Пролетая над гнездом кукушки

           Whenwepassedthelastpointofthejettyandthelastblackrock,Icouldfeelagreatcalmnesscreepoverme,acalmnessthatincreasedthefartherweleftlandbehindus.

           Theguyshadtalkedexcitedlyforafewminutesaboutourpiracyoftheboat,butnowtheywerequiet.Thecabindooropenedoncelongenoughforahandtoshoveoutacaseofbeer,andBillyopeneduseachonewithanopenerhefoundinthetacklebox,andpassedthemaround.Wedrankandwatchedthelandsinkinginourwake.

           AmileorsooutGeorgecutthespeedtowhathecalledatrollingidle,putfourguystothefourpolesinthebackoftheboat,andtherestofussprawledinthesunontopofthecabinoruponthebowandtookoffourshirtsandwatchedtheguystryingtorigtheirpoles.Hardingsaidtherulewasaguygottoholdapoletillhegotonestrike,thenhehadtochangeoffwithamanwhohadn’thadachance.Georgestoodatthewheel,squintingoutthroughthesalt-cakedwindshield,andholleredinstructionsbackhowtofixupthereelsandlinesandhowtotieaherringintotheherringharnessandhowfarbacktofishandhowdeep:

           "Andtakethatnumberfourpoleandyouputyoutwelveouncesonhimonaropewithabreakawayrig—Ishowyouhowinjoostaminute—andwegoafterthatbigfelladownonthebottomwiththatpole,bygolly!"

           Martinirantotheedgeandleanedoverthesideandstareddownintothewaterinthedirectionofhisline."Oh.Oh,myGod,"hesaid,butwhateverhesawwastoodeepdownfortherestofus.