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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“Look!” she said proudly. “Was ever a handsomer boy? And auspiciously born! You know our proverb: ‘Born in the hurricane, the child shall live in peace.’ ”

Young smiled when Christian came out of the room. “It is fitting that your child should be our first-born,” he remarked, as he held out his hand. “What shall you name him?”

“Nothing to remind me of England,” replied Christian. “Smith, Balhadi has proven herself a true friend to-day. You shall be the child’s godfather. Give him a name.”

The seaman grinned and scratched his head. “Ye’ll have naught to remind ’ee of England? I have it, sir. Ye might name him for the day, if ye know what day it is.”

The father smiled grimly as he consulted his calendar. “It’s a good suggestion, Smith. The day is Thursday, and the month October. Thursday October Christian he shall be!” He glanced out through the doorway. “Here come the others; set out the benches.”

The other mutineers and their women were approaching the house. One after another, the men shook Christian’s hand, while the women filed in to seat themselves on the floor by Maimiti’s couch. When the benches were full, Christian raised his voice above the roar of the wind.