Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
8. The Preacher From The Mountains
Thepeopleseemedtohaveshuckedoffthecultureofcenturiesinasmanymonths,andtohavegonebackforthemostparttosheerbrutishness.Themajorityharbouredonthebareground.Fewownedshelter,andtheseweremerelybowersofmudandbranches.
Theyfoughtandquarrelledamongstthemselvesforfood,eatingtheirmeatraw,andtheirgrain(whentheyhadit)unground.ManywhopassedmyvisionIsawwereevengnawingthesoftinsideoftreebark.
Thedeadlaywheretheyfell.Thesickandthewoundedfoundnohandtotendthem.Greatman-eatingbirdshoveredaboutthecamporskulkedabout,heavywithgorging,amongstthehovels,andnoonehadpublicspiritenoughtogivethembattle.Thestinkoftheplaceroseuptoheavenasafoulincenseinvitingapestilence.Therewasnoorder,notraceofstrongcommandanywhere.Withthreehundredwell-disciplinedtroopsitseemedtomethatIcouldhavesentthosepoordesperatehordesflyinginpanictotheforest.
However,therewasnoverylengthyspaceoftimegrantedmeforthinkingoutthepolicyofthismattertoanygreatdepth.Theattackonthegatehadbeendeliveredwithsuddenness;therepulsewasnotslow.Ofwhatdesperatefightingtookplaceinthegalleries,andinthecircusbetweenthetwosetsofgates,thedetailwillneverbetoldinfull.
Atthefirstalarmthegreatcave-tigersweresetloose,andtheseragedimpartiallyagainstkeeperandfoe.Ofthosethatwentinthroughthetunnel,notoneintenreturned,andtherewerefewofthesebutwhatcarriedabloodywound.
