И проиграли бой

           Theyaremisleadingyou,tellingyoulies.Theyonlywanttostiruptrouble.They’reprofessionaltrouble-makers,paidtocausestrikes."

           Macstoodupfromhishaunches."Well,thedirtyrats,"hesaid."Misleadin’Americanworkin’men,arethey?Prob’lygettin’paidbyRussia,don’tyouthink,Mr.Bolter?"

           Themanlookedbackathimforalongtime,andthehealthyredwasgonefromhischeeks."You’regoingtomakeusfight,Iguess,"hesaid."I’msorry.Iwantedpeace.Weknowwhotheradicalsare,andwe’llhavetotakeactionagainstthem."HeturnedimploringlytoLondon."Don’tletthemmisleadyou.Comebacktowork.Weonlywantpeace."

           Londonwasscowling."Ihadenougho’this,"hesaid."Youwantpeace.Well,whatwedone?Marchedintwoparades.An’whatyoudone?Shotthreeofourmen,burnedatruckandalunchwagonandshutoffourfoodsupply.I’msicko’yourGoddamnedlies,mister.I’llseeyougetoutwithoutSamgetshishandsonyou,butdon’tsendnobodyelseagaintillyou’rereadytotalkstraight."

           Boltershookhisheadsadly."Wedon’twanttofightyoumen,"hesaid."Wewantyoutocomebacktowork.Butifwedohavetofight,wehaveweapons.Thehealthauthoritiesareprettyupsetaboutthiscamp.Andthegovernmentdoesn’tlikeuninspectedmeatmovinginthiscounty.Thecitizensareprettytiredofallthisriot.Andofcoursewemayhavetocalltroops,ifweneedthem."

           Macgotupandwenttothetent-flapsandlookedout.Alreadytheeveningwascoming.Thecampwasquiet,forthemenstoodwatchingLondon’stent.Allthefaces,whiteinthegatheringevening,wereturnedintowardthetent.