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.

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