Повелитель мух
Castle Rock
Hestumbledoverarootandthecrythatpursuedhimroseevenhigher.Hesawashelterburstintoflamesandthefireflappedathisrightshoulderandtherewastheglitterofwater.Thenhewasdown,rollingoverandoverinthewarmsand,crouchingwitharmtowardoff,tryingtocryformercy.
Hestaggeredtohisfeet,tensedformoreterrors,andlookedupatahugepeakedcap.Itwasawhite-toppedcap,andabovethegreenshadeofthepeakwasacrown,ananchor,goldfoliage.Hesawwhitedrill,epaulettes,arevolver,arowofgiltbuttonsdownthefrontofauniform.
Anavalofficerstoodonthesand,lookingdownatRalphinwaryastonishment.Onthebeachbehindhimwasacutter,herbowshauledupandheldbytworatings.Inthestern-sheetsanotherratingheldasub-machinegun.
Theululationfalteredanddiedaway.
TheofficerlookedatRalphdoubtfullyforamoment,thentookhishandawayfromthebuttoftherevolver.
"Hullo."
Squirmingalittle,consciousofhisfilthyappearance,Ralphansweredshyly.
"Hullo."
Theofficernodded,asifaquestionhadbeenanswered.
"Arethereanyadults—anygrownupswithyou?"
