var value = value
        // Write the raw value for a single byte value.
        if (value < prefixMask) {
          out.writeByte(bits or value)
          return
        }

        // Write the mask to start a multibyte value.
        out.writeByte(bits or prefixMask)
        value -= prefixMask

        // Write 7 bits at a time 'til we're done.
        while (value >= 0x80) {
          val b = value and 0x7f