"Then where's the difference, between us and those others—?" Abruptly, he straightened and brought up his fist. He threw his words at them, in a fierce, ringing challenge: "The difference—? I'll tell you, comrades! It's not loot that we raid for, nor kabat, nor women; not really! It's freedom we are after—the freedom to roam the void as free men should, and to hell with the thrice-cursed tyrants of the Federation!"
Now the crewmen, too, shouted, in wild exultation. The din echoed and deafened.
"Are you with me—?" Jarl roared.
But the Pervod leaped forward. "You dogs! What of Karrel?"
The shouting died down. Again all eyes came to Jarl Corvett.
He held the smile on his face. "Yes. What of Tas Karrel?"
The Pervod's claws crept towards his gun-butt. The bony wings whispered in the sudden stillness.
Very softly, Jarl said, "There's the law of the raiders. A chieftain must meet any man who dares challenge." And then: "You, Pervod! Will you fight hand-to-hand for Tas Karrel?"
The reptilian's eyes glinted. His claws touched the ray-gun.
Scorn rang in Jarl's laugh. "I said hand-to-hand, by the law of the raiders! I came here unarmed, to fight Karrel to the death for his chiefship!"