mackerel
a fish used for commercial used as "food fish"
"sopped it up"
soak with liquid
"a crimson stream"
a flow of blood
"plug the bullet hole"
to apply pressure to stop blood flow, in the case because of a bullet shot
cartridges
a container that holds bullets
"so hep me Gawd!"
Correct spelling: So help me God!; "God" is often spelled "Gawd" in this book
perforation
a hole created by deliberate piercing
exertion
great effort, physically and/or mentally
manhole
a small opening on the floor designed to allow a person to enter, usually to a sewage or otherwise under pavement or roads
taut
tightly pulled without slack; full of tension
