Тарзан, приёмыш обезьян
The Savage Home
Beforetheofficershadtakenadozenbackwardstepsthemenwereuponthem.AnaxinthehandsofaburlyNegrocleftthecaptainfromforeheadtochin,andaninstantlatertheothersweredown:deadorwoundedfromdozensofblowsandbulletwounds.
ShortandgrislyhadbeentheworkofthemutineersoftheFuwalda,andthroughitallJohnClaytonhadstoodleaningcarelesslybesidethecompanionwaypuffingmeditativelyuponhispipeasthoughhehadbeenbutwatchinganindifferentcricketmatch.
Asthelastofficerwentdownhethoughtitwastimethathereturnedtohiswifelestsomemembersofthecrewfindheralonebelow.
Thoughoutwardlycalmandindifferent,Claytonwasinwardlyapprehensiveandwroughtup,forhefearedforhiswife’ssafetyatthehandsoftheseignorant,half-brutesintowhosehandsfatehadsoremorselesslythrownthem.
Asheturnedtodescendtheladderhewassurprisedtoseehiswifestandingonthestepsalmostathisside.
"Howlonghaveyoubeenhere,Alice?"
"Sincethebeginning,"shereplied."Howawful,John.Oh,howawful!Whatcanwehopeforatthehandsofsuchasthose?"
"Breakfast,Ihope,"heanswered,smilingbravelyinanattempttoallayherfears.
"Atleast,"headded,"I’mgoingtoaskthem.Comewithme,Alice.Wemustnotletthemthinkweexpectanybutcourteoustreatment.
