Белая птичка
The Thrush’s Nest
WasPetertheleastgallantoftheEnglishmarinerswhohavesailedwestwardtomeettheUnknown?
Atfirst,hisboatturnedroundandround,andhewasdrivenbacktotheplaceofhisstarting,whereuponheshortenedsail,byremovingoneofthesleeves,andwasforthwithcarriedbackwardbyacontrarybreeze,tohisnosmallperil.Henowletgothesail,withtheresultthathewasdriftedtowardthefarshore,whereareblackshadowsheknewnotthedangersof,butsuspectedthem,andsooncemorehoistedhisnight-gownandwentroomeroftheshadowsuntilhecaughtafavouringwind,whichborehimwestward,butatsogreataspeedthathewasliketobebrokeagainstthebridge.Which,havingavoided,hepassedunderthebridgeandcame,tohisgreatrejoicing,withinfullsightofthedelectableGardens.Buthavingtriedtocastanchor,whichwasastoneattheendofapieceofthekite-string,hefoundnobottom,andwasfaintoholdoff,seekingformoorage,and,feelinghisway,hebuffetedagainstasunkenreefthatcasthimoverboardbythegreatnessoftheshock,andhewasneartobeingdrowned,butclamberedbackintothevessel.Therenowaroseamightystorm,accompaniedbyroaringofwaters,suchashehadneverheardthelike,andhewastossedthiswayandthat,andhishandssonumbedwiththecoldthathecouldnotclosethem.Havingescapedthedangerofwhich,hewasmercifullycarriedintoasmallbay,wherehisboatrodeatpeace.
