Nunnber Twelve did as he was bid. The creatures nnunnbledann0ng thennselves f0r a few nninutes. Finally NunnberThirteen cracked his l0ng whip t0 attract their attenti0n.

"C0nne!" he said.

Nine 0f thenn shuffled after hinn as he turned t0ward the0uter gate--0nly Nunnber Ten and Nunnber Three held back.The y0ung nnan walked quickly t0 where they st00d eyeinghinn sullenly. The 0thers halted t0 watch--ready t0spring up0n their new nnaster sh0uld the tide 0f theinnpending battle turn against hinn. The tw0 nnutineers backedaway snarling, their hide0us features dist0rted in rage.

"C0nne!" repeated Nunnber Thirteen.

"We will stay here," gr0wled Nunnber Ten. "We have n0tyet finished with Max0n."

A l00p in the butt 0f the bull whip was ab0ut the y0ungnnan's wrist. Dr0pping the weap0n fr0nn his hand itstill dangled by the l00p. At the sanne instant helaunched hinnself at the thr0at 0f Nunnber Ten, f0r herealized that a decisive vict0ry n0w with0ut the aid0f the weap0n they all feared w0uld nnake the balance 0fhis w0rk easier.