Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
15. Zaemon’s Summons
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Theshipwasdriftingrapidlyawaywiththecurrent,andtheywerehoistingsail.Tobhadtoshouttomakehimselfheard.“Aye,butitshallbe.ForI,too,amastrongmanaftermykind,andIhaveordereditso.AndifyouwantthenameofourHerothatsomedayshallbeGod,youwearitonyourself.DeucalionshallbeGodforourchildren.”
“Thisisblasphemy,”Icried.“Haveacare,fool,orthisimpietywillsinkyou.”
“Wewillriskit,”hebawledback,“andconsidertheoddsagainstusaresmall.Regard!Hereisthylasthornofwineintheship,andmywomanhastreasureditagainstthismoment.Regard,allmen,togetherwithThoseaboveandThosebelow!IpourthiswineasalibationtoDeucalion,greatlordthatisto-day,Herothatshallbeto-morrow,Godthatwillbeintimetocome!”Andthenallthoseontheshipjoinedintheacclaimtilltheywerebeyondthereachofmyvoice,andwerebattlingtheirwayouttoseathroughtheroaringbreakersofthebar.
SolitaryIstoodatthebrinkoftheforest,lookingafterthemandmusingsadly.Tob,despitehislowlystation,wasamanIcaredformorethanmany.Likeallseamen,IknewthathepaidhisdevotionstooneoftheobscurerGods,buttillthenIhadsupposedhimdevoutinhisworship.Hisnewavowalcametomeasadesolatingshock
