Королі та капуста
The Shamrock and the Palm
"Daywasjustbreakin’aswestruckher,andtherewasn’tasoultobeseenonboard.Thewaterwasverystill,andthenigger-mangavemealiftfromtheboat,andIclimbedontothesteamerwherehersidewasslicedtothedeckforloadin’fruit.Thehatcheswasopen,andIlookeddownandsawthecargoofbananasthatfilledtheholdtowithinsixfeetofthetop.Ithinkstomyself,‘Clancy,youbettergoasastowaway.It’ssafer.Thesteamermenmighthandyoubacktotheemploymentbureau.Thetropic’llgetyou,Clancy,ifyoudon’twatchout.’
"SoIjumpsdowneasyamongthebananas,anddigsoutaholetohideinamongthebunches.InanhourorsoIcouldheartheenginesgoin’,andfeelthesteamerrockin’,andIknewwewereofftosea.Theyleftthehatchesopenforventilation,andprettysoonitwaslightenoughintheholdtoseefairlywell.Igottofeelin’abithungry,andthoughtI’dhavealightfruitlunch,bywayofrefreshment.IcreepedoutoftheholeI’dmadeandstoodupstraight.JustthenIsawanothermancrawlupabouttenfeetawayandreachoutandskinabananaandstuffitintohismouth.’Twasadirtyman,black-facedandraggedanddisgracefulofaspect.Yes,themanwasaringerforthepicturesofthefatWearyWillieinthefunnypapers.Ilookedagain,andsawitwasmygeneralman—DeVega,thegreatrevolutionist,mule-riderandpickaxeimporter.Whenhesawmethegeneralhesitatedwithhismouthfilledwithbananaandhiseyesthesizeofcocoanuts.
"‘Hist!’Isays.
