Потерянный континент: история Атлантиды
15. Zaemon’s Summons
“Imusttakeyouthroughthedangersthatliebetweenhereandsomegateofthecity,andthencomebacktotheship.”
“Youneednotfearforme.Theunhappyarealwayssafe.And,besides,Ihaveaway.Itismysolacetoknowthatyouwillremembermenow.Youwillneverforgetthatkiss.”
“Fareyouwell,Ylga,”Icried.“MaytheHighGodskeepyouentirelyintheirholycare.”
Butnoreplycameback.Shehadgoneoffintotheforest.AndsoIturneddowntothebeach,andsplashedintothewater,andclimbedonboardtheshipupthesteeringoars.Tobgavethewordtohaul-totheanchor,andgetherawayfromthebeach.
“Greeting,mylord,”saidhe,“butI’dhavebeenpleasedtoseeyouearlier.We’vesmallenoughforceandslowenoughheelsinthisvessel,andit’smyideathatthesoonerwe’reawayfromhereandbeyondrangeofpursuit,thesaferitwillbeformywomanandbratswhoareinthathutchofanafter-castle.It’slongenoughsinceIsailedinsuchasmallold-fashionedshipasthis.She’snomachines,andshe’snotevenasteeringmannikin.Lookatthemeannessofherfurnitureand(inyourear)I’vesuspicionsthatthere’srottennessinherbottom.Butshe’sthebestI’dthemeanstobuy,andifshereachestheplaceatthefartherendI’vegotmyeyeon,weshallhavetomakeahomethere,orbecontenttodie,forshe’llneverhavestrengthtocarryusfartherorback.She’sbeenashipintheEgypttrade,andyouknowwhatthatisforgettingwormandrotinthewood.”
“You’denoughhandsforyourschemebeforeIcame?”
“Ohyes.
