Короли и капуста
The Lotus and the Bottle
JustlandingfromoneoftheValhalla’sboatswasthethirdmateofthatvessel,whowasanacquaintanceofSimon’s,andthreesailorsfromthefruiter.
"Goup,Simon,"calledthemate,"andfindDr.GreggorMr.Goodwinoranybodythat’safriendtoMr.Geddie,andbring’emhereatonce."
"Saintsoftheskies!"saidSimon,sleepily,"nothinghashappenedtoMr.Geddie?"
"He’sunderthattarpauling,"saidthemate,pointingtotheboat,"andhe’srathermorethanhalfdrownded.Weseenhimfromthesteamernearlyamileoutfromshore,swimmin’likemadafterabottlethatwasfloatin’inthewater,outwardbound.Weloweredthegigandstartedforhim.Henearlyhadhishandonthebottle,whenhegaveoutandwentunder.Wepulledhimoutintimetosavehim,maybe;butthedoctoristheonetodecidethat."
"Abottle?"saidtheoldman,rubbinghiseyes.Hewasnotyetfullyawake."Whereisthebottle?"
"Driftin’alongouttheresome’eres,"saidthemate,jerkinghisthumbtowardthesea."Getonwithyou,Simon."
