The Manatitlans: or, A record of recent scientific explorations in the Andean La Plata, S. A.Smile, R. Elton
Science
The Manatitlans: or, A record of recent scientific explorations in the Andean La Plata, S. A.
Smile, R. Elton
Science fiction, American
As Waantha had discovered Indian scouts lurking above and below upon
either bank of the river, Mr. Dow exercised his engineering skill in
forming on the pampa a defensive redoubt for the night protection of the
horses and mules. Dr. Baāhar theoretically explained the Latin
nomenclature of the different departments of the Roman castrum, which
possessed from his natural and cultivated innocence from mechanical
attaint the supreme “virtue” of novelty. Mr. Dow submitted to his
classical dictations, but stoutly refused to adopt his method of
fortification, which the doctor styled _fossa cingere internus_, or
moating inside of the redoubt, notwithstanding the strongly urged
advantage of its strategic intention of concealment, that would lead the
savages, on gaining the summit of the embankment, to take a blind leap
into it. Fortunately the padre was present to divert the argument, which
enabled him to render practical assistance to his Bamboyle aids for the
completion of the inclosure in time for the night’s occupation. The
absence of the doctor and padre from the supper table caused the captain
to inquire where they were? Mr. Dow said that he had left them but a
short time previous seated on the sods of the embankment engaged in a
dogmatic discussion of the feasibility of the various methods adopted by
the ancients and moderns for citadel defense, the doctor quoting from
“Plutarch’s Lives” and the padre from Bunyan’s “Holy War” as the best
English authority. Aggravated by the heedless lack of sympathy shown in
the use of their tongues, the while withholding the useful aid of their
hands, the captain, on their appearance, reprimanded the doctor over the
padre’s shoulders with tart severity, which caused both to give heed to
the practical suggestions of Mr. Welson in train for the outfit of the
overland expedition. From the direction of Correliana, who seemed to
have an innate perception of her entertainers’ dispositions, the captain
concluded to continue the voyage up the river to a point she described
as more favorable for debarkation, as it was nearer the southern passes
of the mountains that opened a way to the city of Heraclea.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account