Boats_NN2 were_VBD flying_VVG through_PRP the_AT0 air_NN1 ,_PUN streets_NN2 were_VBD flowing_VVG like_PRP rivers_NN2 ,_PUN electric_AJ0 lines_NN2 were_VBD exploding_VVG like_PRP fireworks_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC houses_NN2 of_PRF shrieking_AJ0 people_NN0 were_VBD being_VBG blown_VVN out_AVP to_PRP sea_NN1 —_PUN the_AT0 date_NN1 was_VBD September_NP0 21_CRD ,_PUN the_AT0 day_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 Great_AJ0 Hurricane_NN1 of_PRF 1938._CRD The_AT0 entire_AJ0 coast_NN1 from_PRP New_NP0 York_NP0 Harbor_NN1 to_PRP Maine_NP0 got_VVD smacked_VVN so_AV0 hard_AV0 it_PNP was_VBD the_AT0 stuff_NN1 of_PRF legend_NN1 ,_PUN seven_CRD hundred_CRD souls_NN2 gone_VVN to_PRP their_DPS final_AJ0 reward_NN1 as_CJS wet_AJ0 as_CJS mackerels_NN2 ._SENT 
Back_AVP then_AV0 ,_PUN you_PNP got_VVD no_AT0 warning_NN1 ._SENT You_PNP 'd_VM0 notice_VVI a_AT0 storm_NN1 over_PRP the_AT0 water_NN1 and_CJC you_PNP 'd_VM0 be_VBI worrying_VVG how_AVQ bad_AJ0 that_DT0 cloud_NN1 looks_VVZ when_CJS the_AT0 banshee_NN1 wind_NN1 and_CJC rain_NN1 hits_NN2 and_CJC you_PNP 're_VBB scrambling_VVG for_PRP your_DPS life_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 dock_NN1 piling_VVG I_PNP 'd_VHD wrapped_VVN my_DPS scrawny_AJ0 young_AJ0 self_NN1 around_AV0 got_VVN whipped_VVD airborne_AJ0 ._SENT Next_ORD thing_NN1 I_PNP know_VVB I_PNP 'm_VBB waking_VVG up_AVP in_PRP a_AT0 ditch_NN1 with_PRP a_AT0 tramp_NN1 yanking_VVG on_PRP my_DPS cowboy_NN1 boots_NN2 ._SENT Seeing_CJS me_PNP rise_VVB from_PRP the_AT0 dead_AJ0 ,_PUN he_PNP yelped_VVD and_CJC ran_VVD ._SENT I_PNP was_VBD still_AV0 in_PRP one_CRD piece_NN1 somehow_AV0 ,_PUN if_CJS black_AJ0 ,_PUN blue_AJ0 ,_PUN and_CJC bloody_AV0 ,_PUN with_PRP only_AV0 my_DPS suspenders_NN2 popped_VVD off_AVP and_CJC gone_VVN ._SENT So_AV0 as_CJS the_AT0 rest_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 living_AJ0 world_NN1 began_VVD hollering_VVG for_PRP help_NN1 or_CJC hearses_NN2 ,_PUN I_PNP wiped_VVD the_AT0 dried_AJ0 blood_NN1 off_PRP my_DPS face_NN1 ,_PUN grabbed_VVD hold_NN1 of_PRF my_DPS trousers_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC struggled_VVD to_PRP my_DPS feet_NN2 ._SENT The_AT0 boathouse_NN1 where_AVQ I_PNP 'd_VHD been_VBN standing_VVG had_VHD blown_VVN away_AV0 along_AVP with_PRP Cuz_NN1 ,_PUN my_DPS third-cousin_AJ0 boss_NN1 ._SENT Found_VVD him_PNP in_PRP a_AT0 shallow_AJ0 pool_NN1 of_PRF boat_NN1 shards_NN2 ,_PUN a_AT0 sloop_NN1 's_POS mast_NN1 stuck_VVD straight_AV0 through_PRP him_PNP ._SENT I_PNP was_VBD n't_XX0 much_AV0 to_TO0 look_VVI at_PRP even_AV0 before_PRP my_DPS hurricane-wallop_NN1 —_PUN an_AT0 overgrown_AJ0 farmboy_NN1 with_PRP a_AT0 face_NN1 newly_AV0 scarred_VVN and_CJC a_AT0 neck_NN1 sporting_VVG a_AT0 birthmark_NN1 the_AT0 size_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 state_NN1 fair_AJ0 prize_NN1 yam_NN1 —_PUN but_CJC I_PNP sure_AV0 looked_VVD better_AJC than_CJS Cuz_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP 'd_VM0 say_VVI I_PNP was_VBD lucky_AJ0 ,_PUN but_CJC I_PNP had_VHD n't_XX0 had_VHN enough_DT0 of_PRF a_AT0 relationship_NN1 with_PRP the_AT0 word_NN1 to_TO0 use_VVI it_PNP ._SENT I_PNP 'd_VM0 say_VVI it_PNP was_VBD the_AT0 worst_AJS day_NN1 of_PRF my_DPS life_NN1 ,_PUN yet_AV0 it_PNP was_VBD already_AV0 far_AV0 from_PRP it_PNP ._SENT I_PNP can_VM0 say_VVI this_DT0 ._SENT I_PNP never_AV0 thought_VVD I_PNP 'd_VM0 see_VVI a_AT0 bigger_AJC eyeful_NN1 than_CJS that_DT0 hurricane_NN1 as_CJS long_AV0 as_CJS I_PNP lived_VVD ._SENT 
But_CJC I_PNP was_VBD wrong_AJ0 ._SENT 
Because_CJS the_AT0 last_ORD thing_NN1 you_PNP think_VVB you_PNP 're_VBB going_VVG to_TO0 see_VVI in_PRP the_AT0 middle_NN1 of_PRF flipped_VVN boats_NN2 and_CJC buildings_NN2 afire_AJ0 and_CJC bodies_NN2 dangling_VVG and_CJC sirens_NN2 wailing_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT0 couple_NN1 of_PRF giraffes_NN2 ._SENT 
I_PNP 'd_VHD been_VBN there_AV0 not_XX0 six_CRD weeks_NN2 ,_PUN Dust_NN1 Bowl_NN1 dirt_NN1 still_AV0 coating_VVG my_DPS young_AJ0 rowdy_AJ0 's_POS lungs_NN2 —_PUN and_CJC despite_PRP my_DPS God-fearing_AJ0 ma_NN1 ,_PUN that_DT0 's_VBZ what_DTQ I_PNP was_VBD ,_PUN a_AT0 dirt-farm_AJ0 rowdy_AJ0 ,_PUN pure_AJ0 as_PRP a_AT0 cow_NN1 pie_NN1 ,_PUN cunning_AJ0 as_PRP a_AT0 wild_AJ0 hog_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC already_AV0 well_AV0 acquainted_VVN with_PRP the_AT0 county_NN1 sheriff_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 dust_NN1 layering_VVG my_DPS every_AT0 breath_NN1 leaving_VVG little_AJ0 room_NN1 for_PRP the_AT0 Holy_AJ0 Spirit_NN1 to_TO0 breathe_VVI on_PRP me_PNP ._SENT Cuz_NN1 's_POS bilge-rat_NN1 boathouse_NN1 was_VBD where_AVQ I_PNP landed_VVD after_PRP the_AT0 Dirty_AJ0 Thirties_CRD blew_VVD so_AV0 fierce_AJ0 in_PRP my_DPS corner_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 Texas_NP0 Panhandle_NP0 that_CJT every_AT0 nester_NN1 and_CJC sharecropper_NN1 for_PRP miles_NN2 was_VBD flung_VVN clean_AJ0 off_PRP the_AT0 map_NN1 ._SENT Some_DT0 like_PRP my_DPS ma_NN1 ,_PUN pa_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC baby_NN1 sister_NN1 left_VVD the_AT0 hard_AJ0 way_NN1 ,_PUN six_CRD feet_NN2 under_AV0 ._SENT Some_DT0 hit_VVD the_AT0 road_NN1 with_PRP the_AT0 Okies_NP0 to_PRP California_NP0 ._SENT The_AT0 rest_NN1 ,_PUN like_PRP me_PNP ,_PUN headed_VVN toward_PRP any_DT0 kin_NN0 who_PNQ 'd_VM0 take_VVI them_PNP in_AVP ._SENT The_AT0 only_AJ0 family_NN1 I_PNP had_VHD left_VVN in_PRP the_AT0 world_NN1 was_VBD an_AT0 East_NN1 Coast_NN1 stranger_NN1 to_PRP me_DPS named_AJ0 Cuz_NN1 ,_PUN who_PNQ might_VM0 as_CJS well_AV0 have_VHI been_VBN the_AT0 man_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 moon_NN1 to_PRP a_AT0 seventeen-year-old_AJ0 Panhandle_NP0 boy_NN1 ._SENT But_CJC there_EX0 's_VBZ being_VBG alone_AV0 and_CJC there_AV0 's_VBZ being_VBG an_AT0 orphan_NN1 alone_AV0 in_PRP an_AT0 empty_AJ0 wasteland_NN1 digging_VVG graves_NN2 for_PRP all_DT0 you_PNP ever_AV0 loved_VVD with_PRP no_AT0 one_PNI to_TO0 ask_VVI for_PRP help_NN1 except_PRP the_AT0 sheriff_NN1 —_PUN which_DTQ I_PNP dared_VVD not_XX0 do_VDI for_PRP reasons_NN2 I_PNP cannot_VVB yet_AV0 bear_VVB to_TO0 confess_VVI ._SENT 
Sitting_VVG there_AV0 by_PRP my_DPS ma_NN1 's_VBZ ,_PUN pa_NN1 's_VBZ ,_PUN and_CJC baby_NN1 sister_NN1 's_POS graves_NN2 ,_PUN I_PNP let_VVB evening_NN1 turn_NN1 to_PRP morning_NN1 ._SENT Still_AV0 covered_VVN with_PRP the_AT0 dead_AJ0 dirt_NN1 that_CJT had_VHD killed_VVN us_PNP all_DT0 ,_PUN I_PNP dug_VVD up_AVP my_DPS ma_NN1 's_POS Mason_NP0 jar_NN1 of_PRF coins_NN2 from_PRP her_DPS withered_AJ0 garden_NN1 and_CJC stumbled_VVD dry-eyed_AJ0 toward_PRP the_AT0 highway_NN1 ._SENT Not_XX0 until_PRP a_AT0 long_AJ0 hauler_NN1 stopped_VVD his_DPS truck_NN1 to_TO0 ask_VVI me_PNP where_AVQ I_PNP was_VBD headed_VVN did_VDD I_PNP find_VVI out_AVP I_PNP was_VBD mute_AJ0 ._SENT 
"_PUQ You_PNP an_AT0 Okie_NN1 ?_SENT "_PUQ 
I_PNP tried_VVD to_TO0 answer_VVI ._SENT Nothing_PNI came_VVD out_AVP ._SENT 
"_PUQ Cat_NP0 got_VVD your_DPS tongue_NN1 ,_PUN kid_NN1 ?_SENT "_PUQ the_AT0 driver_NN1 said_VVD ._SENT 
Still_AV0 I_PNP could_VM0 n't_XX0 spit_VVI out_AVP a_AT0 word_NN1 ._SENT Eyeing_VVG me_PNP good_AJ0 ,_PUN he_PNP jerked_VVD a_AT0 thumb_NN1 toward_PRP his_DPS empty_AJ0 truck_NN1 bed_NN1 and_CJC dumped_VVD me_PNP at_PRP the_AT0 Muleshoe_NP0 train_NN1 station_NN1 ._SENT ?_SENT ._SENT ?_SENT ._SENT right_AV0 across_AV0 from_PRP the_AT0 sheriff_NN1 's_POS office_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP waited_VVD for_PRP the_AT0 next_ORD train_NN1 east_NN1 with_PRP one_CRD eye_NN1 back_AVP at_PRP his_DPS door_NN1 ,_PUN knowing_VVG I_PNP was_VBD unfit_AJ0 to_TO0 answer_VVI questions_NN2 he_PNP 'd_VM0 surely_AV0 have_VHI if_CJS he_PNP saw_VVD me_PNP ,_PUN and_CJC just_AV0 as_CJS the_AT0 train_NN1 pulled_VVD away_AV0 ,_PUN the_AT0 sheriff_NN1 strode_VVD out_AVP to_TO0 look_VVI straight_AV0 at_PRP me_PNP looking_VVG straight_AV0 back_AVP at_PRP him_PNP ._SENT 
Jumpy_AJ0 at_PRP every_AT0 stop_NN1 after_PRP that_DT0 ,_PUN I_PNP got_VVD as_CJS far_AV0 as_CJS Chattanooga_NP0 with_PRP my_DPS ma_NN1 's_POS coins_NN2 ._SENT From_PRP there_AV0 ,_PUN I_PNP hopped_VVD a_AT0 boxcar_NN1 until_CJS I_PNP saw_VVD some_DT0 tramps_NN2 fling_VVB a_AT0 bum_NN1 off_PRP the_AT0 train_NN1 after_PRP stealing_VVG his_DPS shoes_NN2 ._SENT Then_AV0 I_PNP swiped_VVD a_AT0 motorcycle_NN1 and_CJC rode_VVD it_PNP until_CJS it_PNP ran_VVD out_AVP of_PRF gas_NN1 ,_PUN snitching_VVG food_NN1 along_PRP the_AT0 way_NN1 like_PRP a_AT0 stray_AJ0 dog_NN1 ,_PUN until_CJS I_PNP had_VHD some_DT0 snitched_VVD from_PRP me_PNP by_PRP a_AT0 bum_NN1 with_PRP a_AT0 straight_AJ0 razor_NN1 ._SENT That_DT0 got_VVD me_PNP hitching_VVG straight_AV0 to_PRP Cuz_NN1 ,_PUN where_CJS I_PNP found_VVD myself_PNX eye_NN1 to_PRP eye_NN1 with_PRP more_DT0 water_NN1 than_CJS my_DPS thirsty_AJ0 eyes_NN2 could_VM0 take_VVI in_PRP ._SENT When_CJS Cuz_NN1 asked_VVD me_PNP who_PNQ the_AT0 hell_NN1 I_PNP was_VBD ,_PUN I_PNP had_VHD to_TO0 scrawl_VVI my_DPS answer_NN1 with_PRP a_AT0 coal_NN1 lump_NN1 on_PRP the_AT0 dock_NN1 ,_PUN to_PRP which_DTQ he_PNP harrumphed_VVD ,_PUN "_PUQ Figures_NN2 I_PNP 'd_VM0 get_VVI a_AT0 dumb_AJ0 one_PNI ,_PUN being_VBG from_PRP that_DT0 side_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 family_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ and_CJC put_VVB me_PNP straight_AJ0 to_TO0 work_VVI for_PRP my_DPS supper_NN1 ._SENT For_PRP forty_CRD silent_AJ0 days_NN2 and_CJC nights_NN2 ,_PUN I_PNP called_VVD a_AT0 moldy_AJ0 cot_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 back_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 boathouse_NN1 home_NN1 ._SENT Now_AV0 I_PNP did_VDD n't_XX0 even_AV0 have_VHI that_DT0 ._SENT Nobody_PNI was_VBD left_VVN to_TO0 come_VVI look_NN1 for_PRP me_PNP and_CJC nobody_PNI was_VBD newly_AV0 dead_AJ0 I_PNP 'd_VM0 mourn_VVI ,_PUN Cuz_VVB proving_VVG himself_PNX to_TO0 be_VBI such_DT0 stone-hearted_AJ0 scum_NN1 I_PNP was_VBD already_AV0 plotting_VVG to_TO0 snatch_VVI his_DPS cash_NN1 and_CJC run_NN1 ._SENT 
Holding_VVG up_AVP my_DPS pants_NN2 in_PRP the_AT0 hurricane_NN1 rubble_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP stood_VVD wobbly_AJ0 over_PRP what_DTQ was_VBD left_VVN of_PRF the_AT0 man_NN1 I_PNP 'd_VHD traveled_VVN half_DT0 the_AT0 USA_NP0 to_TO0 find_VVI ,_PUN then_AV0 reached_VVN around_PRP the_AT0 bloody_AJ0 mast_NN1 pole_NN1 and_CJC picked_VVD his_DPS dead_AJ0 pockets_NN2 ._SENT When_CJS I_PNP found_VVD nothing_PNI but_CJC his_DPS lucky_AJ0 rabbit_NN1 's_POS foot_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP started_VVD kicking_VVG him_PNP so_AV0 full_AJ0 of_PRF my_DPS own_DT0 hurricane_NN1 fury_NN1 that_CJT I_PNP kicked_VVD myself_PNX back_AVP to_PRP speech_NN1 —_PUN I_PNP was_VBD kicking_VVG and_CJC cussing_VVG Cuz_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 gray_AJ0 sky_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 black_AJ0 ocean_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 putrid_AJ0 air_NN1 ,_PUN my_DPS ma_NN1 's_POS precious_AJ0 Jesus_NP0 and_CJC his_DPS cruel_AJ0 God_NP0 Almighty_AJ0 Father_NN1 —_PUN until_CJS I_PNP slipped_VVD and_CJC landed_VVD on_PRP my_DPS backside_NN1 ,_PUN eyes_NN2 to_PRP the_AT0 drizzling_AJ0 sky_NN1 ._SENT With_PRP that_DT0 ,_PUN the_AT0 logjam_NN1 inside_AV0 me_PNP busted_VVD wide_AJ0 ,_PUN and_CJC I_PNP lay_VVD there_AV0 sobbing_VVG like_PRP the_AT0 lost_AJ0 boy_NN1 I_PNP was_VBD ._SENT 
Finally_AV0 ,_PUN I_PNP struggled_VVD up_AVP on_PRP my_DPS boots_NN2 again_AV0 ,_PUN tied_VVD up_AVP my_DPS trousers_NN2 with_PRP a_AT0 piece_NN1 of_PRF soggy_AJ0 boat_NN1 tether_VVB ,_PUN and_CJC wandered_VVD back_AVP to_PRP the_AT0 dock_NN1 ._SENT 
There_AV0 I_PNP sat_VVD ,_PUN pure_AJ0 miserable_AJ0 ,_PUN watching_VVG ship_NN1 after_PRP ship_NN1 limp_NN1 into_PRP harbor_VVB ._SENT 
Until_CJS I_PNP saw_VVD the_AT0 giraffes_NN2 ._SENT 
Up_PRP the_AT0 dock_NN1 ,_PUN a_AT0 storm-clobbered_AJ0 freighter_NN1 was_VBD unloading_VVG ._SENT I_PNP do_VDB n't_XX0 remember_VVI getting_VVG to_PRP my_DPS feet_NN2 or_CJC moving_VVG ._SENT I_PNP only_AV0 remember_VVB standing_VVG in_PRP the_AT0 middle_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 freighter_NN1 's_POS crew_NN1 in_PRP their_DPS blue_AJ0 dungaree_NN1 uniforms_NN2 ,_PUN staring_VVG ._SENT There_AV0 ,_PUN before_CJS me_PNP ,_PUN were_VBD two_CRD giraffes_NN2 under_PRP a_AT0 dangling_AJ0 crane_NN1 that_CJT had_VHD just_AV0 unloaded_VVN them_PNP like_PRP a_AT0 pack_NN1 of_PRF tires_VVZ ._SENT One_PNI was_VBD alive_AJ0 and_CJC swaying_VVG inside_PRP a_AT0 cracked_AJ0 but_CJC upright_AJ0 crate_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 colossal_AJ0 beast_NN1 's_POS head_NN1 thrusting_VVG up_AVP treetop_NN1 tall_AJ0 ,_PUN the_AT0 other_AJ0 ,_PUN lifeless_AJ0 ,_PUN sprawled_VVN across_PRP the_AT0 entire_AJ0 width_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 dock_NN1 ,_PUN its_DPS crate_NN1 crushed_VVD around_PRP it_PNP like_PRP an_AT0 accordion_NN1 ._SENT Back_AVP then_AV0 ,_PUN nobody_PNI knew_VVD much_AV0 about_PRP giraffes_NN2 ,_PUN but_CJC in_PRP the_AT0 little_AJ0 schooling_NN1 I_PNP had_VHD before_PRP the_AT0 dust_NN1 came_VVD ,_PUN I_PNP 'd_VHD seen_VVN a_AT0 picture_NN1 of_PRF one_CRD ,_PUN so_CJS I_PNP was_VBD able_AJ0 to_TO0 put_VVI a_AT0 name_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 wonder_NN1 ._SENT Staring_VVG at_PRP the_AT0 downed_AJ0 one_PNI ,_PUN I_PNP was_VBD sure_AJ0 I_PNP was_VBD gazing_VVG at_PRP a_AT0 real-life_AJ0 carcass_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 real-dead_AJ0 giraffe_NN1 ._SENT ?_SENT ._SENT ?_SENT ._SENT until_CJS the_AT0 carcass_NN1 opened_VVD a_AT0 brown-apple_AJ0 eye_NN1 to_TO0 gaze_VVI up_AVP at_PRP me_PNP ._SENT And_CJC the_AT0 deathly_AJ0 look_NN1 in_PRP that_DT0 eye_NN1 sent_VVD a_AT0 familiar_AJ0 shiver_NN1 down_PRP my_DPS young_AJ0 spine_NN1 ._SENT 
I_PNP knew_VVD all_DT0 about_PRP animals_NN2 ._SENT Some_DT0 you_PNP worked_VVD ,_PUN some_DT0 you_PNP milked_VVD ,_PUN some_DT0 you_PNP ate_VVD ,_PUN some_DT0 you_PNP shot_VVD ,_PUN and_CJC that_DT0 was_VBD that_DT0 ._SENT You_PNP learned_VVD early_AJ0 not_XX0 to_TO0 make_VVI a_AT0 pig_NN1 a_AT0 pal_NN1 or_CJC your_DPS pa_NN1 would_VM0 soon_AV0 be_VBI forcing_VVG you_PNP to_TO0 thank_VVI Jesus_NP0 for_PRP the_AT0 blessing_NN1 of_PRF eating_VVG everything_PNI but_CJC its_DPS squeal_NN1 ._SENT Even_AV0 feeding_VVG a_AT0 stray_AJ0 dog_NN1 would_VM0 get_VVI you_PNP a_AT0 whipping_NN1 for_PRP taking_VVG food_NN1 out_AVP of_PRF the_AT0 family_NN1 's_POS mouth_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ What_DTQ 's_VBZ wrong_AJ0 with_PRP you_PNP ?_SENT It_PNP 's_VBZ just_AV0 an_AT0 animal_NN1 !_SENT "_PUQ my_DPS pa_NN1 kept_VVD saying_VVG ._SENT There_EX0 was_VBD no_AT0 room_NN1 for_PRP such_DT0 weakness_NN1 past_PRP being_VBG a_AT0 boy_NN1 in_PRP knickers_NN2 ,_PUN especially_AV0 when_CJS ,_PUN at_PRP the_AT0 risk_NN1 of_PRF hellfire_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 worst_AJS two-legged_AJ0 human_NN1 was_VBD better_AJC than_CJS any_DT0 soulless_AJ0 four-legged_AJ0 animal_NN1 —_PUN or_CJC so_AV0 I_PNP was_VBD taught_VVN ._SENT Problem_NN1 was_VBD ,_PUN whenever_AVQ I_PNP locked_VVD eyes_NN2 with_PRP an_AT0 animal_NN1 I_PNP felt_VVD something_PNI more_AV0 soulful_AJ0 than_CJS I_PNP ever_AV0 felt_VVD from_PRP the_AT0 humans_NN2 I_PNP knew_VVD ,_PUN and_CJC what_DTQ I_PNP saw_VVD in_PRP that_DT0 sprawled_AJ0 giraffe_NN1 's_POS eye_NN1 made_VVD me_PNP ache_VVI to_PRP the_AT0 bone_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 giraffe_NN1 's_POS eye_NN1 had_VHD stopped_VVN moving_VVG ,_PUN taking_VVG on_PRP a_AT0 pallor_NN1 I_PNP 'd_VHD seen_VVN too_AV0 many_DT0 times_NN2 in_PRP an_AT0 animal_NN1 's_POS eyes_NN2 right_AV0 before_PRP my_DPS pa_NN1 would_VM0 be_VBI deciding_VVG whether_CJS to_TO0 eat_VVI ,_PUN bury_VVB ,_PUN or_CJC burn_VVB them_PNP ._SENT I_PNP pushed_VVD in_PRP closer_AV0 ,_PUN waiting_VVG for_PRP the_AT0 seamen_NN2 ,_PUN all_DT0 looking_VVG like_PRP damp_AJ0 hell_NN1 themselves_PNX ,_PUN to_TO0 shove_VVI me_PNP back_AVP where_CJS I_PNP belonged_VVD ._SENT 
Instead_AV0 they_PNP were_VBD suddenly_AV0 parting_VVG like_PRP a_AT0 dirty-blue_AJ0 Red_AJ0 Sea_NN1 ._SENT 
Coming_VVG right_AV0 at_PRP us_PNP was_VBD a_AT0 shiny_AJ0 new_AJ0 truck_NN1 with_PRP a_AT0 wood_NN1 contraption_NN1 strapped_VVN to_PRP its_DPS long_AV0 flatbed_AJ0 that_CJT would_VM0 've_VHI made_VVN Rube_NP0 Goldberg_NP0 proud_AJ0 ._SENT Shaped_VVN like_PRP a_AT0 squatty_NN1 T_ZZ0 ,_PUN it_PNP looked_VVD like_PRP a_AT0 two-story_AJ0 homemade_AJ0 boxcar_NN1 plopped_VVD down_AVP on_PRP the_AT0 entire_AJ0 length_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 truck_NN1 bed_NN1 ,_PUN wooden_AJ0 window_NN1 openings_NN2 along_PRP the_AT0 top_NN1 ,_PUN trapdoors_NN2 along_PRP the_AT0 bottom_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC a_AT0 short_AJ0 step-up_AJ0 ladder_NN1 nailed_VVN on_PRP each_DT0 side_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP jumped_VVD out_AVP of_PRF the_AT0 way_NN1 as_PRP the_AT0 driver_NN1 —_PUN a_AT0 goober-looking_AJ0 guy_NN1 with_PRP cauliflower_NN1 ears_NN2 and_CJC enough_AV0 Dapper_AJ0 Dan_NP0 pomade_AJ0 on_PRP his_DPS hair_NN1 to_TO0 grease_VVI an_AT0 engine_NN1 —_PUN jerked_VVD the_AT0 rig_NN1 to_PRP a_AT0 halt_NN1 ._SENT 
The_AT0 passenger_NN1 door_NN1 swung_VVD wide_AJ0 ,_PUN and_CJC out_AVP crawled_VVD a_AT0 leathery_AJ0 old_AJ0 man_NN1 with_PRP a_AT0 face_NN1 like_PRP a_AT0 mule_NN1 ._SENT That_DT0 's_VBZ what_DTQ I_PNP 've_VHB called_VVN him_PNP all_DT0 these_DT0 years_NN2 —_PUN the_AT0 "_PUQ Old_AJ0 Man_NN1 "_PUQ —_PUN but_CJC here_AV0 and_CJC now_AV0 as_CJS I_PNP write_VVB ,_PUN older_AJC than_CJS old_AJ0 myself_PNX ,_PUN I_PNP 'd_VM0 bet_VVI the_AT0 farm_NN1 he_PNP was_VBD n't_XX0 much_AV0 past_PRP fifty_CRD ._SENT He_PNP had_VHD on_PRP a_AT0 rumpled_AJ0 jacket_NN1 ,_PUN a_AT0 yellowed_AJ0 white_AJ0 shirt_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC hangdog_NN1 tie_NN1 ._SENT One_CRD of_PRF his_DPS hands_NN2 looked_VVD gnarled_AJ0 ,_PUN and_CJC propped_VVN on_PRP the_AT0 back_NN1 of_PRF his_DPS head_NN1 was_VBD an_AT0 old_AJ0 fedora_NN1 that_CJT looked_VVD like_PRP it_PNP 'd_VHD been_VBN stomped_VVN on_PRP so_AV0 much_AV0 it_PNP had_VHD forgotten_VVN whether_CJS it_PNP was_VBD pork-pied_AJ0 or_CJC pinched_AJ0 ._SENT 
Slamming_VVG the_AT0 door_NN1 ,_PUN he_PNP seemed_VVD headed_VVN toward_PRP the_AT0 mutton-chopped_AJ0 harbormaster_NN1 ,_PUN who_PNQ was_VBD waving_VVG what_DTQ seemed_VVD to_TO0 be_VBI a_AT0 couple_NN1 of_PRF telegrams_NN2 his_DPS way_NN1 ._SENT Instead_AV0 the_AT0 Old_AJ0 Man_NN1 tromped_AJ0 right_AJ0 past_NN1 ,_PUN striding_VVG to_PRP the_AT0 giraffes_NN2 as_AV0 if_CJS unaware_AJ0 of_PRF any_DT0 other_AJ0 living_AJ0 thing_NN1 on_PRP the_AT0 dock_NN1 but_CJC the_AT0 giants_NN2 before_PRP him_PNP ._SENT 
First_ORD ,_PUN he_PNP went_VVD to_PRP the_AT0 upright_AJ0 crate_NN1 with_PRP the_AT0 standing_NN1 ,_PUN swaying_VVG giraffe_NN1 —_PUN the_AT0 male_NN1 —_PUN and_CJC started_VVD talking_VVG to_PRP it_PNP low_AJ0 like_PRP secrets_NN2 ._SENT The_AT0 giraffe_NN1 slowed_VVD ._SENT The_AT0 Old_AJ0 Man_NN1 reached_VVD in_AVP to_TO0 gently_AV0 stroke_VVI it_PNP ,_PUN and_CJC the_AT0 giraffe_NN1 's_POS swaying_NN1 stopped_VVD ._SENT Getting_VVG down_AVP on_PRP his_DPS haunches_NN2 by_PRP the_AT0 sprawled_AJ0 female_NN1 ,_PUN he_PNP started_VVD up_AVP the_AT0 same_DT0 soft_AJ0 giraffe-speak_NN1 ._SENT She_PNP began_VVD to_TO0 quiver_VVI ._SENT He_PNP put_VVD his_DPS hand_NN1 through_PRP the_AT0 crushed_AJ0 crate_NN1 slats_NN2 to_TO0 touch_VVI her_PNP ,_PUN and_CJC as_CJS the_AT0 giraffe_NN1 lay_VVD still_AV0 as_PRP doom_NN1 ,_PUN he_PNP began_VVD stroking_VVG her_DPS big_AJ0 head_NN1 with_PRP that_DT0 gnarly_AV0 hand_NN1 until_CJS she_PNP closed_VVD her_DPS eyes_NN2 ._SENT For_PRP a_AT0 moment_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 only_AJ0 sound_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 world_NN1 was_VBD the_AT0 giraffe_NN1 's_POS labored_AJ0 breathing_NN1 and_CJC the_AT0 Old_AJ0 Man_NN1 's_VBZ cooing_VVG against_PRP the_AT0 waves_NN2 lapping_VVG against_PRP the_AT0 dock_NN1 ._SENT Then_AV0 the_AT0 harbormaster_NN1 stomped_VVD over_AVP to_TO0 shove_VVI the_AT0 telegrams_NN2 under_PRP the_AT0 Old_AJ0 Man_NN1 's_POS nose_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 Old_AJ0 Man_NN1 took_VVD one_PNI look_VVI at_PRP them_PNP and_CJC tossed_VVD them_PNP to_PRP the_AT0 ground_NN1 ,_PUN a_AT0 fury_NN1 flit_VVB crossing_VVG his_DPS face_NN1 I_PNP knew_VVD far_AV0 too_AV0 well_AV0 —_PUN he_PNP had_VHD him_PNP a_AT0 temper_NN1 ,_PUN too_AV0 ._SENT 
Right_AV0 then_AV0 ,_PUN the_AT0 ship_NN1 captain_NN1 appeared_VVD from_PRP the_AT0 harbormaster_NN1 's_POS hut_NN1 ,_PUN his_DPS uniform_NN1 ripped_VVD and_CJC face_VVB bruised_AJ0 ,_PUN and_CJC the_AT0 dungarees_NN2 turned_VVD toward_PRP him_PNP as_PRP one_PNI ._SENT 
