Повелитель мух
Beast from Water
Someonecalledout.
"Toomanythings."
Therecameamutterofagreement.Ralphoverrodethem.
"Andanotherthing.Wenearlysetthewholeislandonfire.Andwewastetime,rollingrocks,andmakinglittlecookingfires.NowIsaythisandmakeitarule,becauseI’mchief.Wewon’thaveafireanywherebutonthemountain.Ever."
Therewasarowimmediately.BoysstoodupandshoutedandRalphshoutedback.
"Becauseifyouwantafiretocookfishorcrab,youcanjollywellgoupthemountain.Thatwaywe’llbecertain."
Handswerereachingfortheconchinthelightofthesettingsun.Heheldonandleaptonthetrunk.
"AllthisImeanttosay.NowI’vesaidit.Youvotedmeforchief.NowyoudowhatIsay."
Theyquieted,slowly,andatlastwereseatedagain.Ralphdroppeddownandspokeinhisordinaryvoice.
"Soremember.Therocksforalavatory.Keepthefiregoingandsmokeshowingasasignal.Don’ttakefirefromthemountain.Takeyourfoodupthere."
Jackstoodup,scowlinginthegloom,andheldouthishands.
