Кінець рабства
II
Heronlyresourcewasinopeningaboarding-house,forwhichtheprospects,shejudged,weregood.Goodenough,atanyrate,tomakehertellhimfranklythatwithtwohundredpoundsshecouldmakeastart.Hehadtorntheenvelopeopen,hastily,ondeck,whereitwashandedtohimbytheship-chandler’srunner,whohadbroughthismailatthemomentofanchoring.Forthesecondtimeinhislifehewasappalled,andremainedstock-stillatthecabindoorwiththepapertremblingbetweenhisfingers.Openaboarding-house!Twohundredpoundsforastart!Theonlyresource!Andhedidnotknowwheretolayhishandsontwohundredpence.
AllthatnightCaptainWhalleywalkedthepoopofhisanchoredship,asthoughhehadbeenabouttoclosewiththelandinthickweather,anduncertainofhispositionafterarunofmanygraydayswithoutasightofsun,moon,orstars.Theblacknighttwinkledwiththeguidinglightsofseamenandthesteadystraightlinesoflightsonshore;andallaroundtheFairMaidtheridinglightsofshipscasttremblingtrailsuponthewateroftheroadstead.CaptainWhalleysawnotagleamanywheretillthedawnbrokeandhefoundoutthathisclothingwassoakedthroughwiththeheavydew.
Hisshipwasawake.Hestoppedshort,strokedhiswetbeard,anddescendedthepoopladderbackwards,withtiredfeet.Atthesightofhimthechiefofficer,loungingaboutsleepilyonthequarterdeck,remainedopen-mouthedinthemiddleofagreatearly-morningyawn.
“Goodmorningtoyou,”pronouncedCaptainWhalleysolemnly,passingintothecabin
