– But what from me it is necessary to you? – again Viviana repeated the question.
– The governor Ostrova of the Lost Ships, the captain Feargus Sleyton, issued the order to which we have to obey blindly and steadily: each newcomer of people has to be immediately presented to it.
– Also I assure you, Ms. or Mrs., I have no honor to know who you are, you will get the most hearty welcome at the captain Sleyton.
– I will not go anywhere – Ms. Kingman answered.
Ternip sighed.
– It is very unpleasant to me, but…
– To you will play the diplomat! – again roughly Flores interfered and, having approached to Vivian, imperatively told: – You have to follow us.
Ms. Kingman understood that resistance will be vain. Having thought a little, she told:
– Well. I agree. But allow me to change clothes – and it showed on the working suit and an apron.
– Superfluous! – Flores cut off.
– It will not take a lot of time – Ternip at the same time addressed Flores and Ms. Kingman.
– Oh, only several minutes! – and it left the deck.
In a few minutes Flores noticed that steamship
the pipe filled with smoke. He understood military cunning at once.
– The damned woman outwitted. You see smoke? It is a signal. She calls someone to the aid! – And, removing a rifle from a shoulder, he began to scold Ternip: – And all you! Thawed. Here I will tell your old woman!
– You are incorrigible, Flores. We could not drag by force the defenseless woman.
– Knights! Gallantry! Here Feargus will prescribe you knights… Whether it is necessary? – And, having taken the gun atilt, he nodded to a board through which jumped over Gatling and still wet Simpkins, all in green seaweed, with the crabs who clung to clothes: – It still that for water?.
Negotiations began. The Gatling would not be afraid to try forces with these two ragamuffins. But if they do not lie, fight will not lead to anything: on the Island as they assure, there lives the whole population – forty three well armed persons. Forces are unequal – the victory has to remain on their party.
Having left as proof of Simpkins, Gatling went to discuss situation with Ms. Kingman. It also agreed that fight is useless. It was decided to go by everything to be presented to the captain Feargus together.
Chapter 8
GOVERNOR FEARGUS SLEYTON
On the Island of the Lost Ships there were quite good means of communication.
Having got over through an old three-deck frigate, Ternip who was going ahead brought captives to the road: it were the bridges thrown between the ships and over the failed decks. Along this road some wire attached to small columns and the remained masts lasted.
– Here, here! Do not stumble, Ms. – he kindly addressed Ms. Kingman. It was followed by Gatling and Simpkins. Gloomy Flores, having pulled a sombrero to eyebrows, concluded a procession.
Halfway to them the inhabitants dressed in the tatters all which acquired suntanned began to meet: blond inhabitants of the North, swarty southerners, several Blacks, three Chinese… All of them with greedy curiosity looked at new inhabitants of the Island.
Among small sailing vessels of different eras and the people, in the center of the Island, the big, quite well remained frigate Elizabeth rose.
– The residence of the governor – Ternip respectfully said.
On the deck of this “residence” there was something like guard of honor: six sailors with guns in hands, in identical and quite decent suits.
The governor received guests in a big cabin.
After the depressing type of the destroyed ships this cabin involuntarily struck.
It had quite inhabited appearance and was removed almost magnificently. Only some diversity of style said that here pulled down everything that found the best by the ships which beat to this strange Island.
Expensive Persian carpets covered a floor. On consoles there were several good Chinese vases. Dark walls with carved eaves of a black oak were covered with fine pictures of the Dutch, Spanish and Italian masters: Velasquez, Ribeiro, Rubens, Titian, Flemish landscape writer Teynyer. Right there was an etude of the dog doing a rack, and nearby, breaking style, the fine Japanese picture embroidered with silk, representing in style Gokpan a crane on showered with snow to a bough of a tree and a mountain Fujiyama cone hung.
On a big round table there were ancient Venetian cut vases of the sixteenth century, the French bronze candelabrums of times of the Directory and several rare pink sinks. The heavy carved furniture fitted by imprinted pigskin with gold rims at the edges, gave to a cabin a solid look.
Прислонясь to a bookcase, there was a governor Ostrova – the captain Feargus Sleyton.
It favourably differed from other inhabitants in strong addition, the vykholenny, well shaved face and quite decent captain’s suit.
A little flat nose, heavy chin, sensual mouth made not absolutely pleasant impression. His gray cold eyes directed on comers. He silently and quietly looked at them, as if studying them and weighing something. It was the look of the person who got used to dispose of destiny of people, without paying attention to their personal desires, tastes and interests. Having thrown a cursory glance on Simpkinsa and, obviously, without having considered it noteworthy, he long looked at Ms. Kingman, transferred a view of Gatlinga and again to Kingman…
This silent survey confused Viviana and began to annoy Gatlinga.
– May I introduce myself: Redzhinald Gatling, Ms. Vivian Kingman, Mr. Jim Simpkins. Passengers of the steamship “Veniamin Franklin” which crashed.
Sleyton, without paying attention to Gatlinga, still continued to look at Ms. Kingman. Then he approached it, kindly greeted, carelessly gave a hand to Gatlingu and Simpkins and invited to sit down.
– Yes, I know – he spoke – I know.
The Gatling was extraordinary surprised when Sleyton precisely specified where and when their steamship crashed. None of them spoke about it to islanders.
Sleyton addressed almost only Ms. Kingman.
– If the case brought you on this sad Island, Ms. Kingman, then we, islanders, have to thank only the lucky stars for its fine gift – Sleyton released rather heavy compliment even without smile upon the face.
– Alas, I am not inclined to thank the lucky stars which so disposed of me – Ms. Kingman answered.
– Who knows, who knows? – mysteriously Sleyton answered. – Here not so badly is, Ms. as can seem from the first. You play music? You sing?
– Yes…
– Perfectly. Perfectly. Here you will find a fine erarovsky grand piano and rich musical library. There are enough books too. Among our islanders there are interesting people. Here at least this Ternip. However, it decently fell, but he saw much, knows much and once was well placed. Now it is ridiculous, but nevertheless is interesting. Then Liu-ders, German. This is our historian and the scientist. He studies shipbuilding history, our Island – the real museum, isn’t that so?
– Shipbuilding history? It is interesting – told Gatling.
– It is related to your specialty? – carelessly Sleyton asked, having looked at him squinted.
– Yes, I am a shipbuilding engineer – Gatling answered.
Ms.