Серце темряви

           ThenIhadtolookattherivermightyquick,becausetherewasasnaginthefairway.Sticks,littlesticks,wereflyingabout—thick:theywerewhizzingbeforemynose,droppingbelowme,strikingbehindmeagainstmypilot-house.Allthistimetheriver,theshore,thewoods,wereveryquiet—perfectlyquiet.Icouldonlyheartheheavysplashingthumpofthestern-wheelandthepatterofthesethings.Weclearedthesnagclumsily.Arrows,byJove!Wewerebeingshotat!Isteppedinquicklytoclosetheshutteronthelandside.Thatfool-helmsman,hishandsonthespokes,wasliftinghiskneeshigh,stampinghisfeet,champinghismouth,likeareined-inhorse.Confoundhim!Andwewerestaggeringwithintenfeetofthebank.Ihadtoleanrightouttoswingtheheavyshutter,andIsawafaceamongsttheleavesonthelevelwithmyown,lookingatmeveryfierceandsteady;andthensuddenly,asthoughaveilhadbeenremovedfrommyeyes,Imadeout,deepinthetangledgloom,nakedbreasts,arms,legs,glaringeyes—thebushwasswarmingwithhumanlimbsinmovement,glistening.ofbronzecolour.Thetwigsshook,swayed,andrustled,thearrowsflewoutofthem,andthentheshuttercameto.‘Steerherstraight,’Isaidtothehelmsman.Heheldhisheadrigid,faceforward;buthiseyesrolled,hekeptonliftingandsettingdownhisfeetgently,hismouthfoamedalittle.‘Keepquiet!’Isaidinafury.Imightjustaswellhaveorderedatreenottoswayinthewind.Idartedout.