Первые люди на Луне
Chapter 11 — The Mooncalf Pastures
Hewaswearinggarmentsofsomeleatherysubstance,sothatnoportionofhisactualbodyappeared,butofthis,ofcourse,wewereentirelyignorant.Hepresentedhimself,therefore,asacompact,bristlingcreature,havingmuchofthequalityofacomplicatedinsect,withwhip-liketentaclesandaclangingarmprojectingfromhisshiningcylindricalbodycase.Theformofhisheadwashiddenbyhisenormousmany-spikedhelmet—wediscoveredafterwardsthatheusedthespikesforproddingrefractorymooncalves—andapairofgogglesofdarkenedglass,setverymuchattheside,gaveabird-likequalitytothemetallicapparatusthatcoveredhisface.Hisarmsdidnotprojectbeyondhisbodycase,andhecarriedhimselfuponshortlegsthat,wrappedthoughtheywereinwarmcoverings,seemedtoourterrestrialeyesinordinatelyflimsy.Theyhadveryshortthighs,verylongshanks,andlittlefeet.
Inspiteofhisheavy-lookingclothing,hewasprogressingwithwhatwouldbe,fromtheterrestrialpointofview,veryconsiderablestrides,andhisclangingarmwasbusy.Thequalityofhismotionduringtheinstantofhispassingsuggestedhasteandacertainanger,andsoonafterwehadlostsightofhimweheardthebellowofamooncalfchangeabruptlyintoashort,sharpsquealfollowedbythescuffleofitsacceleration.Andgraduallythatbellowingreceded,andthencametoanend,asifthepasturessoughthadbeenattained.
Welistened.Foraspacethemoonworldwasstill.Butitwassometimebeforeweresumedourcrawlingsearchforthevanishedsphere.
