"Jack Vance - The Narrow Land" - читать интересную книгу автора (Vance Jack)

islands overgrown with pallid reeds, complicated black shrubs of the utmost fragility, a few
spindly dendrons. Beyond hung a wall of black murk. On the seaward side the horizon was obscured
by a lightning-shattered wall of cloud and rain. The wall of murk and the wall of storm ran
parallel, delineating the borders of the region between.

The larger of the water-children tended to congregate at the surface. There were two sorts. The
typical individual was slender and lithe, with a narrow bony skull, a single crest, protuberant
eyes. His temperament was mercurial; he tended to undignified wrangling and sudden brisk fights
which were over almost as soon as they started. The sex differences were definite: some were male,
half as many were female.

In contrast, and much in the minority, were the twin-crested water-children. These were more
massive, with broader skulls, less prominent eyes and a more sedate disposition. Their sexual
differentiation was not obvious, and they regarded the antics of the single-crested children with
disapproval.


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Ern identified himself with this latter group though his crest development was not yet definite,
and, if anything, he was even broader and more stocky than the others. Sexually he was slow in
developing, but he seemed definitely masculine.

The oldest of the children, single- and double-crested alike, knew a few elements of speech,
passed down the classes from a time and source unknown. In due course Ern learned the language,
and thereafter idled away long periods discussing the events of the sea-shallows. The wall of
storm with its incessant dazzle of lightning was continually fascinating, but the children gave
most of their attention to the swamp and rising ground beyond, where, by virtue of tradition
transmitted along with the language, they knew their destiny lay, among the "men."

Occasionally "men" would be seen probing the shore mud for flatfish, or moving among the reeds on
mysterious errands. At such times the water-children, impelled by some unknown emotion, would
instantly submerge themselves, all except the most daring of the single-crested who would float
with only their eyes above water, to watch the men at their fascinating activities.

Each appearance of the men stimulated discussion among the water-children. The single-crested
maintained that all would become men and walk the dry land, which they declared to be a condition
of bliss. The double-crested, more skeptical, agreed that the children might go ashore-after all,
this was the tradition-but what next? Tradition offered no information on this score, and the
discussions remained speculative.

At long last Ern saw men close at hand. Searching the bottom for crustaceans, he heard a strong
rhythmic splashing and, looking up, saw three large long figures: magnificent creatures! They swam
with power and grace; even the ogre might avoid such as these! Ern followed at a discreet distance
wondering if he dared approach and make himself known. It would be pleasant, he thought, to talk
with these men, to learn about life on the shore . . . The men paused to inspect a school of
playing children, pointing here and there, while the children halted their play to stare up in
wonder. Now occurred a shocking incident. The largest of the double-crested water-children was Zim