Повелитель мух
The Shell and the Glasses
"Idon’tknow.Hedidn’tsay.HegotangryandmadeustieWilfredup.He’sbeen"—hegiggledexcitedly—"he’sbeentiedforhours,waiting—"
"Butdidn’tthechiefsaywhy?"
"Ineverheardhim."
Sittingonthetremendousrockinthetorridsun,Rogerreceivedthisnewsasanillumination.Heceasedtoworkathistoothandsatstill,assimilatingthepossibilitiesofirresponsibleauthority.Then,withoutanotherword,heclimbeddownthebackoftherockstowardthecaveandtherestofthetribe.
Thechiefwassittingthere,nakedtothewaist,hisfaceblockedoutinwhiteandred.Thetribelayinasemicirclebeforehim.ThenewlybeatenanduntiedWilfredwassniffingnoisilyinthebackground.Rogersquattedwiththerest.
"Tomorrow,"wentonthechief,"weshallhuntagain."
Hepointedatthissavageandthatwithhisspear.
"Someofyouwillstayheretoimprovethecaveanddefendthegate.Ishalltakeafewhunterswithmeandbringbackmeat.Thedefendersofthegatewillseethattheothersdon’tsneakin."
Asavageraisedhishandandthechiefturnedableak,paintedfacetowardhim.
"Whyshouldtheytrytosneakin,Chief?"
Thechiefwasvaguebutearnest.
