Межзвёздный скиталец

           Yetinthemonthsthatfollowed,ouncebyounceIwasreduceduntilIknowImusthaveweighednearereightythanninetypounds.Idoknow,afterImanagedmyescapefromsolitaryandstrucktheguardThurstononthenose,thatbeforetheytookmetoSanRafaelfortrial,whileIwasbeingcleanedandshavedIweighedeighty-ninepounds.

           Therearethosewhowonderhowmengrowhard.WardenAthertonwasahardman.Hemademehard,andmyveryhardnessreactedonhimandmadehimharder.Andyetheneversucceededinkillingme.ItrequiredthestatelawofCalifornia,ahangingjudge,andanunpardoninggovernortosendmetothescaffoldforstrikingaprisonguardwithmyfist.Ishallalwayscontendthatthatguardhadanosemosteasilybleedable.Iwasabat-eyed,totteryskeletonatthetime.Isometimeswonderifhisnosereallydidbleed.Ofcoursehesworeitdid,onthewitnessstand.ButIhaveknownprisonguardstakeoathtoworseperjuriesthanthat.

           EdMorrellwaseagertoknowifIhadsucceededwiththeexperiment;butwhenheattemptedtotalkwithmehewasshutupbySmith,theguardwhohappenedtobeondutyinsolitary.

           “That’sallright,Ed,”Irappedtohim.“YouandJakekeepquiet,andI’lltellyouaboutit.Smithcan’tpreventyoufromlistening,andhecan’tpreventmefromtalking.Theyhavedonetheirworst,andIamstillhere.