Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
12. The Drug Of Our Lady The Moon
Tothefishers,inuredtothesehorridperilsbydailyassociation,theseizingofoneoftheirnumbermeantlittle,andtheypressedon,carelessoftheirdulllives,eageronlytosnatchthejewelswhichstillflauntedonPhorenice’sbreast.Ofthevengeancethatmightcomeaftertheyreckednothing;letthembutgetthewherewithalforonenight’sgooddebauch,andtheywouldforgetthatsuchathingasthemorningofamorrowcouldhaveexistence.
TwofellowsIcaughtandkilledthat,divingdownbeneath,triedtoslittheskinoftheboatoutofsightunderthewater;andPhorenicecaredforallthosethattriedtoputahandonthegunwales.Yes,andshedidmorethanthat.Ahugelong-neckedturtlethatwasstirredoutofthemudbytheturmoil,cameuptodaylight,andswungitsgreathorn-lippedmouthtothissideandthat,seekingforaprey.Thefishersnearitdodgedanddived.I,thrustingatthesternoftheboat,couldonlyhopeitwouldpassmebyandsoofferedaneasymark.Itscurriedtowardsme,champingitsnoisylips,andbeatingthewaterintospraywithitsflippers.
ButPhorenicewasquickwitharemedyandarescue.Shepassedherswordthroughoneofthefishersthatpressedher,andthenthrustthebodytowardstheturtle.Thegreatneckswoopedtowardsit;thelongslimyfeelerswhichprotrudedfromitsheadquiveredandsnuffled;andthenthehornygreenjawscrunchedonit,anddrewitdownoutofsight.
Theboatwasindeepwaternow,andPhorenicecalleduponmetocomeinovertheside,shethewhilebalancingnicelysothattheflimsythingshouldnotbeoverset
