Острів доктора Моро
In the Dingey of the “Lady Vain.”
Istoodoutagainstitwithallmymight,wasratherforscuttlingtheboatandperishingtogetheramongthesharksthatfollowedus;butwhenHelmarsaidthatifhisproposalwasacceptedweshouldhavedrink,thesailorcameroundtohim.
Iwouldnotdrawlotshowever,andinthenightthesailorwhisperedtoHelmaragainandagain,andIsatinthebowswithmyclasp-knifeinmyhand,thoughIdoubtifIhadthestuffinmetofight;andinthemorningIagreedtoHelmar’sproposal,andwehandedhalfpencetofindtheoddman.Thelotfelluponthesailor;buthewasthestrongestofusandwouldnotabidebyit,andattackedHelmarwithhishands.Theygrappledtogetherandalmoststoodup.Icrawledalongtheboattothem,intendingtohelpHelmarbygraspingthesailor’sleg;butthesailorstumbledwiththeswayingoftheboat,andthetwofelluponthegunwaleandrolledoverboardtogether.Theysanklikestones.Irememberlaughingatthat,andwonderingwhyIlaughed.Thelaughcaughtmesuddenlylikeathingfromwithout.
IlayacrossoneofthethwartsforIknownothowlong,thinkingthatifIhadthestrengthIwoulddrinksea-waterandmaddenmyselftodiequickly.AndevenasIlaythereIsaw,withnomoreinterestthanifithadbeenapicture,asailcomeuptowardsmeoverthesky-line.Mymindmusthavebeenwandering,andyetIrememberallthathappened,quitedistinctly
