До Адама
Chapter XVII
Whilemostofthemstoodbywithbowsandarrows,readytoshootanyoftheFolkthatexposedthemselves,severaloftheFire-Menheapedthedrygrassandwoodatthemouthsofthelowertierofcaves.Outoftheseheapstheyconjuredthemonsterwefeared—FIRE.Atfirst,wispsofsmokearoseandcurledupthecliff.ThenIcouldseethered-tonguedflamesdartinginandoutthroughthewoodliketinysnakes.Thesmokegrewthickerandthicker,attimesshroudingthewholefaceofthecliff.ButIwashighupanditdidnotbothermemuch,thoughitstungmyeyesandIrubbedthemwithmyknuckles.
OldMarrow-Bonewasthefirsttobesmokedout.AlightfanofairdriftedthesmokeawayatthetimesothatIsawclearly.Hebrokeoutthroughthesmoke,steppingonaburningcoalandscreamingwiththesuddenhurtofit,andessayedtoclimbupthecliff.Thearrowsshoweredabouthim.Hecametoapauseonaledge,clutchingaknobofrockforsupport,gaspingandsneezingandshakinghishead.Heswayedbackandforth.Thefeatheredendsofadozenarrowswerestickingoutofhim.Hewasanoldman,andhedidnotwanttodie.Heswayedwiderandwider,hiskneesgivingunderhim,andasheswayedhewailedmostplaintively.Hishandreleaseditsgripandhelurchedoutwardtothefall.Hisoldbonesmusthavebeensadlybroken.Hegroanedandstrovefeeblytorise,butaFire-Manrushedinuponhimandbrainedhimwithaclub.
AndasithappenedwithMarrow-Bone,soithappenedwithmanyoftheFolk.Unabletoendurethesmoke-suffocation,theyrushedouttofallbeneaththearrows.
