Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
7. The Biters Of The Walls (Further Account)
Therewasnothingofthis.Withsavagepantingwordlessnessshetookfreshgriponthesharpenedbonewithhersparehand,andlungedwithitdesperatelythroughthearrow-slit.Withthehandthatclutchedmineshedrewmetowardsher,soastogivetheblowsthesurerchance,andsounpreparedwasIforsuchanattack,andwithsuchfiercesuddennessdidshedeliverit,thatthefirstblowwasneargivingmemyquietus.ButIgrappledwiththepoorfranticcreatureasgentlyasmightbe—thestoneofthewallseparatingusalways—andstrippedherofherweapon,andheldherfirmlycaptivetillshemightcalmherself.
“Thatwasanungratefulblow,”Isaid.“Butformyhandyou’dhaveslippedandbethesportofatiger’spawthisminute.”
“Oh,Imustkillsomeone,”shepanted,“beforeIamkilledmyself.”
“Therewillbetimeenoughtothinkuponthatsomeotherday;butfornowyouarefarenoughoffmeetingfurtherharm.”
“Youarelyingtome.YouwillthrowmetothebeastsassoonasIloosemygrip.Iknowyourkind:youwillnotberobbedofyoursport.”
“Iwillgosofarastoprovemyselftoyou,”saidI,andcalledoutforthewarderwhohadtendedthedoorsbelow.“Bidthosetigersbetetheredonashorterchain,”Iordered,“andthengoyourselfoutsideintothecircus,andhelpthisladydelicatelytotheground.”
Thewordwaspassedandthesethingsweredone;andItoocameoutintothecircusandjoinedthewoman,whostoodwaitingunderthemoonlight.Buttheotherswhohadseenthesedoingswerebynomeanssuitedatthechangeofplan.
