Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
4. The Welcome Of Phorenice
Westayedinharbourlongenoughtocureourseavictualandfillwithfoodandwater,andnolonger.Wesailbackaswesailedout,barrenships.Youwillnotbelieveme,ofcourse;Iwouldnothavebelievedyouhadourplacesbeenchanged;butyoumaygointotheholdsandsearchifyouchoose.Youwillfindtherenothingbutafewpoorsailormenhalfinpieceswiththescurvy.No,youcanstealnothingherebutblows,Dason,andwewillgiveyouthosewithbutlittleasking.”
“Iamgladtoseethatyoustateyourcargoatsuchslendervalue,”saidtheenvoy,“foritisthecargoImusttakebackwithmeonthegalley,ifyouaretoearnyoursafeconducttohome.”
Tobknithisbrows.“Youhadbetterspeakmoreplain,”hesaid.“Iamacommonsailor,anddonotunderstandfancytalk.”
“Itiscleartosee,”saidDason,“thatyouhavebeensettobringDeucalionbacktoAtlantisasapropforPhorenice.Well,weothersfindPhorenicehardenoughtofightagainstwithoutfurtherreinforcements,andsowewantDeucalioninourowncustodytodealwithafterourownfashion.”
“AndifIdothemiser,anddenyyouthispieceofmyfreight?”
Thespruceenvoylookedroundatthesplinteredship,andthebatterednavybesideher.“Why,then,Tob,weshallsendyoualltothefishesinveryshorttime,andinsteadofDeucalionstandingbeforetheGodsalone,hewillgodownwithafineraggedcompanylimpingathisheels.”
“Idoubtit,”saidTob,“butweshallsee.AsforlettingyouhavemyLordDeucalion,thatisoutofthequestion.
