Межзвёздный скиталец
Chapter 13
Itwasthefirsttimehehadeverwinkedatme.
BackintheriflepitJedandIwereheroes.Thewomenweptandblessedus,andkissedusandmauledus.AndIconfessIwasproudofthedemonstration,although,likeJed,IletonthatIdidnotlikeallsuchmaking-over.ButJeremyHopkins,agreatbandageaboutthestumpofhisleftwrist,saidwewerethestuffwhitemenweremadeoutof—menlikeDanielBoone,likeKitCarson,andDavyCrockett.Iwasprouderofthatthanalltherest.
TheremainderofthedayIseemtohavebeenbotheredprincipallywiththepainofmyrighteyecausedbythesandthathadbeenkickedintoitbythebullet.Theeyewasbloodshot,mothersaid;andtomeitseemedtohurtjustasmuchwhetherIkeptitopenorclosed.Itriedbothways.
Thingswerequieterintheriflepit,becauseallhadhadwater,thoughstronguponuswastheproblemofhowthenextwaterwastobeprocured.Coupledwiththiswastheknownfactthatourammunitionwasalmostexhausted.Athoroughoverhaulingofthewagonsbyfatherhadresultedinfindingfivepoundsofpowder.Averylittlemorewasintheflasksofthemen.
Irememberedthesundownattackofthenightbefore,andanticipateditthistimebycrawlingtothetrenchbeforesunset.IcreptintoaplacealongsideofLaban.Hewasbusychewingtobacco,anddidnotnoticeme.
