Стійкий олов’яний солдатик

           Don’tforgetthatithadjustbeenrainingbythebucketful. Thepaperboatpitched,andtossed,andsometimesitwhirledaboutsorapidlythatitmadethesoldier’sheadspin. Buthestoodassteadyasever.Neveronceflinching,hekepthiseyesfront,andcarriedhisgunshoulder-high. Suddenlytheboatrushedunderalongplankwherethegutterwasboardedover. Itwasasdarkasthesoldier’sownbox. 

           "WherecanIbegoing?"thesoldierwondered. "Thismustbethatblackbogey’srevenge. Ah!ifonlyIhadthelittleladywithme,itcouldbetwiceasdarkhereforallthatIwouldcare." 

           Outpoppedagreatwaterratwholivedunderthegutterplank. 

           "Haveyouapassport?"saidtherat."Handitover." 

           Thesoldierkeptquietandheldhismuskettighter. Onrushedtheboat,andtheratcamerightafterit, gnashinghisteethashecalledtothesticksandstraws: 

           "Halthim!Stophim!Hedidn’tpayhistoll.Hehasn’tshownhispassport. "Butthecurrentranstrongerandstronger. Thesoldiercouldseedaylightaheadwheretheboardended,buthealsoheardaroarthatwouldfrightenthebravestofus. Holdon!Rightattheendofthatgutterplankthewaterpouredintothegreatcanal. Itwasasdangeroustohimasawaterfallwouldbetous. 

           Hewassonearithecouldnotpossiblystop. Theboatplungedintothewhirlpool.Thepoortinsoldierstoodasstaunchashecould,andnoonecansaythathesomuchasblinkedaneye.