Read The Icerigger Trilogy: Icerigger, Mission to Moulokin, and The Deluge Drivers for Free Online Page B

to have a leader. I hereby appoint myself your faithful deputy. When can we expect to come in sight of the nearest bar, commander?” Under the brows, there was a twinkle.
    “Now wait a minute,” put in Ethan hastily. “I think you’ve formed some wrong ideas about me. I’m not the leader type. Anyway, what about you? You seem plenty competent. The way you handled that chap Kotabit—”
    “Yes, well, that’s a nice ability to have certain times,” September agreed, studying his clumsy mittens, “but rather limited. Besides, he’s dead. That particular problem will not require further attention. Now, I have this tendency to get impatient with people and break heads when patting them would be more practical. Darned if I can figure out why, but they seem to feel threatened by me when I’ve but the kindest of intentions in mind.
    “What is needed is a cool, reasonable hand experienced at working with people and changing quickly in unfamiliar situations without making folks feel threatened. Doesn’t it take all that to change in mid-pitch from one sales talk to another? Presence of mind and quick thought, lad.”
    “Sure, but—”
    “Persuasive without being overbearing. A diplomat.”
    Ethan finally succeeded in stalling the unending enumeration of his virtues.
    “Look, I’m not sure selling Poupée-de-Oui Scent No. 7 exactly qualifies me as a combination of Metternich and Amundsen.”
    “But it’s helped you convince people that white is black and good for ’em. Here all you have do to is convince ’em white is white. Duck soup.”
    “All right, all right. I accept.”
    “Thought you would.”
    “Only because you think it’s necessary. And only temporarily, mind.” He started fumbling with the catches on his jacket “Now as leader of this expedition, my first order, effective now, is that you put this suit on. It’s obviously built for someone constructed more along your lines. If there’s anything I despise, it’s waste, and I’m swimming in it.”
    “Sorry, lad.” September put out a hand and halted the unsnapping. “You’re in charge, agreed. But this is still a free society, not a dictatorship. That means any decision ought to be ratified by a majority vote. Since you and I are the only ones present, it’s up to us. Well?”
    “I vote for you to put this coat on.”
    “And I vote for you to keep it. How much do you weigh?”
    “Huh?” That was Ethan’s second use of that brilliant expletive in a few minutes. Ah, the dazzle of a rapier-sharp wit! He murmured a reply.
    “I thought about that much,” said September. “You lose.”
    “Look, you’ll make better use of it,” Ethan argued. “You’re more the explorer type than I am. I can manage without it.”
    “No, you cannot manage without it,” September said sharply, not grinning. “And if this wind gets much worse,” he continued, turning into the rising breeze, “we’re all going to wish for a damnsight more in the way of clothes.”
    “Besides, if I am more the ‘explorer type,’ as you claim, I should be able to stand the cold better than you.”
    “You’re contradicting yourself,” Ethan pointed out.
    “Don’t be obtuse when I’m being illogical. Anyhow, that Kotabit fella was wearing special thermal underwear. It’s a mite snug in a few wrong places, but it keeps me fairly comfortable with this double layer of top gear. That Walther has it on also, no doubt. He’s not as cold as he makes out to be.
    “Maybe it’s not as cozy as those special jackets, but I won’t freeze, feller-me-lad. A glass of good brandy, now, but …” He licked chapped lips wistfully. “You worry about yourself and not old Skua.”
    “Just how old are you, anyway?” asked Ethan curiously, eyeing the long ropes of muscle that bulged the fabric. He hoped the other wouldn’t be offended.
    He wasn’t. If the broad smile that creased his face was any indication, he was more tickled than anything else.
    “I’m older than that