И проиграли бой

           Thenightwasalmostcomplete.Ahead,theysawtheflyingfigureoftheboy.Acrosstheopenspacetheytore.Theboyreachedthelineoftreesandplungedamongthem.Theycouldhearhimrunningaheadofthem.Theydashedintothedarkshadowofthetrees.

           SuddenlyMacreachedforJim."Jim!Drop,forChrist’sake!"Therewasaroar,andtwobigholesoflight.Machadsprawledfulllength.Heheardseveralsetsofrunningfootsteps.HelookedtowardJim,buttheflashesstillburnedonhisretinas.GraduallyhemadeJimout.Hewasonhisknees,hisheaddown."Yousuregotdownquick,Jim."

           Jimdidnotmove.Macscrambledovertohim,onhisknees."Didyougethit,Jim?"Thefigurekneeled,andthefacewasagainsttheground."Oh,Christ!"Macputouthishandtoliftthehead.Hecriedout,andjerkedhishandaway,andwipeditonhistrousers,fortherewasnoface.Helookedslowlyaround,overhisshoulder.

           Thelanternbouncedalongtowardhim,lightingLondon’srunninglegs."Whereareyou?"Londonshouted.

           Macdidn’tanswer.Hesatbackonhisheels,satveryquietly.Helookedatthefigure,kneelinginthepositionofMoslemprayer.

           Londonsawthematlast.Hecameclose,andstopped5andthelanternmadeacircleoflight."Oh,"hesaid.Heloweredthelanternandpeereddown."Shot-gun?"

           Macnoddedandstaredathisstickyhand.

           LondonlookedatMac,andshiveredathisfrozenface.Macstoodup,stiffly.HeleanedoverandpickedJimupandslunghimoverhisshoulder,likeasack;andthedrippingheadhungdownbehind.