Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
7. The Biters Of The Walls (Further Account)
ButwhenIstoodtherebythearrow-slit,lookingdownintothemoonlightofthecircus,thesechainswereslackened(thoughmenstoodbythewindlassofeach),andthegreatstripedbruteswereprowlingaboutthecircuswiththelinksclankingandchinkingintheirwake.Lyingstarkonthepavementwerethebodiesofsomeeightmen,deadanduneaten;andthoughthecave-tigersstoppedtheirprowlingsnowandagaintonuzzlethese,andbeatthemaboutwithplayfulpaw-blows,theymadenopretenceatcommencingameal.Itwasclearthatthiscruelsporthadgrowncommontothem,andtheyknewtherewereothervictimsyettobeaddedtothetally.
Presently,sureenough,asIwatched,avalveofthefarthergateswungbackanarm’slength,andaprisoner,furiouslyresisting,wasthrustoutintothecircus.Hefellonhisface,andafteronelookaroundhimhelayresolutelystill,witheyesonthegroundpassivelyawaitinghisfate.Theponderousstoneofthegateclappedtoinitsplace;thecave-tigersturnedintheirprowlings;andachatterofwagersrantoandfroamongstthewatchersbehindthearrow-slits.
Itseemedtherewerenicetiesofcrueltyinthiswretchedgame.Therewasasharpclankasthewindlassesweremanned,andthetetheringchainsweredrawninbyperhapsascoreoflinks.Oneofthecave-tigerscrouched,lasheditstail,andlaunchedforthonaterrificspring.Thechaintautened,themassivelinkssangtothestrain,andthegreatbeastgavearoarwhichshookthewalls.Ithadmissedthepronemanbyahand’sbreadth,andthewatchersbehindthearrow-slitsshriekedforththeirdelight.
