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Swindlers were assigned the task of swindling
fish; the Hoodwinks were set to winking hoods; the Incendiaries,
among whom I am proud to number myself, wove ropes; while the
Bezzlers gave us many of the intercessors who have procured the favor
and benevolent guardianship of King Kragen.
    “Like begets
like; characteristics persist and distill. Why, then, are the castes
crumbling and giving way to helter-skelter disorder? I appeal to the
youth of today: read the Analects; study the artifacts in the Museum;
renew your dedication to the system formulated by our forefathers.
You have no heritage more precious than your caste identity!”
    The old Incendiary
spoke on in such a vein for several minutes further and was succeeded
by another old man, a former Hoodwink of good reputation, who worked
until films upon his eyes gave one configuration much the look of
another. Like the old Incendiary, he, too, urged a more fervent
dedication, to the old-time values.
    “I deplore the
sloth of today’s youth! We are becoming a race of sluggards! It is
sheer good fortune that King Kragen protects us from the gluttony of
the lesser kragen. And what if the tyrants of out-space discovered
our haven and sought once more to enslave us? How would we defend
ourselves? By hurling fish-heads? By diving under the floats in the
hope that our adversaries would follow and drown themselves? I
propose that each float form a militia, well-trained and equipped
with darts and spears, fashioned from the hardest and most durable
stalk obtainable!”
    The old Hoodwink
was followed by the Sumber Float Intercessor, who courteously
suggested that should the out-space tyrants appear, King Kragen would
be sure to visit upon them the most poignant punishments, the most
absolute of rebuffs, so that the tyrants would flee in terror, never
to return. “King Kragen is mighty, King Kragen is wise and
benevolent, unless his dignity is impugned, as in the detestable
incident at Tranque Float, where the willfulness of a bigoted
freethinker caused agony to many.” Now he modestly turned down
his head. “It. is neither my place nor my privilege to propose a
punishment suitable to so heinous an offense as the one under
discussion. But I would go beyond this particular crime to dwell upon
the underlying causes; namely the bravado of certain folk, who ordain
themselves equal or superior to the accepted ways of life which have
served us so well so long … “
    Presently he
descended to the float. His place was taken by a somber man of
stalwart physique, wearing the plainest of garments. “My name is
Sklar Hast,” he said. “I am that so-called bigoted
freethinker just referred to. I have much to say, but I hardly know
how to say it. I will be blunt. King Kragen is not the wise,
beneficent guardian the intercessors like to pretend. King Kragen is
a gluttonous beast who every year becomes more enormous and more
gluttonous. I sought to kill a lesser
    kragen which I found destroying my
arbors; by some means King Kragen learned of this attempt and reacted
with insane malice.”
    “Hist! Hist!”
cried the intercessors from below. “Shame! Outrage!”
    “Why does King
Kragen resent my effort? After all, he kills any lesser kragen he
discovers in the vicinity. It is simple and self-evident. King Kragen
does not want men to think about killing kragen for fear they will
attempt to kill him. I propose that this is what we do. Let us put
aside this ignoble servility, this groveling to a sea-beast, let us
turn our best efforts to the destruction of King Kragen.
    “Irresponsible
maniac!” “Fool!” “Vile-minded ingrate!”
called the intercessors.
    Sklar Hast waited,
but the invective increased in volume. Finally Phyral Berwick, the
Apprise Arbiter,
    mounted the rostrum
and held up his hands. “Quiet! Let Sklar Hast speak! He stands
on the rostrum; it is his privilege to say what he wishes.”
    “Must we
listen to garbage and filth?” called Semm Voiderveg. “This
man has