Потерянный континент: история Атлантиды

           Thepassageupthecleftwasinshadowduringthenighthours,for,thoughallthecrestoftheSacredMountainwasalwayslitbrightlybytheeternalfireswhichmadeitsdefenceonthefartherside,theirglowthrewnogleamdownthatflankwherethecliffransheertotheplainsbeneath.AndsoitwasundercoverofthedarknessthatPhorenicebroughtupherengineintopositionforattack.

           Plankinghadbeenlaiddownforitswheels,andthewheelsthemselveswellgreased,anditmaybethatshehopedtomarchinuponuswhilstallslept.Buttherewasacertaincreakingandgroaningoftimbers,andlabouredpantingofmen,whichgaveadvertisementthatsomethingwasbeingattempted,andthealarmwasspreadquietlyinthehopethatifasurprisehadbeenplanned,therealsurprisemightbeturnedtheotherway.

           Amessengercametomerunning,whereIsatinthehouseatthesideofmylove,andshe,likethesoldier’swifeshewasmadetobe,kissedmeandbademegoquicklyandcareformyhonour,andbringbackmywoundsforhertomend.

           Ontherampartabovethegateallwassilence,saveforthefaintrustleofarmedmen,andoutoftheblackdarknessahead,andfromtheothersideofthebrokencauseway,camethesoundsofwhichthemessengerbadwarnedme.

           Thecaptainofthegatecametomeandwhispered:“WehavemadenolighttilltheKingcame,notknowingtheKing’swillinthematter.