Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
7. The Biters Of The Walls (Further Account)
Aroarfromtheonlookersacknowledgedthestroke.Thecave-tiger’seyeremainedundarkened,butthepunyweaponhaddealtitasmartfleshwound,andwithagreatbellowofsurpriseandpainitscamperedawaytogainspaceforarushandaspring.
Butthewomandidnotawaititscharge.Withashrillscreamshespedforward,runningatthefullofherspeedacrossthemoonlightdirectlytowardsthatshadowedpartoftheencirclingwallwithinwhosethicknessIhadmygazingplace;andthen,throwingeverytendonofherbodyintothespring,madethegreatestleapthatsurelyanyhumanbeingeveraccomplished,evenwhenspurredonbytheutmostofterroranddesperation.InanafterdayImeasuredit,andthoughofacertaintyshemusthaveaddedmuchtothetallybythesheerforceofherrun,whichdroveherclinginguptheroughsurfaceofthewall,itisasurethingthatinthatsplendidleapherfeetmusthavedangledaman-heightandahalfabovethepavement.
Isayitwasprodigious,butthenthespurwasmorethantheordinary,andthewomanherselfwasfaroutofthecommonbothinthewsandintelligence;andtheendoftheleapleftherwithfivefingerslodgedinthesillofthearrow-slitfromwhichIwatched.Eventhenshemusthaveslippedbackifshehadbeenlefttoherself,forthesillsloped,andthestonewasfinelysmooth;butIshotoutmyhandandgrippedhersbythewrist,andinstantlysheclamberedupwithbothkneesonthesills,andherfingerstwinedroundtogripmywristinherturn.
Andnowyouwillsupposeshegushedoutprayersandpromises,thinkingonlyofsafetyandenlargement.
