Dar veered his craft out of the way of the oncoming horses. The second Sighter chopper, a good distance from the throng, followed a moment later.
Hrrula, at the head of Team Two, with Robin Reeve as his second riding behind him, wheeled his horse around. His Team was full of visiting duffers, some of whom were reasonably good riders, but Hrrula was competent at keeping Team members from coming to grief.
“Moving out,” the Hrruban said, his sharp teeth flashing brightly in a wide smile. “See you at ze salt mrrrshes!”
Jilamey paired off with Hrrin as Team One moved out. As Todd and Hrriss led them along the well-worn river trail, they could hear the two of them shouting excitedly to each other about grids and ships. That left the one recently promoted Hunter, a man named Harris, riding beside Hrrin’s mate, Errala, with Jan and Don, Team One’s Wrangler and sharpshooter, bringing up the rear. Team One was lighter in personnel than most of the other groups of Hunters, but as the team that took responsibility for steering the lead snakes, they needed to be able to peel away and move faster than any other.
Todd held them to a fast trot until they reached the head of the desert, where the snakes laid their eggs. The weather was slightly overcast, which was a minor blessing. Bright sunshine meant hours of hot riding. Gerrh twitched nervously on his pillion, reacting to the strong odor of snake which a slight breeze wafted down the river path. Errala covered her sensitive nose with a citrus-scented cloth, and coughed. Team One cut along the trail past the other teams in place. As Todd and Hrriss passed, each leader acknowledged their readiness.
The radio crackled on Todd’s hip.
“They’re swarming!” Leah Kalman’s shout came through clearly. “Teams Six and Seven spreading out.”
Todd squeezed his legs into Gypsy’s sides and lifted him into a gallop, heard his team follow his lead. They arrived at the edge of the marsh in time to see Mark Dautrish rolling up his big tractor with its wide bucket inches above the ground. No snake could squirm through that space.
Several young tiddlers, none more than four meters long, broke in that direction. At the sight of the sharp metal, they thought better of it and cut away toward Todd. Hrrula’s team was circling around to the north.
“Yow!” Todd exclaimed, his gaze sweeping the heaving multitude of snakes.
“Numbers have increased beyond estimate,” Hrriss called in Low Hrruban. “More must have survived than usual. Good for us that we can trade the excess to the Gringg now they’ve gotten a taste for the flavor.”
“This swarm’s going to take real handling, partner,” Todd called back and then began shouting orders to the other riders. “Spread out! Contain them. We’ve got to keep them rolling or they’ll stack up here and we’ll have the devil’s own time!”
Big Paws had his powerful body crouched so low to the ground that he was almost on all fours. But his fangs and claws were bared, and the small snakes that had tried to scoot out past him quickly reversed, and he herded them back to the marked route. When a three-meter tiddler made a hasty break to dive between his legs, he seized it at the back of the neck, and flung it bodily into the main stream of snakes leaving the dunes. He glanced up and waved at Todd.
“Fun!” he cried.
The subsonics in his voice, which tended only to disconcert or annoy the Hayumans and Hrrubans, seemed to cause a violent reaction among the reptiles. At the sound of his rumbling roar, several that were headed in that direction stopped where they were and doubled back on their own lengths.
“Look at zat!” Hrriss said gleefully. “A new deterrent! Zey must dislike Gringg vibrrations!”
Todd, vigorously applying his quarterstaff to curtail breakouts, grinned back. “Keep up the good work, Big Paws!”
“Reh!” the Gringg chortled, flinging another four-meter snake overhand. It struck the ground on its nose and hastily sought refuge among its fellows, slithering away as quickly as it could from the gigantic black-and-white terror.
Todd wheeled to follow the vanguard of the reptiles through the woods. The snakes were relatively placid up near the dunes, in strong contrast to the way they would act later on, when they were tired and the clutching hunger had fully kicked in. Then they became dangerously cunning. The slightest breath of air which carried rumors of a quick meal caused them to take any reasonable chance to avoid the Hunters and find food.
“Ware!” Todd cried, pointing at a pair of very small snakes, probably at the dunes for their first clutches, who zipped around the front of the tractor.
“I’ll get the one on the right!” Jilamey shouted, waving his crossbow over his head and spurring his horse through the marsh waters after the snake. He aimed and loosed the bolt, but the quarrel struck mud, missing the tiddler completely. His horse slipped, nearly precipitating him into the fetid waters. Jilamey was improving, but he would never be a match for Kelly, and Todd missed her support on the Team. She certainly wouldn’t have missed an easy shot like that, but she had offered to cart the captain around.
A roar sounded from behind the farm machine, and one of the young snakes came sailing over the top of the tractor to land in a heap on the path. Todd jumped. Don swore.
“Fardle it, I didn’t think they could fly!”
“Compliments of Koala,” Dautrish called to the Team. “She missed the other one, though!”
“I’ll call ahead!” Todd said, and thumbed the switch on his handset. “One escapee, heading west from the dunes.”
“Got it, Todd,” replied Leah Kalman and broke the contact.
The river road became a living, writhing sea of reptilian bodies. Todd kneed Gypsy to the edge of the marsh grasses, loping alongside the leading snakes and keeping the foot of his quarterstaff poised for use. His Team fanned out in single file behind him, riding herd.
A flashgun popped to one side of the path. Todd caught the glare out of the corner of one eye. A margin Hunter, turning back a tiddler that had strayed between the cordon of horses as they entered the woods. The terrain here favored the snakes, who could disappear without trace into the undergrowth by virtue of their natural protective patterning. It took quick eyes to make sure none of the leaders strayed, encouraging others to follow it. Not for the first time, Todd was grateful to the river for bordering one side of the snake run, keeping the Hunters from having to double up Teams along this section.
A low ridge of rock rose up in the middle of his path. Avoiding the obstacle, Todd hugged the opposite side and came out ten feet behind the lead snakes. He urged Gypsy forward. Once they came level again, the experienced horse dropped back to a trot.
From behind him came the raucous snarl that told him that Gerrh had joined the hunt. He risked a quick glance over his shoulder. The young ocelot had leaped from his perch and was after a three-meter-long tiddler that was attempting to go the wrong way around the rocky upthrust. Hrriss cantered by his pet and administered a thwock! to the snake’s head with the butt end of his spear. It coiled up and headed into the stream without further hesitation. Gerrh galloped after his master and leaped neatly back onto Rrhee’s back.
The ridge had provided one of the few breathers the Hunters got on the trail, where geography did their work for them in keeping the snakes from straying. After that, the long hot ride was made even more dangerous by low branches which knocked against Todd’s helmet and shoulders while he tracked the swift-moving snakes along their way.
He passed the first of the snake blinds: one of the small, well-sealed rla-wood cottages smeared with the citrus perfume that kept snakes from smelling the contents. The broad window at trailside was filled with spectators staring out at him through field glasses.
“Todd, I’ve got a lively one here,” Don called through the handset. “Could use your help.”
With one hand, he laid the reins along Gypsy’s neck and turned him around, while he lifted the small communications unit to his mouth.
&nbs
p; “Hrriss, take point. I’m circling back to help Don.”
“Rrright!” The friends passed in mid-gallop, Hrriss spurring Rrhee to catch up with the lead snakes.
Far back along the line, Jan was overstretched, herding much more of the cordon of young reptiles than she could really handle as Don went in pursuit. The sharpshooter waved to Todd as he approached, and pointed at the five-and-a-half-meter snake he was pacing. As steady as if he were sitting on still ground, Don’s rifle aimed at the back of the reptile’s head.
“The damned thing won’t go back in line!” he called. He ducked a branch. “I’ve got a bead on it, but I don’t want to kill it if it’s just ornery.”
“Crank a ground shot next to its head on the right,” Todd said, unlimbering his quarterstaff to help prod.
He called for a Lure to come and assist. Nodding, Don squeezed the trigger, and a puff of dust kicked up on the right of the snake’s nose. With a violent check, the snake turned a sharp corner and veered toward the stream, but over five meters of body was a lot to maneuver. The tail whipped around and struck Don’s galloping horse, knocking it off its feet.
“Wheeee-ee-ee!” the gelding screamed, falling onto its side. Don jumped off and, cursing, rolled into a stand of bushes. He emerged, brushing himself off. Todd raised his flashgun and reined Gypsy to a stop between the fallen horse and rider, standing guard.
The incident attracted the attention of more tiddlers. Todd shot off flash after flash of brain-searing light to divert the predatory snakes while Don helped the gelding to its feet and regained his saddle. Suddenly, a leather-clad Lure on a cycle burst out from among the trees and began riding a serpentine trail between Todd and the mass of snakes. Across her shoulders was a fresh sheep hide, inside out. The heavy scent of blood got the slow-witted attention of the stray snakes, and they followed the Lure, who led them to the main stream. The bike tilted to an angle and roared down the riverbank, out of the snakes’ reach.
“Whew!” Don said. “Thank heavens for loaves and little fishes.”
“Ow, this thing gets hot,” Todd said, letting the flashgun fall on its strap against his chap-covered leg, and airing his gloved hand. Don swung up and leaned over to slap Todd on the shoulder.
“Thanks, friend,” he said, reining the horse toward the perimeter of the snake cordon. “I’m not even bruised.” Team Two was coming up fast behind them, and Don paced in a couple of beats before Hrrula arrived.
Todd turned Gypsy inland and galloped onward to come level with Hrriss. He passed another group of Beaters with Cinnamon. They were sweeping the snakes back onto the path with brooms, flails, and in the Gringg’s case, his own big feet. A jab here, a prod there, and the tiddlers stayed in the boundaries of the swarm. Cinnamon waved and called out happily as he and Hrriss passed.
The day was going well. No injuries or losses had been reported yet from up the line. The most serious problems would probably arise on the Boncyk farm, still some klicks ahead.
* * *
Kelly felt as if they’d been waiting for hours in the meadow near the Boncyk farm, but she knew it hadn’t been more than one. It just seemed longer, because the children, antsy with anticipation, were on the verge of driving her crazy. She’d known all along the folly of bringing youngsters into the heart of a Snake Hunt. Carn had brought up her horse, so at least she had a chance of chasing them down if necessary. Staying back with a Beater Team was simply the best way for them, and their guests, to see the action without getting hurt. She’d explained the roles of each of the hunting Teams and the auxiliaries. The Gringg listened with careful attention, but the children, who’d heard it repeated for years, were bored.
“Now, if anything goes wrong,” Kelly repeated again and again, hoping her instructions stuck in the minds of the excited children, “you pull back! Get out of the way of the Hunters! Immediately! Is that clear?”
“Yes, Mom.”
“Yes, Aunt Gelli.”
“Yes, Kelly,” Teddy promised, wiggling deep into the sheepskins.
Somehow she wasn’t totally reassured. In the hour since they’d taken up positions, the five youngsters had made friends with the Beaters, galloped up to take a look at the Boncyk farm, and found the nearest citron-covered snake blind. Alec came galloping back with a report of who was inside it, watching for the snakes to come by.
“That Admiral is in there,” her son announced. “The cranky one with white hair.”
“Alec!”
“In a blue uniform,” Alison said. “Well, he grumbled at us.”
“Admiral Barnstable?” Kelly asked. “Huh. Whaddya bet he’s here more to keep an eye on the Gringg than the snakes!”
She hadn’t her voder on just then, but nevertheless looked over to where Grizz sat at her ease in the soft meadow grass. The captain daintily plucked a tiny yellow flower between two claws and examined it closely. Delicately, she extended it to her mate, sitting with his shaggy golden side pressed against hers.
“See here, Eonneh, the five-petal structure. Most attractive, is it not?” she asked, her red eyes gentle.
“Most attractive,” Eonneh replied, accepting the flower. Their claws intertwined.
There’s more going on there than a botany lesson, Kelly thought, with a silly smile of approval on her face.
“They’re coming,” called Llewellyn Carn. Kelly stood up in her stirrups and let out a sharp whistle for the children.
“Come on!” yelled Alec, and headed Tornado uphill.
Seeing his friends respond, Teddy wheeled the lethargic Rock in a wide loop, and at a dignified plod, followed Alec back toward the threshing machine.
Admiral Barnstable, pacing around outside the snake blind, felt unwilling to enter the reeking enclosure until it was absolutely necessary. He noticed that there was some commotion up on the high meadow where Mrs. Reeve and her horde of children were waiting. Hastily hiking up the dusty path, he called out to her.
“What’s going on?”
“Please get back to the blind, Admiral,” Kelly shouted. “The snakes are coming.”
“If you’re safe, I’ll be safe,” Barnstable said, panting a little as he reached the crest of the low hill. The Reeve woman had a small arsenal’s worth of primitive weapons arrayed on her sheepskin-padded saddle. There was a strong smell of animal sweat and excrement coming from across the lea to the right. Looking down the hill toward the farm buildings, Barnstable saw a thin, dour-faced farmer and his family waiting on horseback, behind an odd assortment of heavy farm machinery that had been rolled up to the low fence. What a ridiculous barricade, he thought. He turned back to eye the two adult Gringg, seated on the grass nearby, who met his gaze pleasantly.
“Aren’t you carrying any defensive weapons?” Barnstable demanded. “These snakes are highly dangerous and excitable.”
“Why will you not believe that we have no such tools?” Honey asked, then held up his paws. He flexed his digits, and the sharp claws gleamed in the gray sunlight. “These natural fittings are all we need.”
The sounds of galloping, and a curious, terrifying hiss, came from the edge of the woods. Mrs. Reeve tensed, and raised a loaded crossbow. Barnstable turned.
Out of the thin forest came a dappled, tossing, undulating reptilian river. Barnstable’s heart started to pound in his chest and his mouth went dry. He sucked his cheeks for saliva. This was like the prelude to a battle. Beside him, the enormous farm machine revved its engine and bucked down the slope toward the snakes.
Two horses, looking amazingly small next to the swarm, cantered along, prodding an occasional snake that tried to break free. What Reeve and Hrriss were doing looked almost easy. For all their admonitions about the dangers involved in the Hunt, it looked like there was nothing more to herding snakes than quick reflexes and concentration. Barnstable was unimpressed.
Then the wind changed to the southwest. Instead of
blowing into their faces from the salt marshes, the shift brought a miasma of heavy, stinking air direct from the byres behind them. Barnstable gagged.
“What is that appalling stench?” Barnstable asked, pinching his nostrils shut.
“Pigs,” said Kelly amiably. “Boncyks raise China and Poland pigs. No help for it now”—an urgent note crept into her voice—“the snakes have the scent.”
The tumbling tide of snake shifted until it was heading directly towards them. Everett Cabot Barnstable had a sudden change of heart regarding the difficulty of managing thousands of snakes as the whole boiling wave of them seemed to come straight at him. For the first time in his life, he experienced gut-twisting terror.
“Llewellyn!” Kelly shouted, angling her steed between Barnstable and the stream. The horses, having caught the snake stink, were dancing frantically about, their riders controlling their antics with unconcerned skill. Teddy bounced up and down like a ball in his high saddle.
“Behind me, Kelly,” Carn shouted, raising his hand unit. “Lures! Edge of the Boncyk farm! Now!”
The thresher rolled around the crest of the hill and headed for the outbuildings. The huge machine moved down like an avalanche, pushing the snakes away. A cluster of the reptiles avoided the Beaters by going every which way at once, and looped uphill at speed.
“They’re headed to Mr. Boncyk’s farmyard!” Alec cried. “Can we go help?”
“No!” Kelly exclaimed. “You stay right here or—!” She left the threat of dire punishment hanging.
Then a three-meter tiddler attempted a fast break around the wheels of the thresher. Carn promptly lowered the boom on it and Kelly shot the crossbow bolt directly into its brainpan. The snake lashed about in muscular spasms, but it was no longer a threat. One of Carn’s assistants dismounted and stuffed the writhing corpse into a snake bag.
Todd and Hrriss galloped by, their attention on the fan of stragglers who were enticed by the strong swine smell. Hrriss growled orders into his handset for Don and Jan to keep the rest of the snakes moving down the path to the marshes.
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