Крижаний сфінкс

Chapter XXIII. Found at Last

           Someofthesestruckandstayeduponthecoast,whichwasalreadyheapedupwithice,butthegreaternumberdisappearedinthedirectionofthenorth-east.

           “Allthesepieces,”saidtheboatswain,“willgototheclosingupoftheicebergwall.IfHearneandhislotofscoundrelsarenotaheadofthem,Iimaginetheywillfindthedoorshut,andastheyhavenokeytoopenitwith—”

           “Isupposeyouthink,boatswain,thatourcaseislessdesperatethantheirs?”

           “Idothinkso,Mr.Jeorling,andIhavealwaysthoughtso.Ifeverythinghadbeendoneasitwassettled,andthelothadfallentometogowiththeboat,Iwouldhavegivenupmyturntooneoftheothers.Afterall,thereissomethinginfeelingdrygroundunderourfeet.Idon’twishthedeathofanybody,butifHearneandhisfriendsdonotsucceedinclearingtheicebergbarrier—iftheyaredoomedtopassthewinterontheice,reducedforfoodtoasupplythatwillonlylastafewweeks,youknowthefatethatawaitsthem!”

           “Yes,afateworsethanours!”

           “Andbesides,”saidtheboatswain,“evensupposingtheydoreachtheAntarcticCircle.Ifthewhalershavealreadyleftthefishing-grounds,itisnotaladenandoverladencraftthatwillkeeptheseauntiltheAustraliancoastsareinsight.”

           Thiswasmyownopinion,andalsothatofthecaptainandWest.

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