Старик и море

           He’soverfifteenhundredpoundsthewayheis,hethought. Maybemuchmore. Ifhedressesouttwo-thirdsofthatatthirtycentsapound? 

           "Ineedapencilforthat,"hesaid. "Myheadisnotthatclear. ButIthinkthegreatDiMaggiowouldbeproudofmetoday. Ihadnobonespurs. Butthehandsandthebackhurttruly." Iwonderwhatabonespuris,hethought. Maybewehavethemwithoutknowingofit. 

           Hemadethefishfasttobowandsternandtothemiddlethwart. Hewassobigitwaslikelashingamuchbiggerskiffalongside. Hecutapieceoflineandtiedthefish’slowerjawagainsthisbillsohismouthwouldnotopen andtheywouldsailascleanlyaspossible. Thenhesteppedthemastand,withthestickthatwashisgaffandwithhisboomrigged, thepatchedsaildrew,theboatbegantomove,andhalflyinginthesternhesailedsouth-west. 

           Hedidnotneedacompasstotellhimwheresouth-westwas. Heonlyneededthefeelofthetradewindandthedrawingofthesail. Ibetterputasmalllineoutwithaspoononitandtryandgetsomethingtoeatanddrinkforthemoisture. Buthecouldnotfindaspoonandhissardineswererotten. Sohehookedapatchofyellowgulf weedwiththegaffastheypassedandshookitsothatthesmallshrimpsthatwereinitfellontotheplankingoftheskiff. Thereweremorethanadozenofthemandtheyjumpedandkickedlikesandfleas. Theoldmanpinchedtheirheadsoffwithhisthumbandforefingerandatethemchewinguptheshellsandthetails.