Гроздья гнева

           Pathrewhimselfforwardandjammedmudinthebreak.Thewaterpiledagainstthetree.Andthenthebankwashedquicklydown,washedaroundankles,aroundknees.Themenbrokeandran,andthecurrentworkedsmoothlyintotheflat,underthecars,undertheautomobiles.

           UncleJohnsawthewaterbreakthrough.Inthemurkhecouldseeit.Uncontrollablyhisweightpulledhimdown.Hewenttohisknees,andthetuggingwaterswirledabouthischest.

           Pasawhimgo.«Hey!What’sthematter?»Heliftedhimtohisfeet.«Yousick?Comeon,thecarsishigh.»

           UncleJohngatheredhisstrength.«Idunno,"hesaidapologetically.«Legsgiveout.Jus’giveout.»Pahelpedhimalongtowardthecars.

           Whenthedikesweptover,Alturnedandran.Hisfeetmovedheavily.Thewaterwasabouthiscalveswhenhereachedthetruck.Heflungthetarpaulinoffthenoseandjumpedintothecar.Hesteppedonthestarter,Theengineturnedoverandover,andtherewasnobarkofthemotor.Hechokedtheenginedeeply.Thebatteryturnedthesoddenmotormoreandmoreslowly,andtherewasnocough.Overandover,slowerandslower.Alsetthesparkhigh.Hefeltundertheseatforthecrankandjumpedout.Thewaterwashigherthantherunningboard.Herantothefrontend.Crankcasewasunderwaternow.Franticallyhefittedthecrankandtwistedaroundandaround,andhisclenchedhandonthecranksplashedintheslowlyflowingwaterateachturn.Atlasthisfrenzygaveout.Themotorwasfullofwater,thebatteryfouledbynow.