И проиграли бой
Chapter 8
Ahandreacheddownandpickeduptheflashlightandswitcheditoff.Muffled,arguingvoicescamefromtheplaceofthescuffle.
Jimeasedhimselfgentlyoutofthetree,pantingwithapprehensioneverytimetheleavesquivered.Hemovedquietlyalong,cametotheroadandcrossedit.Atthelineofcarsaguardstoppedhim."Thisisthesecondtimetonight,kid.Why’n’tyougotobed?"
Jimsaid,"Listen,didMaccomethrough?"
"Yeah,goin’likeabatoutofhell.He’sinDakin’stent."
Jimhurriedon,liftedthebrowntent-flapandwentin.DakinandMacandBurkewerethere.Macwastalkingexcitedly.HestoppedonawordandstaredasJimcamein."Jesus,I’mglad,"hesaid."Wewasjustgoin’tosendoutapartytotryandgetyou.WhatadamnfoolIwas!Whatadamnfool!Youknow,Dakin,theywasmarchin’usalong,hadgunsrightinourbacks.Ididn’tthinkthey’dshoot,buttheymightof.Jim,whatinhelldidyoudo?"
"Ijustdropped,andtheguyfelloverme,andhisgunduginthedirt.Weusedtodothattrickintheschoolyard."
Maclaugheduneasily."Soon’sthegunswasn’ttouchingus,Iguesstheywasafraidthey’dkilleachother.Ijumpedsidewaysandkickedmyguyinthestomach."
BurkewasstandingbehindMac.JimsawMacwinkatDakin.Thecoldeyesalmostdisappearedbehindpale-lashedlids.Dakinsaid,"Burke,you’dbettermaketherounds,andseeiftheguardsareallawake."
Burkehesitated."Ithinkthey’reO.K."
