Сердце тьмы

           Theboilerwasinthefore-end,andthemachineryrightastern.yOverthewholetherewasalightroof,supportedonstanchions.Thefunnelprojectedthroughthatroof,andinfrontofthefunnelasmallcabinbuiltoflightplanksservedforapilot-house.Itcontainedacouch,twocamp-stools,aloadedMartini–Henryleaninginonecorner,atinytable,andthesteering-wheel.Ithadawidedoorinfrontandabroadshutterateachside.Allthesewerealwaysthrownopen,ofcourse.Ispentmydaysperchedupthereontheextremefore-endofthatroof,beforethedoor.AtnightIslept,ortriedto,onthecouch.Anathleticblackbelongingtosomecoasttribeandeducatedbymypoorpredecessor,wasthehelmsman.Hesportedapairofbrassearrings,woreablueclothwrapperfromthewaisttotheankles,andthoughtalltheworldofhimself.HewasthemostunstablekindoffoolIhadeverseen.Hesteeredwithnoendofaswaggerwhileyouwereby;butifhelostsightofyou,hebecameinstantlythepreyofanabjectfunk,andwouldletthatcrippleofasteamboatgettheupperhandofhiminaminute.

           "Iwaslookingdownatthesounding-pole,andfeelingmuchannoyedtoseeateachtryalittlemoreofitstickoutofthatriver,whenIsawmypolemangiveuponthebusinesssuddenly,andstretchhimselfflatonthedeck,withouteventakingthetroubletohaulhispolein.Hekeptholdonitthough,andittrailedinthewater.Atthesametimethefireman,whomIcouldalsoseebelowme,satdownabruptlybeforehisfurnaceandduckedhishead.Iwasamazed.