Затерянный мир
The Outlying Pickets of the New World
Thiswereachedaboutmidday,onlytofindashallowvalleybeyond,risingonceagainintoagentleinclinewhichledtoalow,roundedsky-line.Itwashere,whilewecrossedthefirstofthesehills,thatanincidentoccurredwhichmayormaynothavebeenimportant.
ProfessorChallenger,whowiththetwolocalIndianswasinthevanoftheparty,stoppedsuddenlyandpointedexcitedlytotheright.Ashedidsowesaw,atthedistanceofamileorso,somethingwhichappearedtobeahugegraybirdflapslowlyupfromthegroundandskimsmoothlyoff,flyingverylowandstraight,untilitwaslostamongthetree-ferns.
"Didyouseeit?"criedChallenger,inexultation."Summerlee,didyouseeit?"
Hiscolleaguewasstaringatthespotwherethecreaturehaddisappeared.
"Whatdoyouclaimthatitwas?"heasked.
"Tothebestofmybelief,apterodactyl."
Summerleeburstintoderisivelaughter"Apter-fiddlestick!"saidhe."Itwasastork,ifeverIsawone."
Challengerwastoofurioustospeak.Hesimplyswunghispackuponhisbackandcontinueduponhismarch.LordJohncameabreastofme,however,andhisfacewasmoregravethanwashiswont.HehadhisZeissglassesinhishand.
"Ifocuseditbeforeitgotoverthetrees,"saidhe."Iwon’tundertaketosaywhatitwas,butI’llriskmyreputationasasportsmanthatitwasn’tanybirdthateverIclappedeyesoninmylife."
