Ледяной сфинкс
Chapter VII. Tristan D’Acunha
West,towhomthecaptainleftthebusinessofrefillingthewatertanksandtakinginsuppliesoffreshmeatandvegetables,hadeveryreasontobesatisfiedwithGlass,who,nodoubt,expectedtobepaid,andwaspaid,handsomely.
ThedayafterourarrivalImetex-corporalGlass,avigorous,well-preservedman,whosesixtyyearshadnotimpairedhisintelligentvivacity.IndependentlyofhistradewiththeCapeandtheFalklands,hedidanimportantbusinessinseal-skinsandtheoilofmarineanimals,andhisaffairswereprosperous.Asheappearedverywillingtotalk,Ienteredbrisklyintoconversationwiththisself-appointedGovernorofacontentedlittlecolony,byaskinghim,—
“DomanyshipsputintoTristand’Acunha?”
“Asmanyaswerequire,”hereplied,rubbinghisbandstogetherbehindhisback,accordingtohisinvariablecustom.
“Inthefineseason?”
“Yes,inthefineseason,ifindeedwecanbesaidtohaveanyotherintheselatitudes.”
“Icongratulateyou,Mr.Glass.ButitistoberegrettedthatTristand’Acunhahasnotasingleport.Ifyoupossessedalanding-stage,now?”
“Forwhatpurpose,sir,whennaturehasprovideduswithsuchabayasthis,wherethereisshelterfromgales,anditiseasytoliesnugrightupagainsttherocks?No,Tristanhasnoport,andTristancandowithoutone.”
WhyshouldIhavecontradictedthisgoodman?Hewasproudofhisisland,justasthePrinceofMonacoisjustlyproudofhistinyprincipality.
