“Sam, pài-thok--ê lah, kóng-kó͘ hō͘ goán thiaⁿ, hó bô?” Harry kah goá ná sô khı̀ Sam ê seng-khu piⁿ, ná teh kóng. àm-sı̂ ê chhù-lāi hō͘ piah-lô͘ ê hoé-kng chiò kah âng-kòng-kòng. Chit-ê sı̂-chūn Lois a-ko͘ tng-teh bô-êng chhit tê-khū, lōng kah khin-khin-khòng-khòng. Tı̄ piah-lô͘ ê lēng-goā chı̍t-pêng, a-má tiām-tiām-á teh pó͘ chı̍t-kha nâ-sek ê tn̂g-boe̍h-á.
Hit tang-sı̂ pēng bô cha̍p-chı̀ kah jı̍t-pò. Chí-ū àn Boston lâi ê “Columbian Oē-peng-chiu-pò”. Lāi-té kan-taⁿ ū chı̍t-sut-á sin-bûn kah pêng-lūn niā-niā. Khah chhù-bı̄ ê mı̍h-kiāⁿ, chhiūⁿ-kóng bàng-gà, sió-soat ia̍h-sı̄ si, mā kiông-beh khoàⁿ bē tio̍h. Tı̄ Old City, tû-liáu soán-kú ia̍h-sı̄ Kám-un-chiat í-goā, chia pēng bô hı̀-hn̂g, koa-kio̍k; mā bô party ia̍h-sı̄ phah-kiû pí-sài. Tng tang-thiⁿ beh lâi ê sı̂, jı̍t-thâu chá-chá tō lo̍h-soaⁿ--a. Chhun--ê chí-sı̄ tiām-chēng ê àm-mê. In-chhú chhoē gı̄-niū tō͘ sı̂-kan tō piàn-sêng chı̍t-kiāⁿ chiâⁿ iàu-kín ê tāi-chı̀. In-ūi án-ne, hit tong-sı̂ tı̄ piah-lô͘ piⁿ kóng-kó͘ tō chiâⁿ ta̍t-tit hiau-pai. Siā-hoē siōng liû-thoân bē chió kah lô͘-hoé saⁿ khan-liân ê bı̂n-kan kò͘-sū. Kò͘-sū lóng sı̄ tı̄ hoé-hu loān-poe ê iáⁿ-kng ē chı̀n-hêng, tùi-siōng lóng sı̄ chı̍t-koá khah bô-táⁿ ê lâng. Hit-chūn siōng sı̂-kiâⁿ--ê tō-sı̄ lāu-hoè-á kā in siàu-liân sı̂-tāi ê kò͘-sū kóng hō͘ siàu-liân-ke thiaⁿ. Chia ê kò͘-sū pau-soaⁿ-pau-hái, ū chiàn-cheng, mō͘-hiám , ū chhim-soaⁿ-nâ-lāi ê seng-oa̍h, ū hō͘ lâng lia̍h khı̀ chò lô͘-lē kah thau-cháu ê Indian lâng, ū Hı̂m, Iá-niau, Pà kah Hiáng-boé-choâ, mā ū ang-ı̂ kah chò-hiàng téng-téng.
Hit tang-sı̂ New England tāi-pō͘-hūn iah-koh sı̄ chı̍t-phı̀ⁿ bô khai-hoat ê thó͘-tē kah chhiū-nâ. Lāi-té oan-oan-oa̍t-oa̍t ê sió-lō͘, sı̂n-pı̀ ê tang-hong put-sı̂ teh toā-siaⁿ háu-kiò, chham tio̍h kı̂-koài koh káⁿ-ná éng-oán bē soah ê chhá-nāu siaⁿ. Gûi-hiám ê hái-kı̂ⁿ, kiông koh ū la̍t ê Toā-se-iûⁿ ê hái-éng chı̍t-chūn chı̍t-chūn ná-chhiūⁿ teh toā-siaⁿ hoah-hiu i ê pi-siong kāng-khoán. Hit-chūn gâu kóng-kó͘ ê lâng it-tēng sı̄ gín-á siōng kah-ı̀ ê lâng, tı̄ pa̍t-lâng chhù-lāi mā it-tēng sı̄ chē tı̄ oá lô͘-piⁿ khah sio ê só͘-chāi. Tı̄ Kū-siâⁿ lāi-té, lán ē-sái kóng Sam Lawson sı̄ siōng gâu kóng-kó͘ ê chı̍t-ê.
“Kín--ê lah! Kín kā goán kóng chı̍t-ê khah kı̂-koài koh te̍k-piat ê kò͘-sū lah. ” Harry iân-lō͘ kóng iân-lō͘ oá--koè-khı̀, nâ-sek ê ba̍k-chiu thı̀ kah khui-khui-khui, he sı̄ chı̍t-chióng chhiong-boán kı̂-thāi ê gán-sı̂n.
“Bô m̄-tio̍h ! Goá chai-iáⁿ chiok chē kı̂-kı̂-koài-koài ê tāi-chı̀.” Sam chı̍t-bı̄n kóng chı̍t-bı̄n kek kah chiok sı̂n-pı̀--ê siòng tùi lô͘-hoé hit-pêng. “Ūi-siáⁿ-mı̍h goá tō ài kóng hō͘ chı̍t-koá bô-táⁿ koh ké ióng-kám ê lâng thiaⁿ ? ”
“Pài-thok ê lah! Kā goán kóng lah! ”
“Ūi-siáⁿ-mı̍h goá tō ài hō͘ lín kiaⁿ kah poàⁿ-sio-sí ?” Sam iōng hoâi-gı̂ ê thài-tō͘ kóng.
“Ó͘ ! M̄-thang lah! Lí bē lah,” goán nn̄g-ê tâng-chê hoah--chhut-lâi.
M̄-koh Sam mā sı̄ kek tiām-tiām, kı̂-sı̍t i sim-lāi sı̄ chiok ài kóng--ê. I thiau-kang gia̍h khí chı̍t-ki hoé-kı̂ⁿ siūⁿ beh kā piah-lô͘ lāi-té ê chhâ-ki ngeh chò nn̄g-chat, bô tiuⁿ-tı̂ soah phùn kah chàu-téng lóng sı̄ hoé-thoàⁿ.
“Pài-thok leh! Sam Lawson!” Tng-teh sé-oáⁿ ê Lois a-ko͘ chiâⁿ siū-khı̀ teh hoah.
“Lois sió-chiá, lí chı̍t-sut-á tō m̄-bián hoân-ló, ” Sam ké-chò chiâⁿ tı̀n-chēng teh kóng. “Goá kan-taⁿ beh kā chhâ-ki ngeh chò nn̄g-chat niā-niā, siáng chai-iáⁿ .... Goá chit-má tō sûi kā chheng hō͘ chheng-khı̀.” I soà leh kóng. Tng i kūi tı̄ chàu-téng ê sı̂, in-ūi siuⁿ chhut-la̍t, sán koh po̍h-pán ê seng-khu soah piàn kah âng-kòng-kòng, káⁿ-ná chhin-chhiūⁿ chı̍t-pha teng-á-hoé leh.
“Hó! ” I kóng. I kā chàu-téng ê hoé-thoàⁿ sàu chheng-khı̀, sūn-soà khioh jı̍p-khı̀ piah-lô͘ lāi-té. In-ūi sak kah siuⁿ jı̍p-khı̀, soah khı̀ hō͘ hoé sio tio̍h chhiú-cháiⁿ-boé-á. “Goá khoàⁿ Lois ka-kı̄ siōng chē mā án-ne niā-niā! Goá tiāⁿ-tiāⁿ teh sàu chàu-tâi, in-ūi hoé lóng-sı̄ goá teh khí ê. M̄-koh Lois chóng-sı̄ hiah-nı̍h koàn-sı̀ khoàⁿ goá teh chò, lóng m̄-bat kā goá o-ló koè poàⁿ-kái. Che ná chhin-chhiūⁿ Parson bo̍k-su tı̄ pò͘-tō ê sı̂-chūn só͘ kóng--ê: “Lâng chóng-sı̄ m̄ chai-iáⁿ thang tông-chêng kah thiàⁿ-sioh pa̍t-lâng. ”
“Sam, kín kóng hit-ê kò͘-sū lah,”Harry kap goá nn̄g-ê lâng iân-lō͘ sai-nai, iân-lō͘ kā i giú khı̀ piah-kak ê í-á hia chē--lo̍h-lâi.
“Lín chia ê siàu-liân-ke! ” Sam kóng. “Éng-oán tō bē boán-chiok: kóng-kó͘ hō͘ lín thiaⁿ, lín ná chhin-chhiūⁿ káu-á teh chia̍h bah kāng-khoán, lóng sı̄ chheⁿ-kông thun, bô teh iōng chhùi-khí pō͘. Chı̍t-ê thiaⁿ soah tō sûi beh iau-kiû lēng-goā chı̍t-ê. Lín chit-má tàu-té siūⁿ beh thiaⁿ sáⁿ ? ”
Sam tiāⁿ-tiāⁿ teh kóng-kó͘ hō͘ goán thiaⁿ. Kò͘-sū kı̂-sı̍t lóng kiông-beh ū pian-hō--a. Goán chha-put-to lóng ē-tàng poē chhut i kóng--koè ê kò͘-sū, chham i tó-ūi kóng m̄-tio̍h chı̍t-sut-á mā lóng chai-iáⁿ kah it-chheng-jı̄-chhó. M̄-koh goán tùi chia ê kò͘-sū mā sı̄ chiok hèng--ê, chı̍t-tiám-á tō bē ià-siān. Tng i kóng kah khah khióng-pò͘ ê sı̂-chūn, goán mā sı̄ ē kiaⁿ kah phı̍h-phı̍h-chhoah, koáⁿ-kín pê khı̀ i-ê sin-khu piⁿ. Goán éng-oán lóng sı̄ siōng hó khi-phiàn kah siōng bô-táⁿ ê thiaⁿ-chiòng. Te̍k-piat sı̄ kin-mê, goā-kháu ê hong ná chhiūⁿ tı̄ goán a-kong ê chhù-piⁿ teh liān sòng-kang-tı̄n leh, hoah kah toā-sè-siaⁿ. Chhng-khò͘, chàu-kha kah tē-hā-sek ê mn̂g-sı̀ⁿ hō͘ in iô kah chı̀-chı̀ kiò. Ná-chhiūⁿ sı̄ ta̍k sı̀ⁿ mn̂g lóng sı̄ mô͘-sı̂n-á kāng-khoán, ià-siān goā-kháu im-léng ê thiⁿ-khı̀, siūⁿ beh jı̍p-lâi chhù-lāi bih-sio.
“Hó, kâu-gín-á,” Sam chiâⁿ sı̂n-pı̀ teh kóng, “lín siūⁿ beh thiaⁿ sáⁿ? ”
“Kā goán kóng ‘Kín lo̍h--lâi! Kín lo̍h--lâi!’ hit-ê lah! ” goán nn̄g-ê chò-hoé hoah--chhut-lâi. Chit-ê kò͘-sū tı̄ goán sim-bo̍k tiong sı̄ pâi tē-it-khám--ê.
“Lín chit kái bē-sái koh kiaⁿ--tio̍h a ô͘,” Sam ná-chhiūⁿ lāu-pē teh kā goán kà-sı̄.
“Ó͘ ! Goán tı̄ tang-sı̂ bat kiaⁿ--koè?” goán nn̄g-ê tâng-chê khòng-gı̄.
“Sı̄m-chı̀ lo̍h-khı̀ tē-hā-sek, ia̍h m̄ kiaⁿ?” Sam iōng chı̍t-chióng chiâⁿ sè-jı̄ ê kháu-khı̀ mn̄g. “Ká-sú lí chit-má tı̄ tē-hā-sek, la̍h-tiâu koh hoa--khı̀ mā kāng-khoán? ”
“Goá chiah bē kiaⁿ leh, ” goá ı̀n kóng, “goá siáⁿ-mı̍h tō m̄ kiaⁿ ! ”
“Hó, kı̀-jiân án-ne, ” Sam chiap leh kóng, “ goá tō kā lín kóng chit-ê kò͘-sū. Goá ē kı̀-tit, chit-ê kò͘-sū sı̄ Eb Swan tūi-tiúⁿ tı̄ goá chha-put-to lín chiah toā-hàn ê sı̂ kā goá kóng--ê. ”
“Eb Swan tūi-tiúⁿ sı̄ chı̍t-ê ta̍t-tit chun-kèng ê lâng. Lín a-kong kap i sǹg chiâⁿ se̍k. I beh sí chı̀n-chêng tı̄ Dedham kàu-hoē chò chip-sū. Tng To̍k-lı̍p chiàn-cheng khai-sí ê sı̂, i tı̄ Lexengton leh chia̍h thâu-lō͘. I sǹg-sı̄ chı̍t-ê chiâⁿ khiáu ê lâng. Bat tı̄ chia kap Boston tiong-kan óng-hoê sái bé-chhia chài hoè kap hiàm cheng-siⁿ thàn-chı̂ⁿ. I kap lín a-má ê chek-peh sió-moē Lois Peabody kiat-hun. Lois sió-chiá sı̄ chı̍t-ê chin chhong-bêng ê châ-lâng. Goá bat thiaⁿ i kā goá kóng-koè chı̍t-ê in ang kā i kóng--koè ê kò͘-sū, kèng-jiân kah in ang kā goá kóng--ê it-mô͘-it-iūⁿ. Kiám-chhái goá ē-tàng chhiūⁿ Sèng-keng lāi-té ê Mathuselah kāng-khoán oa̍h kàu káu-pah-hoè, goá éng-oán tō ē kı̀-tit chit-ê kò͘-sū. ”
“Lín kám chai? Khah-chá tı̄ ta̍k-tang chha-put-to sı̄ chhun, chhiu-thiⁿ ê kha-tau, tiāⁿ-tiāⁿ ū chı̍t-ê cha-po͘-lâng chah mı̍h-kiāⁿ lâi chia hū-kı̄n bē lin-long. I ê miâ kiò-chò Jehiel Lommedieu. Bô lâng chai-iáⁿ i khak-sı̍t sı̄ àn tó-ūi lâi. I bô sáⁿ ài kóng-oē, m̄-koh it-poaⁿ chāi-tē ê châ-lâng chin kah-ı̀--i, in lóng chiok ı̍t-tio̍h i beh lâi--ê. Chiâⁿ pháiⁿ lí-kái ūi-siáⁿ-mı̍h chia-ê châ-lâng khài ē hiah-nı̍h kah-ı̀--i. ”
“Sui-jiân i khoàⁿ--khí-lâi ū chı̍t-tiám-á lo̍k-phek, o͘-ta-sán, pak-tó͘ ná hı̂-tō͘ leh, ē-sái kóng bô sáⁿ thang chham lâng pí-phēng. Tān-sı̄ in mā sı̄ chiok kah-ı̀ i. Tı̄ Lommedieu beh lâi ê kúi lō lé-pài chêng, in tō khai-sí àn-sǹg beh án-choáⁿ chún-pı̄ mı̍h-kiāⁿ lâi khoán-thài--i. Chò kiuⁿ-piáⁿ, kiâm-sng-tiⁿ kah Pie, mā ē saⁿ-chiⁿ kiò i lâu tı̄ chhù-lāi lim-tê, iōng siōng hó ê chia̍h-sı̍t lâi kā chiau-thāi. Ta̍k-ê koh hong-siaⁿ i kap Phebe Aⁿ Parker tâm loân-ài, sui-jiân pēng m̄ chai-iáⁿ tàu-té sı̄ siáng teh jiok siáng. ū chı̍t-chām, Lommedieu choâⁿ lóng m̄-bat koh lâi--koè. Mā bô lâng chai-iáⁿ sı̄ siáⁿ goân-in. Boé-á chiah hoat-kak Parker bat chiap-tio̍h i siá ê chı̍t-tiuⁿ phoe, kóng i tı̄ Kam-un-chiat chı̀n-chêng beh lâi chhoē--i. Put-kò i pēng bô lâi. Sı̄m-chı̀ keh-nı̂ chhun-thiⁿ mā bô koh lâi. Siōng-boé chia ê châ-lâng kiōng-kiōng beh bē-kı̀-tit i a. ū lâng kóng i í-keng sí--a, ū lâng kóng i cháu-khı̀ Canada, mā ū lâng hong-siaⁿ i bat tńg-lâi koè Kū-siâⁿ. ”
“Parker sı̄ chı̍t-ê bat sè-sū ê châ-lâng. I kap Moss kiat-hun āu, tō m̄-bat koh khı̀ siūⁿ-koè chit kiāⁿ tāi-chı̀. I khoàⁿ chiâⁿ phoà, siūⁿ kóng i án-ne chò sı̄ siōng hó ê soán-tek. Lâng chóng-sı̄ bô hoat-tō͘ thang sū-sū-jû-ı̀. Tō nā chhin-chhiūⁿ kū-nı̂ ê lèng-gò͘-hoe kāng-khoán, hoe khui-soah tō ē lian--khı̀. Lommedieu ē-sái kóng kiông-beh hō͘ lâng pàng bē kı̀-tit a. ”
“Siūⁿ khí-lâi sı̍t-chāi ū chı̍t-tiám-á pi-ai, in-ūi chia ê lâng pēng bô sit-khı̀ siáⁿ-mı̍h. Sui-jiân tú khai-sí ê sı̂-chūn khó-lêng ē ū chı̍t-sut-á bē koàn-sı̀, m̄-koh lâng chóng-sı̄ ài kè-sio̍k seng-oa̍h, ū i tı̄--ê bô, kı̂-sı̍t lóng kāng-khoán. It-poaⁿ lâng lóng jı̄m-ûi i bē koh chhut-hiān--a. Put-jı̄-kò, ē lâi--ê chóng-sı̄ ē lâi. I ná-chhiūⁿ beh koh lâi--a... ”
“Lín chai--bô, Eb Swan tūi-tiúⁿ tı̄ saⁿ-goe̍h cha̍p-káu hit-jı̍t chhoā chhia-tūi kap chı̍t-koá cheng-seⁿ beh khı̀ Boston. Hit-jı̍t tú-hó seh lo̍h liáu chiok toā--ê, ē-sái kóng sı̄ kúi cha̍p tang lâi siōng toā ê chı̍t-tiûⁿ hong-seh. In-ūi án-ne, iù-iù ê seh, lo̍h tı̄ bı̄n--nih káⁿ-ná chiam teh chha̍k leh. M̄-tāⁿ án-ne, siàn--lâi ê léng-hong kiông-beh kā phı̄ⁿ-á koah-tiāu kāng-khoán. Kóng sı̍t-chāi--ê, chit-chióng thiⁿ-khı̀ pēng bô sek-ha̍p sái bé-chhia. Eb Swan tūi-tiúⁿ ē-sái kóng sı̄ chia hù-kı̄n siōng ióng-chòng ê chı̍t-ê. I ē-tàng liân-soà kúi lō jı̍t tı̄ chhiū-nâ lāi chhò-chhâ, i bat khı̀-koè Maine chhò-chhâ khu, siōng lı̄-hāi ê cha-po͘-lâng mā sı̄ án-ne niā-niā. M̄-koh, chhiūⁿ chit-chióng saⁿ-goe̍h ê léng-hong án-ne teh chhoe, chham thiⁿ-kong-peh--á mā tòng bē tiâu--a, mài kóng sı̄ i. Tūi-tiúⁿ bat kóng--koè, ká-sú léng-hong nā tı̍t-chiap chhoe i ê bı̄n-khang, i ē-tàng chih-chàiⁿ gō͘ hun-cheng chó-iū. Tān-sı̄ chhiūⁿ án-ne àn sı̀-kè siàn lâi ê léng-hong, i tō khah bē kham--tit a. ”
“Kui-jı̍t lóng sı̄ chit-chióng thiⁿ-khı̀. Jı̍t-thâu beh lo̍h-soaⁿ chı̀n-chêng i khai-sí ū chı̍t-tiám-á tam-sim, in-ūi i í-keng chhoē-bô-lō͘--a. Tng thiⁿ àm ê sı̂, i kin-pún tō m̄ chai-iáⁿ i tı̄ tó-ūi. Lín chai-iáⁿ, chit-má seh sı̄ moá sı̀-kè, chı̍t-phı̀ⁿ bông-bū, kin-pún khoàⁿ lóng bô. Sū-sı̍t siōng sı̄ i í-keng kiâⁿ m̄-tio̍h lō͘ khı̀--a, i ka-kı̄ mā koh m̄ chai-iáⁿ; kiat-kó bô tiuⁿ-tı̂ soah lâi-kàu Sherburn ê Sparrock mı̄-hún-chhiúⁿ. ”
“Lín a-kong khah-chá kah lāu Sparrock mā sǹg ū se̍k-sāi. I sı̄ chı̍t-ê chiú-kúi, ka-kı̄ toà tı̄ chhiū-nâ lāi, choan-bûn thè lâng teh boâ kù-á kah géng-mı̄-hún, khò che thàn-chia̍h seng-oa̍h. Hit-chūn i mā sǹg-sı̄ chı̍t-ê ū chhut-thoat ê chheng-liân lâng. In bó͘ Deacon Pentengall mā sı̄ chı̍t-ê ta̍t-tit lâng chun-kèng ê hū-jı̂n-lâng. M̄-koh miā-ūn chiau-that lâng, āu--lâi hoat-seng liáu put-hēng ê tāi-chı̀. ”
“Tı̄ in bó͘ sí liáu-āu, Sparrock tō lóng m̄-bat koh khı̀ kàu-tn̂g chò lé-pài, liân siu-soè-oân kap gı̄-oân mā bô hoat-tō͘ thang kiò i tín-tāng. Tng lâng bē kı̀-tit Siōng-tè ê un-tián kap thiⁿ-sù ê te̍k-koân ê sı̂, tiāⁿ-tiāⁿ ē chò-chhut chı̍t-koá hō͘-lâng sit-bōng ê tāi-chı̀. Lín siūⁿ khoàⁿ māi ê, tng só͘-ū ê lâng lóng chhēng kah súi-súi khı̀ kàu-tn̂g chò lé-pài kèng-pài Siōng-tè ê sı̂, chı̍t-ê oa̍h-oa̍h ê lâng sáⁿ tō m̄ chò, saⁿ-á chhēng-kah kiaⁿ-lâng tı̄-toah. I kui-jı̍t lóng chhēng kāng-khoán chı̍t-su saⁿ-khò͘, m̄-sı̄ tó tı̄ thô͘-kha khùn, tō-sı̄ khı̀ tiò-hı̂. Lí kám ē kı̂-thāi i chò-chhut siáⁿ-mı̍h chèng-keng ê tāi-chı̀? I káⁿ-ná teh chū-chhoē-sí-lō͘ kāng-khoán. ”
Chit-ê sı̂-chūn Sam thiau-kang hiòng goán a-kong sái ba̍k-boé, ài I chù-ı̀ I chit-má tng teh phian kò͘-sū, kà-sı̄ goán chit tı̄n gín-á.
“Eb Swan tūi-tiúⁿ i koh kóng: tng i kiâⁿ kàu chhiûⁿ-ûi-á piⁿ, gia̍h-thâu chı̍t-ē-khoàⁿ, hoat-kak thiⁿ-sek lú-lâi-lú-àm, hong-seh mā lú-lâi-lú-toā; i kám-kak chêng-hêng ná-chhiūⁿ kài giâm-tiōng ê khoán. Chhiûⁿ-ûi lāi sı̄ chı̍t-phı̀ⁿ o͘-sô-sô ê chhiū-nâ, i sim-lāi teh siūⁿ nā-sı̄ jı̍p-khı̀ bô-tiāⁿ-tio̍h ē koh khah chheng-chhó chōng-hóng. I siūⁿ i èng-kai kā bé-á àn chhia-tūi khan--chhut-lâi, hiòng chêng kiâⁿ khoàⁿ-māi--ê, khak-tēng chit-má tàu-té sı̄ tı̄ tó-ūi. Só͘-í i tō chiong i hiàm ê gû-káng seng khan jı̍p-khı̀ chhiûⁿ-ûi lāi, jiân-āu kā bé-á khan--chhut-lâi, thiàu chhiūⁿ bé-téng. Poàⁿ khiâ poàⁿ sak jı̍p-khı̀ chhiū-nâ lāi-té, tong-jiân m̄-chai-iáⁿ i lâng chit-má tı̄ sáⁿ só͘-chāi. ”
“Kiâⁿ bô goā-kú, i soah lâi-kàu Sparrock ê kū mı̄-hún-chhiúⁿ thâu-chêng. ”
“Hit-ê só͘-chāi khoàⁿ--khí-lâi sı̍t-chāi chiâⁿ o͘-hng. Piⁿ--á ū chı̍t-chō àn chio̍h-piah téng chhiâng lo̍h-lâi ê toā chúi-chhiâng, lâu jı̍p-khı̀ chı̍t-ê chiâⁿ chhim ê chúi-tı̂. Chúi-siaⁿ thiaⁿ--khı̀-lâi ū tām-po̍h-á hiong-kông, mā ū chı̍t-tiám-á chhi-liâng. Eb Swan tūi-tiúⁿ iōng i ê bé-sut-á pèⁿ lòng mn̂g, sūn-chhiú sak khui mn̂g-sı̀ⁿ, jı̍p-khı̀ chhù-lāi. ”
“Sparrock chit-chūn chē tı̄ piah-lô͘ piⁿ, chhiú-khiau piⁿ khǹg chı̍t-kan chiú. Sparrock sı̄ chı̍t-ê thong-lâng chai ê chiú-kúi! Put-kò, i mā sı̄ ū chı̍t-koá bē hiâm-tit ê só͘-chāi: i kóng-oē sı̄ hiah-nı̍h hoaⁿ-hí koh chhin-chhiat; kài-sêng chiâⁿ hoan-gêng Eb Swan tūi-tiúⁿ ê khoán. ”
“Sparrock lí hó! In-ūi goā-kháu hong-seh siuⁿ toā koh chhoē-bô-lō͘, soah lâi-kàu lí chia. ” Eb Swan tūi-tiúⁿ kóng.
“Goá siūⁿ lí khó-lêng ài toà chia lâu kàu bı̂n-á chái-khí.” Sparrock kóng.
“I gia̍h teng-á-hoé, kap Eb Swan tūi-tiúⁿ chò-hoé khı̀ chhiûⁿ-ûi-á piⁿ khan gû. I kā Eb Swan tūi-tiúⁿ kóng i ē-sái kā gû pa̍k tı̄ mı̄-hún-chhiúⁿ ê pêⁿ-á-kha. In kā chit-koá cheng-seⁿ an-tah tı̄ pêⁿ-á-kha liáu-āu, sı̄n-soà kā bé-chhia mā thoa jı̍p-khı̀ lāi-té. Chit sı̂-chūn ê hong-seh mā sı̄ koh sǹg-sǹg-kiò, chı̍t-tiám-á tō bô thêng ê ı̀-sù. ”
“In-ūi Sparrock ū chiâⁿ chē àn mı̄-hún-chhiúⁿ sa koè--lâi ê chhâ-pang, lô͘-hoé to̍h kah chiok iām--ê. Kin-á-jı̍t ê lô͘-hoé èng-kai sı̄ bē ko͘-toaⁿ chiah tio̍h, in-ūi ū chiok chē lâng thang chò-phoāⁿ a. Un-loán ê lô͘-hoé chóng-sı̄ ē hō͘-lâng ê sim-chêng ke khah hó. Só͘-í Sparrock the̍h-chhut i kū ê tê-kó͘, jı̍p bē-chió ê Whisky tı̄ lāi-té. Sparrock sı̄ chı̍t-ê chiâⁿ gâu kóng-kó͘ ê lâng. Eb Swan tūi-tiúⁿ tong-jiân m̄ pàng i soah. Chin kín, chhù-lāi teh kóng-oē ê siaⁿ tō kiông-beh toā koè goā-kháu teh sǹg-sǹg-kiò ê hong-siaⁿ--a. Chha-put-to tı̄ poàⁿ-mê ê sı̂, hiông-hiông mn̂g-sı̀ⁿ hō͘-lâng lòng kah pı̀n-pòng-kiò. ”
“Án-niâu-oê! He sı̄ siáⁿ-mı̍h?” Sparrock hoah kóng. In nn̄g-ê kı̂-sı̍t ū sió-khoá kiaⁿ--tio̍h; kin-mê iū koh sı̄ teh thàu-hong lo̍h-seh, chit-chióng lòng mn̂g siaⁿ thiaⁿ--khí-lâi sı̍t-chāi chiâⁿ khióng-pò͘. ”
“In koh tán chı̍t-sı̂-á, hoat-kak tû-liáu siàn-tio̍h ian-tâng-kóng kı̂ⁿ ê hong kı̀-kı̀-kiò í-goā, tō lóng bô-tōng-bô-chēng. Chit-ê sı̂-chūn Sparrock chí-hó koh kè-sio̍k kóng-kó͘ oē-sian. Bô goā-kú pı̀n-pòng-kiò ê siaⁿ pí goân-lâi koh khah toā-siaⁿ, káⁿ-ná beh kā mn̂g-sı̀ⁿ lòng phoà kāng-khoán. ”
“Hḿ ..., ká-sú sı̄ iau-mô͘ kúi-koài, lán siōng hó kín kā mn̂g phah-khui hō͘ i jı̍p--lâi.” Sparrock kóng. Só͘-í, i tō khí-sin koè-khı̀ kā mn̂g phah--khui. Kı̂-sı̍t i chá tō chai-iáⁿ choa̍t-tùi sı̄ Ketury. Goá siūⁿ lín khó-lêng lóng bat thiaⁿ-koè lín a-má kóng-koè Ketury ê tāi-chı̀. I khah-chá ū tang-sı̂-á bat khı̀ kàu-hoē chò lé-pài. In sian-siⁿ sı̄ chı̍t-ūi sı̀n-gióng Siōng-tè ê Indian lâng. M̄-koh Ketury sı̄ chı̍t-ê chiâⁿ chhiah ê châ-lâng, beh kám-hoà--i sı̄ pí kà-sı̄ chı̍t-chiah iá-niau iah-sı̄ pà koh-khah lân. Lín kám chai-iáⁿ, i khah-chá lâi chò lé-pài ê sı̂, lóng-sı̄ chē tı̄ choan-bûn hō͘ Indian lâng chē ê í-liâu hia. Tng-tang Parson bo̍k-su kap bo̍k-su-niû àn khàng-khoah ê cháu-lông kiâⁿ koè-lâi ê sı̂, ta̍k-ê mā lóng ē khiā--khí-lâi tı̀m-thâu phah chio-ho͘, kan-taⁿ i iû-goân sı̄ chē--ê. Jı̂-chhiáⁿ lia̍h in kim-kim-khoàⁿ, chiâⁿ bô lé-māu. I ām-kún-á koà chı̍t-tiâu phoa̍h-liān, sı̄ iōng hiáng-boé-choâ ê boé-liu kah Iá-niau-á ê chhùi-khí só͘ chò--ê. In-ūi hit-kha phoa̍h-liān tiāⁿ-tiāⁿ ē hoat-chhut khi-khi-khà-khà ê koài-siaⁿ, só͘-í ta̍k-ê lóng kóng i ná-chhiūⁿ sı̄ chı̍t-ê bô-lō͘-ēng ê ı̄-kàu-tô͘ leh. Sı̀-kè teh loā-loā-sô, tō ná-chhiūⁿ hō͘ lāu Sarpent ê lêng-hûn hù-sin--tio̍h kāng-khoán. Goá bat chhin-ba̍k khoàⁿ i lia̍h bo̍k-su-niû kim-kim khoàⁿ, i hit-ê ka-pi-sek ê toā-ām-kún-á chhin-chhiūⁿ ē-tàng se̍h chı̍t-liàn kāng-khoán, put-koán bo̍k-su-niû kiâⁿ kah tó-ūi mā sı̄ kā i toè tiâu-tiâu. Tı̄ in ê gán tiong, i-ê ba̍k-chiu sı̄ chiok kiaⁿ-lâng--ê.
Bo̍k-su-niû it-tı̍t tùi múi chı̍t-ê lâng lóng chiâⁿ iú-siān. Tùi Ketury mā-sı̄ kāng-khoán. Ta̍k-kài lé-pài kiat-sok, i lóng ē chhiò-bi-bi kā Ketury tı̀m-thâu, piáu-sı̄ hó-ı̀. Múi-chhù bo̍k-su-niû kiâⁿ-koè cháu-lông ê sı̂, Ketury ē-sái kóng m̄-bat kā chù-ı̀--koè. Ketury ê lāu-pē sı̄ chı̍t-ê chin lı̄-hāi ê tâng-ki. Lâng lóng teh kóng Ketury sè-hàn ê sı̂ pún-chiâⁿ sı̄ beh sàng hō͘ lâng chè-pài kúi-mô͘ iōng ê. Bô-lūn jû-hô, iōng Ki-tok-kàu ê hong-sek sı̄ bô khó-lêng kám-hoà i-ê iá-sèng. I bat khı̀-koè chı̍t, nn̄g pái bo̍k-su-koán ê chhâ-keng-pan, m̄-koh bo̍k-su bô-hoat-tō͘ hō͘ i khui-chhùi kóng poàⁿ-kù-oē. Tng bo̍k-su teh káng-keng ê sı̂, i chóng-sı̄ iōng chı̍t-chióng khin-sı̄ ê thāi-tō͘ chē tı̄ hia. Lâng teh kóng, nā-sı̄ kó͘-chá sı̂-chūn kin-pún bô-khó-lêng hō͘ i án-ne kè-sio̍k lo̍h--khı̀. Put-jı̄-kò bo̍k-su chin siān-liông, chı̄n-liōng pàng hō͘ i khı̀, bô kā i chhap siuⁿ chē. Ta̍k-ê lóng jı̄m-ūi Ketury sı̄ chı̍t-ê ang-ı̂. Siōng-bô, i chai-iáⁿ siuⁿ-chē i bô-èng-kai chai ê tāi-chı̀. Kı̂-sı̍t ta̍k-ê lóng sió-khoá kiaⁿ--i. Eb Swan tūi-tiúⁿ kóng i chit-sı̀-lâng koh m̄-bat khoàⁿ-koè ū lâng chhiūⁿ Sparrock hiah kiaⁿ-hiâⁿ ê khoán, tng-tang i khoàⁿ-tio̍h Ketury khiā tı̄ hia ê sı̂. ”
“Ūi-siáⁿ-mı̍h, lín khoàⁿ, i khó-pí sı̄ tàng-tio̍h sng ê lāu kim-koe-tı̂n kāng-khoán, hiah-nı̍h sán koh liap. I khoàⁿ--khí-lâi im-hiám ê siang-ba̍k iân-lō͘ nih. I-ê bı̄n khoàⁿ--khí-lâi ná-chhiūⁿ ē hō͘-lâng thâu-hı̂n leh. Ta̍k-ê lóng mā kóng put-koán sı̄ siáng jiá Ketury siū-khı̀, i chá-bān choa̍t-tùi ē tài-soe--tio̍h. Só͘-í, bô-lūn tı̄ tang-sı̂ Ketury khı̀ kā lâng lòng-mn̂g, ta̍k-ê chóng-sı̄ jı̄m-ūi á-sı̄ hō͘ i jı̍p--khı̀ khah thò-tòng. M̄-koh lâng lóng chai-iáⁿ i lâi pài-hóng choa̍t-tùi sı̄ bô sáⁿ hó-khang--ê, i káⁿ-ná hong kāng-khoán, chí-iàu ū khang-phāng tō seh--jı̍p-lâi. Jı̍p-lâi kàu i kám-kak hoaⁿ-hí ûi-chí, i tō chū-jiân lı̄-khui, chiâⁿ a-sá-lih, bē ku-ku-mo͘-mo͘. Ketury sui-jiân ē-hiáu kóng Eng-gí, m̄-koh ná-chhiūⁿ kài khin-sı̄ ê khoán, m̄-sı̄ iu-thâu-kat-bı̄n, tō-sı̄ chı̍t-ki chhùi iōng Indian-oē se̍h-se̍h liām. ū tang-sı̂ á, ba̍k-chiu koh tián kah chiok toā-lúi kiam sái ba̍k-boé, ná-chhiūⁿ khoàⁿ-tio̍h kúi-á kāng-khoán leh. I choa̍t-tùi m̄-sı̄ chı̍t-ê siū hoan-gêng ê lâng. Put-kò, ta̍k-ê lóng tùi i sǹg chiâⁿ kheh-khı̀. ”
“In-ūi án-ne lāu Sparrock kā i iau-chhiáⁿ jı̍p-lâi chhù-lāi, mā bô mn̄g i sı̄ àn tó-ūi lâi, ia̍h-sı̄ beh lâi chhòng-sáⁿ. Put-jı̄-kò, i chai-iáⁿ in tau lı̄ chia siōng bô ū jı̄-cha̍p kong-lí, jı̂-chhiáⁿ goā-kháu seh koh chek kah beh io hiah koân. Eb Swan tūi-tiúⁿ koh kóng keh-jı̍t chá-khí kin-pún khoàⁿ bē chhut-lâi ū jı̄m-hô lâng ùi seh téng-koân kiâⁿ--koè ê hûn-chiah.”
“I tàu-té sı̄ án-choáⁿ khı̀ hia--ê? ” Goá teh mn̄g.
“Kám-kóng lín m̄-bat khoàⁿ-koè teh poe ê lo̍h-hio̍h? ” “Á , i tō-sı̄ hō͘ hong chhoe lâi--ê.” Eb Swan tūi-tiúⁿ án-ne kóng. Jı̂-chhiáⁿ goá mā chiâⁿ khak-tēng hit sı̂-chūn ê hong chin kiông. Sparrock kā i chhoā jı̍p-khı̀ khah sio-joa̍h ê só͘-chāi, koh thı̂n chı̍t-poe Whisky hō͘ i: m̄-koh lí khoàⁿ, in-ūi i lâi soah hō͘ goân-pún teh khai-káng ê siaⁿ hiông-hiông tiām--khı̀. M̄-tāⁿ án-ne, i koh chē tı̄ í-á téng hàiⁿ-lâi-hàiⁿ-khı̀ , chı̍t-bı̄n sip i-ê Whisky, chı̍t-bı̄n chhùi se̍h-se̍h liām, koh it-tı̍t gia̍h-thâu khoàⁿ ian-tâng-kóng. ”
“Àn ian-tâng-kóng thoân--koè-lâi ê sǹg hong-siaⁿ kı̄-kı̄ kiò. Eb Swan tūi-tiúⁿ kóng i chit-sı̀-lâng iah m̄-bat thiaⁿ-koè chiah-nı̍h pháiⁿ thiaⁿ ê siaⁿ. Khoàⁿ ē chhut-lâi, Sparrock kiaⁿ kah kiông-beh phoà-táⁿ, in-ūi i-ê chhùi-khí chùn kah kho̍k-kho̍k kiò. ”
“M̄-koh Eb Swan tūi-tiúⁿ sı̄ chı̍t-ê chiâⁿ ióng-kám ê cha-po͘-lâng. I chiah bē in-ūi chı̍t-ê châ-lâng tio̍h-kiaⁿ, m̄-koán i sı̄-m̄-sı̄ ang-ı̂. Tng-tang i khoàⁿ Ketury it-tı̍t se̍h-se̍h-liām koh gia̍h-thâu khoàⁿ téng-koân ê ian-tâng-kóng; i tō kóng: “Ketury lí tàu-té teh khoàⁿ sáⁿ?” “ kín kóng--chhut-lâi, m̄-thang kek tiām-tiām lah!” Lín chai-iáⁿ hit-chūn Eb Swan í-keng lim-chūi--a, ē-sái kóng sı̄ chiò-chiú-chō͘-táⁿ. ”
“Hit-sı̂ i kóng i khoàⁿ-tio̍h chı̍t-ê pháiⁿ-mı̍h teh kā Ketury bı̂-bı̂-á-chhiò. I tō khi-khi-khà-khà teh iô phoa̍h-liān; jı̂-chhiáⁿ ba̍k-chiu it-tı̍t nih; koh khoàⁿ tùi ian-tâng-kóng khí-khı̀, hoah-kóng: “Lo̍h--lâi! lo̍h--lâi! Hō͘ goán khoàⁿ lí sı̄ siáng.’ ”
“Jiân-āu tō thoân-chhut chhi-chhi-chhū-chhū kah khàu-chhan ê koài-siaⁿ. Chı̍t-siang kha-poâⁿ tùi ian-tâng-kóng chhun--lo̍h-lâi. Tú-á khǹg-tı̄ chàu-tâi ê chiàⁿ tiong-ng. Cha̍p-ki kha-chéng-thâu-á khoàⁿ-hiān-hiān, ê-á kah gı̂n chò ê ê-toà liú-á tı̄ lô͘-hoé lāi siám-sih. Eb Swan tūi-tiúⁿ kóng i chit-sı̀-lâng koh m̄-bat kiaⁿ kah chiah thiám koè. Nā kóng-tio̍h Sparrock, i í-keng kiaⁿ kah kui-ê-lâng kiu tı̄ í-á téng-bı̄n--a. ”
“Ketury hiông-hiông khiā--khí-lâi, gia̍h chı̍t-ki kùn-á hiòng ian-tâng-kóng iân-lō͘ kòng iân-lō͘ toā-siaⁿ hoah: “Lo̍h--lâi! Lo̍h--lâi! Hō͘ goán khoàⁿ lí sı̄ siáng.” Kó-jiân, chı̍t-siang kha-thúi tō bān-bān-á chhun--lo̍h-lâi, chiap tı̄ kha-poâⁿ téng-bı̄n: koh sǹg-sı̄ chiâⁿ oân-chéng ê chı̍t-siang kha-thúi, chí-sı̄ boe̍h-á kah phoê-khò͘ ū tām-po̍h-á liap-liap niā-niā. ”
“Goán lóng teh tán--i,” Eb Swan tūi-tiúⁿ kóng. “Khah-kín--ê, Ketury, kín hō͘ goán khoàⁿ-tio̍h i kui-ê sin-khu.”
“Ketury ná-chhiūⁿ chhàu-hı̄ⁿ-lâng--ê , pēng bô chhap i. I káⁿ-ná chhâ-khit-á kāng-khoán, chı̍t-kho͘ lâng chhâ-chhâ chhāi tı̄ hia. I koh kè-sio̍k hoah: “Lo̍h--lâi! Lo̍h--lâi! Hō͘ goán khoàⁿ lí sı̄ siáng.” Soah--lo̍h-lâi sı̄ chı̍t-sian cha-po͘-lâng ê sin-khu. Sin-chhēng ka-pi-sek goā-thò kap n̂g-sek lāi-lí. M̄-koh pēng-bô khoàⁿ-tio̍h siang-chhiú. Chit-ê sı̂-chūn Ketury iōng hit-ki kùn-á toā-la̍t khà ian-tâng-kóng, koh kiò “Lo̍h--lâi! Lo̍h--lâi!” Kiat-kó chin-chiàⁿ chhut-hiān liáu chı̍t-siang chhiú. Tû-liáu khoàⁿ bô tio̍h thâu-khak í-goā, kui-sian lâng ē-sái kóng-sı̄ chiâⁿ oân-chéng. ”
“Ketury,” Eb Swan tūi-tiúⁿ kóng. “Káⁿ-ná m̄-sı̄ teh kún-chhiò ê khoán. Goá khoàⁿ lí ài kín kā i kui sian lâng lóng kiò--chhut-lâi, khoàⁿ tàu-té beh ài lán chò sáⁿ. ”
“Soà--lo̍h-lâi Ketury koh hoah siōng-boé chı̍t-pái. Chit-pái pí chêng kúi pái lóng khah toā-siaⁿ. “Lo̍h--lâi! Lo̍h--lâi! Hō͘ goán khoàⁿ lí sı̄ siáng.” Siōng boé-á lo̍h--lâi ê sı̄ chı̍t-lia̍p thâu-khak. Chhāi tı̄ keng-kah-thâu téng-koân. Eb Swan tūi-tiúⁿ chı̍t-ē-khoàⁿ tō chai-iáⁿ sı̄ ta̍k-ê teh cháu-chhoē ê Lommedieu. ”
“Kı̂-sı̍t lāu Sparrock mā bat--i; i chit-má kui ê bı̄n chheⁿ-sún-sún, sim-lāi teh kı̂-tó Siōng-tè khó-liân kap goân-liōng i. M̄-koh Eb Swan tūi-tiúⁿ ūi-tio̍h beh mn̄g chhut kiat-kó, the̍h-chhut ióng-khı̀ mn̄g kóng: “Lí í-keng lo̍h--lâi a, lí tàu-té beh ài sáⁿ?’ ”
“Chit-ê lâng pēng bô kóng-oē; i kan-taⁿ iân-lō͘ háu-chhan iân-lō͘ iōng chhiú kí ian-tâng-kóng. I káⁿ-ná siūⁿ beh kóng sáⁿ, m̄-koh kóng bē chhut-lâi ê khoán. Lín chai-iáⁿ, i pēng m̄-sı̄ hit-chióng ē-tàng khui-chhùi kóng-oē ê “lâng”. Chit-ê sı̂-chūn ū chı̍t-chūn im-hong khau jı̍p chhù-lāi, kā mn̂g-sı̀ⁿ sak khui, koh kā kui chhù-keng ká kah lóng-sı̄ hoé-chhiⁿ chham hoé-hu. Ná-chhiūⁿ koh ū chı̍t-chūn ká-lê-á-hong lú-lâi-lú-khı̀, o͘-àm kah khàu-chhan ê siaⁿ-im lām-chham chò-hoé. Tng chia lóng siau-sit ê sı̂, Ketury chham chit-ê cha-po͘-lâng mā soah piàn bô--khı̀. Taⁿ chhun lāu Sparrock chı̍t-kho͘ lâng tó tı̄ thô͘-kha iân-lō͘ liàn iân-lō͘ haiⁿ, káⁿ-ná beh sí--a kāng-khoán. ”
“Eb Swan tūi-tiúⁿ kā lāu Sparrock hû khí--lâi, koh kā lô͘-hoé khí hō͘ to̍h. Pēng-chhiáⁿ an-ūi--i, in-ūi chit-ê lāu-hoè-á í-keng kiaⁿ kah poàⁿ-sió-sí. Lín khoàⁿ, hō͘ lâng kèng-ùi ê Siōng-tè í-keng chiong i kiò cheng-sı̂n--a. I-ê choē-ok mā tńg-khı̀ i-ê lêng-hûn lāi-té--a. I í-keng hō͘ Siōng-tè tēng-choē, pit-su-ài thán-pe̍h chiau-chhut in lāu-pē án-choáⁿ ūi châi bô͘-sat khó-liân ê Lommedieu. Sparrock kı̂-sı̍t chá tō chai-iáⁿ, mā ū kā in lāu-pē tàu-saⁿ-kāng chiong si-thé chhàng tı̄ ian-tâng-kóng lāi-té. I mā sêng-jı̄n chū-chiông hit-chūn khai-sí, i ê liông-sim tō it-tı̍t siū-tio̍h khián-chek. Che mā-sı̄ i lı̄-khui kàu-hoē siōng chú-iàu ê goân-in. Lán chai-iáⁿ hoān-choē ê lâng chóng-sı̄ m̄-káⁿ kā Siōng-tè kı̂-tó. Sparrock koè chı̍t, nn̄g jı̍t āu tō koè-sin--a. Tı̄ koè-sin chêng Eb Swan tūi-tiúⁿ chhoē Sherburn ê bo̍k-su kah chı̍t-ê gı̄-oân lâi kā khoàⁿ. I-ê châi-sán choân-pō͘ hō͘ lâng chhiong-kong. I khoàⁿ--khí-lâi ná-chhiūⁿ chiâⁿ hiō-hoé ê khoán. Teh thè i kı̂-tó ê Parson bo̍k-su chiâⁿ ū sı̀n-sim beh kā i-ê lêng-hûn chhoē--tńg-lâi. Chha-put-to tı̄ kı̂-tó khai-sí cha̍p-it tiám-cheng chó-iū ê sı̂, khó-liân ê lāu Sparrock ê lêng-hûn káⁿ-ná ū tò-tńg--lâi a. Siōng-bô i chit-má khoàⁿ khí-lâi khah sêng i pún-lâng. I teh thiàⁿ-sim i bô-hoat-tō͘ oa̍h kah hō͘-lâng tiàu sí. I teh siūⁿ, nā-sı̄ chiap-siū kong-pêⁿ ê sím-phoàⁿ, jiân-āu hō͘-lâng tiàu sí, án-ne liông-sim siōng mā khah ē tit koè. I iau-kiû Parson ài tap-èng i kā mı̄-hún-chhiúⁿ thiah-tiāu koh kā si-thé tâi--khí-lâi. I sí liáu-āu, in oân-choân chiàu i-ê kau-tāi khı̀ chò. ”
“Eb Swan tūi-tiúⁿ sı̄ peh-ê chiong ian-tâng-kóng khà-tiāu ê lâng lāi-té ê chı̍t-ê. Tong-jiân khà-tiāu í-āu, chhun--lo̍h-lâi ê tō sı̄ óng-sí ê Lommedieu ê kut-thâu-á.”
“Lín chia gín-á èng-kai khoàⁿ ē chhut--lâi, thian-lí-chiau-chiau, sè-kan lāi-té àm-khàm ê choē-ok sui-jiân bē chió, m̄-koh siōng-boé-á lóng ē hō͘-lâng hoat-hiān. Chhiūⁿ chit-chân bô͘-sat àn-kiāⁿ, tō-sı̄ hō͘ Indian châ-lâng kah toā hong-seh pek--chhut-lâi ê. ”
“Goá chiah m̄ siong-sı̀n chit-ê kò͘-sū leh. ” Lois a-ko͘ toā-siaⁿ kóng.
“Ūi-sáⁿ? Lois, ” goán a-má hoán mn̄g, “Eb Swan tūi-tiúⁿ sı̄ chı̍t-ê khiân-sêng ê kàu-tô͘, mā-sı̄ chit-ê ta̍t-tit lán chun-kèng ê lâng. ”
“A-bú! Goá khoàⁿ tāi-chı̀ pēng m̄-sı̄ án-ne. Goá siūⁿ i sı̄ kah Sparrock chò-hoé lim siuⁿ-chē chiú, lim kah chùi-bông-bông. Ká-sú tāi-chı̀ chin-chiàⁿ hoat-seng tı̄ goá-ê bı̄n-thâu-chêng, goá mā-sı̄ bē siong-sı̀n! Goá tian-tò ē siūⁿ-kóng goá khó-lêng teh khí-siáu, a-tah-mà khòng-ku-lí! ”
“É ! Lois, goá nā-sı̄ lí, goá chiah bē hiah-nı̍h thih-khí-ngē-gê leh,” goán a-má kóng. “nā-sı̄ ta̍k-ê lóng chhiūⁿ lí, án-ne Cotton Mather ê kò͘-sū Manilly sǹg sáⁿ? ”
“À ! ” Sam ná-chhiūⁿ teh siūⁿ sáⁿ tāi-chı̀, gōng-sı̂n gōng-sı̂n chē tı̄ chhâ-kho͘ téng-thâu, ba̍k-chiu siong-tùi lô͘-hoé hit-pêng. “Chit-ê sè-kan siōng chin-chin-ké-ké. Goán a-kong khah-chá bat kóng--koè: “Gín-á, lín nā-sı̄ beh koè-liáu khah hoaⁿ-hí--ê, m̄-thang kā chin-ké hun liáu siuⁿ chheng-chhó.” Che mā-sı̄ goá-ê seng-oa̍h tiat-ha̍k. ”
Lois a-ko͘ chit-ê sı̂-chūn tng-teh jı̄n-chin teh chhiah phòng-se.
“Gín-á,” Sam kóng, “lín ū siūⁿ beh kah goá lo̍h-khı̀ tē-hā-sek the̍h chı̍t-koàn lèng-gò͘ chiap? ”
Goán tong-jiân ū toè i lo̍h--khı̀, koh koāⁿ chı̍t-kha nâ-á, sı̄n-soà té chı̍t-koá lèng-gò͘ khí-lâi hang.
“Gín-á,” Sam kek kah chiok sı̂n-pı̀ ê, hit-chūn i tng teh suh lèng-gò͘-chiap. “Lín ē-sái kiò Lois a-ko͘ kā lín kóng chı̍t-koá kah Ruth Sullivan ū-koan ê kò͘-sū.”
“Ūi-sáⁿ? He sı̄ sáⁿ? ”
“Ó͘ ! Lín ài khı̀ mn̄g i. Kúi-á-kó͘ ū bē-chió lâng bô teh kā sı̀n-táu, m̄-koh chin put-hēng, chóng-sı̄ ū chı̍t-koá kò͘-sū hō͘-lâng put-tit-put-sı̀n. Lín nā-siūⁿ beh chai-iáⁿ Ruth Sullivan ê kò͘-sū, tō khı̀ mn̄g lín Lois a-ko͘. ”
