Повелитель мух
Beast from Air
Herethebreezewasfitfulandallowedthestringsoftheparachutetotangleandfestoon;andthefiguresat,itshelmetedheadbetweenitsknees,heldbyacomplicationoflines.Whenthebreezeblew,thelineswouldstraintautandsomeaccidentofthispullliftedtheheadandchestuprightsothatthefigureseemedtopeeracrossthebrowofthemountain.Then,eachtimethewinddropped,thelineswouldslackenandthefigurebowforwardagain,sinkingitsheadbetweenitsknees.Soasthestarsmovedacrossthesky,thefiguresatonthemountain-topandbowedandsankandbowedagain.
Inthedarknessofearlymorningtherewerenoisesbyarockalittlewaydownthesideofthemountain.Twoboysrolledoutapileofbrushwoodanddeadleaves,twodimshadowstalkingsleepilytoeachother.Theywerethetwins,ondutyatthefire.Intheoryoneshouldhavebeenasleepandoneonwatch.Buttheycouldnevermanagetodothingssensiblyifthatmeantactingindependently,andsincestayingawakeallnightwasimpossible,theyhadbothgonetosleep.Nowtheyapproachedthedarkersmudgethathadbeenthesignalfire,yawning,rubbingtheireyes,treadingwithpracticedfeet.Whentheyreachedittheystoppedyawning,andoneranquicklybackforbrushwoodandleaves.
Theotherkneltdown.
"Ibelieveit’sout."
Hefiddledwiththesticksthatwerepushedintohishands.
"No."
Helaydownandputhislipsclosetothesmudgeandblewsoffly.Hisfaceappeared,litredly.Hestoppedblowingforamoment.
