Повелитель мух
Castle Rock
Asticksnappedandhestifledacough.Smokewasseepingthroughthebranchesinwhiteandyellowwisps,thepatchofblueskyoverheadturnedtothecolorofastormcloud,andthenthesmokebillowedroundhim.
Someonelaughedexcitedly,andavoiceshouted.
"Smoke!"
Hewormedhiswaythroughthethickettowardtheforest,keepingasfaraspossiblebeneaththesmoke.Presentlyhesawopenspace,andthegreenleavesoftheedgeofthethicket.Asmallishsavagewasstandingbetweenhimandtherestoftheforest,asavagestripedredandwhite,andcarryingaspear.Hewascoughingandsmearingthepaintabouthiseyeswiththebackofhishandashetriedtoseethroughtheincreasingsmoke.Ralphlaunchedhimselflikeacat;stabbed,snarling,withthespear,andthesavagedoubledup.TherewasashoutfrombeyondthethicketandthenRalphwasrunningwiththeswiftnessoffearthroughtheundergrowth.Hecametoapig-run,followeditforperhapsahundredyards,andthenswervedoff.Behindhimtheululationsweptacrosstheislandoncemoreandasinglevoiceshoutedthreetimes.Heguessedthatwasthesignaltoadvanceandspedawayagain,tillhischestwaslikefire.Thenheflunghimselfdownunderabushandwaitedforamomenttillhisbreathingsteadied.Hepassedhistonguetentativelyoverhisteethandlipsandheardfarofftheululationofthepursuers.
Thereweremanythingshecoulddo.Hecouldclimbatree;butthatwasputtingallhiseggsinonebasket.Ifheweredetected,theyhadnothingmoredifficulttodothanwait.
