Повелитель мух
Fire on the Mountain
Theboysweredancing.Thepilewassorotten,andnowsotinder-dry,thatwholelimbsyieldedpassionatelytotheyellowflamesthatpouredupwardsandshookagreatbeardofflametwentyfeetintheair.Foryardsroundthefiretheheatwaslikeablow,andthebreezewasariverofsparks.Trunkscrumbledtowhitedust.
Ralphshouted.
"Morewood!Allofyougetmorewood!"
Lifebecamearacewiththefireandtheboysscatteredthroughtheupperforest.Tokeepacleanflagofflameflyingonthemountainwastheimmediateendandnoonelookedfurther.Eventhesmallestboys,unlessfruitclaimedthem,broughtlittlepiecesofwoodandthrewthemin.Theairmovedalittlefasterandbecamealightwind,sothatleewardandwindwardsidewereclearlydifferentiated.Ononesidetheairwascool,butontheotherthefirethrustoutasavagearmofheatthatcrinkledhairontheinstant.Boyswhofelttheeveningwindontheirdampfacespausedtoenjoythefreshnessofitandthenfoundtheywereexhausted.Theyflungthemselvesdownintheshadowsthatlayamongtheshatteredrocks.Thebeardofflamediminishedquickly;thenthepilefellinwardswithasoft,cinderysound,andsentagreattreeofsparksupwardsthatleanedawayanddrifteddownwind.Theboyslay,pantinglikedogs.
Ralphraisedhisheadoffhisforearms.
"Thatwasnogood."
Rogerspatefficientlyintothehotdust.
"Whatd’youmean?"
