He walked around the hood of the truck； still muttering； and Brutal tipped me a wink。 As far as Coffey was concerned； we had ceased to exist。 His head was tilted back and he was drinking in the sight of the stars sprawling across the sky。
〃I'll ride in back with him； if you want；〃 Brutal offered。 Behind us； the Farmall's starter whined briefly； sounding like an old dog trying to find its feet on a cold winter morning； then the engine exploded into life。 Harry raced it once and let it settle into a ragged idle。 〃No need for both of us to do it。〃
〃Get up front；〃 I said。 〃You can ride with him on the return trip。 If we don't end up making that one locked into the back of our own stagecoach； that is。〃
〃Don't talk that way；〃 he said； looking genuinely upset。 It was as if he had realized for the first time how serious this would be for us if we were caught。 〃Christ； Paul！〃
〃Go on；〃 I said。 〃In the cab。〃
He did as he was told。 I yanked on John Coffey's arm until I could get his attention back to earth for a bit； then led him around to the rear of the truck； which was stake…sided。 Harry had draped canvas over the posts； and that would be of some help if we passed cars or trucks going the other way。 He hadn't been able to do anything about the open back； though。
〃Upsy…daisy； big boy；〃 I said。
〃Goin for the ride now？〃
〃That's right。〃
〃Good。〃 He smiled。 It was sweet and lovely； that smile； perhaps the more so because it