Веснянки

           Tellshimshewasjustplayingwithhim,andbeyondallmannerofdoubtshe’dgoneafteryou,andtherewasnothingtodoonaccountofhisfoolishnessbutfinishme,getout,andlettherestofthetimbergo,forlikelyyouwasonthewayrightthen.ThatdroveJackplumcrazy.

           “Idon’tthinkhewasforhavingadoubtoftheAngelbefore,butthenhejustraved.HegrabbedouthisgunandturnedonWessner.Spang!Itwentoutofhisfist,andtheordercomes:’Handsup!’Wessnerreachedforkingdomcomelikehewasexpectingtograbholdandpullhimselfup.Jackputsupwhathehasleft.Thenheleansovertomeandtellsmewhathe’lldotomeifheevergetsoutoftherealive.Then,justlikeasnakehissing,hespitsoutwhathe’lldotoherforplayinghim.Hedidgetaway,andwithhisstrength,thatwoundinhishandwon’tbebotheringhimlong.He’lldotomejustwhathesaid,andwhenhehearsitreallywasshethatwentafteryou,why,he’llkeephisoathabouther.

           “He’slivedintheswampallhislife,sir,andeverybodysaysit’salwaysbeenthehomeofcutthroats,outlaws,andrunaways.Heknowsitsmostsecretplacesasnoneoftheothers.He’salive.He’sintherenow,sir.Somewayhe’llkeepalive.Ifyou’dseenhisface,allscarletwithpassion,twistedwithpain,andblackwithhate,andheardhimswearingthatoath,you’dknowitwasasurething.Iain’tdonewithhimyet,andI’vebroughtthisawfulthingonher.”

           “AndIhaven’tbegunwithhimyet,”saidMcLean,settinghisteeth.