[Three short works by Gustave Flaubert]@TWC D-Link bookThree short works CHAPTER III 7/9
When Julian held up his lantern he noticed that the stranger was covered with hideous sores; but notwithstanding this, there was in his attitude something like the majesty of a king. As soon as he stepped into the boat, it sank deep into the water, borne downward by his weight; then it rose again and Julian began to row. With each stroke of the oars, the force of the waves raised the bow of the boat.
The water, which was blacker than ink, ran furiously along the sides.
It formed abysses and then mountains, over which the boat glided, then it fell into yawning depths where, buffeted by the wind, it whirled around and around. Julian leaned far forward and, bracing himself with his feet, bent backwards so as to bring his whole strength into play.
Hail-stones cut his hands, the rain ran down his back, the velocity of the wind suffocated him.
He stopped rowing and let the boat drift with the tide.
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