Страна слепых

           Through!Andthenhewasclosetothestreetofhousesagain,andblindmen,whirlingspadesandstakes,wererunningwithasortofreasonedswiftnesshitherandthither. 

           Heheardstepsbehindhimjustintime,andfoundatallmanrushingforwardandswipingatthesoundofhim. Helosthisnerve,hurledhisspadeayardwideathisantagonist,andwhirledaboutandfled,fairlyyellingashedodgedanother. 

           Hewaspanic-stricken. Heranfuriouslytoandfro,dodgingwhentherewasnoneedtododge,andinhisanxietytoseeoneverysideofhimatonce,stumbling. Foramomenthewasdownandtheyheardhisfall. Farawayinthecircumferentialwallalittledoorwaylookedlikeheaven,andhesetoffinawildrushforit. Hedidnotevenlookroundathispursuersuntilitwasgained,andhehadstumbledacrossthebridge,clamberedalittlewayamongtherocks,tothesurpriseanddismayofayoungllama,whowentleapingoutofsight,andlaydownsobbingforbreath. 

           Andsohiscoupd’itatcametoanend. 

           HestayedoutsidethewallofthevalleyoftheBlindfortwonightsanddayswithoutfoodorshelter,andmeditatedupontheunexpected. Duringthesemeditationsherepeatedveryfrequentlyandalwayswithaprofoundernoteofderisiontheexplodedproverb: "IntheCountryoftheBlindtheOne-EyedManisKing." Hethoughtchieflyofwaysoffightingandconqueringthesepeople,anditgrewclearthatforhimnopracticablewaywaspossible. Hehadnoweapons,andnowitwouldbehardtogetone.