Затерянный мир
Our Eyes have seen Great Wonders
Inhalfanhouragood-sizedgas-baghadbeenformed,andthejerkingandstraininguponthethongsshowedthatitwascapableofconsiderablelift.Challenger,likeagladfatherinthepresenceofhisfirst-born,stoodsmilingandstrokinghisbeard,insilent,self-satisfiedcontentashegazedatthecreationofhisbrain.ItwasSummerleewhofirstbrokethesilence.
"Youdon’tmeanustogoupinthatthing,Challenger?"saidhe,inanacidvoice.
"Imean,mydearSummerlee,togiveyousuchademonstrationofitspowersthatafterseeingityouwill,Iamsure,havenohesitationintrustingyourselftoit."
"Youcanputitrightoutofyourheadnow,atonce,"saidSummerleewithdecision,"nothingonearthwouldinducemetocommitsuchafolly.LordJohn,Itrustthatyouwillnotcountenancesuchmadness?"
"Doocedingenious,Icallit,"saidourpeer."I’dliketoseehowitworks."
"Soyoushall,"saidChallenger."ForsomedaysIhaveexertedmywholebrainforceupontheproblemofhowweshalldescendfromthesecliffs.Wehavesatisfiedourselvesthatwecannotclimbdownandthatthereisnotunnel.Wearealsounabletoconstructanykindofbridgewhichmaytakeusbacktothepinnaclefromwhichwecame.HowthenshallIfindameanstoconveyus?SomelittletimeagoIhadremarkedtoouryoungfriendherethatfreehydrogenwasevolvedfromthegeyser.Theideaofaballoonnaturallyfollowed.
