Дни грёз
A Saga Of The Seas
IhavesaidIwasalreadyonboard;and,indeed,onthisoccasionIwastoohungryforadventuretolingeroverwhatwouldhavebeenaspecialdelightataperiodofmoreleisure—thedanglingabouttheharbour,thechoosingyourcraft,selectingyourshipmates,stowingyourcargo,andfittingupyourprivatecabinwitheverythingyoumightwanttoputyourhandoninanyemergencywhatever.Icouldnotwaitforthat.Outbeyondsoundingsthebigseaswereracingwestwardandcallingme,albatrosseshoveredmotionless,expectantofacomrade,andathousandislandsheldeachofthemafreshadventure,storedup,hiddenaway,awaitingproduction,expresslysavedforme.Wewerehumming,close-hauled,downtheChannel,sprayintheeyesandtheshroudsthrillingmusically,inmuchlesstimethantheaveragemanwouldhavetakentotransferhisGladstonebagandhisrugsfromthetraintoashelteredplaceonthepromenade-deckofthetamedailysteamer.
SolongaswewereinpilotageIstuckmanfullytothewheel.Theundertakingwasmine,andwithitallitsresponsibilities,andtherewassometrickysteeringtobedoneaswespedbyheadlandandbay,erewebreastedthegreatseasoutsideandthelandfellawaybehindus.ButassoonastheAtlantichadopenedoutIbegantofeelthatitwouldberathernicetotaketeabymyselfinmyowncabin,anditthereforebecamenecessarytoinventacomradeortwo,totaketheirturnatthewheel.
Thiswaseasyenough.
