《Slime》（史莱姆）三(7)

When Old Man Gowse started for home late in the afternoon he was filled with sullen, resentful bitterness. They thought he was crazy, eh? Well, Sarey was gone; they couldn't explain that away, could they? They explained the smell by saying it was dead fish cast up by the big wave which had washed into the swamp during the storm. Well–maybe. And the slime on his barn floor they said was snails. Snails! As if any he'd ever seen could cause that much slime!

As he was nearing home, he met Rupert Barnaby, his nearest neighbor. Rupert was carrying a rifle and he was accompanied by Jibbe, his hound.
Although there had been an element of bad blood between the two bachelor neighbors for some time, Old Man Gowse, much to Barnaby's surprise, nodded and stopped.
"Evenin' hunt, neighbor?"
Barnaby nodded. "Thought Jibbe might start up a coon. Moon later, likely."
"My cow's gone," Old Man Gowse said abruptly. "If you should see her–" He paused. "But I don't think you will...."