И проиграли бой

           Alrubbedhissoftchin."Well,there’stwobunchesIknowof.One’soutonPaloRoad,alongsidethecountyhighway,andthenthere’sabunchjungledupbytheriver.There’saregularoldjungledownthereinthewillows."

           "That’sthestuff.Howdowegetthere?"

           Alpointedathickfinger."Youtakethatcrossstreetandstayonittillyougettotheedgeoftown,andthere’stheriverandthebridge.Thenyou’llfindapaththroughthewillows,offtotheleft.Followthataboutaquartermile,andthereyouare.Idon’tknowhowmanyguysisthere."

           Macstoodupandputonhishat."You’reagoodguy,Al.We’llgetalongnow.Thanksforthefeed."

           Alsaid,"Myoldman’sgotashedwithacotinit,ifyou’dliketostayoutthere."

           "Can’tdoit,Al.Ifwe’regoingtowork,wegottogetoutamongthem."

           "Well,ifyouwantabitenowandthen,comeonin,"saidAl."Onlypickitliketonightwhenthere’snobodyhere,won’tyou?"

           "Sure,Al.Wegetyou.Thanksagain."

           MacletJimprecedehimthroughthedoorandthensliditclosedbehindhim.TheywalkeddownthestepsandtookthestreetAlhadpointedout.Atthecornerthepolicemansteppedoutofadoorway."What’sonyourmind?"heaskedharshly.

           Jimjumpedbackatthesuddenappearance,butMacstoodquietly."Coupleofworkin’stiffs,mister,"hesaid."Wefiguretopickafewapples."

           "Whatyoudoingonthestreetthistimeofnight?"