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           Itwidenedintoalargetriangleinsteadoftaperingtoapoint,andhadawickedhooklikearooster’sspuratoneofthetwobladeends.

           "AmacheteistoosmallforNorthQueenslandcane,"Arnesaid,finishedhisdemonstration."Thisistherighttoy,you’llfind.Keepitsharp,andgoodluck."

           Offhewenttohisownsection,leavingLukestandingundecidedforamoment.Then,shrugging,hestartedwork.Withinminutesheunderstoodwhytheyleftittoslavesandtoracesnotsophisticatedenoughtoknowtherewereeasierwaystomakealiving;likeshearing,hethoughtwithwryhumor.Bend,hack,straighten,clutchtheunwieldytopheavybunchsecurely,slideitslengththroughthehands,whackofftheleaves,dropitinatidyheap,gotothenextclusterofstems,bend,hack,straighten,hack,addittotheheap…

           Thecanewasalivewithvermin:rats,bandicoots,cockroaches,toads,spiders,snakes,wasps,fliesandbees.Everythingthatcouldbiteviciouslyorstingunbearablywaswellrepresented.Forthatreasonthecuttersburnedthecanefirst,preferringthefilthofworkingcharredcropstothedepredationsofgreen,livingcane.Evensotheywerestung,bittenandcut.Ifithadn’tbeenforthebootsLuke’sfeetwouldhavebeenworseoffthanhishands,butnocuttereverworegloves.Theyslowedamandown,andtimewasmoneyinthisgame.Besides,glovesweresissy.

           AtsundownArnecalledahalt,andcametoseehowLukehadfared.

           "Hey,mate,notbad!"heshouted,thumpingLukeontheback.