Старик и море

           Herestedforwhathebelievedtobetwohours. Themoondidnotrisenowuntillateandhehadnowayofjudgingthetime. Norwashereallyrestingexceptcomparatively. Hewasstillbearingthepullofthefishacrosshisshouldersbutheplacedhislefthandonthegunwaleofthebow andconfidedmoreandmoreoftheresistancetothefishtotheskiffitself. 

           HowsimpleitwouldbeifIcouldmakethelinefast,hethought. Butwithonesmalllurchhecouldbreakit. Imustcushionthepullofthelinewithmybodyandatalltimesbereadytogivelinewithbothhands. 

           "Butyouhavenotsleptyet,oldman,"hesaidaloud. "Itishalfadayandanightandnowanotherdayandyouhavenotslept. Youmustdeviseawaysothatyousleepalittleifheisquietandsteady. Ifyoudonotsleepyoumightbecomeunclearinthehead." 

           I’mclearenoughinthehead,hethought.Tooclear. Iamasclearasthestarsthataremybrothers. StillImustsleep. Theysleepandthemoonandthesunsleep andeventheoceansleepssometimesoncertaindayswhenthereisnocurrentandaflatcalm. 

           Butremembertosleep,hethought. Makeyourselfdoitanddevisesomesimpleandsurewayaboutthelines. Nowgobackandpreparethedolphin. Itistoodangeroustorigtheoarsasadragifyoumustsleep. 

           Icouldgowithoutsleeping,hetoldhimself. Butitwouldbetoodangerous.