Крижаний сфінкс
Chapter IV. From the Kerguelen Isles to Prince Edward Island
Besides,washeinpossessionofthesecretsofhischief?Itwasnopartofhisbusinesstobeso,andIhadobservedthathedidnotoccupyhimselfwithanythingoutsideofit.Nottenwordswereexchangedbetweenhimandmeduringthetwomealswhichwetookincommondaily.Imustacknowledge,however,thatIfrequentlycaughtthecaptain’seyesfixeduponme,asthoughhelongedtoquestionme,asthoughhehadsomethingtolearnfromme,whereasitwasI,onthecontrary,whohadsomethingtolearnfromhim.Butwewerebothsilent.
HadIfelttheneedoftalkingtosomebodyverystrongly,Imighthaveresortedtotheboatswain,whowasalwaysdisposedtochatter;butwhathadhetosaythatcouldinterestme?Heneverfailedtobidmegoodmorningandgoodeveninginmostprolixfashion,butbeyondthesecourtesiesIdidnotfeeldisposedtogo.
Thegoodweatherlasted,andonthe18thofAugust,intheafternoon,thelook-outdiscernedthemountainsoftheCrozetgroup.ThenextdaywepassedPossessionIsland,whichisinhabitedonlyinthefishingseason.Atthisperiodtheonlydwellersthereareflocksofpenguins,andthebirdswhichwhalerscall”whitepigeons.”
Theapproachtolandisalwaysinterestingatsea.ItoccurredtomethatCaptainLenGuymighttakethisopportunityofspeakingtohispassenger;buthedidnot.
Weshouldseeland,thatistosaythepeaksofMarionandPrinceEdwardIslands,beforearrivingatTristand’Acunha,butitwastheretheHalbranewastotakeinafreshsupplyofwater.
