Затерянный мир
Those Were the Real Conquests
Hereandtherehighserpentheadsprojectedoutofthewater,cuttingswiftlythroughitwithalittlecollaroffoaminfront,andalongswirlingwakebehind,risingandfallingingraceful,swan-likeundulationsastheywent.Itwasnotuntiloneofthesecreatureswriggledontoasand-bankwithinafewhundredyardsofus,andexposedabarrel-shapedbodyandhugeflippersbehindthelongserpentneck,thatChallenger,andSummerlee,whohadjoinedus,brokeoutintotheirduetofwonderandadmiration.
"Plesiosaurus!Afresh-waterplesiosaurus!"criedSummerlee."ThatIshouldhavelivedtoseesuchasight!Weareblessed,mydearChallenger,aboveallzoologistssincetheworldbegan!"
Itwasnotuntilthenighthadfallen,andthefiresofoursavagealliesglowedredintheshadows,thatourtwomenofsciencecouldbedraggedawayfromthefascinationsofthatprimevallake.Eveninthedarknessaswelayuponthestrand,weheardfromtimetotimethesnortandplungeofthehugecreatureswholivedtherein.
Atearliestdawnourcampwasastirandanhourlaterwehadstarteduponourmemorableexpedition.OfteninmydreamshaveIthoughtthatImightlivetobeawarcorrespondent.
