Кінець рабства
XIV
Sternecriedoutnextinastrainedpitch—
“Wherethedevilhasshegotto?Wherearewe?”
CaptainWhalleyrepliedinacalmbass—
“Amongstthereefstotheeastward.”
“Youknowit,sir?Thenshewillnevergetoutagain.”
“Shewillbesunkinfiveminutes.Boats,Sterne.Evenonewillsaveyouallinthiscalm.”
TheChinamanstokerswentinadisorderlyrushfortheportboats.Nobodytriedtocheckthem.TheMalays,afteramomentofconfusion,becamequiet,andMr.Sterneshowedagoodcountenance.CaptainWhalleyhadnotmoved.Histhoughtsweredarkerthanthisnightinwhichhehadlosthisfirstship.
“Hemademeloseaship.”
Anothertallfigurestandingbeforehimamongstthelitterofthesmashonthebridgewhisperedinsanely—
“Saynothingofit.”
Massystumbledcloser.CaptainWhalleyheardthechatteringofhisteeth.
“Ihavethecoat.”
“Throwitdownandcomealong,”urgedthechatteringvoice.“B-b-b-b-boat!”
“Youwillgetfifteenyearsforthis.”
Mr.Massyhadlosthisvoice.Hisspeechwasameredryrustlinginhisthroat.
“Havemercy!”
“Hadyouanywhenyoumademelosemyship?Mr.Massy,youshallgetfifteenyearsforthis!”
“Iwantedmoney!Money!Myownmoney!Iwillgiveyousomemoney.Takehalfofit.Youlovemoneyyourself.”
“There’sajustice...”
Massymadeanawfuleffort,andinastrange,halfchokedutterance—
“Youblinddevil!It’syouthatdrovemetoit.”
CaptainWhalley,huggingthecoattohisbreast,madenosound.Thelighthadebbedforeverfromtheworld—leteverythinggo.
