Дюна
Book Two: Muad‘dib
HespilledthespiceontothesandinfrontofJessica,squattedandbegandismantlingtheparacompass,usingthepointofhisknife.
Thecompassfacecameoff.Heremovedhissash,spreadthecompasspartsonit,liftedoutthepowerpack.Thedialmechanismcameoutnext,leavinganemptydishedcompartmentintheinstrument.
“You’llneedwater,”Jessicasaid.
Paultookthecatchtubefromhisneck,suckedupamouthful,expelleditintothedishedcompartment.
Ifthisfails,that’swaterwasted,Jessicathought.Butitwon’tmatterthen,anyway.
Withhisknife,Paulcutopenthepowerpack,spilleditscrystalsintothewater.Theyfoamedslightly,subsided.
Jessica’seyescaughtmotionabovethem.Shelookeduptoseealineofhawksalongtherimofthefissure.Theyperchedtherestaringdownattheopenwater.
GreatMother!shethought.Theycansensewaterevenatthatdistance!
Paulhadthecoverbackontheparacompass,leavingofftheresetbuttonwhichgaveasmallholeintotheliquid.Takingthereworkedinstrumentinonehand,ahandfulofspiceintheother,Paulwentbackupthefissure,studyingthelayoftheslope.Hisrobebillowedgentlywithoutthesashtoholdit.Hewadedpartwayuptheslope,kickingoffthesandrivulets,spurtsofdust.
Presently,hestopped,pressedapinchofthespiceintotheparacompass,shooktheinstrumentcase.
Greenfoamboiledoutoftheholewheretheresetbuttonhadbeen.Paulaimeditattheslope,spreadalowdikethere,begankickingawaythesandbeneathit,immobilizingtheopenedfacewithmorefoam.
