"Edmond Hamilton - Captain Future 23 - The Harpers of Titan" - читать интересную книгу автора (Hamilton Edmond)

"Long ago," Keogh answered, "the
men of Moneb had such a protection.
They used the Harpers, then. But use
of them was so disastrous that it was
forbidden, put under a tabu.
"Now, those who wish to force out
the Earthmen here plan to break that
tabu. They want to bring in the
Harpers, and use them."
Harker added, "Things were all
right until the old king died. He was a
man.His son is a weakling. The
fanatics against outland civilization
have got to him, and he's afraid of his
own shadow. Keogh has been holding
him on his feet, against them."
IMON saw the almost worshipful
trust in Harker's eyes as he
glanced at his friend.
"They've tried to kill Keogh, of
course," Harker said. "With him gone,
there'd be no leader against them."
Keogh's voice rose, to be heard over
the booming and thrumming of the
lichens.
"A full council has been called for
two days from now. That will be the
timeof decision -whether we, or the
breakers of tabu, will rule in Moneb.
And I know, as I know truth, that
some land of a trap has been set for
me.
"That is where I will need you
Futuremen's help, most desperately.
But you must not be seen in the town.
Any strangers now would excite
suspicion, and you are too well known
and -" he glanced at Simon and added
apologetically, "distinctive."
He paused. In that pause, the boom
and thunder of the lichen was like the
slatting of great sails in the wind, and
Simon could not hear the little furtive
sound from behind him until it was
too late -a second too late.
A man leaped into the clearing.
Simon had a fleeting glimpse of
copper-gold limbs and a killer's face,
and a curious weapon raised. Simon
spoke, but the bright small dart was