До Адама
Chapter XV
Therewasnowarning.Onthesudden,boththeHairlessOneandmysistersprangandscreamed.AtthesameinstantIheardthethudofthearrowsthattransfixedthem.Thenextinstanttheyweredownontheground,flounderingandgasping,andtherestofuswerestampedingforthetrees.Anarrowdrovepastmeandenteredtheground,itsfeatheredshaftvibratingandoscillatingfromtheimpactofitsarrestedflight.IrememberclearlyhowIswervedasIran,togopastit,andthatIgaveitaneedlesslywideberth.Imusthaveshiedatitasahorseshiesatanobjectitfears.
Lop-Eartookasmashingfallasheranbesideme.Anarrowhaddriventhroughthecalfofhislegandtrippedhim.Hetriedtorun,butwastrippedandthrownbyitasecondtime.Hesatup,crouching,tremblingwithfear,andcalledtomepleadingly.Idashedback.Heshowedmethearrow.Icaughtholdofittopullitout,buttheconsequenthurtmadehimseizemyhandandstopme.Aflyingarrowpassedbetweenus.Anotherstruckarock,splintered,andfelltotheground.Thiswastoomuch.Ipulled,suddenly,withallmymight.Lop-Earscreamedasthearrowcameout,andstruckatmeangrily.Butthenextmomentwewereinfullflightagain.
Ilookedback.OldMarrow-Bone,desertedandfarbehind,wastotteringsilentlyalonginhishandicappedracewithdeath.Sometimeshealmostfell,andoncehedidfall;butnomorearrowswerecoming.Hescrambledweaklytohisfeet.Ageburdenedhimheavily,buthedidnotwanttodie.
