This child, if it were in truth a human waif and not a wanderingspirit, never looked my way, but took an empty stool from the table.This she deposited...before the scarecrow and climbed up on it. There shestood, on tiptoes and reached to touch the bulbous head of the effigy.Without intending to, I found myself speaking to her. "Girl, why do yougo abroad in the dark of the night? Where are your home and yourparents?"Perhaps my feeble words never reached the newcomer's ears, for she --the girl or. “Let’s move.”Staying low, they crept up to the backside of the rise where the Regimental archers were firing. Over the course of the morning, the howling gale had subsided into no more than a strong breeze. The three archers were taking turns, keeping a steady stream of arrows instead of a rapid-fire flurry. They were having to aim into the wind, and giving each other sarcastic advice whenever an arrow was blown off course. In front of the men, the ground dropped quickly to a whitewater-topped. You are not as strong as you make yourself out to be.“The reason your business grew so fast is your competition pulled out. The largest supplier of drugs to the inner city gangs for central and eastern US was the Menno Mob. They pulled back and you capitalized. And good for you. Somebody had to pick up the slack. I am guessing you are still growing but it will come to a head shortly.”“Are you threatening me? Is this some sick power play?”“I’m sorry for not being more clear. This is not some. He broke into a toothy grin jerked his head to the side in a way that seemed like he was embarrassed at being caught peeking. I saw three guys about five feet behind this peeping tom and presumed they were his friends. I believed they had noticed me exchanging glances with their friend because I heard one of the guys whistle. One shouted, "Go for it Jim!" as they chuckled to themselves.Normally I would signal an invitation to talk after such an exchange, since he was cute, but tonight I didn't.