Page 196 - Brokenclaw - John Gardner

James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled

shoot, and I should warn you that I am quite extraordinarily accurate with the

bow.’
Bond took a deep breath. ‘I will offer myself to this torture ritual on three
conditions . . .’
James Bond OO7 - printing disabledrequire conditions . . .’ James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled
‘Ha, you
James Bond OO7 - printing disabled
‘They are perfectly reasonable . . .’
‘Tell me.’
‘First, I must have your word, spoken before the assembled braves and
Medicine Man of this village that, should I win this test, I will be allowed to

leave in peace with the girl.’
‘Agreed, of course.’
‘I must examine the bows and the arrows and have the word of your
Medicine Man that neither will be tampered with before we end the test.’
James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled
‘You have my word . . .’
‘Your word is not enough, Brokenclaw. I require the word of your Medicine
Man.’
Brokenclaw gave a curt nod. ‘Your third condition?’

‘This covers two parts. First that I am allowed to see the girl and know that
she is safe and well . . .’
‘Of course she’s safe and well . . .’
‘Good. I must see. I must also have a solemn oath that no harm will come to

her during the test.
James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled
‘She will be free to go, naturally. But I fear, Captain Bond, that, while you
might just have the courage and stamina to reach the end of the course, you can
never beat me with the bow.’

‘We shall see.’
‘Then you accept the challenge?’
Bond did not hesitate. ‘I accept the challenge, for you deserve to die,
Brokenclaw Lee, and I fear that, though the authorities will eventually catch up

with you, they will only imprison you. Prison is too easy. Your way is good. It
James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled
is a test of manhood, leadership and courage. You merit death.’

Chi-Chi was terrified. She did not have to tell Bond for it showed in her eyes
and her whole demeanour. She looked more fragile than ever, he thought, as he

told her that all would be fine.
‘I just want to get out of here, James. I want things to be as they were when

James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled