Старик и море

           Foranhourtheoldmanhadbeenseeingblackspotsbeforehiseyes andthesweatsaltedhiseyesandsaltedthecutoverhiseyeandonhisforehead. Hewasnotafraidoftheblackspots. Theywerenormalatthetensionthathewaspullingontheline. Twice,though,hehadfeltfaintanddizzyandthathadworriedhim. 

           "Icouldnotfailmyselfanddieonafishlikethis,"hesaid. "NowthatIhavehimcomingsobeautifully, Godhelpmeendure. I’llsayahundredOurFathersandahundredHailMarys. ButIcannotsaythemnow." 

           Considerthemsaid,hethought.I’llsaythemlater. 

           Justthenhefeltasuddenbangingandjerkingonthelineheheldwithhistwohands. Itwassharpandhard-feelingandheavy. 

           Heishittingthewireleaderwithhisspear,hethought.Thatwasboundtocome. Hehadtodothat. ItmaymakehimjumpthoughandIwouldratherhestayedcirclingnow. Thejumpswerenecessaryforhimtotakeair. Butafterthateachonecanwidentheopeningofthehookwoundandhecanthrowthehook. 

           "Don’tjump,fish,"hesaid."Don’tjump." 

           Thefishhitthewireseveraltimesmoreandeachtimeheshookhisheadtheoldmangaveupalittleline. 

           Imustholdhispainwhereitis,hethought. Minedoesnotmatter. Icancontrolmine. Buthispaincoulddrivehimmad. 

           Afterawhilethefishstoppedbeatingatthewireandstartedcirclingslowlyagain. Theoldmanwasgaininglinesteadilynow. Buthefeltfaintagain. Heliftedsomeseawaterwithhislefthandandputitonhishead. Thenheputmoreonandrubbedthebackofhisneck.