Загублений світ
Our Eyes have seen Great Wonders
Hehadpreparedasortofcollarofleatherwithmanystrapsdependingfromit.Thiscollarwasplacedoverthedomeoftheballoon,andthehangingthongsweregatheredtogetherbelow,sothatthepressureofanyweightwouldbediffusedoveraconsiderablesurface.Thenthelumpofbasaltwasfastenedtothethongs,andtheropewasallowedtohangfromtheendofit,beingpassedthreetimesroundtheProfessor’sarm.
"Iwillnow,"saidChallenger,withasmileofpleasedanticipation,"demonstratethecarryingpowerofmyballoon."Ashesaidsohecutwithaknifethevariouslashingsthatheldit.
Neverwasourexpeditioninmoreimminentdangerofcompleteannihilation.Theinflatedmembraneshotupwithfrightfulvelocityintotheair.InaninstantChallengerwaspulledoffhisfeetanddraggedafterit.IhadjusttimetothrowmyarmsroundhisascendingwaistwhenIwasmyselfwhippedupintotheair.LordJohnhadmewitharat-trapgriproundthelegs,butIfeltthathealsowascomingofftheground.ForamomentIhadavisionoffouradventurersfloatinglikeastringofsausagesoverthelandthattheyhadexplored.But,happily,therewerelimitstothestrainwhichtheropewouldstand,thoughnoneapparentlytotheliftingpowersofthisinfernalmachine.Therewasasharpcrack,andwewereinaheapuponthegroundwithcoilsofropealloverus.Whenwewereabletostaggertoourfeetwesawfaroffinthedeepblueskyonedarkspotwherethelumpofbasaltwasspeedinguponitsway.
