Shrill Wind

"The Trouble Twisters," VIII.

In the absence of the dispersed crew, an Ikranankan, Gujgengi, converses with Muddlehead who at this stage comes closest to acting as a dramatis persona. When Muddlehead has refused to impart any information that might contravene the interests of the crew, Gujgengi asks:

"'Would you advise me about harmless matters, then?'

"The wind blew shrill, casting whirls of grit and tossing the bushes, while the hidden one considered." (p. 170)

 

Here we go again. This wind is not booming but shrill because Muddlehead must consider a difficult, potentially hazardous, problem. On the one hand, there is no reason not to impart harmless advice. On the other hand, the purpose of the expedition is to gain wealth. Conclusion: he should charge for advice! The van Rijn method strikes again.

With the potential of becoming wealthy on the strength of advice about gambling, Gujgengi instructs the guard outside "'...the shi'...'" (p. 171) to prevent anyone else from talking to it on the ground that the magic could easily get out of hand. The guard shudders and obeys. Superstitions can have their practical uses.