Крижаний сфінкс
Chapter XII. Between the Polar Circle and the Ice Wall
Jeorling,”saidhe,“we’veleftthefamous‘Circle’behindus!”
“Notfarenough,boatswain,notfarenough!”
“Oh,thatwillcome!ButIamdisappointed.”
“Inwhatway?”
“Becausewehavenotdonewhatisusualonboardships
oncrossingtheLine!”
“Youregretthat?”
“CertainlyIdo,andtheHalbranemighthavebeenallowedtheceremonyofasouthernbaptism.”
“Abaptism?Andwhomwouldyouhavebaptized,boatswain,seeingthatallourmen,likeyourself,havealreadysailedbeyondthisparallel?”
“We!Oh,yes!Butyou!Oh,no,Mr.Jeorling.Andwhy,mayIask,shouldnotthatceremonybeperformedinyourhonour?”
“True,boatswain;thisisthefirsttimeinthecourseofmytravelsthatIhavebeeninsohighalatitude.”
“Andyoushouldhavebeenrewardedbyabaptism,Mr.Jeorling.Yes,indeed,butwithoutanybigfuss—nodrumandtrumpetaboutit,andleavingoutoldFatherNeptunewithhismasquerade.Ifyouwouldpermitmetobaptizeyou—”
“Sobeit,Hurliguerly,”saidI,puttingmyhandintomypocket.“Baptizeasyouplease.Hereissomethingtodrinkmyhealthwithatthenearesttavern.”
“ThenthatwillbeBennetIsletorTsalalIsland,providedthereareanytavernsinthosesavageislands,andanyAtkinsestokeepthem.
