OriginalTitle：Lieut。GulliverJones

CHAPTERI

DareIsayit？DareIsaythatI，aplain，prosaiclieutenantintherepublicanservicehavedonetheincrediblethingsheresetoutfortheloveofawoman——forachimerainfemaleshape；forapale，vapidghostofwoman—loveliness？

AttimesItellmyselfIdarenot：thatyouwilllaugh，andcastmeasideasafabricator；andthenagainIpickupmypenandcollectthescatteredpages，forIMUSTwriteit——thepallidsplendourofthatthingIloved，andwon，andlostiseverbeforeme，andwillnotbeforgotten。Thetumultofthestruggleintowhichthatvisionledmestillthrobsinmymind，thesoft，lispingvoicesoftheplanetIransackedforitssakeandtheroarofthedestructionwhichfollowedmebackfromthequestdrownsallothersoundsinmyears！Imustandwillwrite——itrelievesme；

readandbelieveasyoulist。

AtthemomentthisstorycommencesIwasthinkingofgrill—

edsteakandtomatoes——steakcrispandbrownonbothsides，andtomatoesredasasettingsun！

MuchelsethoughIhaveforgotten，THATfactremainsasclearasthelastsightofawell—rememberedshoreinthemindofsomewave—tossedtraveller。Andtheoccasionwhichproducedthatprosaicthoughtwasanightwellcalculatedtomakeonethinkofsupperandfireside，thoughtheonemightbefrugalandtheotherlonely，andasI，GulliverJones，thepoorforesaidNavylieutenant，withthehonouredstarsofourRepubliconmycollar，andanundeservedsnubfromthoseinauthorityranklinginmyheart，pickedmywayhomewardbyashortcutthroughthedismalnessofaNewYorkslumIlongedforsteakandstout，slippersandapipe，withallthepathetickeennessofatroubledsoul。

Itwasawild，blackkindofnight，andtheweirdnessofitshowedupasIpassedfromlighttolightorcrossedthemouthsofdimalleysleadingHeavenknowstowhatinfernaldensofmysteryandcrimeeveninthislatter—daycityofours。

Themoonwasupasfarasthechurchsteeples；largevapourycloudsscuddingacrosstheskybetweenusandher，andastrong，gustywind，ladenwithbigraindropssnarledangrilyroundcornersandsighedintheparapetslikestrangevoicestalkingaboutthingsnotofhumaninterest。

Itmadenodifferencetome，ofcourse。NewYorkinthisyearofgraceisnottheplaceforthesupernaturalbethetimeneversofitforwitch—ridingandthenightwindinthechimney—stackssoundneversomuchlikethelastgurglingcriesofthrottledmen。No！theworldwasverymatter—of—fact，andparticularlysotome，apooryoungersonwithfivedollarsinmypursebywayoffortune，apacketofunpaidbillsinmybreastpocket，androundmyneckalocketwithaportraitthereinofthatdearbuxom，freckled，stub—nosedgirlawayinalittlesouthernseaporttownwhomIthoughtIlovedwithamagnificentaffection。Gods！

Ihadnoteventouchedthefringeofthataffliction。

Thussaunteringalongmoodily，mychinonmychestandmuchtooabsorbedinreflectiontohaveanyniceapprecia—

tionofwhatwashappeningaboutme，Iwascrossinginfrontofadilapidatedblockofhouses，datingbacknearlytothetimeofthePilgrimFathers，whenIhadavagueconsciousnessofsomethingdarksuddenlysweepingbyme——

athinglikeahugebat，orasolidshadow，ifsuchathingcouldbe，andthenextinstanttherewasathudandabump，abumpagain，ahalf—stifledcry，andthenahurriedvisionofsomeblackcarpetingthatflappedandshookasthoughallthewindsofEbliswereinitsfolds，andthenapparentlydisgorgedfromitsinmostrecessesalittleman。

Beforemyfirststartofhalf—amusedsurprisewasoverI

sawhimbytheflickeringlamp—lightclutchatspaceashetriedtosteadyhimself，stumbleontheslipperycurb，andthenextmomentgodownonthebackofhisheadwithamostuglythud。

NowIwasnotdestituteoffeeling，thoughithadbeenmylottoseemendieinmanyways，andIranovertothatmotionlessformwithoutanideathatanythingbutanordinaryaccidenthadoccurred。Therehelay，silentand，asitturnedoutafterwards，deadasadoor—nail，thestrangestoldfellowevereyeslookedupon，dressedinshabbysorrel—

colouredclothesofantiquecut，withalonggreybearduponhischin，pent—roofeyebrows，andawizenedcomplexionsopuckeredandtannedbyexposuretoHeavenonlyknewwhatweathersthatitwasimpossibletoguesshisnationality。

Iliftedhimupoutofthepuddleofblackbloodinwhichhewaslying，andhisheaddroppedbackovermyarmasthoughithadbeenfixedtohisbodywithstringalone。Therewasneitherheart—beatnorbreathinhim，andthelastflickeroflifefadedoutofthatgauntfaceevenasIwatched。Itwasnotaltogetherapleasantsituation，andtheonlythingtodoappearedtobetogetthedeadmanintopropercare（thoughlittlegooditcoulddohimnow！）

asspeedilyaspossible。So，sendingachancepasser—byintothemainstreetforacab，Iplacedhimintoitassoonasitcame，andtherebeingnobodyelsetogo，gotinwithhimmyself，tellingthedriveratthesametimetotakeustothenearesthospital。

"Isthisyourrug，captain？"askedabystanderjustasweweredrivingoff。

"Notmine，"Iansweredsomewhatroughly。"Youdon’tsupposeIgoaboutatthistimeofnightwithTurkeycarpetsundermyarm，doyou？Itbelongstothisoldchapherewhohasjustdroppedoutoftheskiesontohishead；chuckitontopandshutthedoor！"Andthatrug，theverymain—

springofthestartlingthingswhichfollowed，wasthuscare—

lesslythrownontothecarriage，andoffwewent。

Well，tobebrief，Ihandedinthatstarkoldtravellerfromnowhereatthehospital，andasamatterofcuriositysatinthewaiting—roomwhiletheyexaminedhim。Infiveminutesthehouse—surgeonondutycameintoseeme，andwithashakeofhisheadsaidbriefly——

"Gone，sir——cleangone！Brokehisnecklikeapipe—stem。

Moststrange—lookingman，andnoneofuscanevenguessathisage。Notafriendofyours，Isuppose？"

"Nothingwhatevertodowithme，sir。Heslippedonthepavementandfellinfrontofmejustnow，andasamat—

terofcommoncharityIbroughthiminhere。Werethereanymeansofidentificationonhim？"

"Nonewhatever，"answeredthedoctor，takingouthisnotebookand，asamatterofform，writingdownmynameandaddressandafewbriefparticulars，"nothingwhat—

everexceptthiscurious—lookingbeadhungroundhisneckbyablackenedthongofleather，"andhehandedmeathingaboutasbigasafilbertnutwithaloopforsuspensionandapparentlyofrockcrystal，thoughsobegrimedanddullitsnaturewasdifficulttospeakofwithcertainty。ThebeadwasofnoseemingvalueandslippedunintentionallyintomywaistcoatpocketasIchattedforafewminutesmorewiththedoctor，andthen，shakinghands，Isaidgoodbye，andwentbacktothecabwhichwasstillwaitingoutside。

ItwasonlyonreachinghomeInoticedthehospitalportershadomittedtotakethedeadman’scarpetfromtheroofofthecabwhentheycarriedhimin，andasthecab—

mandidnotcareaboutdrivingbacktothehospitalwithit，anditcouldnotwellbeleftinthestreet，Isomewhatreluctantlycarrieditindoorswithme。

OnceintheshineofmyownlampandacigarinmymouthIhadacloserlookatthatancientpieceofartworkfromheaven，ortheotherplace，onlyknowswhatancientloom。

Abig，strongrugoffadedOrientalcolouring，itcoveredhalfthefloorofmysitting—room，thesubstancebeingofamaterialmorelikecamel’shairthananythingelse，andrun—

ningacross，whenexaminedclosely，weresomedarkfibressolongandfinethatsurelytheymusthavecomefromthetailofSolomon’sfavouriteblackstallionitself。Butthestrangestthingaboutthatcarpetwasitspattern。Itwasthreadbareenoughtoallconscienceinplaces，yetthedesignstilllivedinsolemn，age—wastedhues，and，asIdraggedittomystove—frontandspreaditout，itseemedtomethatitwasasmuchlikeastarmapdonebyascribewhohadlatelyrecoveredfromdeliriumtremensasanythingelse。Inthecentreappearedaroundsuchasmightbetakenforthesun，whilehereandthere，"inthefield，"asheraldssay，werelesserorbswhichfromtheirsizeandpositioncouldrepresentsmallerworldscirclingaboutit。Betweentheseorbsweredottedlinesandarrow—headsoftheoldestformpointinginalldirections，whilealltheinterveningspaceswerefilledupwithwovencharactershalf—wayinappearancebetweenRunesandCryptic—Sanskrit。Roundthebordersthesecharactersranintoawildmaze，aperfectjungleofanalphabetthroughwhichnonebutawizardcouldhaveforcedawayinsearchofmeaning。

Altogether，IthoughtasIkickeditoutstraightuponmyfloor，itwasastrangeandnotunhandsomearticleoffurniture——itwoulddonicelyforthemess—roomontheCarolina，andifanyrepresentativesofyonderpooroldfel—

lowturneduptomorrow，why，Iwouldgivethemacoupleofdollarsforit。LittledidIguesshowdearitwouldbeatanyprice！

Meanwhilethatsteakwaslate，andnowthatthetempor—

aryexcitementoftheeveningwaswearingoffIfelldullagain。Whatadark，soddenworlditwasthatfrownedinonmeasImovedovertothewindowandopeneditforthebenefitofthecoolair，andhowthewindhowledabouttherooftops。HowlonelyIwas！WhatafoolIhadbeentoaskforlongleaveandcomeashorelikethis，tocurryfavourwithasetofstubborndunderheadswhocarednothingforme——orPolly，andcouldnotorwouldnotunderstandhowimportantitwastothebestinterestsoftheServicethatIshouldgetthatpromotionwhichalonewouldsendmebacktoheraneligiblewooer！WhatafoolIwasnottohavevolunteeredforsomedesperateserviceinsteadofwast—

ingtimelikethis！Thenatleastlifewouldhavebeeninteresting；nowitwasdullasditch—water，withwretchedvistasofstagnantwaitingbetweennowandthatjoyfuldaywhenIcouldclaimthatdear，rosy—checkedgirlformyown。WhatafoolIhadbeen！

"Iwish，Iwish，"Iexclaimed，walkingroundthelittleroom，"IwishIwere——"

WhiletheseunfinishedexclamationswereactuallypassingmylipsIchancedtocrossthatinfernalmat，anditisnomorestartlingthantrue，butatmywordaquiverofexpectationranthroughthatgauntweb——arustleofantici—

pationfilleditsancientfabric，andonefrayedcornersurgedup，andasIpassedoffitssurfaceinmystride，thesentencestillunfinishedonmylips，wrappeditselfaboutmyleftlegwithextraordinaryswiftnessandsoeffectivelythatInearlyfellintothearmsofmylandlady，whoopenedthedooratthemomentandcameinwithatrayandthesteakandtomatoesmentionedmorethanoncealready。

Itwasthedraughtcausedbytheopeningdoor，ofcourse，thathadmadethedeadman’srugliftsostrangely——

whatelsecouldithavebeen？Imadethisapologytothegoodwoman，andwhenshehadsetthetableandclosedthedoortookanotherturnortwoaboutmyden，con—

tinuingasIdidsomyangrythoughts。

"Yes，yes，"Isaidatlast，returningtothestoveandtakingmystand，handsinpockets，infrontofit，"anythingwerebetterthanthis，anyenterprisehoweverwild，anyadventurehoweverdesperate。Oh，IwishIwereanywherebuthere，anywhereoutofthisredtape—riddenworldofours！IWISH

IWEREINTHEPLANETMARS！"

HowcanIdescribewhatfollowedthoselucklesswords？

EvenasIspokethemagiccarpetquiveredresponsivelyundermyfeet，andanundulationwentallroundthefringeasthoughasuddenwindwereshakingit。IthumpedupinthemiddlesoabruptlythatIcamedownsittingwithashockthatnumbedmeforthemoment。ItthrewmeonmybackandbilloweduproundmeasthoughIwereinthetroughofastormysea。QuickerthanIcanwriteitlappedacorneroverandrolledmeinitsfoldslikeachrysalisinacocoon。Igaveawildyellandmadeonefranticstruggle，butitwastoolate。Withtheleatherystrengthofagiantandtheswiftnessofanaccomplishedcigar—

rollercoveringa"core"withleaf，itswampedmyefforts，straightenedmylimbs，rolledmeover，lappedmeinfoldafterfoldtillheadandfeetandeverythingweregone——

crushedlifeandbreathbackintomyinnermostbeing，andthen，withthelastparticleofconsciousness，Ifeltmyselfliftedfromthefloor，passonceroundtheroom，andfinallyshootout，pointforemost，intospacethroughtheopenwindow，andgoupandupandupwithasoundofrendingatmospheresthatseemedtotearlikerivensilkinonepro—

longedshriekundermyhead，andtocloseupinthunderasternuntilmyreelingsensescouldstanditnolonger。andtimeandspaceandcircumstancesalllosttheirmeaningtome。

CHAPTERII

HowlongthatwildrushlastedIhavenomeansofjudging。

Itmayhavebeenanhour，aday，ormanydays，forIwasthroughoutinastateofsuspendedanimation，butpresentlymysensesbegantoreturnandwiththemasensa—

tionoflesseningspeed，agratefulrelieftoaheavypressurewhichhadheldmylifecrushedinitsgrasp，withoutdestroy—

ingitcompletely。Itwasjustthatsortofsensationthoughmorekeenwhich，drowsyinhisbunk，atravellerfeelswhenheisaware，withoutspecialperception，harbourisreachedandavoyagecomestoanend。Butinmycasetheslowingdownwasforalongtimecomparative。Yetthesensationservedtorevivemyscatteredsenses，andjustasIwasawakeningtoalivelysenseofamazement，anincredibledoubtofmyownemotions，andaneagerdesiretoknowwhathadhappened，mystrangeconveyanceoscillatedonceortwice，undulatedlightlyupanddown，likeawood—

peckerflyingfromtreetotree，andthengrounded，bowsfirst，rolledoverseveraltimes，thensteadiedagain，and，comingatlasttorest，thenextminutetheinfernalrugopened，quiver—

ingalongallitsbordersinitspeculiarway，andhumpingupinthemiddleshotmefivefeetintotheairlikeacattossedfromaschoolboy’sblanket。

AsIturnedoverIhadadimvisionofaclearlightliketheshineofdawn，andsolidgroundslopingawaybelowme。

Uponthatslopewasrangedacrowdofsquattingpeople，andastaid—lookingindividualwithhisbackturnedstoodnearerby。AfterwardsIfoundhewaslecturingallthosesittersontheethicsofgravityandtheinherentpropertiesoffallingbodies；atthemomentIonlyknewhewasdirectlyinmylineasIdescended，andhimroundthewaistIseized，giddywiththelightandfreshair，waltzedhimdowntheslopewiththeforceofmyimpetus，and，trippingatthebottom，rolledoverandoverrecklesslywithhimsheerintothearmsofthegapingcrowdbelow。Overandoverwewentintothethickestmassofbodies，makingawaythroughthepeople，untilatlastwecametoastopinaperfectmoundofwrithingformsandwavinglegsandarms。WhenwehaddonethemassdisentangleditselfandIwasabletoraisemyheadfromtheshoulderofsomeoneonwhomI

hadfallen，liftinghim，orher——whichwasit？——intoasittingposturealongsideofmeatthesametime，whiletheothersroseaboutuslikewheat—stalksafterastorm，andedgedshylyoff，aswellastheymight。

Suchasleek，slimyouthitwaswhosatupfacingme，withaflushofgentlesurpriseonhisface，anddapperhandsthatfeltcautiouslyabouthisanatomyforinjuredplaces。Helookedsoquaintlyruefulyetwithalsogood—

temperedthatIcouldnothelpburstingintolaughterinspiteofmyownamazement。Thenhelaughedtoo，asedate，musicalchuckle，andsaidsomethingincomprehensible，point—

ingatthesametimetoacutuponmyfingerthatwasbleed—

ingalittle。Ishookmyhead，meaningtherebythatitwasnothing，butthestrangerwithgracefulsolicitudetookmyhand，and，afterexaminingthehurt，deliberatelytoreastripofclothfromabrightyellowtoga—likegarmenthewaswearingandboundtheplaceupwithawoman’stenderness。

Meanwhile，asheministered，therewastimetolookaboutme。WherewasI？ItwasnottheBroadway；itwasnotStatenIslandonaSaturdayafternoon。Thenightwasjustover，andthesunonthepointofrising。Yetitwasstillshadowyallabout，theairbeingmarvellouslytepidandpleasanttothesenses。Quaint，softaromaslikethebreathofanewworld——thefragranceofunknownflowers，andthedewyscentofnever—troddenfieldsdriftedtomynostrils；

andtomyearscameasoundoflaughterscarcelymorehumanthanthemurmurofthewindinthetrees，andaprettyundulatingwhisperasthoughagreatconcourseofpeopleweretalkingsoftlyintheirsleep。Igazedaboutscarcelyknowinghowmuchofmysensesorsurroundingswererealandhowmuchfanciful，untilIpresentlybe—

cameawaretherosytwilightwasbroadeningintoday，andundertheincreasingshineastrangescenewasfashion—

ingitself。

AtfirstitwasanopalseaIlookedonofmist，shotalongitsuppersurfacewiththerosygoldandpinksofdawn。

Then，asthatsoft，translucentlakeebbed，juttinghillscamethroughit，blackandcrimson，andastheyseemedtomountintotheairotherlowerhillsshowedthroughtheveilwithroundedforestknobstillatlastthebrighteningdaydis—

pelledthemist，andastherosy—colouredgauzyfragmentswentslowlyfloatingawayawonderfullyfaircountrylayatmyfeet，withabroadseaglimmeringinmanyarmsandbaysinthedistancebeyond。Itwasalldimandunrealatfirst，themountainsshadowy，theoceanunreal，thefloweryfieldsbe—

tweenitandmevacantandshadowy。

Yetweretheyvacant？Asmyeyesclearedanddaybrightenedstillmore，andIturnedmyheadthiswayandthat，itpresentlydawneduponmeallthemeadowcop—

picesandterracesnorthwardsofwhereIlay，allthatblueandspaciousgroundIhadthoughttobebareandvacant，werealivewithateemingcityofboothsandtents；nowIcametolookmorecloselytherewasawholetownupontheslope，builtasmightbeinanightofboughsandbranchesstillunwithered，thestreetsandwaysofthatcityintheshadowsthrongedwithexpectantpeoplemovingingroupsandshiftingtoandfroinlivelystreams——chattingatthestallsandclusteringroundthetentdoorsinsoft，gauzy，parti—colouredcrowdsinawaybothfascinatingandper—

plexing。

Istaredaboutmelikeachildatitsfirstpantomime，dimlyunderstandingallIsawwasnovel，butmorealluredtothecolourandlifeofthepicturethanconcernedwithitsexactmeaning；andwhileIstaredandturnedmyfingerwasbandaged，andmynewfriendhadbeenlispingawaytomewithoutgettinganythinginturnbutashakeofthehead。Thismadehimthoughtful，andthereonfollowedacuriousincidentwhichIcannotexplain。Idoubtevenwhetheryouwillbelieveit；butwhatamItodointhatcase？Youhavealreadyacceptedtheepisodeofmycom—

ing，oryouwouldhaveshutthecoversbeforearrivingatthispageofmymodestnarrative，andthisemboldensme。

Imaystrengthenmyclaimonyourcredulitybypointingouttheextraordinarymarvelswhichscienceisteachingyouevenonourownlittleworld。Toquoteasingleinstance：IfanyonehaddeclaredtenyearsagothatitwouldshortlybepracticableandeasyfortwopersonstoconversefromshoretoshoreacrosstheAtlanticwithoutanyinterveningmedium，hewouldhavebeenlaughedatasapossiblyamusingbutcertainlyextravagantromancer。Yetthatpic—

turesquelieofyesterdayisamongsttheaccomplishedfactsoftoday！ThereforeIamencouragedtoaskyourin—

dulgence，inthenameofyourpreviouserrors，forthefollowingandanyotherinstancesinwhichImayappeartotriflewithstrictveracity。Thereisnosuchthingastheimpossibleinouruniverse！

WhenmyfriendlycompanionfoundIcouldnotunder—

standhim，helookedseriousforaminuteortwo，thenshortenedhisbrilliantyellowtoga，asthoughhehadar—

rivedatsomeresolve，andkneltdowndirectlyinfrontofme。Henexttookmyfacebetweenhishands，andputtinghisnosewithinaninchofmine，staredintomyeyeswithallhismight。AtfirstIwasinclinedtolaugh，butbeforelongthemostcurioussensationstookholdofme。

Theycommencedwithathrillwhichpassedallupmybody，andnextallfeelingsavetheconsciousnessoftheloudbeatingofmyheartceased。Thenitseemedthatboy’seyeswereinsidemyheadandnotoutside，whilealongwiththemanintangiblesomethingpervadedmybrain。

Thesensationatfirstwasliketheapplicationofethertotheskin——acool，numbingemotion。Itwasfollowedbyacurioustinglingfeeling，assomedormantcellsinmymindansweredtothethought—transfer，andwerefilledandfertil—

ised！Myotherbrain—cellsmostdistinctlyfeltthevitalisingoftheircompanions，andforaboutaminuteIexperi—

encedextremenauseaandaheadachesuchascomesfromover—study，thoughbothpassedswiftlyoff。Ipresumethatinthefutureweshallallobtainknowledgeinthisway。

TheProfessorsofalaterdaywillperhapskeepshopsforthesaleofmiscellaneousinformation，andweshalldropinandbeinflatedwithlearningjustasthebicyclistgetshistirepumpedup，orthemotoristisrechargedwithelectricityatsomuchperunit。Examinationswillthenbecomemattersofcapacityintherealmeaningofthatword，andweshallbetemptedtoinvestourpocket—moneybyadvertisementsof"AcheaplineinAstrology，""Tryourdouble—strength，two—

minutecourseofClassics，""ThisisremnantdayforTrig—

onometryandMetaphysics，"andsoon。

Myfrienddidnotgetasfarasthat。Withhimtheprocessdidnottakemorethanaminute，butitwasstartlinginitsresults，andreducedmetoanextraordinarystateofhypnoticreceptibility。Whenitwasovermyinstructortappedwithafingeronmylips，utteringaloudashedidsothewords——

"Knownone；knowsome；knowlittle；knowmorel"againandagain；andthestrangestpartofitisthatashespokeI

didknowatfirstalittle，thenmore，andstillmore，byswiftaccumulation，ofhisspeechandmeaning。Infact，whenpre—

sentlyhesuddenlylaidahandovermyeyesandthenletgoofmyheadwithapleasantlyputquestionastohowIfelt，Ihadnodifficultywhateverinansweringhiminhisowntongue，androsefromthegroundasonegetsfromahair—dresser’schair，withavagueideaoflookingroundformyhatandofferinghimhisfee。

"Myword，sir！"Isaid，inlispingMartian，asIpulleddownmycuffsandputmycravatstraight，"thatwasaquickprocess。Ionceheardofamanwholearntalanguageinthemomentshegaveeachdaytohavinghisbootsblacked；butthisbeatsall。ItrustIwasadocilepupil？"

"Oh，fairly，sir，"answeredthesoft，musicalvoiceofthestrangebeingbyme；"butyourheadisthickandyourbraintough。Icouldhavetaughtanotherinhalfthetime。"

"Curiouslyenough，"wasmyresponse，"thosearealmosttheverywordswithwhichmydearoldtutordismissedmethemorningIleftcollege。Nevermind，thethingisdone。ShallIpayyouanything？"

"Idonotunderstand。"

"Anyhonorarium，then？Somepeopleunderstandonewordandnottheother。"Buttheboyonlyshookhisheadinanswer。

Strangelyenough，Iwasnotgreatlysurprisedallthistimeeitheratthenoveltyofmywhereaboutsoratthehypnoticinstructioninanewlanguagejustreceived。Per—

hapsitwasbecausemyheadstillspuntoogiddilywiththatflightintheoldrugformuchthought；perhapsbe—

causeIdidnotyetfullyrealisethethingthathadhappened。

But，anyhow，thereisthefact，which，likesomanyothersinmynarrative，must，alas！remainunexplainedforthemoment。Therug，bytheway，hadcompletelydisap—

peared，myfriendcomfortingmeonthisscore，however，bysayinghehadseenitrolledupandtakenawaybyonewhomheknew。

"Weareverytidypeoplehere，stranger，"hesaid，"andeverythingfoundLyingaboutgoesbacktothePalacestore—

rooms。Youwilllaughtoseethelumberthere，forfewofusevertakethetroubletoreclaimourproperty。"

HeavenknowsIwasinnolaughingmoodwhenIsawthatenchantedwebagain！

WhenIhadlainandwatchedthebrighteningsceneforatime，Igotup，andhavingstretchedandshakenmyclothesintosomesortoforder，westrolleddownthehillandjoinedthelight—heartedcrowdsthattwinedacrosstheplainandthroughthestreetsoftheircityofbooths。Theyweretheprettiest，daintiestfolkevereyeslookedupon，well—formedandliketousascouldbeinthemain，butslenderandwillowy，sodaintyandlight，boththemenandthewomen，soprettyofcheekandhair，somildofaspect，Ifelt，asIstrodeamongstthem，Icouldhavepluckedthemlikeflowersandboundthemupinbuncheswithmybelt。

AndyetsomehowIlikedthemfromthefirstminute；suchahappy，careless，light—heartedrace，againIsay，neverwasseenbefore。Therewasnotastainofthoughtorcareonasingleoneofthosewhiteforeheadsthateddiedroundmeundertheirpeaked，blossom—likecaps，theperpetualsmiletheirfacesworeneversufferedrebukeanywhere；theirverymovementsweregracefulandslow，theirlaughterwaslowandmusical，therewasanodouroffriendly，slothfulhappinessaboutthemthatmademeadmirewhetherIwouldorno。

UnfortunatelyIwasnotabletoliveonlaughter，astheyappearedtobe，sopresentlyturningtomyacquaintance，whohadtoldmehisnamewastheplainmonosyllabicAn，andclappingmyhandonhisshoulderashestoodlostinsleepyreflection，said，inagood，heartyway，"Hullo，friendYellow—jerkin！Ifastrangermightsethimselfathwartthecheerfulcurrentofyourmeditations，maysuchaoneaskhowfar’tistothenearestwine—shoporaboothwhereathirstymanmaygetamugofaleatamoderatereckoning？"

ThatgildedyouthstaggeredundermyfriendlyblowasthoughthehammerofThorhimselfhadsuddenlylituponhisshoulder，andruefullyrubbinghistenderskin，heturnedonmemild，handsomeeyes，answeringafteramoment，dur—

ingwhichhisnativemildnessstruggledwiththepainI

hadunwittinglygivenhim——

"Ifyourthirstbeasemphaticasyourgreeting，friendHeavy—fist，itwillcertainlybeakindlydeedtoleadyoutothedrinking—place。Myshouldertingleswithyourgood—

fellowship，"headded，keepingtwoarms’—lengthsclearofme。

"Doyouwish，"hesaid，"merelytocleanseadustythroat，orforblueorpinkoblivion？"

"Why，"Iansweredlaughingly，"Ihavecomealongishjourneysinceyesterdaynight——ajourneyoutofcountofallreasonablemileage——andImightfairlypleadadustythroatasexcuseforabeginning；butastotheotherthingsmentioned，thosetintedforgetfulnesses，Idonotevenknowwhatyoumean。"

"Undoubtedlyyouareastranger，"saidthefriendlyyouth，eyeingmefromtoptotoewithrenewedwonder，"andbyyourunknowngarbonefromafar。"

"Fromhowfarnomancansay——notevenI——butfromveryfar，intruth。Letthatstayyourcuriosityforthetime。

Andnowtobenchandale—mug，ongoodfellow！——theshort—

estway。Iwasneversothirstyasthissinceourwater—buttswentoverboardwhenIsailedthesouthernseasasatrampapprentice，andforthreedayswehadtodampourblacktongueswiththepuddlesthenight—dewsleftintheliftofourmainsail。"

Withoutmorewords，beingalittleawedofme，Ithought，theboyledmethroughthegood—humouredcrowdtowhere，facingthemainroadtothetown，butalittleshelteredbyathicketoftreescoveredwithgiganticpinkblossoms，stoodadrinking—place——aclusteroftablessetroundanopengrass—plot。Herehebroughtmeaplatterofsomelightinefficientcakeswhichmerelyservedtomakehungermoreself—conscious，andsomefinearomaticwinecontainedinatriple—bodiedflask，eachdivisioncontainingvintageofaseparatehue。Webrokeourbiscuits，sippedthatmysteriouswine，andtalkedofmanythingsuntilatlastsomethingsetusonthesubjectofastronomy，astudyIfoundmydappergallanthadsomeknowledgeof——

whichwasnottobewonderedatseeinghedweltunderskieseachnightsetthickabovehiscurlyheadwithtawnyplanets，andglitteringconstellationssprinkledthroughspacelikeflowersinMaymeadows。Heknewwhatworldswentroundthesun，largerorlesser，andseeingthisIbe—

gantoquestionhim，forIwasuneasyinmyinnermostmindand，youwillremember，sofarhadnocertainknowledgeofwhereIwas，onlyadim，restlesssuspicionthatIhadcomebeyondthekenofallmen’sknowledge。

Therefore，sweepingcleartheboardwithmysleeve，andbreakingthewafercakeIwaseating，Isetdownonecentralpieceforthesun，and，"Seehere！"Isaid，"goodfel—

low！Thismorselshallstandforthatsunyouhavejustbeenwelcomingbackwithquaintritual。Nowstretchyourstarryknowledgetotheutmost，andputdownthattankardforamoment。Ifthisbeyondersunandthislessercrumbbetheoutermostoneofourrevolvingsystem，andthisthenextwithin，andthisthenext，andsoon；nowifthisbesotellmewhichofthesefragmentaryorbsisours——whichofallthesecrumbsfromthehandoftheprimordialwouldbethatwestandupon？"AndIwaitedwithananxietyalightmannerthinlyhid，tohearhisanswer。

Itcameatonce。Laughingasthoughthequestionweretootrivial，andmoretohumourmywaywardfancythanaughtelse，thatboycircledhisrosythumbaboutaminuteandbroughtitdownontheplanetMars！

Istartedandstaredathim；thenallofatremblecried，"Youtriflewithme！Chooseagain——there，see，Iwillsetthesymbolsandnamethemtoyouanew。Therenow，onyoursoultellmetrulywhichthisplanetis，theonehereatourfeet？"Andagaintheboyshookhishead，wonderingatmyeagerness，andpointedtoMars，sayinggentlyashedidsothefactwascertainasthedayaboveus，nothingwasmarvellousbutmyquestioning。

Mars！oh，dreadful，tremendous，unexpected！Withacryofaffright，andbringingmyfistdownonthetabletillallthecupsuponitleapt，Itoldhimhelied——liedlikeasimpletonwhoseastronomywasasrottenashiswit——

smotethetableandscowledathimforaspell，thenturnedawayandletmychinfalluponmybreastandmyhandsuponmylap。

Andyet，andyet，itmightbeso！Everythingaboutmewasnewandstrange，thecrisp，thinairIbreathedwasnew；thelukewarmsunshinenew；thesleek，long，ivoryfacesofthepeoplenew！Yesterday——wasityesterday？——I

wasbackthere——awayinaworldthatpinestoknowofotherworlds，andonefantasticwishofmine，backedbyahideous，infernalchance，hadswungbackthedoorsofspaceandshotme——ifthatboyspoketrue——intotheoutervoidwhereneverlivingmanhadbeenbefore：allmywitsaboutme，allthehorriblebathosofmyearthlyclothingonme，allmyterrestrialhungersinmyveins！

Isprangtomyfeetandsweptmyhandsacrossmyeyes。

Wasthatadream，orthis？No，no，bothweretooreal。

Thehumofmyfarawaycitystillranginmyears：aswiftvisionofthegirlIhadloved；ofthemenIhadhated；ofthethingsIhadhopedforrosebeforeme，stilldazingmyinnereye。Andtheseaboutmewererealpeople，too；itwasrealearth；realskies，trees，androcks——hadtheinfernalgodsindeedheard，Iaskedmyself，thefoolishwishthatstartedfrommylipsinamomentoffiercediscontent，andsweptmeintoanothersphere，anotherexistence？I

lookedattheboyasthoughhecouldanswerthatquestion，buttherewasnothinginhisfacebutvacuouswonder；I

clappedmyhandstogetherandbeatmybreast；itwastrue；

mysoulwithinmesaiditwastrue；theboyhadnotlied；

thedjinshadheard；IwasjustinthefleshIhad；mycommonhumanhungersstillunsatisfiedwherenevermortalmanhadhungeredbefore；andscarcelyknowingwhetherI

fearedornot，whethertolaughorcry，butwithallthewonderandterrorofthatgreatremovesweepingsuddenlyuponmeIstaggeredbacktomyseat，anddroppingmyarmsuponthetable，leantmyheadheavilyuponthemandstrovetochokebackthepassionwhichbesetme。

CHAPTERIII

ItwasthelighttouchoftheboyAnuponmyshoulderwhichrousedme。Hewasbendingdown，hisprettyfacefullofconcernfulsympathy，andinaminutesaid——know—

ingnothingofmythoughts，ofcourse，"Itisthewine，stranger，thepinkoblivion，itsometimesmakesonefeellikethatuntilenoughistaken；youstoppedjustshortofwhatyoushouldhavehad，andthenextcupwouldhavebeendelight——Ishouldhavetoldyou。"

"Ay，"Ianswered，gladheshouldthinkso，"itwasthewine，nodoubt；yourquaintdrink，sir，tangledupmysensesforthemoment，buttheyareclearernow，andI

ameagerpastexpressiontolearnalittlemoreofthisstrangecountryIhavewanderedinto。"

"Iwouldrather，"saidtheboy，relapsingagainintohisstateofkindlylethargy，"thatyoulearntthingsasyouwent，fortalkingiswork，andworkwehate，buttodayweareallnewandfresh，andifeveryouaretoaskquestionsnowiscertainlythetime。Comewithmetothecityyonder，andaswegoIwillanswerthethingsyouwishtoknow；"andIwentwithhim，forIwashumbleandamazed，and，intruth，atthatmoment，hadnotawordtosayformyself。

AllthewayfromtheplainwhereIhadawoketothewallsofthecitystoodbooths，drinking—places，andgardensdividedbylabyrinthsofcanals，andemboweredinshrub—

beriesthatseemedcomingintoleafandfloweraswelooked，soswiftwastheprocessoftheirgrowth。Thesewaterwayswerecoveredwithskiffsbeingpushedandrowedineverydirection；thecheerfulrowerscallingtoeachotherthroughtheleafyscreensseparatingonelanefromanothertilltheplacewasfulloftheirhappychirruping。Everyboothandway—sidehalting—placewasthrongedwiththesedelicateandsprightlypeople，sofriendly，sogracious，andwithalsopur—

poseless。

Ibegantothinkweshouldneverreachthetownitself，forfirstmyguidewouldsitdownonagreenstream—bank，hisfeeta—dangleintheclearwater，andbandywitwithapassingboatasthoughtherewerenothingelseintheworldtothinkof。AndwhenIdraggedhimoutofthat，whisper—

inginhisear，"Thetown，mydearboy！thetown！Iamallagapetoseeit，"hewouldsaunterreluctantlytoaboothahundredyardsfurtheronandfalltoeatingstrangecon—

fectionsorsippingcolouredwineswithchanceacquaintances，tillagainIpluckedhimbythesleeveandsaid："Seth，goodcomrade——wasitnotsoyoucalledyourcityjustnow？——takemetothegates，andIwillbegratefultoyou，"thenonagaindownaflowerylane，aimlessandhappy，wastingmytimeandhis，withplacidcivilityIwasledbythatsimpleguide。

Whereverwewentthepeoplestaredatme，aswelltheymight，asIwalkedthroughthemovertoppingthetallestbyaheadormore。Thedrinking—cupspausedhalf—waytotheirmouths；thejestsdiedawayupontheirlips；andtheblinkingeyesofthedrinkersshonewithamomentarysparkleofwonderastheirmindsreeleddownthosemany—

tintedfloodstotherealmsofobliviontheyloved。

Iheardmenwhisperonetoanother，"Whoishe？"；

"Whencedoeshecome？"；"Isheatribute—taker？"asI

strolledamongstthem，mymindstillsothrilledwithdoubtandwonderthattometheyseemedhardlymorethanpaintedpuppets，thevistasoftheirlovelygladesandtheivorytownbeyondonlythefancyofadream，andtheirtalkasincontinentasthebabbleofastream。

Thenhappily，asIwalkedalongwithbentheadbrood—

ingovertheincrediblethingthathadhappened，mycom—

panion’sshapelylegsgaveout，andwithasighoffatiguehesuggestedweshouldtakeaskiffamongstthemanyly—

ingaboutuponthemarginsandsailtowardsthetown，"For，"saidhe，"thebreezeblowsthitherward，and’tisashametouseone’slimbswhenNaturewillcarryusfornothing！"

"Buthaveyouaboatofyourownhereabouts？"Iqueried；

"fortotellthetruthIcamefromhomemyselfsomewhatpoorlyprovidedwithmeanstobuyorbarter，andifyourpursebenotheavierthanminewemuststilldoaspoormendo。"

"Oh！"saidAn，"thereisnoneedtothinkofthat，nooneheretohireorhireof；wewilljusttakethefirstskiffweseethatsuitsus。"

"Andwhatiftheownershouldcomealongandfindhisboatgone？"

"Why，whatshouldhedobuttakethenextalongthebank，andthemasterofthatthenextagain——howelsecoulditbe？"saidtheMartian，andshruggingmyshoulders，forIwasinnogreatmoodtoargue，wewentdowntothewaterway，throughathicketofbuddingtreesunderlaidwithacarpetofsmallredflowersfillingtheairwithascentofhoney，andsoonfoundadiminutivecraftpulleduponthebank。ThereweresomedaintycloaksandwrapsinitwhichAntookoutandlaidunderatree。Butfirsthefeltinthepouchofoneforasweetmeatwhichhisfinenostrils，acuteasasquirrel’s，toldhimwasthere，andtakingthelumpoutbitapiecefromit，afterwardsreplacingitintheowner’spocketwiththefrankestsimplicity。

Thenwepushedoff，hoistedtheslendermast，setthesmallestlug—sailthateverasailorsmiledat，and，myselfatthehelm，andthatgoldenyouthamidships，awaywedriftedunderthicketsofdroopingcanestasselledwithyel—

lowcatkin—flowers，upthebluealleyofthewaterintothebroaderopenriverbeyondwithitsrapidflowandcrowd—

ingboats，thewhitecityfrontnowtoweringclearbeforeus。

Theairwasfullofsunshineandmerryvoices；birdsweresinging，treeswerebudding；onlymyheartwasheavy，mymindconfused。YetwhyshouldIbesad，Isaidtomyselfpresently？Lifebeatinmypulses；whathadItofear？

ThisworldIhadtumbledintowasnewandstrange，nodoubt，buttomorrowitwouldbeoldandfamiliar；itdis—

creditedmymanhoodtositbrow—bentlikethat，sowithaneffortIrousedmyself。

"Oldchap！"Isaidtomycompanion，ashesatastrideofathwartslowlychewingsomethingstickyandeyeingmeoutofthecornerofhiseyeswithvapidwonder，"tellmesomethingofthislandofyours，orsomethingaboutyourself——whichremindsmeIhaveaquestiontoask。Itisabitdelicate，butyoulookasensiblesortoffellow，andwilltakenooffence。Thefactis，Ihavenoticedaswecamealonghalfyourpopulationdressesinallthecoloursoftherainbow——’fancysuitings’ourtailorscouldcallitathome——andthishalfofthecensusareundoubtedlymenandwomen。Therubisthattheotherhalf，towhichyoube—

long，alldressalikeinYELLOW，andIwillbefiredfromthebiggestgunontheCarolina’smaindeckifIcantellwhatsexyoubelongto！Itookyouforaboyinthebegin—

ning，andthewayyouclosedwiththeideaofhavingadrinkwithmeseemedtoshowIwasdeadontherightcourse。ThenalittlelateronIheardyouandafriendabusingoursexfromanoutsidepointofviewinawaywhichwasverydisconcerting。This，andsomeotherthings，havesetmeallabroadagain，andasfateseemsdeterminedtomakeuschumsforthisvoyage——why——well，frankly，I

shouldbegladtoknowifyoubeboyorgirl？IfyouareasIam，nomorenorlessthen——forIlikeyou——there’smyhandincomradeship。Ifyouareotherwise，asthosesleekoutlinesseemtopromise——why，here’smyhandagain！Butmanorwomanyoumustbe——come，whichisit？"

IfIhadbeenperplexedbefore，towatchthatboynowwasmorecuriousthanever。Hedrewbackfrommewithashowofwoundeddignity，thenbithislips，andsighed，andstared，andfrowned。"Come，"Isaidlaughingly，"speak！

itengendersambiguitytobesoambiguousofgender！’Tisnogreatmatter，yesorno，aplainanswerwillsetusfairlyinourfriendship；ifitiscomrade，thencomradeletitbe；

ifmaid，why，Ishallnotquarrelwiththat，thoughitcostmealikelymessmate。"

"Youmockme。"

"NotI，Inevermockedanyone。"

"Anddoesmyrobetellyounothing？"

"Nothingsomuch；ayellowtunicandbecomingenough，butnothingaboutittohangadeductionon。Come！Areyouagirl，afterall？"

"Idonotcountmyselfagirl。"

"Why，then，youarethemostbloomingboythatevereyesweresetupon；andthough’tiswithsometingeofregret，yetcheerfullyIwelcomeyouintotheranksofman—

hood。"

"Ihateyourmanhood，senditafterthemaidhood；itfitsmejustasbadly。"

"ButAn，bereasonable；manormaidyoumustbe。"

"Mustbe；why？"

"Why？"Waseversuchaquestionputtoasanemortalbefore？Istaredatthatambiguousthingbeforeme，andthen，alittlewrothtobeplayedwith，growledoutsome—

thingaboutMartiansbeingalldrunkormad。

"’Tisyouyourselfareoneorother，"saidthatindividual，bythistimepinkwithanger，"andifyouthinkbecauseIamwhatIamyoucansafelytauntme，youarewrong。

See！Ihaveasting，"andlikeathwartedchildmycom—

panionhalfdrewfromthefoldsoftheyellowtunic—dressthedaintiest，mostharmless—lookinglittledaggerthatwaseverseen。

"Oh，ifitcomestothat，"Ianswered，touchingtheNavyscabbardstillatmyhip，andregainingmytemperatthesightofhers，"why，Ihaveastingalso——andtwiceaslongasyours！Butintruth，An，letusnottalkofthesethings；ifsomethinginwhatIhavesaidhasoffendedniceMartianscruplesIamsorry，andwillquestionnomore，leavingmywonderfortimetosettle。"

"No，"saidtheother，"itwasmyfaulttobehastyofoffence；Iamnotsoangeredonceayear。Butintruthyourquestionmovesusyellowrobesdeeply。Didyounotreallyknowthatwewhowearthissaffrontunicareslaves，——

araceapart，despisedbyall。"

"’Slaves，’no；howshouldIknowit？"

"Ithoughtyoumustunderstandathingsofundamental，anditwasthatthoughtwhichmadeyourquestionsseemunkind。Butifindeedyouhavecomesofarasnottounder—

standeventhis，thenletmetellyouonceweofthisgarbwerewomen——priestessesoftheimmaculateconceptionsofhumanity；guardiansofthosegreathopesandlongingswhichdiesoeasily。Andbecauseweforgotourhighstationandtooktoapinganothersexthegodsdesertedandmendespisedus，givingus，inthefiercenessoftheircontempt，whatweaskedfor。Wearetheslaveantsofthenest，thework—beesofthehive，come，intruth，ofthoseherewhostillbemenandwomenofasort，buttoilersonly；un—

knowninlove，unregrettedindeath——thosewhodangleallchildrenbuttheirown——slavescursedwiththeaccomplish—

mentoftheirownambition。"

TherewasnodoubtpoorAnbelievedwhatshesaid，forherattitudewasoneofextremedejectionwhileshespoke，andtocheerherIlaughed。

"Oh！come，itcan’tbeasbadasthat。Surelysometimessomeofyouwinbacktowomanhood？Youyourselfdonotlooksofargonebutwhatsomedeedofabnegation，somestrongloveifyoucouldbutconceiveitwouldsetyourightagain。Surelyyouoftheprimroserobescansometimeslove？"

WhereatunwittinglyItroubledthewatersintheplacidsoulofthatoutcastMartian！Icannotexactlydescribehowitwas，butshebentherheadsilentlyforamomentortwo，andthen，withasigh，liftinghereyessuddenlytomine，saidquietly，"Yes，sometimes；sometimes——butverysel—

dom，"whileforaninstantacrossherfacethereflashedthesummerlightningofanewhope，asingletransientglanceofwistful，timidentreaty；ofwonderanddelightthatdarednotevenyetacknowledgeitself。

Thenitwasmyturntositsilent，andthepausewassoawkwardthatinaminute，tobreakit，Iexclaimed——

"Let’sdroppersonalities，oldchap——ImeanmydearMissAn。Tellmesomethingaboutyourpeople，andletusbeginproperlyatthetop：haveyougotaking，forinstance？"

Tothisthegirl，pullingherselfoutofthepleasantsloughofherlistlessness，andfallingintomyvein，answered——

"Bothyesandno，sirtravellerfromafar——nochiefly，andyetperhapsyes。Ifitwerenothenitwereso，andifyesthenHathwereourking。"

"AmildkingIshouldjudgebyyouruncertainty。IntheplacewhereIcamefromkingspresstheirindividualitiessomewhatmoreclearlyontheirsubjects’minds。IsHathhereinthecity？Doeshecometoyourfeaststoday？"

Annodded。Hathwasontheriver，hehadbeentoseethesunrise；evennowshethoughtthelaughterandsingingdownbehindthebendmightbetheking’sbargecomingupcitywards。"Hewillnotbelate，"saidmycompanion，"becausethemarriage—feastissetfortomorrowinthepalace。"

Ibecameinterested。Kings，palaces，marriage—feasts——why，herewassomethingsubstantialtogoupon；afterallthesegauzyfolkmightturnoutgoodfellows，jollycom—

radestosojournamongst——andmarriage—feastsremindedmeagainIwashungry。

"Whoisit，"Iasked，withmoreinterestinmytone，"whogetsmarried？——isityourambiguouskinghimself？"

WhereatAn’spurpleeyesbroadenedwithwonder：thenasthoughshewouldnotbeuncivilshecheckedherself，andansweredwithsmotheredpityformyignorance，"NotonlyHathhimself，buteveryone，stranger，theyareallmarriedtomorrow；youwouldnothavethemmarriedoneatatime，wouldyou？"——thiswithinexpressiblederision。

Isaid，withhumility，somethinglikethathappenedintheplaceIcamefrom，askingherhowitchancedtheconvenienceofsomanycametooneclimaxatthesamemo—

ment。"Surely，An，thisisamarvelofarrangement。WhereI

dweltwooingswouldsometimesbelongorsometimesshort，andallmaidswerenotcomplacentbysuchuniversalagree—

ment。"

Thegirlwasclearlyperplexed。Shestaredatmeaspace，thensaid，"Whathavewooingslongorshorttodowithweddings？Youtalkasifyoudidyourwooingfirstandthencametomarriage——wegetmarriedfirstandwooafter—

wards！"

"’Tisnotabadidea，andIcanseeitmightlendaneaseandcertaintytothepastimewhichourmethodlacks。

Butifthewomanisgotfirstandsuedsubsequently，whobringsyoutogether？Whoseestotheessentialpreliminariesofassortment？"

An，lookingatmyshoesasthoughshespeculatedontheremotenessofthejourneyIhadcomeifitweremeasuredbymyignorance，replied，"Theurn，stranger，theurndoesthat——whatelse？Howitmaybeinthatout—fashionedregionyouhavecomefromIcannottell，buthere——’tissocommonplaceIshouldhavethoughtyoumusthaveknownit——weputeachnewyearthenamesofallwomenkindintoanurnandthemendrawforthem，eachtown，eachvillagebyitself，andthosetheydrawaretheirs；isitconceivableyourracehasothermethods？"

Itoldheritwasso——wepickedandchoseforourselves，beseechingthedamsels，fightingforthem，andholdingthesunofromancewasatitssettingjustwheretheMartiansheldittorise。WhereatAnburstoutlaughing——aclear，ringinglaughthatsetallthelight—heartedfolkinthenearestboatslaughinginsympathy。Butwhenthegrotesquenessoftheideahadsomewhatwornoff，sheturnedgraveandaskedmeifsuchafancydidnotleadtospite，envy，andbickerings。

"Why，itseemstome，"shesaid，shakinghercurlyhead，"suchaplanmightfirecities，desolateplains，andemptypalaces——"

"Suchthingshavebeen。"

"Ah！ourwayismuchthebetter。See！"quoththatgentlephilosopher。"’Here，’oneofourwomenwouldsay，’amI

to—day，unwed，asfreeofthoughtasyonderbirdchasingthecatkindown；tomorrowIshallbemarried，withawholesummertomakelovein，relievedatoneboundofallthoseuncertaintiesyouacknowledgeto，withnothingtodobutlieaboutonsunnybankswithhimwhomchancesendsme，cometothegoaloflovewithoutanytravellingtogetthere。’Why，youmustacknowledgethisistheper—

fectionofease。"

"Butsupposing，"Isaid，"chancedealtunkindlytoyoufromyournuptialurn，supposingthemanwasnottoyourliking，oranothercovetedhim？"TowhichAnanswered，withsomeshrewdness——

"Inthefirstcaseweshoulddowhatwemight，beingnoworseoffthanthoseinyourlandwhohadplayedillprovidencetothemselves。Inthesecond，nomaidwouldcovethimwhomfatehadgiventoanother，itweretoofatiguing，orifsuchathingDIDhappen，thenoneofthemwouldwaivehisclaims，fornomanorwomaneverbornwasworthawrangle，anditisallowedustobarterandchangealittle。"

Allthiswasstrangeenough。Icouldnotbutlaugh，whileAnlaughedatthelightestinvitation，andthuschattingandderidingeachother’ssocialarrangementswefloatedidlytownwardsandpresentlycameoutintothemainwaterwayperhapsamilewideandflowingrapidly，asstreamswillonthethresholdofthespring，withbrashorwasteofdistantbeachesridingdownit，andeverynowandthenabrokenbranchortree—stemglancingthroughwaveswhosecrestsafreshwindliftedandsowedingoldenshowersintheinter—

veningfurrows。TheMartiansseemedexpertuponthewater，steeringnimblybetweenthesefloatingdangerswhentheymetthem，butforthemostparthuggingtheshorewhereamoreplacidstreambettersuitedtheirfancies，andforatimeallwentwell。

An，aswewentalong，wastellingmemoreofherstrangecountry，pointingoutbirdsorflowersandnamingthemtome。"Nowthat，"shesaid，pointingtoasmallgreyowlwhosatreflectiveonafloatinglogwewereapproaching——

"thatisabirdofomen；coveryourfaceandlookaway，foritisnotwelltowatchit。"

WhereatIlaughed。"Oh！"Ianswered，"sothoseancientfollieshavecomeasfarasthis，havethey？ButitisnobirdgreyorblackorwhitethatcanfrightenfolkwhereIcomefrom；see，Iwillrufflehisphilosophyforhim，"andsuitingtheactiontothewordsIliftedapebblethathappenedtolieatthebottomoftheboatandflungitatthatcreaturewiththemelancholyeyes。Awaywenttheowl，dippinghiswingsintothewaterateverystroke，andashewentwailingoutaghostlycry，whichevenamongstsunshineandglittermadeone’sfleshcreep。

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