Повелитель мух

           Presentlyhestoodup,holdingthedrippingsow’sheadinhishands.

           "Where’sthatstick?"

           "Here."

           "Ramoneendintheearth.Oh—it’srock.Jamitinthatcrack.There."

           Jackhelduptheheadandjammedthesoftthroatdownonthepointedendofthestickwhichpiercedthroughintothemouth.Hestoodbackandtheheadhungthere,alittleblooddribblingdownthestick.

           Instinctivelytheboysdrewbacktoo;andtheforestwasverystill.Theylistened,andtheloudestnoisewasthebuzzingoffliesoverthespilledguts.

           Jackspokeinawhisper.

           "Pickupthepig."

           MauriceandRobertskeweredthecarcass,liftedthedeadweight,andstoodready.Inthesilence,andstandingoverthedryblood,theylookedsuddenlyfurtive.

           Jackspokeloudly.

           "Thisheadisforthebeast.It’sagift."

           Thesilenceacceptedthegiftandawedthem.Theheadremainedthere,dim-eyed,grinningfaintly,bloodblackeningbetweentheteeth.Allatoncetheywererunningaway,asfastastheycould,throughtheforesttowardtheopenbeach.