Читать книгу Men Against the Sea – Book Set. The Greatest Maritime Adventure Novels: The Bounty Trilogy, Lost Island, The Hurricane, Botany Bay, The Far Lands, Tales of the South Seas… онлайн

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“Can you speak English, my good man?” Bligh called.

He came forward another pace or two, as though for a clearer view of us, but made no reply.

“I say, can you speak English? You understand?”

Whether it were astonishment, or fear, or both, or neither, that moved him, we were at a loss to know; but of a sudden he turned on his incredibly short legs and waddled away at twice the speed with which he had approached.

“Ahoy there!” Bligh called after him. “Don’t go! Wait, I say!”

The man turned, shouted something in a deep, powerful voice, and disappeared under the shadow of the trees.

“Was it Dutch he spoke, Nelson?” Bligh asked.

“Undoubtedly,” said Nelson; “but that is as much as I can say.... We shall fare well here, that’s plain.”

Bligh laughed. “Aye, so we shall, if that fellow is an average specimen of the inhabitants. Damn his eyes! What possessed him to run off like that?”

“Likely he’s gone for help, sir. There may be English-speaking people here.”

“Let us hope so, Mr. Fryer. Possess your souls in patience, lads. We must not go ashore without permission, and that we shall soon have, I promise you. Dawn is scarcely an hour off.”