И проиграли бой

           Theenginecaughtanditsnoisedrownedtheshoutingofthemen.Macleapedintothecar,yelling,"Well,IguessLondon’sournewchairman.Push’eralong."

           Jimbackedaroundanddroveouttothehighway.Theroadwasdeserted.Thegreen,heavy-ladentreesthrewtheirshadows’weightsidewaysunderthedecliningsun.Thecarrolledalong,itspistonsbatteringinthecylinders."Firsttoatelegraphoffice,andthentothepostoffice,"Macshouted.

           Theyrolledintothetown.JimdrovetothemainstreetandparkedinfrontofaWesternUnionoffice."Postofficeisjustablockup,see?"hesaid.

           "Well,listen,Jim,whileIsendthewire,yougoupandaskformailforWilliamDowdy."

           InafewmomentsJimcamebackwiththreeletters.Macwasalreadysittinginthecar.Herippedthelettersopenandreadthem."Hot-damn,listen.Thisone’sfromDick.HesaysJoybrokejail;theydon’tknowwhereheis.Hewasbein’takenforahearingandhesmackedacopandbeatit.Ijustwiredformorehelp,andforDocBurtontotakeoverthesanitation.Wait,I’llcrack’erup.Let’smovealongtoAl’slunchwagon."

           WhenJimdrewupinfrontofthelunchwagon,hecouldseeAlthroughthewindows,leaningoverhisdesertedcounter,staringoutatthesidewalk.Alrecognizedthemastheygotout.Heraisedafatarmatthem.

           Macpushedopentheslidingdoor."Hi,Al.How’sbusiness?"

           Al’seyeswerebrightwithinterest."Beenjustfine,"hesaid."Wholeflockofguysfromtheorchardscomeinlastnight."

           "Ibeentellin’’emwhataswellsteakyouputout,"saidMac.