Перші люди на Місяці
Chapter 15 — The Giddy Bridge
Then,realisingthatIdarednotrunbacktohim,becausemyill-calculatedstepsmightcarrymeovertheedge,hecameshufflingtowardsme,withhishandsheldoutbeforehim.
Igrippedhischainsatoncetounfastenthem.
“Wherearethey?”hepanted.
“Runaway.They’llcomeback.They’rethrowingthings!Whichwayshallwego?”
“Bythelight.Tothattunnel.Eh?”
“Yes,”saidI,andhishandswerefree.
Idroppedonmykneesandfelltoworkonhisanklebonds.Whackcamesomething—Iknownotwhat—andsplashedthelividstreamletintodropsaboutus.Farawayonourrightapipingandwhistlingbegan.
Iwhippedthechainoffhisfeet,andputitinhishand.“Hitwiththat!”Isaid,andwithoutwaitingforananswer,setoffinbigboundsalongthepathbywhichwehadcome.Ihadanastysortoffeelingthatthesethingscouldjumpoutofthedarknessontomyback.Iheardtheimpactofhisleapscomefollowingafterme.
Weraninvaststrides.Butthatrunning,youmustunderstand,wasanaltogetherdifferentthingfromanyrunningonearth.Onearthoneleapsandalmostinstantlyhitsthegroundagain,butonthemoon,becauseofitsweakerpull,oneshotthroughtheairforseveralsecondsbeforeonecametoearth.Inspiteofourviolenthurrythisgaveaneffectoflongpauses,pausesinwhichonemighthavecountedsevenoreight.
