Серце темряви

           ‘Ihadbettergetoutofthewayquietly,’hesaidearnestly.‘IcandonomoreforKurtznow,andtheywouldsoonfindsomeexcuse.What’stostopthem?There’samilitarypostthreehundredmilesfromhere.’‘Well,uponmyword,’saidI,‘perhapsyouhadbettergoifyouhaveanyfriendsamongstthesavagesnearby.’‘Plenty,’hesaid.‘Theyaresimplepeople—andIwantnothing,youknow.’Hestoodbitinghislip,then:‘Idon’twantanyharmtohappentothesewhiteshere,butofcourseIwasthinkingofMr.Kurtz’sreputation—butyouareabrotherseamanand—’‘Allright,’saidI,afteratime.‘Mr.Kurtz’sreputationissafewithme.’IdidnotknowhowtrulyIspoke.

           "Heinformedme,loweringhisvoice,thatitwasKurtzwhohadorderedtheattacktobemadeonthesteamer.‘Hehatedsometimestheideaofbeingtakenaway—andthenagain...ButIdon’tunderstandthesematters.Iamasimpleman.Hethoughtitwouldscareyouaway—thatyouwouldgiveitup,thinkinghimdead.Icouldnotstophim.Oh,Ihadanawfultimeofitthislastmonth.’‘Verywell,’Isaid.‘Heisallrightnow.’‘Ye-e-es,’hemuttered,notveryconvincedapparently.‘Thanks,’saidI;‘Ishallkeepmyeyesopen.’‘Butquiet-eh?’heurgedanxiously.‘Itwouldbeawfulforhisreputationifanybodyhere—’Ipromisedacompletediscretionwithgreatgravity.‘Ihaveacanoeandthreeblackfellowswaitingnotveryfar.Iamoff.