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Chapter 16
Nowandthenhetriedtobreakofftheroad,butthewallofdarknessthrusthimback.Faraheadbrightheadlightsappearedandboredownonthem.Therabbithesitated,faltered,thenturnedandboltedtowardthelesserlightsoftheDodge.Therewasasmallsoftjoltashewentunderthewheels.Theoncomingcarswishedby.
"Wesuresquashedhim,"saidCasy.
Tomsaid,"Somefellasliketohit’em.Givesmealittleshakesever’time.CarsoundsO.K.Themringsmustabrokeloosebynow.Sheain’tsmokin’sobad."
"Youdoneanicejob,"saidCasy.
Asmallwoodenhousedominatedthecampground,andontheporchofthehouseagasolinelanternhissedandthrewitswhiteglareinagreatcircle.Halfadozententswerepitchednearthehouse,andcarsstoodbesidethetents.Cookingforthenightwasover,butthecoalsofthecampfiresstillglowedonthegroundbythecampingplaces.Agroupofmenhadgatheredtotheporchwherethelanternburned,andtheirfaceswerestrongandmuscledundertheharshwhitelight,lightthatthrewblackshadowsoftheirhatsovertheirforeheadsandeyesandmadetheirchinsseemtojutout.Theysatonthesteps,andsomestoodontheground,restingtheirelbowsontheporchfloor.Theproprietor,asullenlankyman,satinachairontheporch.Heleanedbackagainstthewall,andhedrummedhisfingersonhisknee.Insidethehouseakerosenelampburned,butitsthinlightwasblastedbythehissingglareofthegasolinelantern.Thegatheringofmensurroundedtheproprietor.
