第6章 Tired of the Old Man[第2页/共14页]

He rested for what he believed to be two hours. The moon did not rise now until late and he had no way of judging the time. Nor was he really resting except comparatively.He was still bearing the pull of the fish across his shoulders but he placed his left hand on the gunwale of the bow and confided more and more of the resistance to the fish to the skiff itself.

Now I will rest an hour more and feel that he is solid and steady before I move back to the stern to do the work and make the decision.In the meantime can see how he acts and if he shows any changes.The oars are a good trick;but it has reached the time to play for safety.He is much fish still and I saw that the hook was in the corner of his mouth and he has kept his mouth tight shut.The punishment of the hook is nothing.The punishment of hunger,and that he is against something that he does not comprehend,is everything.Rest now,old man,and let him work until your next duty comes.