Поющие в терновнике

           Hislipsmoved,praying,ashepickedhisslipperywayacrossthestickycoals.Haditnotbeenforthehorseandthedogshemighthavehopedforaswaggieorsomedown-and-outwayfarercaught,trapped.ButPaddywashorsedandhadfivedogswithhim;nooneonthetrackrodeahorseorhadmorethanonedog.ThiswastoofarinsideDroghedalandtothinkofdrovers,orstockmenfromBugelatothewest.Fartherawaywerethreemoreincinerateddogs;fivealtogether,fivedogs.Heknewhewouldnotfindasixth,nordidhe.

           Andnotfarfromthehorse,hiddenasheapproachedbyalog,waswhathadbeenaman.Therecouldbenomistake.Glisteningandshinyintherain,theblackthinglayonitsback,anditsbackwasarchedlikeagreatbowsothatitbentupwardinthemiddleanddidnottouchthegroundexceptatthebuttocksandshoulders.Thearmswereflungapartandcurvedattheelbowsasifbeseechingheaven,thefingerswiththefleshdroppingoffthemtorevealcharredboneswereclawingandgraspingatnothing.Thelegsweresplayedapartalsobutflexedattheknees,andtheblobofaheadlookedupsightless,eyelessatthesky.

           ForamomentStuart’sclear,all-seeinggazerestedonhisfather,andsawnottheruinedshellbuttheman,ashehadbeeninlife.Hepointedhisrifleatthesky,firedashot,reloaded,firedasecondshot,reloaded,letoffthethird.Faintlyinthedistanceheheardoneansweringreport,then,fartheroffandveryfaintly,asecondanswer.Itwasthenherememberedtheclosershotwouldhavecomefromhismotherandsister.