Тень над Иннсмутом
Chapter 4
IknewthatmuchofmyroutemustbevisiblefromtheRowleyroad.
Themarshyregionbeganveryabruptly,withthesingletrackonalow,grassyembankmentwheretheweedygrowthwassomewhatthinner.Thencameasortofislandofhigherground,wherethelinepassedthroughashallowopencutchokedwithbushesandbrambles.Iwasverygladofthispartialshelter,sinceatthispointtheRowleyroadwasuncomfortablynearaccordingtomywindowview.Attheendofthecutitwouldcrossthetrackandswerveofftoasaferdistance;butmeanwhileImustbeexceedinglycareful.Iwasbythistimethankfullycertainthattherailwayitselfwasnotpatrolled.
JustbeforeenteringthecutIglancedbehindme,butsawnopursuer.TheancientspiresandroofsofdecayingInnsmouthgleamedlovelyandetherealinthemagicyellowmoonlight,andIthoughtofhowtheymusthavelookedintheolddaysbeforetheshadowfell.Then,asmygazecircledinlandfromthetown,somethinglesstranquilarrestedmynoticeandheldmeimmobileforasecond.
WhatIsaw—orfanciedIsaw—wasadisturbingsuggestionofundulantmotionfartothesouth;asuggestionwhichmademeconcludethataverylargehordemustbepouringoutofthecityalongthelevelIpswichroad.ThedistancewasgreatandIcoulddistinguishnothingindetail;butIdidnotatalllikethelookofthatmovingcolumn.Itundulatedtoomuch,andglistenedtoobrightlyintheraysofthenowwesteringmoon.
