211.Chapter Eighteen（12）

ahummingoverheadhadbecomearoar；andsuddenlyhewasinshadow，therewassomethingbetweenthesunandhim。

***helookedup，startled，fromhisdigging，fromhisthoughts；lookedupinadazzledbewilderment，hismindstillwanderinginthatotherworldoftruer-than-truth，stillfocusedontheimmensitiesofdeathanddeity；lookedupandsaw，closeabovehim，theswarmofhoveringmachines。

likelocuststheycame，hungpoised，descendedallaroundhimontheheather。

andfromoutofthebelliesofthesegiantgrasshopperssteppedmeninwhiteviscose-flannels，women（fortheweatherwashot）inacetate-shantungpyjamasorvelveteenshortsandsleeveless，half-unzipperedsinglets–onecouplefromeach。

inafewminutesthereweredozensofthem，standinginawidecircleroundthelighthouse，staring，laughing，clickingtheircameras，throwing（astoanape）peanuts，packetsofsex-hormonechewing-gum，pan-glanduarpetitebeurres。

andeverymoment–foracrossthehog’sbackthestreamoftrafficnowflowedunceasingly–theirnumbersincreased。

asinanightmare，thedozensbecamescores，thescoreshundreds。

thesavagehadretreatedtowardscover，andnow，inthepostureofananimalatbay，stoodwithhisbacktothewallofthelighthouse，staringfromfacetofaceinspeechlesshorror，likeamanoutofhissenses。

fromthisstuporhewasarousedtoamoreimmediatesenseofrealitybytheimpactonhischeekofawell-aimedpacketofchewing-gum。

ashockofstartlingpain–andhewasbroadawake，awakeandfiercelyangry。