До Адама
Chapter I
Theylurkedformeintheforestglades;leapedup,striking,undermyfeet;squirmedoffthroughthedrygrassoracrossnakedpatchesofrock;orpursuedmeintothetree-tops,encirclingthetrunkswiththeirgreatshiningbodies,drivingmehigherandhigherorfartherandfartheroutonswayingandcracklingbranches,thegroundadizzydistancebeneathme.Snakes!—withtheirforkedtongues,theirbeadyeyesandglitteringscales,theirhissingandtheirrattling—didInotalreadyknowthemfartoowellonthatdayofmyfirstcircuswhenIsawthesnake-charmerliftthemup?
Theywereoldfriendsofmine,enemiesrather,thatpeopledmynightswithfear.
Ah,thoseendlessforests,andtheirhorror-hauntedgloom!ForwhateternitieshaveIwanderedthroughthem,atimid,huntedcreature,startingattheleastsound,frightenedofmyownshadow,keyed-up,everalertandvigilant,readyontheinstanttodashawayinmadflightformylife.ForIwasthepreyofallmanneroffiercelifethatdweltintheforest,anditwasinecstasiesoffearthatIfledbeforethehuntingmonsters.
WhenIwasfiveyearsoldIwenttomyfirstcircus.Icamehomefromitsick—butnotfrompeanutsandpinklemonade.Letmetellyou.Asweenteredtheanimaltent,ahoarseroaringshooktheair.Itoremyhandloosefrommyfather’sanddashedwildlybackthroughtheentrance.Icollidedwithpeople,felldown;andallthetimeIwasscreamingwithterror.Myfathercaughtmeandsoothedme.Hepointedtothecrowdofpeople,allcarelessoftheroaring,andcheeredmewithassurancesofsafety.
