Затерянный мир
It was Dreadful in the Forest
So,withmanyafrightenedbackwardglance,Imadeforhome.
Andsuddenlytherecamesomethingtoremindmeofmyabsentcompanions.Intheclear,stillmorningairtheresoundedfarawaythesharp,hardnoteofasinglerifle-shot.Ipausedandlistened,buttherewasnothingmore.ForamomentIwasshockedatthethoughtthatsomesuddendangermighthavebefallenthem.Butthenasimplerandmorenaturalexplanationcametomymind.Itwasnowbroaddaylight.Nodoubtmyabsencehadbeennoticed.Theyhadimagined,thatIwaslostinthewoods,andhadfiredthisshottoguidemehome.Itistruethatwehadmadeastrictresolutionagainstfiring,butifitseemedtothemthatImightbeindangertheywouldnothesitate.Itwasformenowtohurryonasfastaspossible,andsotoreassurethem.
Iwaswearyandspent,somyprogresswasnotsofastasIwished;butatlastIcameintoregionswhichIknew.Therewastheswampofthepterodactylsuponmyleft;thereinfrontofmewasthegladeoftheiguanodons.NowIwasinthelastbeltoftreeswhichseparatedmefromFortChallenger.Iraisedmyvoiceinacheeryshouttoallaytheirfears.Noansweringgreetingcamebacktome.Myheartsankatthatominousstillness.Iquickenedmypaceintoarun.Thezarebarosebeforeme,evenasIhadleftit,butthegatewasopen.Irushedin.Inthecold,morninglightitwasafearfulsightwhichmetmyeyes.
