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Chapter 6
MuleyandCasytoresplinteredboardsfromthewreckedhouse-cornerandstartedafire,andtheydroveastakeintothegroundoneachsidetoholdthewire.
MuleycamebacktoJoad."Lookoutforboilsonthatjackrabbit,"hesaid."Idon’tliketoeatnojackrabbitwithboils."Hetookalittleclothbagfromhispocketandputitontheporch.
Joadsaid,"Thejackwascleanasawhistle—JesusGod,yougotsalttoo?Byanychanceyougotsomeplatesan’atentinyourpocket?"Hepouredsaltinhishandandsprinkleditoverthepiecesofrabbitstrungonthewire.
Thefireleapedandthrewshadowsonthehouse,andthedrywoodcrackledandsnapped.Theskywasalmostdarknowandthestarswereoutsharply.Thegraycatcameoutofthebarnshedandtrottedmiaowingtowardthefire,but,nearlythere,itturnedandwentdirectlytooneofthelittlepilesofrabbitentrailsontheground.Itchewedandswallowed,andtheentrailshungfromitsmouth.
Casysatonthegroundbesidethefire,feedingitbrokenpiecesofboard,pushingthelongboardsinastheflameateofftheirends.Theeveningbatsflashedintothefirelightandoutagain.Thecatcrouchedbackandlickeditslipsandwasheditsfaceandwhiskers.
Joadhelduphisrabbit-ladenwirebetweenhistwohandsandwalkedtothefire."Here,takeoneend,Muley.Wrapyourendaroundthatstake.That’sgood,now!Let’stightenherup.Weoughttowaittillthefire’sburneddown,butIcan’twait."
