Старик и море

           Hestartedtoworkhiswaybacktothesternonhishandsandknees,beingcarefulnottojerkagainstthefish. Hemaybehalfasleephimself,hethought. ButIdonotwanthimtorest. Hemustpulluntilhedies. 

           Backinthesternheturnedsothathislefthandheldthestrainofthelineacrosshisshouldersanddrewhisknifefromitssheathwithhisrighthand. Thestarswerebrightnowandhesawthedolphinclearly andhepushedthebladeofhisknifeintohisheadanddrewhimoutfromunderthestern. Heputoneofhisfeetonthefishandslithimquicklyfromtheventuptothetipofhislowerjaw. Thenheputhisknifedownandguttedhimwithhisrighthand,scoopinghimcleanandpullingthegillsclear. Hefeltthemawheavyandslipperyinhishandsandheslititopen. Thereweretwoflyingfishinside. Theywerefreshandhardandhelaidthemsidebysideanddroppedthegutsandthegillsoverthestern. Theysankleavingatrailofphosphorescenceinthewater. Thedolphinwascoldandaleprousgray-whitenowinthestarlight andtheoldmanskinnedonesideofhimwhileheheldhisrightfootonthefish’shead. Thenheturnedhimoverandskinnedtheothersideandcuteachsideofffromtheheaddowntothetail. 

           Heslidthecarcassoverboardandlookedtoseeiftherewasanyswirlinthewater. Buttherewasonlythelightofitsslowdescent. Heturnedthenandplacedthetwoflyingfishinsidethetwofilletsoffish andputtinghisknifebackinitssheath,heworkedhiswayslowlybacktothebow.