Королі та капуста
Caught
Thetownhadbegunthetepidroundofitsnightlydiversions.Afewleisurelydandies,cladinwhiteduck,withflowingneckties,andswingingslimbamboocanes,threadedthegrassyby-waystowardthehousesoftheirfavouredseñoritas.Thosewhowooedtheartofmusicdraggedtirelesslyatwhiningconcertinas,orfingeredlugubriousguitarsatdoorsandwindows.Anoccasionalsoldierfromthecuartel,withflappingstrawhat,withoutcoatorshoes,hurriedby,balancinghislonggunlikealanceinonehand.Fromeverydensityofthefoliagethegianttreefrogssoundedtheirloudandirritatingclatter.Furtherout,wheretheby-waysperishedatthebrinkofthejungle,thegutturalcriesofmaraudingbaboonsandthecoughingofthealligatorsintheblackestuariesfracturedthevainsilenceofthewood.
Byteno’clockthestreetsweredeserted.Theoillampsthathadburned,asicklyyellow,atrandomcorners,hadbeenextinguishedbysomeeconomicalcivicagent.Coraliolaysleepingcalmlybetweentopplingmountainsandencroachingsealikeastolenbabeinthearmsofitsabductors.Somewhereoverinthattropicaldarkness—perhapsalreadythreadingtheprofunditiesofthealluviallowlands—thehighadventurerandhismateweremovingtowardland’send.ThegameofFox-inthe-Morningshouldbecomingsoontoitsclose.
Goodwin,athisdeliberategait,passedthelong,lowcuartelwhereCoralio’scontingentofAnchuria’smilitaryforceslumbered,withitsbaretoespointedheavenward.
