Старик и море

           Iftheboywereherehecouldrubitformeandloosenitdownfromtheforearm,hethought. Butitwillloosenup. 

           Then,withhisrighthandhefeltthedifferenceinthepullofthelinebeforehesawtheslantchangeinthewater. Then,asheleanedagainstthelineandslappedhislefthandhardandfastagainsthisthighhesawthelineslantingslowlyupward. 

           "He’scomingup,"hesaid."Comeonhand.Pleasecomeon." 

           Thelineroseslowlyandsteadilyandthenthesurfaceoftheoceanbulgedaheadoftheboatandthefishcameout. Hecameoutunendinglyandwaterpouredfromhissides. Hewasbrightinthesunandhisheadandbackweredarkpurple andinthesunthestripesonhissidesshowedwideandalightlavender. Hisswordwasaslongasabaseballbatandtaperedlikearapier andherosehisfulllengthfromthewaterandthenre-enteredit,smoothly,likeadiver andtheoldmansawthegreatscythe-bladeofhistailgounderandthelinecommencedtoraceout. 

           "Heistwofeetlongerthantheskiff,"theoldmansaid. Thelinewasgoingoutfastbutsteadilyandthefishwasnotpanicked. Theoldmanwastryingwithbothhandstokeepthelinejustinsideofbreakingstrength. Heknewthatifhecouldnotslowthefishwithasteadypressurethefishcouldtakeoutallthelineandbreakit. 

           HeisagreatfishandImustconvincehim,hethought. Imustneverlethimlearnhisstrengthnorwhathecoulddoifhemadehisrun. IfIwerehimIwouldputineverythingnowandgountilsomethingbroke.