Серце темряви
Chapter 1
Theywanderedhereandtherewiththeirabsurdlongstavesintheirhands,likealotoffaithlesspilgrimsbewitchedinsidearottenfence.Theword‘ivory’rangintheair,waswhispered,wassighed.Youwouldthinktheywereprayingtoit.Ataintofimbecilerapacityblewthroughitall,likeawhifffromsomecorpse.ByJove!I’veneverseenanythingsounrealinmylife.Andoutside,thesilentwildernesssurroundingthisclearedspeckontheearthstruckmeassomethinggreatandinvincible,likeevilortruth,waitingpatientlyforthepassingawayofthisfantasticinvasion.
"Oh,thesemonths!Well,nevermind.Variousthingsyhappened.Oneeveningagrassshedfullofcalico,cottonprints,beads,andIdon’tknowwhatelse,burstintoablazesosuddenlythatyouwouldhavethoughttheearthhadopenedtoletanavengingfireconsumeallthattrash.Iwassmokingmypipequietlybymydismantledsteamer,andsawthemallcuttingcapersinthelight,withtheirarmsliftedhigh,whenthestoutmanwithmoustachescametearingdowntotheriver,atinpailinhishand,assuredmethateverybodywas‘behavingsplendidly,splendidly,’dippedaboutaquartofwaterandtorebackagain.Inoticedtherewasaholeinthebottomofhispail.
"Istrolledup.Therewasnohurry.Youseethethinghadgoneofflikeaboxofmatches.Ithadbeenhopelessfromtheveryfirst.Theflamehadleapedhigh,driveneverybodyback,lightedupeverything—andcollapsed.Theshedwasalreadyaheapofembersglowingfiercely.Aniggerwasbeingbeatennearby.
