Остров сокровищ

           Andnow,youlookhere,"headded,suddenlychanginghistone,"we’vehadaboutenoughofthisfoolery.Thetide’smadegoodenoughbynow.Youjusttakemyorders,Cap’nHawkins,andwe’llsailslapinandbedonewithit."

           Alltold,wehadscarcetwomilestorun;butthenavigationwasdelicate,theentrancetothisnorthernanchoragewasnotonlynarrowandshoal,butlayeastandwest,sothattheschoonermustbenicelyhandledtobegotin.IthinkIwasagood,promptsubaltern,andIamverysurethatHandswasanexcellentpilot,forwewentaboutandaboutanddodgedin,shavingthebanks,withacertaintyandaneatnessthatwereapleasuretobehold.

           Scarcelyhadwepassedtheheadsbeforethelandclosedaroundus.TheshoresofNorthInletwereasthicklywoodedasthoseofthesouthernanchorage,butthespacewaslongerandnarrowerandmorelike,whatintruthitwas,theestuaryofariver.Rightbeforeus,atthesouthernend,wesawthewreckofashipinthelaststagesofdilapidation.Ithadbeenagreatvesselofthreemastsbuthadlainsolongexposedtotheinjuriesoftheweatherthatitwashungaboutwithgreatwebsofdrippingseaweed,andonthedeckofitshorebusheshadtakenrootandnowflourishedthickwithflowers.Itwasasadsight,butitshowedusthattheanchoragewascalm.

           "Now,"saidHands,"lookthere;there’sapetbitfortobeachashipin.Fineflatsand,neveracat’spaw,treesallaroundofit,andflowersa-blowinglikeagardingonthatoldship."

           "Andoncebeached,"Iinquired,"howshallwegetheroffagain?"

           "Why,so,"hereplied:"youtakealineashorethereontheothersideatlowwater,takeaturnaboutoneofthembigpines;bringitback,takeaturnaroundthecapstan,andlietoforthetide.Comehighwater,allhandstakeapullupontheline,andoffshecomesassweetasnatur’.