cort , he knew , would have knocked them both sprawling and then forced them up to the platform step by cursing step ... and sniffing fresh blood back up their noses as they went cort would probably have looped new hemp over the yardarm itself and put the noose around each of their necks in turn , would have made them stand on the trap to feel it ; and cort would have been ready to strike them again if either wept or lost control of his bladder .