Ледяной сфинкс
Chapter I. The Kerguelen Islands.
Thepenguins,heavyandimpassivecreatures,didnotdisappearatmyapproach;theytooknonotice;buttheblackpetrels,thepuffins,blackandwhite,thegrebesandothers,spreadtheirwingsatsightofme.
OnedayIwitnessedthedepartureofanalbatross,salutedbytheverybestcroaksofthepenguins,nodoubtasafriendwhomtheyweretoseenomore.Thosepowerfulbirdscanflyfortwohundredleagueswithoutrestingforamoment,andwithsuchrapiditythattheysweepthroughvastspacesinafewhours.Thedepartingalbatrosssatmotionlessuponahighrock,attheendofthebayofChristmasHarbour,lookingatthewavesastheydashedviolentlyagainstthebeach.
Suddenly,thebirdrosewithagreatsweepintotheair,itsclawsfoldedbeneathit,itsheadstretchedoutliketheprowofaship,utteringitsshrillcry:afewmomentslateritwasreducedtoablackspeckinthevastheightanddisappearedbehindthemistycurtainofthesouth.
