Копи царя Соломона
An Elephant Hunt
Weateoursimplemealbythelightofthemoon,pausingattimestothankGoodforhiswonderfulshot; thenwebegantosmokeandyarn,andacuriouspicturewemusthavemadesquattingthereroundthefire. I,withmyshortgrizzledhairstickingupstraight,andSirHenrywithhisyellowlocks,whichweregettingratherlong,wereratheracontrast,especiallyasIamthin,andshort,anddark,weighingonlyninestoneandahalf,andSirHenryistall,andbroad,andfair,andweighsfifteen. Butperhapsthemostcurious-lookingofthethree,takingallthecircumstancesofthecaseintoconsideration,wasCaptainJohnGood,R.N.Therehesatuponaleatherbag,lookingjustasthoughhehadcomeinfromacomfortableday’sshootinginacivilisedcountry,absolutelyclean,tidy,andwelldressed. Heworeashootingsuitofbrowntweed,withahattomatch,andneatgaiters. Asusual,hewasbeautifullyshaved,hiseye-glassandhisfalseteethappearedtobeinperfectorder,andaltogetherhelookedtheneatestmanIeverhadtodowithinthewilderness. Heevensportedacollar,ofwhichhehadasupply,madeofwhitegutta-percha.
"Yousee,theyweighsolittle,"hesaidtomeinnocently,whenIexpressedmyastonishmentatthefact;"andIalwaysliketoturnoutlikeagentleman." Ah!ifhecouldhaveforeseenthefutureandtheraimentpreparedforhim.