"Whenwillshestop？"Iwhisperedtomyfriendundermybreath。
"Whentheearth—starrestsintheroof—nicheofthetempleitisclimbing，"sheansweredback。
"Andthen？"
"Onthetripodisaglobeofwater。Initshewillseethedestinyoftheyear，andwilltellus。Thewhiterthewaterstays，thebetterforus；itnevervariesfromwhite。Butwemustnottalk；see！sheisstopping。"
AndasIlookedback，thedancewascertainlyebbingnowwithsuchsmoothlydecreasingundulations，thateveryheartbegantobeatcalmerinresponse。Therewasaminuteortwoofsuchslowcessation，andthentosayshestoppedweretoogrossadescription。Motionratherdiedawayfromher，andthepriestessgroundedassmoothlyasashipgroundsinfineweatheronasandybank。Thereshewasatlast，crouchedbehindthetripod，onecorneroftheclothcoveringitgraspedinherhand，andhereyesfixedontheshiningroundjustpoiseduponthedistantrun。
Keenlythegirlwatcheditslideintozenith，thentheclothwassnatchedfromthetripod—top。Asitfellitun—
coveredabeautifulandperfectglobeofclearwhiteglass，afootorsoindiameter，andobviouslyfilledwiththethin—
nest，mostlimpidwaterimaginable。Atfirstitseemedtome，whostoodneartothepriestessofMars，withthatbeamingspheredirectlybetweenus，andthenewlyrisenworld，thatitssmoothandflawlessfacewasabsolutelydevoidofsignorcolouring。Then，asthedistantplanetbecamestrongerinthemagnifyingMartianair，ormyeyesbetteraccustomedtothatsuddennucleusofbrilliancy，adelicateandin—
finitelylovelynetworkofcolourscameuponit。Theywereliketheradiantprismsthatsometimesflushthesurfaceofabubblemorethanaughtelseforatime。ButasIwatchedthatmosaicofyellowandpurplecreepsoftlytoandfroupontheglobeitseemedtheyslowlytookformandmeaning。Anotherminuteortwoandtheyhadcertainlycon—
gealedintoasettledplan，andthen，asIstaredandwondered，itburstuponmeinaminutethatIwaslookinguponapicture，faithfulineverydetail，oftheworldIstoodon；allitsruddyforests，itssapphiresea，bothbroadandnarrowones，itswhitepeakedmountains，andunnumberedislandsbeingmappedoutwithstartlingclearnessforaspelluponthatbeamingorb。
Thenastrangethinghappened。Heru，whohadbeencrouchinginatremulousheapbythetripod，rosestealthilyandpassedherhandsafewtimesacrossthesphere。Colourandpicturevanishedathertouchlikebreathfromamirror。
Againallwasclearandpellucid。
"Now，"saidmycompanion，"nowlisten！ForHerureadsthedestiny；thewhitertheglobestaysthebetterforus——"
andthenIfeltherhandtightenonminewithastartledgraspasthewordsdiedawayuponherlips。
Evenasthegirlspoke，thesphere，whichhadbeenbeam—
inginthecentreofthesilentsquarelikeamightywhitejewel，begantoflushwithangryred。Redderandreddergrewthegleam——afieryglowwhichseemedcurdlingintheinterioroftheroundasthoughitwerefilledwithflame；
redderandredder，untiltheprincess，staringintoit，seemedturnedagainstthejet—blacknightbehind，intoaformofmoltenmetal。Aspasmofterrorpassedacrossherasshestared；herlimbsstiffened；herfrightenedhandswereclutchedinfront，andshestoodcoweringunderthatgreatcrimsonnucleuslikeonebereftofpowerandlife，andlosttoeverysensebutthatofagony。Notasyllablecamefromherlips，notamovementstirredherbody，onlythatdumb，stupidstareofhorror，atthesomethingshesawintheglobe。
WhatcouldIdo？Icouldnotsitandseehersoulcomeoutatherfrightenedeyes，andnotaMartianmovedafingertoherrescue；theredshinegleamedonemptyfaces，tierabovetier，andflungitsbroadflushovertheendlessrankofopen—mouthedspectators，thenbackIlookedtoHeru——thatwinsomelittleladyforwhom，youwillre—
member，Ihadalreadymorethanapassingfancy——andsawwithathrillofemotionthatwhileshestillkepthereyesontheflamingglobelikeoneinahorribledreamherhandswereslowly，veryslowly，risinginsupplicationtoME！Itwasnotvanity。Therewasnomistakingthedirectionofthatsilent，imploringappeal。
Notamanofhercountrymenmoved，notevenblackHath！Therewasnotasoundintheworld，itseemed，butthenoisyclatterofmyownshoenailsonthemarbleflags。InthegreatredeyeofthatunholyglobetheMartiansglimmeredlikeapicturemultitudeundertheredcliffoftheirruinedpalace。Iglaredroundatthemwithcontemptforaminute，thensprangforwardandsnatchedtheprin—
cessup。Itwaslikepullingaflowerupbytheroots。ShewasstiffandstarkwhenIlayholdofher，butwhenItoreherfromthemagicgroundshesuddenlygaveapiercingshriek，andfaintedinmyarms。
ThenasIturneduponmyheelswithheruponmybreastmyfootcaughtupontheclothsstillwoundaboutthetripodofthesphere。Overwentthatimplementofathousandyearsofsorcery，andoutwenttheredfire。ButlittleI
cared——theprincesswassafe！Andupthepalacesteps，amidstalow，wailinghumofconsternationfromthere—
coveringMartians，Iborethatbundleoflimpandsenselesslovelinessupintothepaleshineofherownporch，andthere，layingherdownuponacouch，watchedherrecoverpresentlyamongstherwomenwithavariedassortmentofemotionstinglinginmyveins。
CHAPTERVI
Beyondthefirstflutterofsurprise，theMartianshadshownnointerestintheabruptterminationoftheyear’sdivinations。Theymeltedaway，atriflemoresilentlyper—
hapsthanusual，whenIshatteredthemagicglobe，butwiththeirinvariableindifference，andhavinghandedtherevivingHeruovertosomewomenwholedheraway，apparentlyalreadyhalfforgetfulofthethingsthathadjusthappened，Iwasleftaloneonthepalacesteps，notevenAnbesideme，andonlytheshadowofapasserbynowandthentobreakthesolitude。Whereonagreatlone—
linesstookholduponme，and，pacingtoandfroalongtheancientterracewithbentheadandfoldedarms，I
bewailedmyfate。ToandfroIwalked，heedlessandmelancholy，thinkingoftheoldworld，thatwassofarandthisnearworldsodistantfrommeineverythingmakinglifeworthliving，thinking，asIstrodegloomilyhereandthere，howgladlyIwouldexchangethesepoorpuppetsandthemockeryofatowntheydweltin，forasightofmycom—
radesandacornerinthepoorestwine—shopsaloninNewYorkor’Frisco；idlyspeculatingwhy，andhow，Icamehere，asIsauntereddownamongsttheglistening，shell—likefragmentsoftheshatteredglobe，andfindingnoanswer。
HowcouldI？Itwastoofair，Ithought，standingthereintheopen；therewasafatalsweetnessintheair，adeadlysufficiencyinthebeautyofeverythingaroundfallingonthelaxsenseslikesomesleepydraughtofpleasure。Notaleafstirred，thewidepurpleroofoftheskywasunbrokenbythehealthypromiseofacloudfromrimtorim，thesplendidcountry，teemingwithitsspring—timerichness，layinrankperfectioneverywhere；andjustasrankandsleekandpassionlesswerethosewhoownedit。
Why，evenI，whoyesterdaywasstrong，begantocomeunderthespellofit。Butyesterdaythespiritoftheoldworldwasstillstrongwithinme，yethowmuchthingswerenowchanging。Thewell—strungmusclesloosening，theheartbeatingaslowermeasure，thebusyminddrowsingofftolistlessness。WasI，too，destinedtobecomelikethese？
WastheredstuffinmyveinstobewatereddowntopallidMartiansap？Wasambitionandhopetodesertme，andidlenessitselfbecomelaborious，whileliferantoseedingildeduselessness？LittledidIguesshowunnecessarymyfearswere，oroftheincrediblefairytaleofadventureintowhichfatewasgoingtoplungeme。
Stillengrossedthenextmorningbythesethoughts，I
decidedIwouldgotoHath。Hathwasaman——atleasttheysaidso——hemightsympathiseeventhoughhecouldnothelp，andso，dressingfinished，Iwentdowntowardstheinnermostpalacewhenceforanhourortwohadcomesoundsofunwontedbustle。Askingforthewayoccasion—
allyfromsleepyfolklollingaboutthecorridors，waitingasitseemedfortheirbreakfaststocometothem，andembarrassedbythenewdaylight，Iwanderedtoandfrointhelabyrinthsofthatstonyant—heapuntilIchanceduponacurtaineddoorwaywhichadmittedtoalongcham—
ber，high—roofed，ampleinproportions，withcolonnadesoneithersideseparatedfromthemainaislebyrowsoffloweryfiguresandemblematicscroll—work，meaningIknewnotwhat。Abovethosepillarsranagallerywithmanywindowslookingoutovertheruinedcity。Whileatthefurtherendofthechamberstoodthreebroadstepsleadingtoadais。AsIentered，thewholeplacewasfullofbustlinggirls，theiryellowgarmentslikeabedofflowersinthesunlighttricklingthroughthecasements，andallintentonthespreadingofafeastonlongtablesrangedupanddownthehall。Themorninglightstreamedinonthewhitecloths。Itglitteredontheglassandthegoldtheywereputtingonthetrestles，andgaveresplendentdepthsofcolourtotheribbonbandsroundthepillars。Allweresobusynoonenoticedmestandinginthetwilightbythedoor，butpresently，layingahandonaworker’sshoulder，Iaskedwhotheybanquetedfor，andwhysuchunwontedpreparation？
"Itisthemarriage—feasttonight，stranger，andamarvelyoudidnotknowit。You，too，aretobewed。"
"Ihadnotheardofit，damsel；apaternalforethoughtofyourGovernment，Isuppose？Haveyouanyideawhotheladyis？"
"HowshouldIknow？"sheansweredlaughingly。"Thatisthesecretoftheurn。Meanwhile，wehavesetyouaplaceatthetable—headnearPrincessHeru，andtonightyoudipandhaveyourchancelikeallofthem；maylucksendyouarosybride，andsaveherfromAr—hap。"
"Ay，nowIremember；Antoldmeofthisbefore；Ar—hapisthesovereignwithwhomyourpeoplehavealittledifference，andsharesunbiddeninthefreedistributionofbridesto—night。Thispromisestobeinteresting；dependonitIwillcome；ifyouwillkeepmeaplacewhereIcanhearthespeeches，andnotforgetmewhentheturtlesoupgoesround，Ishallbemorethangrateful。Nowtoanothermatter。
IwanttogetafewminuteswithyourPresident，PrinceHath。Heconcentratesthefluidintelligenceofthissphere，Iamtold。WherecanIfindhim？"
"Heisdrunk，inthelibrary，sir！"
"Myword！Itisearlyinthedayforthat，andasingularconjunctionofplaceandcircumstance。"
"Where，"saidthegirl，"couldhesaferbe？Wecanalwaysfetchhimifwewanthim，andsunkinblueob—
livionhewillnotcometoharm。"
"Acheerfulview，Miss，whichisworthyoftheattentionofourreformers。Nevertheless，Iwillgotohim。Ihaveknownmentellmoretruthinthatstatethaninanyother。"
Theservitordirectedmetothelibrary，andafterdeso—
latewanderingsupcrumblingstepsanddownmoulderingcorridors，sunnyandlovelyindecay，Icametotheim—
menselumber—shedofknowledgetheyhadtoldmeof，acityofdeadbooks，aplaceofdustycathedralaislesstoredwithforgottenlearning。AtatablesatHaththepurposeless，enthronedinleatherandvellum，snoringindivinecontentamongstallthatwastedlabour，andnothingIcoulddowassufficienttoshakehimintosemblanceofintelligence。SoperforceIturnedawaytillheshouldhavecometohim—
self，andwanderingroundthesplendidlitterofanoblelibrary，presentlyamongsttheruckofvolumesonthefloor，amongstthoselordlytomesintatteredgreenandgold，andivory，myeyelituponavolumeproppedupcuriouslyonend，andgoingtoitthroughtheconfusionI
sawbythedriedfruitrinduponthestickssupportingit，thatthegraveandreverendtomewassettocatchamouse！
ItwasasplendidbookwhenIlookedmoreclosely，boundasakingmightbindhischoicesttreasure，thesweet—
scentedleatheronitwasnodoubtfrayed；thegoldenarabesquesuponthecovershadlongsinceshedtheireyesofinsetgems，thejewelledclasplockingitslearningupfromvulgargazewasbentandopen。Yetitwasalordlytomewithanodourofsanctityaboutit，andliftingitwithdiffi—
culty，Inoticedonitscoveraredstainofmouse’sblood。
Thosewhoputittothisquaintuseofmouse—traphadalreadyhadsomesport，butsurelyneverwasamousecrushedbeforeundersomuchlearning。AndwhileIstoodguessingatwhatthebookmightholdwithin，Heru，theprincess，cametrippingintome，andwiththeabruptfamili—
arityofherkind，laidavelvethanduponmywrist，connedthetitleovertoherself。
"Whatdoesitsay，sweetgirl？"Iasked。"Thematterislearned，byitsfeel，"andthatmaid，pursingupherprettylips，readthetitletome——"TheSecretoftheGods。"
"TheSecretoftheGods，"Imurmured。"Wasitpos—
sibleotherworldshadstruggledhopelesslytocomewithinthebarestkenofthatgreatknowledge，whileherethesamewassettocatchamousewith？"
Isaid，"Silver—footed，sitdownandreadmeapassageortwo，"andproppingthemightyvolumeuponatabledrewabenchbeforeitandpulledherdownbesideme。
"Oh！ahorrid，dryoldbookforcertain，"criedthatlady，herpinkfingertipsfallingaslightlyonthemustyleavesasalmondpetalsonMarchdust。"WhereshallIbegin？Itisallequallydull。"
"Dipin，"wasmyanswer。"’Tisnogreatmatterwhere，butnearthebeginning。Whatsaysthewriterofhisintention？
Whatsetsheouttoprove？"
"HesaysthatistheSecretoftheFirstGreatTruth，descendedstraighttohim——"
"Manyhavesaidsomuch，yethavelied。"
"Hesaysthatwhichiswritteninhisbookisthroughhimbutnotofhim，pastcriticismandbeyondcavil。’Tisallinancientandcrabbedcharactersgoingbacktothethresholdofmylearning，buthereuponthispassage—topwheretheyarewritlargeImakethemouttosay，’ONLYTHEMAN
WHOHASDIEDMANYTIMESBEGINSTOLIVE。’"
"Apregnantpassage！Turnanotherpage，andtryagain；
Ihaveaninklingofthebookalready。"
"’Tispoor，sillystuff，"saidthegirl，slippingahandcovertlyintomyown。"Whywillyoumakemereadit？
Ihaveabookonpomatumsworthtwiceasmuchasthis。"
"Nevertheless，dipinagain，dearlady。Whatsaysthenextheading？"Andwithalittlesighattheheavinessofhertask，Herureadout："SOMETIMESTHEGODSTHEM—
SELVESFORGETTHEANSWERSTOTHEIROWN
RIDDLES。"
"Lady，Iknewit！
"Allthisisstillpreliminarytothegreatmatterofthebook，butthemutteringsofthepriestwhodrawsbackthecur—
tainsoftheshrine——andhere，afterthescribehasleftthesetwoyellowpagesblankasthoughtosetaspaceofreverencebetweenhimselfandwhatcomesnext——herespeaksthetruth，thevoice，thefactofalllife。"But"Oh！
Jones，"shesaid，turningfromthedustypagesandclaspingheryoung，milk—warmhandsovermineandleaningtowardsmeuntilherblushingcheekwasneartomyshoulderandtheincenseofherbreathuponme。"Oh！GulliverJones，"
shesaid。"Makemereadnomore；mysoulrevoltsfromthetask，thecrazybrownlettersswimbeforemyeyes。Istherenolearningnearathandthatwouldbepleasanterreadingthanthissillybookofyours？What，afterall，"shesaid，growingbolderatthesoundofherownvoice，"what，afterall，isthemustyreticenceofgodstothewhisperedsecretofamaid？Jones，splendidstrangerforwhomallmenstandasideandwomenlookovershoulders，oh，letmebeyourbook！"shewhispered，slippingontomykneeandwindingherarmsroundmynecktill，throughthewhiteglimmerofhersinglevest，Icouldfeelherheartbeatingagainstmine。"Newestanddearestoffriends，putbythisdrearylearningandlookinmyeyes；istherenothingtobespeltoutthere？"
AndIwasconstrainedtodoasshebidme，forshewasasfreshasanalmondblossomtouchedbythesun，andlookingdownintotwoswimmingbluelakeswhereshynessandpassionwerecontending——bookseasyenough，intruth，toberead，Isawthatshelovedme，withtheunconventionalardourofhernature。
Itwasapleasantdiscovery，ifitsabruptnesswasem—
barrassing，forshewasamaidinathousand；andhalfashamedandhalflaughingIletherescalademe，throwingnowandthenaruefullookattheSecretoftheGods，andallthatpricelessknowledgetreatedsounworthily。
WhatelsecouldIdo？Besides，Ilovedhermyself！Andiftherewasamomentarychagrinathavingyondergoldenknowledgeputoffbythislovelyinterruption，yetIwasfleshandblood，thegodscouldwait——theyhadtowaitlongandoftenbefore，andwhenthissweetinterpreterwascomfortedwewouldhaveanothertry。SoithappenedItookherintomyheartandgavehertheanswersheaskedfor。
Foralongtimewesatintheduskygrandeuroftheroyallibrary，mymindrevolvingbetweenwonderandad—
mirationoftheneglectedknowledgeallabout，andthestir—
ringsofanewlove，whileHeruherself，lapsedagainintoMartiancalm，layhalfsleepingonmyshoulder，butpre—
sently，unwindingherarms，Iputherdown。
"There，sweetheart，"Iwhispered，"enoughofthisforthemoment；tonight，perhaps，somemore，butwhilewearehereamongstallthislordlylitter，Icanthinkofnothingelse。"
AgainIbidherturnthepages，notingasshedidsohoweachchapterwasheadedbythecolouredconfigurationofaworld。Pagebypageweturnedofcracklingparchment，untilbychance，atthetopofone，myeyecaughtacolouredroundIcouldnotfailtorecognise——’twasthespinningbut—
tononthebluebreastoftheimmeasurablethatyesterdayIinhabited。"Readhere，"Icried，clappingmyfingeruponthepagemidwaydown，wherethereweresomesignslookinglikeEgyptianwriting。"SaysthisquaintdabblerinallknowledgeanythingofIsis，anythingofPhra，ofAm—
mon，ofAmmonTop？"
"AndwhowasIsis？whoAmmonTop？"askedthelady。
"Nay，read，"Ianswered，anddownthepageherslenderfingerswentawanderingtillataspotofknottedsignstheystopped。"Why，hereissomethingaboutthyIsis，"ex—
claimedHeru，asthoughamusedatmyperspicuity。"Here，halfwaydownthischapterofearth—history，itsays，"andputtingonepinkkneeacrosstheothertobetterpropthebooksheread：
"AndthepriestsofThebesweregone；thesandstoodun—
trampledonthetemplestepsathousandyears；thewildbeessangthesongofdesolationintheearsofIsis；thewildcatslitteredinthestonylapofAmmon；ay，anotherthou—
sandyearswentby，andearthwastilledofunseenhandsandsownwithyellowgrainfromParadise，andthethinveilthatseparatestheknownfromtheunknownwasrent，andmenwalkedtoandfro。"
"Goon，"Isaid。
"Nay，"laughedtheother，"thelittlemiceintheireager—
nesshavebeenbeforeyou——see，allthiscornerisgnawedaway。"
"Readonagain，"Isaid，"wherethepageiswhole；thosesipsofknowledgeyouhavegivenmakemethirstyformore。
There，beginwherethisblazonryofinitialedredandgoldlookssolikethecarpetspreadbythescribeforthefeetofasovereigntruth——whatsayshehere？"Andshe，halfpoutingtobesetbackoncemoretothattask，halfwon—
deringasshegazedonthosemagicletters，lethereyesrundownthepage，thenbegan：
"AnditwastheBeginning，andinthecentrevoidpres—
entlytherecameanucleusoflight：andthelightbrightenedinthegreyprimevalmorningandbecamedefiniteandarticulate。Andfromthemidstofthatnatalsplendour，behindwhichwastheUnknowable，thelifecamehitherward；fromthemidstofthatnucleusundescribed，undescribable，thereissuedpresentlytheprimevalsighthatbreathedthebreathoflifeintoallthings。Andthatsighthrilledthroughtheemptyspacesoftheillimitable：itbreathedthebreathofpromiseoverthefrozenhillsoftheoutsideplanetswherethenight—frosthadlastedwithoutbeginning：andthewatersoftenthousandnamelessoceans，girdingnamelessplanets，werestirred，tremblingintotheirdepth。Itcrossedtheil—
limitablespaceswheretheherdingaerolitesswirlforeverthroughspaceinthewakeofcareeringworld，andalltheirwhistlingwingsansweredtoit。Itreverberatedthroughthegreywastesofvacuity，andcrossedthedarkoceansoftheOutside，eventotheblackshoresoftheeternalnightbeyond。
"Andhardlyhadechoofthatbreathdiedawayinthehollowoftheheavensandtheemptywombsofamillionbarrenworlds，whenthelightbrightenedagain，anddraw—
inginuponitselfbecamedefiniteandtookform，andtherefrom，atthemomentofprimitiveconception，therecame——"
Andjustthen，asshehadreadsofarasthat，whenallmyfacultieswereachingtoknowwhatcamenext——
whetherthiswerebuttheidlescribblingofavacuousfool，orsomethingelse——thererosethesoundofsoftflutesandtinklingbellsinthecorridors，asseneschalswanderedpip—
ingroundthepalacetocallfolktomeals，asmellofroastmeatandgrillingfishasthatprocessionliftedthecurtainsbetweenthehalls，and——
"Dinner！"shoutedmysweetMartian，slappingthecov—
ersofTheSecretoftheGodstogetherandpushingthestatelytomeheadlongfromthetable。"Dinner！’Tisworthahundredthousandplanetstothehungry！"
NothingIcouldsaywouldkeepher，and，scarcelyknow—
ingwhethertolaughortobeangryatsounseemlyaninterruption，butbothbeingpurposelessIdugmyhandsintomypockets，andsomewhatsulkilyrefusingHeru’sinvita—
tiontoluncheoninthecorridor（Navyrationshadnotfittedmystomachfortheseconstantdebauchesofgos—
samerfood），strolledintothetownagaininnoverypleasantframeofmind。
CHAPTERVII
ItwasonlyatmomentsliketheseIhadanytimetoreflectonmycircumstancesorthatgiddychancewhichhadshotmeintospaceinthisfashion，and，frankly，theopportunities，whentheydidcome，broughtsuchanextraordinaryde—
pressingtrainofthought，Ibynomeansinvitedthem。
Evenwiththetimeavailabletheoccasionwasalwaysawryforsuchreflection。Thesedaintytriflersmadesulkingasimpossibleamongstthemasphilosophyinaballroom。WhenIstalkedoutlikethatfromthelibraryinfinemoodtomoraliseandapostrophiseheaveninawaythatwouldnodoubthavelookedfineuponthesepages，onesprightlydam—
sel，justasthegloomyrhetoricwasburstingfrommylips，thrustaflowerundermynosewhosescentbroughtonaviolentattackofsneezing，hercompanionsjoininghandsanddancingroundmewhiletheyimitatedmyagony。Then，whenIburstawayfromthemandrusheddownanar—
rowarcadeofcrumblingmansions，anotherstoppedmeinmid—career，andtakingthehoney—stickshewassuckingfromherlips，putittomine，likeapretty，playfulchild。An—
otheraskedmetodance，anothertodrinkpinkoblivionwithher，andsoon。Howcouldonelamentamongstallthisirritatingcheerfulness？
Anmighthavehelpedme，forpoorAnwasintelligentforaMartian，butshehaddisappeared，andtheterriblevacu—
ityoflifeintheplanetwasforceduponmewhenIrealisedthatpossessingnocognomen，nofixedaddress，orrating，itwouldbethemerestchanceifIevercameacrossheragain。
Lookingformyfriendlyguideandgettingmoreandmoreatseaamongstamazeofcomelybutsimilarfaces，ImadechanceacquaintancewithanotherofherkindwhocheerfullydrankmyhealthattheGovernment’sexpense，andchattedonthingsMartian。Shetookmetoseeafuneralbywayofamusement，andIfoundthesepeoplefloatedtheirdeadoffonflower—deckedraftsinsteadofburyingthem，thesend—offsalltakingplaceuponacertainswift—flowingstream，whichcarriedthedeadawayintothevastregionofnorthernice，butmoreexactlywhithermyinformantseemedtohavenoidea。Thevoyageronthisoccasionwasold，andthisbroughttomymindthecuriousfactthatI
hadobservedfewchildreninthecity，andnoelders，all，exceptperhapsHath，beinginastateofsleekyouthfulness。
MynewfriendexplainedthepeculiaritybydeclaringMar—
tiansripenedwithextraordinaryrapidityfrominfancytotheequivalentofabouttwenty—fiveyearsofage，withus，andthenremainedatthatperiodhoweverlongtheymightlive；Onlywhentheydieddidtheiraccumulatedseasonscomeuponthem；thegirlturningpale，andwringingherpret—
tyhandsinsympatheticconcernwhenItoldhertherewasalandwheredecrepitudewasnotsohappilypostponed。TheMartians，shesaid，arrangedtheircalendarbythevaryingcoloursoftheseasons，andlovedblueasanantidotetothegenerallyredandrustycharacteroftheirsoil。
Discussingsuchthingsasthesewelightlysquanderedthedayaway，andIknowofnothingmoretonoteuntiltheeveningwascomeagain：thatwonderfulpurpleeveningwhichcreepsovertheouterworldsatsunset，aseductivedarknessgemmedwithtenthousandstarsridingsolowintheheaventheyseemscarcelymorethanmasthigh。Whenthathourwascomemyfriendtiptoedagaintomycheek，andthen，pointingtothepalaceandlaughinglyhopingfatewouldsendmeabride"assoftascatkinandassweetashoney，"slippedawayintothedarkness。
ThenIrememberedallonasuddenthiswasthecon—
nubialeveningofmysprightlyfriends——theoccasionwhen，asAnhadtoldme，theGovernmentconstituteditselfintoagiganticmatrimonialagency，and，withthecheerfulcare—
lessnessoftheplace，shuffledthematrimonialpackanew，anddealtafreshhandtoalltheplayers。NowIhadnowishtoavailmyselfofasailor’sprivilegeofabrideineveryport，butsurelythisgamewouldbeinterestingenoughtosee，evenifIwerebutadisinterestedspectator。AsamatteroffactIwassomethingmorethanthat，andhadbeenthinkingagooddealofHeruduringtheday。IdonotknowwhetherIactuallyaspiredtoherhand——thatwerealargeorder，eveniftherehadbeennosuspicioninmymindshewasalreadybespokeinsomevaguewaybytheinvisibleHath，mostabortiveofprinces。Butshewasundeniablyalovelygirl；themoreonethoughtofherthemoreshegrewuponthefancy，andthenthepreferenceshehadshownmyselfwasverygratifying。Yes，Iwouldcertainlyseethisquaintceremonial，evenifItooknoleadingpartinit。
ThegreatcentrehallofthepalacewasfullofaradiantlightbringingupitsruinedcolumnsandintrudingcreeperstothebesteffectwhenIentered。Dinneralsowasjustbeingserved，astheywouldsayinanother，andalas！verydistantplace，andthewholebuildingthrongedwithfolk。
Downthecentrelowtableswithroomforfourhundredpeoplewereranged，buttheylookedquaintenoughsincebuttwohundredweresittingthere，allbrand—newbachelorsabouttobeturnedintobrandnewBenedicts，andtakingitmightilycalmlyitseemed。Acrossthehall—topwasaraisedtablesimilarlyarrangedandornamented；andenteringintothespiritofthething，andlittleguessinghowsternarealitywastocomefromtheevening，Isatdowninavacantplaceneartothedais，andonlyafewpacesfromwherethepale，ghost—eyedHathwasalreadyseated。
Almostimmediatelyafterwardsmusicbegantobuzzallaboutthehall——musicofthekindthepeoplelovedwhichalwaysseemedtomeasthoughitwereexudingfromthetablesandbenches，sodisembodiedanddifficultitwastolocate；allthesleepygallantsraisedtheirflower—encircledheadsatthesametime，seizingtheirwine—cups，alreadyfilledtothebrim，andthedooratthebottomofthehallopening，theladies，precededbyonecarryingamysteriousvasecoveredwithaglitteringcloth，camein。
Now，beingsomewhatthirsty，Ihadalreadydrunkhalfthewineinmybeaker，andwhetheritwasthatdraught，druggedasallMartianwinesare，orthesheerlovelinessofthemaidsthemselves，Icannotsay，butastheprocessionentered，and，dividing，circledroundunderthecolonnadesofthehall，asensationofextraordinaryfelicitycameoverme——anemotionofdivinecontentmentpurgedofallgross—
ness——andIstaredandstaredatthecirclingloveliness，gos—
samer—clad，flower—girdled，trippingbymewithvapidde—
light。Eitherthewinewasbuddinginmyhead，ortherewaslittletochoosefromamongstthem，forhadanyofthoseladiessatdowninthevacantplacebesideme，Ishouldcertainlyhaveacceptedherasagiftfromheaven，withoutquestionorcavil。Butoneafteranothertheyslippedby，modestlytakingtheirplacesintheshadowsuntilatlastcamePrincessHeru，andatthesightofhermysoulwasstirred。
Shecameundulatingoverthewhitemarble，thelovelinessofherfairypersondimmedbutscarcelyhiddenbyarobeofsoftestlawnincolourlikerose—petals，hereyesaglitterwithexcitementandacharmingblushuponherface。
Shecamestraightuptome，and，restingadaintyhanduponmyshoulder，whispered，"Areyoucomeasaspectatoronly，dearMr。Jones，ordoyoujoininourcustomtonight？"
"Icameonlyasabystander，lady，butthefascinationoftheopportunityisdeadly——"
"Andhaveyouanypreference？"——thisinthesoftestlittlevoicefromsomewhereinthenapeofmyneck。"StrangerssometimessaytherearefairwomeninSeth。"
"None——tillyoucame；andnow，aswassaidalongtimeago，’AllisdrossthatisnotHelen。’Dearestlady，"Iranon，detainingherbythefingertipsandgazingupintothoseshyandstar—likeeyes，"mustIindeedputallthehopesyourkindnesshasrousedinmetheselastfewdaystoashuffleinyonderurn，takingmychancewithalltheselazyfellows？InthatlandwhereofIwas，wewouldnothavehaditso，weloadedourdiceinthesematters，astrongmantheremighthaveawillingmaidthoughallheavenweresetagainsthim！Butgivemeleave，sweetlady，andIwillrufflewiththesefellows；givemeaglanceandIwillbartermylifeforyourbilletwhenitisdrawn，buttostandidlybyandseeyouwonbyacoldchance，Icannotdoit。"
Thatladylaughedalittleandsaid，"Menmakelaws，dearJones，forwomentokeep。Itistherule，andwemustnotbreakit。"Then，gentlytuggingatherimprisonedfingersandgatheringupherskirtstogo，sheadded，"Butitmighthappenthatwitherewerebetterthansword。"Thenshehesitated，andfreeingherselfatlastslippedfrommyside，yetbeforeshewasquitegonehalfturnedagainandwhisperedsolowthatnoonebutIcouldhearit，"A
goldenpool，andasilverfish，andalinenothickerthanahair！"andbeforeIcouldbegameaningofher，hadpasseddownthehallandtakenaplacewiththeotherexpectantdamsels。
"Agoldenpool，"Isaidtomyself，"asilverfish，andalineofhair。"Whatcouldshemean？Yetthatshemeantsomething，andsomethingclearlyofimportance，Icouldnotdoubt。"Agoldenpool，andasilverfish——"Iburiedmychininmychestandthoughtdeeplybutwithouteffectwhilethepreparationsweremadeandthefatefulurn，eachmaidhavingslippedhernametabletwithin，wasbroughtdowntous，coveredinabeautifulwebofrose—colouredtissue，andcommenceditsround，passingslowlyfromhandtohandaseachofthosehandsome，impassive，fawn—eyedgallantsliftedacornerofthewebinturnandhelpedthemselvestofate。
"Agoldenpool，"Imuttered，"andasilverfish"——soab—
sorbedinmyownthoughtsIhardlynoticedthegreatcupbeginitsjourney，butwhenithadgonethreeorfourplacestheglitterofthelightsuponitcaughtmyeye。Itwasofpuregold，round—brimmed，andcircledaboutwithastringoftheblueconvolvulus，whichimpliesdelighttothesepeople。Ay！andeachmanwasplunginghishandintothedarkandtakinginhisturnasmallnotch—edgedmother—of—
pearlbilletfromitthatflashedsoftandsilveryasheturneditinhishandtoreadthenameengravedinunknowncharactersthereon。"Why，"Isaid，withastart，"surelyTHISmightbethegoldenpoolandthesethesilverfish——
butthehair—fineline？AndagainImeditateddeeply，withallmysensesonthewatch。
Slowlytheurncreptround，andaseachmantookaticketfromit，andpassedit，smiling，totheseneschalbehindhim，thatofficialreadoutthenameuponit，andablushingdamselslippedfromthecrowdabove，crossingovertothesideofthemanwithwhomchancehadthuslightlylinkedherforthebriefMartianyear，andputtingherhandsinhistheykissedbeforeallthecompany，andsatdowntotheirplacesatthetableascalmlyascountryfolkmightchoosepartnersatavillagefairinhay—time。
Butnotsowithme。EachtimeanamewascalledI
startedandstaredatthedrawerinawaywhichshouldhavefilledhimwithalarmhadalarmbeenpossibletothepeace—soakedtriflers，thenturnedtoglancetowhere，amongstthewomen，mytenderlittleprincesswasleaningagainstapillar，withdroopinghead，slowlypullingacon—
volvulusbudtopieces。Nonedrew，thoughallwerethinkingofher，asIcouldtellinmyfingertips。Keenerandkeenergrewthesuspenseasnameafternamewastoldandeachslimwhitedamselskippedtotheplaceallottedher。AndallthetimeIkeptmutteringtomyselfaboutthat"goldenpool，"
wonderingandwonderinguntiltheurnhadpassedhalfroundthetablesandwasonlysomethreemenupfromme——andthenanideaflashedacrossmymind。Idippedmyfingersinthescentedwater—basinonthetable，dryingthemcarefullyonanapkin，andwaiting，outwardlyascalmasany，yetinwardlywrungbythosetremorswhichbesetallmalecreationinsuchcircumstances。
Andnowatlastitwasmyturn。Thegreaturn，blazinggolden，throughitsrosycovering，wasinfront，andalleyesonme。IclappedasunburnthanduponitstopasthoughIwouldtakeallremaininginittomyselfandstaredroundatthatcompany——onlyherherselfIdurstnotlookat！Then，withabeatingheart，Iliftedacornerofthewebandslippedmyhandintothedarkinside，mutteringtomyselfasIdidso，"Agoldenpool，andasilverfish，andalinenothickerthanahair。"Itouchedinturntwentyperplexingtabletsandwasnowhitthewiser，andfeltaboutthesidesyetcametonothing，gropinghereandtherewitharisingdespair，untilasmyfingers，stilldampandfineoftouch，wentroundthesidesasecondtime，yes！therewassome—
thing，somethinginthehollowofthefluting，athought，athread，andyetenough。Itookitunseen，liftingitwithin—
finiteforbearance，andtheendwasweighted，theothertabletsslippedandrattledasfromtheirmidst，hangingtothatonefinevirginhair，upcameapearlybillet。Idoubtednolonger，butsnappedthethread，andshowedthetablet，heardHeru’sname，readfromitamongstthesoftapplauseofthatluxuriouscompanywithalltheunconcernIcouldmuster。
Thereshewasinamoment，liptolipwithme，beforethemall，hereyesmorethaneverlikeplanetsfromhernativeskies，andonlythequickheaveofherbosom，slowlysubsidinglikeagroundswellafterastorm，remainingtotellthatevenMartianbloodcouldsometimesbeatquickerthanusual！Shesatdowninherplacebymeinthesimplestway，andsooneverythingwasasmerryascouldbe。Themainmealcameonnow，andasfarasIcouldseethoseMartiangallantshadextremelygoodappetites，thoughtheydrankatfirstbutlittle，wiselyrememberingthestrengthoftheirwines。Asforme，Iateoffishesthatneverswaminearthlyseas，andofstrangefowlthatneverflappedawaythroughthickterrestrialair，ateanddrankashappyasaking，andfallingeachmomentmoreandmoreinlovewiththewonderfullybeautifulgirlatmysidewhowasarealwomanoffleshandbloodIknew，yetsomehowsodainty，sopinkandwhite，sounlikeothergirlsinthesmoothnessofheroutlines，inthesubtlegraceofeachunthinkingattitude，thatagainandagainIlookedatherovertherimofmytankardhalffearingshemightdissolveintonothing，beingthehalf—fairywhichshewas。
Presentlysheasked，"Didthatdeedofmine，thehairintheurn，offendyou，stranger？"
"Offendme，lady！"Ilaughed。"Why，haditbeentheblackestcrimethatevercameoutofaperverseimaginationitwouldhavebroughtitsownpardonwithit；I，leastofallinthisroom，haveleastcausetobeoffended。"
"Iriskedmuchforyouandbrokeourrules。"
"Why，nodoubtthatwasso，but’tistheprivilegeofyourkindtohavesomesayinthislittlematterofgivingandtakinginmarriage。IonlymarvelthatyourcountrywomensubmitsotamelytothequaintestgameofchanceIeverplayedat。
"Ay，anditiswomen’snaturenodoubttokeepthelawswhichothersmake，asyouhavesaidyourself。Yetthisrule，lady，isonebrokenwithmorecreditthankept，andifyouhaveoffendednoonemorethanme，yourpenanceiseasilydone。"
"ButIhaveoffendedsomeone，"shesaid，layingherhandonminewithgentlenervousnessinitstouch，"onewhohasthepowertohurt，andenoughenergytoresent。Hath，upthereatthecross—table，haveIoffendeddeeplytonight，forhehopedtohaveme，andwouldhavecompelledanyothermantobartermeforthemaidchanceassignedtohim；butofyou，somehow，heisafraid——Ihaveseenhimstaringatyou，andchangingcolourasthoughheknewsomethingnooneelseknows——"
"Briefly，charminggirl，"Isaid，forthewinewasbe—
ginningtosinginmyhead，andmyeyeswereblinkingstupidly——"briefly，Hathhaththeenot，andthere’sanendofit。IwouldspitascoreofHaths，asthesefigsarespitonthisgoldenskewer，beforeIwouldrelinquishahairofyourheadtohim，ortoanyman，"andaseverythingaboutthegreathallbegantolookgauzyandunrealthroughthegatheringfumesofmyconfusion，Ismiledonthatgraciouslady，andbegantowhisperIknownotwhattoher，andwhisperanddoze，anddoze——
Iknownothowlongafterwardsitwas，whetheraminuteoranhour，butwhenIliftedmyheadsuddenlyfromthelady’sshoulderalltheplacewasinconfusion，everyoneupontheirfeet，thetalkandthedrinkingceased，andalleyesturnedtothefardoorwaywherethecurtainswerejustdroppingagainasIlooked，whileinfrontofthemwerestandingthreemen。
Thesenewcomerswereutterlyunlikeanyothers——afright—
fulvisionofuglystrengthamidstthelollinglovelinessallabout。Lowofstature，broadofshoulder，hairy，deep—chest—
ed，withsharp，twinklingeyes，setfarbackunderbushyeyebrows，retreatingforeheads，andflatnosesinfacestan—
nedtoaduskycopperhuebyexposuretoeverykindofweatherthatrackstheextremeMartianclimatetheyweresooppositetoallaboutme，soquaintandgrimamongstthosemild，fair—skinnedfolk，thatatfirstIthoughttheywerebutadisorderedcreationofmyfancy。
Irubbedmyeyesandstaredandblinked，butno！theywererealmen，offleshandblood，andnowtheyhadcomedownwithasmuchstatelinessastheirbandylegswouldadmitof，intothefullglareofthelightstothecentretablewhereHathsat。Isawtheirsplendidapparel，thegreatstringsofrudelypolishedgemshungroundtheirhairynecksandwrists，thecunninglydyedskinsofsoft—furredanimals，greenandredandblack，wherewiththeirlimbswereswathed，andthenIheardsomeonebymewhisperinafrightenedtone，"Theenvoysfromoverseas。"
"Oh，"Ithoughtsleepilytomyself，"sothesearetheape—menofthewesternwoods，arethey？Thosewholongagovanquishedmywhite—skinnedfriendsandyearlycometoclaimtheirtribute。Jove，whathaytheymusthavemadeofthem！Howthosepeach—skinnedgirlsmusthavescreamedandthedownystriplingsbythemfelttheirdimpledkneesknocktogether，asthemadfloodofbarbarianscamepour—
ingoverfromtheforest，andlongagostormedtheircit—
adelslikeastreamofredlava，asdeadly，asirresistible，asremorseless！"AndIlayasprawluponmyarmsonthetablewatchingthemwiththestupidindifferenceIthoughtIcouldsowellafford。
MeanwhileHathwasonfoot，paleandobsequiouslikeothersinthepresenceofthosedreadambassadors，butmorecollected，Ithought。Withthedeepestbowshewelcomedthem，handingthemdrinkinagoldenStatecup，andwhentheyhaddrunk（Iheardtheliquorrunningdowntheirgreatthroats，inthefrightenedhush，likewaterinarunnelonawetday），theywipedtheirfiercelipsupontheirfurrysleeves，andtheleaderbeganrecitingthetributefortheyear。Somuchcorn，somuchwine——andverymuchitwas——somanythousandsellsofclothandwebbing，andsomuchhammeredgold，andsinahandlar，preciousmetalofwhichIknewnothingasyet；andeverashewentgrowl—
ingthroughthelistinhisharshanimalvoice，herefreshedhismemorywithacolouredstickwhereonanotchwasmadeforeveryitem，thewoodmennothavingcomeasyet，apparently，tothegentlerartofwrittensignsandsymbols。Longerandlongerthatcaravanofunearnedwealthstretchedoutbeforemyfancy，butatlastitwasdone，orallbutdone，andtheheadenvoy，passingthepaintedsticktoamanbehind，foldedhisbare，sinewyarms，uponwhichtheredfellbristlesasitdoesuponagorilla’s，acrosshisamplechest，and，includingusallinonegeneralscowl，turnedtoHathashesaid——
"AllthisforAr—hap，thewood—king，mymasterandyours；
allthis，andthemostbeautifulwomanheretonightatyourtables！"
"Anitem，"Ismiledstupidlytomyself，forindeedIwasverysleepyandhadnoniceperceptionofthings，"whichshowshismajestywiththetwo—prongednameisajollyfellowafterall，andknowswealthisincompletewithoutthecrownandprimingofallriches。IwonderhowtheMartianboyswilllikethispostscript，"andchinonhand，andeyesthatwouldhardlystayopen，Iwatchedtoseewhatwouldhappennext。Therewasalittleconversationbetweentheprinceandtheape—man；thenIsawHaththetraitorpointinmydirectionandsay——
"Sinceyouaskandwillbeadvised，then，mightysir，therecanbenodoubtofit，themostbeautifulwomanheretonightisundoubtedlyshewhositsyonderbyhiminblue。"
"Averyprettycompliment！"Ithought，toodulltoseewhatwascomingquickly，"andhandsomeofHath，allthingsconsidered。"
AndsoIdozedanddozed，andthenstarted，andstared！
WasIinmysenses？WasImad，ordreaming？Thedrunk—
ennessdroppedfrommelikeamantle；withasingle，smotheredcryIcametomyselfandsawthatitwasalltootrue。ThesavageenvoyhadcomedownthehallatHath’svindictiveprompting，hadliftedmyfairgirltoherfeet，andthere，evenasIlooked，haddrawnher，whiteasdeath，intotheredcircleofhisarm，andwithonehandunderherchinhadraisedhersweetfacetowithinaninchofhis，andwasstaringatherwithsmall，uglyeyes。
"Yes，"saidtheenjoy，moreinterestedlythanhehadspokenyet，"itwilldo；thetributeisaccepted——forAr—
hap，mymaster！"AndtakingshrinkingHerubythewrist，andlayingaheavyhanduponhershoulder，hewasabouttoleadherupthehall。
Iwassoberenoughthen。Iwasonfootinaninstant，andbeforealltheglitteringcompany，beforethosesimperinggirlsandpaleMartianyouths，whosatmumblingtheirfingers，toofrightenedtolifttheireyesfromofftheirhalf—finisheddinners，Isprangattheenvoy。Istruckhimwithmyclenchedfistonthesideofhisbullethead，andheletgoofHeru，whoslippedinsensiblefromhishairychestlikeawhitecloudslippingdowntheslopesofahillatsunrise，andturnedonmewithasnortofrage。Westaredateachotherforaminute，andthenIfeltthewinefumesroaringinmyhead；I
rushedathimandclosed。Itwaslikeembracingamoun—
tainbull，andherespondedwithahugthatmademyribscrackle。Foraminutewewerelockedtogetherlikethat，swinginghereandthere，andthengettingahandloose，I
belabouredhimsounmercifullythatheputhisheaddown，andthatwaswhatIwanted。Igotanewholdofhimaswestaggeredandplunged，roaringthewhilelikethewildbeastswewere，theteethchatteringintheMartianheadsastheywatchedus，andthen，exertingallmystrength，liftedhimfairlyfromhisfeetandwithsupremeeffortswunghimup，shoulderhigh，andwithamightyheavehurledhimacrossthetables，flungthatambassador，whomnoMartiandaredlookupon，crashingandsprawlingthroughthegoldandsilverofthefeast，whirledhimroundwithsuchasplendidsendthatbenchandtrestle，tankardsandflagons，chairsandclothsandcandelabrasallwentdownintothunderingchaoswithhim，andtheenvoyonlystayedwhenhissacredpersoncametoharbouramongstthewestraloddsandends，thesoiledlinen，anddirtyplattersofourweddingfeast。
Irememberseeinghimthereonhandsandknees，andthentheliquorIhadhadwouldnotbedenied。InvainIdrewmyhandsacrossmydroopingeyelids，invainItriedtomastermykneesthatknockedtogether。Thespellofthelove—drinkthatHeru，blushing，hadheldtomylipswasonme。Itssoft，overwhelminginfluenceroselikeaprismaticfogbetweenmeandmyenemy，everythingagainbecamehazyanddreamlike，andfeeblycallingonHeru，mychindroppeduponmychest，mylimbsrelaxed，andIslippeddownindrowsyoblivionbeforemyrival。
CHAPTERVIII
Theymusthavecarriedme，stillundertheinfluenceofwinefumes，tothechamberwhereIsleptthatnight，forwhenIwokethefollowingmorningmysurroundingswerefamiliarenough，thoughagloriousmazeofuncertaintiesrockedtoandfroinmymind。
Wasitarealfeastwehadsharedinovernight，oronlyaquaintdream？WasHerurealoronlyalovelyfancy？Andthosehairyruffiansofwhomahorriblevisiondancedbeforemywakingeyes，weretheyfancytoo？No，mywristsstillachedwiththestrainofthetussle，thequaint，sadwinetastewasstillonmylips——itwasallrealenough，Idecided，startingupinbed；andifitwasrealwherewasthelittleprincess？Whathadtheydonewithher？Surelytheyhadnotgivenhertotheape—men——cowardsthoughtheyweretheycouldnothavebeencowardsenoughforthat。AndasIwonderedakeen，brightpictureofthehaplessmaidasIsawherlastblossomedbeforemymind’seye，theam—
bassadorsoneithersideholdingherwrists，andsheshrink—
ingfromtheminhorrorwhileherpoor，whitefaceturnedtomeforrescueindesperatepleading——oh！Imustfindheratallcosts；andleapingfrombedIsnatchedupthosetrouserswithoutwhichthebestofheroesisnothing，andhadhardlygotintothemwhentherecamethepatteroflightfeetwithoutandaMartian，inahurryforonce，withhalfadozenothersbehindhim，sweptasidethecurtainsofmydoorway。
Theypeepedandpeeredallabouttheroom，thenonesaid，"IsPrincessHeruwithyou，sir？"
"No，"Iansweredroughly。"Saintsalive，man，doyouthinkIwouldhaveyoutumblinginhereovereachother’sheelsifshewere？"
"ThenitmustindeedhavebeenHeru，"hesaid，speak—
inginanawedvoicetohisfellows，"whomwesawcarrieddowntotheharbouratdaybreakbyyonderwoodmen，"andthepinkupontheirprettycheeksfadedtonothingatthesuggestion。
"What！"Iroared，"Herutakenfromthepalacebyahandfulofmenandnoneofyouinfernalrascals——noneofyouwhite—liveredabortionsliftedahandtosaveher——curseonyouathousandtimes。Outofmyway，youchurls！"AndsnatchingupcoatandhatandswordIrushedfuriouslydownthelong，marblestairsjustastheshortMartiannightwasgivingplacetolavender—colouredlightofmorning。I
foundmywaysomehowdownthedesertedcorridorswheretheairwasheavywitharomaticvapours；Iflewbycur—
tainednichesandchamberswhereamongstmoundsofhalf—
witheredflowerstheMartianloverswereslowlywaking。
DownintothebanquethallIsped，andthereinthetwilightwasthelitterofthefeaststillabout——goldcupsandsilver，brokenbreadandmeat，theconvolvulusflowersallturningtheirpallidfacestotherosydaylight，makingpoolsofbrightnessbetweentheshadows。Amongstthelitterlittlesapphire—colouredfincheswerefeeding，twitteringmerrilytothemselvesastheyhoppedabout，andhereandtheredownthelongtableslayasprawlabelatedreveller，hisemptyoblivion—phialbeforehim，hiscurlyheaduponhisarms，dreamingperhapsoflastnight’sfeastandaneglectedbridedozingdispassionateinsomedistantchamber。ButHeruwasnotthereandlittleIcaredfortwitteringfinchesorsighingdamsels。WithhastyfeetIrusheddownthehalloutintothecool，sweetairoftheplanetmorning。
ThereImetonewhomIknew，andhetoldmehehadbeenamongthecrowdandhadheardthewoodmenhadgonenofartherthantherivergate，thatHeruwaswiththembeyondadoubt。Iwouldnotlistentomore。"Good！"I
shouted。"Getmeahorseandjustahandfulofyoursleekkindredandwewillpulltheprizefromthebear’spawevenyet！Surely，"Isaid，turningtoaknotofMartianyouthswhostoodlisteningafewstepsaway，"surelysomeofyouwillcomewithmeatthispinch？Thebigbulliesareveryfew；thesearunsbehindthem；themaidintheirclutchisworthfightingfor；itneedsbutonegoodonset，fiveminutes’gallantry，andsheisoursagain。Thinkhowfineitwilllooktobringherbackbeforeyonsleepyfellowshavefoundtheirweapons。You，there，withthebluetunic！youlookaproperfellow，andsomethingofaheartshouldbeatundersuchgaywrappings，willyoucomewithme？"
Butblue—mantle，bitinghisthumbs，murmuredhehadnotbreakfastedyetandedgedawaybehindhiscom—
panions。WhereverIlookedeyesdroppedandtimidhandsfidgetedastheirownersbackedofffrommydangerousen—
thusiasm。Therewasobviouslynohelptobehadfromthem，andmeantimethepreciousmomentswereflying，sowithadisdainfulglanceIturnedonmyheelsandsetoffaloneashardasIcouldgofortheharbour。
Butitwastoolate。Irushedthroughthemarketplacewhereallwassilentanddeserted；IranontothewharvesbeyondandtheywereemptysaveforthelitterandembersofthefiresAr—hap’smenhadmadeduringtheirstay；Idashedouttothelanding—place，andthereatthehythethelastboat—
loadsofthevillainswerejustembarking，twoboatloadsofthemtwentyyardsfromshore，andanotherstilluponthebeach。Thislatterwascareeningoverasaduskygroupofmenliftedaboardtoaheapoftumbledsilksandstuffsinthesternsuchasweetpieceofinsensiblemerchandiseasnoman，Iatleastofall，couldmistake。ItwasHeruher—
self，andtherogueswereladlingheronboardlikesomuchsandal—woodorcottonsheeting。Ididnotwaitformore，butoutcamemysword，andyieldingtoarecklessimpulse，forwhichperhapslastnight’swinewasasmuchtoblameasanything，Isprangdownthestepsandleaptaboardoftheboatjustasitwaspushedoffupontheswifttide。FullofBersarkrage，Icutonebrawnycopper—colouredthiefdown，andstruckanotherwithmyfistbetweentheeyessothathewentheadlongintothewater，sinkinglikelead，anddeepintothegreattargetofhisneighbour’schestIdrovemyblade。Hadtherebeenamanbesideme，hadtherebeenbuttwoorthreeofallthosesilkentriflers，toolatecomeontheterracesabovetowatch，wemighthavewon。ButallalonewhatcouldIdo？Thatlastredbeastturnedonmyblade，andashefelldraggedmehalfdownwithhim。I
staggeredup，andtuggingthemetalfromhimturnedonthenext。
Atthatmomentthecauseofalltheturmoil，rousedbythefighting，cametoherself，andsittinguponthepiledplunderintheboatstaredroundforamomentwithachild—
ishhorroratthebarbarianswhoseprizeshewas，thenatme，thenatthedeadmanatmyfeetwhosebloodwaswellinginaredtidefromthewoundinhisbreast。Asthefullmeaningofthescenedawneduponhershestartedtoherfeet，lookingwonderfullybeautifulamongstthoseduskyforms，andextendingherhandstomebegantocryinthemostpiteousway。Isprangforward，andasIdidsosawanape—
manclaphishairypawoverhermouthandface——itwaslikeaneclipseofthemoonbyaredearth—shadow，I
thoughtatthemoment——anddragherroughlyback，butthatwasaboutthelastIremembered。AsIturnedtohithimstandingontheslipperythwart，anotherroguecreptupbehindandletdrivewithaclubhehadinhand。Thecud—
gelcaughtmesidewaysonthehead，aglancingshot。I
canrecallablazeoflight，astrangemedleyofsoundsinmyears，andthen，clutchingatapileofstuffsasIfell，atallbowerofsprayrisingoneitherhand，andthecoolshockoftheblueseaasIplungedheadlongin——butnoth—
ingafterthat！
HowlongafterIknownot，butpresentlyatissueofday—
lightcreptintomyeyes，andIawokeagain。Itwasbetterthannothingperhaps，yetitwasapoorawakening。Thebigsunlaylowdown，andthedaywasallbutdone；somuchIguessedasIrockedinthatlightwithanundulatingmovement，andthenasmysensesreturnedmorefully，recognisedwithastartofwonderthatIwasstillinthewater，floatingonaswiftcurrentintotheunknownonanair—filledpileofsilkenstuffswhichhadbeenpulleddownwithmefromtheboatwhenIgotmygangingfromyonderrascal’smace。Itwasawetcouch，soddenandchilly，butasthefresheningeveningwindblewonmyfaceandthedark—
eningwaterlappedagainstmyforeheadIrevivedmorefully。
Wherehadwecometo？Iturnedanachingneck，andallalongonbothsidesseemedtostretchsteep，straightcoastsaboutamileorsoapart，intheshadowofthesettingsunblackasebony。Betweenthetwothehamperedwaterranquickly，with，awayontheright，someshallowsandyspitsandislandscoveredwithdwarfbushes——chilly，inhospitable—
lookingplacestheyseemedasIturnedmyeyesuponthem；
buthewhorideshelplessdownaneveningtidestandsoutfornogreatnicetiesoflanding—place；couldIbutreachthemtheywouldmakeatleastadrierbedthanthisofmine，andatthatthought，turningover，Ifoundallmymusclesasstiffasiron，thesinewsofmyneckandforearmsamassofagoniesandnomorefittoswimmetothosereedyswamps，whichnow，aspainandhungerbegantotell，seemedtoweartheaspectsofparadise。
WithagroanIdroppedbackuponmyraftandwatchedtheislandsslippingby，whileovermyfeetthesouthernskydarkenedtopurple。Therewasnohelpthere，butglanc—
ingroundawayontheleftandafewfurlongsfromme，I
noticedonthesurfaceofthewatertwoconvergingstrandsofbrightness，ananglethepointofwhichseemedtobecomingtowardsme。Neareritcameandnearer，rightacrossmyroad，untilIcouldseeablackdotatthepoint，aheadpresentlydeveloped，thenasweapproachedtheearsandantlersofaswimmingstag。Itwasahugebeastasitloomedupagainsttheglow，biggerthananymortalstageverwas——thekindoffellow—travellernoonewouldwillinglyaccost，butevenifIhadwishedtogetoutofitspathI
hadnopowertodoso。
返回顶部