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Chapter 10
TheysawDakinandLondoncomeoutofthetent.Londontalkedrapidly.Macsaid,"Youknow,IthinkwemadeamistakeaboutputtingDakinin.He’stootiedupwithhistruck,andhistent,andhiskids.He’stoocareful.London’udhavebeenthebestman.Londonhasn’tgotanythingtolose.IwonderifwecouldgettheguystokickDakinoutandputLondonin.IthinktheguyslikeLondonbetter.Dakin’sgottoomuchproperty.Didyouseethatfoldingstoveofhis?Hedon’teveneatwiththeguys.Maybewebetterstartworkingandseeifwecan’tgetLondonin.IthoughtDakinwascool,buthe’stoodamncool.Weneedsomebodythatcanworktheguysupalittle."
Jimsaid,"Comeon,Dakin’smakingupthepicketsnow."
Jimjoinedapicketgroupofaboutfiftymen.Theymovedoffalongtheroadinadirectionawayfromtown.Almostassoonastheystartedtheapathydroppedaway.Thestragglingbandwalkedquicklyalong.
Thelean-facedSamwasinchargeofit,andheinstructedthemenashewalkedalong."Pickuprocks,"hesaid."Getalotofgoodrocksinyourpocket.Andkeeplookin’downtherows."
Foradistancetheorchardsweredeserted.Themenbegantosingtunelessly,
"ItwasChristmasontheIsland,
"Alltheconvictstheywerethere——"
Theyscuffedtheirfeetintime.Acrosstheintersectingroadtheymarched,andacloudofgreydustfollowedthem."LikeFrance,"amansaid."Ifitwasallmud,it’sjustlikeFrance."
