Повелитель мух
Castle Rock
Heheldouthisspearandpointedatthesavages."Youronlyhopeiskeepingasignalfiregoingaslongasthere’slighttosee.Thenmaybeaship’llnoticethesmokeandcomeandrescueusandtakeushome.Butwithoutthatsmokewe’vegottowaittillsomeshipcomesbyaccident.Wemightwaityears;tillwewereold—"
Theshivering,silvery,unreallaughterofthesavagessprayedoutandechoedaway.AgustofrageshookRalph.Hisvoicecracked.
"Don’tyouunderstand,youpaintedfools?Sam,Eric,Piggyandme—wearen’tenough.Wetriedtokeepthefiregoing,butwecouldn’t.Andthenyou,playingathunting...."
Hepointedpastthemtowherethetrickleofsmokedispersedinthepearlyair.
"Lookatthat!Callthatasignalfire?That’sacookingfire.Nowyou’lleatandthere’llbenosmoke.Don’tyouunderstand?Theremaybeashipoutthere—"
Hepaused,defeatedbythesilenceandthepaintedanonymityofthegroupguardingtheentry.JackopenedapinkmouthandaddressedSamneric,whowerebetweenhimandhistribe.
"Youtwo.Getback."
Nooneansweredhim.Thetwins,puzzled,lookedateachother;whilePiggy,reassuredbythecessationofviolence,stoodupcarefully.JackglancedbackatRalphandthenatthetwins.
"Grabthem!"
