Крижаний сфінкс
Chapter XII. Between the Polar Circle and the Ice Wall
Decidedly,thismanwasaheroincourageandself-devotion;butequallydecidedlyhewasabeingimpervioustoimpressions,andnotonthatdayeitherwastheboatswaindestinedtoknow“thecolourofhiswords!”
Forthreewholedays,the6th,7th,and8thofDecember,thetempestragedinthesewaters,accompaniedbysnowstormswhichperceptiblyloweredthetemperature.ItisneedlesstosaythatCaptainLenGuyprovedhimselfatrueseaman,thatJamesWesthadaneyetoeverything,thatthecrewsecondedthemloyally,andthatHuntwasalwaysforemostwhentherewasworktobedoneordangertobeincurred.
Intruth,Idonotknowhowtogiveanideaofthisman!WhatadifferencetherewasbetweenhimandmostofthesailorsrecruitedattheFalklands,andespeciallybetweenhimandHearne,thesealing-master!Theyobeyed,nodoubt,forsuchamasterasJamesWestgetshimselfobeyed,whetherwithgoodorillwill.Butbehindbackswhatcomplaintsweremade,whatrecriminationswereexchanged!Allthis,Ifeared,wasofevilpresageforthefuture.
MartinHolthadbeenabletoresumehisdutiesverysoon,andhefulfilledthemwithheartygood-will.Heknewthebusinessofasailorrightwell,andwastheonlymanonboardwhocouldcompetewithHuntinhandinessandzeal.
“Well,Holt,”saidItohimonedaywhenhewastalkingwiththeboatswain,“whattermsareyouonwiththatqueerfellowHuntnow?Sincethesalvageaffair,ishealittlemorecommunicative?”
“No,Mr.Jeorling,andIthinkheeventriestoavoidme
