Американские боги

           Echoesofhiswordssuddenlysurroundedhim:hecouldimaginethatawholechorusofpeoplewerewelcominghim,andcallingtohim,andeachofthemhadhisvoice.

           Thepersonpolingtheboatmadenoreply.

           Theboat’spilotwastall,andverythin.He—ifitwasahe—woreanunadornedwhiterobe,andthepaleheadthattoppeditwassoutterlyinhumanthatShadowwascertainthatithadtobeamaskofsomesort:itwasabird’shead,smallonalongneck,itsbeaklongandhigh.Shadowwascertainhehadseenitbefore,thisghostly,bird-likefigure.Hegraspedatthememoryandthen,disappointed,realizedthathewaspicturingtheclockworkpenny-in-the-slotmachineintheHouseontheRock,andthepale,bird-like,half-glimpsedfigurethatglidedoutfrombehindthecryptforthedrunkard’ssoul.

           Waterdrippedandechoedfromthepoleandtheprow,andtheship’swakerippledtheglassywaters.Theboatwasmadeofreeds,boundandtied.

           Theboatcameclosetotheshore.Thepilotleanedonitspole.Itsheadturnedslowly,untilitwasfacingShadow."Hello,"itsaid,withoutmovingitslongbeak.Thevoicewasmale,and,likeeverythingelseinShadow’safterlifesofar,familiar."Comeonboard.You’llgetyourfeetwet,I’mafraid,butthere’snotathingcanbedoneaboutthat.Theseareoldboats,andifIcomeincloserIcouldripoutthebottom.