Кінець рабства
XIII
VanWykmovedaway,madeoutfartherforwardashadowyheadstuckoutfromundertheawningsasifonthewatch,andspokequietlyinMalay,“Isthemateasleep?”
“No.Here,atyourservice.”
InamomentSterneappeared,walkingasnoiselesslyasacatonthewharf.
“It’ssojollydark,andIhadnoideayouwouldbedownto-night.”
“What’sthishorribleraving?”askedMr.VanWyk,asiftoexplainthecauseofashudderthanranoverhimaudibly.
“Jack’sbrokenoutonadrunk.That’soursecond.It’shisway.Hewillberightenoughbyto-morrowafternoon,onlyMr.Massywillkeeponworryingupanddownthedeck.Wehadbettergetaway.”
Hemutteredsuggestivelyofatalk“upatthehouse.”Hehadlongdesiredtoeffectanentrancethere,butMr.VanWyknonchalantlydemurred:itwouldnot,hefeared,bequiteprudent,perhaps;andtheopaqueblackshadowunderoneofthetwobigtreesleftatthelanding-placeswallowedthemup,impenetrablydense,bythesideofthewideriver,thatseemedtospinintothreadsofglitterthelightofafewbigstarsdroppedhereandthereuponitsoutspreadandflowingstillness.
“Thesituationisgravebeyonddoubt,”Mr.VanWyksaid.Ghost-likeintheirwhiteclothestheycouldnotdistinguisheachothers’features,andtheirfeetmadenosoundonthesoftearth.Asortofpurringwasheard.Mr.Sternefeltgratifiedbysuchabeginning.
“Ithought,Mr.VanWyk,agentlemanofyoursortwouldseeatoncehowawkwardlyIwassituated.”
“Yes,very.Obviouslyhishealthisbad.Perhapshe’sbreakingup.
