Кінець рабства

           Almostoppositehisberth,acrossthenarrowpassageunderthebridge,therewas,intheirondeck-structurecoveringthestokeholdfiddleandtheboiler-space,astoreroomwithironsides,ironroof,iron-platedfloor,too,onaccountoftheheatbelow.Allsortsofrubbishwasshotthere:ithadamoundofscrap-ironinacorner;rowsofemptyoil-cans;sacksofcotton-waste,withaheapofcharcoal,adeck-forge,fragmentsofanoldhencoop,winch-coversallinrags,remnantsoflamps,andabrownfelthat,discardedbyamandeadnow(ofafeverontheBrazilcoast),whohadbeenoncemateoftheSofala,hadremainedforyearsjammedforciblybehindalengthofburstcopperpipe,flungatsometimeorotheroutoftheengine-room.AcompleteandimperiousblacknesspervadedthatCapharnaumofforgottenthings.AsmallshaftoflightfromMr.Massy’sbull’s-eyefellslantingrightthroughit.

           Hiscoatwasunbuttoned;heshottheboltofthedoor(therewasnootheropening),and,squattingbeforethescrap-heap,begantopackhispocketswithpiecesofiron.Hepackedthemcarefully,asiftherustynuts,thebrokenbolts,thelinksofcargochain,hadbeensomuchgoldhehadthatonechancetocarryaway.Hepackedhisside-pocketstilltheybulged,thebreastpocket,thepocketsinside.Heturnedoverthepieces.Someherejected.Asmallmistofpowderedrustbegantoriseabouthisbusyhands.Mr.Massyknewsomethingofthescientificbasisofhisclevertrick.