LOOK$ UP1 X AP-
PROA*$4
  ,DOLLY _H N"E SE5 ! WOMAN 2F1 AL? %E
KNEW F :AT ,KREA SD 9 H] DELIRIUM T
,KREA _H SE5 ! WOMAN N ONLY AT ,WILD]TON
B AL AT ,H1DWAT]4 ,"!=E1 :5"E        #CA
,KREA _H BE5 S5SI# ^! LA/ FEW "DS1 ,DOL-
LY _H SP5T ! "T (F]+ H] S.D ADVICE3 T !
WOMAN NO D\BT 0 A RO2] OR ASSASS9 OR BO?
:O WD 2 BE/ LEFT AL"O & AVOID$1 & T %E
9T5D$ PROBABLY 6CAPTURE ,KREA1 FATT5 H]
UP1 & H H] = D9N] "O "D4
  ,S 0? "T1 ,DOLLY _H MADE UP 5 DR1D;L
?+S AB ? WOMAN %E _H N"E SE5 6BE AT L1/
TWICE Z AFRAID ( H] Z ,KREA WAS4 ,N[1
,DOLLY SUPPOS$ T ? 0 ! SAME WOMAN4 ,%E
TREM#D F ! TOP ( H] GREY+ H1D D[N 6H]
TOES4 ,%E 0 S AFRAID AT ! APPROA* ( ?
HORRI# /RANG] T %E CD N EV5 SP1K4
  ,! WOMAN SPOKE F/4 8,H[ IS ! *80 %E
ASK$4
  8,ILL4 ,V ILL4 ,Y M/N'T TAKE H]10
,DOLLY BE7$4
  ,! GREY FIGURE WALK$ ALL ! WAY UP 6!
WAGON1 DREW H] HOOD BACK1 & LOOK$ 9SIDE4
  8,%E MAY DIE10 ,DOLLY PL1D$4 8,%E'S
WA/$ S AWAY--OH LET H] DIE 9 P1CE60
  8,IS ? P1CE80 ! WOMAN ASK$4 ,H] B1UTI-
;L EYES MET ,DOLLY'S4 8,D Y CALL ? P1CE
--LIV+ "H 9 ? CAMP80
  ,DOLLY LOOK$ D[N4                  #CB
  8,I C HELP H]10 ! WOMAN SD4
  ,DOLLY LOOK$ UP AG4 8,!N Y WON'T TAKE
H]80
  8,N N[4 ,B ,I M/1 SOON40 ,AG1 H] EYES
MET ,DOLLY'S4 8,? LIFE W KILL H]4 ,SURE-
LY Y R1LIZE T4 ,DOES %E N FALL ILL E W9-
T]80
  ,DOLLY NO4$4
  8,X IS WELL T Y WAT* OV] H] :5 D1? IS
NE>1 B %E NE$S WAT*+ AT ALL "TS--:5 !
WAT*+ & LI/5+ & C>+ WD 2 DULL & TR\#"S Z
WELL Z :5 X IS H]OIC40
  ,DOLLY SAT /"O / Z ! WOMAN R1*$ IN1
T\*$ ,KREA'S =EH1D1 & !N PU%$ BACK AN
EYELID4 ,AF A MO;T ! WOMAN W5T 6! FIRE &
P\R$ "S WAT] 96! WAT] POT4 ,%E SET X ON
! COALS4 ,Z %E BREW$ "S K9D ( M$IC9AL
TEA1 ,DOLLY LOOK$ BACK AT ,KREA & G5TLY
--)! AIR ( "O :O IS REP5TANT--TOOK !
SICK GIRL'S H& 9 H]S4
  ,:5 ! WOMAN RETURN$ )A /1M+ CUP (!
TEA1 %E CLIMB$ "R 96! WAGON & LIFT$
,KREA'S H1D ON H] >M4
  8,KREA10 %E SD S(TLY4 8,DR9K ?40
  ,! EYES OP5$ B DIDN'T SEEM 6SEE    #CC
H]1 YET ,KREA DRANK ! :OLE CUP4
  8,H[ DID Y D T80 ,DOLLY ASK$ ! WOMAN4
8,%E HASN'T "KN ANYBODY OR ANY?+ = TWO
"DS40
  8,%E "KS MY VOICE ALR10 ! WOMAN SD1
L[]+ ,KREA'S H1D 6! RUDE PILL[4 8,GIVE
H] M ( ? F ! WAT]POT :5"E %E AWAK5S40
  8,:Y D Y WANT H]80 ,DOLLY ASK$4 8,:AT
IF %E'S AFRAID ( Y8 ,%E IS1 Y "K4 ,T]RI-
FI$6 ,%E ?9KS Y MI<T EAT H] UP60
  ,! WOMAN COCK$ H] H1D4 8,:O TOLD H] S*
A ?+80
  ,DOLLY FLU%$ A LL B P]SI/$4 8,W Y TAKE
H] IF %E DOESN'T WANT 6G ) Y8 ,W Y /1L
H]80
  8,I NE$ N /1L H]4 ,I C PAY = H]4 ,& Y
NE$ N FE> T %E W REFUSE 6G ) ME4 ,%E W
LOVE ME--IF N :5 ,I -E = H]1 !N SOON "!-
AF4 ,%E IS ALR DRAWN 6ME--Z Y "K4 ,I W
W9 H] LOVE 2C ,I W LOVE H]40
  8,W-WE ?"\--0 ,DOLLY FALT]$4
  8,NO1 %E 0 N 2WIT*$10 ! WOMAN SD1
SEEM+ 6R1D ,DOLLY'S M9D 7IF ANY?+ S
TRANSP>5T _H 6BE R1D AT ALL74 8,IS YR
HE>T S D>K T X 0 YR ONLY ANSW]1      #CD
,DOLLY80 %E ASK$4 8,Y1 :O H A SON & "K
:AT X IS 6PROTECT HM & YE>N OV] HM80
  ,DOLLY 0 A%AM$ & 2GAN 6CRY4 ,%E DIDN'T
WANT 6HE> ANY M4 ,:5 %E LOOK$ UP1 ! WOM-
AN 0 WALK+ AWAY4 ,N L;G AF T1 ,KREA :IS-
P]$1 8,I DR1M$ ,I SAW H]1 ,DOLLY4 ,& %E
DIDN'T SEEM L A RO2]40
  8,HU%40 ,DOLLY'S EYES FELL 6! WAT]POT
SITT+ ON ! COALS \TSIDE ON ! GR.D4 8,LET
ME GET Y A DR9K40
  ,KREA DRANK ANO!R CUP4 ,AF T %E 0 QUI-
ET4 ,9 ANO!R H\R1 H] FEV] _H DROPP$4
  ,DOLLY1 WE>Y 6! B"O &) M ?+S 6?9K AB
?AN %E _H "E 3SID]$ 2F1 MADE R1DY TO
SLEEP4 ,%E GL.ED \ & SAW ,JOLLY1 WRAPP$
9 8 BLANKET NE> ! FIRE1 /RET*$ \ AL;G-
SIDE ,PIP]4
  ,%E GA!R$ UP H] BLANKET1 RE>RANG$ X1 &
LAY D[N AL;GSIDE ,KREA4 ,AF A MO;T %E
TOOK ! * 9 H] >MS4




              ,*APT] ,FIVE           #CE
             ,! ,WOMAN ,AG

  ,! NEXT MORN+1 ,KREA CD SIT UP & EAT4
,! ,MA/] WD H MADE H] WALK AG1 B ,DOLLY
& EV5 ,BET SCOLD$ S M* T HE GRUDG+LY
GAVE 9 & LET H] RIDE4
  ,A "D LAT] %E 0 A# 6WALK1 & WALK %E
DID4 ,PIP]1 :O 0 /R;G =A T5-YE>-OLD1
TOOK H] ON 8 BACK :5 %E TIR$4
  ,!Y CAME 0EV5+ 6ANO!R HUT 9 ! WOODS4
,! WIFE "! IMAG9$ T ALL ?REE *N 7 SLAVES
9/1D ( J ,PIP] & ,KREA4 ,%E PITI$ !M &
TOOK !M 9 = SUPP]1 L1V+ ! ,MA/]1 ,BET1 &
,DOLLY \TSIDE4
  ,DOLLY 0 9DIGNANT T ,JOLLY %D 2 MIS-
TAK5 =A SLAVE1 B ,MA/] MADE H] 2 QUIET S
Z N 6WA/E FREE FOOD4
  ,!Y GAVE A P]=M.E =! P 9 ! CAB9 9 EX-
*ANGE = BR1KFA/ & FIREWOOD1 &! NEXT "D
!Y W5T ON4 ,9 ANO!R "D !Y >RIV$ AT ,L1/
,BITT]N4 ,X 0 A SAD GR\P T PULL$ 96! LL
T[N4 ,DOLLY & ,BET 7 EXHAU/$ F C>+ =
,KREA2 ,JOLLY 0 SULK+ OV] 2+ ?"\ A SLAVE
& N 2+ ALL[$ 6CORRECT ! MISTAKE4 ,TWO
"DS ( WALK+ _H WE>I$ ,KREA1 & %E     #CF
_H A L[ FEV] : SEEM$ 6KEEP H] W1K & LI/-
.S4 ,TWICE ! ,MA/] GAVE H] 8 BELT4 ,BO?
"TS1 ,DOLLY _H %OCK$ & ANG]$ HM 0OP5LY
WEEP+4
  ,_! F/ P]=M.E 0 BAD4 ,KREA ACTU,Y LO/
H] TIM+ & DROPP$ ! WOOD5 BALLS DUR+ H]
ACT4 ,DOLLY KEPT H] EYES GLU$ ON ,KREA &
WEPT SIL5TLY :ILE %E PLAY$ H] PIPE4 ,BO?
,JOLLY & ,PIP] 7 DI_S$ 9 _! ANTICS4
,JOLLY DID 8 BACK FLIPS S SL[LY &) S LL
GRACE T HE LOOK$ L A F>M BOY4 ,"EY?+ W5T
S BADLY T EV5 ,MA/] GOT 4TRACT$4 ,HE
MANAG$ 6GET "? 8 TRICKS1 B !Y LACK$ !
USUAL QK;S & POLI%4
  ,:5 X 0 ,KREA'S TURN 6ASK = M"OY1 %E
AG SE>*$ EA* FACE Z %E RECIT$ H] PL1S3
8,A HALFP5NY1 A HALFP5NY IF Y PL1SE4 ,A
HALFP5NY =! %[40 ,! P 7 FEW 2C S _M _H
LO/ 9T]E/ 9 ! POOR P]=M.E & W&]$ AWAY4
,B ^? T 7 "! GAVE H] CO9S4 ,%E 0 WOND]+
IF H] SU3ESS AT BR++ 9 CO9S WD W9 !
,MA/]'S P>DON = DROPP+ H] JU7L+ BALLS1
:5 SU45LY %E /OPP$4 ,H] EYES MET ! EYES
(! OLD WOMAN /&+ 9 FRONT ( H]4
  ,KREA'S H&S--: 7 LIFT$ = ANO!R     #CG
HALFP5NY--PAUS$ ": !Y W]E4 ,%E 0 SIL5T Z
?\< /RUCK DUMB4 ,ALL ( _! CAMP TALK AB
2+ 2WIT*$ & KIDNAP$ & SOLD BACK 6! CAVES
& EAT5 = D9N] CAME BACK 6H]4
  8,I H NO CO9 = Y10 ! WOMAN SD4 8,B 2
-=T$4 ,I W -E = Y SOON4 ,Y NE$ N 2
AFRAID ( ME40
  ,KREA /EPP$ BACK4 8,DON'T TAKE ME
AWAY10 %E EXCLAIM$4
  ,P]H EV5 !N ,KREA WD H BE5 CALM$ 0!
WOMAN'S CALM;S & K9D;S1 B X 0 AT T UN=-
TUNATE MO;T T ,DOLLY AL SAW H]4 ,& ,DOL-
LY =GOT ALL T ! WISE WOMAN _H %[N H] &
PROV$ 6H]4 ,%E JUMP$ "R BACK 6H] SELF-
MADE 3CLU.N T ! WOMAN 0 EVIL4 ,S %E L1P$
UP & SCR1M$4 8,OH DON'T /1L H] AWAY60 %E
CRI$1 R L A FOOL4
  ,! SCR1M & ,DOLLY'S \TCRY MADE ,KREA
PANIC4 ,%E DROPP$ ! CO9S & RAN--AWAY F !
CR[D1 ! TR\PE1 &! /REET1 BACK 6! SAFETY
(! WAGON & _! CAMP4 ,! ,MA/] %\T$ = H]
6/OP &A DOZ5 LL *N DIV$ =! CO9S4
  ,LOS+ 8 JU7L] & LOS+ A MORN+'S PAY DID
NO?+ 6SWEET5 ! ,MA/]'S TEMP]4 ,:5 HE
CAME 6! CAMP T NI<T HE TOOK ,KREA    #CH
0H] L1!R COLL> & M>*$ H] 96! WOODS1 BELT
9 H&4
  ,AFW1 EV5 ,DOLLY D>$ N M\RN OP5LY1 B
%E SAT ROCK+ BACK & =? )! GIRL 9 H] >MS
UNTIL ,KREA FELL ASLEEP F CRY+ & FE>;L-
;S4
  8,! FEV]1 ! FEV]'S ON H] AG40 ,DOLLY
M\RN$4 8,J L %E SD40
  8,J L :O SD80 ,MA/] RO>$4 ,B HE 0 TOO
ANGRY 6WAIT = AN ANSW]4 8,DON'T TELL ME
A MAN M/N'T :IP A RUNAWAY6 ,X'S ! SE$ (A
BAD HABIT 9 H]1 &! M>K ( 9GRATITUDE4
,%E'S A WILY LL ?IEF & BE7>1 %E IS--0
  8,& :O MADE H] "O80 ,DOLLY CRI$4 ,EV5
,BET LOOK$ UP1 AFRAID AT DOLLY'S BRAVE
^WS4 8,Y DID1 Y CRUEL MAN4 ,J L Y BE7>$
MY POOR HUSB& & "W$ HM 6D1? :5 HE 0 9 YR
DEBT4 ,WELL MI<T A WOODMAN ?9K ,JOLLY IS
A SLAVE4 ,HE'S 9 YR P[]1 & T'S J Z BAD60
  8,BE QUIET60 HE ORD]$1 A LL />TL$ HMF4
  8,": IS %E80 ,DOLLY M\RN$4 8,%E SD
%E'D 2 BACK = H]40
  8,Y'VE GOT FEV] YRF10 HE A3US$4 8,/OP
T WILD RAMBL+40
  ,X 0 A BITT] NI<T &A WORSE MORN-   #CI
+4 ,DOLLY REFUS$ 6BUDGE F H] PLACE 6G
96T[N4 ,%E SAT Z %E _H SAT ! NI<T 2F1 )
,KREA 9 H] >MS1 ROCK+ H]4
  8,Y'LL H 6KILL ME & ,JOLLY TOO 2F ,I
MOVE10 %E SD4 8,%E'LL DIE )\T RE/4 ,D YR
WOR/--,I C'T BE> X ANYMORE60
  ,! ,MA/] JUMP$ UP & RE,Y MI<T H D"O 8
WOR/1 B ,BET 9T]F]$4
  8,L1VE (F10 %E SD1 /OPP+ HM4 8,X'LL
ONLY 2 L YE/]"D IF WE TRY ! ACT TD4
,GIVE !M A RE/40
  ,PIP] CAME 6,DOLLY & /OOP$ 0,KREA4
8,%E'S S ?9N$ D[N1 ,DOLLY4 ,I'LL TAKE H]
IF Y WANT10 HE (F]$4 8,S Y C RE/ A BIT40
,!N HE PICK$ UP ,KREA'S H&4 ,HE _H N"E
SE5 D1? 2F1 & HE FELT SOLEMN & CALL$ ^U
6BE EXTRA K9D1 = HE _H 2GUN 62LIEVE T
,KREA WD N LIVE4 ,DOLLY R1D H ?"\S4
  8,DON'T SAY X1 BOY1 DON'T SAY X60 %E
BE7$4 8,IF %E DIES1 ,I'VE BE5 A "P (A
MURD]40
  8,N[ LOOK1 Y--0 ! ,MA/] 2GAN4 ,B ,DOL-
LY'S FACE SU45LY *ANG$ Z %E SAW "S?+ OV]
8 %\LD]4 ,! ,MA/] TURN$ 6SEE :AT %E 0
LOOK+ AT1 & HE TOO SAW ! OLD WOM-    #DJ
AN1 ALL MU6L$ 9 H] CLOAK4
  ,HE SPUN >.D4 ,! BOYS JUMP$ UP4 ,BET
SL[LY /OOD1 TOO4
  8,DOLLY10 ! WOMAN SD4 8,BR+ H] 6ME4
,BR+ H]1 & "! W 2 NO MURD] LAID 6YR
*>GE40
  ,DOLLY GOT 6H] FEET ) FRAGILE ,KREA /
CL++ 6H] NECK4
  8,WAIT10 ! ,MA/] SD4 8,D1D OR ALIVE OR
HALF-D1D1 T GIRL 2L;GS 6ME40
  ,= ANSW] ! WOMAN PRODUC$ TWO GOLD CO9S
F H] SLEEVE & (F]$ !M 6HM4
  8,"! IS YR PAY4 ,W Y SELL H]80
  ,HE SNAT*$ !M UP4 8,I GUESS--S9CE Y'VE
BO!R$ 6FOLL[ U S F> = H]4 ,& S9CE Y'VE
RU9$ H] = "\ T'S USE;L40
  ,DOLLY BR"\ ,KREA 6H]1 !N HESITAT$4
8,Y'RE S OLD4 ,Y'LL H 6C>RY H]40
  8,MY COTTAGE IS N F>1 & %E IS V LI<T4
,I C C>RY H] A %ORT 4T.E4 ,KREA40
  ,DOLLY SAW ,KREA OP5 WE>Y EYES & LOOK
F H] [N FACE 6! WOMAN'S4
  8,I WON'T HURT Y10 ! WOMAN SD4 8,I WI%
6MAKE Y WELL & 6SAVE Y F YR OLD ,MA/]4
,W Y -E80                            #DA
  8,I'M SORRY ,I RAN AWAY10 ,KREA :IS-
P]$4
  8,W Y -E1 ,KREA80
  ,%E NO4$ & CLOS$ H] EYES4 ,! OLD WOMAN
C>E;LLY TOOK H] F ,DOLLY1 & X SEEM$ 6!
POOR PIP] WOMAN T ,KREA NE/L$ D[N AG/ !
CLOAK1 Z ?\< "S S5SE ( -=T _H SEEP$ 9TO
H]4
















                                     #DB
























              ,*APT] ,SIX            #DC
            ,! ,BROK5 ,COLL>

  8,>E Y W>M 5\<80 0 ! F/ "Q ,KREA HE>D
:5 %E WOKE UP T NI<T4 ,%E 0 DELI<T;LLY
W>M4 ,%E TRI$ 6TURN H] H1D 6! VOICE B 0
/OPP$ 0A H&4 8,WAIT4 ,I'M ALM F9I%$1 *40
  ,!N %E HE>D ! .RASP1 .RASP1 .RASP1 (A
KNIFE AG/ L1!R4 ,9 ! NEXT 9/ANT1 2F
,KREA _H "T 6WOND]1 %E FELT H] COLL>
LOOS5 & !N SLIP (F4
  ,! WOMAN %[$ X 6H]4
  8,I DON'T APPROVE ( !M10 %E SD4 ,%E
?REW X OV] H] %\LD]1 BACK 96! TREES ":
NI<T 0 DRAW+ XS CLOAK >.D ! =E/4 ,KREA
LOOK$ F ! =E/ ": ! COLL> _H VANI%$ 6!
OLD WOMAN'S FACE4
  8,>E Y FEEL+ BETT]8 ,Y M/ 2 HUNGRY10 !
WOMAN SD1 RU2+ ,KREA'S =EH1D & PU%+ H]
HAIR BACK4 8,= Y'VE SLEPT ! :OLE "D
AWAY40 ,!N %E SMIL$ AT ,KREA & SD1 8,I'M
GO+ 6TAKE C>E ( Y40
  8,& !N :AT80 ,KREA ASK$4
  ,=A MO;T ! OLD WOMAN SEEM$ PUZZL$1 &
,KREA WOND]$ IF P]H %E _H M1NT M ?AN J
TAK+ C>E ( H] DUR+ H] ILL;S4 ,%E     #DD
MAY H M1NT X Z A PROMISE 6TAKE C>E (
,KREA =A V L;G "T4 ,B SU45LY ! WOMAN
SMIL$ AG1 & H] SMILE LI<T$ UP H] EYES
ALL ! WAY \ 6! WR9KLES >.D !M4 ,%E SD1
8,:Y1 !N ,I'LL GIVE Y A BA?60
  8,PL1SE1 ,I DON'T "K :AT T IS40
  8,AH1 X'S L AF Y SLIP 96! MUD & H TO
JUMP 96A /R1M 6GET X (F10 %E SD4 8,B !
WAT] IS W>M & IS 9 A TUB AT MY H\SE40
  ,KREA ?"\ X S.D$ A LL AL>M+1 = %E'D
N"E _H A PROP] BA? 9 H] LIFE4 ,! OLD
WOMAN DREW ! BLANKETS UP 6,KREA'S *94
8,I H _M ?+S = Y 6SEE1 ,KREA4 ,Y >5'T
AFRAID ( ME1 >E Y80
  8,NO1 ,MI/RESS10 ,KREA SD1 N Q TRU?;L-
LY4
  8,I'LL BR+ Y "S?+ HOT 6EAT & DR9K1 &
!N WE'LL RE/ UNTIL MORN+4 ,Y MAY 2 /R;G
5 0!N 6WALK 6MY H\SE4 ,X ISN'T T]RIBLY
F>1 & ,I C HELP Y AL;G40
  ,%E ROSE & W5T 6! O!R SIDE (! CAMP-
FIRE1 ": %E RAK$ \ "S COALS & SET ON WA-
T] 6BOIL & S\P 6H1T4
  ,KREA DOZ$ A LL4 ,X 0 S DELICI\SLY W>M
0! FIRE1 ) .TWO BLANKETS 6COV] H]4   #DE
,X 0 H>D 6?9K AB 2+ AFRAID J !N4 ,OR TO
REMEMB] ALL ( ,DOLLY'S /ORIES & W>N+S4
,%E 0 S -=TA#--TOO -=TA# 6?9K AB A NEW
,MI/RESS :O MI<T 2 AN ASSASS9 OR RO2] OR
"S?+ WORSE4
  ,%E AWOKE :5 ! WOMAN BR"\ H] FOOD &A
HOT DR9K1 & AF H] SUPP] %E FELL S.DLY
ASLEEP4
  ,! NEXT MORN+ H] FEV] 0 ALM G"O4 ,%E 0
/ A LL SORE & W1K F H] L;G ILL;S4 ,KREA
ROSE F ! B$ & HELP$ H] NEW ,MI/RESS PACK
UP _! FEW UT5SILS 9 "O (! BLANKETS &
/RAP X ALL TGR4
  8,I'LL C>RY X10 H] ,MI/RESS SD4 8,Y'RE
/ W1K40
  ,!Y WALK$ TGR UP ! PA?1 & :5 ! WOMAN
HELD \ H] H&1 ,KREA TOOK X4 ,X 0 AN AG$
H&1 ) L;G1 SKILL;L-LOOK+ F+]S T / SEEM$
Q /R;G4
  ,0MIDMORN+ !Y CAME 6! COTTAGE--A T9Y
PLACE T 0 ALL "O ROOM >RANG$ 9 SEC;NS4
,AT ! F> 5D1 ! WALL 0 DIVID$ 96NUM]\S
DRAW]S & CUPBO>DS : OBVI\SLY HELD ALL
SORTS ( SUPPLIES4 ,AL;G ! WALLS NE> !
CUPBO>DS "! HUNG KNIVES1 POK]S1 &    #DF
V>I\S SIZES (! R.D POTS CALL$ .CROCHANS4
,& "! 0 A TA# ON T SIDE (! ROOM--A L;G
/URDY "O4
  ,! HE>? TOOK UP A GD BIT (! WALL1 &
ACR F ! HE>?--AG/ ! OPPOSITE WALL--"!
/OOD TWO B$S L9$ UP FOOT 6H1D1 BO? MADE
UP & R1DY4
  8,SEE1 ,I H PREP>$ = Y10 ! OLD WOMAN
SD4 8,I KNEW ,I WD N RETURN "H UNTIL ,I
BR"\ Y ) ME40
  ,KREA WASN'T SURE :E!R 6BE -=T$ OR
F"R5$ 0^! ^WS4 ,9 ALL H] LIFE1 P _H ONLY
BE5 9T]E/$ 9 H] = :AT %E CD D = !M1 &
ALL ( !M _H BE5 CRUEL 6H]4 ,B ! L;G] %E
GAZ$ AT ! COTTAGE1 ! M %E FELT X 6BE A
SNUG & COZY PLACE4 ,& H] NEW ,MI/RESS 0
S M* QUIET] & M G5TLE ?AN H] OLD ,MA/] T
%E FELT ! TWO CDN'T 2 ALIKE 9 _! NATURES
AT ALL4
  ,& LAT]1 AF %E _H LE>N$ 6BA! 9 ! OLD
WOMAN'S BIG WOOD5 TUB & _H BE5 WA%$ &
PUT 96CL1N CLO!S1 %E LAY ACR "O (! B$S )
H] H1D 9 ! WOMAN'S LAP4 ,! OLD WOMAN1 )
SCISSORS &A -B & 3SID]A# PATI;E1 "W$ L;G
OV] ,KREA'S WET HAIR1 UNMATT+ X &    #DG
MAK+ X EV54 ,! GL[ F ! HE>? 0 DELICI\S
6! * ON T W9T] AFN4 ,X SEEM$ T %E _H ALW
BE5 EI TOO HOT OR TOO COLD ALL H] LIFE4
,%E LIK$ ! FEEL ( H] NI<TG[N1 &! WOMAN 0
G5TLE ) H] HAIR1 H>DLY "E PULL+ X Z %E
"W$4 ,KREA 2GAN 6FEEL T ? 0 A GD PLACE
6BE1 & T LIFE = H] _H TAK5 A SU45 & COM-
PLETE TURN =! BETT]4
















                                     #DH
























              ,*APT] ,SEV5           #DI
              ,?REE ,YE>S

  ,H>D ?+S & UGLY ?+S M/ 2 5DUR$ A "D AT
A "T1 P]H EV5 A MO;T AT A "T4 ,B "DS T
>E FILL$ ) LOVELI;S & P1CE SEEM 6MELT
96EA* O!R4 ,KREA'S F/ WEEKS ( -+ 6"K H]
,MI/RESS &( LOS+ H] ORIG9AL FE> ( H] 7
SOON WRAPP$ UP 9 ! PL1SURE ( "K+ H]4 ,X
WD 2 IMPOSSI# 6RETELL ! /ORY ( H[ ,KREA
*ANG$ A /EP AT A "T1 2C EV5 = ,KREA1 !
/EPS 7 ALL BLURR$ TGR4 ,%E DID N M>K !
"D :5 %E F/ SMIL$ AT H] ,MI/RESS NOR :5
%E LAU<$ \ L\D1 NOR EV5 ! F/ "D T %E 0
A# 6SET ASIDE ALL H] FE>S1 RUN 96! >MS (
H] ,MI/RESS1 & BURY H] FACE 9 ! S(T
CLOAK1 J 6FEEL CLOSE & SAFE4
  ,! NEXT ?REE YE>S 7 FILL$ )A HAPPI;S T
SU6]$ FEW 9T]RUP;NS4 ,%E DID N EXACTLY
=GET ! CAVES ": %E _H BE5 F/ BR"\ UP1
NOR ! COLD & MIS]A# YE>S )! ,MA/]1 B %E
N"E ?"\ AB !M IF %E CD HELP X4 ,& X 0 S
EASY N 6?9K AB !M1 = "! 7 _M DELI<T;L
?+S 6?9K AB4
  ,0LAW1 A * SLAVE 0 N ALL[$ 6BE FRE$1 &
S ,KREA ALW CALL$ ! OLD WOMAN H]     #EJ
,MI/RESS4 ,&! ,MI/RESS *OSE ! DELICATE
TITLE ( .W>D = ,KREA1 R ?AN .SLAVE4 ,?
MATT] ( TITLES1 H["E1 0 MO/LY =! SAKE (
VISITORS AT ! COTTAGE4 ,KREA WORE NO
COLL>1 & H] "W =! ,MI/RESS 0 "S"TS BUSY1
B N"E TOIL"S4 ,! TWO (T5 "W$ TGR1 ESPE-
CI,Y 9 ! G>D54
  ,KREA AL "W$ AT H] BOOKS1 = H] ,MIS-
TRESS TAU<T H] 6R1D & WRITE4 ,& ,KREA
LE>N$1 :5 W.D$ OR SICK P 7 BR"\ 6! COT-
TAGE1 6BE R1DY ) H]BS1 BAS9S1 WAT]1
L.ES1 OR :AT"E H] ,MI/RESS MI<T REQUIRE4
,?US %E 2GAN 6LE>N M$IC9E4
  ,B :AT %E LOV$ BE/ 7 ! "TS :5 %E & H]
,MI/RESS 7 LESS BUSY & :5 "! 0 "T 6PLAY4
,2C !Y _H ONLY ! TWO ( !M1 ! GAMES 7 "S-
:AT LIMIT$1 & HIDE-&-SEEK ALW CAME 6AN
5D QKLY2 S !Y ALW A4$ TAG 6X4 ,! ,MIS-
TRESS CD USU,Y RUN J L;G 5 6CAT* ,KREA4
  ,& "! 7 QUIET EV5+S 2F ! HE>?4 ,KREA
CAME 6LOVE J SITT+ CURL$ UP AG/ ! S(T
GREY CLOAK ( H] ,MI/RESS4 ,%E LOV$ 6LOOK
UP 96H] ,MI/RESS'S CLE> EYES & SEE A
LOVE "! = H]4 ,E N[ & !N--"S"TS :ILE
G>D5+ OR R1D+ OR J PLAY+ 0H]F--%E    #EA
WD R1LIZE H[ HAPPY %E WAS1 & %E WD RUN
6H] ,MI/RESS 6HUG H] & BURY H] FACE 9 !
CLOAK & .FEEL H[ R1L X 0 6BE S HAPPY4
  ,X 0 AMAZ+ T = ?REE YE>S %E 0 S P]-
FECTLY HAPPY1 S P]FECTLY AW>E ( H[ GD H]
,MI/RESS 0 T %E _H NO IDEA :AT 0 GO+ ON
9 ! COTTAGE >.D H] OR 9 ! WOODS T SUR-
R.D$ ! COTTAGE4 ,) UN%AKA# FAI?1 %E ?"\
ONLY (! FACT T H] ,MI/RESS LOV$ H] DE>-
LY4
  ,%E "U/OOD1 ( C\RSE1 T H] ,MI/RESS 0 A
PHYSICIAN4 ,P MI<T -E 0"D OR 0NI<T 6ASK
H] HELP4 ,B E N[ & !N1 M5 CLAD ALL 9
GRE51 SPORT+ WIDE C[LS & HI< BOOTS1 WD
DRAG 9 "O ( _! FELL[S--USU,Y W.D$ 0A
CROSSB[ D>T1 OR "S"TS F A KNIFE4
  ,KREA A3EPT$ !M Z %E A3EPT$ ! F>M] :O
CAME 9 ) 9FECT$ BLI/]S OR BROK5 TOES4
,!Y 7 ALL A "P ( H] NEW LIFE4
  ,:5 ^! M5 9 GRE5 CAME1 ! ,MI/RESS ALW
DIRECT$ ,KREA 6H1T A POK] & GET A P\L-
TICE R1DY =A BLOOD W.D4 ,"! !N FOLL[$ !
USUAL QU>T]- 6HALF-H\R ( FRANTIC "W3 A
SPECIAL M$IC9E 6HELP D1D5 PA91 !
CAUT]IZ,N )! POK] IF POSSI#1 & !N    #EB
! SOO?+ P\LTICE4 ,TALK DUR+ S* MO;TS 0
IMPOSSI#1 EXCEPT = NEC -M&S4 ,0! "T X 0
OV]1 ! PATI5T WD 2 ASLEEP1 8 -RADE OR
-RADES EXHAU/$1 & EV5 ! ,MI/RESS A LL
PALE4
  ,!N %E & ,KREA WD SET D[N FOOD1 & !Y
WD ALL EAT & DR9K IF POSSI#4 ,AF ! M1L1
,KREA USU,Y FELL ASLEEP4 ,? 0 "PLY 2C
W.D$ M5 9 GRE5 ALW CAME :ILE X 0 D>K1 (-
T5 L;G AF ,KREA & H] ,MI/RESS _H G"O TO
B$4 ,X WASN'T H>D = ,KREA1 AF ! /RA9 (
ASSI/+ & !N S]V+1 6FALL ASLEEP "R AWAY4
  ,:5"E %E NEXT AWOKE1 ALL ! VISITORS WD
2 G"O1 EV5 ! W.D$ MAN4
  ,F9,Y1 Z ,KREA GREW A LL OLD]1 %E 2GAN
6R1LIZE T ! F>M]S & QU>RI]S & FI%]M5 &
SP9N+ WOM5 & H\SEWIVES :O CAME 6! COT-
TAGE = HELP KNEW NO?+ AB ! M5 9 GRE54
,%E SAW T ! M5 9 GRE5 7 -+ 9 SECRET1 & T
!Y SEEM$ 6BE AB "S SECRET BUSI;S 9 _!
"W4 ,! OLD1 OLD FE>S T ! WOMAN 0 "S TYPE
( RO2] OR \TLAW RE-AWOKE 9 ,KREA4 ,(
C\RSE1 %E NO L;G] _H ANY P]SONAL FE> (!
WOMAN--AT L1/1 N ! *ILDI% FE> T _H ONCE
MADE H] TREM# LE/ ! WOMAN EAT H] =   #EC
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  8,HE HAS PROCLAIM$ HMF S1 B ? C.TRY
2L;GS 6,BRACK5 & "!=E 6,REYNALD10 !
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  ,KREA'S 9T]E/ P]K$4 8,!Y'RE .C\S9S80
  8,YES40 ,!N %E A4$1 8,X 0 ,FR$]ICK :O
MADE SLAV]Y LEGAL 9 ,FOLG]4 ,HE 0    #ED
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6FILL UP 8 TR1SURY & F9.E 8 REBELLION40
  ,H] EYES 2CAME 4TANT =A MO;T4 ,B ,KREA
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8,I WD H F.D Y :]"E Y 7 TAK54 ,Y MAY RE/
ON T40
  ,! NEWS T ! L& 0 RE/.S 0 NEWS 9DE$4
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ONCE T 5EMIES CD N"E F9D _! WAY 6X4
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A MAN 9 GRE5 BR"\ 9 A W.D$ -RADE4
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  8,YES1 ,MI/RESS40 ,& %E RESOLV$ 6BE4
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              ,*APT] ,EI<T           #FA
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,KREA'S HAIR4
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ME1 ,MI/RESS8 ,>E Y AFRAID ,I WD 2TRAY Y
OR RUN AWAY8 ,AT YR BI4+ ,I'VE /OOD BY
W.D$ M51 & N[ DY+ M540
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X CRUEL ( ME 6KEEP Y \ ( H>M'S WAY8 ,I
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Y >E M ?AN :AT Y SEEM4 ,Y MAKE X YR SE-
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,KREA BUR/ 96TE>S4 8,Y'RE S OV]WR"\4 ,Y
>5'T AN IGNORANT SLAVE4 ,Y'RE MY GIRL--
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WANT 6"K10 %E SD4 ,KREA SO2$ \ TWO OR
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GAVE 9 6T FE>4                       #FC
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JEWEL4 ,X ALL CAME TGR4
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UP4 ,I AM T QUE51 B ,I AM AL YR SAME
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KNEW T HE D>E N FI<T 8 NO#S OP5LY    #FF
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8,H[ QKLY Y ANSW] S* A GRAVE W>N+1
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? W>1 Z Y H ALR SE54 ,T ,I "K & ,I
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              ,*APT] ,N9E            #FI
              ,NEW ,S]VICE

  ,?US 2GAN A NEW LIFE = ,KREA4 ,%E 0
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,! C\RI]S QKLY MADE H] A "P ( _! NET"W4
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WAIT =A R5DEZV\S AT "O (! SECRET MEET+
PLACES 9 ! =E/4 ,!N %E WD C>RY A MESSAGE
F "O SET ( C\RI]S D[N 6! BANKS (! ,RIV]
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,RIV]1 & ,KREA 0 USU,Y S"EAL H\RS AWAY F
T COTTAGE ON H] R.DS4 ,%E CAME 6"K !
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A "Y *1 %E 0 GD AT CLIMB+ & 0 UNAFRAID (
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FOOT (! CLI6S--AN ID1L PLACE 6MEET !
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6DELIV] 9=M,N4 ,F PRACTICE %E 2CAME AN
EXP]T AT CLIMB+ D[N ! CLI6S AT NI<T1 &
EV5 ! C\RI]S 9 ! SKIFF F ,BRACK5 7   #GJ
AMAZ$ AT H] D>+4
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,B "! 0 ALW A HOT BA? & FOOD &! -=T ( H]
K9D ,MI/RESS WAIT+ = H]4
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NEW ELE;T 9 ? CAT-&-M\SE *ASE AL;G !
COA/10 ! ,MI/RESS TOLD H] "O MORN+ AF
,KREA CAME BACK F A R.DAB WALK HOME4
8,!Y H ISSU$ PUBLIC NOTICES & W>N+S4
,TRAVEL]S M/ N[ C>RY LEGAL P]MITS4 ,IF Y
>E CAU<T--EV5 ?\< Y'RE J A GIRL--Y W 2
PUNI%$40
  8,B ,MI/RESS1 H[ C ,I /OP N[80 ,KREA
ASK$ H]4
  8,I DON'T "K T ,I 0 SU7E/+ T10 ! WOMAN
SD G5TLY4 8,= ,I WI% ,BRACK5 6BE FREE F
,FR$]ICK1 TOO4 ,B \R 5EMIES GR[ 9 NUMB]1
& Z !Y GR[1 S DOES _! WRA?40 ,%E HESI-
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ME10 %E SD4
  8,NOBODY C 2 T C>E;L4 ,NO4 ,I      #GA
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BE/ PATT]N ( ALL4 ,& X WD 2 SAF] = Y IF
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  8,WE N"E H BE51 UNTIL N[4 ,B ,FR$]-
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6DE/ROY X Z A HAV540 ,%E PAUS$1 Z ?\<
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DANG] FAD$ Z %E GREW DR[SY1 & %E DR1M$
ONLY (! ,MI/RESS & H] LOV+ C>E4







                                     #GB
























               ,*APT] ,T5            #GC
               ,! ,/RANG]

  ,KREA N[ V>I$ H] "DS4 ,"S"TS %E "W$ 9
! G>D5 )! ,MI/RESS4 ,"S"TS %E HELP$ KEEP
! COTTAGE TIDY4 ,"S"TS--IF ! ,MI/RESS 7
UNUSU,Y TIR$ 9 ! H>% MIDSUMM] H1T--,KREA
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"! WD 2 ! R5DEZV\S &A MESSAGE1 USU,Y "S-
?+ CRYPTIC L 8T5 AT ! SECOND ;X10 :
,KREA WD REP1T \ L\D 2F BO? %E &! C\RI]
W5T _! SEP>ATE WAYS & MELT$ BACK 96! =E/
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CLI6S4
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MAKE ! L;G DESC5T B>EFOOT$1 ) H] %OES
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  8,!Y >E BURN+ PAT*ES (! WOODS UPRIV]10
! OLD WOMAN TOLD H] "O "D Z !Y 7 L1V+ _!
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  8,N _M "DS H;E WE % FLEE 6,BRACK5--IF
WE C GET "!4 ,W> IS IMM95T40
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HOME80
  8,MY HOME M/ 2 :]"E ,I C S]VE1 ,KREA10
%E SD4
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A MO;T %E NO4$4 8,& MY HOME IS ) Y40
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  8,L]REL ! ,RID] W PASS NE> "H TM
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  8,HE W PR[L 9 ! SWAMPS1 WON'T      #GE
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T5 HIDE "!40
  8,I %AN'T /AY L;G4 ,2SS1 ,I N"E TAKE
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CLE>+4
  8,AN 5EMY60 ,KREA HISS$4 8,LOOK AT !
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M560
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  8,GIVE ME WAT]60 HE CRI$4 ,!N HE SWAY$
9 ! SA4LE4 ,KREA PULL$ 8 BOOT \ (! /IR-
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  8,A H1D & %\LD] W.D10 ! ,MI/RESS RE-
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  ,KREA OBEY$ )A /1DY H&4 ,! ,MI/RESS
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  8,HE IS \R 5EMY1 MY ,MI/RESS4 ,%D WE
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  8,ANY W.D$ OR SICK MAN :O -ES CRY+ =
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,MI/RESS SD4 8,IF HE HAS TRESPASS$ ! LAW
( ,BRACK51 HE % 2 PUNI%$ 0! LAWS (
,BRACK54 ,B Y & ,I % N TAKE A PRIVATE
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  8,NO1 WE W N SE> X10 %E SD AT LA/4
8,B9D+ W D4 ,X IS /RANGE--HE 0 %OT )A
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  8,IS T UNUSUAL80 ,KREA ASK$ Z %E MADE
UP A NEW P\LTICE4
  8,? 0 AN >R[ F 8 [N P4 ,FR$]ICK'S M5
USE DIAMOND-%AP$ H1DS ON _! >R[S4 ,REY-
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8,>E Y R1DY8 ,HOLD X 9 PLACE FIRMLY4 ,WE
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AG40
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>M4 ,!N ! ,MI/RESS BR"\ A DAMP CLO? &
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TRUE 8 BE>D 0 S(T & WISPY4
  ,HE OP5$ 8 EYES AG & ASK$ = WAT]4
,KREA D\BT$ T HE EV5 KNEW :AT HE 0 SAY+
OR ": HE WAS4 ,:5 %E DIDN'T MOVE T[>D !
DIPP]1 ! ,MI/RESS ROSE & BR"\ X TO   #GI
HM4
  ,8 EYES DIDN'T FOCUS ON H] OR ! DIPP]1
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DRANK X & 0 QUIET4 ,KREA FELT "S:AT
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TORN & BLOODY %IRT AWAY & 6MOVE 8 BOOTS
\TSIDE4

















                                     #HJ
























             ,*APT] ,ELEV5           #HA
               ,A ,DES]T]

  ,! AFN 0 NE>LY SP5T 0! "T ,KREA MANAG$
6F9I% CL1N+ (F ! SOLDI]'S BOOTS4 ,AG1 !
ACRID SC5T ( WOOD SMOKE HUNG 9 ! AIR1
AL? ,KREA CD SEE NO O!R SIGNS ( =E/
FIRE4 ,%E RETURN$ 6! HE>? & HELP$ H]
,MI/RESS PREP>E S\P & BR1D4
  ,Z !Y "W$1 ! W.D$ MAN SPOKE UP1 SU45LY
AWAKE4 ,HE /RU7L$ 6RISE1 FELL BACK1 &
/RU7L$ AG4 ,! ,MI/RESS RU%$ 6HM4 8,X'S
ALL "R4 ,LIE BACK4 ,LIE BACK1 MY BOY4
,WE WON'T HURT Y40
  ,KREA ROSE & CAME 6! B$SIDE4
  8,": AM ,I80 HE ASK$4
  8,"H 9 MY COTTAGE4 ,LIE BACK OR Y'LL
BLE$ AG40
  ,HE FELL BACK & LOOK$ F ! OLD WOMAN TO
,KREA4 ,! LI<T ( "U/&+ SL[LY DAWN$ ON 8
FACE4 ,HE LAY / A MO;T1 !N :ISP]$1 Z ?\<
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Y80
  8,AN OLD WOMAN & H] W>D1 MY BOY4 ,Y
/UM#D ON U :ILE Y 7 RAMBL+ 9 YR M9D40
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?\< 9 GRT T]ROR4 ,!N HE :ISP]$1 8,WOMAN1
Y M/ FLY4 ,"! >E 5EMIES ALL >.D4 ,!Y "K
( Y & ? GIRL1 & !Y WANT Y4 ,G BACK TO
,BRACK54 ,! SOLDI]S ( ,FR$]ICK--0 ,& "H1
9 8 URG5CY1 HE /RU7L$ 6SIT UP AG4 ,!
,MI/RESS PU%$ HM BACK )! W>N+1 8,I C HE>
Y1 MY SON4 ,SAY ON1 B LIE /40
  8,!Y PLAN 6BURN Y \4 ,!Y'VE HE>D ( Y &
"K T ,REYNALD'S C\RI]S RESORT "H = AID40
  8,WE >E AW>E ( ^! ?+S10 %E TOLD HM4
8,B WE (F] Y _M ?ANKS4 ,H[ IS X T Y1 AN
5EMY SOLDI]1 %D W>N U8 ,B /AY1 Y W TELL
U LAT]4 ,RE/4 ,!Y % N F9D U TN1 9 ANY
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H1D SUPPORT$ ON H] >M4
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8,_M ?ANKS1 LL MAID10 HE SD & SMIL$ AT
H]4 ,%E )DREW & TOOK ! B[L AWAY4
  ,LATE T NI<T1 AF ,KREA _H G"O 6H] [N
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.N4 ,:5 %E LOOK$ UP1 %E SAW ! ,MI/RESS
S1T$ 0HM4
  8,& S Y 7 =C$10 %E SD4             #HC
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HE REPLI$1 8 VOICE L[ & QUIET4 8,:5 !Y
SD1 ,8,LET ,FOLG] 2 FREE Z X ONCE WAS10'
MY HE>T SANG4 ,B SOON 5 ,I KNEW :AT !Y
M1NT--LET ,FOLG] 2 FREE ( DEC5CY & H"O/
LABOR & J LAWS4 ,= !Y PROMIS$ E MAN A
%>E ( PROP]TY 6BE TAK5 F ! F>ML&S (!
3QU]$4 ,& !Y TOLD U WE %D H SLAVES APL5-
TY ( ^? WE *OSE N 6KILL :5 WE CAME 3QU]-
+4 ,X MADE ME SICK 6?9K ( X40
  8,Y 7 SEP>ATE F YR -RADES80 %E ASK$4
  8,MO/ ( !M4 ,B ,I H A "M AT HOME &
?REE SMALL SI/]S4 ,:AT IF "S"O 7 6PUT
.!M 9 *A9S & TAKE .\R F>M1 ALL 2C A K+ &
A PR9CE _C AGREE ON :O %D H ! ?R"O80
  8,& S Y FL$10 %E GUESS$4
  8,ANYBODY :O 4AGREES ) :AT ! (FIC]S
SAY HAS 6KEEP MUM 2C !Y'LL B1T HM4 ,S ,I
/AY$ QUIET1 B ,I ?"\ 6MYF1 ,8,? ,FR$]ICK
IS A TRAITOR 6HIS ,K+4 ,HE'LL BR+ RU9 ON
U ALL40' ,S ,I FL$ "O NI<T :ILE ,I 0 ON
PATROL4 ,I M1NT 6/OP AT MY H\SE & SAY
GDBYE 2F ,I F.D "S WAY 6GET ACR ! WIDE
,RIV] 6,BRACK54 ,B ON MY WAY ,I 0 %OT AT
0MY C.TRYM5 :O SUSPECT$ ,I _H        #HD
*ANG$ SIDES4 ,!N ,I /UM#D ON "S ( ,REY-
NALD'S C\RI]S 9 ! WOODS1 & "O ( !M D1LT
ME A BL[ "H 6MY H1D T ,I'LL N SOON =GET4
,B ,I GALLOP$ AWAY4 ,! HORSE _H ! S5SE
6FLEE40
  8,Y M/ G /RAI<T 6,BRACK51 MY BOY4 ,(F]
YRF 9 ,REYNALD'S S]VICE & !N BEG 6H YR
FAMILY BR"\ OV]40
  8,B :AT AB Y8 ,I C'T L1VE Y "H 6BE
KILL$ 0! SOLDI]S40
  8,WE % MAKE \R ESCAPE4 ,! B&S ( ,FR$]-
ICK'S M5 MAY 2 FI]CE & RU?.S1 B !Y >E
CLUMSY 9 _! /RATEGY4 ,WE C ELUDE !M40
  ,_! TALK W5T ON--S]I\S "QS F ! ,MIS-
TRESS & E>NE/ ANSW]S F ! "Y SOLDI]4
,KREA DRIFT$ BACK 6SLEEP4








             ,*APT] ,TWELVE          #HE
               ,! ,SWAMPS

  ,9 ! MORN+1 _! GUE/ TOLD !M T 8 "N 0
,TELLR9ETOR1 OR ,TELL = %ORT4 ,HE 0 WELL
5 6LIE PROPP$ UP ON PILL[S & EAT 8 BR1K-
FA/ :ILE ,KREA HELD ! B[L = HM4 ,AL? HE
CD FE$ HMF ) 8 LEFT H&1 %AV+ 0 IMPOSSI#4
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BE>D HE 0 S PR\D (4
  8,YR F/ BE>D IS N"E YR BE/ ANYWAY10 %E
TOLD HM4 8,& 2SS1 X'S DIRTY4 ,Y M/N'T H
A DIRTY BE>D )A FACE W.D4 ,Y DON'T WANT
6GET ANO!R 9FEC;N4 ,Y RE,Y %DN'T H GR[N
A BE>D UNTIL Y _H LE>N$ H[ 6GROOM X40
  8,B Y SEE ,I C'T %AVE X10 HE TOLD H]4
8,N UNTIL MY >M IS BETT]40
  8,KREA W %AVE X40
  ,KREA LOOK$ UP1 />TL$4
  ,! ,MI/RESS GAZ$ AT H]4 8,WELL1 Y _H
6LE>N 6D X SOON] OR LAT]10 %E SD4 8,E
PHYSICIAN M/ 2 A# 6USE A RAZOR4 ,:AT IF
A MAN 7 W.D$ 9 8 H1D8 ,Y WD H 6%AVE AWAY
8 HAIR 6EV5 LOOK AT ! W.D40
  8,B ,MI/RESS1 8 *9 ISN'T W.D$40
  8,NO1 B X W 2 GD PRACTICE = Y40    #HF
  8,Z Y WI%1 MY ,MI/RESS40
  ,%E BR"\ \ A B[L ( WAT]1 SOAP1 A RA-
ZOR1 &A T[EL4 ,TELL EY$ ^! ITEMS ) "S
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HE SD1 8,Y >E A QUIET LL MAID 9 P]SON4
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2+ A# 6CAT* Y4 ,:O HAS TAU<T Y S* SKILLS
AT SECRECY & WOODCRAFT80
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  8,P]H A LL10 & %E W5T BACK 6"W4 ,%E
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  8,MI/RESS1 IS X N "T 6F9D ,L]REL80
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*40
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"O1 WE _C WAIT A "D40
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"K Y FE> = ME 9 ! SWAMPS1 MY ,MI/RESS10
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  ,! OLD WOMAN NO4$4 8,IF FE> ( FIRE IS
ON Y1 ,KREA1 Y MAY G10 %E SD4 8,X    #HH
IS DANG]\S "H Z WELL Z "!1 & ON ALL !
PA?WAYS 2T4 ,ONLY H EXTRA C>E = SNAKES &
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Y 3S5T40
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:AT ELSE CD A MAN D B DES]T8
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L[ & POORLY DRA9$4
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X 2F1 %E N"E CD GET US$ 6X4 ,= "O ODD
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SAFE COTTAGE & PUT (F ? TREK4 ,%E CAME S
CLOSE 6RETR1T+ T %E EV5 F.D H]F -+   #HI
6A HALT 2F PASS+ 96! %AD[ (A HULK+
CYPRESS TREE4
  ,BRAN*ES CR1K$ 9 ! EV5+ W9D4 ,UNSE5
CR1TURES MADE S(T PLA%+ NOISES 9 ! %ALL[
MU4Y WAT]S4 ,%E =C$ H]F 6G ON1 PICK+ H]
WAY >.D DANK1 /AGNANT POOLS *OK$ ) RE$S1
& SPR++ F TUFT 6TUFT ( WILD GRASS 6GET
"? MUD4
  ,D>K;S WRAPP$ XF >.D ! SWAMPS4 ,NI<T
BIRDS SCR1M$2 BULLFROGS CROAK$4
  ,%E _H A G5]AL IDEA ( ": %E WAS1 & %E
MOV$ T[>D ! ,RIV] ": %E EXPECT$ 6F9D "S
SIGN ( ,L]REL4 ,! NI<T 0 N FULLY D>K--J
LI<T 5 6BE UNSAFE1 %E ?"\4 ,! MOON & />S
CA/ 5 REFLEC;N ON ! WAT]S (! SWAMP 65A#
H] 6SEE4 ,B %E _H 6/AY D[N S T ANYBODY
FOLL[+ WD MISS H]4
  ,Z %E 0 CREEP+ AL;G1 %E ?"\ %E SAW A
NEW GL[ CA/ AG/ ! SKY4 ,%E CR\*$ D[N Z X
CAME CLOS]4 ,A *ILL W5T "? H] AT ! SI<T
( ? <O/LY FIGURE WALK+ "? ! SWAMPS1 A
TOR* HELD HI< ABV 8 H1D4 ,IF %E _H BE5 A
LL "Y] %E MI<T H WOND]$ IF HE 7 A HUMAN
2+ AT ALL4
  ,B %E /AY$ ": %E WAS1 MU6L$ 9 H]   #IJ
HOOD1 & WAT*$ HM4 ,Z HE CAME NE>] 9 !
D>K;S1 %E SAW T HE 0 CLAD ALL 9 GRE54
,YET HE DIDN'T WALK L ,L]REL4 ,& :Y 0 HE
WALK+ S OP5LY1 %E WOND]$4 ,DID HE WANT
6GET %OT 0"O ( ,FR$]ICK'S SOLDI]S8
  ,%E 0 D[N ON A SMALL HILLOCK COV]$ )
DRY RE$S4 ,%E /AY$ ON H&S & KNEES & PU%$
=W>D 6SEE HM BETT]4
  8,N[60 A VOICE CRI$ \4
  ,AT ! F/ S.D %E D>T$ =W>D 6GET AWAY1 B
%E 0 TACKL$ & BR"\ D[N ONTO ! HILLOCK4
,"SBODY ELSE AL TACKL$ H]4 ,! MAN 9 GRE5
?REW D[N 8 C[L & CAME RUNN+4
  ,KREA KICK$ & /RU7L$ & EV5 BIT AT H]
ATTACK]S1 B AT LA/ !Y GOT H] UP & PULL$
D[N H] HOOD4
  8,HUH1 A MAID60 "O SD4
  8,:O >E Y80 ! O!R ASK$4
  ,KREA F.D H]F P9N$ 2T TWO SCRA7LY "Y
M51 EA* )A KNIFE 9 8 BELT4
  8,J A MAID10 %E SD4 8,LET ME G4 ,I H
NO?+ = Y 6/1L40
  8,:AT'S YR "N !N80 "O ASK$ H]1 R\<LY4
  8,KREA40
  ,0!N ! MAN 9 GRE5 0 Q NE>4         #IA
  8,KREA80 HE RO>$4 8,T'A9'T ,KREA EI1
X'S ,TW9KLE60






















                                     #IB
























             ,*APT] ,?IRTE5          #IC
                ,BONDAGE

  ,! RO2]S TOOK H] 6_! MEET+ PLACE--A
PIECE ( RAIS$ L& 9 ! MID/ (! SWAMPS4 ,!Y
BUILT UP A HUGE FIRE & GR\P$ >.D X4 ,TWO
( H] CAPTORS KEPT HOLD ( H] & WAIT$ Z !
RO2] K+1 H] OLD ,MA/]1 SAT D[N )A POND]-
\S DIGN;Y ON 8 LOG ?R"O4 ,KREA'S EYES
SCANN$ ! HILLOCK--GUESS+ AT H[ _M "!
W]E4 ,P]H TWO DOZ51 BO? M5 & WOM5 &!
SL5D] FIGURES ( BOYS4 ,! HUGE FIRE CA/
WEIRD LI<TS & JUMP+ %AD[S ON ALL ( !M4
  8,:AT (! TR\PE80 %E ASK$4 8,": >E ,BET
& ,DOLLY & ,JOLLY & ,PIP]80
  ,! MAN ON H] LEFT GAVE H] A R\< %OVE4
8,N"O O' T TALK6 ,X'S U ASK9' ! "QS4 ,Y
HOLD Y] LIP = YR LIFE'S SAKE60
  8,:AT 7 Y DO+ 9 \R SWAMP80 ! ,MA/]
ASK$4
  8,I 0 MAK+ MY WAY T[>D ! RIV]1 & :5 ,I
SAW Y1 ALL DRESS$ 9 GRE5 & HOLD+ ! TOR*
S HI<4 ,I 0 AFRAID & ,I /AY$ ": ,I WAS10
%E TOLD HM1 TRU?;LLY4
  ,HE GAVE A R\< GR94 8,"!'S WIS] FOLKS
?AN Y'VE BE5 D"O 9 0T TRICK40        #ID
  ,H] M9D RAC$4 ,:Y _H HE BE5 IMP]SONAT+
A C\RI]8 ,& ": _H HE /OL5 ! G>;TS8 ,B %E
D>$ N ASK4 ,Z ( YET HE DID N SUSPECT H]
TRUE MIS.N4 ,T 0 GD1 = IF HE _H1 HE WD
C]TA9LY TAKE H] 6! AU?ORITIES =A REW>D4
  8,B :Y 0 Y LO/ 9 ! SWAMP80 ! ,MA/]
ASK$4 8,:AT BR"\ Y "H8 ,& ":'S T OLD HAG
T WELL-NI< KILL$ Y ^? _M YE>S AGO80
  8,%E LIVES WAY BACK YOND]10 ,KREA SD4
8,IN A COTTAGE N F> F ! PLACE ": %E PUR-
*AS$ ME F Y40
  8,Y A'N'T GOT NO COLL> ON10 HE OBS]V$4
8,MI<T X 2 Y'VE RUN AWAY F H]8 ,GIV5 H]
A BIT O' ! SLIP80
  ,! *>GE MADE H] FLU%4 8,NO60 %E EX-
CLAIM$1 S HOTLY T HE SLAPP$ 8 KNEE4
  8,Y ALW 7 A BAD LI>1 ,TW9KLE10 HE GUF-
FAW$4 8,T'LL 2 X1 ,I'LL 2 B.D6 ,Y'VE -E
"R BACK 6!M'S T LOV$ Y & TR1T$ Y S
WELL60
  8,I HAV5'T RUN AWAY ,I TELL Y1 ,I--0
  ,"O ( H] GU>DS JOLT$ H] 9 ! RIBS ) 8
ELB[4 8,QUIET60
  ,%E GASP$ = BR1? "U ! %>P BL[ & 0
QUIET4 ,! ,MA/] R1*$ D[N & UNW.D     #IE
"O (! L1!R ?;GS B9D+ 8 %OES ON4 ,HE
M1SUR$ A L5G? ) 8 EYE & CUT X (F ) 8
KNIFE4 ,!N HE RETI$ ! ?;G & SAT UP4
  8,SP1K9' ( ,DOLLY & ,BET & !M O!RS--
S9CE Y ASK$10 HE SD1 US+ ! KNIFE L AN
AUL 6PUN* A HOLE 9 ! L1!R /RAP AT "O 5D4
8,AF Y LEFT U1 ,DOLLY TOOK ,JOLLY (F4 ,!
CRAZY WOMAN _H G"O -PLETELY DAFT1 & LA/
,I HE>D %E 0 SCRAT*+ = H]F Z A MAID 9 A
GRT H\SE 9 ,H1DWAT]4 ,B ,JOLLY HAS S5SE1
HE DOES4 ,HE GOT W9D O' ": ,I 0 & CAME &
JO9$ ME AG LA/ SPR+4 ,Z = ,BET1 %E UP &
DI$ TWO W9T]S PA/4 ,& ,PIP]1 HE'S / "H1
?\< HE A9'T GD = M*4 ,COOK9' & TIDY9' IS
:AT HE'S USU,Y UP TO40
  ,HE EXAM9$ ! /RAP )A CRITICAL EYE & !N
SD1 8,X'LL D4 ,BR+ H] UP1 BOYS40
  ,KREA _H GUESS$ :AT ! /RAP 0 =4 ,%E
/RU7L$ 2T ! TWO M5 & KICK$ \ AT !M4 8,Y
C'T D ?6 ,I 2L;G 6MY ,MI/RESS60 %E
SCR1M$4 8,LET ME G60
  8,Y'RE A "R PICKY SLAVE1 ,TW9K10 HE SD
COOLLY :ILE !Y /RU7L$ ) H]4 8,F/ Y RUNS
F U1 !N Y RUNS F H]1 & N[ Y WANTS 6RUN F
U AG40                               #IF
  ,!Y =C$ H] UP 6HIS ?R"O & D[N ON H]
KNEES4 ,Z ! /RAP W5T >.D H] NECK %E
/OPP$ CALL+ \4 ,"! 0 9/1D A RO>+ 9 H]
E>S1 &! DESPAIR & GRIEF T /RUCK H] 7 S
H>D T %E 0 NE>LY SICK4
  ,KREA M/ H FA9T$1 EXCEPT T %E CD / HE>
HM TALK+ COOLLY & CALMLY 6! TWO M5 :ILE
HE TI$ H] NEW COLL>4 ,B %E CD SEE NO?+4
  ,! NEXT ?+ %E KNEW1 A K9D VOICE 0 SAY-
+1 8,KREA1 DON'T 2 S AFRAID4 ,I'LL TAKE
C>E ( Y4 ,X'S ME4 ,X'S ,PIP]1 ,KREA4
,I'VE GOT Y4 ,DON'T 2 AFRAID40
  ,%E JUMP$ AT ! S.D ( T VOICE4 ,PIP]1
?IRTE5 OR F\RTE5 YE>S OLD N[1 TALL]1 ?9-
N]1 B WIRY & EV5 A LL BIT H&"S1 0 KNEEL+
2S H]1 HOLD+ H] 6KEEP H] F FALL+4 ,!
?R"O 0 EMPTY4 ,%E LOOK$ UP & SAW ! RO2]S
--A RAGTAG BUN* EV5 9 ! BAD LI<T--S1T$ 9
SMALL GR\PS ON ! HILLOCK1 EAT+ F BATT]$
PLATES T _H 6BE %>$ >.D 2C "! 7 N 5\<4
  ,KREA DIDN'T H 6USE H] F+]S 6FEEL !
COLL>4 ,H] EYES FILL$ ) TE>S4 8,PIP]1 ,I
DON'T 2L;G 6!M4 ,I H 6GET AWAY4 ,HELP
ME1 ,PIP]1 PL1SE40
  ,8 D>K EYES 7 G5TLE1 B HE LOOK$    #IG
SURPRIS$ AT H] ^WS4 8,OH1 ,KREA1 X A9'T
S BAD4 ,Y'VE GOT ! NO;NS ( "S"O :O'S
FREE4 ,Y C'T ACT L A FREE P]SON4 ,!Y
WON'T HURT Y IF Y G AL;G ) !M40
  8,DON'T SAY T4 ,I'M N FREE6 ,I 2L;G TO
MY ,MI/RESS60 ,HE SU45LY PUT 8 H& OV] H]
M\? & P9N$ H] LIPS CLOS$4
  8,5\<60 HE :ISP]$1 S HO>SELY T %E ?"\
%E _H MADE HM ANGRY4 ,B HE M/N'T H BE51
= HE TOOK 8 H& AWAY & EXPLA9$4 8,LI/5 TO
ME1 ,KREA10 HE :ISP]$4 8,IF Y KICK1
!Y'LL B1T Y4 ,!Y'LL KILL Y R ?AN LET Y
G1 ONCE !Y'VE DECID$ Y 2L;G 6!M40
  ,HE PULL$ H] UP 6H] FEET4 8,I'M YR
FR10 HE SD K9DLY4 8,I DON'T L RO29' &
MURD]9'1 ,KREA4 ,T'S :Y ,I J T5D ! FIRE
& KEEP ! CAMP CL1N1 & "S"TS MAYBE ,I'LL
SN1K 96A FIELD OR TWO AB H>VE/ "T & PICK
UP A FEW ?+S =! B&4 ,!Y LET ME LIVE4
,!Y'LL LET Y LIVE1 S L;G Z Y DON'T MAKE
NO TR\#1 & 2 USE;L1 & LET ME HELP Y :5
,I C40
  ,%E SD NO?+1 ONLY B[$ H] H1D4 ,B :5 %E
LOOK$ UP1 %E CDN'T HELP TAK+ ANO!R LOOK
AT ! EXPOS$ HILLOCK &! RA7$ P        #IH
SCATT]$ >.D ON X4
  8,X'S NO GD10 ,PIP] SD4 8,! ,FOLG]IAN
TROOPS L1VE U AL"O1 "H4 ,!Y GOT PRO#MS )
SPIES OV] ! ,RIV] TRY9' 6SN1K "? !
SWAMPS4 ,S WE WAYLAY ! M5 9 GRE5 F ACR !
RIV]4 ,S L;G Z WE KEEP 5EMIES \ (!
SWAMPS1 WE A9'T TR\#D 0! LAW4 ,!Y F9D U
USE;L40
  8,T'S A T]RI# WAY 6KEEP ! LAW10 %E
MURMUR$4
  8,H[ ODD Y TALK1 Z ?\< Y 7 A PR9CESS
OR "S S* LADY4 ,:AT'S X 6Y OR ME H[ !Y
KEEP ! SPIES \80
  8,Y HAV5'T KILL$ ANY (! M5 9 GRE51 H
Y1 ,PIP]80 %E ASK$4
  ,HE %OOK 8 H1D4 8,I CDN'T D X4 ,I
CDN'T EV5 TRY 6D X1 ,KREA4 ,!M ?REE T
BR"\ Y IN1 !Y'RE ! BE/ "OS AT X4 ,!
,MA/]'S A GD H& )A KNIFE4 ,B EV5 S1 HE
A'N'T US$ X M* 2C !M C\RI]S H LE>N$ 6/E]
CLE> ( U4 ,I GUESS !Y USE O!R L&+S4 ,B L
,I 0 SAY9'1 X'S NO GD YR TRY+ 6FIGURE A
WAY \ ( "H4 ,NOBODY W -E 6RESCUE Y1 & WE
KEEP LOOK\TS PO/$4 ,!Y'D SPOT Y4 ,& !N
?+S'D G BAD = Y40                    #II
  ,%E FELL SIL5T "U 8 W>N+4 ,HE LOOK$ AT
H] SOB]LY =A L;G "T1 UNTIL AT LA/ HE SD1
8,WD Y L "S GRUB80
  ,%E %OOK H] H1D4
  8,WELL1 -E NE> ! FIRE ) ME4 ,I'LL ACT
Z ?\< ,I'M %[+ Y H[ 6BUILD A FIRE & COOK
OV] X1 & "EY"O'LL L1VE Y BE4 ,0& 0Y C
FALL ASLEEP1 :5 ?+S >E QUIET]40
  ,%E NO4$ & W5T ) HM 6! FIRE4 8,I'LL
WAT* \ = Y1 ,KREA10 HE SD4
  ,BIT 0BIT ! RO2]S DROPP$ (F 6SLEEP1
MO/ ( !M \ (! WAY (! FIRE1 CLOS] 6! %AD-
[S ": X 0 BO? COOL] & SAF] %D 5EMIES -E4
  ,KREA SAT HU4L$ UP 0! FIRE :ILE ,PIP]
RUMMAG$ >.D ) COOK POTS & WAT] PAILS1
MAK+ ?+S R1DY =! NEXT "D'S BR1KFA/4
  ,%E WOND]$ :AT H] ,MI/RESS WD D IF %E
DIDN'T -E BACK4 ,WAIT = H]8 ,B T WD L1VE
H] 5DANG]$ 0! FIRE4 ,SURELY %E WD H !
WISDOM 6FLEE ! COTTAGE4 ,SE>* = H]8
,KREA %IV]$ AT ! ?"\4 ,IF %E CAME 96!
SWAMPS1 ! RO2]S WD F9D H] & PROBABLY
KILL H]4 ,! ,MA/] HAT$ H]4 ,OR WD !
,MI/RESS ESCAPE ,FOLG] ALT & S5D !
C\RI]S 6F9D ,KREA8                  #AJJ
  ,!N %E WOND]$ IF !Y .CD F9D H]4 ,IF !
,MA/] TOOK X 96HIS H1D 6L1VE ! SWAMPS OR
6HIDE ,KREA1 NOBODY WD "K ": 6LOOK = H]4
,& :AT IF HE GUESS$ :AT %E _H BE5 DO+ 9
! SWAMP8 ,"! WD 2 NO HOPE = H] AT ALL4
  ,B :5 %E TOOK /OCK ( ": %E 0 & FELT !
COLL> >.D H] NECK1 %E WOND]$ :AT HOPE %E
_H1 EV5 IF HE N"E SUSPECT$ H]4 ,P]H X WD
2 BETT] 6DIE ?AN 6LIVE "H1 L ?1 "U !
RULE (! ,MA/]4
  ,^! ?"\S HAUNT$ H] "?\T ! L;G1 WE>Y
NI<T1 UNTIL AT LA/ %E FELL ASLEEP4












             ,*APT] ,F\RTE5         #AJA
                ,! ,RIV]

  ,A BOOT$ FOOT SCRAP$ AG/ H] %\LD]1 &
TWO WAT] PAILS CLATT]$ 6! GR.D "R AT H]
E>4 ,KREA JUMP$ AWAKE 6SEE AN OLD] BOY1
,JOLLY1 /&+ OV] H]4
  8,GET ! WAT]1 SLAVE10 HE SD4
  8,JOLLY60
  8,Y HE>D ME40
  ,N F> AWAY1 ,PIP] SAT UP4 8,JOLLY60 HE
EXCLAIM$4 8,IS T H[ Y TR1T ! NEWCOM]8 ,I
C GET ! WAT] L ,I ALW D60
  8,MA/]'S ORD]10 ,JOLLY SD )A SMIRK4
,HE TURN$ 6,KREA4 8,:AT A %AME ,I WASN'T
"H 6MAKE Y WELCOME LA/ NI<T1 ,TW9KLE4 ,I
0 /&+ WAT*1 L A FREE MAN1 :ILE Y &! O!R
SLAVE CL1N$ ! POTS & PANS40
  ,PIP] /OOD UP & PICK$ UP ! PAILS4
8,I'LL GET ! WAT] TD10 HE TOLD ,KREA4
  8,NO Y WON'T60 ,JOLLY YELL$4 8,MA/] SD
%E'S 6HELP60
  ,KREA /OOD UP4 8,I C HELP Y40
  ,!Y WALK$ AWAY F ! TRIUMPHANT ,JOLLY4
,PIP] H&$ H] A PAIL1 & ,KREA SAW T HE 0
A%AM$4                              #AJB
  8,JOLLY HAS *ANG$10 %E SD AT LA/4
  8,:AT'D Y EXPECT ( "S"O :O'D L1VE 8 [N
"M & H"O/ "W 6RUN (F & JO9 A RO2] B&80
,PIP] ASK$4 8,B "! ,I G--,I'M S.D+ L Y
ALR4 ,X A9'T \R BUSI;S :AT HE IS40
  ,%E LOOK$ AT HM A LL M CLOSELY4 8,D Y
FEEL ALL "R1 ,PIP]80 %E ASK$4
  8,OH1 ,I GOT ! %AKES1 ,I GUESS4 ,LATE-
LY ,I H 9 ! E>LY MORN+S4 ,-ES F SWAMP
AIR40
  ,HE LOOK$ PALE &A F9E SW1T COV]$ 8 =E-
H1D &! BACKS ( 8 H&S4
  ,B HE DIDN'T SAY ANY M AB X4 ,HE L$ H]
6! ,RIV] XF--B1UTI;L1 FREE1 WILD1 WIDE4
,KREA LOOK$ ACR 6! NOR?4 ,MILES & MILES
UPRIV] 7 ! CLI6S %E _H CLIMB$ N S _M
NI<TS AGO4 ,%E ?"\ H] HE>T WD BR1K4
  8,N[ ,KREA10 HE SD1 8IF Y RUN AWAY1
!Y'LL B1T ME HALF 6D1?4 ,IF Y RUN AWAY
"H1 ,I M1N4 ,I'D H 6TRY & /OP Y40
  ,%E LOOK$ AT HM4 8,I'LL /AY ) Y10 %E
SD4
  8,LOOK YOND]40 ,HE PO9T$ D[N RIV]1 &
%E GASP$ 9 SURPRISE4 ,A HUGE ROAD ( "S
K9D W5T \ ONTO ! WAT]4 ,X LOOK$     #AJC
6BE MADE ( M]E E>?1 B "! 7 TUNNELS "U X
T ! WAT] 0 FL[+ "?4 ,X /OPP$ ABRUPTLY 9
MID-RIV]4
  8,T'S A CAUSEWAY10 HE TOLD H]4 8,FR$]-
ICK BUILT X 6MAKE A BRIDGE OV] 6,BRACK51
B :5 8 M5 GOT HALFWAY ACR !Y FIGUR$ X
WDN'T /& ! WEI<T (! WAT]4 ,"! WASN'T NO
M"OY 6/>T OV]1 S !Y J LEFT X4 ,RIV]'S L[
N[--Y C SEE ! TOPS (! TUNNELS "UN1? X40
,HE /OOP$ D[N & R9S$ 8 PAIL4 8,WE'D BET-
T] SEE AB T WAT]40
  ,KREA CDN'T RESI/ R1*+ OV] & T\*+
,PIP]'S WRI/ ": ! SW1T GL1M$ ON X4 ,HE
LOOK$ UP AT H] & SMIL$4 8,PIP]10 %E SD
GRAVELY4 8,>E Y-->E Y GETT+ *ILLS80
  8,A LL4 ,:AT A FUNNY "Q10 HE SD &
FILL$ ! O!R PAIL4 ,:5 !Y /OOD UP1 HE
W9C$4 8,MY H1D HURTS1 TOO4 ,AYE1 ,I GOT
! %AKES ON ME4 ,BR1KFA/'LL FIX ME UP40
  ,!Y W5T BACK 6! CAMP4 ,KREA KEPT H]
EYES OP51 & %E HELP$ ,PIP] FILL ! BIG
POT ) WAT] & LEFTOV]S &A C\PLE ( CL1N$
FI% &A RA2IT T "SBODY _H BR"\ IN4 ,%E AL
HELP$ HM S]VE UP1 & %E GOT A LOOK AT !
FACES ( H] CAPTORS4 ,"S ( !M--L     #AJD
,PIP]--_H 8! %AKES40
  ,%E REFUS$ BR1KFA/ F HM4 ,"SH[1 %E
KNEW1 %E _H 6EAT H] FOOD A"P F ! O!RS4
,B ,PIP] WANT$ 6G FI%+1 & S HE TOOK H] )
HM 6SEE IF !Y CD CAT* ANY?+ =! MID"D
M1L4
  ,!Y BO? CAU<T A FEW SMALL FI%1 & ,KREA
MANAG$ 6SLIP "O 9 H] POCKET4 ,DUR+ !
NI<T %E WD PUT X "U ! A%ES (! FIRE &
COOK X T WAY = H]F1 6EAT X 9 SECRECY4
  ,! ,MA/] 0 G"O ALL "D ON "S =AY OR AN-
O!R4 ,B Z ! AFN WORE ON & %E & ,PIP]
CAME BACK 6D _! "W1 ,PIP] & "S (! O!RS
2GAN 6FALL SICK4
  8,I J A*E S10 HE TOLD H]4 8,X'S ! PA91
,I GUESS1 ( SEE9' Y S SAD40
  8,X'S FEV]1 ,PIP]10 %E TOLD HM4
  ,HE %OOK 8 H1D4 ,B N L;G AF1 "O (! M5
CAME 6! FIRE4 8,I C'T GET W>M10 HE SD4
8,MAKE ME UP "S TEA1 GIRL10 HE ORD]$4
  ,KREA OBEY$4 ,8 H& %OOK Z HE TOOK ! T9
CUP4 ,HE SAT D[N4
  8,>E Y AIL+80 %E ASK$ S(TLY4
  8,GOT A PA9 9 MY H1D BACK ( MY EYES10
HE -PLA9$4                          #AJE
  ,)\T ?9K+1 %E PUT H] H& ON 8 =EH1D4
  8,HEY1 :AT'S YR GAME80 HE ASK$1 &
KNOCK$ H] H& AWAY4
  8,P>DON ME1 B ,I ?9K Y H FEV]40
  ,HE SC[L$ & TOOK A BIG GULP ( 8 TEA1
!N GROAN$4 8,OH1 MY BELLY'S KICK9' AT
ME40 ,!N HE ROLL$ 8 EYES AT H]4 8,WELL8
,C Y D ANY?+ AB X80
  ,%E FR[N$4 8,"! >E WILL[S AL;G ! ,RIV]
9 "S PLACES4 ,I CD MAKE A FEV] TEA10 %E
V5TUR$4 8,X WD MAKE Y SW1T & GET ! FEV]
\ ( Y FA/]40
  8,AYE1 ,I "K4 ,I'VE TOOK !M 2F :5 MY
MISSUS 0 ALIVE10 HE SD4 8,WELL1 G GET
"S60
  8,! LOOK\TS WD TAKE ME = ESCAP+10 %E
SD4 8,B :5 ! ,MA/] RETURNS1 HE MI<T P]-
MIT X40
  ,! MAN GAVE A S\R GR94 8,AYE1 HE'LL
P]MIT X IF .HE TAKES SICK40
  ,PIP] _H BE5 LY+ ALL HU4L$ UP A FEW
FEET AWAY4 8,C Y MAKE U "S?+ = X80 HE
ASK$ ,KREA4
  ,%E NO4$4
  ,L;G 2F ,MA/] CAME BACK T NI<T    #AJF
"! 7 _M O!R P ASK+ ,KREA 6G \ =! WILL[
B>K T %E WD NE$4 ,AT L1/ A ?IRD (! B& 0
D[N SICK1 : 0 N SURPRIS+ S9CE !Y _H ALL
BE5 EAT+ FOOD T ,PIP] _H H&L$4
  ,:5 ! ,MA/] >RIV$1 ! SI<T ( S _M SICK
PUT HM 96AN AW;L TEMP]4
  8,Y'LL G F/ ?+ 9 ! MORN+10 HE RO>$ AT
H]4 8,& Y BETT] PULL !M ALL "?60
  ,%E DIDN'T ANSW] HM1 B AT F/ LI<T %E
DREW WAT] =! CAMP & !N MADE R1DY 6G =!
WILL[ B>K4
  8,LI/51 Y10 ! ,MA/] SD1 CAT*+ H] 0!
C[L ( H] CLOAK4 8,I GOT LOOK\TS 9 !
SWAMP4 ,IF Y TAKE TWO /EPS PA/ !M WIL-
L[S1 Y'LL GET AN >R[ "? Y1 & YR TR\#S W
2 OV]40
  ,%E ?"\ T 0? "T ! LOOK\TS 7 LIKELY V
SICK AT _! PO/S & WD 2 ( LL USE 6HM1 B
ANO!R "D OR TWO WD MAKE C]TA92 S %E ONLY
NO4$ & !N SD1 8,I'LL NE$ A KNIFE 6CUT !
B>K40
  8,USE ,PIP]'S4 ,HE'S HALF \ ( 8 H1D ?
MORN+ ) FEV]2 HE DON'T NE$ NO KNIFE40
  ,KREA W5T D[N 6! ,RIV] & HUNT$ = WILL[
TREES4 ,%E 0 SORELY TEMPT$ 6KEEP    #AJG
ON GO+ 9 ! B1UTI;L FREE _W1 ESPECI,Y N[
T %E 0 AL"O1 & %E _H 6RE/RA9 H]F F RUNN+
AWAY4 ,B %E KNEW !Y / MI<T CAT* H]4
  ,:5 %E CAME BACK 9 ! LATE AFN1 ,JOLLY
0 AT ! FIRE4 ,HE 0 /IRR+ ! COOK POT1 &
HE LOOK$ AWAY :5 %E CAME BY4 ,! ,MA/]
/RODE UP Z ?\< HE'D BE5 WAIT+ = H]4
8,WELL1 :AT M W X TAKE8 ,NE> "EYBODY'S
GOT X1 N[40
  8,J WAT]10 %E SD4 ,%E SCOOP$ UP ! TWO
PAILS4
  8,Y1 ,JOLLY1 GIVE H] A H&10 HE ORD]$4
8,& D :AT %E TELLS Y40
  ,JOLLY'S EYES BLAZ$ ) RES5T;T1 B ,KREA
DIDN'T LET T BO!R H]2 %E 0 TOO WORRI$ AB
,PIP]4
  ,PIP]'S FEV] 0 HI<4 ,:5 %E & ,JOLLY
GOT BACK )! WAT]1 ,KREA TRI$ 6MAKE ,PIP]
M -=TA# 0>RANG+ 8 BLANKET = HM & WIP+ 8
FACE4 ,B HE DIDN'T "K H]4
  ,KREA MADE ! FEV] TEA 9 A HUGE KETTLE
T %E TOOK D[N 6! ,RIV] & SC\R$ H]F4
,CL1N+ ! KETTLE & MAK+ ! TEA BO? MADE =A
L;G JOB4 ,%E SET ,JOLLY 6COOK+ ! SUPP] =
^? :O CD EAT4 ,X 0 APP>5T T HE      #AJH
KNEW H[ 6COOK1 & %E R1LIZ$ T--= ALL 8
TALK AB 2+ A FREE MAN--HE _H BE5 ,PIP]'S
ASSI/ANT 2F H] CAPTURE4
  ,:5 ! TEA 0 R1DY1 %E /RA9$ X & BR"\ A
CUP 6,PIP] F/ :ILE ,JOLLY BUSI$ HMF AT !
SUPP] POT4
  8,X'S ,KREA10 %E SD 6,PIP]4 8,I H "S?+
6MAKE Y BETT]1 ,PIP]40
  8,KREA ACTS S FREE10 HE SD ) P]FECT
CL>;Y4 8,L "S?+ F ! S;GS WE US$ 6S+ = P4
,I'LL TAKE C>E ( H]40
  8,PIP]10 %E SD4 8,I'M ,KREA4 ,I WANT Y
6DR9K ?40
  8,I'LL DR9K X1 ,KREA40
  ,%E SET ! CUP D[N NE> ! FIRE & LIFT$ 8
H1D 6H] KNEE 6PROP X UP4
  8,X'S BITT]10 %E SD4 8,B X W HELP Y4
,W Y DR9K X = ME1 = ,KREA80
  8,YES1 ,I'LL DR9K X40
  ,%E R1*$ =! CUP & H] H& CLOS$ ON A
PIECE ( FIRE4
  ,KREA SCR1M$ & JUMP$ UP1 !N QKLY
PLUNG$ H] H& 96"O (! WAT] PAILS4
  ,%E LOOK$ AT ! PLACE ": ! CUP _H BE54
,X _H BE5 OV]TURN$1 & "! 0 A        #AJI
SMOLD]+ BR& ON ! GR.D EXACTLY ": %E _H
PUT ! CUP4 ,JOLLY 0 G"O4
  ,PIP] LAY MUTT]+ ON ! GR.D4
  ,KREA PULL$ H] BURN$ H& \ (! WAT] &
LOOK$ AT X4 ,%E _H DROPP$ ! BR& TOO QKLY
=! BURN 6SE> "? ALL ! SK94 ,B X 0 PA9;L4
  ,%E RIPP$ UP "S (! HEM ( H] DRESS1 WET
X 9 ! WAT]1 & MADE A TEMPOR>Y B&AGE4 ,!N
%E W5T BACK 6,PIP] & GAVE HM ANO!R CUP (
! FEV] TEA4 ,HE DRANK X1 & %E P]SUAD$ HM
6LIE / AG4
  ,X 0 "T 6T5D 6! O!RS4 ,%E /OOD UP1 &
H] GD LEFT H& T\*$ ! KNIFE AT H] BELT4
,) SU45 ANG] AT ALL ( !M--! ,MA/]1 ,JOL-
LY1 EV5 ,PIP] :O _H LO/ 8 OLD C\RAGE--%E
DREW ! KNIFE & SLIPP$ X 2T H] NECK &!
COLL>4 ,A QK J]K (! BLADE1 &! COLL> 0
(F4 ,LET !M KILL H]4 ,%E _H "O [N] & ON-
LY "O [N]4
  ,"?\T T L;G NI<T %E T5D$ ! SICK4 ,!
,MA/]1 L H]1 W5T UNT\*$ 0! ILL;S4 ,HE _H
A LOT 6SAY 6H]4
  8,AYE1 T HAG'S TRA9$ Y1 EH80 HE ASK$ Z
%E MADE UP M TEA AT ! FIRE4 8,NO WOND] Y
ACT S FREEBORN4 ,Y ?9K "K9' ALL T   #AAJ
TRUCK AB PLANTS & ROOTS & S* HAS MADE Y
IMPORTANT1 DON'T Y80 HE ASK$4 8,WELL1 MY
HI<-BORN SLAVE1 ,I'VE FIGUR$ A FEW ?+S
\1 TOO4 ,I'VE HE>D TELL AB A LL MAID
:AT'S BE5 DO9' SPY "W = ,BRACK54 ,:AT D
Y ?9K ( T80
  ,%E %RU7$4 ,S F> HE _HN'T NOTIC$ !
MISS+ COLL>4 8,I W ADMIT X10 %E TOLD HM4
8,I'D R 2 PUT 6D1? ?AN L+] ON "H40
  8,:AT A FOOL Y >E60 HE EXCLAIM$4 8,"S
OLD CR"O PD TWO CO9S = Y--& LET ME GUESS
--TAU<T Y ? & T & MAYBE TOOK Y ON H] LAP
N[ & AG--& :Y8 ,2C %E H]F IS 9 ! PAY (
,BRACK56 ,!Y NE$$ A TRICK/]--"S"O :O CD
GET 0! SOLDI]S ON ? SIDE =A :ILE4 ,S %E
MADE UP 6Y & GOT Y FIT 6D ANY?+ %E ASK$
( Y4 ,OH1 :AT AN HONOR X WD 2 6D SPY "W1
Y ?"\4 ,Y FOOL6 ,& W]5'T Y ! IMPORTANT
SLAVE !N1 RUNN+ "? ! WOODS AT NI<T &
EAT+ HI<80
  ,HE L1N$ =W>D4 8,AYE1 & LET ME GUESS A
BIT M4 ,%E'S PROMIS$ 6FREE Y "S"D1 EH8
,TAKE Y 6A BETT] L& %E SD--AYE1 Y DON'T
H 6ANSW]4 ,I SEE X'S S4 ,LET ME TELL Y
?1 SLAVE4 ,AT L1/ ,I N"E PLAY$ A    #AAA
GAME ) Y4 ,Y 7 "! 6KEEP ME F />V9'--B ,I
KEP' Y F />V91 TOO4 ,N"O ( ^! GAMES1 NO
TRICKS4 ,T OLD HAG KNEW YR "T WD -E1 &
N[ X HAS -E4 ,B Y'LL DIE )A CLOS$ M\?1
WON'T Y1 :ILE %E GOES ON1 BUY9' M KIDS
\TTA' SLAV]Y 6D H] DIRTY "W40
  ,KREA _H N"E ?"\ ( ?+S T WAY 2F4 ,B 8
A3US,NS AG/ H] 7 S TRUE T !Y 7 L >R[S F
A B[4 ,%E _H ?"\ H]F IMPORTANT = 2+ A
SPY4 ,%E _H BE5 WILL+ 6D ANY?+ = H]
,MI/RESS4 ,0 ALL ! RE/ TRUE8 ,H[ _H HE
GUESS$ T ! ,MI/RESS _H PROMIS$ 6TAKE H]
6! ,DIAMOND ,ISLES8
  ,HE W5T ON1 8,& :5 %E'S LIV9' EASY 9 A
CA/LE 9 ,BRACK51 A RI* H]O = HAV+ MANAG$
?+S S NICE = !M1 %E'LL ?9K ( Y1 MY LASS4
,& LAU<4 ,2C Y 7 S* A FOOL4 ,OR MAYBE
%E'LL FEEL SORRY = Y F] DY9' S MIS]A#4
,B %E A'N'T GONNA MISS ! LIKES ( Y1
SLAVE40
  ,KREA TOOK ! KETTLE & HURRI$ 96! NI<T1
AWAY F ! FIRE & AWAY F HM4 ,! RO2]S LAY
FLUNG AB ON ! HILLOCK1 GROAN+ & SW1T+ &
CURS+4 ,0? "T1 ,JOLLY 0 SICK TOO4
  ,!Y 7 ALL S SICK4 ,NO MATT] :AT   #AAB
! ,MA/] SD1 %E KNEW T ! M5 ON LOOK\T--IF
"! 7 ANY--W]E NO GD4 ,%E LOOK$ BACK AT !
FIRE4 ,HE _H 8 H1D D[N4 ,P]H1 AT LA/1 HE
0 />T+ 6-E D[N ) X4
  ,X 0 "T1 %E ?"\1 6GET AWAY4 ,"T 6SN1K
"? ! SWAMPS4
  8,OH GIRL1 BR+ ME "S10 "O (! OLD WOM5
CRI$4 8,HELP ME SW1T X \4 ,BR+ ME A
CUP40
  ,=A MO;T ,KREA /OOD LOOK+ \ AT ! VA/
D>K;S (! SWAMP4 ,X WD S]VE !M "R IF %E
LEFT !M4 ,!Y 7 RO2]S1 TRICK/]S ''' MUR-
D]]S4
  ,%E CD F9D ! ,MI/RESS4 ,EV5 IF ! ,MIS-
TRESS _H FL$ ! COTTAGE--: 0 LIKELY--!Y
MI<T F9D EA* O!R4 ,KREA _H A DUTY 6F9D
H]4 ,B :AT !N8 ,IF ! ,MI/RESS 0 :AT !
,MA/] SD %E WAS--"! WD 2 ! SAME HUGS &
KISSES & -=T1 ALL FALSE--:AT WD ,KREA D8
,G \ AG & 2 KILL$8
  ,B ! ,MI/RESS1 IF %E 0 :AT ,KREA HOP$
%E WAS1 :AT !N8
  8,PL1SE1 GIRL10 ! WOMAN CRI$ \4 ,KREA
0 />TL$1 ALM HAV+ =GOTT5 ": %E WAS4 ,9 T
9/ANT %E REMEMB]$ :AT ! ,MI/RESS    #AAC
_H SD AB ,TELL4
  ..,WE TAKE NO PRIVATE .REV5GE4
  ,CD ! ,MI/RESS H REBUK$ H] S IF !
,MI/RESS 7 NO?+ B A DCVR8 ,B X DIDN'T
MATT] EI WAY4 ,X 0 ,KREA'S DUTY 6/AY &
HELP !M4 ,= :AT"E R1SON1 ! ,MI/RESS _H
B.D H] N 6TAKE A PRIVATE REV5GE & 6HELP
BO? FR & 5EMY4 ,& :5 ! ILL;S 0 PA/1 !
,MA/] 0 GO+ 6GIVE H] 6! SOLDI]S 6BE EXE-
CUT$4 ,IF ! ,MI/RESS 0 TRULY GD1 %E WD
-E "SH[ & F9D ,KREA 2F T4 ,& IF N1 X 7
BETT] 6H DI$ ?AN 6H LIV$ ) S* GRIEF4












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