The Magnificent Showboats by Jack Vance Read Free Book Online Page A

the Wergence near Gotpang, the Suanol at Fudurth, the Lant at Lanteen, the Trobois at Port Wheary.
    “‘Tribes of hostile nomads occasionally appear along the shore and precautions must be effected; it is never wise to moor to the riverbank overnight.
    “‘Mornune itself is notable for the elegance of its structures and the wealth of its ruling caste, who trace their lineage to Rorus Cazcar of the Magic Tabard.’” Zamp looked down the columns. “There’s more here, but I imagine that you have studied your own Index at length.”
    Ashgale nodded graciously. “I have investigated the feasibility of the voyage, but without any real interest.”
    Zamp turned his gaze out across the Lant River and past, up the sparkling reaches of the Vissel where it came down from the north, far, far, to where it seemed that human vision must fail, and beyond, across the Big Planet perspectives, until the Vissel was no more than a wisp of silver thread.
    “Aha,” said Ashgale, “I see that you have determined to make the voyage.”
    “It is country I have never seen,” mused Zamp. “There is a fortune awaiting me up yonder, if I choose to reach for it.”
    Ashgale looked out over the water with a rather bleak expression. “Well, I’ll be faring south to Coble. You’ll bide here at Lanteen?”
    “And pay out a month of salaries? Not likely. The Lant River tempts me. Perhaps I’ll fare out to Port Whant, or even Bilch and Funk’s Grove.”
    “Port Whant is a morose place,” mused Ashgale. “You will discover there an audience only for tragic drama; they care not a fig for nonsense.”
    Zamp gave an austere nod. “So I am informed by the Index. I will no doubt present some suitable piece: perhaps my own Evulsifer or The Legend of Lost Girl Mountain .”
    Ashgale rubbed his chin. “Are you in the market for a criminal? I will sell one cheap: a surly fellow who barely troubles to learn his lines; in fact he was for last night’s performance, but now I have no need for him.”
    “What are his particulars?”
    “I bought him here at Lanteen: an adjudged rapacious murderer, and a villainous creature in truth. Pay me a hundred groats, if you like.”
    “A hundred groats? My dear Ashgale, I have no need for such an expensive adjunct; I can behead a dummy without charge.”
    “As you will. Reflect however on the man’s expressive face, his hoarse voice, his baleful presence. A hundred groats is a cheap price to pay for such verisimilitude.”
    Zamp smilingly shook his head. “Master Ashgale, you have suffered reverses and I am inclined to sympathize with you; however, I cannot empty my strongbox so capriciously. I’ll take him off your hands, but I wouldn’t lay forth a single groat.”
    “Come now, Apollon Zamp!” said Ashgale. “Such rhetoric we both know to be absurd. Either make me a fair offer, or let us consider the subject closed.”
    Zamp shrugged. “I have never been one to haggle. I can offer ten groats, which should compensate you for your outlay.”
    “I maintain a rigid barrier between personal and business relationships,” said Ashgale. “No matter what my regard for you, I cannot make so unfavorable a transaction …”
    Eventually the sum of twenty-two and two-thirds groats was agreed upon. Ashgale took his money and departed, and Zamp sent Bonko and four deck-hands over to Fironzelle’s Golden Conceit with a cage, and presently the criminal was brought aboard Miraldra’s Enchantment .
    Zamp looked into the cage and found the prisoner no more appealing now than before. “I deplore the crimes which have necessitated your punishment; nevertheless you will find me an indulgent host, especially if you undertake to deliver Evulsifer’s final peroration at an appropriate moment.”
    “Save your breath,” grumbled the prisoner. “You clearly intend to take my life; do your worst and be damned to you.”
    “This is fallacy,” declared Zamp. “The death sentence was pronounced not by the management