Конец рабства
XIV
“Gotyoureyeswellopenyet,Serang?It’smiddlingdark;I’llwaittillyougetyoursightproperly.”
TheoldMalaymurmured,lookedupwithhisworneyes,sidledawayintothelightofthebinnacle,and,crossinghishandsbehindhisback,fixedhiseyesonthecompass-card.
“You’llhavetokeepagoodlook-outaheadforland,abouthalf-pastthree.It’sfairlyclear,though.Youhavelookedinonthecaptainasyoucamealong—eh?Heknowsthetime?Well,then,Iamoff.”
Atthefootoftheladderhestoodasideforthecaptain.Hewatchedhimgoupwithaneven,certaintread,andremainedthoughtfulforamoment.“It’sfunny,”hesaidtohimself,“butyoucannevertellwhetherthatmanhasseenyouornot.Hemighthaveheardmebreathethistime.”
Hewasawonderfulmanwhenallwassaidanddone.Theysaidhehadhadanameinhisday.Mr.Sternecouldwellbelieveit;andheconcludedserenelythatCaptainWhalleymustbeabletoseepeoplemoreorless—ashimselfjustnow,forinstance—butnotbeingcertainofanybody,hadtokeepupthatunnoticingsilenceofmannerforfearofgivinghimselfaway.Mr.Sternewasashrewdguesser.
ThisnecessityofeverymomentbroughthometoCaptainWhalley’sheartthehumiliationofhisfalsehood.Hehaddriftedintoitfrompaternallove,fromincredulity,fromboundlesstrustindivinejusticemetedouttomen’sfeelingsonthisearth.HewouldgivehispoorIvythebenefitofanothermonth’swork;perhapstheafflictionwasonlytemporary.
