Кінець рабства
VII
Thebridgewashisownafterall.Hehadpaidforit;andwiththestemofthepipeinhishandhewouldstopshortattimesasiftolistenwithaprofoundandconcentratedattentiontothedeadenedbeatoftheengines(hisownengines)andtheslightgrindingofthesteeringchainsuponthecontinuouslowwashofwateralongside.Butforthesesounds,theshipmighthavebeenlyingasstillasifmooredtoabank,andassilentasifabandonedbyeverylivingsoul;onlythecoast,thelowcoastofmudandmangroveswiththethreepalmsinabunchattheback,grewslowlymoredistinctinitslongstraightline,withoutasinglefeaturetoarrestattention.ThenativepassengersoftheSofalalayaboutonmatsundertheawnings;thesmokeofherfunnelseemedtheonlysignofherlifeandconnectedwithherglidingmotioninamysteriousmanner.
CaptainWhalleyonhisfeet,withapairofbinocularsinhishandandthelittleMalaySerangathiselbow,likeanoldgiantattendedbyawizenedpigmy,wastakingherovertheshallowwaterofthebar.
Thissubmarineridgeofmud,scouredbythestreamoutofthesoftbottomoftheriverandheapedupfaroutonthehardbottomofthesea,wasdifficulttogetover.Thealluvialcoasthavingnodistinguishingmarks,thebearingsofthecrossing-placehadtobetakenfromtheshapeofthemountainsinland.
