Загублений світ
For once I was the Hero
Once,throughabreakinthetrees,wesawaclearshoulderofgreenhillsomedistanceaway,andacrossthisalargedun-coloredanimalwastravelingataconsiderablepace.Itpassedsoswiftlythatwewereunabletosaywhatitwas;butifitwereadeer,aswasclaimedbyLordJohn,itmusthavebeenaslargeasthosemonstrousIrishelkwhicharestilldugupfromtimetotimeinthebogsofmynativeland.
Eversincethemysteriousvisitwhichhadbeenpaidtoourcampwealwaysreturnedtoitwithsomemisgivings.However,onthisoccasionwefoundeverythinginorder.
Thateveningwehadagranddiscussionuponourpresentsituationandfutureplans,whichImustdescribeatsomelength,asitledtoanewdeparturebywhichwewereenabledtogainamorecompleteknowledgeofMapleWhiteLandthanmighthavecomeinmanyweeksofexploring.ItwasSummerleewhoopenedthedebate.Alldayhehadbeenquerulousinmanner,andnowsomeremarkofLordJohn’sastowhatweshoulddoonthemorrowbroughtallhisbitternesstoahead.
"Whatweoughttobedoingtoday,tomorrow,andallthetime,"saidhe,"isfindingsomewayoutofthetrapintowhichwehavefallen.Youareallturningyourbrainstowardsgettingintothiscountry.Isaythatweshouldbescheminghowtogetoutofit."
"Iamsurprised,sir,"boomedChallenger,strokinghismajesticbeard,"thatanymanofscienceshouldcommithimselftosoignobleasentiment.
