Повелитель мух
Castle Rock
Theysetoffalongthebeachinformation.Ralphwentfirst,limpingalittle,hisspearcarriedoveroneshoulder.Hesawthingspartially,throughthetrembleoftheheathazeovertheflashingsands,andhisownlonghairandinjuries.Behindhimcamethetwins,worriednowforawhilebutfullofunquenchablevitality.Theysaidlittlebuttrailedthebuttsoftheirwoodenspears;forPiggyhadfoundthat,bylookingdownandshieldinghistiredsightfromthesun,hecouldjustseethesemovingalongthesand.Hewalkedbetweenthetrailingbutts,therefore,theconchheldcarefullybetweenhistwohands.Theboysmadeacompactlittlegroupthatmovedoverthebeach,fourplate-likeshadowsdancingandminglingbeneaththem.Therewasnosignleftofthestorm,andthebeachwassweptcleanlikeabladethathasbeenscoured.Theskyandthemountainwereatanimmensedistance,shimmeringintheheat;andthereefwasliftedbymirage,floatinginakindofsilverpoolhalfwayupthesky.
Theypassedtheplacewherethetribehaddanced.Thecharredsticksstilllayontherockswheretherainhadquenchedthembutthesandbythewaterwassmoothagain.Theypassedthisinsilence.NoonedoubtedthatthetribewouldbefoundattheCastleRockandwhentheycameinsightofittheystoppedwithoneaccord.Thedensesttangleontheisland,amassoftwistedstems,blackandgreenandimpenetrable,layontheirleftandtallgrassswayedbeforethem.NowRalphwentforward.
Herewasthecrushedgrasswheretheyhadalllainwhenhehadgonetoprospect.Therewastheneckofland,theledgeskirtingtherock,upthereweretheredpinnacles.
Samtouchedhisarm.
