Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
6. The Biters Of The City Walls
Tarcasawthistoo,andIthoughthewouldhavefallen,butwithanefforthekepthismanhood,anddoggedlyrepeatedhissummons.“Imustobeythecommandofmymistress,andIwouldhaveyouremember,mylord,thatIambutaservant.Youmustcomewithmetothewhip.”
“Iwarnyou!”criedtheoldman.“Standfromoutofmypath,you!”
Itmusthavebeenwiththecourageofdesperationthatthesoldierdaredtouseforce.Butthehandhestretchedoutdroppedlimplybacktohissidethemomentittouchedtheoldman’sbareshoulder,asthoughithadbeenstruckbysomeshock.Heseemedalmosttohaveexpectedsomesuchrepulse;yetwhenhepickedupthathandwiththeother,andlookedatit,andsawitswhiteness,heletoutofhimayelllikeawoundedbeast.“Oh,Gods!”hecried.“Notthat.Spareme!”
ButZaemonwasgloweringathimstill.Atwitchingseizedtheman’sface,andheputuphissoundhandtoitandpluckedathisbeard,whichwascurledandplaitedafterthenewfashionoftheday.Awomanstandingnearscreamedasthehalfofthebeardcameoffinhisfingers.Beneathwassilverwhitenessoverhalfhisface.Zaemonhadsmittenhimwithasuddenleprosythatwaspastcure.
Yetthepunishmentwasnotendedeventhen.Othertwitchingstookhimonotherpartsofthebody,andhetoreoffhisarmourandhisfoppishclothes,andalwayswherethebarefleshshowed,therehadthehorridplaguewrittenitswhitemark;andintheend,beingabletoendurenomore,themanfelltothepavementandlaytherewrithing.
Zaemonsaidnofurtherword
