“Ay,”the old man said.“ Galanos.Come on Galanos.”
The old man's head was clear and good now and he was full of resolution but he had little hope.It was too good to last, he thought. He took one look at the great fish as he watched the shark close in.It might as well have been a dream,he thought.I cannot keep him from hitting me but maybe I can get him.Dentuso,he thought.Bad luck to your mother.
Now, he said to himself. Look to the lashing on the knife and see if it has been cut.Then get your hand in order because there still is more to come.
“Yes there is,”he said aloud.“ I can lash my knife to the butt of one of the oars.”
Now he knew there was the fish and his hands and back were no dream.The hands cure quickly,he thought.I bled them clean and the salt water will heal them.The dark water of the true gulf is the greatest healer that there is.All I must do is keep the head clear.The hands have done their work and we sail well.With his mouth shut and his tail straight up and down we sail like brothers.Then his head started to become a little unclear and he thought,is he bringing me in or am I bringing him in?If I were towing him behind there would be no question.Nor if the fish were in the skiff,with all dignity gone,there would be no question either.But they were sailing together lashed side by side and the old man thought,let him bring me in if it pleases him.I am only better than him through trickery and he meant me no harm.