Кінець рабства
XIII
Hestoleoutsilentlyfromundertheshade.Thelightedport-holeshonefromafar.Hisheadswamwiththeintoxicationofsuddensuccess.Whatathingitwastohaveagentlemantodealwith!Hecreptaboard,andtherewassomethingweirdintheshadowystretchofemptydecks,echoingwithshoutsandblowsproceedingfromadarkerpartamidships.Mr.Massywasragingbeforethedooroftheberth:thedrunkenvoicewithinflowedonundisturbedintheviolentracketofkicks.
“Shutup!Putyourlightoutandturnin,youconfoundedswillingpig—you!D’youhearme,youbeast?”
Thekickingstopped,andinthepausethemuzzyoracularvoiceannouncedfromwithin—
“Ah!Massy,now—that’sanotherthing.Massy’sdeep.”
“Who’sthataftthere?You,Sterne?He’lldrinkhimselfintoafitofhorrors.”Thechiefengineerappearedvagueandbigatthecorneroftheengineroom.
“Hewillbegoodenoughfordutyto-morrow.Iwouldlethimbe,Mr.Massy.”
Sterneslippedawayintohisberth,andatoncehadtositdown.Hisheadswamwithexultation.Hegotintohisbunkasifinadream.Afeelingofprofoundpeace,ofpacificjoy,cameoverhim.Ondeckallwasquiet.
Mr.Massy,withhisearagainstthedoorofJack’scabin,listenedcriticallytoadeepstertorousbreathingwithin.Thiswasadead-drunksleep.Theboutwasover:tranquilizedonthatscore,hetoowentin,andwithslowwrigglesgotoutofhisoldtweedjacket.
