Ледяной сфинкс

Chapter XI. From the Sandwich Islands to the Polar Circle

           Hehadfounditeasytogettheupperhandoftheothersailorsbyhisroughmannerandthesurlyaudacitythatwasexpressedbyhiswholepersonality.HearnewasanAmerican,andforty-fiveyearsofage.Hewasanactive,vigorousman,andIcouldseehiminmymind’seye,standinguponhisdoublebowedwhaling-boatbrandishingtheharpoon,dartingitintotheflankofawhale,andpayingouttherope.Hemusthavebeenfinetosee.Grantedhispassionforthisbusiness,Icouldnotbesurprisedthathisdiscontentshoweditselfuponoccasion.Inanycase,however,ourschoonerwasnotfittedoutforfishing,andtheimplementsofwhalingwerenotonboard.

           Oneday,aboutthreeo’clockintheafternoon,Ihadgoneforwardtowatchthegambolsofa“school”ofthehugeseamammals.Hearnewaspointingthemouttohiscompanions,andmutteringindisjointedphrases,—

           “There,lookthere!That’safin-back!There’sanother,andanother;threeofthemwiththeirdorsalfinsfiveorsixfeethigh.Justseethemswimmingbetweentwowaves,quietly,makingnojumps.Ah!ifIhadaharpoon,IbetmyheadthatIcouldsenditintooneofthefouryellowspotstheyhaveontheirbodies.Butthere’snothingtobedoneinthistraffic-box;onecannotstretchone’sarms.Deviltakeit!Intheseseasitisfishingweoughttobeat,not—”

           Then,stoppingshort,hesworeafewoaths,andcriedout,“Andthatotherwhale!”

           “Theonewithahumplikeadromedary?”askedasailor.

           “Yes.Itisahumpback,”repliedHearne.

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