the.lost.world-第25章

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　　　　〃Oh　shit；〃　he　said。
　　　　
On　the　tiny　dashboard　monitor；　they　had　a　view　looking　straight　down　at　the　powerful　body　of　a　Tyrannosaurus　rex；　as　it　moved　up　the　game　trail　toward　them。　Its　skin　was　a　mottled　reddish　brown；　the　color　of　dried　blood。　In　dappled　sunlight；　they　could　clearly　see　the　powerful　muscles　of　its　haunches。　The　animal　moved　quickly；　without　any　sign　of　fear　or　hesitation。
　　　　Staring；　Thorne　said；　〃Everybody　in　the　car。〃
　　　　The　men　climbed　hurriedly　in。　On　the　monitor；　the　tyrannosaur　moved　out　of　view　of　the　camera。　But；　sitting　in　the　Explorer；　they　could　hear　it　ing。　The　earth　was　shaking　beneath　them；　swaying　the　car　slightly。
　　　　Thorne　said；　〃Ian？　What　do　you　think　we　should　do？〃
　　　　Malcolm　didn't　answer。　He　was　frozen；　staring　forward；　eyes　blank。
　　　　〃Ian？〃　Thorne　said。
　　　　The　radio　clicked。　Arby　said；　〃Dr。　Thorne；　I've　lost　him　on　the　monitor。　Can　you　see　him　yet？〃
　　　　〃Jesus；〃　Eddie　said。
　　　　With　astonishing　speed　the　Tyrannosaurus　rex　burst　into　view；　emerging　from　the　foliage　to　the　right　of　the　Explorer。　The　animal　was　immense；　the　size　of　a　two…storey　building；　its　head　rising　high　above　them；　out　of　sight。　Yet　for　such　a　large　creature　it　moved　with　incredible　speed　and　agility。　Thorne　stared　in　stunned　silence；　waiting　to　see　what　would　happen。　He　felt　the　car　vibrate　with　each　thundering　footstep。　Eddie　moaned　softly。
　　　　But　the　tyrannosaur　ignored　them。　Continuing　at　the　same　rapid　pace；　it　moved　swiftly　past　the　front　of　the　Explorer。　They　hardly　had　a　chance　to　see　it　before　its　big　head　and　body　disappeared　into　the　foliage　to　the　left。　Now　they　saw　only　the　thick　counterbalancing　tail；　some　seven　feet　in　the　air；　swinging　back　and　forth　with　each　footstep　as　the　animal　moved　on。
　　　　So　fast！　Thorne　thought。　Fast！　The　giant　animal　had　emerged；　blocked　their　vision；　and　then　was　gone　again。　He　was　not　accustomed　to　seeing　something　that　big　move　so　fast。　Now　there　was　only　the　tip　of　the　tail　swinging　back　and　forth　as　the　animal　hurried　away。
　　　　Then　the　tail　banged　against　the　front　of　the　Explorer；　with　a　loud　metallic　clang。
　　　　
　　　　And　the　tyrannosaur　stopped。
　　　　They　heard　a　low；　uncertain　growl　from　the　jungle。　The　tail　swung　back　and　forth　in　the　air　again；　more　tentatively。　Soon　enough；　the　tail　brushed　lightly　against　the　radiator　a　second　time。
　　　　Now　they　saw　the　foliage　to　the　left　rustling　and　bending；　and　the　tail　was　gone。
　　　　Because　the　tyrannosaur；　Thorne　realized；　was　ing　back。
　　　　Re…emerging　from　the　jungle；　it　moved　toward　the　car；　until　it　was　standing　directly　in　front　of　them。　It　growled　again；　a　deep　rumbling　sound；　and　turned　its　head　slightly　from　side　to　side　to　look　at　this　strange　new　object。　Then　it　bent　over；　and　Thorne　could　see　that　the　tyrannosaur　had　something　in　its　mouth；　he　saw　the　legs　of　a　creature　dangling　on　both　sides　of　the　'aws。　Flies　buzzed　in　a　thick　cloud　around　the　tyrannosaur's　head。
　　　　Eddie　moaned。　〃Oh；　fuck。〃
　　　　〃Quiet；〃　Thorne　whispered。
　　　　The　tyrannosaurus　snorted；　and　looked　at　the　car。　It　bent　lower；　and　sniffed　repeatedly；　moving　its　head　slightly　to　the　left　and　right　with　each　inhalation。　Thorne　realized　it　was　smelling　the　radiator。　It　moved　laterally；　and　sniffed　the　tires。　Then　it　lifted　its　huge　head　slowly；　until　its　eyes　rose　above　the　surface　of　the　hood。　It　stared　at　them　through　the　windshield。　Its　eyes　blinked。　The　gaze　was　cold　and　reptilian。
　　　　Thorne　had　the　distinct　impression　that　the　tyrannosaur　was　looking　at　them：　its　eyes　shifted　from　one　person　to　the　next。　With　its　blunt　nose；　it　pushed　at　the　side　of　the　car；　rocking　it　slightly；　as　if　testing　its　weight；　measuring　it　as　an　opponent。　Thorne　gripped　the　steering　wheel　tightly　and　held　his　breath。
　　　　And　then；　abruptly；　the　tyrannosaur　stepped　away；　and　walked　to　the　front　of　the　car。　It　turned　its　back　on　them；　lifting　its　big　tail　high。　The　tyrannosaur　backed　up　toward　them。　They　heard　the　tail　scraping　across　the　roof　of　the　car。　The　rear　haunches　came　closer。。。
　　　　And　then　the　tyrannosaur　sat　down　on　the　hood；　tilting　the　vehicle　pushing　the　bumper　into　the　ground　with　its　enormous　weight。　At　first：　it　did　not　move；　but　simply　sat　there。　Then；　after　a　moment；　it　began　to　wriggle　its　hips　back　and　forth　in　a　quick　motion；　making　the　metal　squeak。
　　　　〃What　the　hell？〃　Eddie　said。
　　　　The　tyrannosaur　stood　again；　the　car　sprang　back　up；　and　Thorne　saw　thick　white　paste　smeared　across　the　hood。　The　tyrannosaur　immediately　moved　away；　heading　down　the　game　trail；　disappearing　into　the　jungle。
　　　　Behind　them；　they　saw　it　emerge　into　the　open　again；　stalk　across　the　open　pound。　It　lumbered　behind　the　convenience　store；　passed　between　two　of　the　cottages；　and　then　disappeared　from　sight　again。
　　　　Thorne　glanced　at　Eddie；　who　jerked　his　head　toward　Malcolm。　Malcolm　had　not　turned　to　watch　the　departing　tyrannosaur。　He　was　still　staring　forward；　his　body　tense。　〃Ian？〃　Thorne　said。　He　touched　him　on　the　shoulder
　　　　Malcolm　said；　〃Is　he　gone？〃
　　　　〃Yes。　He's　gone；
　　　　Ian　Malcolm's　body　relaxed；　his　shoulders　dropping。　He　exhaled　slowly。　His　head　sagged　to　his　chest。　He　took　a　deep　breath；　and　raised　his　head　again。　〃You've　got　to　admit；〃　he　said。　〃You　don't　see　that　every　day。〃
　　　　〃Are　you　okay？〃　Thorne　said。
　　　　〃Yeah；　sure。　I'm　fine。〃　He　put　his　hand　on　his　chest；　feeling　his　heart。　〃Of　Course　I'm　fine。　After　all；　that　was　just　a　small　one。〃
　　　　〃Small？〃　Eddie　said。　〃You　call　that　thing　small　…　〃
　　　　〃Yes；　for　a　tyrannosaur。　Females　are　quite　a　bit　larger。　There's　sexual　dimorphism　in　tyrannosaurs　…　the　females　are　bigger　than　the　males。　And　it's　generally　thought　they　did　most　of　the　hunting。　But　we　may　find　that　out　for　ourselves。〃
　　　　〃Wait　a　minute；〃Eddiesaid。〃What　makes　you　so　sure　he　was　a　male？〃
　　　　Malcolm　pointed　to　the　hood　of　the　car；　where　the　white　paste　now　gave　off　a　pungent　odor。　〃He　scent…marked　territory。〃
　　　　〃So？　Maybe　females　can　also　mark　…　〃
　　　　〃Very　likely　they　can；〃　Malcolm　said。　〃But　anal　scent　glands　are　found　only　among　males。　And　you　saw　how　he　did　it。〃
　　　　Eddie　stared　unhappily　at　the　hood。　〃I　hope　we　can　get　that　stuff　off；〃　he　said。　〃I　brought　some　solvents；　but　I　wasn't　expecting；　you　know。。。dino　musk。〃
　　　　The　radio　clicked。　〃Dr。　Thorne；〃　Arby　said。　〃Dr。　Thorne？　Is　everything　all　right？〃
　　　　〃Yes；　Arby。　Thanks　to　you；〃　he　said。
　　　　〃Then　why　are　you　waiting？　Dr。　Thorne？　Didn't　you　see　Dr。　Levine？〃
　　　　〃Not　yet；　no。〃　Thorne　reached　for　his　sensor　unit；　but　it　had　fallen　to　the　floor。　He　bent　over；　and　picked　it　up。　Levine's　coordinates　had　changed。　〃He's　moving。。。。〃
　　　　〃I　know　he's　moving。　Dr。　Thorne？〃
　　　　〃Yes；　Arby；〃　Thorne　said。　And　then　he　said；　〃Wait　a　minute。　How　do　you　know　he's　moving？〃
　　　　〃Because　I　can　see　him；〃　Arby　said。　〃He's　riding　a　bicycle。〃

Kelly　came　into　the　front　of　the　trailer；　yawning　and　pushing　her　hair　back　from　her　face。　〃Who're　you　talking　to；　Arb？〃　She　stared　at　the　monitor　and　said；　〃Hey；　pretty　neat。〃
　　　　〃I　got　onto　the　Site　B　network；〃　he　said。　〃What　network？〃
　　　　〃It's　a　radio　LAN；　Kel。　For　some　reason　it's　still　up。
　　　　'Is　that　right？　But　how　did　…　〃
　　　　〃Kids；〃　Thorne　said；　over　the　radio。　〃If　you　don't　mind。　We're　looking　for　Levine。〃
　　　　Arby　picked　up　the　handset。　〃He's　riding　a　bicycle　down　a　path　in　the　jungle。　It's　pretty　steep　and　narrow。　I　think　he's　following　the　same　path　as　the　tyrannosaur。〃
　　　　Kelly　said；　〃As　the　what？〃
　　　　
Thorne　put　the　car　in　gear；　driving　away　from　the　power　station；　toward　the　worker　pound。　He　went　past　the　gas　station；　and　then　between　the　cottages。　He　followed　the　same　path　the　tyrannosaur　had　taken。　The　game　trail　was　fairly　wide；　easy　to　follow。
　　　　〃We　shouldn't　have　those　kids　here；〃　Malcolm　said；　gloomily。　〃It's　not　safe。〃
　　　　〃Not　much　we　can　do　about　it　now；〃　Thorne　said。　He　clicked　the　radio。　〃Arby；　do　you　see　Levine　now？〃
　　　　The　car　bounced　through　what　had　once　been　a　flower　bed；　and　around　the　back　of　the　Manager's　Residence。　It　was　a　large　two…storey　building　built　in　a　tropical　colonial　style；　with　hardwood　balconies　all　around　the　upper　floor。　Like　the　other　houses；　it　was　overgrown。
　　　　The　radio　clicked。　〃Yes；　Dr。　Thorne。　I　see　him。〃
　　　　〃Where　is　he？〃
　　　　〃He's　following　the　tyrannosaur。　On　his　bicycle。〃
　　　　〃Following　the　tyrannosaur。〃　Malcolm　sighed。　〃I　should　never　have　gotten　involved　with　him。〃
　　　　〃We　all　agree　on　that；〃　Thorne　said。　He　accelerated；　driving　past　a　section　of　broken　stone　wall　which　seemed　to　mark　the　outer　perimeter　of　the　pound。　The　car　plunged　on　into　jungle；　following　the　game　trail。
　　　　Over　the　radio；　Arby　said；　〃Do　you　see　him　yet？〃
　　　　〃Not　yet。〃
　　　　The　trail　became　progressively　narrower；　twisting　as　it　ran　down　the　hillside。　They　came　around　a　curve；　and　suddenly　saw　a　fallen　tree　blocking　the　path。　The　tree　had　been　denuded　in　the　center；　its　branches　stripped　and　broken　…　presumably　because　large　animals　had　repeatedly　stepped　over　it。
　　　　Thorne　braked　to　a　stop　in　front　of　the　tree。　He　got　out；　and　walked　around　to　the　back　of　the　Explorer。
　　　　〃Doc；〃　Eddie　said。　〃Let　me　do　it。〃
　　　　〃No；〃　Thorne　said。　〃If　anything　happens；　you're　the　only　one　who　can　repair　the　equipment　You're　more　important；　especially　now　that　we　have　the　kids。〃
　　　　Standing　behind　the　car；　Thorne　lifted　the　motorcycle　off　the　carrier　hooks。　He　swung　it　down；　checked　the　battery　charge；　and　rolled　it　to　the　front　of　the　car。　He　said　to　Malcolm；　〃Give　me　that　rifle；〃　and　slung　the　rifle　around　his　shoulder。
　　　　Thorne　took　a　headset　from　the　dashboard；　and　put　it　over　his　head。　He　clipped　the　battery　pack　to　his　belt；　placed　the　microphone　alongside　his　cheek。　〃You　two　go　back　to　the　trailer；〃　Thorne　said。　〃Take　care　of　the　kids。〃
　　　　〃But　Doc。。。〃　Eddie　began。
　　　　〃Just　do　it；〃　Thorne　said；　and　lifted　the　motorcycle　over　the　fallen　tree。　He　set　it　down　on　the　other　side；　and　climbed　over　himself。　Then　he　saw　the　same　pungent；　pale　secretions　on　the　trunk；　it　had　smeared　on　his　hands。　He　glanced　back　at　Malcolm；　questioningly。
　　　　〃Marking　territory；〃　Malcolm　said。
　　　　〃Great；〃　Thorne　said。　〃Just　great。〃　He　wiped　his　hands　on　his　trousers。
　　　　Then　he　got　on　the　motorcycle；　and　drove　off。

Foliage　slapped　at　Thorne's　shoulders　and　legs　as　he　drove　down　the　game　trail；　following　the　tyrannosaur。　The　animal　was　somewhere　up　ahead；　but　he　couldn't　see　it。　He　was　driving　fast。
　　　　The　radio　headset　crackled。　Arby　said；　〃Dr。　Thorne？　I　can　see　you　now。〃
　　　　〃Okay；〃　Thorne　said。
　　　　It　crackled　again。　〃But　I　can't　see　Dr。　Levine　any　more；〃　Arby　said。　He　sounded　worried。
　　　　The　electric　motorcycle　made　hardly　any　noise；　particularly　going　downhill。　Up　ahead；　the　game　trail　divided　in　two。　Thorne　stopped；　leaned　over　the　bike；　looking　at　the　muddy　path。　He　saw　the　footprints　of　the　tyrannosaur；　going　off　to　the　left。　And　he　saw　the　thin　line　of　the　bicycle　tires。　Also　going　off　to　the　left。
　　　　He　took　the　left　fork；　but　now　he　drove　more　slowly。
　　　　Ten　yards　ahead；　Thorne　passed　the　partially　eaten　leg　of　a　creature；　which　lay　at　the　side　of　the　path。　The　leg　was　old；　it　was　crawling　with　white　maggots　and　flies。　In　the　morning　heat；　the　sharp　smell　was　nauseating。　He　continued；　but　soon　saw　the　skull　of　a　large　animal；　some　of　the　flesh　and　green