И проиграли бой

           Forawhilehelookeddown,untiltheflashinggroundmadehimdizzy.Andthenheraisedhiseyestotheyellowstubblefieldsbesidethetrack.Theairwaskeenandpleasantlyflavoredwithsmokefromtheengine.

           InamomentMacjoinedhim."Lookyoudon’tfallout,"heshouted."Iknewaguyoncethatgotdizzylookingatthegroundandfellrightoutonhisface."

           Jimpointedtoawhitefarmhouseandaredbarn,halfhiddenbehindarowofyoungeucalyptustrees."Isthecountrywe’regoingtoasprettyasthis?"

           "Prettier,"saidMac."It’sallappletrees,milesof’em.They’llbecoveredwithapplesthisseason,justcoveredwith’em.Thelimbsjustsaggingdownwithapplesyoupayanickelapieceforintown."

           "Mac,Idon’tknowwhyIdidn’tcomeintothecountryoftener.It’sfunnyhowyouwanttodoathingandneverdoit.OncewhenIwasakidoneofthoselodgestookaboutfivehundredofusonapicnic,tookusintrucks.Wewalkedaroundandaround.Therewerebigtrees.IrememberIclimbedupinthetopofatreeandsattheremostoftheafternoon.IthoughtI’dgobackthereeverytimeIcould.ButIneverdid."

           Macsaid,"Standup,Jim.Let’sclosethisdoor.We’recomingtoWilson.Nogoodirritatingtherailroadcops."

           Togethertheypulledthedoorshut,andsuddenlythecarwasdarkandwarm,anditthrobbedlikethebodyofabassviol.Thebeatofwheelsontherail-endsgrewlessrapidasthefreightslowedtogothroughthetown.Thethreemenstoodup."Wegetouthere,"theleadersaid.Hepushedopenthedoorafoot.Histwofollowersswungout.HeturnedtoMac."Ihopeyoudon’tholdnogrudge,pardner."