Стража! Стража!

           "Well?"

           Thesergeanthoppedfromonefoottotheother."Youknowyousaidprisonersweren’ttobemolested,sir..."

           Itwasquitealargeandheavyrooftimberanditscythedquiteslowlythroughtheair,butwhenithitpeopletheyrolledbackwardsandstayedhit.

           "Nowlook,"saidCarrot,haulingitinandpushingbackhishelmet,"Idon’twanttohavetotellanyoneagain,right?"

           Vimesshoulderedhiswaythroughthedensecrowd,staringatthebulkyfigureatopthemoundofrubbleanddragon.Carrotturnedslowly,theroofbeamheldlikeastaff.Hisgazewaslikealighthousebeam.Whereitfell,thecrowdloweredtheirweaponsandlookedmerelysullenanduncomfortable.

           "Imustwarnyou,"Carrotwenton,"thatinterferingwithanofficerintheexecutionofhisdutyisaseriousoffence.AndIshallcomedownlikeatonofbricksontheverynextpersonwhothrowsastone."

           Astonebouncedoffthebackofhishelmet.Therewasabarrageofjeers.

           "Letusatit!"

           "That’sright!"

           "Wedon’twantguardsorderingusabout!"

           "Quiscustodietcustard?"

           "Yeah?Right!"

           Vimespulledthesergeanttowardshim."Goandorganisesomerope.Lotsofrope.Asthickaspossible.Isupposewecan-oh,tieitswingstogether,maybe,andbindupitsmouthsoitcan’tflame."

           Colonpeeredathim.

           "Areyouserious,sir?We’rereallygoingtoarrestit?"

           "Doit!"

           It’sbeenarrested,hethought,ashepushedhiswayforward.