Атлант расправил плечи
The Sign of the Dollar
Likeaninstrumentsettoautomaticcontrol,herbodywasperformingthemotionsofdrivingtheplane—withthemountainsreelinginabluishfogbelowandthedentedpeaksrisinginherpathassmokyformationsofadeadlierblue.Shenoticedthatthedistancetothestranger’splanehadshrunk:hehadcheckedhisspeedforthedangerouscrossing,whileshehadgoneon,unconsciousofthedanger,withonlythemusclesofherarmsandlegsfightingtokeepherplanealoft.Abrief,tightmovementofherlipswasascloseasshecouldcometoasmile:itwashewhowasflyingherplaneforher,shethought;hehadgivenherthepowertofollowhimwithasomnambulist’sunerringskill.
Asifrespondingofitselftohiscontrol,theneedleofheraltimeterwasslowlymovingupward.Shewasrisingandshewentonrisingandshewonderedwhenherbreathandherpropellerwouldfail.
Hewasgoingsoutheast,towardthehighestmountainsthatobstructedthepathofthesun.
Itwashisplanethatwasstruckbythefirstsunray.Itflashedforaninstant,likeaburstofwhitefire,sendingraystoshootfromitswings.
Thepeaksofthemountainscamenext:shesawthesunlightreachingthesnowinthecrevices,thentricklingdownthegranitesides;itcutviolentshadowsontheledgesandbroughtthemountainsintotheJivingfinalityofaform.
TheywereflyingoverthewildeststretchofColorado,uninhabited,uninhabitable,inaccessibletomenonfootorplane.
