Лорд Джим

Chapter 38

           Theothersweremerelyvulgarandgreedybrutes,butheseemedmovedbysomecomplexintention.Hewouldrobamanasifonlytodemonstratehispooropinionofthecreature,andhewouldbringtotheshootingormaimingofsomequiet,unoffendingstrangerasavageandvengefulearnestnessfittoterrifythemostrecklessofdesperadoes.Inthedaysofhisgreatestgloryheownedanarmedbarque,mannedbyamixedcrewofKanakasandrunawaywhalers,andboasted,Idon’tknowwithwhattruth,ofbeingfinancedonthequietbyamostrespectablefirmofcopramerchants.Lateronheranoffitwasreportedwiththewifeofamissionary,averyyounggirlfromClaphamway,whohadmarriedthemild,flat-footedfellowinamomentofenthusiasm,and,suddenlytransplantedtoMelanesia,lostherbearingssomehow.Itwasadarkstory.Shewasillatthetimehecarriedheroff,anddiedonboardhisship.Itissaidasthemostwonderfulputofthetalethatoverherbodyhegavewaytoanoutburstofsombreandviolentgrief.Hislucklefthim,too,verysoonafter.HelosthisshiponsomerocksoffMalaita,anddisappearedforatimeasthoughhehadgonedownwithher.HeisheardofnextatNuka-Hiva,whereheboughtanoldFrenchschooneroutofGovernmentservice.WhatcreditableenterprisehemighthavehadinviewwhenhemadethatpurchaseIcan’tsay,butitisevidentthatwhatwithHighCommissioners,consuls,men-of-war,andinternationalcontrol,theSouthSeasweregettingtoohottoholdgentlemenofhiskidney.

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