Поющие в терновнике

           Inthemiddleofthewhite,skeletalheapwasonemassivedeadgum,itsbarebodysoaringfortyfeettowardthenight-blackclouds,spindlingatitstopintoasharp,jaggedpoint.

           AblossomingbluefiresobrightitsearedhiseyesthroughtheirclosedlidsmadePaddyjumptohisfeet,onlytobethrowndownlikeatoyintheheaveofahugeexplosion.Heliftedhisfacefromtheearthtoseethefinalgloryofthelightningboltplayingshimmeringhalosofglaringblueandpurpleallupanddownthedeadspearofgumtree;then,soquicklyhehardlyhadtimetounderstandwhatwashappening,everythingcaughtfire.Thelastdropofmoisturehadlongsinceevaporatedfromthetissuesofthatdecayedcluster,andthegrasseverywherewaslonganddryaspaper.Likesomedefiantansweroftheearthtothesky,thegianttreeshotapillarofflamefarbeyonditstip,thelogsandstumpsarounditwentupatthesamemoment,andinacirclefromaroundthecentergreatsheetsoffiresweptintheswirlingwind,roundandroundandround.Paddyhadnoteventimetoreachhishorse.

           Theparchedwilgacaughtandthegumresinatitstenderheartexplodedoutward.ThereweresolidwallsoffireineverydirectionPaddylooked;thetreeswereburningfiercelyandthegrassbeneathhisfeetwasroaringintoflames.Hecouldhearhishorsescreamingandhisheartwentouttoit;hecouldnotleavethepoorbeasttodietiedupandhelpless.Adoghowled,itshowlchangingtoashriekofagonyalmosthuman.