Потерянный континент: история Атлантиды
8. The Preacher From The Mountains
IheardtheboltgratestealthilyagainstthedoorofthelittletempleinwhichIwasimprisoned,andwasmindedtogivethesebrutishrebelssomewhatofasurprise.Ihadridmyselfofmybondshandilyenough;Ihadrubbedmylimbstothatperfectsupplenesswhichisalwaysdesirablebeforeafight;andIhadplannedtorushoutsosoonasthedoorwasswung,andkillthosethatcamefirstwithfistblowsonthebrowandchin.
Theyhadnotsuspectedmyname,itwasclear,formystatureandgarbwerenothingoutoftheordinary;butifmybodilystrengthandfightingpowerhadbeensufficienttoraisemetoavice-royaltylikethatofYucatan,andletmeendurealiveinthatgovernmentthroughouttwentyhard-battlingyears,why,itwaslikelythatthisrabbleofsavageswouldseesomethingthatwasnewandadmirableinthepracticeofarmsbeforethecrudeweightoftheirnumberscoulddragmedown.Nay,Ididnotevendespairofwinningfreealtogether.Imustfindmeaweaponfromthosethatcameuptobattle,withwhichIcouldwriteworthysignatures,andImustattemptnostandingfights.Gods!butwhataglowtheprospectdidsendthroughmeasIstoodtherewaiting.
Avainerman,writinghistory,mighthavesaidthatalways,beforeeverythingelse,heheldinmindthegreaterinterestsbeforetheless.Butforme—Iprefertobehonest,andownmyselfhuman.Inmygleeatthatforthcomingfight—whichpromisedtobethegreatestandmostfuriousIhadknowninallalonglifeofbattling—IwillconfessthatAtlantisandherdifferingpolicieswerecleanforgot.
