"Chalker, Jack L - DG1 - The River of the Dancing Gods" - читать интересную книгу автора (Chalker Jack L)

boat, flanked a passenger lounge of some sort with a large
single stack rising right up the middle. The sides of the car
deck weren't solid, but were punctuated by five large openings
Хon each side, openings without windows or other obstructions,
yet the car deck could not be seen through them.

Each one of the huge, round holes had a gigantic oar sticking
out of it. The oars were in a raised position, seemingly locked
in place. It was clear from the engine sounds and the wisps of
white from the stack that the captain was using his engine.

"I never saw a ferry except in pictures," the woman re-
marked, "but I bet nobody ever saw one with oars before."

Ruddygore nodded. "The engine's in good shape for settling
in on this side, but, once out on the sea and to the other shore,
that kind of mechanical power just isn't possible to use." He
paused a moment. "Ah! It's docked! Shall we go aboard?"

Joe stood there and stared for a minute. "Funny," he mut-
tered, mostly to himself. "I swear I've seen this thing before
someplace. Way, way back and long ago. When I was a kid."
He scratched his head a moment, then snapped his fingers.
"Yeah! Sure! The old Chester ferry. Long, long ago." He
peered into the gloom, but the illumination from the passenger
deck allowed him to see what he was looking for. "Yeah. There
on the side. Kinda faded and peeling, but you can still make
out the words 'Chester -- Bridgeport.' I'll be damned!"

Ruddygore nodded. "It takes many shapes and many forms,
for it's shaped from history and from memories, the backwash

21




22 THE RIVER OF DANCING GODS

of the world flowing backward into the sea whence it came.
It is as it is because of your memories, Joe. But -- come! I
don't want to keep it waiting; as I said, it has a schedule to
keep." He paused briefly. "You're not having second thoughts

now, are you? Either of you?"

Joe looked at the woman, and she shrugged and gestured

ahead with her hand. "Guess not," Joe replied dubiously. As
Ruddygore led the way, first she and then the trucker followed,