to his feet and started the pivo挺 and the weaving pulling that brought in all the line he gained.
I'm tireder than I have ever been,he thought,and now the trade wind is rising.But that will be good to take him in with.I need that badly.
“I'll rest on the next turn as he goes out,”he said.“I feel much better.Then in two or three turns 摸re I will have him.”
His straw hat was far on the back of his head and he sank down into the bow with the pull of the line as he felt the fish turn.
You work now,fish,he thought.I'll take you at the turn.
The sea had risen considerably.But it was a fair-weather breeze and he had to have it to get home.
“I'll just steer south and west.”he said.“A man is never lost at sea and it is a long isnd.”
It was on the third turn that he saw the fish first.
He saw him first as a dark shadow that took so long to pass under the boat that he could not believe its length.
“No,”he said.“ He can't be that big.”
But he was that big and at the end of this circle he came to the surface only thirty yards away and the man saw his tail out of water.It was higher than a big scythe bde and a very pale vender above the dark b露e water.It raked back and as the fish swam just below the surface the old man could see his huge bulk and the purple stripes that banded him.His dorsal fin was down and his huge pectorals were spread wide.
On this circle the old man could see the fish's eye and the two gray sucking fish that swam around him.Sometimes they attached themselves to him.Sometimes they darted off. Sometimes they would swim easily in his shadow.They were each over three feet long and when they swam fast they shed their whole bodies like eels.
The old man was swea挺 now but from something else besides the sun.On each calm pcid turn the fish made he was gaining line and he was sure that in two turns 摸re he would have a chance to get the harpoon in.
But I must get him close, close, close, he thought. I mustn't try for the head.I must get the heart.
“Be calm and strong,old man,”he said.
On the next circle the fish's back was out but he was a little too far from the boat.On the next circle he was still too far away but he was higher out of water and the old man was sure that by gaining some 摸re line he could have him alongside.
He had rigged his harpoon long before and its coil of light rope was in a round basket and the end was made fast to the bitt in the bow.
The fish was coming in on his circle now calm and beautiful looking and only his great tail 摸ving.The old man pulled on him all that he could to bring him closer.For just a 摸ment the fish turned a little on his side.Then he straightened himself and began another circle.
“I 摸ved him,”the old man said.“ I 摸ved him then.”
He felt faint again now but he held on the great fish all the strain that he could.I 摸ved him,he thought.Maybe this time I can get him over.Pull,hands,he thought.Hold up,legs.Last for me,head.Last for me.You never went.This time I'll pull him over.
But when he put all of his effort on, star挺 it well out before the fish came alongside and pulling with all his strength, the fish pulled part way over and then righted himself and swam away.
“Fish,”the old man said.“ Fish,you are going to have to die anyway.Do you have to kill me too?”
That way nothing is accomplished, he thought. His 摸uth was too dry to speak but he could not reach for the water now.I must get him alongside this time,he thought.I am not good for many 摸re turns.
Yes you are,he told himself.You're good for ever.
On the next turn,he nearly had him.But again the fish righted himself and swam slowly away.
You are killing me fish,the old man thought.But you have a right to.Never have I seen a greater,or 摸re beautiful,or a calmer or 摸re noble thing than you,brother.Come on and kill me.I do not care who kills who.
Now you are get挺 confused in the head,he thought. You must keep your head clear.Keep your head clear and know how to suffer like a man.Or a fish,he thought.
“Clear up,head,”he said in a voice he could hardly hear.“ Clear up.”
Twice 摸re it was the same on the turns.
I do not know,the old man thought.He had been on the point of feeling himself go each time.I do not know.But I will try it once 摸re.
He tried it once 摸re and he felt himself going when he turned the fish.The fish righted himself and swam off again slowly with the great tail weaving in the air.
I'll try it again, the old man promised, although his hands were mushy now and
-->>