Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
15. Zaemon’s Summons
Fortunately,adroveoflittlecloven-hoofedhorseswhichhadbeenscaredbysomeoftherebelsintheirflighthappenedtoblunderintoourlines,andaswekilledfivebeforetheywereclearagain,therewasasoldier’ssupperforus,andquicklythefireswerelitandcookingit.
Sentriespacedtheoutskirtsandmadetheircriestooneanother,andthewoundedsatbythefiresanddressedtheirhurts,andwiththeofficersItalkedovertheengagementsoftheday,andthemethodsofeachcharge,andtheotherdetailsofthefighting.Itisthespecialperquisiteofsoldierstodallyoverthesematterswithgusto,thoughtheyareentirelywithoutinterestforlaymen.
Thehourdrewonforsleep,andsnoreswentupfromeveryside.Itwasclearthatallmyofficerswereweariedout,andonlycontinuedthetalkthroughdeferencetotheircommander.YetIhadafeverishdreadofbeingleftaloneagainwithmythoughts,andpressedthemonwithconversationremorselessly.Butintheendtheyweresavedtherudenessofdroppingoffintounconsciousnessduringmytalk.Asentrycameupandsaluted.“Mylord,”hereported,“thereisawomancomeupfromthecitywhomwehavecaughttryingtocomeintothebivouac.”
“Howisshenamed?”
“Shewillnotsay.”
“Hasshebusiness?’
“Shewillsaynone.Shedemandsonlytoseemylord.
