Міжзірковий мандрівник
Chapter 14
Yetinthemonthsthatfollowed,ouncebyounceIwasreduceduntilIknowImusthaveweighednearereightythanninetypounds.Idoknow,afterImanagedmyescapefromsolitaryandstrucktheguardThurstononthenose,thatbeforetheytookmetoSanRafaelfortrial,whileIwasbeingcleanedandshavedIweighedeighty-ninepounds.
Therearethosewhowonderhowmengrowhard.WardenAthertonwasahardman.Hemademehard,andmyveryhardnessreactedonhimandmadehimharder.Andyetheneversucceededinkillingme.ItrequiredthestatelawofCalifornia,ahangingjudge,andanunpardoninggovernortosendmetothescaffoldforstrikingaprisonguardwithmyfist.Ishallalwayscontendthatthatguardhadanosemosteasilybleedable.Iwasabat-eyed,totteryskeletonatthetime.Isometimeswonderifhisnosereallydidbleed.Ofcoursehesworeitdid,onthewitnessstand.ButIhaveknownprisonguardstakeoathtoworseperjuriesthanthat.
EdMorrellwaseagertoknowifIhadsucceededwiththeexperiment;butwhenheattemptedtotalkwithmehewasshutupbySmith,theguardwhohappenedtobeondutyinsolitary.
“That’sallright,Ed,”Irappedtohim.“YouandJakekeepquiet,andI’lltellyouaboutit.Smithcan’tpreventyoufromlistening,andhecan’tpreventmefromtalking.Theyhavedonetheirworst,andIamstillhere.
