Короли и капуста

           AndnowthelightsofCoralioappeared,distributedagainstthedarkeningshoretotheirright.Theadmiralstood,silent,atthetiller;theCaribs,likeblackpanthers,heldthesheets,leapingnoiselesslyathisshortcommands.Thethreepassengerswerewatchingintentlytheseabeforethem,andwhenatlengththeycameinsightofthebulkofasteamerlyingamileoutfromthetown,withherlightsradiatingdeepintothewater,theyheldasuddenvolubleandclose-headedconverse.Thesloopwasspeedingasiftostrikemidwaybetweenshipandshore.

           Thelargemansuddenlyseparatedfromhiscompanionsandapproachedthescarecrowatthehelm.

           "Mydearadmiral,"hesaid,"thegovernmenthasbeenexceedinglyremiss.Ifeelalltheshameforitthatonlyitsignoranceofyourdevotedservicehaspreventeditfromsustaining.Aninexcusableoversighthasbeenmade.Avessel,auniformandacrewworthyofyourfidelityshallbefurnishedyou.Butjustnow,dearadmiral,thereisbusinessofmomentafoot.ThesteamerlyingthereistheSalvador.Iandmyfriendsdesiretobeconveyedtoher,wherewearesentonthegovernment’sbusiness.Dousthefavourtoshapeyourcourseaccordingly."

           Withoutreplying,theadmiralgaveasharpcommand,andputthetillerhardtoport.ElNacionalswerved,andheadedstraightasanarrow’scoursefortheshore.

           "Domethefavour,"saidthelargeman,atriflerestively,"toacknowledge,atleast,thatyoucatchthesoundofmywords."Itwaspossiblethatthefellowmightbelackinginsensesaswellasintellect.