Повелитель мух
The Sound of the Shell
Ralphgraspedtheideaandhittheshellwithairfromhisdiaphragm.Immediatelythethingsounded.Adeep,harshnoteboomedunderthepalms,spreadthroughtheintricaciesoftheforestandechoedbackfromthepinkgraniteofthemountain.Cloudsofbirdsrosefromthetreetops,andsomethingsquealedandranintheundergrowth.
Ralphtooktheshellawayfromhislips.
"Gosh!"
Hisordinaryvoicesoundedlikeawhisperaftertheharshnoteoftheconch.Helaidtheconchagainsthislips,tookadeepbreathandblewoncemore.Thenoteboomedagain:andthenathisfirmerpressure,thenote,flukingupanoctave,becameastridentblaremorepenetratingthanbefore.Piggywasshoutingsomething,hisfacepleased,hisglassesflashing.Thebirdscried,smallanimalsscuttered.Ralph’sbreathfailed;thenotedroppedtheoctave,becamealowdubber,wasarushofair.
Theconchwassilent,agleamingtusk;Ralph’sfacewasdarkwithbreathlessnessandtheairovertheislandwasfullofbird-clamorandechoesringing.
"Ibetyoucanhearthatformiles."
Ralphfoundhisbreathandblewaseriesofshortblasts.
Piggyexclaimed:"There’sone!"
Achildhadappearedamongthepalms,aboutahundredyardsalongthebeach.Hewasaboyofperhapssixyears,sturdyandfair,hisclothestorn,hisfacecoveredwithastickymessoffruit.
