Трое в лодке не считая собаки

           Wehadagooddealoftroublewithsteamlaunchesthatmorning. ItwasjustbeforetheHenleyweek,andtheyweregoingupinlargenumbers;somebythemselves,sometowinghouseboats. Idohatesteamlaunches:Isupposeeveryrowingmandoes. IneverseeasteamlaunchbutIfeelIshouldliketolureittoalonelypartoftheriver,andthere,inthesilenceandthesolitude,strangleit. 

           Thereisablatantbumptiousnessaboutasteamlaunchthathastheknackofrousingeveryevilinstinctinmynature,andIyearnforthegoodolddays,whenyoucouldgoaboutandtellpeoplewhatyouthoughtofthemwithahatchetandabowandarrows. Theexpressiononthefaceofthemanwho,withhishandsinhispockets,standsbythestern,smokingacigar,issufficienttoexcuseabreachofthepeacebyitself;andthelordlywhistleforyoutogetoutofthewaywould,Iamconfident,ensureaverdictof"justifiablehomicide"fromanyjuryofrivermen. 

           Theyusedtohavetowhistleforustogetoutoftheirway. IfImaydoso,withoutappearingboastful,IthinkIcanhonestlysaythatouronesmallboat,duringthatweek,causedmoreannoyanceanddelayandaggravationtothesteamlaunchesthatwecameacrossthanalltheothercraftontheriverputtogether. 

           "Steamlaunch,coming!"oneofuswouldcryout,onsightingtheenemyinthedistance;and,inaninstant,everythingwasgotreadytoreceiveher. Iwouldtakethelines,andHarrisandGeorgewouldsitdownbesideme,allofuswithourbackstothelaunch,andtheboatwoulddriftoutquietlyintomid-stream.