The man laughed again. It was a laugh that was cut off abruptly.
"I don't need to look for sympathy where you are," he said. "Anyway I don't guess I need any."
"No."
The antagonism of the monosyllable was unmistakable.
Nicol shrugged.
"That swine, Snake Foot," he said. "He refused to do as I told him. He guessed Keeko needed him at the landing, and he hadn't time for me. So I took him to the flogging post."
It was said coldly. Quite without emotion.
"And you flogged him with your—quirt?"
"Sure."
The man's teeth clipped together.