Кінець рабства
VII
Theguidanceofaformflattenedandunevenatthetoplikeagrindertooth,andofanothersmooth,saddle-backedsummit,hadtobesearchedforwithinthegreatuncloudedglarethatseemedtoshiftandfloatlikeadryfierymist,fillingtheair,ascendingfromthewater,shroudingthedistances,scorchingtotheeye.Inthisveiloflightthenearedgeoftheshorealonestoodoutalmostcoal-blackwithanopaqueandmotionlesssolidity.Thirtymilesawaytheserratedrangeoftheinteriorstretchedacrossthehorizon,itsoutlinesandshadesofblue,faintandtremulouslikeabackgroundpaintedonairygossameronthequiveringfabricofanimpalpablecurtainletdowntotheplainofalluvialsoil;andtheopeningsoftheestuaryappeared,shiningwhite,likebitsofsilverletintothesquarepiecessnippedcleanandsharpoutofthebodyofthelandborderedwithmangroves.
Ontheforepartofthebridgethegiantandthepigmymutteredtoeachotherfrequentlyinquiettones.BehindthemMassystoodsidewayswithanexpressionofdisdainandsuspenseonhisface.Hisglobulareyeswereperfectlymotionless,andheseemedtohaveforgottenthelongpipeheheldinhishand.
Onthefore-deckbelowthebridge,steeplyroofedwiththewhiteslopesoftheawnings,ayounglascarseamanhadclamberedoutsidetherail.Headjustedquicklyabroadbandofsailcanvasunderhisarmpits,andthrowinghischestagainstit,leanedoutfaroverthewater.Thesleevesofhisthincottonshirt,cutoffclosetotheshoulder,baredhisbrownarmoffullroundedformandwithasatinyskinlikeawoman’s.
