Потерянный континент: история Атлантиды
5. Zaemon’s Curse
”
“Pish,”Isaid;“ifIchoosetodresssimply,Icannotobjecttobeingmistakenforasimpleman.Itisnotmypleasuretoadvertisemyqualitybythegaudsonmygarb.Ifyouthinkamendsareduetome,Iprayofyourcharitythatthisinquisitionmayend.”
Thefellowwasallbowsandobsequiousness.“Iamthehumblestofmylord’sservants,”hesaid.“Itwillbemyexceedinghonourtopilotmylord’sgalleyintotheberthappointedinharbour.”
Theboatshotahead,andourgalley-slavesswungintostrokeagain.Tobwatchedmewithadrysmileashestooddirectingthemenatthehelms.
“Well,”Isaid,humouringhiswhim,“whatisit?”
“I’mthinking,”saidTob,“thatmyLordDeucalionwillremembermeonlyasaveryrudefellowwhenhestepsashoreamongstallthisfinegentility.”
“Youdon’tthink,”saidI,“anythingofthekind.”
“ThenImustprovemyrefinement,”saidTob,“andnotcontradict.”Hepickedupmyhandinhishuge,hardfist,andpressedit.“BytheGods,Deucalion,youmaybeagreatprince,butI’veonlyknownyouasaman.You’rethefinestfighterofbeastsandmenthatwalksthisworldto-day,andIloveyouforit.Thatspear-strokeofyoursonthelizardisathingthesingersinthetavernsshallmakechauntsabout.”
Wedrewrapidlyintotheharbour,thesoldiersintheentrancecastleblowingtheirtrumpetsinwelcomeaswepassedbetweenthem.
