Ледяной сфинкс
Chapter VII. Tristan D’Acunha
Ididnotpersist,andwetalkedofvariousthings.Heofferedtoarrangeformeanexcursiontothedepthsofthethickforests,whichclothedthevolcanouptothemiddleofthecentralcove.
Ithankedhim,butdeclinedhisoffer,preferringtoemploymyleisureonlandinsomemineralogicalstudies.Besides,theHalbranewastosetsailsosoonasshehadtakeninherprovisions.
“Yourcaptainisinaremarkablehurry!”saidGovernorGlass.
“Youthinkso?”
“Heisinsuchhastethathislieutenantdoesnoteventalkofbuyingskinsoroilfromme.”
“Werequireonlyfreshvictualsandfreshwater,Mr.Glass.”
“Verywell,”repliedtheGovernor,whowasratherannoyed,“whattheHalbranewillnottakeothervesselswill.”
Thenheresumed,—
“Andwhereisyourschoonerboundforonleavingus?”
“FortheFalklands,nodoubt,whereshecanberepaired.”
“You,sir,areonlyapassenger,Isuppose?”
“Asyousay,Mr.Glass,andIhadevenintendedtoremainatTristand’Acunhaforsomeweeks.ButIhavehadtorelinquishthatproject.”
“Iamsorrytohearit,sir.Weshouldhavebeenhappytoofferyouhospitalitywhileawaitingthearrivalofanothership.”
“Suchhospitalitywouldhavebeenmostvaluabletome,”Ireplied,“butunfortunatelyIcannotavailmyselfofit.”
Infact,Ihadfinallyresolvednottoquittheschooner,buttoembarkforAmericafromtheFalklandIsleswithoutmuchdelay.
