Межзвёздный скиталец
Chapter 15
Andtheredwrathwasupinme,rippingandtearingatmywilltobefree.SmallwonderthatIshookwiththeefforttocontrol.Theshaking,happily,theytookfortheweaknessofage.Iheldupmybrassbeggingbowl,andwhinedmoredolefully,andblearedmyeyestohidethebluefireIknewwasinthem,andcalculatedthedistanceandmystrengthfortheleap.
ThenIwassweptawayinablazeofred.Therewasacrashingofcurtainsandcurtain-polesandasquawkingandsquallingofattendantsasmyhandsclosedonChongMong-ju’sthroat.Thelitteroverturned,andIscarceknewwhetherIwasheadsorheels,butmyclutchneverrelaxed.
Intheconfusionofcushionsandquiltsandcurtains,atfirstfewoftheattendants’blowsfoundme.Butsoonthehorsemenwerein,andtheirheavywhip-buttsbegantofallonmyhead,whileamultitudeofhandsclawedandtoreatme.Iwasdizzy,butnotunconscious,andveryblissfulwithmyoldfingersburiedinthatleanandscragglyoldneckIhadsoughtforsolong.Theblowscontinuedtorainonmyhead,andIhadwhirlingthoughtsinwhichIlikenedmyselftoabulldogwithjawsfast-locked.ChongMong-jucouldnotescapeme,andIknowhewaswelldeaderedarkness,likethatofananæsthetic,descendeduponmethereonthecliffsofFusanbytheYellowSea.
