Конец рабства
XIV
Butthismanshouldnotescapescot-free.
Sterne’svoicecommanded—
“Loweraway!”
Theblocksrattled.
“Nowthen,”hecried,“overwithyou.Thisway.You,Jack,here.Mr.Massy!Mr.Massy!Captain!Quick,sir!Let’sget—
“Ishallgotoprisonfortryingtocheattheinsurance,butyou’llgetexposed;you,honestman,whohasbeencheatingme.Youarepoor.Aren’tyou?You’venothingbutthefivehundredpounds.Well,youhavenothingatallnow.Theship’slost,andtheinsurancewon’tbepaid.”
CaptainWhalleydidnotmove.True!Ivy’smoney!Goneinthiswreck.Againhehadaflashofinsight.Hewasindeedattheendofhistether.
Urgentvoicescriedouttogetheralongside.Massydidnotseemabletotearhimselfawayfromthebridge.Hechatteredandhisseddespairingly—
“Giveituptome!Giveitup!”
“No,”saidCaptainWhalley;“Icouldnotgiveitup.Youhadbettergo.Don’twait,man,ifyouwanttolive.She’ssettlingdownbytheheadfast.No;Ishallkeepit,butIshallstayonboard.”
Massydidnotseemtounderstand;buttheloveoflife,awakenedsuddenly,drovehimawayfromthebridge.
CaptainWhalleylaidthecoatdown,andstumbledamongsttheheapsofwreckagetotheside.
“IsMr.Massyinwithyou?”hecalledoutintothenight.
Sternefromtheboatshouted—
“Yes;we’vegothim.Comealong,sir.It’smadnesstostaylonger.”
CaptainWhalleyfeltalongtherailcarefully,and,withoutaword,castoffthepainter.Theywereexpectinghimstilldownthere.
