Page:Alien Souls by Achmed Abdullah (1922).djvu/129

And I can't move at all, not at all. Even when I try to breathe hard, the air whistles through my lungs as if there's a draft somewhere in my chest. And a ton of rock seems to lie on my legs. I can't turn my head. I can't see you. Can you see me?

Oh, yes. I am looking at you.

Then tell me: how far distant are we from each other?

I should judge about three yards. But for all it would help you or me it might as well be three thousand miles.

(Both are silent for several minutes; Plotkine sighs.)

I am hungry. Got anything to eat about you?

Yes. A few dried dates. Here, look out. I'll throw them over so that you can reach them with your left hand.(He throws over a handful of dried dates to Plotkine, who takes them and eats.)

Thanks awfully. (Laughs.) You aim better than did your artillery at the Tschataldja lines.

I beg your pardon.

(Long silence.)