Серце темряви

           Suddenlysheopenedherbaredarmsandthrewthemuprigidaboveherhead,asthoughinanuncontrollabledesiretotouchthesky,andatthesametimetheswiftshadowsdartedoutontheearth,sweptaroundontheriver,gatheringthesteamerintoashadowyembrace.Aformidablesilencehungoverthescene.

           "Sheturnedawayslowly,walkedon,followingthebank,andpassedintothebushestotheleft.Onceonlyhereyesgleamedbackatusintheduskofthethicketsbeforeshedisappeared.

           "‘IfshehadofferedtocomeaboardIreallythinkIwouldhavetriedtoshoother,’saidthemanofpatches,nervously.‘Ihavebeenriskingmylifeeverydayforthelastfortnighttokeepheroutofthehouse.ShegotinonedayandkickeduparowaboutthosemiserableragsIpickedupinthestoreroomtomendmyclotheswith.Iwasn’tdecent.Atleastitmusthavebeenthat,forshetalkedlikeafurytoKurtzforanhour,pointingatmenowandthen.Idon’tunderstandthedialectofthistribe.Luckilyforme,IfancyKurtzfelttooillthatdaytocare,ortherewouldhavebeenmischief.Idon’tunderstand...No—it’stoomuchforme.Ah,well,it’sallovernow.’

           "AtthismomentIheardKurtz’sdeepvoicebehindthecurtain:‘Saveme!—savetheivory,youmean.Don’ttellme.SaveME!Why,I’vehadtosaveyou.Youareinterruptingmyplansnow.Sick!Sick!Notsosickasyouwouldliketobelieve.Nevermind.I’llcarrymyideasoutyet—Iwillreturn.I’llshowyouwhatcanbedone.