Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
7. The Biters Of The Walls (Further Account)
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“Youshowedyourpowertothesepoorprisoners;butfromwhatremainsheretobeseen,fewofthemhavetastedmuchofyourclemency.”
“Theorderswere,”saidthecaptainofthegate,asthoughhethoughtawordmightbesaidhereforhisdefence,“theorderswere,mylord,thatthetigersshouldbekeptfierceandaccustomedtokilling.”
“Then,ifyouhaveobeyedorders,letmebethelasttochideyou.Butitismypleasurethatthiswomanberespited,andIwishnowtoquestionher.”
Themangottohisfeetagainwithobviousrelief,thoughstillbowinglow.
“Thenifmylordwillhonourmebysittinginmyroomthatoverlookstheoutergate,thefavourwillneverbeforgotten.”
“Showtheway,”Isaid,andtookthewomanbythefingers,leadinghergently.Atthetwoendsofthecircusthetigersprowledaboutonshortchains,growlingandmuttering.
Wepassedthroughthedoorintothethicknessoftheouterwall,andthecaptainofthegateledusintohisprivatechamber,asnugenoughboxoverlookingtheplainbeyondthecity.Helitatorchfromhislampandthrustitintoabracketonthewall,andbowingdeeplyandwalkingbackwards,leftusalone,closingthedoorinplacebehindhim.Hewasanindustriousfellow,thiscaptain,tojudgefromthespoilwithwhichhischamberwaspacked.Therecouldhavecomeveryfewtradersinthroughthatgatebelowwithouthislevyingaprivatetribute;andso,judgingthatmostofhisgoodshadbeenunlawfullycomeby,Ihadlittlequalmatmakingaselection.
