Chapter IX
The origin and descent of Captain Henry Morgan
His exploits, and the most remarkable actions of his life.
CAPTAIN HENRY MORGAN was born in Great Britain, in the principality of Wales; his father was a rich yeoman, or farmer, of good quality, even as most who bear that name in Wales are known to be. Morgan, when young, had no inclination to the calling of his father, and therefore left his country, and came towards the sea-coasts to seek some other employment more suitable to his aspiring humour; where he found several ships at anchor, bound for Barbadoes. With these he resolved to go in the service of one, who, according to the practice of those parts, sold him as soon as he came ashore. He served his time at Barbadoes, and obtaining his liberty, betook himself to Jamaica, there to seek new fortunes: here he found two vessels of pirates ready to go to sea; and being destitute of employment, he went with them, with intent to follow the exercises of that sort of people: he soon learned their manner of living, so exactly, that having performed three or four voyages with profit and success, he agreed with some of his comrades, who had got by the same voyages a little money, to join stocks, and buy a ship. The vessel being bought, they unanimously chose him captain and commander.
With this ship he set forth from Jamaica to cruise on the coasts of Campechy, in which voyage he took several ships, with which he returned triumphant. Here he found an old pirate, named Mansvelt (whom we have already mentioned), busied in equipping a considerable fleet, with design to land on the continent, and pillage whatever he could. Mansvelt seeing Captain Morgan return with so many prizes, judged him to be a man of courage, and chose him for his vice-admiral in that expedition: thus having fitted out fifteen ships, great and small, they sailed from Jamaica with five hundred men, Walloons and French. This fleet arrived, not long after, at the isle of St. Catherine, near the continent of Costa Rica, latitude 12 deg. 30 min. and distant thirty-five leagues from the river Chagre. Here they made their first descent, landing most of their men, who soon forced the garrison that kept the island to surrender all the forts and castles thereof; which they instantly demolished, except one, wherein they placed a hundred men of their own party, and all the slaves they had taken from the Spaniards: with the rest of their men they marched to another small island, so near St. Catherine's, that with a bridge they made in a few days, they passed thither, taking with them all the ordnance they had taken on the great island. Having ruined with fire and sword both the islands, leaving necessary orders at the said castle, they put to sea again, with their Spanish prisoners; yet these they set ashore not long after, on the firm land, near Puerto Velo: then they cruised on Costa Rica, till they came to the river Colla, designing to pillage all the towns in those parts, thence to pass to the village of Nata, to do the same.
The governor of Panama, on advice of their arrival, and of the hostilities they committed, thought it his duty to meet them with a body of men. His coming caused the pirates to retire suddenly, seeing the whole country was alarmed, and that their designs were known, and consequently defeated at that time. Hereupon, they returned to St. Catherine's, to visit the hundred men they left in garrison there. The governor of these men was a Frenchman, named Le Sieur Simon, who behaved himself very well in that charge, while Mansvelt was absent, having put the great island in a very good posture of defence, and the little one he had caused to be cultivated with many fertile plantations, sufficient to revictual the whole fleet, not only for the present, but also for a new voyage. Mansvelt was very much bent to keep the two islands in perpetual possession, being very commodiously situated for the pirates; being so near the Spanish dominions, and easily defended.
Hereupon, Mansvelt determined to return to Jamaica, to send recruits to St. Catherine's, that in case of an invasion the pirates might be provided for a defence. As soon as he arrived, he propounded his intentions to the governor there, who rejected his propositions, fearing to displease his master, the king of England; besides, that giving him the men he desired, and necessaries, he must of necessity diminish the forces of that island, whereof he was governor. Hereupon, Mansvelt, knowing that of himself he could not compass his designs, he went to Tortuga; but there, before he could put in execution what was intended, death surprised him, and put a period to his wicked life, leaving all things in suspense till the occasion I shall hereafter relate.
Le Sieur Simon, governor of St. Catherine's, receiving no news from Mansvelt, his admiral, was impatiently desirous to know the cause thereof: meanwhile, Don John Perez de Guzman, being newly come to the government of Costa Rica, thought it not convenient for the interest of Spain for that island to be in the hands of the pirates: hereupon, he equipped a considerable fleet, which he sent to retake it; but before he used violence, he writ a letter to Le Sieur Simon, telling him, that if he would surrender the island to his Catholic Majesty, he should be very well rewarded; but, in case of refusal, severely punished, when he had forced him to do it. Le Sieur Simon, seeing no probability of being able to defend it alone, nor any emolument that by so doing could accrue either to him, or his people, after some small resistance delivered it up to its true lord and master, under the same articles they had obtained it from the Spaniards; a few days after which surrender, there arrived from Jamaica an English ship, which the governor there had sent underhand, with a good supply of people, both men and women: the Spaniards from the castle having espied the ship, put forth English colours, and persuaded Le Sieur Simon to go aboard, and conduct the ship into a port they assigned him. This he performed and they were all made prisoners. A certain Spanish engineer has published in print an exact relation of the retaking of this isle by the Spaniards, which I have thought fit to insert here:—
A true relation, and particular account of the victory obtained by the arms of his Catholic Majesty against the English pirates, by the direction and valour of Don John Perez de Guzman, knight of the order of St. James, governor and captain-general of Terra Firma, and the Province of Veraguas.
The kingdom of Terra Firma, which of itself is sufficiently strong to repel and destroy great fleets, especially the pirates of Jamaica, had several ways notice imparted to the governor thereof, that fourteen English vessels cruised on the coasts belonging to his Catholic Majesty. July 14, 1665, news came to Panama, that they were arrived at Puerto de Naos, and had forced the Spanish garrison of the isle of St. Catherine, whose governor was Don Estevan del Campo, and possessed themselves of the said island, taking prisoners the inhabitants, and destroying all that they met. About the same time, Don John Perez de Guzman received particular information of these robberies from some Spaniards who escaped out of the island (and whom he ordered to be conveyed to Puerto Velo), that the said pirates came into the island May 2, by night, without being perceived; and that the next day, after some skirmishes, they took the fortresses, and made prisoners all the inhabitants and soldiers that could not escape. Upon this, Don John called a council of war, wherein he declared the great progress the said pirates had made in the dominions of his Catholic Majesty; and propounded "that it was absolutely necessary to send some forces to the isle of St. Catherine, sufficient to retake it from the pirates, the honour and interest of his Majesty of Spain being very narrowly concerned herein; otherwise the pirates by such conquests might easily, in course of time, possess themselves of all the countries thereabouts." To this some made answer, "that the pirates, not being able to subsist in the said island, would of necessity consume and waste themselves, and be forced to quit it, without any necessity of retaking it: that consequently it was not worth the while to engage in so many expenses and troubles as this would cost." Notwithstanding which, Don John being an expert and valiant soldier, ordered that provisions should be conveyed to Puerto Velo for the use of the militia, and transported himself thither, with no small danger of his life. Here he arrived July 2, with most things necessary to the expedition in hand, where he found in the port a good ship, and well mounted, called the St. Vincent, that belonged to the company of the negroes, which he manned and victualled very well, and sent to the isle of St. Catherine, constituting Captain Joseph Sanchez Ximenez, major of Puerto Velo, commander thereof. He carried with him two hundred and seventy soldiers, and thirty-seven prisoners of the same island, besides thirty-four Spaniards of the garrison of Puerto Velo, twenty-nine mulattoes of Panama, twelve Indians, very dextrous at shooting with bows and arrows, seven expert and able gunners, two lieutenants, two pilots, one surgeon, and one priest, of the order of St. Francis, for their chaplain.
Don John soon after gave orders to all the officers how to behave themselves, telling them that the governor of Carthagena would supply them with more men, boats, and all things else, necessary for that enterprise; to which effect he had already written to the said governor. July 24, Don John setting sail with a fair wind, he called before him all his people, and made them a speech, encouraging them to fight against the enemies of their country and religion, and especially against those inhuman pirates, who had committed so many horrid cruelties upon the subjects of his Catholic Majesty; withal, promising every one most liberal rewards, especially to such as should behave themselves well in the service of their king and country. Thus Don John bid them farewell, and the ship set sail under a favourable gale. The 22nd they arrived at Carthagena, and presented a letter to the governor thereof, from the noble and valiant Don John, who received it with testimonies of great affection to the person of Don John, and his Majesty's service: and seeing their resolution to be comfortable to his desires, he promised them his assistance, with one frigate, one galleon, one boat, and one hundred and twenty-six men; one half out of his own garrison, and the other half mulattoes. Thus being well provided with necessaries, they left the port of Carthagena, August 2, and the 10th they arrived in sight of St. Catherine's towards the western point thereof; and though the wind was contrary, yet they reached the port, and anchored within it, having lost one of their boats by foul weather, at the rock called Quita Signos.
The pirates, seeing our ships come to an anchor, gave them presently three guns with bullets, which were soon answered in the same coin. Hereupon, Major Joseph Sanchez Ximenez sent ashore to the pirates one of his officers to require them, in the name of the Catholic King his master, to surrender the island, seeing they had taken it in the midst of peace between the two crowns of Spain and England; and that if they would be obstinate, he would certainly put them all to the sword. The pirates made answer, that the island had once before belonged unto the government and dominions of the king of England, and that instead of surrendering it, they preferred to lose their lives.
On Friday the 13th, three negroes, from the enemy, came swimming aboard our admiral; these brought intelligence that all the pirates upon the island were only seventy-two in number, and that they were under a great consternation, seeing such considerable forces come against them. With this intelligence, the Spaniards resolved to land, and advance towards the fortresses, which ceased not to fire as many great guns against them as they possibly could; which were answered in the same manner on our side, till dark night. On Sunday, the 15th, the day of the Assumption of our Lady, the weather being very calm and clear, the Spaniards began to advance thus: The ship St. Vincent, riding admiral, discharged two whole broadsides on the battery called the Conception; the ship St. Peter, that was vice-admiral, discharged likewise her guns against the other battery named St. James: meanwhile, our people landed in small boats, directing their course towards the point of the battery last mentioned, and thence they marched towards the gate called Cortadura. Lieutenant Francis de Cazeres, being desirous to view the strength of the enemy, with only fifteen men, was compelled to retreat in haste, by reason of the great guns, which played so furiously on the place where he stood; they shooting, not only pieces of iron, and small bullets, but also the organs of the church, discharging in every shot threescore pipes at a time.
Notwithstanding this heat of the enemy, Captain Don Joseph Ramirez de Leyva, with sixty men, made a strong attack, wherein they fought on both sides very desperately, till at last he overcame, and forced the pirates to surrender the fort.
On the other side, Captain John Galeno, with ninety men, passed over the hills, to advance that way towards the castle of St. Teresa. Meanwhile Major Don Joseph Sanchez Ximenes, as commander-in-chief, with the rest of his men, set forth from the battery of St. James, passing the port with four boats, and landing, in despite of the enemy. About this same time, Captain John Galeno began to advance with the men he led to the forementioned fortress; so that our men made three attacks on three several sides, at one and the same time, with great courage; till the pirates seeing many of their men already killed, and that they could in no manner subsist any longer, retreated towards Cortadura, where they surrendered, themselves and the whole island, into our hands. Our people possessed themselves of all, and set up the Spanish colours, as soon as they had rendered thanks to God Almighty for the victory obtained on such a signalized day. The number of dead were six men of the enemies, with many wounded, and seventy prisoners: on our side was only one man killed, and four wounded.
There were found on the island eight hundred pounds of powder, two hundred and fifty pounds of small bullets, with many other military provisions. Among the prisoners were taken also, two Spaniards, who had bore arms under the English against his Catholic Majesty: these were shot to death the next day, by order of the major. The 10th day of September arrived at the isle an English vessel, which being seen at a great distance by the major, he ordered Le Sieur Simon, who was a Frenchman, to go and visit the said ship, and tell them that were on board, that the island belonged still to the English. He performed the command, and found in the said ship only fourteen men, one woman and her daughter, who were all instantly made prisoners.
The English pirates were all transported to Puerto Velo, excepting three, who by order of the governor were carried to Panama, there to work in the castle of St. Jerom. This fortification is an excellent piece of workmanship, and very strong, being raised in the middle of the port of a quadrangular form, and of very hard stone: its height is eighty-eight geometrical feet, the wall being fourteen, and the curtains seventy-five feet diameter. It was built at the expense of several private persons, the governor of the city furnishing the greatest part of the money; so that it cost his Majesty nothing.
Глава 25
Сквозь ад русской революции. Воспоминания гардемарина. 1914–1919. Глава 25
В августе 1919 года верховное командование красных решило покончить с Северо-западной армией, которая в это время приблизилась на опасное расстояние к Петрограду. На позициях красных за линией фронта наблюдались признаки повышенной активности, пленные сообщали о ежедневном прибытии на фронт свежих красных дивизий. Мы ожидали крупного наступления каждое утро и пытались предотвратить главный удар. Но еще до того, как красные выбрали время для его нанесения, мы получили приказ штаба о всеобщем отступлении. Большинство железнодорожных путей и шоссе между Петроградом и границей Эстонии тянулись по прямой линии с востока на запад, но по каким-то непонятным причинам было приказано оставить главные пути и отступать в юго-западном направлении. Лишь бронепоезда были вынуждены двигаться на запад по основному пути на Ямбург, нам дали указания обеспечивать их свободное прохождение до тех пор, пока последняя воинская часть не перейдет железнодорожное полотно с севера. Во время отступления нервозность всегда достигает апогея, все становится возможным, когда войска перемещаются по проселочным дорогам в стороне от известных им ориентиров. Когда белые пехотинцы отступили за железнодорожные пути, противник совершил рывок вперед вдоль прибрежного шоссе, тянувшегося параллельно железной дороге. На другой день мы все еще находились на расстоянии примерно 50 миль к востоку от Ямбурга и стояли перед угрозой быть отрезанными от своей базы.
Chapter XX
The voyage of the Beagle. Chapter XX. Keeling Island - Coral formations
Keeling Island Singular appearance Scanty Flora Transport of Seeds Birds and Insects Ebbing and flowing Springs Fields of dead Coral Stones transported in the roots of Trees Great Crab Stinging Corals Coral eating Fish Coral Formations Lagoon Islands, or Atolls Depth at which reef-building Corals can live Vast Areas interspersed with low Coral Islands Subsidence of their foundations Barrier Reefs Fringing Reefs Conversion of Fringing Reefs into Barrier Reefs, and into Atolls Evidence of changes in Level Breaches in Barrier Reefs Maldiva Atolls, their peculiar structure Dead and submerged Reefs Areas of subsidence and elevation Distribution of Volcanoes Subsidence slow, and vast in amount APRIL 1st.—We arrived in view of the Keeling or Cocos Islands, situated in the Indian Ocean, and about six hundred miles distant from the coast of Sumatra. This is one of the lagoon-islands (or atolls) of coral formation, similar to those in the Low Archipelago which we passed near. When the ship was in the channel at the entrance, Mr. Liesk, an English resident, came off in his boat. The history of the inhabitants of this place, in as few words as possible, is as follows. About nine years ago, Mr. Hare, a worthless character, brought from the East Indian archipelago a number of Malay slaves, which now including children, amount to more than a hundred.
Предисловие
Побег из ГУЛАГа. Предисловие
«Нет, и не под чуждым небосводом, И не под защитой чуждых крыл — Я была тогда с моим народом, Там, где мой народ, к несчастью, был.» Анна Ахматова Книжка эта автобиографична, потому что только о себе я могу говорить, не подводя никого под тюрьму и ссылку, но моя судьба не отличается от жизни сотен и тысяч других интеллигентных женщин. Все мы с детства прошли большую школу, чтобы выработать в себе культуру, необходимую не только нам самим, но и стране, которой мы стремились служить своим трудом. Никто из нас враждебно не встретил революции и многие с воодушевлением отдавали все свои силы служению новому строю. И все же большинство из нас испытало общую участь: не только голод, когда нечем было накормить ребенка; гражданскую войну, когда некуда было спрятать его от пуль, — но и тюрьму и ссылку. Конечно, если специалистов, после того как их руками было создано все, что можно назвать достижениями революции, квалифицировали как «вредителей», то ничто не защищало нас от превращения в «жен вредителей». В этом была простая логика: чтобы ликвидировать интеллигенцию «как класс», нужно было уничтожить не только мужчин, но и женщин, а с ними и их ребят. Нас гнали общим путем бессмысленного, жестокого уничтожения. Террор, начавшийся три года назад, еще не кончен. Не знаю, кто может еще уцелеть. Знаю одно, что на воле и в тюрьме мы жили все одним желанием — сказать людям, каким путем пошла свобода в стране, которую многие считают страной будущего счастья человечества.
9 000 - 5 000 BC
From 9 000 to 5 000 BC
From the emergence of farming and animal husbandry to the beginning of copper use in some regions.
Chapter XVII
The pirates of Panama or The buccaneers of America : Chapter XVII
Captain Morgan departs from Chagre, at the head of twelve hundred men, to take the city of Panama. CAPTAIN MORGAN set forth from the castle of Chagre, towards Panama, August 18, 1670. He had with him twelve hundred men, five boats laden with artillery, and thirty-two canoes. The first day they sailed only six leagues, and came to a place called De los Bracos. Here a party of his men went ashore, only to sleep and stretch their limbs, being almost crippled with lying too much crowded in the boats. Having rested awhile, they went abroad to seek victuals in the neighbouring plantations; but they could find none, the Spaniards being fled, and carrying with them all they had. This day, being the first of their journey, they had such scarcity of victuals, as the greatest part were forced to pass with only a pipe of tobacco, without any other refreshment. Next day, about evening, they came to a place called Cruz de Juan Gallego. Here they were compelled to leave their boats and canoes, the river being very dry for want of rain, and many trees having fallen into it. The guides told them, that, about two leagues farther, the country would be very good to continue the journey by land. Hereupon they left one hundred and sixty men on board the boats, to defend them, that they might serve for a refuge in necessity. Next morning, being the third day, they all went ashore, except those who were to keep the boats.
4. Что не увидели следователи. Огрехи начального этапа расследования
Перевал Дятлова. Смерть, идущая по следу... 4. Что не увидели следователи. Огрехи начального этапа расследования
При этом нельзя не отметить того, что уже с самого начала и следствие, и поисковики, работавшие на склоне Холат-Сяхыл, допустили ряд огрехов и не сумели прояснить существенные моменты, весьма важных для понимания случившегося с группой Дятлова. Допущенные в самом начале следствия ошибки привели к тому, что многие важные выводы могут быть обоснованно поставлены под сомнение и эти сомнения с течением времени привели к формированию огромного числа (нескольких десятков) версий, совершенно по-разному описывавших процесс гибели группы. Перечислим вкратце те недоработки следствия, о которых говорилось выше, дабы читатель понял, о чём идёт речь: 1) Прокурор Темпалов и прокурор-криминалист Иванов небрежно отнеслись к такой важной задаче следствия, как судебно-оперативная фотосъёмка места преступления. Между тем, в этом заключалась, одна из важнейших целей их пребывания в районе поисков в конце февраля-марте 1959 г. В деле, практически нет ориентирующих фотоснимков, позволяющих чётко определить положение трупов, улик и значимых предметов окружающей обстановки (камней, ям и пр.) на фоне ориентиров. В деле также нет детальных фотоснимков, передающих криминалистически значимые свойства и признаки объектов. Те фотографии, которые были сделаны прокурорами, относятся к категории т.н. "узловых", таковыми нельзя ограничиваться при фотографировани трупа на месте обнаружения. Каждое из тел должно было быть запечатлено по крайней мере из трёх точек - верхней и двух боковых, как при нахождении в снегу, так и после удаления снега. Особенно важны детальные фотоснимки тел погибших и их одежды, поскольку словесное описание в протоколе зачастую не фиксирует многие важные детали.
23. Последнее испытание и приговор
Записки «вредителя». Часть II. Тюрьма. 23. Последнее испытание и приговор
После моего бурного допроса следователь вызвал меня ровно через неделю. Сидел он мрачный и злой. — Садитесь. Что же и сегодня будем кричать друг на друга? Я пожал плечами. — Не знаю, какой метод допроса примените вы сегодня. Это зависит не от меня. — Давайте беседовать мирно. «Беседа» заключалась в том, что, не усложняя допроса «техническими деталями», как первый следователь — Барышников, — этот, Германов, все свел к одному — «сознаться». «Сознаться» в собственном вредительстве или «сознаться» в том, что я знал о «вредительстве» Толстого и Щербакова. Он не пытался ловить меня, узнавать о моей работе или разговорах. Он все усилия направил к одному: заставить меня подписать «признание». Допрос он вел без крика и ругани, очевидно, убедившись, что «на бас» меня не возьмешь, но напряжение чувствовалось огромное. Мне было ясно, что он не остановится ни перед какими «мерами воздействия», и только не решил еще, какими именно. Мне казалось, что в «методах дознания» я был теперь достаточно опытен, и неожиданностей для меня быть не может. Вскоре я услышал то, что предугадывал. — Мне придется применить к вам особые меры, если вы не подпишете признание... «Так, — подумал я, — начинается, теперь держись». — Мне придется арестовать вашу жену, и она буде сидеть в тюрьме, пока вы не подпишете чистосердечного признание. Я молчал.
4. Сокол — он же Соков — он же Смирнов
Записки «вредителя». Часть II. Тюрьма. 4. Сокол — он же Соков — он же Смирнов
В камере все лежали, как полагается, в два слоя, сплошь, но никто не спал. Староста стоял в одном белье у своей первой койки; в противоположном конце камеры, у окна, стояли двое заключенных, тоже в одном белье: между ними и старостой шла перебранка — резкая и безнадежная. У дверей стоял вновь прибывший; в шубе, с вещами в руках, ошарашенный тюрьмой, арестом и скандалом, с которым его встретили: привезли в тюрьму, а здесь нет места. Он не представлял себе, что был уже сто десятым на двадцать два места. Я стоял, не проходя еще к своему ужасному логову. Меня вводили, тем временем, в курс происшествия. — Те двое — уголовные, бандиты. Их два места на полу около окна и умывальника. Места немного шире, чем под нарами, но холодные, так как окно открыто всю ночь. Новенького положить некуда, и староста направил его к ним третьим на два места. По камерным правилам староста распоряжается местами, но они не хотят подчиняться, считая, что староста может распоряжаться свободными местами, а класть на чужое место не может. — Куда ж его девать? — Уладится. Староста немного виноват: он приказал им пустить третьего, а не попросил, это их взорвало. Они ребята неплохие, хоть и настоящие бандиты — грабят магазины. Тот, поменьше, — это Сокол, или Соков, он же Смирнов, атаман. Второй — Ваня Ефимов из его шайки. Всего их сидит девять человек: двое у нас, шесть — по соседним камерам, один занят на кухне и спит в «рабочей камере». Следователь лишил их прогулок, чтобы они не могли переговариваться, и они просто сюда, к решетке, подходят. Отчаянный народ. Вот увидите, даже безногий придет.
Побег из ГУЛАГа
Чернавина Т. Побег из ГУЛАГа
Chapter VII
The pirates of Panama or The buccaneers of America : Chapter VII
Lolonois equips a fleet to land upon the Spanish islands of America, with intent to rob, sack and burn whatsoever he met with. OF this design Lolonois giving notice to all the pirates, whether at home or abroad, he got together, in a little while, above four hundred men; beside which, there was then in Tortuga another pirate, named Michael de Basco, who, by his piracy, had got riches sufficient to live at ease, and go no more abroad; having, withal, the office of major of the island. But seeing the great preparations that Lolonois made for this expedition, he joined him, and offered him, that if he would make him his chief captain by land (seeing he knew the country very well, and all its avenues) he would share in his fortunes, and go with him. They agreed upon articles to the great joy of Lolonois, knowing that Basco had done great actions in Europe, and had the repute of a good soldier. Thus they all embarked in eight vessels, that of Lolonois being the greatest, having ten guns of indifferent carriage. All things being ready, and the whole company on board, they set sail together about the end of April, being, in all, six hundred and sixty persons. They steered for that part called Bayala, north of Hispaniola: here they took into their company some French hunters, who voluntarily offered themselves, and here they provided themselves with victuals and necessaries for their voyage. From hence they sailed again the last of July, and steered directly to the eastern cape of the isle called Punta d'Espada.
25. Этап
Записки «вредителя». Часть II. Тюрьма. 25. Этап
27 апреля по суете в коридорах тюрьмы мы поняли, что нас отправляют на этап. Что ждало нас в Соловках, никто не знал. Мне приходилось и на воле, и в тюрьме встречаться с людьми, побывавшими там, но никто из них никогда не говорил о лагере. Только раз, оставшись один на один, я спросил такого: «Очень тяжко в концлагере?» Тот утвердительно кивнул головой и заговорил о другом. Видимо, рассказывать об этом было бы слишком рискованно. Слухи же, доходившие до граждан и до нас в тюрьме, были очень страшны. По этим слухам, смертность в лагерях была громадна, беспричинные расстрелы — обычное явление; работу давали непосильную, били, держали в холодных казармах, кормили отвратительно, паразитов была масса и эпидемия сыпного тифа не прекращалась. Все это было так безнадежно, что большинство старалось не думать о том, что там ждет. Все равно ничего не поделаешь, а все же мы покинем ненавистную тюрьму, нас поведут по городу, из окна вагона увидим лес, море, вольных людей. С самого утра началась суетня. Нас погнали вниз, выстроили в коридоре. Все были с вещами, строй получался неровный, строили нас и перестраивали, проверяли по спискам, которые у ГПУ всегда в беспорядке. Тюремная администрация сдавала нас конвою, который должен был сопровождать нас до концлагеря и там сдать лагерному начальству. Самая сдача происходила у стола, куда нас вызывали по одному, спрашивали имя, по какой статье и на сколько лет сослан. Проверенный «в натуре» передавался конвою вместе с конвертом, в котором находилось «личное дело». При проверке происходило немало недоразумений: то была неверно записана фамилия, то имя, то срок...
VIII. Конец семьи
Побег из ГУЛАГа. Часть 1. VIII. Конец семьи
Катастрофы всегда внезапны, сколько бы их не ждали. Месяц ночных мук, прислушивания к шагам, к словам, к каждому шороху — а случилось это почти днем, когда возвращались со службы. В это время легко не застать дома, но услужливый коммунист-сослуживец справился по телефону: — Дома? Ну, как поживаете? — Вам что-нибудь нужно? — Нет, ничего. Я хотел спросить, не уезжаете ли куда? Через четверть часа агент ГПУ был у нас с ордером на арест... Я задержалась на службе, а когда пришла, все было кончено. Почти ничего не тронуто: обыск производился поверхностный, небрежный, потому что действительное положение вещей их не интересовало. Возможно, что и развязка была уже предрешена... Какой-то безликий молодой человек в штатском с равнодушным видом сидел в кресле и курил. Больше ничего, а дома, семьи уже не было. Все кругом будто оледенело, умерло. Муж переодевался, собирал вещи, быть может, в последнюю дорогу, я ему молча помогала, но все это так машинально, что я не знала, живы ли мы еще или вместо нас двигались наши тени. Все стало каким-то призрачным, ненастоящим... По окончании формальностей с актом об обыске все сели за стол в столовой. Собрала чай, его никто не пил, — нельзя было сделать ни глотка. Машину все не подавали: при таком разгоне у ГПУ не хватало автомобилей. Мы сидели и молча, в последний раз, смотрели друг на друга.