Затерянный мир
Our Eyes have seen Great Wonders
"Butwhatdoyouwantintheswamp?"
Helookedatmewithaveryquestioningeye,andIreadhesitationinhisface.
"Don’tyouthinkotherpeoplebesidesProfessorscanwanttoknowthings?"hesaidatlast."I’mstudyin’theprettydears.That’senoughforyou."
"Nooffense,"saidI.
Hisgood-humorreturnedandhelaughed.
"Nooffense,youngfellah.I’mgoin’togetayoungdevilchickforChallenger.That’soneofmyjobs.No,Idon’twantyourcompany.I’msafeinthiscage,andyouarenot.Solong,andI’llbebackincampbynight-fall."
HeturnedawayandIlefthimwanderingonthroughthewoodwithhisextraordinarycagearoundhim.
IfLordJohn’sbehavioratthistimewasstrange,thatofChallengerwasmoreso.ImaysaythatheseemedtopossessanextraordinaryfascinationfortheIndianwomen,andthathealwayscarriedalargespreadingpalmbranchwithwhichhebeatthemoffasiftheywereflies,whentheirattentionsbecametoopressing.ToseehimwalkinglikeacomicoperaSultan,withthisbadgeofauthorityinhishand,hisblackbeardbristlinginfrontofhim,histoespointingateachstep,andatrainofwide-eyedIndiangirlsbehindhim,cladintheirslenderdraperyofbarkcloth,isoneofthemostgrotesqueofallthepictureswhichIwillcarrybackwithme.
