Потерянный континент: история Атлантиды
5. Zaemon’s Curse
Theymarchedstraightacrosstogivemethesalute,andthenrangedthemselvesonthefarthersideofthesquare.ThencametheMariners’Guild,thenmoresoldiers,allmakingobeisanceintheirturn,andpassingontomakeroomforothers.Followingwerethemerchants,thetanners,thespear-makersandalltheotheracknowledgedGuilds,deliberatelyattired(soitseemedtome)thattheymightmakeapageant;andwhilstmostwalkedonfoot,thereweresomewhoproudlyrodeonbeastswhichtheyhadtamedintorenderingthemthismenialservice.
Butpresentlycamethetwowondersofallthatdazzlingspectacle.Fromoutoftheeclipseofthehousesthereswungintotheopennolessabeastthanahugebullmammoth.Thesighthadsufficientsurpriseinitalmosttomakemestart.ManyatimeduringmylifehadIledhuntstokillthemammoth,whenaherdofthemhadraidedsomevillageorcornlandundermycharge.Ihadseenthehugebrutesinthewildground,shaggy,horrid,monstrous;morefiercethaneventhecave-tigerorthecave-bear;mostdangerousbeastofallthatfightwithmanfordominionoftheearth,saveonlyforafewofthegreaterlizards.Andherewasthiscreature,agiantevenamongstmammoths,yettameasanywell-whippedslave,andbearinguponitsbackagreathalf-castleofgold,stampedwiththeoutstretchedhand,andbedeckedwithsilversnakes.Itsmurderoustusksweregilded,itshairyneckwasgarlandedwithflowers,andittrodonintheprocessionasthoughassistingatsuchpageantrywasthebeginningandendofitsexistence.
