Копи царя Соломона
We Abandon Hope
Andsosomehowthedaywentasthenighthadgone,if,indeed,onecanusethesetermswhereallwasdensestnight, andwhenIlitamatchtoseethetimeitwasseveno’clock.
Oncemoreweateanddrank,andaswedidsoanideaoccurredtome.
"Howisit,"saidI,"thattheairinthisplacekeepsfresh?Itisthickandheavy,butitisperfectlyfresh."
"Greatheavens!"saidGood,startingup,"Ineverthoughtofthat.Itcan’tcomethroughthestonedoor,forit’sair-tight,ifeveradoorwas.Itmustcomefromsomewhere. Ittherewerenocurrentofairintheplaceweshouldhavebeenstifledorpoisonedwhenwefirstcamein. Letushavealook."
Itwaswonderfulwhatachangethismeresparkofhopewroughtinus. Inamomentwewereallthreegropingaboutonourhandsandknees,feelingfortheslightestindicationofadraught. Presentlymyardourreceivedacheck. Iputmyhandonsomethingcold. ItwasdeadFoulata’sface.
Foranhourormorewewentonfeelingabout,tillatlastSirHenryandIgaveitupindespair,havingbeenconsiderablyhurtbyconstantlyknockingourheadsagainsttusks,chests,andthesidesofthechamber. ButGoodstillpersevered,saying,withanapproachtocheerfulness,thatitwasbetterthandoingnothing.
"Isay,youfellows,"hesaidpresently,inaconstrainedsortofvoice,"comehere."
Needlesstosaywescrambledtowardshimquicklyenough.
"Quatermain,putyourhandherewheremineis.Now,doyoufeelanything?"
"IthinkIfeelaircomingup."
"Nowlisten."Heroseandstampedupontheplace,andaflameofhopeshotupinourhearts.Itranghollow.
