Етюд у багряних тонах

On the great Alkali Plain.

           Herrosylipswereparted,showingtheregularlineofsnow-whiteteethwithin,andaplayfulsmileplayedoverherinfantilefeatures. Herplumplittlewhitelegsterminatinginwhitesocksandneatshoeswithshiningbuckles,offeredastrangecontrasttothelongshrivelledmembersofhercompanion. Ontheledgeofrockabovethisstrangecoupletherestoodthreesolemnbuzzards,who,atthesightofthenewcomersutteredraucousscreamsofdisappointmentandflappedsullenlyaway. 

           Thecriesofthefoulbirdsawokethetwosleeperswhostaredabout20theminbewilderment. Themanstaggeredtohisfeetandlookeddownupontheplainwhichhadbeensodesolatewhensleephadovertakenhim,andwhichwasnowtraversedbythisenormousbodyofmenandofbeasts. Hisfaceassumedanexpressionofincredulityashegazed,andhepassedhisboneyhandoverhiseyes. “Thisiswhattheycalldelirium,Iguess,”hemuttered. Thechildstoodbesidehim,holdingontotheskirtofhiscoat,andsaidnothingbutlookedallroundherwiththewonderingquestioninggazeofchildhood. 

           Therescuingpartywerespeedilyabletoconvincethetwocastawaysthattheirappearancewasnodelusion. Oneofthemseizedthelittlegirl,andhoistedheruponhisshoulder,whiletwootherssupportedhergauntcompanion,andassistedhimtowardsthewaggons. 

           “MynameisJohnFerrier,”thewandererexplained; “meandthatlittleunareallthat’slefto’twenty-onepeople. Therestisalldeado’thirstandhungerawaydowninthesouth.” 

           “Issheyourchild?”askedsomeone. 

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Roboto Lora
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