Межзвёздный скиталец

           Andtherecametomethejadedvoicesofmen,incurseandsnarlofslow-plodding,jadedanimals.

           Iopenedmyeyes,thatwereinflamedwithdust,andimmediatelyfreshdustbitintothem.OnthecoarseblanketsonwhichIlaythedustwashalfaninchthick.Aboveme,throughsiftingdust,Isawanarchedroofoflurching,swayingcanvas,andmyriadsofdustmotesdescendedheavilyintheshaftsofsunshinethatenteredthroughholesinthecanvas.

           Iwasachild,aboyofeightornine,andIwasweary,aswasthewoman,dusty-visagedandhaggard,whosatupbesidemeandsoothedacryingbabeinherarms.Shewasmymother;thatIknewasamatterofcourse,justasIknew,whenIglancedalongthecanvastunnelofthewagon-top,thattheshouldersofthemanonthedriver’sseatweretheshouldersofmyfather.

           WhenIstartedtocrawlalongthepackedgearwithwhichthewagonwasladenmymothersaidinatiredandquerulousvoice,“Can’tyoueverbestillaminute,Jesse?”

           Thatwasmyname,Jesse.Ididnotknowmysurname,thoughIheardmymothercallmyfatherJohn.Ihaveadimrecollectionofhearing,atonetimeoranother,theothermenaddressmyfatherasCaptain.Iknewthathewastheleaderofthiscompany,andthathisorderswereobeyedbyall.

           Icrawledoutthroughtheopeninginthecanvasandsatdownbesidemyfatherontheseat.