Затерянный мир
To-morrow we Disappear into the Unknown
OneusefulresultofhisformerexperienceswasthathecouldtalkfluentlyintheLingoaGeral,whichisthepeculiartalk,one-thirdPortugueseandtwo-thirdsIndian,whichiscurrentalloverBrazil.
IhavesaidbeforethatLordJohnRoxtonwasaSouthAmericomaniac.Hecouldnotspeakofthatgreatcountrywithoutardor,andthisardorwasinfectious,for,ignorantasIwas,hefixedmyattentionandstimulatedmycuriosity.HowIwishIcouldreproducetheglamourofhisdiscourses,thepeculiarmixtureofaccurateknowledgeandofracyimaginationwhichgavethemtheirfascination,untileventheProfessor’scynicalandscepticalsmilewouldgraduallyvanishfromhisthinfaceashelistened.Hewouldtellthehistoryofthemightyriversorapidlyexplored(forsomeofthefirstconquerorsofPeruactuallycrossedtheentirecontinentuponitswaters),andyetsounknowninregardtoallthatlaybehinditsever-changingbanks.
"Whatisthere?"hewouldcry,pointingtothenorth."Woodandmarshandunpenetratedjungle.Whoknowswhatitmayshelter?Andtheretothesouth?Awildernessofswampyforest,wherenowhitemanhaseverbeen.Theunknownisupagainstusoneveryside.Outsidethenarrowlinesoftheriverswhatdoesanyoneknow?Whowillsaywhatispossibleinsuchacountry?WhyshouldoldmanChallengernotberight?"AtwhichdirectdefiancethestubbornsneerwouldreappearuponProfessorSummerlee’sface,andhewouldsit,shakinghissardonicheadinunsympatheticsilence,behindthecloudofhisbriar-rootpipe.
Somuch,forthemoment,formytwowhitecompanions,whosecharactersandlimitationswillbefurtherexposed,assurelyasmyown,asthisnarrativeproceeds.Butalreadywehaveenrolledcertainretainerswhomayplaynosmallpartinwhatistocome.
