Потерянный континент: история Атлантиды

           Theslaveschainedtotherowing-galley’sbencheshadinterestneitheronewaynortheother,andlookedonthecontestwithdullconcern,savewhensomestraymissilefoundabilletamongstthem.Butahandfulofthefightingmenhadscrambleddesperatelyonboardthegalleyafterus,preferringanyfatetoafierydeathonthe“Bear,”andthesehadtobedealtwithpromptly.Three,withtheirfightingfurystillred-hotinthem,hadmostwastefullytobekilledoutofmischief’sway;five,whohadpitchedtheirweaponsintothesea,werechainedtooarlooms,inplaceofslaveswhoweredead;andthereremainedonlyDasontohaveafateapportioned.

           Thefighthadcooledoutofhim,andhehadthrownhisarmstothesea,andstoodsullenlyreadyforwhatmightbefall;andtohimTobwentupwithanexultingface.

           “Ho,pot-mateDason,”criedhe,“youmadealotoftalkanhouragoaboutthatwomanofmine,wholiveswithherbratsonthequay-sideinAtlantisyonder.Now,I’llgiveyouapleasantchoice;eitherI’lltakeyoualonghome,andtellherwhatyousaidbeforethewholeship’scompany(thatareforthemostpartdeadnow,poorsouls!),andI’llleavehertoperformonyourcarcaseassheseesfitbywayofpayment;or,astheotherchoice,I’lldealwithyouherenowmyself.”

           “Ithankyouforthechance,”saidDason,andkneltandofferedhisnecktotheaxe.SoTobcutoffhishead,stickingitonthegalley’sbeakasanadvertisementofwhathadbeendone.