Межзвёздный скиталец
Chapter 19
IheldthehatonmykneeswithCaptainNicholl’shatoverit.Thesurgeonthrustinhishandandfumbledaboutforsometime,whileIwonderedwhetherthefeelofthatonebrownthreadcouldbedetectedfromtherestoftheravel.
Atlasthewithdrewhishand.Thebrownthreadwasinhispieceofcloth.IwasinstantlyveryhumbleandverygratefulforGod’sblessingthusextendedtome;andIresolvedtokeepmorefaithfullythaneverallofHiscommandments.ThenextmomentIcouldnothelpbutfeelthatthesurgeonandthecaptainwerepledgedtoeachotherbyclosertiesofpositionandintercoursethanwithme,andthattheywereinameasuredisappointedwiththeoutcome.Andclosewiththatthoughtrantheconvictionthattheyweresuchtruementhattheoutcomewouldnotinterferewiththeplanarranged.
Iwasright.Thesurgeonbaredarmandknifeandpreparedtoopenagreatvein.First,however,hespokeafewwords.
“IamanativeofNorfolkintheVirginias,”hesaid,“whereIexpectIhavenowawifeandthreechildrenliving.TheonlyfavourthatIhavetorequestofyouis,thatshoulditpleaseGodtodelivereitherofyoufromyourperiloussituation,andshouldyoubesofortunateastoreachoncemoreyournativecountry,thatyouwouldacquaintmyunfortunatefamilywithmywretchedfate.
