И проиграли бой

           It’sanger,that’swhatitis."Heswayedonhislimb,andtightenedhisarmstosteadyhimself."Ifeelitinmyskin,"hesaid."Ever’placeIgo,it’slikewaterjustbeforeitgetstoboilin’."

           Jimtrembledwithexcitement."There’sgottobeaplan,"hesaid."Whenthethingbusts,there’sgottobeaplanallreadytodirectit,soit’lldosomegood."

           Theoldmanseemedtiredafterhisoutburst."Whenthatbigguybustsloose,therewon’tbenoplanthatcanholdhim.Thatbigguy’llrunlikeamaddog,andbiteanythingthatmoves.He’sbeenhungrytoolong,andhe’sbeenhurttoomuch;andworstthingofall,he’shadhisfeelingshurttoomuch."

           "Butifenoughmenexpecteditandhadaplan——"Jiminsisted.

           Theoldmanshookhishead."IhopeI’mdeadbeforeithappens.They’llbebitin’outthroatswiththeirteeth.They’llkilleachotheroffan’afterthey’reallworeoutordead,it’llbethesamethingoveragain.Iwanttodieandgetshutofit.Youyoungsquirtsgothopes."Heliftedhisfullbucketdown."Igotnohope.Getoutoftheway,I’mcomin’downtheladder.Wecan’tmakenomoneytalkin’:that’sforcollegeboys."

           Jimstoodasideonalimbandlethimdowntheladder.Theoldmanemptiedhisbucketandthenwenttoanothertree.AlthoughJimwaitedforhim,hedidnotcomeback.Thesortingbeltrumbledonitsrollersinthepackinghouse,andthehammerstapped.Alongthehighwaythebigtransporttrucksroaredby.Jimpickedhisbucketfullandtookittotheboxpile.Thecheckermadeamarkinhisbook.

           "You’regoingtooweusmoneyifyoudon’tgetoffyourdime,"thecheckersaid.