The Universe Maker Read Online Free PDF

conscious of motion underneath him. He stirred and felt the chain clasps against his ankles. That jarred him and brought the beginning of alarm. With a start he woke up.
    His eyes took in the curving metal ceiling, and all too swiftly he remembered. He reached down and touched the chain. It was cool and hard and convincing to his touch, and gave him an empty feeling. And then, just as he was about to sit up, he realized he was not alone. He started to turn his head. He caught a glimpse of what was there barely in time to bring his hands up in front of his face.
    A whip cracked across his fingers and licked at his neck, stinging and burning the skin. "Get up, you lazy good-for-nothing." The man who stood in the doorway was already drawing the whip for another blow.
    With a gasp Cargill swung his legs from the cot to the floor. In a black rage he was about to launch himself at the figure when the metallic rattle of the chain reminded him that he was desperately handicapped. That dimmed his fury and brought a sense of disaster.
    Once more the whip struck at him. Cargill ducked and managed to get part of the blow on the sleeve of his coat. The thin sharp end flicked harmlessly past his shoulder against the metal wall.
    Again the whip was drawn back.
    He had already recognized his assailant as the companion of the girl the night before. Seen in the light of day he was a scrawny slovenly individual about forty years old. Several days' growth of beard darkened his face. His lips were thin. His eyes had a curiously crafty expression, and his face was a mask of bad temper. He wore a pair of greasy trousers and his filthy shirt, which was open at the neck, revealed a flat hairy chest. He stood with an animal-like snarl on his face. "Darn your hide, get going."
    Cargill thought: "If he tries to hit me again, I'll rush him."
    Aloud he temporized. "What do you want me to do?"
    That seemed to add new fury to the man's anger. "I'll learn you what I want!"
    The whip came up and it would have flashed down except for Cargill’s lunge from the cot. The violent impact of their corning together nearly took his breath away but it smashed his assailant against the metal door jamb.
    The man released a screech and tried to pull back. But Cargill had him now. With one hand he clutched the fellow's shirt and with the other he clenched and struck at the narrow bony jaw.
    It was a knockout. A limp body collapsed to the floor. Cargill followed, kneeling awkwardly, and with trembling fingers started to search the other's pockets.
    From farther along the corridor, the girl's voice said, "All right, put up your hands or I'll spit you."
    Cargill jerked up, tensed for action. He hesitated as he saw the weapon, then reluctantly drew back from the man's body. Stiffly, he sat down on the cot.
    The girl walked forward and dug the toe of her shoe into her father's ribs. "Get up, you fool," she said.
    The man stirred and sat up. "I'll kill him," he mumbled. "I'll murder that blasted Tweener." It still sounded like "Tweener."
    The girl was contemptuous. "You aren't going to kill anybody. You asked for a kick in the teeth and you got it. What did you want him to do?"
    The man stood up groggily and felt his jaw. "These darn Tweeners," he said, "make me sick with their sleeping in, and not knowing what to do."
    The girl said coldly, "Don't be such a fool, Pa. He hasn't been trained yet. Do you expect him to read your mind?" She squeezed past him and came into the little room. "And besides, you keep your dirty hands off him. I caught him, and I'll do any beating that's necessary. Give me that whip."
    "Look, Lela Bouvy," said her father, "I'm the boss of this floater and don't you forget it." But he handed her the whip and said sullenly, "All I want is some breakfast and I want it quick."
    "You'll get it. Now beat it." She motioned imperiously. "I'll do the rest."
    The man turned and slouched out of sight.
    The girl gestured with her thumb. "All right, you, into the