Крижаний сфінкс
Chapter I. The Kerguelen Islands.
Neverthelessitisnotimpossiblethatthefancymaytakeyousomeday—”
Mr.Atkinsansweredbyavigorousandconvincingshakeofthehead.ItwasverypleasanttohearthisworthyAmericantalk.Hewascompletelyacclimatizedonhisarchipelago,andtotheconditionsoflifethere.Helivedwithhisfamilyasthepenguinslivedintheirrookeries.Hiswifewasa“valiant”womanoftheScripturaltype,hissonswerestrong,hardyfellows,whodidnotknowwhatsicknessmeant.Hisbusinesswasprosperous.TheGreenCormoranthadthecustomofalltheships,whalersandothers,thatputinatKerguelen.Atkinssuppliedthemwitheverythingtheyrequired,andnosecondinnexistedatChristmasHarbour.Hissonswerecarpenters,sailmakers,andfishers,andtheyhuntedtheamphibiansinallthecreeksduringthehotseason.Inshort,thiswasafamilyofhonestfolkwhofulfilledtheirdestinywithoutmuchdifficulty.
“Oncemore,Mr.Atkins,letmeassureyou,”Iresumed,“IamdelightedtohavecometoKerguelen.Ishallalwaysremembertheislandskindly.Nevertheless,Ishouldnotbesorrytofindmyselfatseaagain.”
“Come,Mr.Jeorling,youmusthavealittlepatience,”saidthephilosopher,“youmustnotforgetthatthefinedayswillsoonbehere.Infiveorsixweeks—”
“Yes,andinthemeantime,thehillsandtheplains,therocksandtheshoreswillbecoveredthickwithsnow,andthesunwillnothavestrengthtodispelthemistsonthehorizon.”
“Now,thereyouareagain,Mr.
