Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
3. A Rival Navy
DeliberatelyIplacedmyselfinthesightofoneofthelizards,andofferedmybodytoitsattack.Thechallengewasaccepted.Itswoopedlikeadroppingstone,andIswervedanddroveinthelanceatitsoozyeye.
IthankedtheGodsthenthatIhadbeentrainedwiththelancetillcertainaimwasamatterofinstinctwithme.Thebladewenttruetoitsmarkandstuckthere,andtheshaftbrokeinmyhand.Thebeastdrewoff,blindedandbellowing,andbeatingtheseawithitspaddles.InagreatcataractoffoamIsawitbenditsgreatlongneck,andrubitshead(withthespearstillfixed)againstitsback,therebyenduringnewagonies,butwithoutdislodgingtheweapon.Andthenpresently,findingthisofnoavail,itsetofffortheplacefromwhichitcamewithextraordinaryquickness,andrapidlygrewsmalleragainstthehorizon.
Themaleandtheotherfemalelizardhadalsoleftus,butnotinsimilarplight.Tob,thecaptain,seeingmyresolvetotakehazards,deliberatelythrustashipmanintothejawsofeachoftheothers,sothattheymightbesatedandgetthemgone.ItwasclearthatTobdreadedverymuchforhisownskinifIcamebyharm,andIthoughtwithawarmingheartofthethreatsthatTathomusthaveusedinhiskindanxietyformysafety.Itispleasantwhenone’soldfriendsdonotomittopaytheselittleattentions.
