ed　in；　and　before　I　could　join　them；　they　had　uncovered　the　dented　snout　of　an　old　Farmall　truck；　its　wired…on　headlights　staring　at　us　like　buggy　eyes。

〃I　wanted　to　be　as　careful　as　I　could；　you　know；〃　Harry　said　to　Brutal　in　a　thin；　scolding　voice。　〃This　may　be　a　big　joke　to　you；　Brutus　Howell；　but　I　e　from　a　very　religious　family；　I　got　cousins　back　in　the　hollers　so　damn　holy　they　make　the　Christians　look　like　lions；　and　if　I　get　caught　playing　at　something　like　this…！〃

〃It's　okay；〃　Brutal　said。　〃I'm　just　jumpy；　that's　all。〃

〃Me　too；〃　Harry　said　stiffly。　〃Now　if　this　cussed　old　thing　will　just　start…〃

He　walked　around　the　hood　of　the　truck；　still　muttering；　and　Brutal　tipped　me　a　wink。　As　far　as　Coffey　was　concerned；　we　had　ceased　to