the polish rider

the polish rider
the Night Watch
The Nut Gatherers
The Painter's Honeymoon
The jawa responded loudly, indignantly, while simultaneously taking a couple ofprecautionary steps away from the big human. He was distressed that the man wasbetween him and the soothing safely of the sandcrawler. Meanwhile, Artoo Detoo had scuttled out of the group of machines being ledback toward the mobile fortress. Doing so turned out to be simple enough, since allthe jawas had their attention focused on the argument between their leader and Luke'suncle. Lacking sufficient armature for wild gesticulation, the Artoo unit suddenly letout a high whistle, then broke it off when it was apparent he had gained Threepio'sattention. Tapping Luke gently on the shoulder, the tall 'droid whispered conspiratoriallyinto his ear. "If I might say so, young sir, that Artoo unit is a real bargain. In topcondition. I don't believe these creatures have any idea what good shape he's reallyin. Don't let all the sand and dust deceive you." Luke was in the habit of making instant decisions—for good or bad—anyway."Uncle Owen!" he called. Breaking off the argument without taking his attention from the jawa, his uncleglanced quickly at him. Luke gestured toward Artoo Detoo. "We don't want anytrouble. What about swapping this—" he indicated the burned-outagricultural 'droid—"for that one?" The older man studied the Artoo unit professionally, then considered the jawas.Though inherently cowards, the tiny desert scavengers could be pushed too far. Thesandcrawler could flatten the homestead—at the risk of inciting the humancommunity to lethal vengeance.