Поющие в терновнике

           "Whatdoyouthink,Bob?"Jackasked.

           "Ithinkit’shightimewewentlookingforhim.Hemightbehurt,orhemightbeonfootandfacingalongwalkhome.Hishorsemighthavepanickedandthrownhim,hemightbelyingsomewhereunabletowalk.Hehadfoodforovernight,butnothinglikeenoughforfourdays,thoughhewon’thavepassedoutfromstarvationyet.Bestnottocreateafussjustnow,soIwon’trecallthemenfromNarrengang.Butifwedon’tfindhimbynightfallI’llridetoDominic’sandwe’llgetthewholedistrictouttomorrow.Lord,IwishthosePMGblokeswouldgetamoveonwiththosephonelines!"

           Feewastrembling,hereyesfeverish,almostsavage."I’llputonapairoftrousers,"shesaid."Ican’tbeartositherewaiting."

           "Mum,stayhome!"Bobpleaded.

           "Ifhe’shurtitmightbeanywhere,Bob,andhemightbeinanysortofcondition.YousentthestockmentoNarrengang,andthatleavesusmightyshortforasearchparty.IfIgopairedwithMeggiethetwoofuswillbestrongenoughtogethertocopewithwhateverwefind,butifMeggiegoesonherownshe’llhavetosearchwithoneofyou,andthat’swastingher,nottomentionme."

           Bobgavein."Allright,then.YoucanhaveMeggie’sgelding;yourodeittothefire.Everyonetakearifle,andplentyofshells."Theyrodeoffacrossthecreekandintotheheartofthatblastedlandscape.Notagreenorabrownthingwasleftanywhere,justavastexpanseofsoggyblackcoals,incrediblystillsteamingafterhoursofrain.