Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
3. A Rival Navy
“AndIwouldstillchargemyselfuponyourbountyforthatship.Dawncannotbefaroffnow,anditisnotdecentthatthemanwhohasruledheresolong,shouldwalkindaylightthroughthestreetsonthemorningafterhisdismissal.”
“Sobeit,”saidTatho.“Youshallhavemypoornavy.Icouldhavewishedthatyouhadaskedmesomethinggreater.”
“Notthenavy,Tatho;onesmallship.Believeme,moreiswasted.”
“Now,there,”saidTatho,“Ishallactthetyrant.Iamviceroyherenow,andwillhavemywayinthis.Youmaygonakedofallpossessions:thatIcannothelp.ButdepartforAtlantisunattended,thatyoushallnot.”
Andso,infine,asthechoicewassetbeyondme,itwasinthe“Bear,”Tatho’sownprivateship,withalltherestofhisnavysailinginescort,thatIdidfinallymakemytransit.
Butthestartwasnotimmediate.Thevesselslaymooredagainstthestonequaysoftheinnerharbour,guttedoftheirstores,andwithcrewsexhausted,anditwouldhavebeensuicidetohaveforcedthemoutthenandtheretoagaintaketheseas.
SothecourtesieswerefulfilledbythecraftwhereonIabodehaulingoutintotheentrancebasin,andanchoringthereintheswellsofthefairway;andforthwithsheandherconsortstookinwoodandwater,curedmeatandfishashore,andrefittedinallneedfulways,withallspeedattainable.
Formyselftherecamethen,asthefirsttimeduringtwentybusyyears,abreathingspacefromwork.Ihadnofurtherconnectionwiththecountryofmylabours;indeed,officially,Ihadleftitalready.
