Повелитель мух
Castle Rock
Hecouldseethesun-splashedgroundoveranareaofperhapsfiftyyardsfromwherehelay,andashewatched,thesunlightineverypatchblinkedathim.Thiswassolikethecurtainthatflappedinhisbrainthatforamomenthethoughttheblinkingwasinsidehim.Butthenthepatchesblinkedmorerapidly,dulledandwentout,sothathesawthatagreatheavinessofsmokelaybetweentheislandandthesun.
IfanyonepeeredunderthebushesandchancedtoglimpsehumanfleshitmightbeSamnericwhowouldpretendnottoseeandsaynothing.Helaidhischeekagainstthechocolate-coloredearth,lickedhisdrylipsandclosedhiseyes.Underthethicket,theearthwasvibratingveryslightly;orperhapstherewasasoundbeneaththeobviousthunderofthefireandscribbledululationsthatwastoolowtohear.
Someonecriedout.Ralphjerkedhischeekofftheearthandlookedintothedulledlight.Theymustbenearnow,hethought,andhischestbegantothump.Hide,breaktheline,climbatree—whichwasthebestafterall?Thetroublewasyouonlyhadonechance.
Nowthefirewasnearer;thosevolleyingshotsweregreatlimbs,trunkseven,bursting.Thefools!Thefools!Thefiremustbealmostatthefruittrees—whatwouldtheyeattomorrow?
Ralphstirredrestlesslyinhisnarrowbed.Onechancednothing!Whatcouldtheydo?Beathim?Sowhat?Killhim?Asticksharpenedatbothends.
Thecries,suddenlynearer,jerkedhimup.Hecouldseeastripedsavagemovinghastilyoutofagreentangle,andcomingtowardthematwherehehid,asavagewhocarriedaspear.Ralphgrippedhisfingersintotheearth.Bereadynow,incase.
