Старик и море

           Hejerkedthetillerfreefromtherudderandbeatandchoppedwithit,holdingitinbothhandsanddrivingitdownagainandagain. Buttheywereuptothebownowanddrivinginoneaftertheotherandtogether, tearingoffthepiecesofmeatthatshowedglowingbelowtheseaastheyturnedtocomeoncemore. 

           Onecame,finally,againsttheheaditselfandheknewthatitwasover. Heswungthetilleracrosstheshark’sheadwherethejawswerecaughtintheheavinessofthefish’sheadwhichwouldnottear. Heswungitonceandtwiceandagain. Heheardthetillerbreakandhelungedatthesharkwiththesplinteredbutt. Hefeltitgoinandknowingitwassharphedroveitinagain. Thesharkletgoandrolledaway. Thatwasthelastsharkofthepackthatcame. Therewasnothingmoreforthemtoeat. 

           Theoldmancouldhardlybreathenowandhefeltastrangetasteinhismouth. Itwascopperyandsweetandhewasafraidofitforamoment. Buttherewasnotmuchofit. 

           Hespatintotheoceanandsaid, "Eatthat,Galanos.Andmakeadreamyou’vekilledaman." 

           Heknewhewasbeatennowfinallyandwithoutremedyandhewentbacktothestern andfoundthejaggedendofthetillerwouldfitintheslotoftherudderwellenoughforhimtosteer. Hesettledthesackaroundhisshouldersandputtheskiffonhercourse. Hesailedlightlynowandhehadnothoughtsnoranyfeelingsofanykind. Hewaspasteverythingnowandhesailedtheskifftomakehishomeportaswellandasintelligentlyashecould.