Таинственный остров

           Theydidwelltohasten,forataturnofthepathnearaclearingtheysawtheladthrownonthegroundandinthegraspofasavagebeing,apparentlyagiganticape,whowasabouttodohimsomegreatharm.

           Torushonthismonster,throwhimonthegroundinhisturn,snatchHerbertfromhim,thenbindhimsecurely,wastheworkofaminuteforPencroftandGideonSpilett.ThesailorwasofHerculeanstrength,thereporteralsoverypowerful,andinspiteofthemonster’sresistancehewasfirmlytiedsothathecouldnotevenmove.

           "Youarenothurt,Herbert?"askedSpilett.

           "No,no!"

           "Oh,ifthisapehadwoundedhim!"exclaimedPencroft.

           "Butheisnotanape,"answeredHerbert.

           AtthesewordsPencroftandGideonSpilettlookedatthesingularbeingwholayontheground.Indeeditwasnotanape;itwasahumanbeing,aman.Butwhataman!Asavageinallthehorribleacceptationoftheword,andsomuchthemorefrightfulthatheseemedfallentothelowestdegreeofbrutishness!

           Shaggyhair,untrimmedbearddescendingtothechest,thebodyalmostnakedexceptaragroundthewaist,wildeyes,enormoushandswithimmenselylongnails,skinthecolorofmahogany,feetashardasifmadeofhorn,suchwasthemiserablecreaturewhoyethadaclaimtobecalledaman.Butitmightjustlybeaskediftherewereyetasoulinthisbody,orifthebruteinstinctalonesurvivedinit!

           "Areyouquitesurethatthisisaman,orthathehaseverbeenone?"saidPencrofttothereporter.

           "Alas!thereisnodoubtaboutit,"repliedSpilett.