Межзвёздный скиталец

           Irememberthefirsttimetheygavemethejacketdowninthedungeons.Itwasatthebeginningofmyincorrigibility,shortlyaftermyentrancetoprison,whenIwasweavingmyloom-taskofahundredyardsadayinthejute-millandfinishingtwohoursaheadoftheaverageday.Yes,andmyjute-sackingwasfarabovetheaveragedemanded.Iwassenttothejacketthatfirsttime,accordingtotheprisonbooks,becauseof“skips”and“breaks”inthecloth,inshort,becausemyworkwasdefective.Ofcoursethiswasridiculous.Intruth,IwassenttothejacketbecauseI,anewconvict,amasterofefficiency,atrainedexpertintheeliminationofwastemotion,hadelectedtotellthestupidheadweaverafewthingshedidnotknowabouthisbusiness.Andtheheadweaver,withCaptainJamiepresent,hadmecalledtothetablewhereatrociousweaving,suchascouldneverhavegonethroughmyloom,wasexhibitedagainstme.ThreetimeswasIthuscalledtothetable.Thethirdcallingmeantpunishmentaccordingtotheloom-roomrules.Mypunishmentwastwenty-fourhoursinthejacket.

           Theytookmedownintothedungeons.Iwasorderedtolieface-downwardonthecanvasspreadflatuponthefloor.Irefused.Oneoftheguards,Morrison,gullettedmewithhisthumbs.Mobins,thedungeontrusty,aconvicthimself,struckmerepeatedlywithhisfists.IntheendIlaydownasdirected.And,becauseofthestruggleIhadvexedthemwith,theylacedmeextratight.