"Raymond E. Feist - Faerie Tale" - читать интересную книгу автора (Feist Raymond E)

huh?"

Hearing his name, the dog gave a tentative wag of his
tail. The man slowly reached out and let the Labrador
sniff his hand, then patted him on the head. After a mo-
ment the tail wagging became emphatic. "Going to be
friends, right, boy?" said the man. Leaning forward, with
hands on knees, he said, "Who are you guys? I didn't
know there were any big leaguers around here."

Sean grinned at the reference to their caps and equip-
ment. "We just moved here from California. We live on a
farm."

"Philip Hastings your father?" Both brothers nodded.

"I heard he'd be moving in at the Old Kessler Place. I
didn't know he was here already. Well, I guess I'd better
introduce myself. I'm Jack Cole." He held out his hand,
not in the manner of a grown-up making fun of kids but
as if they were just like anyone else he'd met. The boys
said their names in turn, shook hands, and silently
judged Jack Cole an acceptable human being, even if he
was old.

"What'd you mean about Bad Luck being jumpy?"
Patrick repeated.

"There's this bull raccoon that's been hanging around
this part of the woods for the last month, and likely as
not that's what your dog smelled under the bridge. If so,
it's a good thing he didn't get loose. That coon has torn
up most of the cats and half the dogs in the area."

The boys looked unconvinced. Jack Cole laughed.
"Look, take my word for it. This isn't some little critter
from a cartoon show. This coon is almost as big as your
hound and he's old, tough, and mean. And this is his
turf, clear?"

The boys exchanged glances and nodded. Jack faced
back up the gully. "This isn't a good place to play, any-
way. We get some pretty sudden showers in the hills near
the lake, and if we get a big one, this gully could flood
pretty fast. I mean, it can hit you without warning. I'd
stay clear of this creek in future, okay?" They nodded.
"Come on, I'll walk back to your house with you. Must
be close to your dinnertime. Besides, I'd like to meet your
dad."