Поющие в терновнике

           Foramomentitflaredanddanced,alivingtorch,thensubsidedintotheblazinggrass.Morehowlsastheotherdogs,fleeing,wereenvelopedbytheracingfire,fasterinthegalethananythingonfootorwing.Astreamingmeteorscorchedhishairashestoodforamilliseconddebatingwhichwaywasthebesttogettohishorse;helookeddowntoseeagreatcockatooroastingathisfeet.

           SuddenlyPaddyknewthiswastheend.Therewasnowayoutoftheinfernoforhimselforhishorse.Evenashethoughtit,adesiccatedstringybarkbehindhimshotflamesineverydirection,theguminitexploding.TheskinonPaddy’sarmshriveledandblackened,thehairofhisheaddimmedatlastbysomethingbrighter.Todiesoisindescribable;forfireworksitswayfromoutsidetoin.Thelastthingsthatgo,finallycookedtothepointofnonfunction,arebrainandheart.Hisclothesonfire,Paddycaperedscreamingandscreamingthroughtheholocaust.Andeveryawfulcrywashiswife’sname.

           ***

           AlltheothermenmadeitbacktoDroghedahomesteadaheadofthestorm,turnedtheirmountsintothestockyardandheadedforeitherthebighouseorthejackaroobarracks.InFee’sbrightlylitdrawingroomwithalogfireroaringinthecream-and-pinkmarblefireplacetheClearyboyssatlisteningtothestorm,nottemptedthesedaystogooutsideandwatchit.Thebeautifulpungentsmellofburningeucalyptuswoodinthegrateandtheheapedcakesandsandwichesontheafternoonteatrolleyweretooalluring.NooneexpectedPaddytomakeitin.