Дети капитана Гранта

A Momentous Interview

           "Edward,"shesaidinaresolutetone,"neitherMaryGrantnorImustfallintothehandsofthesesavagesalive!"

           Andsosaying,shehandedGlenarvanaloadedrevolver.

           "Fire-arm!"exclaimedGlenarvan,withflashingeyes.

           "Yes!theMaoriesdonotsearchtheirprisoners.But,Edward,thisisforus,notforthem."

           Glenarvanslippedtherevolverunderhiscoat;atthesamemomentthematattheentrancewasraised,andanativeentered.

           Hemotionedtotheprisonerstofollowhim.Glenarvanandtherestwalkedacrossthe"pah"andstoppedbeforeKai-Koumou.Hewassurroundedbytheprincipalwarriorsofhistribe,andamongthemtheMaoriwhosecanoejoinedthatoftheKai-KoumouattheconfluenceofPohain-henna,ontheWaikato.Hewasamanaboutfortyyearsofage,powerfullybuiltandoffierceandcruelaspect.HisnamewasKara-Tete,meaning"theirascible"inthenativetongue.Kai-Koumoutreatedhimwithacertaintoneofrespect,andbythefinenessofhistattoo,itwaseasytoperceivethatKara-Teteheldaloftypositioninthetribe,butakeenobserverwouldhaveguessedthefeelingofrivalrythatexistedbetweenthesetwochiefs.TheMajorobservedthattheinfluenceofKara-TetegaveumbragetoKai-Koumou.TheybothruledtheWaikatotribes,andwereequalinauthority.DuringthisinterviewKai-Koumousmiled,buthiseyesbetrayedadeep-seatedenmity.

           Kai-KoumouinterrogatedGlenarvan.

           "YouareEnglish?"saidhe.

           "Yes,"repliedGlenarvan,unhesitatingly,ashisnationalitywouldfacilitatetheexchange.

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