Anshookherhead。"Youshouldnothavedonethat，"shesaid；"ourdeadwhomwesenddownoverthefallscomebackinthebodyofyonderlittlebird。Buthehasgonenow，"sheadded，withrelief；"see，hesettlesfarupstreamuponthepointofyonderrottenbough；IwouldnotdisturbhimagainifIwereyou——"
WhatevermoreAnwouldhavesaidwaslost，foramidstasoundofflutesandsingingroundthebendoftheriverbelowcameacrowdofboatsdeckedwithflowersandgar—
lands，allclusteringroundabargebarelyabletomove，sothickthoselesserskiffspresseduponit。Soclosethosewherrieshungaboutthatthegarlandedrowerswhosatattheoarscouldscarcelypull，but，hereaseverywhere，itwasthesamegoodtemper，thesamecarelessnessoforder，aslikeafloweryislandinthedancingbluewaterthemotleyfleetcameup。
Isteeredourskiffaspaceoutfromthebanktogetabetterview，whileAnclappedherhandstogetherandlaughed。"ItisHath——hehimselfandthoseofthepalacewithhim。Steeralittlenearerstill，friend——so！betweenyonfloatingrubbishflats，forthosewithHatharegoodtolookat。"
NothinglothImadeoutintomid—streamtoseethatstrangeprincegoby，littlethinkinginafewminutesI
shouldbeshakinghandswithhim，awetanddrippinghero。
Thecrowdcameup，andhavingtheadvantageofthewind，itdidnottakemelongtogetafrontplaceintheruck，whenceIsettowork，withrepublicaninterestinroyalty，tostareatthemanwhoAnsaidwastheheadofMartiansociety。Hedidnotmakemedesiretorenouncemydemo—
craticprinciples。Theroyalfellowwassittinginthecentreofthebargeunderacanopyandonathronewhichwasamassofflowers，notbunchedtogetherastheywouldhavebeenwithus，butsocunninglyarrangedthattheyrosefromthefootstooltothepinnacleinarhythmofcolour，apoeminbudandpetalsthelikeofwhichforharmoniousbeautyIcouldnothaveimaginedpossible。Andinthisfairydenwasathin，gauntyoungman，dressedinsomesortofblackstuffsonondescriptthatitamountedtolittlemorethanashadow。Itookitforgrantedthatasubstanceofboneandmusclewascoveredbythatgloomysuit，butitwasthefaceabovethatalonerivetedmygazeandmademereturnthestarehegavemeaswecameupwithre—
doubledinterest。Itwasnotanunhandsomeface，butashygreyincolourandamongsttheinsipidcountenancesoftheMartiansabouthimmarvellouslythoughtful。Idonotknowwhetherthosewhohadkilledthemselvesbylearn—
ingeverleaveghostsbehind，butifsothiswastheveryidealforsuchaone。AthisfeetInoticed，whenIun—
hookedmyeyesfromhisatlast，satagirlinaloosecoralpinkgownwhowashisveryantipode。PrincessHeru，forsoshewascalled，wasrestingonearmuponhiskneeatourapproachandpullingablueconvolvulusbudtopieces——acharmingpictureofdaintyidleness。Anythingsosoft，sosilkenasthatlittleladywasneverseenbefore。WhoamI，apoorquarter—deckloafer，thatIshouldattempttodescribewhatpoetandpainteralikewouldhavefailedtorealise？Iknow，ofcourse，yourstockdescriptives：themeltingeye，thecorallip，thepeachycheek，theraventress；
butthesewerecoinedformortalwoman——andthiswasnotoneofthem。Iwillnotattempttodescribetheglorioustendernessofthoseeyessheturneduponmepresently；
theglowingradianceofherskin；theinfinitegraceofeveryaction；theincrediblesoul—searchingharmonyofhervoice，whenlateronIheardit——youmustgathersomethingofthesethingsasIgo——sufficeittosaythatwhenIsawherthereforthefirsttimeintheplenitudeofherbeautyIfelldesperately，wildlyinlovewithher。
Meanwhile，eventhemostinfatuatedofmortalscannotstareforeverwithoutsayingsomething。Thegratingofourprowagainstthegarlandedsideoftheroyalbargerousedmefrommyreverie，andnoddingtoAn，toimplyIwouldbebackpresently，IlightlyjumpedontoHath’svessel，and，withtheassuranceofafreeandindependentAmericanvoter，approachedthatindividual，holdingoutmypalm，andsayingasIdidso，"Shakehands，Mr。President！"
Theprincecameforwardatmybiddingandextendinghishandformine。Hebowedslowandsedately，inthatpeculiarwaytheMartianshave，arippleofgratifiedcivilitypassinguphisflesh；lowerandlowerhebowed，untilhisfacewasoverourclaspedhands，andthen，withsimplecourtesy，hekissedmyfinger—tips！Thiswassomewhatem—
barrassing。ItwasnotliketheprocedurefollowedinCourtsnearertoWashingtonthanthisone，asfarasmyreadingwent，and，withdrawingmyfingershastily，Iturnedtotheprincess，whohadrisen，andwaseyeinghersomewhatawkwardly，thewhilewonderingwhatkindofsalutationwouldbesuitableinhercasewhenastartlingincidenthappened。Theriver，assaid，wasfulloffloatingrubbishbroughtdownfromsomefar—awayuplandsbyaspringfreshetwhiletheroyalconvoywasmakingslowprogressupstreamandthusmetitallbowon。Someofthisstuffwasheavytimber，andwhenasuddenwarningcrywentupfromtheleadingboatsitdidnottakemysailorinstinctlongtoguesswhatwasamiss。Thoseinfrontshotsidetoside，thosebe—
hindtriedtodropbackas，bearingstraightdownontheroyalbarge，therecamealogofblackwoodtwentyfeetlongandasthickasthemainmastofanoldthree—decker。
Hath’sboatcouldnomoreescapethanifithadbeenplantedonarockypedestal，garlandsandcurtainstrailinginthewaterhungsoheavyonit。Thegildedpaddlesoftheslenderrowersweresofeeble——theyhadbutmadeahalf—
turnfromthatgreatjavelin’sroadwhendownitcameuponthem，knockingthefirstfewprettyoarsmenheadoverheelsandcracklingthroughtheiroarslikeabullthroughdrymaizestalks。Isprangforward，andsnatchingapolefromahalf—heartedslave，jammedtheendintotheheadofthelogandborewithallmyweightuponit，divertingitalittle，andtherebyperhapssavingtheshipherself，butnotenough。Asitflashedbyabranchcaughtuponthetrailingtapestry，hurlingmetothedeck，，andtearingawaywithitallthatfinery。Thenthegreatspar，tossinghalfitsdrippinglengthintotheair，wentplungingdownstreamwithshredsofsilkandflowerstrailingfromit，andwhitewaterbubblinginitsrear。
WhenIscrambledtomyfeetallwasludicrousconfusiononboard。Hathstillstoodbyhisthrone——anislandinaseaofdisorder——staringatme；allelsewaschaos。Therowersandcourtierswerekickingandwallowinginthe"waist"oftheshiplikefishnewlyshotoutofatrawlnet，buttheprincesswasgone。Wherewasshe？Ibrushedthesprayfrommyeyes，andstaredoverboard。Shewasnotinthebub—
blingbluewateralongside。ThenIglancedafttowherethelog，nowfifteenyardsaway，wassplashingthroughthesun—
shine，and，asIlooked，afairarmcameupfromunderneathandwhitefingersclutchedconvulsivelyatthesky。Whatmancouldneedmore？DownthebargeIrushed，anddrop—
pingonlymyswordbelt，leaptintoherrescue。ThegentleMartiansweretoonumbtoraiseahandinhelp；butitwasnotnecessary。Ihadthetidewithme，andgainedateverystroke。Meanwhilethataccursedtree，withpoorHeru’sskirtscaughtonabranch，wasdrowningheratitsleisure；liftingherupasitroseuponthecrests，afair，helplessbundle，andthensousingherinitsfallintothenetherwater，whereIcouldseehergleamnowandagainlikepinkcoral。
Iredoubledmyeffortsandgotalongside，clutchingtherindofthatoldstump，andswimmingandscrambling，atlastwaswithinreachoftheprincess。Thereonthelogliftedherplayfullytomyarms，andwhenIhadlaidholdcamedown，acrushingweight，andforcedusfarintotheclammybosomofMartiansea。Againwecameup，coughingandchoking——Ituggingfuriouslyatthattangledraiment，andthelady，amerelumpofsweetnessinmyotherarm——
thendownagainwiththatloguponmeandallthenoisesofEblisinmyears。Upanddownwewent，overandover，tillstrengthwasspentandmyribsseemedbreaking；then，withalastdesperateeffort，Igotakneeagainstthestem，andbysheerstrengthfreedmyprincess——thespitefultimbermadealastuglythrustatusasitrolledaway——andwewerefree！
Iturneduponmyback，and，sureofrescuenow，tookthelady’sheaduponmychest，holdinghersweet，whitefistsinminethewhile，and，floating，waitedforhelp。
Itcameonlytooquickly。ThegallantMartians，whentheysawtheprincesssaved，cameswiftlydownuponus。
OverthelappingofthewaterinmyearsIheardtheirsigh—
likecriesofadmirationandsurprise，therattleofsprayonthecanoesidesmingledwiththesplashofoars，theflittingshadowsoftheirprowswereallaboutus，andinlesstimethanittakestowritewewerehauledaboard，revived，andtakentoHath’sbarge。Againtheprince’slipswereonmyfingertips；againtheflutesandmusicstruckup；andasI
squeezedthewateroutofmyhair，andtriedtokeepmyeyesofftheoutlineofHeru，whoselovelinessshonethroughherdamp，clinging，pinkrobe，asifthatrobewerebutagauzyfancy，IvaguelyheardHathsayingwondrousthingsofmygallantry，and，whatwasmoretothepurpose，askingmetocomewithhimandstaythatnightatthepalace。
CHAPTERIV
Theylodgedmelikeaprinceinatributarycountrythatfirstnight。Iwastired。’TwasastiffstageIhadcomethedaybefore，andtheygavemeacouchwhoseetherealsoftnessseemedtocloselikethewingsofabirdasIplungedatitstouchintofathomlessslumbers。ButthenextdayhadhardlybrokenwhenIwasawake，and，stretchingmylimbsuponthepiledsilkofaleglessbeduponthefloor，foundmyselfinagreatchamberwithapurpletapestryacrosstheentrance，andasquarearchleadingtoaflatterraceoutside。
Itwasagloriousdaybreak，makingmyheartlightwithinme，theairlikenewmilk，andthecoloursofthesunriselaypurpleandyellowinbarsacrossmyroom。Iyawnedandstretched，thenrising，wrappedasilkenquiltaboutmeandwentoutintotheflatterracetop，wherefromallthecitycouldbeseenstretchedinanivoryandemeraldpatchwork，withopen，bluewaterononeside，andtheMartianplaintrendingawayinillimitabledistanceupontheother。
DirectlyunderneathinthegreatsquareatthebottomofHath’spalacestepsweregatheredaconcourseofpeople，brilliantinmany—coloureddresses。TheyweresittingorlyingaboutjustastheymightforallIknewhavedonethroughthewarmnight，withoutmuchorder，savethatwheretheblackstreaksofinlaidstonemarkedacarriage—
wayacrossthesquarenonewerestationed。WhileIwon—
deredwhatwouldbringsomanytogetherthusearly，therecameasoundofflutes——forthesepeoplecandonothingwithoutpipinglikefinchesinathicketinMay——andfromthestorehouseshalf—wayovertotheharbourtherestreamedalineofcartspiledhighwithprovender。Downcametheteamsattendedbytheirslaves，circlingandwheelingintotheopenplace，andastheypassedeachgroupthoselazy，lollingbeggarscrowdedroundandtookthedoletheyweretoothriftlesstoearnthemselves。Itwasstrangetoseehowlistlesstheywereaboutthemeal，eventhoughProvi—
denceitselfputitintotheirhands；tonotehowtheyellow—girtedslavesscuddedamongstthem，servingouttheloaves，themselveshadgrown，harvested，andbaked；
slippingfromgrouptogroup，rousing，exhorting，admin—
isteringtoahelplessthrongthattooktheireffortswithoutthoughtorthanks。
Istoodtherealongtime，onefootuponthecopingandmychinuponmyhand，notingthebeautyoftheruinedtownandwonderinghowsuchafeebleraceasthatwhichlayabout，breakfastinginthelimpidsunshine，couldhavecomebyacitylikethis，orkepteventheruinsofitswallsandbuildingsfromthecovetousnessofothers，untilpresentlytherewasarustleofprimrosegarmentsandmyfriendofthedaybeforestoodbyme。
"Areyourested，traveller？"shequestionedinthatprettyvoiceofhers。
"Restedambrosially，An。"
"Itiswell；IwilltelltheGovernmentanditwillcomeuptowashanddressyou，afterwardsgivingyoubreakfast。"
"Forthebreakfast，damsel，Ishallbegrateful，butasforthewashinganddressingIwilldefendmyselftothelastgaspsoonerthansubmittosuchadministration。"
"Howstrange！Doyouneverwashinyourcountry？"
"Yes，butitisamatterleftlargelytoourowndiscretion；
so，mydeargirl，ifyouwillleavemeforaminuteortwoinquestofthatmealyouhavementioned，Iwillguaranteetobereadywhenitcomes。"
Awaysheslipped，withashrugofherrosyshoulders，toreturnpresently，carryingatraycoveredwithawhitecloth，whereonwerehalfadozenglitteringcoverswhencecamemostfragrantodoursofcookedthings。
"Why，comrade，"Isaid，sittingdownandliftinglidbylid，forthecold，sweetairoutsidehadmademehungry，"thisisbetterthanwashopedfor；IthoughtfromwhatIsawdownyonderIshouldhavetotrotbehindatumbrilformybreakfast，andeatitonmyheelsamongstyoursleepyfriendsbelow。"
Anreplied，"Thestrangerisaprince，wetakeit，inhisowncountry，andprincesfarenotquitelikecommonpeople，evenhere。"
"So，"Isaid，mymouthfullofastrange，unknownfish，andacakesoftasmilkandwhiteascottoninthepod。
"Nowthatmakesmefeelathome！"
"Wouldyouhavehaditotherwisewithus？"
"No！nowIcometothinkofit，itismostnaturalthingsshouldbemuchalikeinallthecornersoftheuniverse；
thesplendidsimplicitythatrulesthespheres，worksmuchthesame，nodoubt，upononesideofthesunasupontheother。Yet，somehow——youcanhardlywonderatit——yes—
terdayIlookedtofindyourworld，whenIrealisedwhereIhadtumbledto，aworldofdjinandgiants；ofmadpossibilitiesoverrealised，andhereIseeyoudwellersbytheutterlyremotelittlemoremarvellousthanifIhadcomeamongstyouontheintroductionofacheaptouristticket，androundsomeneglectedcornerofmyowndistantworld！"
"Ihardlyfollowyourmeaning，sir。"
"No，no，ofcourseyoucannot。Iwasforgettingyoudidnotknow！There，passmethestuffonyonderplatterthatlookslikecakedmudfromananchorfluke，andswellslikebreathofparadise，andletmequestionyou；"andwhileI
satanddrankwiththatyellowservitorsittinginfrontofme，Ipliedherwithquestions，justasababymightwhohadcomeintotheworldwithafull—blowngiftofspeech。
Butthoughshewasreadyandwillingenoughtoanswer，andlaughedgailyatmyquaintignoranceofsimplethings，yettherewaslittlewaterinthewell。
"Hadtheyanykindofcraftsorscience；anycultofstarsorfigures？"Butagainsheshookherhead，andsaid，"Hathmightknow，Hathunderstoodmostthings，buther—
selfknewlittleofeither。""Armiesornavies？"andagaintheMartianshruggedhershoulders，questioninginturn——
"Whatfor？"
"Whatfor！"Icried，alittleangrywithherengagingdulness，"Why，tokeepthatwhichthestronghandgot，andtogetmoreforthosewhocomenext；naviestosweepyonderblueseas，andarmiestowardwhattheyshouldbringhome，orguardthecitywallsagainstallenemies，——forI
suppose，An，"Isaid，puttingdownmyknifeasthecheeringthoughtcameonme，——"Isuppose，An，youhavesomeen—
emies？ItisnotlikeProvidencetogivesuchrichesasyoupossess，suchlands，suchcities，andnottosupplytheanti—
doteinsomeonepoorenoughtocovetthem。"
Atoncethegirl’sfacecloudedover，anditwasobviousatendersubjecthadbeenchancedupon。Shewavedherhandimpatientlyasthoughtochangethesubject，butIwouldnotbeputoff。
"Come，"Isaid，"thisisbetterthanbreakfast。Itwastheonething——thisunknownenemyofyours——wantingtoleverthedullmassofyourtoopeacefulness。Whatishelike？
Howstrong？Howstandsthequarrelbetweenyou？Iwasasoldiermyselfbeforetheseaalluredme，andlovehorseandswordbestofallthings。"
"Youwouldnotjestifyouknewourenemy！"
"Thatisasitmaybe。Ihavelaughedinthefaceofmanyastrongerfoethanyoursisliketoprove；butanyhow，givemeachancetojudge。Come，whoisitthatfrightensallthebloodoutofyourcheeksbyabarementionandmaynotbelaughedatevenbehindthesesubstantialwalls？"
"First，then，youknow，ofcourse，thatlongagothislandofourswasharriedfromtheWest。"
"NotI。"
"No！"saidAn，withalittlewarmth。"Ifitcomestothat，youknownothing。"
WhereatIlaughed，and，sayingthereplywasjust，vowedIwouldnotinterruptagain；soshewontonsayinghowHath——thatinterminableHath！——wouldknowitallbetterthanshedid，butlongagothelandwasoverrunbyapeoplefrombeyondthebroad，bluewatersoutside；apeoplehugeofperson，hairyandsavage，uncouth，unlettered，andpoorAn’svoicetrembledeventodescribethem；apeoplewithoutmercyorcompunction，dwellersinwoods，eatersofflesh，whoburnt，plundered，anddestroyedallbeforethem，andhadtoppledoverthiscityalongwithmanyothersinanancientforay，thehorrorsofwhich，stillburntluridinherpeople’sminds。
"Eversincethen，"wentonthegirl，"theseodiousterrorsoftheouterlandhavebeenanightmaretous，makinghecticourpleasures，andfillingourpeacewithhorridthoughtsofwhatmightbe，shouldtheychancetocomeagain。"
"’Tisunfortunate，nodoubt，lady，"Ianswered。"Yetitwaslongago，andtheplunderersarefaraway。Whynotriseandraidtheminturn？Toliveundersuchanightmareismiserable，andapoetonmysideoftheetherhassaid——
"’Heeitherfearshisfatetoomuch，Orhisdesertsaresmall，Whowillnotputittothetouch，Towinorloseitall。’
Itseemstomeyoumusteitherbustleandfightagain，orsittamelydown，andbypayingthecoward’sfeeforpeace，buyatheavyprice，indulgencefromthevictor。"
"We，"saidAnsimply，andwithnoshowofshame，"wouldratherdiethanfight，andsowetaketheeasierway，thoughaheavyoneitis。Look！"shesaid，drawingmetothebroadwindowwhencewecouldgetaglimpseofthewestwardtownandtheharbouroutbeyondthewalls。
"Look！seeyonderlongrowofboatswithbrownsailshangingloosereefedfromeveryyardrangedallalongthequay。Evenfromhereyoucanmakeoutthethinstreamofporterslavespassingtoandfrobetweenthemandthegranarieslikeantsonasunnypath。Thoseareourtax—men’sships，theycameyesterdayfromfaroutacrossthesea，aspunctualasfatewiththefirstdayofspring，andtwoorthreenightshencewetrustwillgoagain：andgladshallwebetoseethemstart，althoughtheyleavescupperdeepwithourcloth，ourcorn，andgold。"
"Isthatwhattheytakefortribute？"
"Thatandonegirl——thefairesttheycanfind。"
"One——onlyone！’Tisverymoderate，allthingsconsidered。"
"Sheisforthethitherking，Ar—hap，andthoughonlyoneasyousay，stranger，yethewholosesherisaptsometimestothinkheronetoomanylost。"
"ByJupiterhimselfitiswellsaid！IfIwerethatmanIwouldstirupheavenandhelluntilIgotherback；
neitherman，norbeast，nordevilshouldstaymeinmyquest！"AsIspokeIthoughtforaminuteAn’sfingerstrembledalittleasshefixedafloweruponmycoat，whiletherewassomethinglikeasighinhervoiceasshesaid——
"Themaidsofthiscountryarenotaccustomed，sir，tobesostronglyloved。"
Bythistime，breakfastedandrehabilitated，Iwasreadytogoforth。Thegirlswungbacktheheavycurtainthatservedinplaceofdooracrosstheentranceofmychamber，andleadingthewaybyacorridorandmarblestepswhileIfollowed，andwhetheritwastheMartianairorthemealIknownot，butthinkingmightywellofmyselfuntilwecamepresentlyontothemainpalacestairs，whichledbystatelyflightsfromtheuppergalleriestothewidesquarebelow。
Aswepassedintothefullsunshine——andnosunshineissocrisplygoldenastheMartian——amongsttwinedflowersandshrubsandgay，quaintbirdsbuildinginthecornices，asleekyouthroseslowlyfromwherehehadspreadhiscloakascouchuponastepandapproachingasked——
"Youarethestrangerofyesterday？"
"Yes，"Ianswered。
"ThenIbringamessagefromPrinceHath，sayingitwouldpleasurehimgreatlyifyouwouldeatthemorningmealwithhim。"
"Why，"Ianswered，"itisverycivilindeed，butIhavebreakfastedalready。"
"AndsohasHath，"saidtheboy，gentlyyawning。"YouseeIcamehereearlythismorning，butknowingyouwouldpasssoonerorlaterIthoughtitwouldsavemethetroubleifIlaydowntillyoucame——thosequaintpeoplewhobuilttheseplacesweresoprodigalofsteps，"andsmilingapologeticallyhesankbackonhiscouchandbegantoyingwithaleaf。
"Sweetfellow，"Isaid，andyouwillnotehowIwasgettingintotheirstyleofconversation，"getbacktoHathwhenyouhaverested，givehimmymostgraciousthanksfortheintendedcourtesy，buttellhimtheinvitationshouldhavestartedaweekearlier；tellhimfromme，younimble—
footedmessenger，thatIwillpost—datehiskindnessandcometomorrow；saythatmeanwhileIprayhimtosendanyillnewshehasformebyyou。Isthemessagetoobulkyforyourslendershoulders？"
"No，"saidtheboy，rousinghimselfslowly，"Iwilltakeit，"
andthenhepreparedtogo。Heturnedagainandsaid，withoutatraceofincivility，"Butindeed，stranger，Iwishyouwouldtakethemessageyourself。ThisisthethirdflightofstairsIhavebeenuptoday。"
Everywhereitwasthesamefriendlyindolence。Halfthebreakfasterswerelyingoncolouredshawlsingroupsaboutthesquare；theotherhalfwerestrollingoff——allinonedirection，Inoticed——asslowlyascouldbetowardstheopenfieldsbeyond；noonewasactiveorhadanythingtodosavetheyellowfolkwhoflittedtoandfrofosteringtheothers，anddoingthecityworkasthoughitweretheironlythoughtinlife。Therewerenoshopsinthatstrangecity，fortherewerenoneeds；someboothsIsawindeed，andtemple—likeplaces，buthollow，andusedforbirdsandbeasts——thingstheselazyMartianslove。Therewasnotrampofbusyfeet，fornoonewasbusy；noclankofswordsorarmourinthosepeacefulstreets，fornoonewaswarlike；nohustle，fornoonehurried；nowide—packedassesnoddingdownthelanes，fortherewasnothingtofilltheirpackswith，andthoughacartsometimescamebywithaloadoflollingmenandmaids，orasmallhorse，forhorsestheyhad，pacedalong，itselfnearlyaslazyasthemasterhebore，withtrappingssewedoverbitsofcolouredshellandcoral，yetsomehowitwasallextraordinarilyunreal。
Itwasacityfulloftheghostsofthelifewhichoncepulsedthroughitsways。Thestreetswerepeopled，thechatterofvoiceseverywhere，thesingingboysandlaughinggirlswandering，armslinkedtogether，downthewaysfilledeveryechowiththeirmerriment，yetsomehowitwasallsoshallowthatagainandagainIrubbedmyeyes，wonder—
ingifIwereindeedawake，orwhetheritwerenotapro—
longedsleepofwhichthetomorrowwerestilltocome。
"Whatstrikesmeasstrangestofall，goodcomrade，"I
observedpleasantlytothetrippingpresenceatmyelbow，"isthatthesecountrymenofyourswhoshirktoclimbaflightofsteps，andhavepalmsassoftasrosepetals，thesewidewayspavedwithstonesashardasausurer’sheart。"
Anlaughed。"Thestoneswerestillintheirnativequar—
rieshaditbeenlefttoustoseekthem；weareliketheconiesintheruins，sir，theinheritorsofwhatotherhandshavedone。"
"Ay，andundone，Ithink，aswell，forcomingalongIhavenotedaxechippingsuponthewalls，smudgesofancientfireandsmokeuponthecornices。"
Anwincedalittleandstareduneasilyatthewalls，mut—
teringbelowherbreathsomethingabouttryingtohidewithflowergarlandsthemarkstheycouldnotbanish，butitwasplaintheconversationwasnotpleasingtoher。Sounpleasantwastalkorsightofwoodmen（Thither—folk，asshecalledthem，incontradictiontotheHitherpeopleaboutushere），thatthegirlwasclearlyrelievedwhenwewerefreeofthetownandoutintotheopenplay—
groundofthepeople。Thewholeplacedowntherewasagay，shiftingcrowd。Theboothsofyesterday，thear—
cades，thearchways，werestillstanding，andduringthenightunknownhandshadredeckedthemwithflowers，whileanotherday’ssunshinehadopenedthecoppicebudssothatthewholeplacewasbrilliantpastexpression。AndheretheHitherfolkwerevaryingtheiridlenessbyageneralholiday。Theywerestandingaboutingroups，orlyingrankedlikenew—pluckedflowersonthebanks，pipingtoeachotherthroughreedsassoftandmelodiousasrunningwater。Theywereplayinginconsequentgamesandbreakingoffinthemiddleofthemlikechildrenlookingfornewpleasures。Theywereidlingaboutthedrinkingbooths，delicatelystupidwithquaint，thinwines，dealtouttoallwhoasked；themaidswerereadytochevyorbecheviedthroughtheblossomingthicketsbyanyonewhochanceduponthem，themenslippedtheirarmsroundslen—
derwaistsandwandereddownthepaths，scarceseemingtocareevenwhosewaistitwastheycircledorintowhoseeartheywhisperedtheremainderofthelove—taletheyhadbeguntosomeoneelse。Andeverywhereitwas"Hi，"
and"Ha，"and"So，"and"See，"asthesequaintpeoplecalledtooneanother，knowingeachotherasfamiliarlyasantsofanest，andbythesamemagicitseemedtome。
"An，"Isaidpresently，whenwehadwanderedanhourorsothroughthedriftingthrong，"havethesegoodcountry—
menofyoursnoothernamesbutmonosyllabic，nothingtodesignatethembutthesechirrupingsyllables？"
"Isitnotenough？"answeredmycompanion。"Oncein—
deedIthinkwehadlongernames，but，"sheadded，smiling，"howmuchtroubleitsavestolimiteachonetoasinglesound。
Itisunciviltoone’sneighbourstoburdentheirtongueswithdoubledutywhenhalfwoulddo。"
"Buthaveyounopatronymics——nothingtoshowthechildcomesofthesamesourceashisfathercame？"
"Wehavenofathers。"
"What！nofathers？"Isaid，startingandstaringather。
"No，normotherseither，oratleastnonethatweremem—
ber，foragain，whyshouldwe？Mayhapinthatstrangedis—
trictyoucomefromyoukeepcountofthesethings，butwhathavewetodowitheitherwhentheirinitialdutyisdone。
Lookatthatpaintedbutterflyswingingonthehoney—
ladencatkinthere。Whatknowssheofthemotherwhoshedherlifeintoaflowercupandforgotwhichfloweritwastheminuteafterwards。We，too，areinsects，stranger。"
"Anddoyoumeantosayofthisgreatconcoursehere，thateveryatomissolitary，individual，andcanclaimnokin—
dredwithanothersavetheloosebondsofageneralfraterni—
ty——aspeciousidea，horrible，impracticable！"
WhereatAnlaughed。"Askthegrasshoppersifitisim—
practicable；askthelittlebuzzingthingsofgrassandleaveswhodrifthitherandthitheruponeachbreathofwind，findingkinsmenneverbutcomradeseverywhere——askthemifitishorrible。"
Thismadememelancholy，andsomehowsetmethinkingofthefriendsimmeasurablydistantIhadleftbutyesterday。
Whatweretheydoing？Didtheymissme？Iwastohavecalledformypaythisafternoon，andtomorrowwastohaverundownSouthtoseethatfreckledladyofmine。
Whatwouldshethinkofmyabsence？WhatwouldshethinkifsheknewwhereIwas？Gods，itwastoomad，tooabsurd！Ithrustmyhandsintomypocketsinfiercedes—
peration，andtheretheyclutchedanolddanceprogrammeandanout—of—datecheckforaNewYorkferry—boat。I
scowledaboutonthatsunny，helplesspeople，andlayingmyhandbitterlyuponmyheartfeltinthebreast—pocketbeneathapacketofunpaidBostontailors’billsandanotefrommylandladyaskingifIwouldletherauntdomywashingwhileIwasonshore。Oh！whatwouldtheyallthinkofme？Wouldtheybrandmeasadeserter，apoltroon，andathief，lettingmynamepresentlysinkdowninshameandmysteryintheshadowyrealmoftheforgotten？Dread—
fulthoughts！Iwouldthinknomore。
MaybeAnhadmarkedmymelancholy，forpresentlysheledmetoastallwhereinfantasticvaseswinesofsortsI
havedescribedbeforewereputoutforallwhocametotrythem。Therewasmedicinehereforeverykindofdulness——notthegrosscurewhichearthlywineeffects，butsonicelyproportionedtoeachspecificneedthatonecouldregulateone’sdebauchtoahairbreadth，risingthroughallthegamutofsatisfaction，fromthestaidcontentmentcomingofthatflasktheretothewildextravagancesofthefurther—
mostvase。Somystriplingtoldme，runningherfingerdownthelineofbeakerscarvedwithstrangefiguresandcasedinsilver，eachinitsclusteroflittleattendantdrinking—
cups，like—coloured，andwaitingroundonthewhitenapkinsastheshoreboatswaittounloadacargoroundthesidesofamerchantvessel。
"Andwhat，"Isaid，aftercuriouslyexaminingeachliquorinturn，"whatisthatwhichstandsalonethereinthehumbleearthenjar，asthoughunworthyofthecompanyoftheothers。"
"Oh，that，"saidmyfriend，"isthemostessentialofthemall——thatisthewineofrecovery，withoutwhichalltheothersweredeadlypoisons。"
"Thewhich，lady，looksasifithadamoralattachingtoit。"
"Itmayhave；indeedIthinkithas，butIhaveforgotten。
PrinceHathwouldknow！Meanwhileletmegiveyoutodrink，greatstranger，letmegetyousomething。"
"Well，then，"Ilaughed，"reachmedownanantidotetofate，aspecificforanabsentmistress，andforgetfulfriends。"
"Whatwasshelike？"saidAn，hesitatingalittleandfrowning。
"Nay，goodfriend，"wasmyanswer，"whatcanthatmattertoyou？"
"Oh，nothing，ofcourse，"answeredthatMartian，andwhileshetookfromthetableacupandfilleditwithfluidIfeltinthepouchofmysword—belttoseeifbychanceabitofmoneywasIyingthere，buttherewasnone，onlythepipsofanorangepoorPollyhadsuckedandlaughinglythrownatme。
However，itdidnotmatter。Thegirlhandedmethecup，andIputmylipstoit。Thefirsttastewasbitterandacrid，liketheliquoroflong—steepedwood。Atthesecondtasteashiverofpleasureranthroughme，andIopenedmyeyesandstaredhard。Thethirdtastegrossnessandheavi—
nessandchagrindroppedfrommyheart；allthecom—
plexionofProvidencealteredinaflash，andastupidirresistiblejoy，unreasoning，uncontrollabletookpossessionofmyfibre。Isankuponamossybankand，lollingmyhead，beamedidioticallyonthelollingMartiansallaboutme。HowlongIwaslikethatIcannotsay。Theheavyminutesofsoddencontentmentslippedbyunnoticed，un—
umbered，tillpresentlyIfeltthetouchofawine—cupatmylipsagain，anddrinkingofanotherliquordulnessvanishedfrommymind，myeyescleared，myheartthrobbed；
afantasticgaietyseizeduponmylimbs；Iboundedtomyfeet，andseizingAn’stwohandsinmine，swungthatdamselroundinagiddydance，caperingasneverdancerdancedbefore，tillspentandwearyIsankdownagainfromsheerlackofbreath，andonlyknewthereafterthatAnwassittingbymesaying，"Drink！drinkstranger，drinkandforget！"andasathirdtimeacupwaspressedtomylips，achesandpleasures，stupidnessandjoy，lifeitself，seemedslippingawayintoasplendidgoldenvacuity，ahazyepi—
sodeofunconsciousElysium，indefinite，andunfathomable。
CHAPTERV
WhenIwoke，feelingasrefreshedasthoughIhadbeendreamingthroughalongnight，An，seeingmeopen—eyed，helpedmetomyfeet，andwhenIhadrecoveredmysensesalittle，askedifweshouldgoon。Iwasmyselfagainbythistime，sowillinglytookherhand，andsooncameoutofthetangleintotheopenspaces。ImusthavebeenunderthespelloftheMartianwineslongerthanitseemed，foralreadyitwaslateintheafternoon，theshadowsoftreeswerelyingdeepandfar—reachingoverthemotleycrowdsofpeople。Outhereasthedaywanedtheyhaddevelopedsomesortofmethodintheirsports。Infrontofuswasabroad，grassycoursemarkedoffwithgarlandedfinger—posts，andinthisspaceralliesofworkfolkweretakingpartinallmannerofgamesundertheeyesofagreatconcourseofspectators，doingtheMartians’pleasuresforthemastheydidtheirlabours。Anledmegentlyon，leaningonmyarmheavier，Ithought，thanshehaddoneinthemorning，andeverandanonturninghergazelle—likeeyesuponmewithalookIcouldnotunderstand。AswesaunteredforwardInoticedallaboutlessercircleswheretheyellow—girtedonesweredrawingdelightedlaughterfromgood—temperedcrowdsbytricksofsleight—of—hand，andposturing，ortoss—
inggildedcupsandballsasthoughtheywerecatering，asindeedtheywere，foroutgrownchildren。Othersflutedorsangsongsinchorustotheslowclappingofhands，whileothersweredoingIknewnotwhat，sittingsilentamongstsi—
lentspectatorswhoeverynowandthenburstoutlaughingfornocausethatIcouldsee。ButAnwouldnotletmestop，andsowepushedonthroughthecrowdtillwecametothemainenclosureswhereadozenslaveshadrunaracefortheamusementofthosetoolazytoracethem—
selves，andweresittingpantingonthegrass。
Togivethemtimetogettheirbreath，perhaps，amansteppedoutofthecrowddressedinadarkbluetunic，astrangevacuous—lookingfellow，andthrowingdownasheafofjavelinsmarchedoffadozenpaces，then，facinground，calledoutloudlyhewouldgivesixteensuitsof"summercloth"toanyonewhocouldprickhimwithajavelinfromtheheap。
"Why，"Isaidinamazement，"thisisthebestoffools——
noonecouldmissfromsuchadistance。"
"Aybut，"repliedmyguide，"heisagiftedone，versedinmystics。"
Iwasjustgoingtosayagoodjavelin，shodwithiron，wasastrongerargumentthananymysticIhadeverheardofcouldstand，whenoutofthecrowdsteppedayouth，andamidthederisivecheersofhisfriendschoseareedfromthebundle。Hepoiseditinhishandaminutetogetthemiddle，thenturnedonthelivingtarget。Whateverelsetheymightbe，theseMartianswerecertainlybeautifulastheday—
time。NeverhadIseensuchaperfectembodimentofgraceandeleganceasthatboyashestoodthereforamomentpoisedtothethrow；theafternoonsunshinewarmandstrongonhisbunchedbrownhair，agirlishflushofshynessonhishandsomeface，andthesleekperfectionofhislimbs，clearcutagainsttheduskybackgroundbeyond。Andnowthejavelinwasgoing。Surelythemysticwouldthinkbetterofitatthelastmoment！No！theinitiateheldhisgroundwithtight—shutlipsandretrospectiveeyes，andevenasI
lookedtheweaponflewuponitserrand。
"Theregoesthesoulofafool！"Iexclaimed，andasthewordswereutteredthespearstruck，orseemedto，betweentheneckandshoulder，butinsteadofpiercingrosehighintotheair，quiveringandflashing，andpresentlyturningover，fellback，andplungeddeepintotheturf，whilealowmurmurofindifferentpleasurewentroundamongsttheonlookers。
ThereatAn，yawninggently，lookedtomeandsaid，"A
strong—willedfellow，isn’the，friend？"
Ihesitatedaminuteandthenasked，"WasitWILLwhichturnedthatshaft？"
Sheansweredwithsimplicity，"Why，ofcourse——whatelse？"
Bythistimeanotherboyhadsteppedout，andhavingchosenajavelin，testeditwithhandandfoot，thenre—
tiringapaceortworusheduptothethrowingmarkandflungitstraightandtrueintothebaredbosomoftheman。
Andasthoughithadstruckawallofbrass，theshaftleaptbackfallingquiveringatthethrower’sfeet。Anotherandanothertriedunsuccessfully，untilatlast，vexedattheirfutility，Isaid，"Ihaveasomewhatscantywardrobethatwouldbeallthebetterforthatfellow’ssummersuiting，byyourleaveIwillventureathrowagainsthim。"
"Itisuseless，"answeredAn；"nonebutonewhoknowsmoremagicthanhe，orisespeciallybefriendedbytheFatescantouchhimthroughtheenvelopehehasputon。"
"Still，IthinkIwilltry。"
"Itishopeless，Iwouldnotwillinglyseeyoufail，"
whisperedthegirl，withasuddenshowoffriendship。
"Andwhat，"Isaid，bendingdown，"wouldyougivemeifIsucceeded？"WhereatAnlaughedalittleuneasily，and，withdrawingherhandfrommine，halfturnedaway。SoI
pushedthroughthespectatorsandsteppedintothering。
Iwentstraightuptothepileofweapons，andhavingchosenonewentovertothemystic。"Goodfellow，"Icriedoutos—
tentatiously，tryingthesharpnessofthejavelin—pointwithmyfinger，"whereareallofthosesixteensummersuitsofyourslyinghid？"
"Itmattersnothing，"saidtheman，asifhewereasleep。
"Ay，butbythestarsitdoes，foritwillvexthequietreposeofyoursoultomorrowifyourheirsshouldsweartheycouldnotfindthem。"
"Itmattersnothing，"mutteredthewill—wrappedvisionary。
"ItwillmattersomethingifItakeyouatyourword。Come，friendPurple—jerkin，willyoutakethecouncilwithyourlegsandrunwhilethereisyettime，orstanduptobethrownat？"
"Istandhereimmoveableintheconfidenceofmyinitia—
tion。"
"Then，bythunder，Iwillinitiateyouintothemysteriesofajavelin—end，andyourbloodbeonyourhead。"
TheMartianswereallcraningtheirnecksinhushedeagernessasIturnedtothecasting—place，and，poisingthejavelin，facedthemagician。Wouldherunatthelastmoment？Ihalfhopedso；foraminuteIgavehimthechance，then，asheshowednosignofwavering，Idrewmyhandback，shookthejavelinbacktillitbentlikeareed，andhurleditathim。
TheMartians’headsturnedasthoughallononepivotasthespearspedthroughtheair，expectingnodoubttoseeitrecoilasothershaddone。Butittookhimfullinthecentreofhischest，andwithawildwaveofarmsandaflutterofpurpleraimentsenthimbackwards，anddown，andoverandoverinashapelessheapoflimbsandflyingraiment，whilealowmurmurofawedsurpriserosefromthespectators。Theycrowdedroundhiminadensering，asAncameflittingtomewithastartledface。
"Oh，stranger，"sheburstout，"youhavesurelykilledhim！"butmoreastoundedIhadbrokendownhisguardthangrievedathisinjury。
"No，"Iansweredsmilingly；"asorechesthemayhavetomorrow，butdeadheisnot，forIturnedthelance—pointbackasIspunit，anditwasthebutt—endIthrewathim！"
"Itwasnonethelesswonderful；Ithoughtyouwereacommonman，aprincemayhap，comebutfromoverthehills，butnowsomethingtellsmeyouaremorethanthat，"andshelapsedintothoughtfulsilenceforatime。
Neitherofuswerewishfultogobackamongstthosewhowereraisingthebruisedmagiciantohislegs，butwanderedawayinsteadthroughthedeepeningtwilighttowardsthecityovermeadowswhosedamp，softfragranceloadedtheairwithsleepypleasure，neitherofussayingawordtilltheduskdeepenedandthequicknightdescended，whilewecameamongstthegardenedhouses，thethousandlightsofanunrealcityrisinglikeajewelledbankbeforeus，andthereAnsaidshewouldleavemeforatime，meet—
ingmeagaininthepalacesquarelateron，"ToseePrincessHerureadthedestiniesoftheyear。"
"What！"Iexclaimed，"moremagic？Ihavebeenbroughtuponmoresubstantialmentalstuffthanthis。"
"Nevertheless，Iwouldadviseyoutocometothesquare，"
persistedmycompanion。"Itaffectsusall，and——whoknows？
——mayaffectyoumorethanany。"
ThereinpoorAnwasunconsciouslywearingthecloakofprophesyherself，and，shruggingmyshouldersgood—
humouredly，Ikissedherchin，littlerealising，asIletherfingersslipfrommine，thatIshouldseehernomore。
Turningbackalone，throughthecity，throughwaystwinklingwithmyriadlightsaslittlelampsbegantoblinkoutamongstgarlandsandflower—deckedboothsoneveryhand，Iwalkedon，lostinvaryingthoughts，until，fairlytiredandhungry，IfoundmyselfoutsideastallwheremanyMartiansstoodeatinganddrinkingtotheirhearts’
content。Iwasknowntononeofthem，and，forgettingpastexperience，waslookingonratherenviously，whentherecameatouchuponmyarm，and——
"Areyouhungry，sir？"askedabystander。
"Ay，"Isaid，"hungry，goodfriend，andwithallthezestwhichanemptypurselendstothatcondition。"
"Thenhereiswhatyouneed，sir，evenfromherethewinesmellsgood，andthefriedfruitwouldmakeamouse’seyetwinkle。Whydoyouwait？"
"Whywait？Why，becausethoughtherichman’sdinnergoesinathismouth，thepoormanmustoftenbecontenttodinethroughhisnose。ItellyouIhavenothingtogetmeamealwith。"
Thestrangerseemedtospeculateonthisforatime，andthenhesaid，"Icannotfathomyourmeaning，sir。
Buyingandselling，goldandmoney，allthesehavenomean—
ingtome。Surelythetwinblessingsofanappetiteandfoodabundantreadyandfreebeforeyouareenough。"
"What！freeisit——freelikethebreakfastservedoutthismorning？"
"Why，ofcourse，"saidtheyouth，withmilddepreci—
ation；"everythinghereisfree。Everythingishiswhowilltakeit，withoutexception。Whatelseisthegoodofaco—
herentsocietyandaGovernmentifitcannotprovideyouwithsorudimentaryathingasameal？"
WhereatjoyfullyIundidmybelt，and，withoutnicelyexaminingtheargument，marchedintothebooth，andthereputMartianhospitalitytothetest，eatinganddrinking，butthistimewithgrowingwisdom，tillIwasanewman，andthen，payingmyleavingwithawaveofthehandtotheyellow—girtedonewhodispensedthecommonprovender，Isaunteredonagain，caringlittleornothingwhichwaytheroadwent，andsoonacrossthecurrentofmymedita—
tionsapealoflaughterbroke，accompaniedbythepipingofaflutesomewherecloseathand，andthenextminuteIfoundmyselfamidaringoflight—heartedroistererswhowerelinkinghandsforadancetothemusicacurly—
headedfellowwasmakingcloseby。
Theymademejointhem！Onerosey—faceddamselatthehitherendofthechaindrewuptome，and，withoutaword，slippedhersoft，babyfingersintomyhand；ontheothersideanothercamewithmeltingeyes，breathlikeabedofviolets，andbanked—upfunpuckeringherdaintymouth。WhatcouldIdobutgiveherahandaswell？Theflutebegantogurgleanew，likeadrinkingspoutinspring—
time，andawaywewent，fasterandfastereachminute，theboysandgirlsswingingthemselvesintimetothetune，andcaperingpresentlytilltheirtenderfeetweretwinklingoverthegroundingayconfusion。Fasterandfastertill，astheinfectionofthedancespreadeventotheoutsidegroups，Icaperedtoo。Myword！iftheycouldhaveseenmethatnightfromthedeckoftheoldCarolina，howtheywouldhavelaughed——swordswinging，coat—tailsflying——
fasterandfaster，roundandroundwewent，tilllimbscouldstandnomore；thegaspingpiperblewhimselfquiteout，andthedanceendedasabruptlyasitcommenced，thedancersmeltingawaytojoinothersorcastingthemselvespantingontheturf。
CertainlytheseMartiangirlswereblessedwithanin—
gratiatingsimplicity。Mynewfriendoftheviolet—scentedbreathhungbackalittle，thenafterlookingatmede—
murelyforaminuteortwo，likeachildthatchoosesanewplaymate，camesoftlyup，and，standingontiptoe，kissedmeonthecheek。Itwasnotunpleasant，soIturnedtheother，whereon，guessingmymeaning，withoutthesmallesthesitation，shereachedupagain，andpressedherprettymouthtomybronzedskinasecondtime。Then，withalittlesighofsatisfaction，sherananarmthroughmine，saying，"Comrade，fromwhatcountryhaveyoucome？
Ineversawonequitelikeyoubefore。"
"FromwhatcountryhadIcome？"Againthefrowndroppeddownuponmyforehead。WasIdreaming——wasImad？WhereindeedhadIcomefrom？Istaredbackovermyshoulder，andthere，asifinanswertomythought——
there，wheretheblacktraceryoffloweringshrubswavedinthesoftnightwind，overagapinthecrumblingivoryramparts，theskywasbrightening。AsIlookedintothecentreofthatglow，aplanet，magnifiedbythewonderfulair，cameswingingup，palebutsplendid，andmappedbysoftcolours——green，violet，andred。Iknewitonthemin—
ute，Heavenonlyknowshow，butIknewit，andades—
peratethrilloflonelinesssweptoverme，aspasmofcom—
prehensionofthehorriblevoiddividingus。Neverdidyearn—
ingbabestretcharmsmorewistfullytoanunattainablemotherthanIatthatmomenttomymotherearth。Allhermeannessandprosaicnesswasforgotten，allherim—
perfectionsandshortcomings；itwashome，theonetangiblethingintheglitteringemptinessofthespheres。Allmysoulwentintomyeyes，andthenIsneezedviolently，andturninground，foundthatsweetdamselwhosesilkyheadnestledsofriendlyonmyshoulderwasticklingmynosewithafeathershehadpickedup。
Womanlike，shehadforgottenallaboutherfirstquestion，andnowaskedanother，"Willyoucometosupperwithme，stranger？’Tisnearlyready，Ithink。"
"Tobeabletosaynotosuchaninvitation，lady，isthefirstthingayoungmanshouldlearn，"Iansweredlightly；
butthen，seeingtherewasnothingsavethemostinnocentfriendlinessinthosehazeleyes，Iwenton，"butthatsternrulemayadmitofvariance。Only，asitchances，Ihavejustsuppedatthepublicexpense。If，instead，youwouldbeasailor’ssweetheartforanhour，andtakemetothisshowofyours——yourprincess’sbenefit，orwhateveritis——
Ishallbeobliged；mypreviousguideishulldownoverthehorizon，andIamcleanoutofmyreckoninginthiscrowd。"
Bywayofreply，thelittlelady，lightasanelf，tookmebythefingertips，and，gleefullyskippingforward，pilotedmethroughthemazesofhercityuntilwecameoutintothegreatsquarefrontingonthepalace，whichrosebeyonditlikeawhitechalkcliffinthedulllight。Notatapershowedanywhererounditscircumference，butamysteriouskindofradiancelikeseaphosphorescencebeamedfromthepalaceporch。Allwasinsuchdeathlikesilencethatthenailsinmy"ammunition"bootsmadeanunpleasantclankingastheystruckonthemarblepavement；yet，bytheuncertainstarlight，Isaw，tomysurprise，thewholesquarewasthrongedwithMartians，allfacingtowardstheporch，asstill，gravenimages，andasvoiceless，foronce，asthoughtheyhadindeedbeenmarble。Itwasstrangetoseethemsittingthereinthetwilight，waitingforI
knewnotwhat，andmyfriend’svoiceatmyelbowalmoststartledmeasshesaid，inawhisper，"Theprincessknowsyouareinthecrowd，anddesiresyoutogoupuponthestepsnearwhereshewillbe。"
"Whobroughthermessage？"Iasked，gazingvaguelyround，fornonehadspokentousforanhourormore。
"Noone，"saidmycompanion，gentlypushingmeupanopenwaytowardsthepalacestepsleftclearbythesittingMartians。"Itcamedirectfromhertomethisminute。"
"Buthow？"Ipersisted。
"Nay，"saidthegirl，"ifwestoptotalklikethisweshallnotbeplacedbeforeshecomes，andthusthrowawholeyear’sknowledgeout。"
So，bottlingmyspeculations，Iallowedmyselftobeledupthefirstflightofworn，whitestepstowhere，ontheterracebetweenthemandthenextflightleadingdirectlytothepalaceportico，wasaflat，havingacircleabouttwentyfeetacross，inlaiduponthemarblewithdarkercolouredblocks。Insidethatcircle，asIsatdownclosebyitinthetwilight，showedanothercircle，andthenafinaloneinwhoseinmostmiddlestoodatallirontripodandsomethingatopofitcoveredbyacloth。Andallroundtheoutercircleweremagicsymbols——IstartedasIrecognisedthemeaningofsomeofthem——withintheseagaintheinnercircleheldwhatlookedliketherepresentationsofplanets，ending，asIhavesaid，inthatdishedhollowmadebycountlessdancers’feet，anditssolitarytripod。Backagain，Iglancedtowardsthesquarewherethegreatconcourse——
tenthousandofthem，perhaps——weresittingmuteandsilentinthedeepeningshadows，thenbacktothemagiccircles，tillthesilenceandexpectancyofastrangescenebegantopossessme。
Shadowdownbelow，star—dustedheavenabove，andnotafiguremoving；whensuddenlysomethinglikealong—
drawnsighcamefromthelipsoftheexpectantmultitude，andIwasawareeveryeyehadsuddenlyturnedbacktothepalaceporch，where，aswelooked，afigure，wrappedinpalebluerobes，appearedandstoodforaminute，thenstoledownthestepswithaneagernessineverymovementholdingusspellbound。Ihaveseenmanysplendidpageantsandmanysights，eachofwhichmightbethetalkofalife—
time，butsomehownothingeversoengrossing，sothrilling，asthatghostlyfigureinflowingrobesstealingacrossthepiazzainstarlightandsilence——theprincessofabrokenkingdom，thepriestessofaforgottenfaithcomingtoherstationtoperformajuggleryofwhichsheknewnoteventhemeaning。ItwasmyversatilefriendHeru，andwithquick，incisivesteps，herwholeframeambentforthetimewiththefervourofhermission，shecameswiftlydowntowithinadozenyardsofwhereIstood。Heru，indeed，butnotthesameprincessasinthemorning；aninspiredpriestessrather，herslimbodywrappedinblueandquiver—
ingwithemotion，herfaceashinewithDelphicfire，herhairloose，herfeetbare，untilatlastwhen，asshestoodwithinthelimitofthemagiccircle，herwhitehandsuponherbreast，hereyesflashinglikeplanetsthemselvesinthestar—
shineshelookedsoghostlyandunrealIfeltforaminuteIwasdreaming。
Thenbeganastrange，weirddanceamongsttheim—
ageryoftherings，overwhichmyearthplanetwasbegin—
ningtothrowahazeoflight。Atfirstitwashardlymorethanawalk，aslowprocessionroundthetwincircumfer—
encesofthecentredtripod。Butsoonitincreasedtoanextraordinarygracefulmeasure，acadencedstepwithoutmusicorsoundthatrivetedmyeyestothedancer。Pres—
entlyIsawthosemystic，twinklingfeetofhers——asthedancebecameswifter——wereperformingameasuredroundamongsttheplanetsigns——spellingoutsomething，Iknewnotwhat，withquick，lighttouchamongstthezodiacfigures，dancingoutasoundlessinvocationofsomekindasadumbmanmightspellamessagebytouchingletters。Quickerandquicker，forminuteafterminute，grewthedance，swifterandswiftertheswingofthelightbluedraperyasthepriestess，witheagerfaceandstaringeyes，swungpant—
ingrounduponherorbit，andredderandredderoverthecitytopsrosethecircumferenceoftheearth。Itseemedtomeallthesilentmultitudewerebreathingheavilyaswewatchedthatgiddydance，andwhateverTHEYfelt，allmyownsensesseemedtobewindingupuponthatre—
volvingfigureasthreadwindsonaspindle。
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