Отравленный пояс
Chapter II. The Tide Of Death
I’mofthetwentiethcenturymyself,andwouldwishtodielikeareasonablecivilizedman.Idon’tknowthatIammoreafraidofdeaththantherestofyou,forIamanoldishman,and,comewhatmay,Ican’thaveverymuchlongertolive;butitisallagainstmynaturetositwaitingwithoutastrugglelikeasheepforthebutcher.Isitquitecertain,Challenger,thatthereisnothingwecando?"
"Tosaveus—nothing,"saidChallenger."Toprolongourlivesafewhoursandthustoseetheevolutionofthismightytragedybeforeweareactuallyinvolvedinit—thatmayprovetobewithinmypowers.Ihavetakencertainsteps——"
"Theoxygen?"
"Exactly.Theoxygen."
"Butwhatcanoxygeneffectinthefaceofapoisoningoftheether?Thereisnotagreaterdifferenceinqualitybetweenabrick-batandagasthanthereisbetweenoxygenandether.Theyaredifferentplanesofmatter.Theycannotimpingeupononeanother.Come,Challenger,youcouldnotdefendsuchaproposition."
"MygoodSummerlee,thisethericpoisonismostcertainlyinfluencedbymaterialagents.Weseeitinthemethodsanddistributionoftheoutbreak.Weshouldnotapriorihaveexpectedit,butitisundoubtedlyafact.HenceIamstronglyofopinionthatagaslikeoxygen,whichincreasesthevitalityandtheresistingpowerofthebody,wouldbeextremelylikelytodelaytheactionofwhatyouhavesohappilynamedthedaturon.ItmaybethatIammistaken,butIhaveeveryconfidenceinthecorrectnessofmyreasoning
