Крижаний сфінкс
Chapter IV. From the Kerguelen Isles to Prince Edward Island
Letmesetitdownhereatthebeginning,theexceptionallyablemanwhomtheyallobeyedataword,agesture,wasnotthecaptainoftheHalbrane;thatmanwasthesecondofficer,JamesWest,whowasthenthirty-twoyearsofage.
JamesWestwasbornonthesea,andhadpassedhischildhoodonboardalighterbelongingtohisfather,andonwhichthewholefamilylived.AllhislifehehadbreathedthesaltairoftheEnglishChannel,theAtlantic,orthePacific.Heneverwentashoreexceptfortheneedsofhisservice,whetheroftheStateoroftrade.Ifhehadtoleaveoneshipforanotherhemerelyshiftedhiscanvasbagtothelatter,fromwhichhestirrednomore.Whenhewasnotsailinginrealityhewassailinginimagination.Afterhavingbeenship’sboy,novice,sailor,hebecamequartermaster,master,andfinallylieutenantoftheHalbrane,andhehadalreadyservedfortenyearsassecondincommandunderCaptainLenGuy.
JamesWestwasnotevenambitiousofahigherrise;hedidnotwanttomakeafortune;hedidnotconcernhimselfwiththebuyingorsellingofcargoes;buteverythingconnectedwiththatadmirableinstrumentasailingship,JamesWestunderstoodtoperfection.
