Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди

           Herheraldsmadeproclamationthatpeaceandagoodsubsistencewouldbegiventothosewhochosetocomeouttoherwillingly;andasanalternativeshewouldkillbytortureandmutilationthoseshecaughtintheplacewhenshetookitbystorm,asshemostassuredlywoulddobeforeshehadfinishedwithit.Andsogreatwastheprestigeofhername,thatquiteone-halfofthesethatremainedonthemountaintookthemselvesawayfromthedefence.

           Therewasnoattempttoholdbackthesesorrypriests,norwasthereanypunishingthemastheywent.Zaemon,indeed,wasminded(sohetoldmewithgrimmeaninghimself)togivethemsomemementooftheirapostasytocarryawaywhichwouldnotwearout,buttheothersoftheHighCouncilmadehimstayhisvengefulhand.AndsowhenIcametotheplacethegarrisonnumberednomorethaneighty,countingevenfeebleolddotardswhocouldbarelywalk;andofmennotpasttheirprimeIcouldbarelycommandascore.

           Still,seeingthenarrownessofthepassageswhichledtoeachofthegates,upwhichinnoplacecouldmorethantwomenadvancetogether,wewerebynomeansindesperatestraitsforthedefenceasyet;andifmynew-givenkingdomwassofarsmall,consistingasitdidineffectoftheSacredMountainandnootherpartofAtlantis,atanyratethereseemedlittledangerofitsbeingfurthercontracted.

           Anotherofthewiseprecautionsofthemenofoldstoodusingoodsteadthen.Intheancienttimes,whengrainfirstwasgrownasfood,itcametobelookeduponastheacmeofwealth.