Крижаний сфінкс
Chapter II. The Schooner Halbrane
HowshouldIbeotherwise,withallthatnoisegoingon?What’sup?”
“Ashipsixmilesoutintheoffing,tothenor’east,steeringforChristmas!”
“WillitbetheHalbrane?”
“Weshallknowthatinashorttime,Mr.Jeorling.Atanyrateitisthefirstboatoftheyear,andwemustgiveitawelcome.”
IdressedhurriedlyandjoinedAtkinsonthequay,whereIfoundhiminthemidstofagroupengagedineagerdiscussion.Atkinswasindisputablythemostconsiderableandconsideredmaninthearchipelago—consequentlyhesecuredthebestlisteners.ThematterindisputewaswhethertheschoonerinsightwasorwasnottheHalbrane.Themajoritymaintainedthatshewasnot,butAtkinswaspositiveshewas,althoughonthisoccasionhehadonlytwobackers.
Thedisputewascarriedonwithwarmth,thehostoftheGreenCormorantdefendinghisview,andthedissentientsmaintainingthatthefast-approachingschoonerwaseitherEnglishorAmerican,untilshewasnearenoughtohoistherflagandtheUnionJackwentflutteringupintothesky.ShortlyaftertheHalbranelayatanchorinthemiddleofChristmasHarbour.
