И проиграли бой

           Jimscrambledup.Macsaid,"Youbetterstaythere.You’retooweak,Jim."

           Jimlaughedmirthlessly."You’regoingtofindouthowweakIam."Hewalkedtotheentranceandwentout,andMacfollowedhim.

           Tothenorththestarredskywasblackoverthetrees.InthedirectionofTorgasthecitylightsthrewapaleglowintothesky.Totheleftofthetown,overthehighrampartoftrees,thenewfireputadomeofredlightoveritself.Nowthesirensscreamedtogether,andnowonewasupwhileanothersunkitsvoicetoagrowl."Theydon’twasteanytimenow,"Macsaid.

           Themencametumblingoutofthetentsandstoodlookingattherisingfire.Theflamesbrokeoverthetrees,andthedomeoflightspreadandclimbed."Agoodstart,"Macsaid."Iftheyputitoutnow,thehouse’llberuinedanyway.Theycan’tuseanythingbutchemicalsoutthatfar."

           Londonhurriedovertothem."Hedoneit!"Londoncried."Christ,he’sameanguy.Iknewhe’ddoit.Hewasn’tscaredofnothing."

           Jimsaidcalmly,"Wecanusehim,ifhecomesback."

           "Usehim?"Londonasked.

           "Yes,amanwhocouldgiveafirethatgoodastartcoulddootherthings.It’sburningfine.London,comeintothetent.We’vegottofiguresomethingsout."

           Macbrokein,"Whathemeans,London——"

           "I’lltellhimwhatImean.Comeintothetent,London."Jimledthewayinsideandseatedhimselfonabox.

           "What’stheidear?"Londondemanded."What’sthisyou’retalkin’about."