Кінець рабства
XI
Ashore-lightontheotherbank,aquarterofamileacrosstheriver,drifted,nobiggerthanatinystar,passingslowlyathwartthecircleoftheport.VoicesfromMr.VanWyk’sjettyansweredthehailsfromtheship;ropeswerethrownandmissedandthrownagain;theswayingflameofatorchcarriedinalargesampancomingtofetchawayinstatetheRajahfromdownthecoastcastasuddenruddyglareintohiscabin,overhisveryperson.Mr.Massydidnotmove.Afterafewlastponderousturnstheenginesstopped,andtheprolongedclangingofthegongsignifiedthatthecaptainhaddonewiththem.Agreatnumberofboatsandcanoesofallsizesboardedtheoff-sideoftheSofala.Thenafteratimethetumultofsplashing,ofcries,ofshufflingfeet,ofpackagesdroppedwithathump,thenoiseofthenativepassengersgoingaway,subsidedslowly.Ontheshore,avoice,cultivated,slightlyauthoritative,spokeveryclosealongside—
“Broughtanymailformethistime?”
“Yes,Mr.VanWyk.”ThiswasfromSterne,answeringovertherailinatoneofrespectfulcordiality.“ShallIbringituptoyou?”
Butthevoiceaskedagain—
“Where’sthecaptain?”
“Stillonthebridge,Ibelieve.Hehasn’tlefthischair.ShallI...”
Thevoiceinterruptednegligently.
“Iwillcomeonboard.”
“Mr.VanWyk,”Sternesuddenlybrokeoutwithaneagereffort,“willyoudomethefavor...”
Thematewalkedawayquicklytowardsthegangway.Asilencefell.Mr.Massyinthedarkdidnotmove.
Hedidnotmoveevenwhenheheardslowshufflingfootstepspasshiscabinlazily.
