Копи царя Соломона
The Legend of Solomon’s Mines
"It’saqueertale,Mr.Quatermain,"saidSirHenry."Isupposeyouarenothoaxingus? Itis,Iknow,sometimesthoughtallowabletotakeinagreenhorn."
"Ifyouthinkthat,SirHenry,"Isaid,muchputout,andpocketingmypaper—forIdonotliketobethoughtoneofthosesillyfellowswhoconsideritwittytotelllies, andwhoareforeverboastingtonewcomersofextraordinaryhuntingadventureswhichneverhappened—"ifyouthinkthat,why,thereisanendtothematter,"andIrosetogo.
SirHenrylaidhislargehanduponmyshoulder. "Sitdown,Mr.Quatermain,"hesaid,"Ibegyourpardon; Iseeverywellyoudonotwishtodeceiveus,butthestorysoundedsostrangethatIcouldhardlybelieveit."
"YoushallseetheoriginalmapandwritingwhenwereachDurban,"Ianswered,somewhatmollified,forreallywhenIcametoconsiderthequestionitwasscarcelywonderfulthatheshoulddoubtmygoodfaith.
"But,"Iwenton,"Ihavenottoldyouaboutyourbrother.IknewthemanJimwhowaswithhim.HewasaBechuanabybirth,agoodhunter,andforanativeaverycleverman. ThatmorningonwhichMr.NevillewasstartingIsawJimstandingbymywagonandcuttinguptobaccoonthedisselboom.
"‘Jim,’saidI,‘whereareyouofftothistrip?Itiselephants?’
"‘No,Baas,’heanswered,‘weareaftersomethingworthmuchmorethanivory.’
"‘Andwhatmightthatbe?’Isaid,forIwascurious.‘Isitgold?’
