Explore "Black Light" by Talbot Mundy on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Hawkes sat down on Joe's bed. Annie Weems came closer to him to examine his injuries, but he objected: "Miss, I'm all right. There's no killing a man till his time comes. My time ain't yet. Strike me pink, though, it weren't their fault I'm not all set for the undertaker. If I hadn't had the sense to sham dead, I'd be faking a pass for the Pearly Gate this minute. As you were, Miss; I'm not sneering at religion. Jus' a bit upset, that's all. I feel as if I'd had a drink or two. I haven't."
Annie Weems went out in haste for a sponge and water. Suddenly Hawkes turned and faced the Yogi: "Damn you, couldn't you foresee this?" he almost shouted. "You with your astrology and second sight and magic--couldn't you have warned me? She'd ha' done what you said. Couldn't you have told her to stay home to-night and not go singing in the prison yard? God-dammit, somebody--probably Cummings--got the acting commandant to order all troopers kept in barracks. Last minute order. Me, I was the only bodyguard she had and I'm no fighting man. I thought I was. I swung for three of 'em--hand running--and I hit two--solid. One fell. Then they got me. Miss, I wish you wouldn't."