Загублений світ
For once I was the Hero
Onlyourfeeblehedgeseparatedusfromthishorrorofthenight.Eachofushadseizedhisrifle,andLordJohnhadpulledoutasmallbushtomakeanembrasureinthehedge.
"ByGeorge!"hewhispered."IthinkIcanseeit!"
Istoopedandpeeredoverhisshoulderthroughthegap.Yes,Icouldseeit,too.Inthedeepshadowofthetreetherewasadeepershadowyet,black,inchoate,vague—acrouchingformfullofsavagevigorandmenace.Itwasnohigherthanahorse,butthedimoutlinesuggestedvastbulkandstrength.Thathissingpant,asregularandfull-volumedastheexhaustofanengine,spokeofamonstrousorganism.Once,asitmoved,IthoughtIsawtheglintoftwoterrible,greenisheyes.Therewasanuneasyrustling,asifitwerecrawlingslowlyforward.
"Ibelieveitisgoingtospring!"saidI,cockingmyrifle.
"Don’tfire!Don’tfire!"whisperedLordJohn."Thecrashofaguninthissilentnightwouldbeheardformiles.Keepitasalastcard."
"Ifitgetsoverthehedgewe’redone,"saidSummerlee,andhisvoicecrackledintoanervouslaughashespoke.
"No,itmustnotgetover,"criedLordJohn;"butholdyourfiretothelast.PerhapsIcanmakesomethingofthefellow.I’llchanceit,anyhow."
ItwasasbraveanactaseverIsawamando.Hestoopedtothefire,pickedupablazingbranch,andslippedinaninstantthroughasallyportwhichhehadmadeinourgateway.Thethingmovedforwardwithadreadfulsnarl.
