Крижаний сфінкс
Chapter XII. Between the Polar Circle and the Ice Wall
InaminuteHuntandMartinHoltwerehoistedonboard;thelatterwaslaiddownatthefootoftheforemast,andtheformerwasquitereadytogotohiswork.Holtwasspeedilyrestoredbytheaidofvigorousrubbing;hissensescameback,andheopenedhiseyes.
“MartinHolt,”saidCaptainLenGuy,whowasleaningoverhim,“youhavebeenbroughtbackfromveryfar—”
“Yes,yes,captain,”answeredHolt,ashelookedabouthimwithasearchinggaze,“butwhosavedme?”
“Hunt,”criedtheboatswain,“Huntriskedhislifeforyou.”
Asthelatterwashangingback,HurliguerlypushedhimtowardsMartinHolt,whoseeyesexpressedtheliveliestgratitude.
“Hunt,”saidhe,“youhavesavedme.ButforyouIshouldhavebeenlost.Ithankyou.”
Huntmadenoreply.
“Hunt,”resumedCaptainLenGuy,“don’tyouhear?”
Themanseemednottohaveheard.
“Hunt,”saidMartinHoltagain,“comeneartome.Ithankyou.Iwanttoshakehandswithyou.”
Andheheldouthisrighthand.Huntsteppedbackafewpaces,shakinghisheadwiththeairofamanwhodidnotwantsomanycomplimentsforathingsosimple,andquietlywalkedforwardtojoinhisshipmates,whowereworkingvigorouslyundertheordersofWest.
