Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
3. A Rival Navy
Ihavethepoorclothesyouseemeinthismoment,andaboxofdrugssuchasIhavefoundusefultothestomach.Ipossessalsothreeslaves,twoofthemscribesandthethirdasturdysavagefromEurope,whocooksmyvictualandfillsformethebath.Formymaintenanceduringmyyearsofservice,here,IhavebledtheStateofasoldier’srationandnothingbeyond;andifinmynameanymanhasmulctedacreatureinYucatanofsomuchasanounceofbronze,Irequestyouasalastservicetohavethatmanhangedformeasaliarandathief.”
Tatholookedatmecuriously.“IdonotknowwhetherIadmireyoumostorwhetherIpity.Idonotknowwhethertobeastonishedortodespise.WehadheardofmuchofyouruprightnessoveryonderinAtlantis,ofyoursternnessandyourjustice,butIswearbytheoldGodsthatnosoulguessedyoucarriedyourfancysofarasthis.Why,man,moneyispower.Withmoneyandtheresourcesmoneycanbuy,nothingcouldstopafellowlikeyou;whilstwithoutityoumaybetrippedupandtroddendownirrevocablyatthefirstpunyreverse.”
“TheGodswillchoosemyfate.”
“Possibly;butformine,Iprefertonourishitmyself.ItellyouwithfranknessthatIhavenotcomeheretofollowinthepatternyouhavemadeforavice-royalty.IshallgovernYucatanwiselyandwelltothebestofmyability;butIshallgovernitalsoforthegoodofTatho,theviceroy.Ihavebroughtwithmeheremynavyofeightshipsandapersonalbodyguard.Thereismywifealso,andherwomenandherslaves.Allthesemustbeprovidedfor.
