Серце темряви

           Instantly,intheemptinessofthelandscape,acryarosewhoseshrillnesspiercedthestillairlikeasharparrowflyingstraighttotheveryheartoftheland;and,asifbyenchantment,streamsofhumanbeings—ofnakedhumanbeings—withspearsintheirhands,withbows,withshields,withwildglancesandsavagemovements,werepouredintotheclearingbythedark-facedandpensiveforest.Thebushesshook,thegrassswayedforatime,andtheneverythingstoodstillinattentiveimmobility.

           "‘Now,ifhedoesnotsaytherightthingtothemwearealldonefor,’saidtheRussianatmyelbow.Theknotofmenwiththestretcherhadstopped,too,halfwaytothesteamer,asifpetrified.Isawthemanonthestretchersitup,lankandwithanupliftedarm,abovetheshouldersofthebearers.‘Letushopethatthemanwhocantalksowellofloveingeneralwillfindsomeparticularreasontospareusthistime,’Isaid.Iresentedbitterlytheabsurddangerofoursituation,asiftobeatthemercyofthatatrociousphantomhadbeenadishonouringnecessity.Icouldnothearasound,butthroughmyglassesIsawthethinarmextendedcommandingly,thelowerjawmoving,theeyesofthatapparitionshiningdarklyfarinitsbonyheadthatnoddedwithgrotesquejerks.Kurtz—Kurtz—thatmeansshortinGerman—don’tit?Well,thenamewasastrueaseverythingelseinhislife—anddeath.Helookedatleastsevenfeetlong.Hiscoveringhadfallenoff,andhisbodyemergedfromitpitifulandappallingasfromawinding-sheet.