Копи царя Соломона
Umbopa Enters Our Service
Fromalargebriglyingnearalsocamethemusicofthesailorsastheyworkedatgettingtheanchorupinordertobereadyforthewind. Altogetheritwasaperfectnight,suchanightasyousometimesgetinSouthernAfrica,anditthrewagarmentofpeaceovereverybodyasthemoonthrewagarmentofsilverovereverything. Eventhegreatbulldog,belongingtoasportingpassenger,seemedtoyieldtoitsgentleinfluences,andforgettinghisyearningtocometoclosequarterswiththebabooninacageonthefoc’sle,snoredhappilyatthedoorofthecabin, dreamingnodoubtthathehadfinishedhim,andhappyinhisdream.
Wethree—thatis,SirHenryCurtis,CaptainGood,andmyself—wentandsatbythewheel,andwerequietforawhile.
"Well,Mr.Quatermain,"saidSirHenrypresently,"haveyoubeenthinkingaboutmyproposals?"
"Ay,"echoedCaptainGood,"whatdoyouthinkofthem,Mr.Quatermain?IhopethatyouaregoingtogiveusthepleasureofyourcompanysofarasSolomon’sMines,orwhereverthegentlemanyouknewasNevillemayhavegotto."
IroseandknockedoutmypipebeforeIanswered. Ihadnotmadeupmymind,andwantedanadditionalmomenttodecide. BeforetheburningtobaccohadfallenintotheseaIhaddecided;justthatlittleextraseconddidthetrick. Itisoftenthewaywhenyouhavebeenbotheringalongtimeoverathing.
"Yes,gentlemen,"Isaid,sittingdownagain,"Iwillgo,andbyyourleaveIwilltellyouwhy,andonwhatconditions.FirstforthetermswhichIask.
