Matt swallowed. Still it was more than he had hoped.
The red-headed woman went on, "Quite naturally, women are dominant. And what few men are left are highly prized. For instance, there are three hundred women in my band—but only two men."
"Lord!" said Matt, "what a life they must lead!" Someone snickered. "Where are you camped?"
"Farther down the creek by the farmhouse."
"How do you live?" Matt inquired.
"Off the fat of the land. We're nomadic. Cars and trailers. There's plenty of gasoline and food for the taking. When a car breaks down, we commandeer another. We're trekking north for the summer. Lake Michigan. We'll head back to Mexico in the winter."
She glanced at her watch again. "If I don't leave now, they'll begin to shell the ship. Will someone unlock the port? And take good care of that man for me. I'll be back for him."
Scobbie, crouched in the corner, growled at her words. Matt and Captain Bascom went with the red-head to open the port.
But when they got there, it was already unlocked, standing open. Moonlight flooded the passage.
Matt swore. Captain Bascom said, "Who did this?" But Margot Drake only smiled slyly.