Потерянный континент: история Атлантиды

           Butonlyoncedidwesuffermateriallossfromtheselast,andthatwaswhenthreeofthegreatersealizardsattackedthe“Bear,”theshipwhereonItravelled,atoneandthesametime.

           Thehouroftheironsetwasduringtheblazingmiddayheat,andtheSunbeingatthefullofHispower,ourmachinesweregettingfullforcefromHim.Thevesselwastravellingforwardfasterthanamanondrylandcouldwalk.Butforthepowerescapeshemightaswellhavebeenstandingstillwhenthebeastssightedher.Therewerethreeofthem,asIhavesaid,andwesawthemcomeupoverthecurveofthehorizon,beatingtheseaintofoamwiththeirflappers,andwavingtheirgreatneckslikemastsastheyswam.Ournavywasspreadoutinalonglineofships,andinoldendayseachofthebeastswouldhaveselectedaseparateprey,andproceededforit;but,likeman,thesebeastshavelearnedthenecessitiesofwarfare,andtheyhuntinpacknowanddonotseparatetheirforces.

           Itwasplaintheyweremakingforourship,andTob,thecaptain,wouldhavehadmegointotheafter-castle,andtherebesecurefromtheirmarauding.HewasresponsibletotheLordTatho,hesaid,formysafeconduct;itwascertainthatthebeastswouldcontrivetoseizesomeoftheship’scompanybeforetheyweresatiated;andifthehapcametotheLordDeucalion,he(thecaptain)wouldhavetogivehimselfvoluntarilytothebeaststhen,toescapeaverypainfuldeathatTatho’shandslateron.

           However,mymindwasset.