第1章 The Old Mans Hard Life[第1页/共8页]

“But I fear the Indians of Cleveland.”

“I think so.And there are many tricks.”

“How old was I when you first took me in a boat?”

“May I take the cast net?”

“He hasn't much faith.”

“The Yankees cannot lose.”

“Of course.”

“No.I will make it later on.Or I may eat the rice cold.”

“Can I go out to get sardines for you for tomorrow?”“No.Go and play baseball.I can still row and Rogelio will throw the net.”

“I'll try to get him to work far out,”the boy said.“ Then if you hook something truly big we can come to your aid.”

“One sheet.That's two dollars and a half.Who can we borrow that from?”

“Two,”the boy said.

“I go now for the sardines,”the boy said.

“I'll get the cast net and go for sardines.Will you sit in the sun in the doorway?”

“Perico gave it to me at the bodega,”he explained.

“Keep warm old man,”the boy said.“ Remember we are in September.”

“Let me get four fresh ones.”

“Tomorrow is going to be a good day with this current,”he said.

“May I get the sardines?I know where I can get four baits too.”

“That's easy. I can always borrow two dollars and a half.”

They picked up the gear from the boat.The old man carried the mast on his shoulder and the boy carried the wooden box with the coiled,hard-braided brown lines,the gaff and the harpoon with its shaft.The box with the baits was under the stern of the skiff along with the club that was used to subdue the big fish when they were brought alongside.No one would steal from the old man but it was better to take the sail and the heavy lines home as the dew was bad for them and,though he was quite sure no local people would steal from him,the old man thought that a gaff and a harpoon were needless temptations to leave in a boat.