28 The day after the storm
　　As soon as he had shot the bolts safely home, Jack¹ collapsed². His tussle³ with Pepi, his long runthrough the wind and the rain, and the terrific excitement of making the men prisoners had beentoo much for him. He sank down on the steps outside the bolted door, and lay there quite still.
　　It was dark there. The old couple felt about for Jack in alarm. What was happening to the poorboy?
　　They found his torch in his pocket and took it out. They switched it on and looked anxiously atJacks pale face and closed eyes. They tried to drag him up the steps.
　　‘His clothes are wet,’ said the old woman, feeling Jacks⁴ soaked jersey⁵ and shorts. ‘He will get achill, a terrible chill. Maybe he will die of it. What shall we do, old man?’
　　The old man answered her in her own language. ‘We will drag him up these steps. We willmake him comfortable in the cave of stars. You shall wrap him in your shawl and he shall have mycoat.’
　　Together the old couple managed to drag Jack up the steps. How they panted and groaned⁶. Theycould not get him any further than the top. The old man stripped off Jack’s wet things and put hiscoat round him. The old woman wrapped him all round in her thick shawl. They squeezed out hiswet things and hung them on the rocky wall to dry.
　　They were frightened. What were they going to do now? Those men were bolted in the caveswith what was left of their precious treasure. How angry they would be when they discoveredwhat had happened!
　　Jack soon came to himself again. He sat up, wondering where he was. He had been in a kind ofhalf faint, half asleep. He clutched at his clothes. What on earth had he got on? A shawl? Gracious,was he dressed up as a statue again?
　　The old people heard him moving and switched on the torch again. They looked anxiously athim and were relieved to see that he was no longer so white.
　　‘You are better now?’ asked the old man gently.
　　‘Yes, thanks. I’m all right,’ said Jack, pulling at the shawl. ‘Whatever’s this?’

分享到：