Кінець рабства
XIV
Icanneverbesorryenough.Buthereitis:oneman’spoison,anotherman’smeat.ThiscouldnothavebeenhandierforMr.Massyifhehadarrangedthatshipwreckhimself.ThemosttimelytotallossI’veeverheardof.”
“WhatbecameofthatMassy?”askedMr.VanWyk.
“He,sir?Ha!ha!Hewouldkeepontellingmethathemeanttobuyanothership;butassoonashehadthemoneyinhispocketheclearedoutforManillabymail-boatearlyinthemorning.Igavehimchaserightaboard,andhetoldmethenhewasgoingtomakehisfortunedeadsureinManilla.Icouldgotothedevilforallhecared.AndyetheasgoodaspromisedtogivemethecommandifIdidn’ttalktoomuch.”
“Youneversaidanything...”Mr.VanWykbegan.
“NotI,sir.WhyshouldI?Imeantogeton,butthedeadaren’tinmyway,”saidSterne.Hiseyelidswerebeatingrapidly,thendroopedforaninstant.“Besides,sir,itwouldhavebeenanawkwardbusiness.Youmademeholdmytonguejustabittoolong.”
“DoyouknowhowitwasthatCaptainWhalleyremainedonboard?Didhereallyrefusetoleave?Comenow!Orwasitperhapsanaccidental...?”
“Nothing!”Sterneinterruptedwithenergy.“ItellyouIyelledforhimtoleapoverboard.Hesimplymusthavecastoffthepainteroftheboathimself.Weallyelledtohim—thatis,JackandI.Hewouldn’tevenanswerus.Theshipwasassilentasagravetothelast.Thentheboilersfetchedaway,anddownshewent.Accident!Notit!Thegamewasup,sir,Itellyou.”
ThiswasallthatSternehadtosay.
Mr.
