Затерянный мир
Who could have Foreseen it?
Therewastheplainwhichledtothecanoes.Yonder,beyondtheviolet,hazyhorizon,wasthestreamwhichledbacktocivilization.Butthelinkbetweenwasmissing.Nohumaningenuitycouldsuggestameansofbridgingthechasmwhichyawnedbetweenourselvesandourpastlives.Oneinstanthadalteredthewholeconditionsofourexistence.
ItwasatsuchamomentthatIlearnedthestuffofwhichmythreecomradeswerecomposed.Theyweregrave,itistrue,andthoughtful,butofaninvincibleserenity.ForthemomentwecouldonlysitamongthebushesinpatienceandwaitthecomingofZambo.PresentlyhishonestblackfacetoppedtherocksandhisHerculeanfigureemergeduponthetopofthepinnacle.
"WhatIdonow?"hecried."YoutellmeandIdoit."
Itwasaquestionwhichitwaseasiertoaskthantoanswer.Onethingonlywasclear.Hewasouronetrustylinkwiththeoutsideworld.Onnoaccountmustheleaveus.
"Nono!"hecried."Inotleaveyou.Whatevercome,youalwaysfindmehere.ButnoabletokeepIndians.AlreadytheysaytoomuchCurupuriliveonthisplace,andtheygohome.Nowyouleavethemmenoabletokeepthem."
ItwasafactthatourIndianshadshowninmanywaysoflatethattheywerewearyoftheirjourneyandanxioustoreturn.WerealizedthatZambospokethetruth,andthatitwouldbeimpossibleforhimtokeepthem.
"Makethemwaittilltomorrow,Zambo,"Ishouted;"thenIcansendletterbackbythem."
