И проиграли бой

           Thebossgivesthewireajoltofhighvoltage.Theyputguardsatthegate.That’ssoft.Buthowmanydeputysheriffsyouthinkit’lltaketoguardawholedamnvalley?"

           Dakin’seyeslightedforamoment,andveiled."Shotguns,"hesaid."S’posewekickhelloutofthescabs,andtheystartshootin’?Thisbunchofbindle-stiffswon’tstandnofire,anddon’tthinktheywill.Soon’ssomebodysoundsoffwithaten-gauge,theygoforthebrushlikerabbits.Howaboutthispicketin’?"

           Jim’seyesleapedfromspeakertospeaker.Hebrokein,"Mostscabs’llcomeoffthejobifyoujusttalkto’em."

           "Andhowabouttherest?"

           "Well,"saidMac,"abunchofquick-movin’mencouldfixthat.I’moutinthetreespickin’,myself.Theguysaresoreashellaboutthiscut.Anddon’tforget,applesgottobepicked.Youcan’tclosedownnoorchardthewayyoudoasteelmill."

           Dakingotupandwenttothebox-cupboardandpouredhimselfashortdrink.Hemotionedtotheotherswiththebottle,butallthreeshooktheirheads.Dakinsaid,"Theysaywegotarighttostrikeinthiscountry,andthentheymakelawsagainstpicketin’.Allitamountstoisthatwegotarighttoquit.Idon’tliketogetmixedupinnothinglikethis.Igotalighttruck."

           Jimsaid,"Where——,"foundthathisthroatwasdry,andcoughedtoclearit."Whereyougoingwhenwegettheapplespicked,Mr.Dakin?"

           "Cotton,"saidDakin.