Знак чотирьох
XII. The Strange Story of Jonathan Small
Ilearnedalittleofhislingofromhim,andthismadehimallthefonderofme.
“Tonga—forthatwashisname—wasafineboatman,andownedabig,roomycanoeofhisown.WhenIfoundthathewasdevotedtomeandwoulddoanythingtoserveme,Isawmychanceofescape.Italkeditoverwithhim.Hewastobringhisboatroundonacertainnighttoanoldwharfwhichwasneverguarded,andtherehewastopickmeup.Igavehimdirectionstohaveseveralgourdsofwaterandalotofyams,cocoa-nuts,andsweetpotatoes.
“Hewasstanchandtrue,waslittleTonga.Nomaneverhadamorefaithfulmate.Atthenightnamedhehadhisboatatthewharf.Asitchanced,however,therewasoneoftheconvict-guarddownthere,—avilePathanwhohadnevermissedachanceofinsultingandinjuringme.Ihadalwaysvowedvengeance,andnowIhadmychance.ItwasasiffatehadplacedhiminmywaythatImightpaymydebtbeforeIlefttheisland.Hestoodonthebankwithhisbacktome,andhiscarbineonhisshoulder.Ilookedaboutforastonetobeatouthisbrainswith,butnonecouldIsee.ThenaqueerthoughtcameintomyheadandshowedmewhereIcouldlaymyhandonaweapon.Isatdowninthedarknessandunstrappedmywoodenleg.WiththreelonghopsIwasonhim.Heputhiscarbinetohisshoulder,butIstruckhimfull,andknockedthewholefrontofhisskullin.YoucanseethesplitinthewoodnowwhereIhithim.Webothwentdowntogether,forIcouldnotkeepmybalance,butwhenIgotupIfoundhimstilllyingquietenough.Imadefortheboat,andinanhourwewerewelloutatsea.
