Повелитель мух

           Hewashappyandworethedampdarknessoftheforestlikehisoldclothes.Hecreptdownaslopetorocksandscatteredtreesbythesea.

           Thepigslay,bloatedbagsoffat,sensuouslyenjoyingtheshadowsunderthetrees.Therewasnowindandtheywereunsuspicious;andpracticehadmadeJacksilentastheshadows.Hestoleawayagainandinstructedhishiddenhunters.Presentlytheyallbegantoinchforwardsweatinginthesilenceandheat.Underthetreesanearflappedidly.Alittleapartfromtherest,sunkindeepmaternalbliss,laythelargestsowofthelot.Shewasblackandpink;andthegreatbladderofherbellywasfringedwitharowofpigletsthatsleptorburrowedandsqueaked.

           FifteenyardsfromthedroveJackstopped,andhisarm,straightening,pointedatthesow.Helookedroundininquirytomakesurethateveryoneunderstoodandtheotherboysnoddedathim.Therowofrightarmsslidback.

           "Now!"

           Thedroveofpigsstartedup;andatarangeofonlytenyardsthewoodenspearswithfire-hardenedpointsflewtowardthechosenpig.Onepiglet,withadementedshriek,rushedintotheseatrailingRoger’sspearbehindit.Thesowgaveagaspingsquealandstaggeredup,withtwospearsstickinginherfatflank.Theboysshoutedandrushedforward,thepigletsscatteredandthesowbursttheadvancinglineandwentcrashingawaythroughtheforest.

           "Afterher!"

           Theyracedalongthepig-track,buttheforestwastoodarkandtangledsothatJack,cursing,stoppedthemandcastamongthetrees.