Gursey was even a littlemore sullen than usual and
Peters looked worried. Tells everybody to send his kidhome if they sees
him.
Didnt he tell me to keep an eye on the horses lest
Jem betempted? He could hear them runningabout the floor, snarling and biting each
other.
Withoutunderstanding, he sensed something between
them.
Say, to send a young brat back to hisfather. He
clutched his ears, then rushed at the door and kicked it shut.
Its Peters who told you thatdrunken
gossip.
But Gurseywithheld himself, brooding with Peters
over a dark secret. Illtell Sambo to show you the country behind the red hill, as
yourein a hurry. Chapter Twenty-nineTHE FIGHTShe sent no answer.
He ruffledhis sparse grey hair
desperately.
Everyone suffered from thefeeling of being hedged
in. Even the ants camein hordes greater than ever. Glancing round the big room,
whitewashed, spotless, Cabell thought:Ah, she sleeps in there, then. His mouth was
slimyand acrid-tasting, his face stiff with dried blood. Dawn was the merciful
gateway to another day of thought-obliterating work. The horse shook itself, lay
down androlled.
Sevenyears come Christmas and hed be back home,
twas so he spoke. Evenshootings too good for some men in this country. The horse
shook itself, lay down androlled. Of course it wont be for long, Cabell snapped him
up. She drew a deep breath and her breastsswelled under the thin dress. Everyone
suffered from thefeeling of being hedged in.
The evening he returned, darkand silent, Gursey
said, McFarlane was here. He spun round and met a whirlwind of fists that stretched
him flaton his back.
I could put in some goodDurhams and a couple of
horses.
Besides, you cant spare a man, with shearing near.
The hot winds sucked up gustsof stinging dust. He found Peters mixingflour and water
for a damper.
Everymug of water wriggled with the tadpoles of
mosquitoes. She screamed and covered her face withher hands.
Lounging in the doorway, he studied the hard line
of her profile.
He nodded, to fill a gap of silence, during which
she watched himimpatiently, wanting him to go.