Загублений світ
A Sight which I shall Never Forget
Challenger’squickbrainhadgraspedthesituation.HeseizedthebewilderedSummerleebythearm,andtheybothrantowardsus.TwooftheirguardsboundedafterthemandfelltotwobulletsfromLordJohn.Weranforwardintotheopentomeetourfriends,andpressedaloadedrifleintothehandsofeach.ButSummerleewasattheendofhisstrength.Hecouldhardlytotter.Alreadytheape-menwererecoveringfromtheirpanic.Theywerecomingthroughthebrushwoodandthreateningtocutusoff.ChallengerandIranSummerleealong,oneateachofhiselbows,whileLordJohncoveredourretreat,firingagainandagainassavageheadssnarledatusoutofthebushes.Foramileormorethechatteringbruteswereatourveryheels.Thenthepursuitslackened,fortheylearnedourpowerandwouldnolongerfacethatunerringrifle.Whenwehadatlastreachedthecamp,welookedbackandfoundourselvesalone.
Soitseemedtous;andyetweweremistaken.Wehadhardlyclosedthethornbushdoorofourzareba,claspedeachother’shands,andthrownourselvespantinguponthegroundbesideourspring,whenweheardapatteroffeetandthenagentle,plaintivecryingfromoutsideourentrance.LordRoxtonrushedforward,rifleinhand,andthrewitopen.There,prostrateupontheirfaces,laythelittleredfiguresofthefoursurvivingIndians,tremblingwithfearofusandyetimploringourprotection.
