Потерянный континент: история Атлантиды
4. The Welcome Of Phorenice
Hewasadandilyrigged-outfellow,youngandlusty,andallhealthyfromthelandandlandvictual,andhelookedroundhimwithasneeratoursea-tatteredness,andwithafineself-confidence.Then,seeingTob,henoddedasonemeetsanacquaintance.“Oldpot-mate,”hesaid,“yourwomanwaitsforyouupbythequay-sideinAtlantisyonder,withfouryoungstersatherheels.Isawhernothalfamonthago.”
“Youdidn’tcomeoutheretotellmehomenews,”saidTob;“thatI’llbesworn.I’vedrunkenoughpotswithyou,Dason,toknowyourpleasantriesthoroughly.”
“Iwantedtopointouttoyouthatyourhomeisstillthere,withyourwifeandchildrenreadytowelcomeyou.”
“Iamnotamanthateverforgetsit,”saidTobgrimly;“andbecauseI’vegotthemalwaysatthebackofmymind,I’vesailedthisshipoverthetopofmorethanonepirate,when,ifI’dbeenasingleman,Imighthavebeene’encontenttotakethehapofslavery.”
“Oh,Iknowyou’readesperateenoughfellow,”saidDason,“andI’mfreetoconfessthatifitdoescometoblowsweareliketoloseafewmenbeforewegetyouandyourcrippleshere,andyourcrazyshipscomfortablysunk.Ournavyhasitsorderstocarryout,andthecauseofmyembassageisthis:wewishtoseeifyouwillactthesensiblepartandgiveuswhatwewant,andsobepermittedtogoonyourwayhome,withaskinthatisunslitanddry?”
“Youhavecometothewrongbirdhereforaplucking,”saidTobwithaheavylaugh.“WetooknotreasureormerchandiseonboardinYucatan.
