Троє в човні крім собаки
Chapter 13
Wehadagooddealoftroublewithsteamlaunchesthatmorning. ItwasjustbeforetheHenleyweek,andtheyweregoingupinlargenumbers;somebythemselves,sometowinghouseboats. Idohatesteamlaunches:Isupposeeveryrowingmandoes. IneverseeasteamlaunchbutIfeelIshouldliketolureittoalonelypartoftheriver,andthere,inthesilenceandthesolitude,strangleit.
Thereisablatantbumptiousnessaboutasteamlaunchthathastheknackofrousingeveryevilinstinctinmynature,andIyearnforthegoodolddays,whenyoucouldgoaboutandtellpeoplewhatyouthoughtofthemwithahatchetandabowandarrows. Theexpressiononthefaceofthemanwho,withhishandsinhispockets,standsbythestern,smokingacigar,issufficienttoexcuseabreachofthepeacebyitself;andthelordlywhistleforyoutogetoutofthewaywould,Iamconfident,ensureaverdictof"justifiablehomicide"fromanyjuryofrivermen.
Theyusedtohavetowhistleforustogetoutoftheirway. IfImaydoso,withoutappearingboastful,IthinkIcanhonestlysaythatouronesmallboat,duringthatweek,causedmoreannoyanceanddelayandaggravationtothesteamlaunchesthatwecameacrossthanalltheothercraftontheriverputtogether.
"Steamlaunch,coming!"oneofuswouldcryout,onsightingtheenemyinthedistance;and,inaninstant,everythingwasgotreadytoreceiveher. Iwouldtakethelines,andHarrisandGeorgewouldsitdownbesideme,allofuswithourbackstothelaunch,andtheboatwoulddriftoutquietlyintomid-stream.