Межзвёздный скиталец

           SoIcroucheddown,and,whileIwaited,watchedthepuffsofdustraisedbythebullets.Webeganthereturnsidebysideandrunning.

           “Notsofast,”Icautionedhim,“oryou’llspillhalfthewater.”

           Thatstunghim,andheslackedbackperceptibly.MidwayIstumbledandfellheadlong.Abullet,strikingdirectlyinfrontofme,filledmyeyeswithsand.ForthemomentIthoughtIwasshot.

           “Doneita-purpose,”JedsneeredasIscrambledtomyfeet.Hehadstoodandwaitedforme.

           Icaughthisidea.HethoughtIhadfallendeliberatelyinordertospillmywaterandgobackformore.Thisrivalrybetweenuswasaseriousmatter—soserious,indeed,thatIimmediatelytookadvantageofwhathehadimputedandracedbacktothespring.AndJedDunham,scornfulofthebulletsthatwerepuffingdustallaroundhim,stoodthereuprightintheopenandwaitedforme.Wecameinsidebyside,withhonourseveninourboys’foolhardiness.ButwhenwedeliveredthewaterJedhadonlyonepailful.Abullethadgonethroughtheotherpailclosetothebottom.

           Mothertookitoutonmewithalectureondisobedience.Shemusthaveknown,afterwhatIhaddone,thatfatherwouldn’tlethersmackme;for,whileshewaslecturing,fatherwinkedatmeacrosshershoulder.