Конец рабства

XI

           Massy,tosuspectanybodyofsucha...It’senoughtomakeyourhairstandonend.”

           Hewatchedfortheeffect:Massyseemeddazed,uncomprehending.Heonlypassedthepalmofhishandonthecoal-blackwispsplasteredacrossthetopofhishead.InatonesuddenlychangedtoconfidentialaudacitySternehastenedon.

           “Rememberthatthere’sonlysixweekslefttorun...”Theotherwaslookingathimstonily...“soanyhowyoushallrequireacaptainfortheshipbeforelong.”

           Thenonly,asifthatsuggestionhadscarifiedhisfleshinthemannerofred-hotiron,Massygaveastartandseemedreadytoshriek.Hecontainedhimselfbyagreateffort.

           “Requireacaptain,”herepeatedwithscathingslowness.“Whorequiresacaptain?YoudaretotellmethatIneedanyofyouhumbuggingsailorstorunmyship.Youandyourlikeshavebeenfatteningonmeforyears.Itwouldhavehurtmelesstothrowmymoneyoverboard.Pam—pe—redus—e—lessf-f-f-frauds.Theoldshipknowsasmuchasthebestofyou.”Hesnappedhisteethaudiblyandgrowledthroughthem,“Thesillylawrequiresacaptain.”

           Sternehadtakenheartofgracemeantime.

           “Andthesillyinsurancepeopletoo,aswell,”hesaidlightly.“Butnevermindthat.WhatIwanttoaskis:Whyshouldn’tIdo,sir?Idon’tsaybutyoucouldtakeasteamerabouttheworldaswellasanyofussailors.Idon’tpretendtotellyouthatitisaverygreattrick...”Heemittedashort,hollowguffaw,familiarly...

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