Межзвёздный скиталец
Chapter 2
Nownotethreethings:(a)CecilWinwoodwassodetestedbyhisfellow-convictsthattheywouldnothavepermittedhimtobetanounceofBullDurhamonabed-bugrace—andbed-bugracingwasagreatsportwiththeconvicts;(b)Iwasthedogthathadbeengivenabadname:(c)forhisframe-up,CecilWinwoodneededthedogswithbadnames,thelifetimers,thedesperateones,theincorrigibles.
ButthelifersdetestedCecilWinwood,and,whenheapproachedthemwithhisplanofawholesaleprison-break,theylaughedathimandturnedawaywithcursesforthestoolthathewas.Buthefooledthemintheend,fortyofthebitterest-wiseonesinthepen.Heapproachedthemagainandagain.HetoldofhispowerintheprisonbyvirtueofhisbeingtrustyintheWarden’soffice,andbecauseofthefactthathehadtherunofthedispensary.
“Showme,”saidLongBillHodge,amountaineerdoinglifefortrainrobbery,andwhosewholesoulforyearshadbeenbentonescapinginordertokillthecompanioninrobberywhohadturnedstate’sevidenceonhim.
CecilWinwoodacceptedthetest.Heclaimedthathecoulddopetheguardsthenightofthebreak.
“Talkischeap,”saidLongBillHodge.“Whatwewantisthegoods.Dopeoneoftheguardsto-night.There’sBarnum.He’snogood.HebeatupthatcrazyChinkyesterdayinBughouseAlley—whenhewasoffduty,too.He’sonthenightwatch.
