Загублений світ
A Sight which I shall Never Forget
Thisoldape-man—hewastheirchief—wasasortofredChallenger,witheveryoneofourfriend’sbeautypoints,onlyjustatriflemoreso.Hehadtheshortbody,thebigshoulders,theroundchest,noneck,agreatruddyfrillofabeard,thetuftedeyebrows,the‘Whatdoyouwant,damnyou!’lookabouttheeyes,andthewholecatalogue.Whentheape-manstoodbyChallengerandputhispawonhisshoulder,thethingwascomplete.Summerleewasabithysterical,andhelaughedtillhecried.Theape-menlaughedtoo—oratleasttheyputupthedevilofacacklin’—andtheysettoworktodragusoffthroughtheforest.Theywouldn’ttouchthegunsandthings—thoughtthemdangerous,Iexpect—buttheycarriedawayallourloosefood.SummerleeandIgotsomeroughhandlin’ontheway—there’smyskinandmyclothestoproveit—fortheytookusabee-linethroughthebrambles,andtheirownhidesarelikeleather.ButChallengerwasallright.Fourofthemcarriedhimshoulderhigh,andhewentlikeaRomanemperor.What’sthat?"
Itwasastrangeclickingnoiseinthedistancenotunlikecastanets.
"Theretheygo!"saidmycompanion,slippingcartridgesintotheseconddoublebarrelled"Express.""Loadthemallup,youngfellahmylad,forwe’renotgoingtobetakenalive,anddon’tyouthinkit!That’stherowtheymakewhentheyareexcited.ByGeorge!they’llhavesomethingtoexcitethemiftheyputusup.The‘LastStandoftheGrays’won’tbeinit.
