Крижаний сфінкс
Chapter XX. “Unmerciful Disaster“
Jeorling,whentheHalbraneleftKerguelen,thatsixandahalfmonthsafterwardsshewouldbestuckonthesideofanice-mountain?”
“Afactmuchmoretoberegretted,”Ireplied,“becauseonlyforthataccidentweshouldhaveattainedourobject,andweshouldhavebegunourreturnjourney.”
“Idon’tmeantocontradict,”repliedtheboatswain,“butyousayweshouldhaveattainedourobject,Doyoumeanbythat,thatweshouldhavefoundourcountrymen?”
“Perhaps.”
“Icanscarcelybelievesuchwouldhavebeenthecase,Mr.Jeorling,althoughthiswastheprincipalandperhapseventheonlyobjectofournavigationinthepolarseas.”
“Theonlyone—yes—atthestart,”Iinsinuated.“Butsincethehalf-breed’srevelationsaboutArthurPym—”
“Ah!Youarealwaysharkingbackonthatsubject,likebraveDirkPeters.”
“Always,Hurliguerly;andonlythatadeplorableandunforeseenaccidentmadeusrunaground—”
“Ileaveyoutoyourdelusions,Mr.Jeorling,sinceyoubelieveyouhaverunaground—”
“Why?Isnotthisthecase?”
“Inanycaseitisawonderfulrunningaground,”repliedtheboatswain.“Insteadofagoodsolidbottom,wehaverunagroundintheair.”
“ThenIamright,Hurliguerly,insayingitisanunfortunateadventure.”
“Unfortunate,truly,butinmyopinionweshouldtakewarningbyit.
