Ледяной сфинкс
Chapter XVII. And Pym
Aftersomegeneralconversationrelatingtoourpurpose,theship’scourse,andtheproposedverificationofthebearingsofthegroupofislandsonthewestofTsalalwhichisdescribedbyArthurPym,thecaptainsaid,—
“Asitispossiblethattheravagesoftheearthquakedidnotextendtothisgroup,andthatitmaystillbeinhabited,wemustbeonourguardinapproachingthebearings.”
“Whichcannotbeveryfaroff,”Iadded.“Andthen,captain,whoknowsbutthatyourbrotherandhissailorsmighthavetakenrefugeononeoftheseislands!”
Thiswasadmissible,butnotaconsolingeventuality,forinthatcasethepoorfellowswouldhavefallenintothehandsofthosesavagesofwhomtheywereridwhiletheyremainedatTsalal.
“Jem,”resumedCaptainLenGuy,“wearemakinggoodway,andnodoubtlandwillbesignalledinafewhours.Giveordersforthewatchtobecareful.”
“It’sdone,captain.”
“Thereisamaninthecrow’s-nest?”
“DirkPetershimself,athisownrequest.”
“Allright,Jem;wemaytrusthisvigilance.”
“Andalsohiseyes,”Iadded,“forheisgiftedwithamazingsight.”
Fortwohoursofveryquicksailingnotthesmallestindicationofthegroupofeightislandswasvisible.
“Itisincomprehensiblethatwehavenotcomeinsightofthem,”saidthecaptain.“IreckonthattheHalbranehasmadesixtymilessincethismorning,andtheislandsinquestionaretolerablyclosetogether.
