Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
2. Back To Atlantis
SoyouseeIsetoutwithahighstakebeforeme.PhoreniceIhadneverseen,andIsworetotakeheralive,andgivehertobethesportofmysoldiery.Ihadafineconfidenceinmyownstrategythen,Deucalion.ButtheoldGods,inwhomItrustedthen,remainedold,taughtmenonewthing.IdrilledandexercisedmyarmyaccordingtotheformsyouandIlearnttogether,oldcomrade,andinmanyatoughfightfoundtoservewell;Iarmedthemwiththechoicestweaponsweknewofthen,withslingandmace,withbowandspear,withaxeandknife,withswordandthethrowingfire;theirbodiesIcoveredwithmetalplates;eventheirbelliesIcaredfor,withdrovesofcattledrivenintherearofthefightingtroops.
“Butwhentheencountercame,theymighthavebeenmenofstrawforalltheharmtheydid.OutofherownbrainPhorenicehadmadefire-tubesthatcastadartwhichwouldkillbeyondtwobowshots,andthefashioninwhichshehandledhertroopsdazzledme.Theythreatenedusononeflank,theyharassedusontheother.Itwasnotwaraswehadbeenaccustomedto.Itwasanewerandmoredeadlygame,andIhadtowatchmysplendidarmyeatenawayaswaveseatasandhill.NeveroncedidIgetachanceofforcingcloseaction.ThesenewtacticsthathadcomefromPhorenice’sinvention,werebeyondmyarttomeetorunderstand.Wewereeighttoherone,andourclose-packednumbersonlymadeussomuchthemoreeasyforslaughter.Apaniccame,andthosewhocouldfled.Myself,Ihadnowishtogobackandearntheaxethatwaitsfortheunsuccessfulgeneral.ItriedtodietherefightingwhereIstood.
