Лучшие романы Томаса Майна Рида / The Best of Thomas Mayne Reid

But for that, one might mistake them for huge obelisks of black marble!”

“Giants, or ghouls[54 - ghouls – in Arabic folklore, demonic spirits who inhabit cemeteries and deserted places]!” jokingly suggested Calhoun; “ogres[55 - ogres – in fairy-tales, giants eating human beings] from some other world, who’ve taken a fancy to have a promenade on this abominable prairie!”

The ex-officer was only humorous with an effort. As well as the others, he was under the influence of an uneasy feeling.

And no wonder. Against the northern horizon had suddenly become upreared a number of ink-coloured columns – half a score of them – unlike anything ever seen before. They were not of regular columnar form, nor fixed in any way; but constantly changing size, shape, and place – now steadfast for a time – now gliding over the charred surface like giants upon skates – anon, bending and balancing towards one another in the most fantastic figurings!

It required no great effort of imagination, to fancy the Titans[56 - Titans – in Greek mythology, the children of Uranius (Heaven) and Gaea (Earth)] of old, resuscitated on the prairies of Texas, leading a measure after some wild carousal in the company of Bacchus[57 - Bacchus – in Greek mythology and religion, the god of vegetation, better known as the god of wine and ecstasy; in Roman mythology this god is known as Dionysus]!

In the proximity of phenomena never observed before – unearthly in their aspect – unknown to every individual of the party – it was but natural these should be inspired with alarm.

And such was the fact. AВ sense of danger pervaded every bosom. All were impressed with aВ belief: that they were in the presence of some peril of the prairies.

A general halt had been made on first observing the strange objects: the negroes on foot, as well as the teamsters, giving utterance to shouts of terror. The animals – mules as well as horses, had come instinctively to a stand – the latter neighing and trembling – the former filling the air with their shrill screams.

These were not the only sounds.