Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
7. The Biters Of The Walls (Further Account)
Sheclappedherbacktothegreatstonedoorbywhichshehadentered,andfacedfatewithglowingeye.Gods!therehavebeentimesinearlyyearswhenIcouldhavepluckedoutswordandjumpeddown,andfoughtforherthereforthesheerdelightofsuchabattle.Butnowpolicyrestrainedme.Theindividualmightwantahelpinghand,butitwasbecomingmoreandmoreclearthatAtlantiswantedaministeralso;andbeforethesegreatneeds,thelesseronesperforcemustperish.Still,beitnotedthat,ifIdidnotjumpdown,noothermantherethatnighthadsufficientmanhoodremainingtoventuretheopportunity.
MyheartglowedasIwatchedher.Shepickedabonefromthelitteronthepavementandbeatoffitsheadbyblowsagainstthewall.Thenwithherteethshefashionedthepointtostillfurthersharpness.Icouldseeherteethglistenwhiteinthemoonraysasshebitwiththem.
Thehugecave-tigers,whichstoodashighasherheadastheywalked,camenearertoherintheirprowlings,yetobviouslyneglectedher.Thiswaspartoftheiraccustomedschemeoftorment,andthewomanknewitwell.Therewassomethingintolerableintheirnoiseless,ceaselesspaddingsoverthepavement.Icouldseetheprisoner’sbreastheaveasshewatchedthem.Aterrorsuchasthatwouldhavemademanyavictimsickandhelpless.
ButthisonewasbolderthanIhadthought.Shedidnotwaitforaspring:shemadethefirstattackherself.Whentheshe-tigermadeitsstrolltowardsher,andwasintheactofturning,sheflungherselfintoasuddenleap,strikingviciouslyatitseyewithhersharpenedbone.
