Старик и море

           Ishouldhavechoppedthebillofftofightthemwith,hethought. Buttherewasnohatchetandthentherewasnoknife. 

           ButifIhad,andcouldhavelashedittoanoarbutt,whataweapon. Thenwemighthavefoughtthemtogether. Whatwillyoudonowiftheycomeinthenight? Whatcanyoudo? 

           "Fightthem,"hesaid."I’llfightthemuntilIdie." 

           Butinthedarknowandnoglowshowingandnolightsandonlythewindandthesteadypullofthesailhefeltthatperhapshewasalreadydead. Heputhistwohandstogetherandfeltthepalms. Theywerenotdeadandhecouldbringthepainoflifebysimplyopeningandclosingthem. Heleanedhisbackagainstthesternandknewhewasnotdead. Hisshoulderstoldhim. 

           IhaveallthoseprayersIpromisedifIcaughtthefish,hethought. ButIamtootiredtosaythemnow. Ibettergetthesackandputitovermyshoulders. 

           Helayinthesternandsteeredandwatchedfortheglowtocomeinthesky. Ihavehalfofhim,hethought. MaybeI’llhavethelucktobringtheforwardhalfin. Ishouldhavesomeluck.No,hesaid. Youviolatedyourluckwhenyouwenttoofaroutside. 

           "Don’tbesilly,"hesaidaloud. "Andkeepawakeandsteer.Youmayhavemuchluckyet." 

           "I’dliketobuysomeifthere’sanyplacetheysellit,"hesaid. 

           WhatcouldIbuyitwith?heaskedhimself. CouldIbuyitwithalostharpoonandabrokenknifeandtwobadhands? 

           "Youmight,"hesaid. "Youtriedtobuyitwitheighty-fourdaysatsea. Theynearlysoldittoyoutoo." 

           Imustnotthinknonsense,hethought.