Старик и море

           Theseawasverydarkandthelightmadeprismsinthewater. Themyriadflecksoftheplanktonwereannullednowbythehighsun anditwasonlythegreatdeepprisms inthebluewaterthattheoldmansawnowwithhislinesgoingstraightdownintothewaterthatwasamiledeep. 

           Thetuna,thefishermencalledallthefishofthatspeciestuna andonlydistinguishedamongthembytheirpropernameswhentheycametosellthemortotradethemforbaits,weredownagain. Thesunwashotnowandtheoldmanfeltitonthebackofhisneck andfeltthesweattrickledownhisbackasherowed. 

           Icouldjustdrift,hethought,andsleepandputabightoflinearoundmytoetowakeme. Buttodayiseighty-fivedaysandIshouldfishthedaywell. 

           Justthen,watchinghislines,hesawoneoftheprojectinggreensticksdipsharply. 

           "Yes,"hesaid."Yes,"andshippedhisoarswithoutbumpingtheboat. Hereachedoutforthelineandhelditsoftlybetweenthethumbandforefingerofhisrighthand. Hefeltnostrainnorweightandheheldthelinelightly. Thenitcameagain. Thistimeitwasatentativepull,notsolidnorheavy,andheknewexactlywhatitwas. Onehundredfathomsdownamarlinwaseatingthesardinesthatcoveredthepointandtheshankofthehook wherethehand-forgedhookprojectedfromtheheadofthesmalltuna. 

           Theoldmanheldthelinedelicately,andsoftly,withhislefthand,unleasheditfromthestick. Nowhecouldletitrunthroughhisfingerswithoutthefishfeelinganytension. 

           Thisfarout,hemustbehugeinthismonth,hethought.