Chapter XVIII
Captain Morgan sends canoes and boats to the South Sea
He fires the city of Panama
Robberies and cruelties committed there by the pirates, till their return to the Castle of Chagre.
CAPTAIN MORGAN, as soon as he had placed necessary guards at several quarters within and without the city, commanded twenty-five men to seize a great boat, which had stuck in the mud of the port, for want of water, at a low tide. The same day about noon, he caused fire privately to be set to several great edifices of the city, nobody knowing who were the authors thereof, much less on what motives Captain Morgan did it, which are unknown to this day: the fire increased so, that before night the greatest part of the city was in a flame. Captain Morgan pretended the Spaniards had done it, perceiving that his own people reflected on him for that action. Many of the Spaniards, and some of the pirates, did what they could, either to quench the flame, or, by blowing up houses with gunpowder, and pulling down others, to stop it, but in vain: for in less than half an hour it consumed a whole street. All the houses of the city were built with cedar, very curious and magnificent, and richly adorned, especially with hangings and paintings, whereof part were before removed, and another great part were consumed by fire.
There were in this city (which is the see of a bishop) eight monasteries, seven for men, and one for women; two stately churches, and one hospital. The churches and monasteries were all richly adorned with altar-pieces and paintings, much gold and silver, and other precious things, all which the ecclesiastics had hidden. Besides which, here were two thousand houses of magnificent building, the greatest part inhabited by merchants vastly rich. For the rest of less quality, and tradesmen, this city contained five thousand more. Here were also many stables for the horses and mules that carry the plate of the king of Spain, as well as private men, towards the North Sea. The neighbouring fields are full of fertile plantations and pleasant gardens, affording delicious prospects to the inhabitants all the year.
The Genoese had in this city a stately house for their trade of negroes. This likewise was by Captain Morgan burnt to the very ground. Besides which building, there were consumed two hundred warehouses, and many slaves, who had hid themselves therein, with innumerable sacks of meal; the fire of which continued four weeks after it had begun. The greatest part of the pirates still encamped without the city, fearing and expecting the Spaniards would come and fight them anew, it being known they much outnumbered the pirates. This made them keep the field, to preserve their forces united, now much diminished by their losses. Their wounded, which were many, they put into one church, which remained standing, the rest being consumed by the fire. Besides these decreases of their men, Captain Morgan had sent a convoy of one hundred and fifty men to the castle of Chagre, to carry the news of his victory at Panama.
They saw often whole troops of Spaniards run to and fro in the fields, which made them suspect their rallying, which they never had the courage to do. In the afternoon Captain Morgan re-entered the city with his troops, that every one might take up their lodgings, which now they could hardly find, few houses having escaped the fire. Then they sought very carefully among the ruins and ashes, for utensils of plate or gold, that were not quite wasted by the flames: and of such they found no small number, especially in wells and cisterns, where the Spaniards had hid them.
Next day Captain Morgan dispatched away two troops, of one hundred and fifty men each, stout and well armed, to seek for the inhabitants who were escaped. These having made several excursions up and down the fields, woods, and mountains adjacent, returned after two days, bringing above two hundred prisoners, men, women, and slaves. The same day returned also the boat which Captain Morgan had sent to the South Sea, bringing three other boats which they had taken. But all these prizes they could willingly have given, and greater labour into the bargain, for one galleon, which miraculously escaped, richly laden with all the king's plate, jewels, and other precious goods of the best and richest merchants of Panama: on board which were also the religious women of the nunnery, who had embarked with them all the ornaments of their church, consisting in much gold, plate, and other things of great value.
The strength of this galleon was inconsiderable, having only seven guns, and ten or twelve muskets, and very ill provided with victuals, necessaries, and fresh water, having no more sails than the uppermost of the mainmast. This account the pirates received from some one who had spoken with seven mariners belonging to the galleon, who came ashore in the cockboat for fresh water. Hence they concluded they might easily have taken it, had they given her chase, as they should have done; but they were impeded from following this vastly rich prize, by their gluttony and drunkenness, having plentifully debauched themselves with several rich wines they found ready, choosing rather to satiate their appetites than to lay hold on such huge advantage; since this only prize would have been of far greater value than all they got at Panama, and the places thereabout. Next day, repenting of their negligence, being weary of their vices and debaucheries, they set forth another boat, well armed, to pursue with all speed the said galleon; but in vain, the Spaniards who were on board having had intelligence of their own danger one or two days before, while the pirates were cruising so near them; whereupon they fled to places more remote and unknown.
The pirates found, in the ports of the island of Tavoga and Tavogilla, several boats laden with very good merchandise; all which they took, and brought to Panama, where they made an exact relation of all that had passed to Captain Morgan. The prisoners confirmed what the pirates said, adding, that they undoubtedly knew where the galleon might then be, but that it was very probable they had been relieved before now from other places. This stirred up Captain Morgan anew, to send forth all the boats in the port of Panama to seek the said galleon till they could find her. These boats, being in all four, after eight days' cruising to and fro, and searching several ports and creeks, lost all hopes of finding her: hereupon they returned to Tavoga and Tavogilla; here they found a reasonable good ship newly come from Payta, laden with cloth, soap, sugar, and biscuit, with 20,000 pieces of eight; this they instantly seized, without the least resistance; as also a boat which was not far off, on which they laded great part of the merchandises from the ship, with some slaves. With this purchase they returned to Panama, somewhat better satisfied; yet, withal, much discontented that they could not meet with the galleon.
The convoy which Captain Morgan had sent to the castle of Chagre returned much about the same time, bringing with them very good news; for while Captain Morgan was on his journey to Panama, those he had left in the castle of Chagre had sent for two boats to cruise. These met with a Spanish ship, which they chased within sight of the castle. This being perceived by the pirates in the castle, they put forth Spanish colours, to deceive the ship that fled before the boats; and the poor Spaniards, thinking to take refuge under the castle, were caught in a snare, and made prisoners. The cargo on board the said vessel consisted in victuals and provisions, than which nothing could be more opportune for the castle, where they began already to want things of this kind.
This good luck of those of Chagre caused Captain Morgan to stay longer at Panama, ordering several new excursions into the country round about; and while the pirates at Panama were upon these expeditions, those at Chagre were busy in piracies on the North Sea. Captain Morgan sent forth, daily, parties of two hundred men, to make inroads into all the country round about; and when one party came back, another went forth, who soon gathered much riches, and many prisoners. These being brought into the city, were put to the most exquisite tortures, to make them confess both other people's goods and their own. Here it happened that one poor wretch was found in the house of a person of quality, who had put on, amidst the confusion, a pair of taffety breeches of his master's, with a little silver key hanging out; perceiving which, they asked him for the cabinet of the said key. His answer was, he knew not what was become of it, but that finding those breeches in his master's house, he had made bold to wear them. Not being able to get any other answer, they put him on the rack, and inhumanly disjointed his arms; then they twisted a cord about his forehead, which they wrung so hard that his eyes appeared as big as eggs, and were ready to fall out. But with these torments not obtaining any positive answer, they hung him up by the wrists, giving him many blows and stripes under that intolerable pain and posture of body. Afterwards they cut off his nose and ears, and singed his face with burning straw, till he could not speak, nor lament his misery any longer: then, losing all hopes of any confession, they bade a negro run him through, which put an end to his life, and to their inhuman tortures. Thus did many others of those miserable prisoners finish their days, the common sport and recreation of these pirates being such tragedies.
Captain Morgan having now been at Panama full three weeks, commanded all things to be prepared for his departure. He ordered every company of men to seek so many beasts of carriage as might convey the spoil to the river where his canoes lay. About this time there was a great rumour, that a considerable number of pirates intended to leave Captain Morgan; and that, taking a ship then in port, they determined to go and rob on the South Sea, till they had got as much as they thought fit, and then return homewards, by way of the East Indies. For which purpose they had gathered much provisions, which they had hid in private places, with sufficient powder, bullets, and all other ammunition: likewise some great guns belonging to the town, muskets, and other things, wherewith they designed not only to equip their vessel, but to fortify themselves in some island which might serve them for a place of refuge.
This design had certainly taken effect, had not Captain Morgan had timely advice of it from one of their comrades: hereupon he commanded the mainmast of the said ship to be cut down and burnt, with all the other boats in the port: hereby the intentions of all or most of his companions were totally frustrated. Then Captain Morgan sent many of the Spaniards into the adjoining fields and country to seek for money, to ransom not only themselves, but the rest of the prisoners, as likewise the ecclesiastics. Moreover, he commanded all the artillery of the town to be nailed and stopped up. At the same time he sent out a strong company of men to seek for the governor of Panama, of whom intelligence was brought, that he had laid several ambuscades in the way by which he ought to return: but they returned soon after, saying they had not found any sign of any such ambuscades. For confirmation whereof, they brought some prisoners, who declared that the said governor had had an intention of making some opposition by the way, but that the men designed to effect it were unwilling to undertake it: so that for want of means he could not put his design in execution.
February 24, 1671, Captain Morgan departed from Panama, or rather from the place where the city of Panama stood; of the spoils whereof he carried with him one hundred and seventy-five beasts of carriage, laden with silver, gold, and other precious things, beside about six hundred prisoners, men, women, children and slaves. That day they came to a river that passes through a delicious plain, a league from Panama: here Captain Morgan put all his forces into good order, so as that the prisoners were in the middle, surrounded on all sides with pirates, where nothing else was to be heard but lamentations, cries, shrieks, and doleful sighs of so many women and children, who feared Captain Morgan designed to transport them all into his own country for slaves. Besides, all those miserable prisoners endured extreme hunger and thirst at that time, which misery Captain Morgan designedly caused them to sustain, to excite them to seek for money to ransom themselves, according to the tax he had set upon every one. Many of the women begged Captain Morgan, on their knees, with infinite sighs and tears, to let them return to Panama, there to live with their dear husbands and children in little huts of straw, which they would erect, seeing they had no houses till the rebuilding of the city. But his answer was, "He came not thither to hear lamentations and cries, but to seek money: therefore they ought first to seek out that, wherever it was to be had, and bring it to him; otherwise he would assuredly transport them all to such places whither they cared not to go."
Next day, when the march began, those lamentable cries and shrieks were renewed, so as it would have caused compassion in the hardest heart: but Captain Morgan, as a man little given to mercy, was not moved in the least. They marched in the same order as before, one party of the pirates in the van, the prisoners in the middle, and the rest of the pirates in the rear; by whom the miserable Spaniards were at every step punched and thrust in their backs and sides, with the blunt ends of their arms, to make them march faster.
A beautiful lady, wife to one of the richest merchants of Tavoga, was led prisoner by herself, between two pirates. Her lamentations pierced the skies, seeing herself carried away into captivity often crying to the pirates, and telling them, "That she had given orders to two religious persons, in whom she had relied, to go to a certain place, and fetch so much money as her ransom did amount to; that they had promised faithfully to do it, but having obtained the money, instead of bringing it to her, they had employed it another way, to ransom some of their own, and particular friends." This ill action of theirs was discovered by a slave, who brought a letter to the said lady. Her complaints, and the cause thereof, being brought to Captain Morgan, he thought fit to inquire thereinto. Having found it to be true—especially hearing it confirmed by the confession of the said religious men, though under some frivolous exercises of having diverted the money but for a day or two, in which time they expected more sums to repay it—he gave liberty to the said lady, whom otherwise he designed to transport to Jamaica. But he detained the said religious men as prisoners in her place, using them according to their deserts.
Captain Morgan arriving at the town called Cruz, on the banks of the river Chagre, he published an order among the prisoners, that within three days every one should bring in their ransom, under the penalty of being transported to Jamaica. Meanwhile he gave orders for so much rice and maize to be collected thereabouts, as was necessary for victualling his ships. Here some of the prisoners were ransomed, but many others could not bring in their money. Hereupon he continued his voyage, leaving the village on the 5th of March following, carrying with him all the spoil he could. Hence he likewise led away some new prisoners, inhabitants there, with those in Panama, who had not paid their ransoms. But the two religious men, who had diverted the lady's money, were ransomed three days after by other persons, who had more compassion for them than they had showed for her.
About the middle of the way to Chagre, Captain Morgan commanded them to be mustered, and caused every one to be sworn, that they had concealed nothing, even not to the value of sixpence. This done, Captain Morgan knowing those lewd fellows would not stick to swear falsely for interest, he commanded every one to be searched very strictly, both in their clothes and satchels, and elsewhere. Yea, that this order might not be ill taken by his companions, he permitted himself to be searched, even to his very shoes. To this effect, by common consent, one was assigned out of every company to be searchers of the rest. The French pirates that assisted on this expedition disliked this new practice of searching; but, being outnumbered by the English, they were forced to submit as well as the rest. The search being over, they re-embarked, and arrived at the castle of Chagre on the 9th of March. Here they found all things in good order, excepting the wounded men whom they had left at their departure; for of these the greatest number were dead of their wounds.
From Chagre, Captain Morgan sent, presently after his arrival, a great boat to Puerto Bello, with all the prisoners taken at the isle of St. Catherine, demanding of them a considerable ransom for the castle of Chagre, where he then was; threatening otherwise to ruin it. To this those of Puerto Bello answered, they would not give one farthing towards the ransom of the said castle, and the English might do with it as they pleased. Hereupon the dividend was made of all the spoil made in that voyage; every company, and every particular person therein, receiving their proportion, or rather what part thereof Captain Morgan pleased to give them. For the rest of his companions, even of his own nation, murmured at his proceedings, and told him to his face that he had reserved the best jewels to himself: for they judged it impossible that no greater share should belong to them than two hundred pieces of eight, per capita, of so many valuable plunders they had made; which small sum they thought too little for so much labour, and such dangers, as they had been exposed to. But Captain Morgan was deaf to all this, and many other like complaints, having designed to cheat them of what he could.
At last, finding himself obnoxious to many censures of his people, and fearing the consequence, he thought it unsafe to stay any longer at Chagre, but ordered the ordnance of the castle to be carried on board his ship; then he caused most of the walls to be demolished, the edifices to be burnt, and as many other things ruined as could be done in a short time. This done, he went secretly on board his own ship, without giving any notice to his companions, and put out to sea, being only followed by three or four vessels of the whole fleet. These were such (as the French pirates believed) as went shares with Captain Morgan in the best part of the spoil, which had been concealed from them in the dividend. The Frenchmen could willingly have revenged themselves on Captain Morgan and his followers, had they been able to encounter him at sea; but they were destitute of necessaries, and had much ado to find sufficient provisions for their voyage to Jamaica, he having left them unprovided for all things.
THE END
Глава 15
Сквозь ад русской революции. Воспоминания гардемарина. 1914–1919. Глава 15
Немедленный мир с главными державами был обязательным условием сохранения большевистской власти. Пока сохранялась угроза иностранного вторжения, коммунистические лидеры не могли окончательно разделаться с внутренними врагами. Вот почему одним из приоритетов советского правительства стало проведение мирных переговоров. В конце ноября главнокомандующий вооруженными силами генерал Духонин получил от Совета народных комиссаров приказ подписать с германским верховным командованием соглашение о перемирии. Генерал, считавший сепаратный мир предательством национальных интересов, отказался подчиниться. Троцкий немедленно направил в Ставку верховного командования отряд красных матросов. Главнокомандующего убили в его железнодорожном вагоне, а на его пост заступил член большевистской партии прапорщик Крыленко. Через две недели русская и немецкая делегации встретились в Брест-Литовске. Ленин и его сторонники не питали иллюзий относительно отношения кайзеровских властей к большевизму, но надеялись, что германский кабинет министров не выдвинет чрезмерных требований с целью обезопасить себя на востоке. Со своей стороны германское командование решило укрепить доверие народа к властям за счет России. Когда большевики ознакомились с германскими требованиями, они пришли в замешательство. Троцкий и другие советские руководители были уверены, что невозможно сохранить власть в России, приняв такие требования. Сильная фракция в большевистской партии всерьез рассматривала возможность вновь попытаться достигнуть взаимопонимания с союзниками и возобновить войну с противником. Однако русская армия была слишком деморализована, чтобы оказать какое-либо сопротивление.
Chapter II
The voyage of the Beagle. Chapter II. Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro Excursion north of Cape Frio Great Evaporation Slavery Botofogo Bay Terrestrial Planariae Clouds on the Corcovado Heavy Rain Musical Frogs Phosphorescent Insects Elater, springing powers of Blue Haze Noise made by a Butterfly Entomology Ants Wasp killing a Spider Parasitical Spider Artifices of an Epeira Gregarious Spider Spider with an unsymmetrical Web APRIL 4th to July 5th, 1832.—A few days after our arrival I became acquainted with an Englishman who was going to visit his estate, situated rather more than a hundred miles from the capital, to the northward of Cape Frio. I gladly accepted his kind offer of allowing me to accompany him. April 8th.—Our party amounted to seven. The first stage was very interesting. The day was powerfully hot, and as we passed through the woods, everything was motionless, excepting the large and brilliant butterflies, which lazily fluttered about. The view seen when crossing the hills behind Praia Grande was most beautiful; the colours were intense, and the prevailing tint a dark blue; the sky and the calm waters of the bay vied with each other in splendour. After passing through some cultivated country, we entered a forest, which in the grandeur of all its parts could not be exceeded. We arrived by midday at Ithacaia; this small village is situated on a plain, and round the central house are the huts of the negroes. These, from their regular form and position, reminded me of the drawings of the Hottentot habitations in Southern Africa.
1871 - 1914
С 1871 по 1914 год
С конца Франко-Прусской войны в 1871 до начала Первой мировой войны в 1914.
Глава 11
Борьба за Красный Петроград. Глава 11
Значительная тяжесть работы по проведению в оборонительное состояние города Петрограда ложилась на районные революционные тройки, которые возникли в Петрограде в летние дни 1919 г. и продолжали свое существование еще в течение длительного периода, заостряя внимание то на одних, то на других актуальных вопросах, поставленных в порядок дня самой жизнью {312}. Момент возникновения районных революционных троек обусловливался введением в городе осадного положения. Состав их назначался Петроградским комитетом РКП(б) из числа членов районного комитета партии и членов исполкома районного совета. Революционные тройки по районам являлись исполнительными органами Комитета [359] обороны г. Петрограда и находились в непосредственном подчинении коменданта Петроградского укрепленного района. Комитету обороны принадлежало право окончательного утверждения состава троек. На обязанности районных революционных троек лежало в основном максимальное обеспечение обороноспособности района.
Chapter IX
The pirates of Panama or The buccaneers of America : 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.
Глава 17
Сквозь ад русской революции. Воспоминания гардемарина. 1914–1919. Глава 17
Понимание особенностей России революционных лет не может быть полным без учета прямого и косвенного влияния на политическую ситуацию союзников. Во время Первой мировой войны, когда материальные и людские ресурсы были почти истощены, первостепенное значение приобретали тесное сотрудничество и координация действий между союзными правительствами. В силу географической удаленности мало информированные массы россиян не были осведомлены о бремени войны, которое несли союзники России. На Западном фронте англичане, французы и итальянцы ожесточенно сражались с врагом, на востоке же русские были предоставлены самим себе. Такая ситуация требовала от россиян воспринимать добрую волю союзников как само собой разумеющееся, что было трудно ввиду особенностей хода военных действий. Как свидетельствует ход сражений, военные деятели Великобритании и Франции долгое время недооценивали важность объединенного командования и согласованных действий. Близорукость и эгоизм со всей очевидностью обнаруживались при проведении военных консультаций и снижали эффективность операций союзников. Когда англичане и французы приняли наконец меры по исправлению положения, Россия уже утратила былую мощь, а у русских возникли достаточные основания для обид. В 1914 году Россия бросила на помощь союзникам военные ресурсы, превышавшие ее долю в общем балансе. В продолжение этого года Германия предприняла две попытки прорвать Западный фронт и нанести французам и англичанам решающий удар. В обоих случаях русская армия, не располагая ни достаточным вооружением, ни подготовкой для взятия на себя инициативы, атаковала немцев на Восточном фронте.
1789 - 1815
С 1789 по 1815 год
Эпоха Великой французской революции, Директории, Консульства и Наполеона с 1789 до 1815.
Глава 3. Балтийские «касатки» в войне на Хвалынском море (1919-1920 гг.) [61]
Короли подплава в море червонных валетов. Часть I. Советский подплав в период Гражданской войны (1918–1920 гг.). Глава 3. Балтийские «касатки» в войне на Хвалынском море (1919-1920 гг.)
Волжскую военную флотилию (ВВФ) сформировали во время Гражданской войны в бассейне р. Волги и на акватории северной части Каспийского моря, где она действовала в период с июня 1918 г. по самый конец июля 1919 г. Из ее состава в октябре 1918 г. выделилась Астрахано-Каспийская военная флотилия (АКВФ). Главной [62] базой АКВФ стала Астрахань. Находясь в составе 11-й армии, вяло проводившей операции в северной части Каспия, АКВФ осуществляла ее поддержку с моря и защиту дельты р. Волги. Как и везде на всех фронтах, сил и средств для ведения боевых действий не хватало, и высшее руководство молодой Советской Республики распорядилось направить на Каспий боевые корабли с Балтики. Среди них оказались и 4 малые подводные лодки: три лодки типа «Касатка» — сама «Касатка», «Макрель» и «Окунь» и еще одна — уникальная «Минога». Если бы политики лучше учились в гимназии или, по крайней мере, посоветовались со спецами, то подводные лодки оставили бы тогда в покое. Вот что говорится о северном Каспии в Военной энциклопедии издания 1912 г.: «Каспийское море (Хвалынское), величайшее на земном шаре озеро, остаток «Сарматского моря», которое вместе с Черным и Каспийским морями покрывало в начале третичного периода весь юг России. Этот обширный бассейн представляет чрезвычайное разнообразие в климатическом и физическом отношениях. В гидрографическом отношении Каспийское море линией устье р. Терек — п-ов Мангышлак{6} делится на два обособленных бассейна.
Общая оценка
«Шнелльботы». Германские торпедные катера Второй мировой войны. Общая оценка
Не оставляет сомнения, что в лице «шнелльбота» немецким конструкторам удалось создать отличный боевой корабль. Как ни странно, этому способствовал отказ от высоких скоростных показателей, и, как следствие, возможность оснастить катера дизельными двигателями. Такое решение положительно сказалось на улучшении живучести «москитов». Ни один из них не погиб от случайного возгорания, что нередко происходило в английском и американском флотах. Увеличенное водоизмещение позволило сделать конструкцию катеров весьма устойчивой к боевым повреждениям. Скользящий таранный удар эсминца, подрыв на мине или попадание 2-3 снарядов калибра свыше 100-мм не приводили, как правило, к неизбежной гибели катера (например, 15 марта 1942 года S-105 пришел своим ходом в базу, получив около 80 пробоин от осколков, пуль и снарядов малокалиберных пушек), хотя часто «шнелльботы» приходилось уничтожать из-за условий тактической обстановки. Еще одной особенностью, резко выделявшей «шнелльботы» из ряда торпедных катеров других стран, стала огромная по тем временам дальность плавания - до 800 - 900 миль 30-узловым ходом (М. Уитли в своей работе «Deutsche Seestreitkraefte 1939-1945» называет даже большую цифру - 870 миль 39-узловым ходом, во что, однако, трудно поверить). Фактически германское командование даже не могло ее полностью реализовать из-за большого риска использовать катера в светлое время суток, особенно со второй половины войны. Значительный радиус действия, несвойственные катерам того времени вытянутые круглоскулые обводы и внушительные размеры, по мнению многих, ставили германские торпедные катера в один ряд с миноносцами.
XII. Финляндия
Побег из ГУЛАГа. Часть 3. XII. Финляндия
Рассвет. Кругом бело. Из-за тумана ничего не видно; ни признака солнца, ни розовой полоски зари. Отец с сыном пошли на разведку. Я продолжала лежать; не могла себя заставить хотя бы пойти собрать черники. Вернулись. Теперь муж лег, я пошла бродить, чтобы не пропустить солнца. Чтобы занять себя, собирала чернику, рассыпанную на крохотных кустиках, потонувших во мху. Несколько ягод — и взгляд на небо. Что это? Как будто наметилось движение облаков, или это обман глаз, до слез уставших смотреть на белизну? Нет. Облака пошли выше, стали собираться группами. Разбудила мужа. Пока мы радостно суетились, солнце вышло по-настоящему. Собрались, скатились к речке. В пышных зарослях поймы вылетела на солнце масса блестящих, ярких жуков и бабочек; полярное лето кончалось, все торопились жить. На косогоре, где когда-то был пожар, выросли целые плантации цветов и ягодников. Многочисленные выводки тетеревов то и дело вырывались из-под самых ног и разбегались в заросли полярной березки. Дальше все чаще стали попадаться сшибленные и обкусанные грибы. Так хорошо, весело мы шли часов шесть — семь, но река после прямого западного направления повернула на север. — Надо сворачивать, — решил отец. Пошли по берегу. Опять болото, ивняк, комары. Муж становился все мрачнее. — Вода, наверное, ледяная, простужу всех вас. — Зато вымоемся. Шесть дней не умывались. Река оказалась глубокой и широкой. Нечего делать, надо было раздеваться и идти вброд. Муж пошел первый. Сразу, с берега, глубина была по пояс. Он шел наискось, борясь с сильным течением. Вода бурлила, становилось глубже.
Глава 12
Сквозь ад русской революции. Воспоминания гардемарина. 1914–1919. Глава 12
Мы с Игорем прибыли в Петроград в августе. Поражение армии на фронте и безуспешное восстание большевиков уже ушли в историю. Злополучные действия генерала Корнилова еще предстояли. Никто не знал, что делать и чего ожидать. После того как мы подышали свежим воздухом провинции, нас тошнило от затхлого духа деградирующего Петрограда. По сравнению с размеренностью деревенской жизни суета и непредсказуемость городской обстановки казались нереальными. Первое соприкосновение с городом вызвало ощущение, будто мы играем роль зубцов в шестеренках, которые больше не вращаются. Но дурные предчувствия оставили нас, как только мы получили четкие инструкции. В училище двенадцати курсантам, включая Игоря и меня, – всем однокурсникам – было приказано следовать в Севастополь для отправки в запоздавшее летнее плавание. Каждый из нас сознавал, что цивилизованное общество полетело вверх тормашками. Мы были свидетелями смуты и понимали, что она ведет общество к гибели. Однако никто из нас не представлял себе степень деградации страны до тех пор, пока мы не проехали полторы тысячи миль по стране из Петрограда к берегам Черного моря. Единственное, что сделало это передвижение возможным, – это то, что нас было двенадцать человек, одетых в одинаковую форму, согласно мыслящих и действующих. Подвижной состав железной дороги находился в плачевном состоянии, обслуживание не отвечало никаким нормам. Наш крымский экспресс опоздал на четыре часа, и, когда прибыл на вокзал, на платформе скопились толпы пассажиров, которых было гораздо больше, чем мог вместить любой поезд.