Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
15. Zaemon’s Summons
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Hemutteredsomethinginhisprofaneseaman’swayaboutpreferringtokeephisownfateundercontrolofhisownmoststrongrightarm,butsayingthathewouldkeepthematterinhisthoughts,heexcusedhimselfhurriedlytogoandseetosomewhatconcerningtheworkingoftheship,andthereleftme.
ButIthinkthesweetsofkinglyrulewereastrongargumentinfavouroflettingmehavemyway(whichIshouldhavehadotherwiseifithadnotbeengivenpeacefully),andonthethirddayafterourtalkheputtheshipinshoreagainforre-victualling.Welurchedintoariver-mouth,halfswampedoveraroaringbar,andranupagainstthebankandmadefasttheretotrees,butboomingourselvesasafedistanceoffwithoarsandpoles,sothatnobeastcouldleaponboardoutofthethicket.
Fish-spearingandmeat-huntingweresetaboutwithpromptitude,andontheseconddaywewerehappyenoughtoslayayearlingriver-horse,whichgaveprovisionsinallsufficiency.Aspacewasclearedonthebank,fireswerelit,andthemeathungoverthesmokeinstrips,andwhenasmuchwascuredastheshipwouldcarry,theshipmenmadeafinalgorgeonwhatremained,filledupagreatstackofhollowreedswithdrinkingwater,andwerereadytocontinuethevoyage.
WithsturdygenerositydidTobagainattempttomakemesailonwiththemastheirfutureking,andassteadfastlydidImakerefusal;andatlaststoodaloneonthebankamongstthegnawedbonesoftheirfeast,withmyweaponstobearmecompany,andhe,andhismen,andthewomenstoodinthelittleoldship,readytodropdownriverwiththecurrent.
