Кінець рабства

           Butifyousaytheword,sir,Icantellyousomethingabouthisindolencethatwillgiveyoutheclearrighttofirehimoutonthespotandputmeinchargefortherestofthisverytrip—yes,sir,beforeweleaveBatuBeru—andmakehimpayadollaradayforhiskeeptillwegetback,ifyoulike.Now,whatdoyouthinkofthat?Come,sir.Saytheword.It’sreallywellworthyourwhile,andIamquitereadytotakeyourbareword.Adefinitestatementfromyouwouldbeasgoodasabond.”

           Hiseyesbegantoshine.Heinsisted.Asimplestatement,—andhethoughttohimselfthathewouldmanagesomehowtostickinhisberthaslongasitsuitedhim.Hewouldmakehimselfindispensable;theshiphadabadnameinherport;itwouldbeeasytoscarethefellowsoff.Massywouldhavetokeephim.

           “Adefinitestatementfrommewouldbeenough,”Massyrepeatedslowly.

           “Yes,sir.Itwould.”SternestuckouthischincheerilyandblinkedatclosequarterswiththatunconsciousimpudencewhichhadthepowertoenrageMassybeyondanything.

           Theengineerspokeverydistinctly.

           “Listenwelltome,then,Mr.Sterne:Iwouldn’t—d’yehear?—Iwouldn’tpromiseyouthevalueoftwopenceforanythingyoucantellme.”

           HestruckSterne’sarmawaywithasmartblow,andcatchingholdofthehandlepulledthedoorto.Theterrificslamdarkenedthecabininstantaneouslytohiseyeasifaftertheflashofanexplosion.Atoncehedroppedintothechair.“Oh,no!Youdon’t!”hewhisperedfaintly.