"Smith, Wilbur - Courtney - When the Lion Feeds" - читать интересную книгу автора (Smith Wilbur)

Sean lay in the darkness and stared across the room at the grey Oblong
of the window. There was a slice of moon in the sky outside. Sean
could not sleep: he was thinking about the bushbuck. He heard his
parents pass the door of the bedroom; his stepmother said something and
his father laughed: Waite Courtney had a laugh as deep as distant
thunder.

Sean heard the door of their room close and he sat up in bed. Garry.
No answer. Garry He picked up a boot and threw it; there was a grunt.
Garry.

What you want? Garrick's voice was sleepy and irritable. I was just
thinking, tomorrow's Friday SO? Ma and Pa will be going into town.
They'll be away all day. We could take the shotgun and go lay for that
old inkonka Garrick's bed creaked with alarm. You're mad! Garrick
could not keep the shock out of his voice. Pa would kill us if he
caught us with the shotgun. Even as he said it he knew he would have to
find a stronger argument than that to dissuade his brother. Sean
avoided punishment if possible, but a chance at a bushbuck ram was worth
all his father's right arm could give.

Garrick lay rigid in his bed, searching for words. Besides, Pa keeps
the cartridges locked up it was a good try, but Sean countered it.

I know where there are, two buckshots that he has forgotten about:
they're in the big vase in the dining-room. They've been there over a
month.

Garrick was sweating. He could almost feel the siambok curling round
his buttocks, and hear his father counting the strokes: eight, nine,
ten.

Please, Sean, let's think of something else. . . . .

Across the room Sean settled back comfortably on his pillows. The
decision had been made.

Waite Courtney handed his wife UP into the front seat of the buggy. He
patted her arm affectionately then walked around to the driver's side,
Pausing to fondle the horses and settle his hat down over his bald head.
He was a big man the buggy dipped under his weight as he climbed up into
the seat. He gathered up the reins, then he turned and his eyes laughed
over his great hooked nose at the twins standing together on the
veranda. I would esteem it a favour if you two gentlemen could arrange
to stay out of trouble for the few hours that your mother and I will be
away Yes, Pa, in dutiful chorus. Sean, if You get the urge to climb the
big blue gum tree again then fight it, man fight itAll right, Pa.
Garrick, let us have no more experiments in the manufacture of
gunpowder, agreed? Yes, PaAnd don't look so innocent. That really