Знак чотирьох
X. The End of the Islander
Icaughtoneglimpseofhisvenomous,menacingeyesamidthewhiteswirlofthewaters.Atthesamemomentthewooden-leggedmanthrewhimselfupontherudderandputitharddown,sothathisboatmadestraightinforthesouthernbank,whileweshotpastherstern,onlyclearingherbyafewfeet.Wewereroundafterherinaninstant,butshewasalreadynearlyatthebank.Itwasawildanddesolateplace,wherethemoonglimmereduponawideexpanseofmarsh-land,withpoolsofstagnantwaterandbedsofdecayingvegetation.Thelaunchwithadullthudranupuponthemud-bank,withherbowintheairandhersternflushwiththewater.Thefugitivesprangout,buthisstumpinstantlysankitswholelengthintothesoddensoil.Invainhestruggledandwrithed.Notonestepcouldhepossiblytakeeitherforwardsorbackwards.Heyelledinimpotentrage,andkickedfranticallyintothemudwithhisotherfoot,buthisstrugglesonlyboredhiswoodenpinthedeeperintothestickybank.Whenwebroughtourlaunchalongsidehewassofirmlyanchoredthatitwasonlybythrowingtheendofaropeoverhisshouldersthatwewereabletohaulhimout,andtodraghim,likesomeevilfish,overourside.ThetwoSmiths,fatherandson,satsullenlyintheirlaunch,butcameaboardmeeklyenoughwhencommanded.TheAuroraherselfwehauledoffandmadefasttoourstern.AsolidironchestofIndianworkmanshipstooduponthedeck.This,therecouldbenoquestion,wasthesamethathadcontainedtheill-omenedtreasureoftheSholtos
