Загублений світ
It was Dreadful in the Forest
TherewasabroadpathwaywithmanytracksuponitatthespotwhichIhadfound,sothatitwasclearlyoneofthedrinking-placesoftheanimals.Closetothewater’sedgetherewasahugeisolatedblockoflava.UpthisIclimbed,and,lyingonthetop,Ihadanexcellentviewineverydirection.
ThefirstthingwhichIsawfilledmewithamazement.WhenIdescribedtheviewfromthesummitofthegreattree,IsaidthatonthefarthercliffIcouldseeanumberofdarkspots,whichappearedtobethemouthsofcaves.Now,asIlookedupatthesamecliffs,Isawdiscsoflightineverydirection,ruddy,clearly-definedpatches,liketheport-holesofalinerinthedarkness.ForamomentIthoughtitwasthelava-glowfromsomevolcanicaction;butthiscouldnotbeso.Anyvolcanicactionwouldsurelybedowninthehollowandnothighamongtherocks.What,then,wasthealternative?Itwaswonderful,andyetitmustsurelybe.Theseruddyspotsmustbethereflectionoffireswithinthecaves—fireswhichcouldonlybelitbythehandofman.Therewerehumanbeings,then,upontheplateau.Howgloriouslymyexpeditionwasjustified!HerewasnewsindeedforustobearbackwithustoLondon!
ForalongtimeIlayandwatchedthesered,quiveringblotchesoflight.Isupposetheyweretenmilesofffromme,yetevenatthatdistanceonecouldobservehow,fromtimetotime,theytwinkledorwereobscuredassomeonepassedbeforethem.
