Then suddenly, down by his house, the low stone wall Flashed and was instantly huge with a wall of smoke. He was yelling now. He saw a red battleflag Push through smoke like a prow and be blotted out By smoke and flash. His heart knocked hard in his chest. “Do it or bust,” he mumbled, holding his fire While the rags of smoke blew off. He heard a thick chunk Beside him, turned his head for a flicker of time. The man who had chewed on the grass was injuredly trying To rise on his knees, his face annoyed by a smile. Then the blood poured over the smile and he crumpled up. Ellyat stretched out a hand to touch him and felt the hand Rasped by a file. He jerked back the hand and sucked it. “Bastards,” he said in a minor and even voice.