Затерянный мир
A Sight which I shall Never Forget
Theywentinsinglefile,withbentlegsandroundedbacks,theirhandsoccasionallytouchingtheground,theirheadsturningtoleftandrightastheytrottedalong.Theircrouchinggaittookawayfromtheirheight,butIshouldputthematfivefeetorso,withlongarmsandenormouschests.Manyofthemcarriedsticks,andatthedistancetheylookedlikealineofveryhairyanddeformedhumanbeings.ForamomentIcaughtthisclearglimpseofthem.Thentheywerelostamongthebushes.
"Notthistime,"saidLordJohn,whohadcaughtuphisrifle."Ourbestchanceistoliequietuntiltheyhavegivenupthesearch.Thenweshallseewhetherwecan’tgetbacktotheirtownandhit’emwhereithurtsmost.Give’emanhourandwe’llmarch."
Wefilledinthetimebyopeningoneofourfoodtinsandmakingsureofourbreakfast.LordRoxtonhadhadnothingbutsomefruitsincethemorningbeforeandatelikeastarvingman.Then,atlast,ourpocketsbulgingwithcartridgesandarifleineachhand,westartedoffuponourmissionofrescue.Beforeleavingitwecarefullymarkedourlittlehiding-placeamongthebrush-woodanditsbearingtoFortChallenger,thatwemightfinditagainifweneededit.Weslunkthroughthebushesinsilenceuntilwecametotheveryedgeofthecliff,closetotheoldcamp.Therewehalted,andLordJohngavemesomeideaofhisplans.
"Solongasweareamongthethicktreestheseswineareourmasters,"saidhe."Theycanseeusandwecannotseethem.
