Затерянный мир
For once I was the Hero
Iftherimoftheplateauwasindeedthehighestpoint,thenwhyshouldthismightytreenotprovetobeawatchtowerwhichcommandedthewholecountry?Now,eversinceIranwildasaladinIrelandIhavebeenaboldandskilledtree-climber.Mycomradesmightbemymastersontherocks,butIknewthatIwouldbesupremeamongthosebranches.CouldIonlygetmylegsontothelowestofthegiantoff-shoots,thenitwouldbestrangeindeedifIcouldnotmakemywaytothetop.Mycomradesweredelightedatmyidea.
"Ouryoungfriend,"saidChallenger,bunchinguptheredapplesofhischeeks,"iscapableofacrobaticexertionswhichwouldbeimpossibletoamanofamoresolid,thoughpossiblyofamorecommanding,appearance.Iapplaudhisresolution."
"ByGeorge,youngfellah,you’veputyourhandonit!"saidLordJohn,clappingmeontheback."HowwenevercametothinkofitbeforeIcan’timagine!There’snotmorethananhourofdaylightleft,butifyoutakeyournotebookyoumaybeabletogetsomeroughsketchoftheplace.Ifweputthesethreeammunitioncasesunderthebranch,Iwillsoonhoistyouontoit."
HestoodontheboxeswhileIfacedthetrunk,andwasgentlyraisingmewhenChallengersprangforwardandgavemesuchathrustwithhishugehandthathefairlyshotmeintothetree.Withbotharmsclaspingthebranch,IscrambledhardwithmyfeetuntilIhadworked,firstmybody,andthenmyknees,ontoit.
