Ледяной сфинкс
Chapter I. The Kerguelen Islands.
Jeorling!Why,thewildgrassisalreadypeepingthroughthewhitesheet!Justlook!”
“Yes,withamagnifyingglass!Betweenourselves,Atkins,couldyouventuretopretendthatyourbaysarenotstillice-lockedinthismonthofAugust,whichistheFebruaryofournorthernhemisphere?”
“Iacknowledgethat,Mr.Jeorling.ButagainIsayhavepatience!Thewinterhasbeenmildthisyear.Theshipswillsoonshowup,intheeastorinthewest,forthefishingseasonisnear.”
“MayHeavenhearyou,Atkins,andguidetheHalbranesafelyintoport.”
“CaptainLenGuy?Ah,he’sagoodsailor,althoughhe’sEnglish—therearegoodpeopleeverywhere—andhetakesinhissuppliesattheGreenCormorant.”
“YouthinktheHalbrane—”
“Willbesignalledbeforeaweek,Mr.Jeorling,or,ifnot,itwillbebecausethereisnolongeraCaptainLenGuy;andifthereisnolongeraCaptainLenGuy,itisbecausetheHalbranehassunkinfullsailbetweentheKerguelensandtheCapeofGoodHope.”
ThereuponMr.Atkinswalkedaway,withascornfulgesture,indicatingthatsuchaneventualitywasoutofallprobability.
MyintentionwastotakemypassageonboardtheHalbranesosoonassheshouldcometohermooringsinChristmasHarbour.Afterarestofsixorsevendays,shewouldsetsailagainforTristand’Acunha,whereshewastodischargehercargooftinandcopper.Imeanttostayintheislandforafewweeksofthefineseason,andfromthencesetoutforConnecticut.
