Копи царя Соломона
We Abandon Hope
Stop,"andhetookoffastoutblacksilkhandkerchief,which,truetohishabitsofneatness,hestillwore,andranitthroughthering. "Quatermain,getCurtisroundthemiddleandpullfordearlifewhenIgivetheword.Now."
SirHenryputoutallhisenormousstrength,andGoodandIdidthesame,withsuchpowerasnaturehadgivenus.
"Heave!heave!it’sgiving,"gaspedSirHenry;andIheardthemusclesofhisgreatbackcracking. Suddenlytherewasagratingsound,thenarushofair,andwewereallonourbacksonthefloorwithaheavyflag-stoneuponthetopofus. SirHenry’sstrengthhaddoneit,andneverdidmuscularpowerstandamaninbetterstead.
"Lightamatch,Quatermain,"hesaid,sosoonaswehadpickedourselvesupandgotourbreath;"carefully,now."
Ididso,andtherebeforeus,Heavenbepraised!wasthefirststepofastonestair.
"Nowwhatistobedone?"askedGood.
"Followthestair,ofcourse,andtrusttoProvidence."
"Stop!"saidSirHenry;"Quatermain,getthebitofbiltongandthewaterthatareleft;wemaywantthem."
Iwent,creepingbacktoourplacebythechestsforthatpurpose,andasIwascomingawayanideastruckme. Wehadnotthoughtmuchofthediamondsforthelasttwenty-fourhoursorso;indeed,theveryideaofdiamondswasnauseous,seeingwhattheyhadentaileduponus; but,reflectedI,Imayaswellpocketsomeincaseweevershouldgetoutofthisghastlyhole.
