Копи царя Соломона
Before the Battle
Allsortsofreflectionsofthisnaturepassedthroughmymind—forasIgrowolderIregrettosaythatadetestablehabitofthinkingseemstobegettingaholdofme—whileIstoodandstaredatthosegrimyetfantasticlinesofwarriors,sleeping,astheirsayinggoes,"upontheirspears."
"Curtis,"Isaid,"Iaminaconditionofpitiablefear."
SirHenrystrokedhisyellowbeardandlaughed,asheanswered—
"Ihaveheardyoumakethatsortofremarkbefore,Quatermain."
"Well,Imeanitnow. Doyouknow,Iverymuchdoubtifoneofuswillbealivetomorrownight. Weshallbeattackedinoverwhelmingforce,anditisquiteachanceifwecanholdthisplace."
"We’llgiveagoodaccountofsomeofthem,atanyrate. Lookhere,Quatermain,thisbusinessisnasty,andonewithwhich,properlyspeaking,weoughtnottobemixedup,butweareinforit,sowemustmakethebestofourjob. Speakingpersonally,Ihadratherbekilledfightingthananyotherway, andnowthatthereseemslittlechanceofourfindingmypoorbrother,itmakestheideaeasiertome. Butfortunefavoursthebrave,andwemaysucceed. Anyway,thebattlewillbeawful,andhavingareputationtokeepup,weshallneedtobeinthethickofthething."
Hemadethislastremarkinamournfulvoice,buttherewasagleaminhiseyewhichbelieditsmelancholy. IhaveanideaSirHenryCurtisactuallylikesfighting.
Afterthiswewenttosleepforacoupleofhoursorso.
