Butthelightgrewstronger。Itwasgreeny，likeglow—worms’
lamps，anditgrewandgrewtillitwasasthoughthousandsandthousandsofglow—wormsweresignallingtotheirwingedsweetheartsfromthemiddleofthecircle。Andthevoicegrew，notsomuchinloudnessasinsweetness（thoughitgrewlouder，too），tillitwassosweetthatyouwantedtocrywithpleasurejustatthesoundofit。Itwaslikenightingales，andthesea，andthefiddle，andthevoiceofyourmotherwhenyouhavebeenalongtimeaway，andshemeetsyouatthedoorwhenyougethome。
Andthevoicesaid——
’Speak。Whatisitthatyouwouldhear？’
Icannottellyouwhatlanguagethevoiceused。Ionlyknowthateveryonepresentunderstooditperfectly。Ifyoucometothinkofit，theremustbesomelanguagethateveryonecouldunderstand，ifweonlyknewwhatitwas。NorcanItellyouhowthecharmspoke，norwhetheritwasthecharmthatspoke，orsomepresenceinthecharm。Thechildrencouldnothavetoldyoueither。Indeed，theycouldnotlookatthecharmwhileitwasspeaking，becausethelightwastoobright。TheylookedinsteadatthegreenradianceonthefadedKidderminstercarpetattheedgeofthecircle。Theyallfeltveryquiet，andnotinclinedtoaskquestionsorfidgetwiththeirfeet。ForthiswasnotlikethethingsthathadhappenedinthecountrywhenthePsammeadhadgiventhemtheirwishes。Thathadbeenfunnysomehow，andthiswasnot。ItwassomethinglikeArabianNightsmagic，andsomethinglikebeinginchurch。Noonecaredtospeak。
ItwasCyrilwhosaidatlast——
’Pleasewewanttoknowwheretheotherhalfofthecharmis。’
’ThepartoftheAmuletwhichislost，’saidthebeautifulvoice，’wasbrokenandgroundintothedustoftheshrinethatheldit。
Itandthepinthatjoinedthetwohalvesarethemselvesdust，andthedustisscatteredovermanylandsandsunkinmanyseas。’
’Oh，Isay！’murmuredRobert，andablanksilencefell。’Thenit’sallup？’saidCyrilatlast；’it’snouseourlookingforathingthat’ssmashedintodust，andthedustscatteredallovertheplace。’
’Ifyouwouldfindit，’saidthevoice，’Youmustseekitwhereitstillis，perfectasever。’
’Idon’tunderstand，’saidCyril。
’InthePastyoumayfindit，’saidthevoice。
’IwishweMAYfindit，’saidCyril。
ThePsammeadwhisperedcrossly，’Don’tyouunderstand？ThethingexistedinthePast。IfyouwereinthePast，too，youcouldfindit。It’sverydifficulttomakeyouunderstandthings。
Timeandspaceareonlyformsofthought。’
’Isee，’saidCyril。
’No，youdon’t，’saidthePsammead，’anditdoesn’tmatterifyoudon’t，either。WhatImeanisthatifyouwereonlymadetherightway，youcouldseeeverythinghappeninginthesameplaceatthesametime。Nowdoyousee？’
’I’mafraid_I_don’t，’saidAnthea；’I’msorryI’msostupid。’
’Well，atanyrate，youseethis。ThatlosthalfoftheAmuletisinthePast。Thereforeit’sinthePastwemustlookforit。
Imustn’tspeaktothecharmmyself。Askitthings！Findout！’
’Wherecanwefindtheotherpartofyou？’askedCyrilobediently。
’InthePast，’saidthevoice。
’WhatpartofthePast？’
’Imaynottellyou。Ifyouwillchooseatime，Iwilltakeyoutotheplacethatthenheldit。Youyourselvesmustfindit。’
’Whendidyouseeitlast？’askedAnthea——’Imean，whenwasittakenawayfromyou？’
Thebeautifulvoiceanswered——
’Thatwasthousandsofyearsago。TheAmuletwasperfectthen，andlayinashrine，thelastofmanyshrines，andIworkedwonders。Thencamestrangemenwithstrangeweaponsanddestroyedmyshrine，andtheAmulettheyboreawaywithmanycaptives。Butofthese，one，mypriest，knewthewordofpower，andspokeitforme，sothattheAmuletbecameinvisible，andthusreturnedtomyshrine，buttheshrinewasbrokendown，andereanymagiccouldrebuilditonespokeawordbeforewhichmypowerboweddownandwasstill。AndtheAmuletlaythere，stillperfect，butenslaved。Thenonecomingwithstonestorebuildtheshrine，droppedahewnstoneontheAmuletasitlay，andonehalfwassunderedfromtheother。Ihadnopowertoseekforthatwhichwaslost。Andtherebeingnonetospeakthewordofpower，Icouldnotrejoinit。SotheAmuletlayinthedustofthedesertmanythousandyears，andatlastcameasmallman，aconquerorwithanarmy，andafterhimacrowdofmenwhosoughttoseemwise，andoneofthesefoundhalftheAmuletandbroughtittothisland。Butnonecouldreadthename。SoIlaystill。
Andthismandyingandhissonafterhim，theAmuletwassoldbythosewhocameaftertoamerchant，andfromhimyouboughtit，anditishere，andnow，thenameofpowerhavingbeenspoken，I
alsoamhere。’
Thisiswhatthevoicesaid。IthinkitmusthavemeantNapoleonbythesmallman，theconqueror。BecauseIknowIhavebeentoldthathetookanarmytoEgypt，andthatafterwardsalotofwisepeoplewentgrubbinginthesand，andfishedupallsortsofwonderfulthings，olderthanyouwouldthinkpossible。AndoftheseIbelievethischarmtohavebeenone，andthemostwonderfuloneofall。
Everyonelistened：andeveryonetriedtothink。ItisnoteasytodothisclearlywhenyouhavebeenlisteningtothekindoftalkIhavetoldyouabout。
AtlastRobertsaid——
’CanyoutakeusintothePast——totheshrinewhereyouandtheotherthingweretogether。Ifyoucouldtakeusthere，wemightfindtheotherpartstillthereafterallthesethousandsofyears。’
’Stillthere？silly！’saidCyril。’Don’tyousee，ifwegobackintothePastitwon’tbethousandsofyearsago。ItwillbeNOW
forus——won’tit？’HeappealedtothePsammead，whosaid——
’You’renotsofarofftheideaasyouusuallyare！’
’Well，’saidAnthea，’willyoutakeusbacktowhentherewasashrineandyouweresafeinit——allofyou？’
’Yes，’saidthevoice。’Youmustholdmeup，andspeakthewordofpower，andonebyone，beginningwiththefirst—born，youshallpassthroughmeintothePast。Butletthelastthatpassesbetheonethatholdsme，andlethimnotlosehishold，lestyouloseme，andsoremaininthePastforever。’
’That’sanastyidea，’saidRobert。
’Whenyoudesiretoreturn，’thebeautifulvoicewenton，’holdmeuptowardstheEast，andspeaktheword。Then，passingthroughme，youshallreturntothistimeanditshallbethepresenttoyou。’
’Buthow——’Abellrangloudly。
’Ohcrikey！’exclaimedRobert，’that’stea！Willyoupleasemakeitproperdaylightagainsothatwecangodown。Andthankyousomuchforallyourkindness。’
’We’veenjoyedourselvesverymuchindeed，thankyou！’addedAntheapolitely。
Thebeautifullightfadedslowly。Thegreatdarknessandsilencecameandthesesuddenlychangedtothedazzlementofdayandthegreatsoft，rustlingsoundofLondon，thatislikesomevastbeastturningoverinitssleep。
Thechildrenrubbedtheireyes，thePsammeadranquicklytoitssandybath，andtheotherswentdowntotea。Anduntilthecupswereactuallyfilledteaseemedlessrealthanthebeautifulvoiceandthegreenylight。
AfterteaAntheapersuadedtheotherstoallowhertohangthecharmroundherneckwithapieceofstring。
’Itwouldbesoawfulifitgotlost，’shesaid：’itmightgetlostanywhere，youknow，anditwouldberatherbeastlyforustohavetostayinthePastforeverandever，wouldn’tit？’
CHAPTER4
EIGHTTHOUSANDYEARSAGO
NextmorningAntheagotoldNursetoallowhertotakeupthe’poorlearnedgentleman’s’breakfast。Hedidnotrecognizeheratfirst，butwhenhedidhewasvaguelypleasedtoseeher。
’YouseeI’mwearingthecharmroundmyneck，’shesaid；’I’mtakingcareofit——likeyoutoldusto。’
’That’sright，’saidhe；’didyouhaveagoodgamelastnight？’
’Youwilleatyourbreakfastbeforeit’scold，won’tyou？’saidAnthea。’Yes，wehadasplendidtime。Thecharmmadeitalldark，andthengreenylight，andthenitspoke。Oh！Iwishyoucouldhaveheardit——itwassuchadarlingvoice——andittoldustheotherhalfofitwaslostinthePast，soofcourseweshallhavetolookforitthere！’
ThelearnedgentlemanrubbedhishairwithbothhandsandlookedanxiouslyatAnthea。
’Isupposeit’snatural——youthfulimaginationandsoforth，’hesaid。’Yetsomeonemusthave……Whotoldyouthatsomepartofthecharmwasmissing？’
’Ican’ttellyou，’shesaid。’Iknowitseemsmostawfullyrude，especiallyafterbeingsokindabouttellingusthenameofpower，andallthat，butreally，I’mnotallowedtotellanybodyanythingaboutthe——the——thepersonwhotoldme。Youwon’tforgetyourbreakfast，willyou？’
Thelearnedgentlemansmiledfeeblyandthenfrowned——notacross—frown，butapuzzle—frown。
’Thankyou，’hesaid，’Ishallalwaysbepleasedifyou’lllookin——anytimeyou’repassingyouknow——atleast……’
’Iwill，’shesaid；’goodbye。I’llalwaystellyouanythingI
MAYtell。’
Hehadnothadmanyadventureswithchildreninthem，andhewonderedwhetherallchildrenwerelikethese。Hespentquitefiveminutesinwonderingbeforehesettleddowntothefifty—secondchapterofhisgreatbookon’TheSecretRitesofthePriestsofAmenRa’。
ItisnousetopretendthatthechildrendidnotfeelagooddealofagitationatthethoughtofgoingthroughthecharmintothePast。Thatidea，thatperhapstheymightstayinthePastandnevergetbackagain，wasanythingbutpleasing。Yetnoonewouldhavedaredtosuggestthatthecharmshouldnotbeused；
andthougheachwasinitsheartveryfrightenedindeed，theywouldallhavejoinedinjeeringatthecowardiceofanyoneofthemwhoshouldhaveutteredthetimidbutnaturalsuggestion，’Don’tlet’s！’
Itseemednecessarytomakearrangementsforbeingoutallday，fortherewasnoreasontosupposethatthesoundofthedinner—bellwouldbeabletoreachbackintothePast，anditseemedunwisetoexciteoldNurse’scuriositywhennothingtheycouldsay——noteventhetruth——couldinanywaysatisfyit。TheywereallveryproudtothinkhowwelltheyhadunderstoodwhatthecharmandthePsammeadhadsaidaboutTimeandSpaceandthingslikethat，andtheywereperfectlycertainthatitwouldbequiteimpossibletomakeoldNurseunderstandasinglewordofit。SotheymerelyaskedhertoletthemtaketheirdinneroutintoRegent’sPark——andthis，withtheimpliedcoldmuttonandtomatoes，wasreadilygranted。
’Youcangetyourselvessomebunsorsponge—cakes，orwhateveryoufancy—like，’saidoldNurse，givingCyrilashilling。’Don’tgogettingjam—tarts，now——somessyatthebestoftimes，andwithoutforksandplatesruinationtoyourclothes，besidesyournotbeingabletowashyourhandsandfacesafterwards。’
SoCyriltooktheshilling，andtheyallstartedoff。TheywentroundbytheTottenhamCourtRoadtobuyapieceofwaterproofsheetingtoputoverthePsammeadincaseitshouldberaininginthePastwhentheygotthere。ForitisalmostcertaindeathtoaPsammeadtogetwet。
Thesunwasshiningverybrightly，andevenLondonlookedpretty。
Womenweresellingrosesfrombigbaskets—full，andAntheaboughtfourroses，oneeach，forherselfandtheothers。Theywereredrosesandsmeltofsummer——thekindofrosesyoualwayswantsodesperatelyataboutChristmas—timewhenyoucanonlygetmistletoe，whichispalerightthroughtoitsveryscent，andhollywhichpricksyournoseifyoutrytosmellit。Sonoweveryonehadaroseinitsbuttonhole，andsooneveryonewassittingonthegrassinRegent’sParkundertreeswhoseleaveswouldhavebeenclean，cleargreeninthecountry，buthereweredustyandyellowish，andbrownattheedges。
’We’vegottogoonwithit，’saidAnthea，’andastheeldesthastogofirst，you’llhavetobelast，Jane。Youquiteunderstandaboutholdingontothecharmasyougothrough，don’tyou，Pussy？’
’IwishIhadn’tgottobelast，’saidJane。
’YoushallcarrythePsammeadifyoulike，’saidAnthea。’Thatis，’sheadded，rememberingthebeast’squeertemper，’ifit’llletyou。’
ThePsammead，however，wasunexpectedlyamiable。
’_I_don’tmind，’itsaid，’whocarriesme，solongasitdoesn’tdropme。Ican’tbearbeingdropped。’
JanewithtremblinghandstookthePsammeadanditsfish—basketunderonearm。Thecharm’slongstringwashungroundherneck。
Thentheyallstoodup。Janeheldoutthecharmatarm’slength，andCyrilsolemnlypronouncedthewordofpower。
Ashespokeitthecharmgrewtallandbroad，andhesawthatJanewasjustholdingontotheedgeofagreatredarchofverycuriousshape。Theopeningofthearchwassmall，butCyrilsawthathecouldgothroughit。AllroundandbeyondthearchwerethefadedtreesandtrampledgrassofRegent’sPark，wherethelittleraggedchildrenwereplayingRing—o’—Roses。Butthroughtheopeningofitshoneablazeofblueandyellowandred。
Cyrildrewalongbreathandstiffenedhislegssothattheothersshouldnotseethathiskneesweretremblingandalmostknockingtogether。’Heregoes！’hesaid，and，steppingupthroughthearch，disappeared。ThenfollowedAnthea。Robert，comingnext，heldfast，atAnthea’ssuggestion，tothesleeveofJane，whowasthusdraggedsafelythroughthearch。AndassoonastheywereontheothersideofthearchtherewasnomorearchatallandnomoreRegent’sParkeither，onlythecharminJane’shand，anditwasitspropersizeagain。Theywerenowinalightsobrightthattheywinkedandblinkedandrubbedtheireyes。
DuringthisdazzlingintervalAntheafeltforthecharmandpusheditinsideJane’sfrock，sothatitmightbequitesafe。
Whentheireyesgotusedtothenewwonderfullightthechildrenlookedaroundthem。Theskywasvery，veryblue，anditsparkledandglitteredanddazzledliketheseaathomewhenthesunshinesonit。
Theywerestandingonalittleclearinginathick，lowforest；
thereweretreesandshrubsandaclose，thorny，tanglyundergrowth。Infrontofthemstretchedabankofstrangeblackmud，thencamethebrowny—yellowyshiningribbonofariver。
Thenmoredry，cakedmudandmoregreeny—brownyjungle。Theonlythingsthattoldthathumanpeoplehadbeenthereweretheclearing，apaththatledtoit，andanoddarrangementofcutreedsintheriver。
Theylookedateachother。
’Well！’saidRobert，’thisISachangeofair！’
Itwas。Theairwashotterthantheycouldhaveimagined，eveninLondoninAugust。
’IwishIknewwherewewere，’saidCyril。
’Here’sariver，now——Iwonderwhetherit’stheAmazonortheTiber，orwhat。’
’It’stheNile，’saidthePsammead，lookingoutofthefish—bag。
’ThenthisisEgypt，’saidRobert，whohadoncetakenageographyprize。
’Idon’tseeanycrocodiles，’Cyrilobjected。Hisprizehadbeenfornaturalhistory。
ThePsammeadreachedoutahairyarmfromitsbasketandpointedtoaheapofmudattheedgeofthewater。
’Whatdoyoucallthat？’itsaid；andasitspoketheheapofmudslidintotheriverjustasaslabofdampmixedmortarwillslipfromabricklayer’strowel。
’Oh！’saideverybody。
Therewasacrashingamongthereedsontheothersideofthewater。
’Andthere’sariver—horse！’saidthePsammead，asagreatbeastlikeanenormousslaty—blueslugshoweditselfagainsttheblackbankonthefarsideofthestream。
’It’sahippopotamus，’saidCyril；’itseemsmuchmorerealsomehowthantheoneattheZoo，doesn’tit？’
’I’mgladit’sbeingrealontheothersideoftheriver，’saidJane。Andnowtherewasacracklingofreedsandtwigsbehindthem。Thiswashorrible。Ofcourseitmightbeanotherhippopotamus，oracrocodile，oralion——or，infact，almostanything。
’Keepyourhandonthecharm，Jane，’saidRoberthastily。’Weoughttohaveameansofescapehandy。I’mdeadcertainthisisthesortofplacewheresimplyanythingmighthappentous。’
’Ibelieveahippopotamusisgoingtohappentous，’saidJane——’avery，verybigone。’
Theyhadallturnedtofacethedanger。
’Don’tbesillylittleduffers，’saidthePsammeadinitsfriendly，informalway；’it’snotariver—horse。It’sahuman。’
Itwas。Itwasagirl——ofaboutAnthea’sage。Herhairwasshortandfair，andthoughherskinwastannedbythesun，youcouldseethatitwouldhavebeenfairtooifithadhadachance。Shehadeverychanceofbeingtanned，forshehadnoclothestospeakof，andthefourEnglishchildren，carefullydressedinfrocks，hats，shoes，stockings，coats，collars，andalltherestofit，enviedhermorethananywordsoftheirsorofminecouldpossiblysay。Therewasnodoubtthatherewastherightcostumeforthatclimate。
Shecarriedapotonherhead，ofredandblackearthenware。Shedidnotseethechildren，whoshrankbackagainsttheedgeofthejungle，andshewentforwardtothebrinkoftherivertofillherpitcher。Asshewentshemadeastrangesortofdroning，humming，melancholynoiseallontwonotes。Antheacouldnothelpthinkingthatperhapsthegirlthoughtthisnoisewassinging。
Thegirlfilledthepitcherandsetitdownbytheriverbank。
Thenshewadedintothewaterandstoopedoverthecircleofcutreeds。Shepulledhalfadozenfinefishoutofthewaterwithinthereeds，killingeachasshetookitout，andthreadingitonalongosierthatshecarried。Thensheknottedtheosier，hungitonherarm，pickedupthepitcher，andturnedtocomeback。Andassheturnedshesawthefourchildren。ThewhitedressesofJaneandAntheastoodoutlikesnowagainstthedarkforestbackground。Shescreamedandthepitcherfell，andthewaterwasspilledoutoverthehardmudsurfaceandoverthefish，whichhadfallentoo。Thenthewaterslowlytrickledawayintothedeepcracks。
’Don’tbefrightened，’Antheacried，’wewon’thurtyou。’
’Whoareyou？’saidthegirl。
Now，onceforall，IamnotgoingtobebotheredtotellyouhowitwasthatthegirlcouldunderstandAntheaandAntheacouldunderstandthegirl。YOU，atanyrate，wouldnotunderstandME，ifItriedtoexplainit，anymorethanyoucanunderstandabouttimeandspacebeingonlyformsofthought。Youmaythinkwhatyoulike。Perhapsthechildrenhadfoundouttheuniversallanguagewhicheveryonecanunderstand，andwhichwisemensofarhavenotfound。Youwillhavenoticedlongagothattheyweresingularlyluckychildren，andtheymayhavehadthispieceofluckaswellasothers。Oritmayhavebeenthat……butwhypursuethequestionfurther？Thefactremainsthatinalltheiradventuresthemuddle—headedinventionswhichwecallforeignlanguagesneverbotheredthemintheleast。Theycouldalwaysunderstandandbeunderstood。Ifyoucanexplainthis，pleasedo。IdaresayIcouldunderstandyourexplanation，thoughyoucouldneverunderstandmine。
Sowhenthegirlsaid，’Whoareyou？’everyoneunderstoodatonce，andAntheareplied——
’Wearechildren——justlikeyou。Don’tbefrightened。Won’tyoushowuswhereyoulive？’
JaneputherfacerightintothePsammead’sbasket，andburrowedhermouthintoitsfurtowhisper——
’Isitsafe？Won’ttheyeatus？Aretheycannibals？’
ThePsammeadshruggeditsfur。
’Don’tmakeyourvoicebuzzlikethat，itticklesmyears，’itsaidrathercrossly。’YoucanalwaysgetbacktoRegent’sParkintimeifyoukeepfastholdofthecharm，’itsaid。
Thestrangegirlwastremblingwithfright。
Antheahadabangleonherarm。Itwasasevenpenny—halfpennytrumperythingthatpretendedtobesilver；ithadaglassheartofturquoisebluehangingfromit，anditwasthegiftofthemaid—of—all—workattheFitzroyStreethouse。’Here，’saidAnthea，’thisisforyou。Thatistoshowwewillnothurtyou。
AndifyoutakeitIshallknowthatyouwon’thurtus。’
Thegirlheldoutherhand。Antheaslidthebangleoverit，andthegirl’sfacelightedupwiththejoyofpossession。
’Come，’shesaid，lookinglovinglyatthebangle；’itispeacebetweenyourhouseandmine。’
Shepickedupherfishandpitcherandledthewayupthenarrowpathbywhichshehadcomeandtheothersfollowed。
’Thisissomethinglike！’saidCyril，tryingtobebrave。
’Yes！’saidRobert，alsoassumingaboldnesshewasfarfromfeeling，’thisreallyandtrulyISanadventure！ItsbeinginthePastmakesitquitedifferentfromthePhoenixandCarpethappenings。’
Thebeltofthick—growingacaciatreesandshrubs——mostlypricklyandunpleasant—looking——seemedabouthalfamileacross。Thepathwasnarrowandthewooddark。Atlast，ahead，daylightshonethroughtheboughsandleaves。
Thewholepartysuddenlycameoutofthewood’sshadowintotheglareofthesunlightthatshoneonagreatstretchofyellowsand，dottedwithheapsofgreyrockswherespikycactusplantsshowedgaudycrimsonandpinkflowersamongtheirshabby，sand—pepperedleaves。Awaytotherightwassomethingthatlookedlikeagrey—brownhedge，andfrombeyonditbluesmokewentuptothebluersky。Andoverallthesunshonetillyoucouldhardlybearyourclothes。
’ThatiswhereIlive，’saidthegirlpointing。
’Iwon’tgo，’whisperedJaneintothebasket，’unlessyousayit’sallright。’
ThePsammeadoughttohavebeentouchedbythisproofofconfidence。Perhaps，however，itlookeduponitasaproofofdoubt，foritmerelysnarled——
’Ifyoudon’tgonowI’llneverhelpyouagain。’
’OH，’whisperedAnthea，’dearJane，don’t！ThinkofFatherandMotherandallofusgettingourheart’sdesire。Andwecangobackanyminute。Comeon！’
’Besides，’saidCyril，inalowvoice，’thePsammeadmustknowthere’snodangeroritwouldn’tgo。It’snotsooverandabovebraveitself。Comeon！’
ThisJaneatlastconsentedtodo。
Astheygotnearertothebrownyfencetheysawthatitwasagreathedgeabouteightfeethigh，madeofpiled—upthornbushes。
’What’sthatfor？’askedCyril。
’Tokeepoutfoesandwildbeasts，’saidthegirl。
’Ishouldthinkitoughtto，too，’saidhe。’Why，someofthethornsareaslongasmyfoot。’
Therewasanopeninginthehedge，andtheyfollowedthegirlthroughit。Alittlewayfurtheronwasanotherhedge，notsohigh，alsoofdrythornbushes，verypricklyandspiteful—looking，andwithinthiswasasortofvillageofhuts。
Therewerenogardensandnoroads。Justhutsbuiltofwoodandtwigsandclay，androofedwithgreatpalm—leaves，dumpeddownanywhere。Thedoorsofthesehouseswereverylow，likethedoorsofdog—kennels。Thegroundbetweenthemwasnotpathsorstreets，butjustyellowsandtrampledveryhardandsmooth。
InthemiddleofthevillagetherewasahedgethatenclosedwhatseemedtobeapieceofgroundaboutasbigastheirowngardeninCamdenTown。
Nosoonerwerethechildrenwellwithintheinnerthornhedgethandozensofmenandwomenandchildrencamecrowdingroundfrombehindandinsidethehuts。
Thegirlstoodprotectinglyinfrontofthefourchildren，andsaid——
’Theyarewonder—childrenfrombeyondthedesert。Theybringmarvellousgifts，andIhavesaidthatitispeacebetweenusandthem。’
SheheldoutherarmwiththeLowtherArcadebangleonit。
ThechildrenfromLondon，wherenothingnowsurprisesanyone，hadneverbeforeseensomanypeoplelooksoastonished。
Theycrowdedroundthechildren，touchingtheirclothes，theirshoes，thebuttonsontheboys’jackets，andthecoralofthegirls’necklaces。
’Dosaysomething，’whisperedAnthea。
’Wecome，’saidCyril，withsomedimremembranceofadreadfuldaywhenhehadhadtowaitinanouterofficewhilehisfatherinterviewedasolicitor，andtherehadbeennothingtoreadbuttheDailyTelegraph——’wecomefromtheworldwherethesunneversets。Andpeacewithhonouriswhatwewant。WearethegreatAnglo—Saxonorconqueringrace。NotthatwewanttoconquerYOU，’headdedhastily。’Weonlywanttolookatyourhousesandyour——well，atallyou’vegothere，andthenweshallreturntoourownplace，andtellofallthatwehaveseensothatyournamemaybefamed。’
Cyril’sspeechdidn’tkeepthecrowdfrompressingroundandlookingaseagerlyaseverattheclothingofthechildren。
Antheahadanideathatthesepeoplehadneverseenwovenstuffbefore，andshesawhowwonderfulandstrangeitmustseemtopeoplewhohadneverhadanyclothesbuttheskinsofbeasts。
Thesewing，too，ofmodernclothesseemedtoastonishthemverymuch。Theymusthavebeenabletosewthemselves，bytheway，formenwhoseemedtobethechiefsworeknickerbockersofgoat—skinordeer—skin，fastenedroundthewaistwithtwistedstripsofhide。Andthewomenworelongskimpyskirtsofanimals’skins。Thepeoplewerenotverytall，theirhairwasfair，andmenandwomenbothhaditshort。Theireyeswereblue，andthatseemedoddinEgypt。Mostofthemweretattooedlikesailors，onlymoreroughly。
’Whatisthis？Whatisthis？’theykeptaskingtouchingthechildren’sclothescuriously。
AntheahastilytookoffJane’sfrillylacecollarandhandedittothewomanwhoseemedmostfriendly。
’Takethis，’shesaid，’andlookatit。Andleaveusalone。Wewanttotalkamongourselves。’
Shespokeinthetoneofauthoritywhichshehadalwaysfoundsuccessfulwhenshehadnottimetocoaxherbabybrothertodoashewastold。Thetonewasjustassuccessfulnow。Thechildrenwerelefttogetherandthecrowdretreated。Itpausedadozenyardsawaytolookatthelacecollarandtogoontalkingashardasitcould。
Thechildrenwillneverknowwhatthosepeoplesaid，thoughtheyknewwellenoughthatthey，thefourstrangers，werethesubjectofthetalk。Theytriedtocomfortthemselvesbyrememberingthegirl’spromiseoffriendliness，butofcoursethethoughtofthecharmwasmorecomfortablethananythingelse。Theysatdownonthesandintheshadowofthehedged—roundplaceinthemiddleofthevillage，andnowforthefirsttimetheywereabletolookaboutthemandtoseesomethingmorethanacrowdofeager，curiousfaces。
Theyherenoticedthatthewomenworenecklacesmadeofbeadsofdifferentcolouredstone，andfromthesehungpendantsofodd，strangeshapes，andsomeofthemhadbraceletsofivoryandflint。
’Isay，’saidRobert，’whatalotwecouldteachthemifwestayedhere！’
’Iexpecttheycouldteachussomethingtoo，’saidCyril。’DidyounoticethatflintbraceletthewomanhadthatAntheagavethecollarto？Thatmusthavetakensomemaking。Lookhere，they’llgetsuspiciousifwetalkamongourselves，andIdowanttoknowabouthowtheydothings。Let’sgetthegirltoshowusround，andwecanbethinkingabouthowtogettheAmuletatthesametime。Onlymind，wemustkeeptogether。’
Antheabeckonedtothegirl，whowasstandingalittlewayofflookingwistfullyatthem，andshecamegladly。
’Tellushowyoumakethebracelets，thestoneones，’saidCyril。
’Withotherstones，’saidthegirl；’themenmakethem；wehavemenofspecialskillinsuchwork。’
’Haven’tyouanyirontools？’
’Iron，’saidthegirl，’Idon’tknowwhatyoumean。’Itwasthefirstwordshehadnotunderstood。
’Areallyourtoolsofflint？’askedCyril。’Ofcourse，’saidthegirl，openinghereyeswide。
IwishIhadtimetotellyouofthattalk。TheEnglishchildrenwantedtohearallaboutthisnewplace，buttheyalsowantedtotelloftheirowncountry。Itwaslikewhenyoucomebackfromyourholidaysandyouwanttohearandtotelleverythingatthesametime。Asthetalkwentonthereweremoreandmorewordsthatthegirlcouldnotunderstand，andthechildrensoongaveuptheattempttoexplaintoherwhattheirowncountrywaslike，whentheybegantoseehowveryfewofthethingstheyhadalwaysthoughttheycouldnotdowithoutwerereallynotatallnecessarytolife。
Thegirlshowedthemhowthehutsweremade——indeed，asonewasbeingmadethatverydayshetookthemtolookatit。Thewayofbuildingwasverydifferentfromours。Themenstucklongpiecesofwoodintoapieceofgroundthesizeofthehuttheywantedtomake。Thesewereabouteightinchesapart；thentheyputinanotherrowabouteightinchesawayfromthefirst，andthenathirdrowstillfurtherout。Thenallthespacebetweenwasfilledupwithsmallbranchesandtwigs，andthendaubedoverwithblackmudworkedwiththefeettillitwassoftandstickylikeputty。
Thegirltoldthemhowthemenwenthuntingwithflintspearsandarrows，andhowtheymadeboatswithreedsandclay。Thensheexplainedthereedthingintheriverthatshehadtakenthefishoutof。Itwasafish—trap——justaringofreedssetupinthewaterwithonlyonelittleopeninginit，andinthisopening，justbelowthewater，werestuckreedsslantingthewayoftheriver’sflow，sothatthefish，whentheyhadswumsillilyin，sillilycouldn’tgetoutagain。Sheshowedthemtheclaypotsandjarsandplatters，someofthemornamentedwithblackandredpatterns，andthemostwonderfulthingsmadeofflintanddifferentsortsofstone，beads，andornaments，andtoolsandweaponsofallsortsandkinds。
’Itisreallywonderful，’saidCyrilpatronizingly，’whenyouconsiderthatit’salleightthousandyearsago——’
’Idon’tunderstandyou，’saidthegirl。
’ItISN’Teightthousandyearsago，’whisperedJane。’It’sNOW——andthat’sjustwhatIdon’tlikeaboutit。Isay，DOlet’sgethomeagainbeforeanythingmorehappens。Youcanseeforyourselvesthecharmisn’there。’
’What’sinthatplaceinthemiddle？’askedAnthea，struckbyasuddenthought，andpointingtothefence。
’That’sthesecretsacredplace，’saidthegirlinawhisper。
’Nooneknowswhatisthere。Therearemanywalls，andinsidetheinsidestoneITis，butnooneknowswhatITisexcepttheheadsmen。’
’IbelieveYOUknow，’saidCyril，lookingatherveryhard。
’I’llgiveyouthisifyou’lltellme，’saidAntheatakingoffabead—ringwhichhadalreadybeenmuchadmired。
’Yes，’saidthegirl，catchingeagerlyatthering。’Myfatherisoneoftheheads，andIknowawatercharmtomakehimtalkinhissleep。Andhehasspoken。Iwilltellyou。ButiftheyknowIhavetoldyoutheywillkillme。Intheinsidestinsidethereisastonebox，andinitthereistheAmulet。Noneknowswhenceitcame。Itcamefromveryfaraway。’
’Haveyouseenit？’askedAnthea。
Thegirlnodded。
’Isitanythinglikethis？’askedJane，rashlyproducingthecharm。
Thegirl’sfaceturnedasicklygreenish—white。
’Hideit，hideit，’shewhispered。’Youmustputitback。Iftheyseeittheywillkillusall。Youfortakingit，andmeforknowingthattherewassuchathing。Oh，woe——woe！whydidyouevercomehere？’
’Don’tbefrightened，’saidCyril。’Theyshan’tknow。Jane，don’tyoubesuchalittlejack—apeagain——that’sall。Youseewhatwillhappenifyoudo。Now，tellme——’Heturnedtothegirl，butbeforehehadtimetospeakthequestiontherewasaloudshout，andamanboundedinthroughtheopeninginthethorn—hedge。
’Manyfoesareuponus！’hecried。’Makereadythedefences！’
Hisbreathonlyservedforthat，andhelaypantingontheground。’Oh，DOlet’sgohome！’saidJane。’Lookhere——Idon’tcare——IWILL！’
Sheheldupthecharm。Fortunatelyallthestrange，fairpeopleweretoobusytonoticeHER。Sheheldupthecharm。Andnothinghappened。
’Youhaven’tsaidthewordofpower，’saidAnthea。
Janehastilysaidit——andstillnothinghappened。
’HoldituptowardstheEast，yousilly！’saidRobert。
’WhichIStheEast？’saidJane，dancingaboutinheragonyofterror。
Nobodyknew。Sotheyopenedthefish—bagtoaskthePsammead。
Andthebaghadonlyawaterproofsheetinit。
ThePsammeadwasgone。
’Hidethesacredthing！Hideit！Hideit！’whisperedthegirl。
Cyrilshruggedhisshoulders，andtriedtolookasbraveasheknewheoughttofeel。
’Hideitup，Pussy，’hesaid。’Weareinforitnow。We’vejustgottostayandseeitout。’
CHAPTER5
THEFIGHTINTHEVILLAGE
Herewasahorribleposition！FourEnglishchildren，whoseproperdatewasA。D。1905，andwhoseproperaddresswasLondon，setdowninEgyptintheyear6000B。C。withnomeanswhateverofgettingbackintotheirowntimeandplace。TheycouldnotfindtheEast，andthesunwasofnouseatthemoment，becausesomeofficiouspersonhadonceexplainedtoCyrilthatthesundidnotreallysetintheWestatall——norriseintheEasteither，forthematterofthat。
ThePsammeadhadcreptoutofthebass—bagwhentheywerenotlookingandhadbaselydesertedthem。
Anenemywasapproaching。Therewouldbeafight。Peoplegetkilledinfights，andtheideaoftakingpartinafightwasonethatdidnotappealtothechildren。
Themanwhohadbroughtthenewsoftheenemystilllaypantingonthesand。Histonguewashangingout，longandred，likeadog’s。Thepeopleofthevillagewerehurriedlyfillingthegapsinthefencewiththorn—bushesfromtheheapthatseemedtohavebeenpiledtherereadyforjustsuchaneed。Theyliftedthecluster—thornswithlongpoles——muchasmenathome，nowadays，lifthaywithafork。
Janebitherlipandtriedtodecidenottocry。
Robertfeltinhispocketforatoypistolandloadeditwithapinkpapercap。Itwashisonlyweapon。
Cyriltightenedhisbelttwoholes。
AndAntheaabsentlytookthedroopingredrosesfromthebuttonholesoftheothers，bittheendsofthestalks，andsettheminapotofwaterthatstoodintheshadowbyahutdoor。
Shewasalwaysrathersillyaboutflowers。
’Lookhere！’shesaid。’IthinkperhapsthePsammeadisreallyarrangingsomethingforus。Idon’tbelieveitwouldgoawayandleaveusallaloneinthePast。I’mcertainitwouldn’t。’
Janesucceededindecidingnottocry——atanyrateyet。
’Butwhatcanwedo？’Robertasked。
’Nothing，’Cyrilansweredpromptly，’exceptkeepoureyesandearsopen。Look！Thatrunnerchap’sgettinghiswind。Let’sgoandhearwhathe’sgottosay。’
Therunnerhadrisentohiskneesandwassittingbackonhisheels。Nowhestoodupandspoke。Hebeganbysomerespectfulremarksaddressedtotheheadsofthevillage。Hisspeechgotmoreinterestingwhenhesaid——
’Iwentoutinmyrafttosnareibises，andIhadgoneupthestreamanhour’sjourney。ThenIsetmysnaresandwaited。AndIheardthesoundofmanywings，andlookingup，sawmanyheronscirclingintheair。AndIsawthattheywereafraid；soItookthought。Abeastmayscareoneheron，cominguponitsuddenly，butnobeastwillscareawholeflockofherons。Andstilltheyflewandcircled，andwouldnotlight。SothenIknewthatwhatscaredtheheronsmustbemen，andmenwhoknewnotourwaysofgoingsoftlysoastotakethebirdsandbeastsunawares。BythisIknewtheywerenotofourraceorofourplace。So，leavingmyraft，Icreptalongtheriverbank，andatlastcameuponthestrangers。Theyaremanyasthesandsofthedesert，andtheirspear—headsshineredlikethesun。Theyareaterriblepeople，andtheirmarchistowardsUS。Havingseenthis，Iran，anddidnotstaytillIwasbeforeyou。’
’TheseareYOURfolk，’saidtheheadman，turningsuddenlyandangrilyonCyril，’youcameasspiesforthem。’
’WedidNOT，’saidCyrilindignantly。’Wewouldn’tbespiesforanything。I’mcertainthesepeoplearen’tabitlikeus。Aretheynow？’heaskedtherunner。
’No，’wastheanswer。’Thesemen’sfacesweredarkened，andtheirhairblackasnight。Yetthesestrangechildren，maybe，aretheirgods，whohavecomebeforetomakereadythewayforthem。’
Amurmurranthroughthecrowd。
’No，NO，’saidCyrilagain。’Weareonyourside。Wewillhelpyoutoguardyoursacredthings。’
TheheadmanseemedimpressedbythefactthatCyrilknewthatthereWEREsacredthingstobeguarded。Hestoodamomentgazingatthechildren。Thenhesaid——
’Itiswell。Andnowletallmakeoffering，thatwemaybestronginbattle。’
Thecrowddispersed，andninemen，wearingantelope—skins，groupedthemselvesinfrontoftheopeninginthehedgeinthemiddleofthevillage。Andpresently，onebyone，themenbroughtallsortsofthings——hippopotamusflesh，ostrich—feathers，thefruitofthedatepalms，redchalk，greenchalk，fishfromtheriver，andibexfromthemountains；andtheheadmanreceivedthesegifts。Therewasanotherhedgeinsidethefirst，aboutayardfromit，sothattherewasalaneinsidebetweenthehedges。Andeverynowandthenoneoftheheadmenwoulddisappearalongthislanewithfullhandsandcomebackwithhandsempty。
’They’remakingofferingstotheirAmulet，’saidAnthea。’We’dbettergivesomethingtoo。’
Thepocketsoftheparty，hastilyexplored，yieldedapieceofpinktape，abitofsealing—wax，andpartoftheWaterburywatchthatRoberthadnotbeenabletohelptakingtopiecesatChristmasandhadneverhadtimetorearrange。Mostboyshaveawatchinthiscondition。Theypresentedtheirofferings，andAntheaaddedtheredroses。
Theheadmanwhotookthethingslookedatthemwithawe，especiallyattheredrosesandtheWaterbury—watchfragment。
’Thisisadayofverywondroushappenings，’hesaid。’Ihavenomoreroominmetobeastonished。Ourmaidensaidtherewaspeacebetweenyouandus。Butforthiscomingofafoeweshouldhavemadesure。’
Thechildrenshuddered。
’Nowspeak。Areyouuponourside？’
’YES。Don’tIkeeptellingyouweare？’Robertsaid。’Lookhere。Iwillgiveyouasign。Youseethis。’Heheldoutthetoypistol。’Ishallspeaktoit，andifitanswersmeyouwillknowthatIandtheothersarecometoguardyoursacredthing——thatwe’vejustmadetheofferingsto。’
’Willthatgodwhoseimageyouholdinyourhandspeaktoyoualone，orshallIalsohearit？’askedthemancautiously。
’You’llbesurprisedwhenyouDOhearit，’saidRobert。’Now，then。’Helookedatthepistolandsaid——
’Ifwearetoguardthesacredtreasurewithin’——hepointedtothehedged—inspace——’speakwiththyloudvoice，andweshallobey。’
Hepulledthetrigger，andthecapwentoff。Thenoisewasloud，foritwasatwo—shillingpistol，andthecapswereexcellent。
Everyman，woman，andchildinthevillagefellonitsfaceonthesand。Theheadmanwhohadacceptedthetestrosefirst。
’Thevoicehasspoken，’hesaid。’Leadthemintotheante—roomofthesacredthing。’
Sonowthefourchildrenwereledinthroughtheopeningofthehedgeandroundthelanetilltheycametoanopeningintheinnerhedge，andtheywentthroughanopeninginthat，andsopassedintoanotherlane。
Thethingwasbuiltsomethinglikethis，andallthehedgeswereofbrushwoodandthorns：[Drawingofmazeomitted。]
’It’slikethemazeatHamptonCourt，’whisperedAnthea。
Thelaneswereallopentothesky，butthelittlehutinthemiddleofthemazewasround—roofed，andacurtainofskinshungoverthedoorway。
’Hereyoumaywait，’saidtheirguide，’butdonotdaretopassthecurtain。’Hehimselfpasseditanddisappeared。
’Butlookhere，’whisperedCyril，’someofusoughttobeoutsideincasethePsammeadturnsup。’
’Don’tlet’sgetseparatedfromeachother，whateverwedo，’saidAnthea。’It’squitebadenoughtobeseparatedfromthePsammead。Wecan’tdoanythingwhilethatmanisinthere。
Let’sallgooutintothevillageagain。Wecancomebacklaternowweknowthewayin。Thatman’llhavetofightliketherest，mostlikely，ifitcomestofighting。IfwefindthePsammeadwe’llgostraighthome。
Itmustbegettinglate，andIdon’tmuchlikethismazyplace。’
Theywentoutandtoldtheheadmanthattheywouldprotectthetreasurewhenthefightingbegan。Andnowtheylookedaboutthemandwereabletoseeexactlyhowafirst—classworkerinflintflakesandnotchesanarrow—headortheedgeofanaxe——anadvantagewhichnootherpersonnowalivehaseverenjoyed。Theboysfoundtheweaponsmostinteresting。Thearrow—headswerenotonarrowssuchasyoushootfromabow，butonjavelins，forthrowingfromthehand。Thechiefweaponwasastonefastenedtoarathershortsticksomethinglikethethingsgentlemenusedtocarryaboutandcalllife—preserversinthedaysofthegarrotters。
Thentherewerelongthingslikespearsorlances，withflintknives——horriblysharp——andflintbattle—axes。
Everyoneinthevillagewassobusythattheplacewaslikeanant—heapwhenyouhavewalkedintoitbyaccident。Thewomenwerebusyandeventhechildren。
Quitesuddenlyalltheairseemedtoglowandgrowred——itwaslikethesuddenopeningofafurnacedoor，suchasyoumayseeatWoolwichArsenalifyoueverhavethelucktobetakenthere——andthenalmostassuddenlyitwasasthoughthefurnacedoorshadbeenshut。Forthesunhadset，anditwasnight。
ThesunhadthatabruptwayofsettinginEgypteightthousandyearsago，andIbelieveithasneverbeenabletobreakitselfofthehabit，andsetsinexactlythesamemannertothepresentday。Thegirlbroughttheskinsofwilddeerandledthechildrentoaheapofdrysedge。
’Myfathersaystheywillnotattackyet。Sleep！’shesaid，anditreallyseemedagoodidea。Youmaythinkthatinthemidstofallthesedangersthechildrenwouldnothavebeenabletosleep——butsomehow，thoughtheywereratherfrightenednowandthen，thefeelingwasgrowinginthem——deepdownandalmosthiddenaway，butstillgrowing——thatthePsammeadwastobetrusted，andthattheywerereallyandtrulysafe。Thisdidnotpreventtheirbeingquiteasmuchfrightenedastheycouldbeartobewithoutbeingperfectlymiserable。
’Isupposewe’dbettergotosleep，’saidRobert。’Idon’tknowwhatonearthpooroldNursewilldowithusoutallnight；setthepoliceonourtracks，Iexpect。Ionlywishtheycouldfindus！Adozenpolicemenwouldberatherwelcomejustnow。Butit’snousegettingintoastewoverit，’headdedsoothingly。
’Goodnight。’
Andtheyallfellasleep。
Theywereawakenedbylong，loud，terriblesoundsthatseemedtocomefromeverywhereatonce——horriblethreateningshoutsandshrieksandhowlsthatsounded，asCyrilsaidlater，likethevoicesofmenthirstingfortheirenemies’blood。
’Itisthevoiceofthestrangemen，’saidthegirl，comingtothemtremblingthroughthedark。’Theyhaveattackedthewalls，andthethornshavedriventhemback。Myfathersaystheywillnottryagaintilldaylight。Buttheyareshoutingtofrightenus。Asthoughweweresavages！Dwellersintheswamps！’shecriedindignantly。
Allnighttheterriblenoisewenton，butwhenthesunrose，asabruptlyashehadset，thesoundsuddenlyceased。
Thechildrenhadhardlytimetobegladofthisbeforeashowerofjavelinscamehurtlingoverthegreatthorn—hedge，andeveryoneshelteredbehindthehuts。Butnextmomentanothershowerofweaponscamefromtheoppositeside，andthecrowdrushedtoothershelter。Cyrilpulledoutajavelinthathadstuckintheroofofthehutbesidehim。Itsheadwasofbrightlyburnishedcopper。
Thenthesoundofshoutingaroseagainandthecrackleofdriedthorns。Theenemywasbreakingdownthehedge。Allthevillagersswarmedtothepointwhencethecracklingandtheshoutingcame；theyhurledstonesoverthehedges，andshortarrowswithflintheads。Thechildrenhadneverbeforeseenmenwiththefightinglightintheireyes。Itwasverystrangeandterrible，andgaveyouaqueerthickfeelinginyourthroat；itwasquitedifferentfromthepicturesoffightsintheillustratedpapersathome。
Itseemedthattheshowerofstoneshaddrivenbackthebesiegers。Thebesiegeddrewbreath，butatthatmomenttheshoutingandthecracklingaroseontheoppositesideofthevillageandthecrowdhastenedtodefendthatpoint，andsothefightswayedtoandfroacrossthevillage，forthebesiegedhadnotthesensetodividetheirforcesastheirenemieshaddone。
Cyrilnoticedthateverynowandthencertainofthefighting—menwouldenterthemaze，andcomeoutwithbrighterfaces，abraveraspect，andamoreuprightcarriage。
’IbelievetheygoandtouchtheAmulet，’hesaid。’YouknowthePsammeadsaiditcouldmakepeoplebrave。’
Theycreptthroughthemaze，andwatchingtheysawthatCyrilwasright。Aheadmanwasstandinginfrontoftheskincurtain，andasthewarriorscamebeforehimhemurmuredawordtheycouldnothear，andtouchedtheirforeheadswithsomethingthattheycouldnotsee。Andthissomethingheheldinhishands。Andthroughhisfingerstheysawthegleamofaredstonethattheyknew。
Thefightragedacrossthethorn—hedgeoutside。Suddenlytherewasaloudandbittercry。
’They’rein！They’rein！Thehedgeisdown！’
Theheadmandisappearedbehindthedeer—skincurtain。
’He’sgonetohideit，’saidAnthea。’Oh，Psammeaddear，howcouldyouleaveus！’
Suddenlytherewasashriekfrominsidethehut，andtheheadmanstaggeredoutwhitewithfearandfledoutthroughthemaze。Thechildrenwereaswhiteashe。
’Oh！Whatisit？Whatisit？’moanedAnthea。’Oh，Psammead，howcouldyou！Howcouldyou！’
Andthesoundofthefightsankbreathlessly，andswelledfiercelyallaround。Itwasliketherisingandfallingofthewavesofthesea。
Antheashudderedandsaidagain，’Oh，Psammead，Psammead！’
’Well？’saidabriskvoice，andthecurtainofskinswasliftedatonecornerbyafurryhand，andoutpeepedthebat’searsandsnail’seyesofthePsammead。
Antheacaughtitinherarmsandasighofdesperatereliefwasbreathedbyeachofthefour。
’Oh！whichIStheEast！’Antheasaid，andshespokehurriedly，forthenoiseofwildfightingdrewnearerandnearer。
’Don’tchokeme，’saidthePsammead，’comeinside。’
Theinsideofthehutwaspitchdark。
’I’vegotamatch，’saidCyril，andstruckit。Thefloorofthehutwasofsoft，loosesand。
’I’vebeenasleephere，’saidthePsammead；’mostcomfortableit’sbeen，thebestsandI’vehadforamonth。It’sallright。
Everything’sallright。Iknewyouronlychancewouldbewhilethefightwasgoingon。Thatmanwon’tcomeback。Ibithim，andhethinksI’manEvilSpirit。Nowyou’veonlygottotakethethingandgo。’
Thehutwashungwithskins。Heapedinthemiddleweretheofferingsthathadbeengiventhenightbefore，Anthea’srosesfadingonthetopoftheheap。Atonesideofthehutstoodalargesquarestoneblock，andonitanoblongboxofearthenwarewithstrangefiguresofmenandbeastsonit。
’Isthethinginthere？’askedCyril，asthePsammeadpointedaskinnyfingeratit。
’Youmustjudgeofthat，’saidthePsammead。’ThemanwasjustgoingtoburytheboxinthesandwhenIjumpedoutathimandbithim。’
’Lightanothermatch，Robert，’saidAnthea。’Now，thenquick！
whichistheEast？’
’Why，wherethesunrises，ofcourse！’
’Butsomeonetoldus——’
’Oh！they’lltellyouanything！’saidthePsammeadimpatiently，gettingintoitsbass—bagandwrappingitselfinitswaterproofsheet。
’Butwecan’tseethesuninhere，anditisn’trisinganyhow，’
saidJane。
’Howyoudowastetime！’thePsammeadsaid。’Why，theEast’swheretheshrineis，ofcourse。THERE！’
Itpointedtothegreatstone。
Andstilltheshoutingandtheclashofstoneonmetalsoundednearerandnearer。Thechildrencouldhearthattheheadmenhadsurroundedthehuttoprotecttheirtreasureaslongasmightbefromtheenemy。ButnonedaretocomeinafterthePsammead’ssuddenfiercebitingoftheheadman。
’Now，Jane，’saidCyril，veryquickly。’I’lltaketheAmulet，youstandreadytoholdupthecharm，andbesureyoudon’tletitgoasyoucomethrough。’
Hemadeastepforward，butatthatinstantagreatcracklingoverheadendedinablazeofsunlight。Theroofhadbeenbrokeninatoneside，andgreatslabsofitwerebeingliftedoffbytwospears。Asthechildrentrembledandwinkedinthenewlight，largedarkhandstoredownthewall，andadarkface，withablobbyfatnose，lookedoverthegap。EvenatthatawfulmomentAntheahadtimetothinkthatitwasverylikethefaceofMrJacobAbsalom，whohadsoldthemthecharmintheshopnearCharingCross。
’HereistheirAmulet，’criedaharsh，strangevoice；’itisthisthatmakesthemstrongtofightandbravetodie。Andwhatelsehavewehere——godsordemons？’
Heglaredfiercelyatthechildren，andthewhitesofhiseyeswereverywhiteindeed。Hehadawet，redcopperknifeinhisteeth。Therewasnotamomenttolose。
’Jane，JANE，QUICK！’criedeveryonepassionately。
JanewithtremblinghandsheldupthecharmtowardstheEast，andCyrilspokethewordofpower。TheAmuletgrewtoagreatarch。
OutbeyonditwastheglaringEgyptiansky，thebrokenwall，thecruel，dark，big—nosedfacewiththered，wetknifeinitsgleamingteeth。Withinthearchwasthedull，faint，greeny—brownofLondongrassandtrees。
’Holdtight，Jane！’Cyrilcried，andhedashedthroughthearch，draggingAntheaandthePsammeadafterhim。Robertfollowed，clutchingJane。Andintheearsofeach，astheypassedthroughthearchofthecharm，thesoundandfuryofbattlediedoutsuddenlyandutterly，andtheyheardonlythelow，dull，discontentedhumofvastLondon，andthepeekingandpattingofthesparrowsonthegravelandthevoicesoftheraggedbabychildrenplayingRing—o’—Rosesontheyellowtrampledgrass。AndthecharmwasalittlecharmagaininJane’shand，andtherewasthebasketwiththeirdinnerandthebathbunslyingjustwheretheyhadleftit。
’Myhat！’saidCyril，drawingalongbreath；’thatwassomethinglikeanadventure。’
’Itwasratherlikeone，certainly，’saidthePsammead。
Theyalllaystill，breathinginthesafe，quietairofRegent’sPark。
’We’dbettergohomeatonce，’saidAntheapresently。’OldNursewillbemostfrightfullyanxious。Thesunlooksaboutthesameasitdidwhenwestartedyesterday。We’vebeenawaytwenty—fourhours。’’Thebunsarequitesoftstill，’saidCyril，feelingone；
’Isupposethedewkeptthemfresh。’
Theywerenothungry，curiouslyenough。
Theypickedupthedinner—basketandthePsammead—basket，andwentstraighthome。
OldNursemetthemwithamazement。
’Well，ifeverIdid！’shesaid。’What’sgonewrong？You’vesoontiredofyourpicnic。’
Thechildrentookthistobebitterirony，whichmeanssayingtheexactoppositeofwhatyoumeaninordertomakeyourselfdisagreeable；aswhenyouhappentohaveadirtyface，andsomeonesays，’Howniceandcleanyoulook！’
’We’reverysorry，’beganAnthea，butoldNursesaid——
’Oh，blessme，child，Idon’tcare！Pleaseyourselvesandyou’llpleaseme。Comeinandgetyourdinnerscomf’table。I’vegotapotatoona—boiling。’
Whenshehadgonetoattendtothepotatoesthechildrenlookedateachother。CoulditbethatoldNursehadsochangedthatshenolongercaredthattheyshouldhavebeenawayfromhomefortwenty—fourhours——allnightinfact——withoutanyexplanationwhatever？
ButthePsammeadputitsheadoutofitsbasketandsaid——
’What’sthematter？Don’tyouunderstand？Youcomebackthroughthecharm—archatthesametimeasyougothroughit。Thisisn’ttomorrow！’’Isitstillyesterday？’askedJane。
’No，it’stoday。Thesameasit’salwaysbeen。Itwouldn’tdotogomixingupthepresentandthePast，andcuttingbitsoutofonetofitintotheother。’
’Thenallthatadventuretooknotimeatall？’
’Youcancallitthatifyoulike，’saidthePsammead。’Ittooknoneofthemoderntime，anyhow。’
ThateveningAntheacarriedupasteakforthelearnedgentleman’sdinner。ShepersuadedBeatrice，themaid—of—all—work，whohadgivenherthebanglewiththebluestone，toletherdoit。Andshestayedandtalkedtohim，byspecialinvitation，whileheatethedinner。
Shetoldhimthewholeadventure，beginningwith——
’ThisafternoonwefoundourselvesonthebankoftheRiverNile，’andendingupwith，’Andthenwerememberedhowtogetback，andtherewewereinRegent’sPark，andithadn’ttakenanytimeatall。’
ShedidnottellanythingaboutthecharmorthePsammead，becausethatwasforbidden，butthestorywasquitewonderfulenoughevenasitwastoentrancethelearnedgentleman。
’Youareamostunusuallittlegirl，’hesaid。’Whotellsyouallthesethings？’
’Noone，’saidAnthea，’theyjusthappen。’
’Make—believe，’hesaidslowly，asonewhorecallsandpronouncesalong—forgottenword。
Hesatlongaftershehadlefthim。Atlastherousedhimselfwithastart。
’Ireallymusttakeaholiday，’hesaid；’mynervesmustbealloutoforder。IactuallyhaveaperfectlydistinctimpressionthatthelittlegirlfromtheroomsbelowcameinandgavemeacoherentandgraphicpictureoflifeasIconceiveittohavebeeninpre—dynasticEgypt。Strangewhattricksthemindwillplay！Ishallhavetobemorecareful。’
Hefinishedhisbreadconscientiously，andactuallywentforamilewalkbeforehewentbacktohiswork。
CHAPTER6
THEWAYTOBABYLON
’HowmanymilestoBabylon？
Threescoreandten！
CanIgettherebycandlelight？
Yes，andbackagain！’
Janewassingingtoherdoll，rockingittoandfrointhehousewhichshehadmadeforherselfandit。Theroofofthehousewasthedining—table，andthewallsweretableclothsandantimacassarshangingallround，andkeptintheirplacesbybookslaidontheirtopendsatthetableedge。
Theothersweretastingthefearfuljoysofdomestictobogganing。
Youknowhowitisdone——withthelargestandbesttea—trayandthesurfaceofthestaircarpet。Itisbesttodoitonthedayswhenthestairrodsarebeingcleaned，andthecarpetisonlyheldbythenailsatthetop。Ofcourse，itisoneofthefiveorsixthoroughlytip—topgamesthatgrown—uppeoplearesounjustto——andoldNurse，thoughabrickinmanyrespects，wasquiteenoughofastandardgrown—uptoputherfootdownonthetobogganinglongbeforeanyoftheperformershadhadhalfenoughofit。Thetea—traywastakenaway，andthebaffledpartyenteredthesitting—room，inexactlythemoodnottobepleasediftheycouldhelpit。
SoCyrilsaid，’Whatabeastlymess！’
AndRobertadded，’Doshutup，Jane！’
EvenAnthea，whowasalmostalwayskind，advisedJanetotryanothersong。’I’msicktodeathofthat，’saidshe。
Itwasawetday，sononeoftheplansforseeingallthesightsofLondonthatcanbeseenfornothingcouldbecarriedout。
Everyonehadbeenthinkingallthemorningaboutthewonderfuladventuresofthedaybefore，whenJanehadheldupthecharmandithadturnedintoanarch，throughwhichtheyhadwalkedstraightoutofthepresenttimeandtheRegent’sParkintothelandofEgypteightthousandyearsago。Thememoryofyesterday’shappeningswasstillextremelyfreshandfrightening，sothateveryonehopedthatnoonewouldsuggestanotherexcursionintothepast，foritseemedtoallthatyesterday’sadventureswerequiteenoughtolastforatleastaweek。Yeteachfeltalittleanxiousthattheothersshouldnotthinkitwasafraid，andpresentlyCyril，whoreallywasnotacoward，begantoseethatitwouldnotbeatallniceifheshouldhavetothinkhimselfone。Sohesaid——
’Isay——aboutthatcharm——Jane——comeout。Weoughttotalkaboutit，anyhow。’
’Oh，ifthat’sall，’saidRobert。
Janeobedientlywriggledtothefrontofherhouseandsatthere。
Shefeltforthecharm，tomakesurethatitwasstillroundherneck。
’ItISN’Tall，’saidCyril，sayingmuchmorethanhemeantbecausehethoughtRobert’stonehadbeenrude——asindeedithad。
’WeoughttogoandlookforthatAmulet。What’sthegoodofhavingafirst—classcharmandkeepingitidle，justeatingitsheadoffinthestable。’
’I’Mgameforanything，ofcourse，’saidRobert；butheadded，withafineairofchivalry，’onlyIdon’tthinkthegirlsarekeentodaysomehow。’
’Oh，yes；Iam，’saidAntheahurriedly。’IfyouthinkI’mafraid，I’mnot。’
’Iamthough，’saidJaneheavily；’Ididn’tlikeit，andIwon’tgothereagain——notforanythingIwon’t。’
’Weshouldn’tgoTHEREagain，silly，’saidCyril；’itwouldbesomeotherplace。’
’Idaresay；aplacewithlionsandtigersinitaslikelyasnot。’
SeeingJanesofrightened，madetheothersfeelquitebrave。
Theysaidtheywerecertaintheyoughttogo。
’It’ssoungratefultothePsammeadnotto，’Antheaadded，alittleprimly。
Janestoodup。Shewasdesperate。
’Iwon’t！’shecried；’Iwon’t，Iwon’t，Iwon’t！IfyoumakemeI’llscreamandI’llscream，andI’lltelloldNurse，andI’llgethertoburnthecharminthekitchenfire。Sonow，then！’
YoucanimaginehowfuriouseveryonewaswithJaneforfeelingwhateachofthemhadfeltallthemorning。Ineachbreastthesamethoughtarose，’Noonecansayit’sOURfault。’AndtheyatoncebegantoshowJanehowangrytheyallfeltthatallthefaultwashers。Thismadethemfeelquitebrave。
’Tell—taletit，itstongueshallbesplit，Andallthedogsinourtownshallhavealittlebit，’
sangRobert。
’It’salwaysthewayifyouhavegirlsinanything。’CyrilspokeinacolddispleasurethatwasworsethanRobert’scruelquotation，andevenAntheasaid，’Well，I’MnotafraidifIAMagirl，’whichofcourse，wasthemostcuttingthingofall。
Janepickedupherdollandfacedtheotherswithwhatissometimescalledthecourageofdespair。
’Idon’tcare，’shesaid；’Iwon’t，sothere！It’sjustsillygoingtoplaceswhenyoudon’twantto，andwhenyoudon’tknowwhatthey’regoingtobelike！Youcanlaughatmeasmuchasyoulike。You’rebeasts——andIhateyouall！’
Withtheseawfulwordsshewentoutandbangedthedoor。
Thentheotherswouldnotlookateachother，andtheydidnotfeelsobraveastheyhaddone。
Cyriltookupabook，butitwasnotinterestingtoread。Robertkickedachair—legabsently。Hisfeetwerealwayseloquentinmomentsofemotion。Antheastoodpleatingtheendofthetableclothintofolds——sheseemedearnestlyanxioustogetallthepleatsthesamesize。ThesoundofJane’ssobshaddiedaway。
SuddenlyAntheasaid，’Oh！letitbe"pax"——poorlittlePussy——youknowshe’stheyoungest。’
’Shecalledusbeasts，’saidRobert，kickingthechairsuddenly。
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