Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
8. The Preacher From The Mountains
Themenandthewomenweretherudestsavages,knowingnothingofthearts,dressinginskinsanduncleanness,harbouringincavesandthetree-tops.Thebeastsroamedaboutwheretheywould,andhuntedthemunchecked.”
“Still,theyfoughtyoufortheirliberty?”
“Neveronce.Theyknewhowdisastrouswastheirmasterlessfreedom.Eventotheirdull,savagebrainsitwasasurethingthatnoslaverycouldbeworse;andtothatstateyou,andyourfriends,andyourtheories,willreduceAtlantis,ifyougettheupperhand.But,then,toargueinacircle,youwillnevergetit.Fortoconquer,youmustsetupleaders,andonceyouhavesetthemup,youwillneverpullthemdownagain.”
“Aye,”shesaidwithasigh,“thereistruthinthatlast.”
Thetorchhadfilledthecaptain’sroomwitharesinoussmoke,buttheflamewasgrowingpale.Dawnwascomingingreylythroughaslenderarrow-slit,andwithiteverandagaintheglowfromsomemountainoutofsight,whichwasshootingforthspasmodicburstsoffire.Withitalsoweremutteringsofdistantfallingrocks,andsullentremblings,whichhadenduredallthenightthrough,andIjudgedthatearthwasinoneofherquakingmoods,andwouldprobablyduringtheforthcomingdayofferussomechasteningdiscomforts.
Onthisaccount,perhaps,mysenseswerestilledtocertainevidenceswhichwouldotherwisehavegivenmeasuspicion;andalso,thereisnodenyingthatmygeneralwakefulnesswassappedbyanothermatter.
