Повелитель мух
Fire on the Mountain
"My!You’vemadeabigheap,haven’tyou?"
Jackpointedsuddenly.
"Hisspecs—usethemasburningglasses!"
Piggywassurroundedbeforehecouldbackaway.
"Here—letmego!"HisvoicerosetoashriekofterrorasJacksnatchedtheglassesoffhisface."Mindout!Give’emback!Icanhardlysee!You’llbreaktheconch!"
Ralphelbowedhimtonesideandkneltbythepile.
"Standoutofthelight."
Therewaspushingandpullingandofficiouscries.Ralphmovedthelensesbackandforth,thiswayandthat,tillaglossywhiteimageofthedecliningsunlayonapieceofrottenwood.Almostatonceathintrickleofsmokeroseupandmadehimcough.Jackknelttooandblewgently,sothatthesmokedriftedaway,thickening,andatinyflameappeared.Theflame,nearlyinvisibleatfirstinthatbrightsunlight,envelopedasmalltwig,grew,wasenrichedwithcolorandreacheduptoabranchwhichexplodedwithasharpcrack.Theflameflappedhigherandtheboysbrokeintoacheer.
"Myspecs!"howledPiggy."Givememyspecs!"
RalphstoodawayfromthepileandputtheglassesintoPiggy’sgropinghands.Hisvoicesubsidedtoamutter.
"Jus’blurs,that’sall.Hardlyseemyhand—"
