Перші люди на Місяці
Chapter 15 — The Giddy Bridge
“Steadyon!It’sallverywellforyou—”
Isprangrounduponmyheel.Iburstoutintocurses.ForoneofthearmedSeleniteshadstabbedmebehindwithhisgoad.
Iwrenchedmywristsfreefromthelittletentaclesthatheldthem.Iturnedonthegoad-bearer.“Confoundyou!”Icried.“I’vewarnedyouofthat.WhatonearthdoyouthinkI’mmadeof,tostickthatintome?Ifyoutouchmeagain—”
Bywayofanswerheprickedmeforthwith.
IheardCavor’svoiceinalarmandentreaty.EventhenIthinkhewantedtocompromisewiththesecreatures.“Isay,Bedford,”hecried,“Iknowaway!”Butthestingofthatsecondstabseemedtosetfreesomepent-upreserveofenergyinmybeing.Instantlythelinkofthewrist-chainsnapped,andwithitsnappedallconsiderationsthathadheldusunresistinginthehandsofthesemooncreatures.Forthatsecond,atleast,Iwasmadwithfearandanger.Itooknothoughtofconsequences.Ihitstraightoutatthefaceofthethingwiththegoad.Thechainwastwistedroundmyfist.
Therecameanotherofthesebeastlysurprisesofwhichthemoonworldisfull.
Mymailedhandseemedtogocleanthroughhim.Hesmashedlike—likesomesoftishsortofsweetwithliquidinit!Hebrokerightin!Hesquelchedandsplashed.Itwaslikehittingadamptoadstool.Theflimsybodywentspinningadozenyards,andfellwithaflabbyimpact.Iwasastonished.Iwasincredulousthatanylivingthingcouldbesoflimsy.ForaninstantIcouldhavebelievedthewholethingadream.
Thenithadbecomerealandimminentagain.
