\"IfDeucalionhassmalltimetosparefromhisgovernmentforbroodingoverhisfatherland，Atlantis，atleast，hasfoundleisuretoadmirethedeedsofherbrilliantson。Why，sir，overyonderathome，yournamecarriesmagicwithit。WhenyouandIwereladstogether，itwasthecustominthecollegestoteachthatthemenofthepastwerethegreatestthisworldhaseverseen;butto—daythisteachingischanged。ItisDeucalionwhoisheldupasthemodelandexample。MothersnametheirsonsDeucalion，asthemostvaluablebirth—gifttheycanmake。Deucalionisahouseholdword。
Indeed，thereisonlyonenamethatisneartoitinfamiliarity。\"
\"Youtroubleme，\"Isaid，frowning。\"Ihavetriedtodomydutyforitsownsake，andforthecountry’ssake，notforthepattingsandfondlingsofthevulgar。Andbesides，iftherearenamestobeineveryone’smouth，theyshouldbethenamesoftheGods。\"
Tathoshruggedhisshoulders。\"TheGods？Theyoccupyusverylittletheselatteryears。Withourmodernscience，wehavegrownpastthetetheroftheolderGods，andnonewonehasappeared。
No，myLordDeucalion，ifitweremerelytheGodswhowereyourcompetitorsonmen’slips，yournamewouldbeathousandtimesthebetterknown。\"
\"Ofmerehumannames，\"Isaid，\"thenameofthisnewEmpressshouldcomefirstinAtlantis，ourlordtheoldKingbeingnowdead。\"
\"Shecertainlywouldhaveitso，\"repliedTatho，andtherewassomethinginhistonewhichmademeseethatmorewasmeantbehindthewords。Idrewhimtooneofthemarbleseats，andbentmyselffamiliarlytowardshim。\"Iamspeaking，\"Isaid，\"nottothenewViceroyofYucatan，buttomyoldfriendTatho，amemberofthePriests’Clan，likemyself，withwhomIworkedsidebysideinascoreofthesmallerhomegovernments，inhamlets，invillages，insmallertowns，ingreatertowns，aswegainedexperienceinwarandknowledgeintheartofrulingpeople，andsotediouslywonourpromotion。IamspeakinginTatho’sprivateabode，thatwasmineownnottwohourssince，andIwouldhaveananswerwiththatplainnesswhichwealwaysthenusedtooneanother。\"
ThenewViceroysighedwhimsically。\"Ialmostforgethowtospeakinplainwordsnow，\"hesaid。\"Wehavegrownsopolishedintheselatterdays，thatmerebaldtruthwouldbehissedasindelicate。Butforthememoryofthoseearlyyears，whenweexpendedasmuchlawandthoughtovertheownershipofahay—byreasweshouldnowoverthefateofarebelliouscity，Iwilltryandspeakplaintoyouevennow，Deucalion。Tellme，oldfriend，whatisit？\"
\"WhatofthisnewEmpress？\"
Hefrowned。\"Imighthaveguessedyoursubject，\"hesaid。
\"Thenspeakuponit。Tellmeofallthechangesthathavebeenmade。WhathasthisPhorenicedonetomakeherthroneunstableinAtlantis？\"
Tathofrownedstill。\"IfIdidnotknowyoutobeashonestasourLordtheSun，yourquestionswouldcarrymischiefwiththem。
Phorenicehasashortwaywiththosewhoaredaringenoughtodiscussherpoliciesforotherpurposethanpolitelytopraisethem。\"
\"Youcanleavemeignorantifyouwish，\"Isaidwithatouchofchill。ThisTathoseemedtobedifferentfromtheTathoIhadknownathome，Tathomyworkmate，TathowhohadreadwithmeintheCollegeofPriests，whohadrunwithmeinmanyafuriouscharge，whohadlabouredwithmesoheavilythatthepeoplesunderusmightprosper。Buthewasquickenoughtoseemychangeoftone。
\"Youforcemebacktomyoldself，\"hesaidwithahalfsmile，\"thoughitishardenoughtoforgetthecautiononehaslearnedduringthelasttwentyyears，evenwhenspeakingwithyou。Still，whatevermayhavehappenedtotherestofus，itiscleartoseethatyouatleasthavenotchanged，and，oldfriend，Iamreadytotrustyouwithmylifeifyouaskit。Infact，youdoaskmethatverythingwhenyoutellmetospeakallIknowofPhorenice。\"
Inodded。Thiswasmoreliketheoldtimes，whentherewasfullconfidencebetweenus。\"TheGodswillitnowthatIreturntoAtlantis，\"Isaid，\"andwhathappensafterthattheGodsaloneknow。ButitwouldbeofservicetomeifIcouldlandonhershoreswithsomeknowledgeofthisPhorenice，foratpresentIamasignorantconcerningherassomesavagefromEuropeormid—Africa。\"
\"Whatwouldyouhavemetell？\"
\"Tellall。Iknowonlythatshe，awoman，reigns，wherebytheancientlawoftheland，amanshouldrule;thatsheisnotevenofthePriestlyClanfromwhichthelawsaysallrulersmustbedrawn;
andthat，fromwhatyousay，shehascausedthethronetototter。
ThethronewasasfirmastheeverlastinghillsintheoldKing’sday，Tatho。\"
\"Historyhasmovedwithpacesincethen，andPhorenicehasspurredit。Youknowherorigin？\"
\"IknowonlytheexactlittleIhavetoldyou。\"
\"Shewasaswineherd’sdaughterfromthemountains，thoughthisisneverevenwhisperednow，asshehasdeclaredherselftobeadaughteroftheGods，withamiraculousbirthandupbringing。Asshehasdecreeditasacrilegetoquestionthisparentage，andhasorderedtobeburntallthosethatseemtorecollecthermoreearthlyorigin，thefablepassescurrentfortruth。YouseethefaithIputinyou，Deucalion，bytellingyouwhatyouwishtolearn。\"
\"Therehasalwaysbeentrustbetweenus。\"
\"Iknow;butthishabitofsuspicionishardtocastoff，evenwithyou。However，letmeputyourgoodfaithbetweenmeandthetorturefurther。Zaemon，youremember，wasgovernoroftheswineherd’sprovince，andZaemon’swifesawPhoreniceandtookherawaytoadoptandbringupasherown。Itissaidthattheswineherdandhiswomanobjected;perhapstheydid;anyway，Iknowtheydied;andPhorenicewastaughttheartsandgraces，andbroughtupasadaughterofthePriestlyClan。\"
\"Butstillshewasanadopteddaughteronly，\"Iobjected。
\"Theomissionofthe’adopted’washerwillatanearlyage，\"
saidTathodryly，\"andshelearntearlytohaveherwishescarriedintofact。Itwasnotoriousthatbeforeshehadgrowntofifteenyearssherulednotonlythewomenofthehousehold，butZaemonalso，andtheprovincethatwasbeyondZaemon。\"
\"Zaemonwaslearned，\"Isaid，\"andadevoutfolloweroftheGods，andsearcherintothehighermysteries;but，asaruler，hewasalwaysaflabbyfellow。\"
\"IdonotsaythatopportunitieshavenotcomeusefullyinPhorenice’sway，butshehasgeniusaswell。Forhertohaveraisedherselfatallfromwhatshewas，wasremarkable。Notonewomanoutofathousand，placedasshewas，wouldhavegrowntobeaughthigherthanamerewifeofsomesturdycountryman，whowassufficientlysimpletocarenothingforpedigree。ButlookatPhorenice:itwasherwhimtotakeexerciseasaman—at—armsandpractisewithalltheutensilsofwar;andthen，beforeanyonequiteknowshoworwhyithappened，arebellionhadbrokenoutintheprovince，andherewasshe，aslipofagirl，leadingZaemon’stroops。\"
\"Zaemon，whenIknewhim，wasamerederisioninthefield。\"
\"Hearmeon。Phoreniceputdowntherebellioninmasterlyfashion，andgavetheconqueredachoicebetweenswordandservice。
Theyfellintoherranksatonce，andwerefaithfultoherfromthatmoment。Itellyou，Deucalion，thereisamarvellousfascinationaboutthewoman。\"
\"Herpresenthistorianseemstohavefeltit。\"
\"OfcourseIhave。Everyonewhoseeshercomesunderherspell。Andfrankly，Iaminlovewithheralso，andlookuponmycominghereasdetestableexile。EveryoneneartoPhorenice，highandlow，lovesherjustthesame，eventhoughtheyknowitmaybeherwhimtosendthemtoexecutionnextminute。\"
PerhapsIletmyscornofthisappear。
\"Youfeelcontemptforourweakness？Youwerealwaysastrongman，Deucalion。\"
\"Atanyrateyouseemestillunmarried。Ihavefoundnotimetopalterwiththefripperiesofwomen。\"
\"Ah，butthesecolonistsherearecrudeandunfascinating。
Waittillyouseetheladiesofthecourt，myascetic。\"
\"Itcomestomymind，\"Isaiddryly，\"thatIlivedinAtlantisbeforeIcameouthere，andatthattimeIusedtoseeasmuchofcourtlifeasmostmen。Yetthen，also，Ifeltnoinducementtomarry。\"
Tathochuckled。\"Atlantishaschangedsothatyouwouldhardlyknowthecountryto—day。Anewerahascomeovereverything，especiallyovertheothersex。WelldoIrememberthewomenoftheoldKing’stime，howmonstrousuncomelytheywere，howlittletheyknewhowtowalkorcarrythemselves，howpainfullybarbaricwastheirnotionofdress。IdareswearthatyourladieshereinYucatanarenotsoprovincialto—dayasourswerethen。
Butyoushouldseethemnowathome。Theyaredelicious。AndaboveallincharmistheEmpress。Oh，Deucalion，youshallseePhoreniceinallhergloriousbeautyandhermagnificenceoneofthesefinedayssoon，andbelievemeyouwillgodownonyourkneesandrepent。\"
\"Imaysee，and（becauseyousayso）Imayaltermylife’sways。TheGodsmakeallthingspossible。ButforthepresentI
remainasIam，celibate，andnotwishfultobeotherwise;andsointhemeantimeIwouldhearthecontinuanceofyourhistory。\"
\"Itisonelongstoryofsuccess。ShedeposedZaemonfromhisgovernmentinnameaswellasinfact，andthenewswasspread，andthePriestlyClanroseinitswrath。Thetwoneighbouringgovernorswerebiddenjoinforces，takehercaptive，andbringherforexecution。Poormen！Theytriedtoobeytheirorders;theyattackedhersurelyenough，butinbattleshecouldlaughatthem。
Shekilledboth，andmadesomeslaughteramongsttheirtroops;andtothosethatremainedaliveandbecameherprisoners，shemadeherusualoffer——theswordorservice。Naturallytheywerenotlongovermakingtheirchoice:tothesecommonpeopleonerulerismuchthesameasanother:andsoagainherarmywasreinforced。
\"Threetimeswerebodiesofsoldierysentagainsther，andthreetimeswasshevictorious。Thelastwasafinaleffort。Before，ithadbeencustomarytodespisethisadventuresswhohadsprungupsosuddenly。Butthenthepriestsbegantorealisetheirperil;toseethatthethroneitselfwasindanger;andtoknowthatifsheweretobecrushed，theywouldhavetoputforththeirutmost。Everymanwhocouldcarryarmswaspressedintotheservice。Everyknownartofwarwasorderedtobeputintoemployment。Itwasthelargestarmy，andthebestequippedarmythatAtlantisthenhadeverraised，andthePriestlyClansawfittoputinsupremecommandtheirgeneral，Tatho。\"
\"You！\"Icried。
\"Evenmyself，Deucalion。Andmarkyou，Ifoughtmyutmost。
Iwasnothercreaturethen;andwhenIsetout（becausetheywantedtospurmetotheuttermost）theHighCouncilofthepriestspointedoutmyprospects。TheKingwehadknownsolong，wasailingandwearilyold;hewassowrappedupinthestudyofthemysteries，andthejoyofcloselyknowingthem，thatearthlymattershadgrownnauseoustohim;andatanytimehemightdecidetodie。ThePriestlyClanusesitsowndiscretionintheelectionofanewking，butittakesnoteofpopularsentiment;andageneralwhoatthecriticaltimecouldcomehomevictoriousfromagreatcampaign，whichmoreoverwouldreleaseaharassedpeoplefromtheconstantapplicationofarms，wouldbetheidolofthemoment。
Thesethingswerepointedouttomesolemnlyandinthefullcouncil。\"
\"What！Theypromisedyouthethrone？\"
\"Eventhat。SoyouseeIsetoutwithahighstakebeforeme。
PhoreniceIhadneverseen，andIsworetotakeheralive，andgivehertobethesportofmysoldiery。Ihadafineconfidenceinmyownstrategythen，Deucalion。ButtheoldGods，inwhomItrustedthen，remainedold，taughtmenonewthing。IdrilledandexercisedmyarmyaccordingtotheformsyouandIlearnttogether，oldcomrade，andinmanyatoughfightfoundtoservewell;Iarmedthemwiththechoicestweaponsweknewofthen，withslingandmace，withbowandspear，withaxeandknife，withswordandthethrowingfire;theirbodiesIcoveredwithmetalplates;eventheirbelliesIcaredfor，withdrovesofcattledrivenintherearofthefightingtroops。
\"Butwhentheencountercame，theymighthavebeenmenofstrawforalltheharmtheydid。OutofherownbrainPhorenicehadmadefire—tubesthatcastadartwhichwouldkillbeyondtwobowshots，andthefashioninwhichshehandledhertroopsdazzledme。Theythreatenedusononeflank，theyharassedusontheother。Itwasnotwaraswehadbeenaccustomedto。Itwasanewerandmoredeadlygame，andIhadtowatchmysplendidarmyeatenawayaswaveseatasandhill。NeveroncedidIgetachanceofforcingcloseaction。ThesenewtacticsthathadcomefromPhorenice’sinvention，werebeyondmyarttomeetorunderstand。
Wewereeighttoherone，andourclose—packednumbersonlymadeussomuchthemoreeasyforslaughter。Apaniccame，andthosewhocouldfled。Myself，Ihadnowishtogobackandearntheaxethatwaitsfortheunsuccessfulgeneral。ItriedtodietherefightingwhereIstood。Butdeathwouldnotcome。Itwasafinemelee，Deucalion，thatlastone。\"
\"Andsoshetookyou？\"
\"Istoodwiththreeothersbacktoback，witharingofdeadroundus，andaringoftheenemyhemmingusin。Wetauntedthemtocomeon。Butathand—to—handcourtesieswehadshownwecouldholdourown，andsotheywerecallingforfire—tubeswithwhichtheycouldstrikeusdowninsafetyfromadistance。ThenupcamePhorenice。’Whatisthisto—do？’saysshe。’WeseektokillLordTatho，wholedagainstyou，’saythey。’SothatisTatho？’saysshe。’Afinefigureofamanindeed，andaprettyfighterseemingly，aftertheoldmanner。Doubtlessheisonewhowouldacquirethenewermethod。SeenowTatho，’saysshe，’itismycustomtoofferthoseIvanquisheitherthesword（which，believeme，wasneverneareryourneckthannow）orserviceundermybanner。Willyoumakeachoice？’
\"’Woman，’Isaid，’fairestthateverIsaw，finestgeneraltheworldhaseverborne，youtemptmesorelybyyourqualities，butthereisatraditioninourClan，thatweshouldbetruetothesaltweeat。IamtheKing’smanstill，andsoIcantakenoservicefromyou。’
\"’TheKingisdead，’saysshe。’Arunnerhasjustbroughtthetidings，meaningthemtohavefallenintoyourhands。AndIamtheEmpress。’
\"’WhomadeyouEmpress？’Iasked。
\"’Thesamemostcapablehandthathasgivenmethisbattle，’
saysshe。’Itisacapablehand，asyouhaveseen:itcanbeakindhandalso，asyoumaylearnifyouchoose。WiththeKingdead，Tathoisamasterlessmannow。IsTathoinwantofamistress？’
\"’Suchagloriousmistressasyou，’Isaid，’Yes。’Andfromthatmoment，Deucalion，Ihavebeenherslave。Oh，youmayfrown;
youmaygetupfromthisseatandwalkawayifyouwill。ButIaskyouthis:keepbackyourworstjudgmentofme，oldfriend，tillafteryouhaveseenPhoreniceherselfinthewarmandlovelyflesh。
Thenyourownearsandyourownsenseswillbemyadvocates，towinmebackyouroldesteem。\"
2。BACKTOATLANTIS
ThewordsofTathowerenosleepingdraughtformethatnight。
IbegantothinkthatIhadmadesomewhatamistakeinwrappingmyselfupsoentirelyinmygovernmentofYucatan，andnotcontrivingtokeepmoreintouchwitheventsthatwerepassingathomeinAtlantis。Formanyyearspastithadbeeneasytoseethatthemarinerfolkwhodidtrafficacrosstheseasspokewithrestraint，andthatonlywhatnewstheEmpresspleasedwasallowedtooozeoutbeyondherborders。But，asIsay，Iwasfullyoccupiedwithmyworkinthecolony，andhadnocuriositytopullawayaveilintentionallyplaced。Besides，ithasalwaysbeenagainstmyprinciplestoputtothetorturemenwhohadreceivedordersforsilencefromtheirsuperiors，merelythattheyshallbreaktheseordersformyprivateconvenience。
However，theirondisciplineofourPriestlyClanleftmenochoiceofprocedure。Aswascustomary，Ihadbeendeprivedofmyofficeatamoment’snotice。Fromthattimeon，allpapersandauthoritybelongedtomysuccessor，and，althoughbycourtesyI
mightbepermittedtoremainasaguestinthepyramidthathadsorecentlybeenmine，toseeanothersunrise，itwasclearlyenjoinedthatImustleavetheterritorythenatthetopmostofmyspeedandhastentoreportinAtlantis。
Tatho，togivehimcredit，wasanxioustofurthermyintereststotheutmostinhispower。Hewasbymysideagainbeforethedawn，puttingallhisresourcesatmydisposal。
Ihadlittleenoughtoaskhim。\"Ashiptotakemehome，\"I
said，\"andIshallbeyourdebtor。\"
Therequestseemedtosurprisehim。\"Thatyoumaycertainlyhaveifyouwishit。Butmyshipsarefoulwiththelongpassage，andareinneedofacareen。Ifyoutakethem，youwillmakeaslowvoyageofittoAtlantis。Whydoyounottakeyourownnavy？
Theshipsareinharbournow，forIsawthemtherewhenwecamein。
Braveshipstheyaretoo。\"
\"Butnotmine。ThatnavybelongstoYucatan。\"
\"Well，Deucalion，youareYucatan;or，rather，youwereyesterday，andhavebeenthesetwentyyears。\"
Isawwhathemeant，andtheideadidnotpleaseme。Iansweredstifflyenoughthattheshipswereownedbyprivatemerchants，orbelongedtotheState，andIcouldnotclaimsomuchasaten—slavegalley。
Tathoshruggedhisshoulders。\"Isupposeyouknowyourownpoliciesbest，\"hesaid，\"thoughtomeitseemsbutriskyforamanwhohasattainedtoapositionlikeyoursandminenottohaveprovidedhimselfwithastoutnavyofhisown。Oneneverknowswhenarecallmaybesent，and，throughlackoftheseprecautions，alife’searningsmayverywellbelostinadozenhours。\"
\"Ihavenofearformine，\"Isaidcoldly。
\"Ofcoursenot，becauseyouknowmetobeyourfriend。Buthadanothermanbeenappointedtothisvice—royalty，youmighthavebeensadlyshorn，Deucalion。Itisnotmanyfellowswhocanresistasnughoardreadyandwaitingintheverycofferstheyhavecometoline。\"
\"MyLordTatho，\"Isaid，\"itiscleartomethatyouandI
havegrowntobeofdifferenttastes。AllofthehoardthatIhavemadeformyselfinthiscolony，fewmenwouldcovet。Ihavethepoorclothesyouseemeinthismoment，andaboxofdrugssuchasIhavefoundusefultothestomach。Ipossessalsothreeslaves，twoofthemscribesandthethirdasturdysavagefromEurope，whocooksmyvictualandfillsformethebath。Formymaintenanceduringmyyearsofservice，here，IhavebledtheStateofasoldier’srationandnothingbeyond;andifinmynameanymanhasmulctedacreatureinYucatanofsomuchasanounceofbronze，I
requestyouasalastservicetohavethatmanhangedformeasaliarandathief。\"
Tatholookedatmecuriously。\"IdonotknowwhetherIadmireyoumostorwhetherIpity。Idonotknowwhethertobeastonishedortodespise。WehadheardofmuchofyouruprightnessoveryonderinAtlantis，ofyoursternnessandyourjustice，butIswearbytheoldGodsthatnosoulguessedyoucarriedyourfancysofarasthis。Why，man，moneyispower。Withmoneyandtheresourcesmoneycanbuy，nothingcouldstopafellowlikeyou;whilstwithoutityoumaybetrippedupandtroddendownirrevocablyatthefirstpunyreverse。\"
\"TheGodswillchoosemyfate。\"
\"Possibly;butformine，Iprefertonourishitmyself。I
tellyouwithfranknessthatIhavenotcomeheretofollowinthepatternyouhavemadeforavice—royalty。IshallgovernYucatanwiselyandwelltothebestofmyability;butIshallgovernitalsoforthegoodofTatho，theviceroy。Ihavebroughtwithmeheremynavyofeightshipsandapersonalbodyguard。Thereismywifealso，andherwomenandherslaves。Allthesemustbeprovidedfor。Andwhyindeedshoulditbeotherwise？Ifapeopleistobegoverned，itshouldbetheirprivilegetopayhandsomelyfortheirprince。\"
\"Weshallnotagreeonthis。Youhavethepowernow，andcanemployitasyouchoose。IfIthoughtitwouldbeofanyuse，I
shouldliketosupplicateyoumosthumblytodealwithleniencewhenyoucometotaxthesepeoplewhoareunderyou。Theyhavegrownverydeartome。\"
\"Ihavedisgustedyouwithme，andIamgrievedforit。Buteventoretainyourgoodopinion，Deucalion——whichIvaluemorethanthatofanymanliving——Icannotdohereasyouhavedone。Itwouldbeimpossible，evenifIwishedit。Youmustnotjudgeallothermenbyyourownstrongstandard:aTathoisbynomeansacolossuslikeaDeucalion。Andbesides，Ihaveawifeandchildren，andtheymustbeprovidedfor，evenifIneglectmyself。\"
\"Ah，there，\"Isaid，\"itdoesseemthatIpossesstheadvantage。Ihavenowife，toclogme。\"
Hecaughtupmywordquickly。\"Itseemstomeyouhavenothingthatmakeslifeworthliving。Youhaveneitherwife，children，riches，cooks，retinue，dresses，noranythingelseinproportiontoyourstation。Youwillpardonmysayingit，oldcomrade，butyouareplagueyignorantaboutsomematters。Forexample，youdonotknowhowtodine。Duringeverydayofaverywearyvoyage，Ihavepromisedmyselfwhensittingbeforethemeagreseavictual，thatpresentlytheabstinencewouldbemorethanrepaidbyDeucalion’swelcomingfeast。Oh，Itellyouthatfeastwasoneofthevividestthingsthatevercamebeforemyeyes。Andthenwhenwegettotheactuality，whatwasit？Why，acountryfarmereverydaysitsdowntomoredelicatefare。Youtoldmehowitwasprepared。Well，yoursavagefromEuropemaybelusty，andperchanceisfaithful，butbeisadevil—possessedcook。Gods！I
havelivedbetteronacampaign。
\"Iknowthisisacolonyhere，withoutanyofthehomerefinements;butifinthedaystocome，thedeeroftheforest，thefishofthestream，andtheotherresourcesoftheplacearenotputtobetterusethanheretofore，Ishallseeitmydutyasrulertofrysomeofthekitchenstaffaliveingreasesoastoencouragebettercookery。Gods！Deucalion，haveyouforgottenwhatitistohaveapalate？Andhaveyounoesteemforyourowndignity？Man，lookatyourclothes。Youaregarbedlikeaherdsman，andyouhavenotagaudorajeweltobrightenyou。\"
\"Ieat，\"Isaidcoldly，\"whenmyhungerbidsme，andIcarrythisonerobeuponmypersontillitiswornoutandneedsreplacement。Thegrossnessofexcessivebanqueting，andtheeffeminacyofmanyclothesareattainmentsthatnevermetmyfancy。
ButIthinkwehavetalkedhereoverlong，andthereseemslittlechanceofourfindingagreement。Youhavechanged，Tatho，withtheyears，andperhapsIhavechangedalso。Thesealterationscreepimperceptiblyintoone’sbeingastimeadvances。Letuspartnow，and，forgettingthesepresentdifferences，rememberonlyourfriendshipoftwentyyearsagone。Thatforme，atanyrate，hasalwayshadapleasantsavourwhencalledupintothememory。\"
Tathobowedhishead。\"Sobeit，\"hesaid。
\"AndIwouldstillchargemyselfuponyourbountyforthatship。Dawncannotbefaroffnow，anditisnotdecentthatthemanwhohasruledheresolong，shouldwalkindaylightthroughthestreetsonthemorningafterhisdismissal。\"
\"Sobeit，\"saidTatho。\"Youshallhavemypoornavy。I
couldhavewishedthatyouhadaskedmesomethinggreater。\"
\"Notthenavy，Tatho;onesmallship。Believeme，moreiswasted。\"
\"Now，there，\"saidTatho，\"Ishallactthetyrant。Iamviceroyherenow，andwillhavemywayinthis。Youmaygonakedofallpossessions:thatIcannothelp。ButdepartforAtlantisunattended，thatyoushallnot。\"
Andso，infine，asthechoicewassetbeyondme，itwasinthe\"Bear，\"Tatho’sownprivateship，withalltherestofhisnavysailinginescort，thatIdidfinallymakemytransit。
Butthestartwasnotimmediate。Thevesselslaymooredagainstthestonequaysoftheinnerharbour，guttedoftheirstores，andwithcrewsexhausted，anditwouldhavebeensuicidetohaveforcedthemoutthenandtheretoagaintaketheseas。
SothecourtesieswerefulfilledbythecraftwhereonIabodehaulingoutintotheentrancebasin，andanchoringthereintheswellsofthefairway;andforthwithsheandherconsortstookinwoodandwater，curedmeatandfishashore，andrefittedinallneedfulways，withallspeedattainable。
Formyselftherecamethen，asthefirsttimeduringtwentybusyyears，abreathingspacefromwork。Ihadnofurtherconnectionwiththecountryofmylabours;indeed，officially，I
hadleftitalready。IntotheworkingoftheshipitwascontrarytorulethatIshouldmakeanyinspectionorinterest，sinceallseamattersweretheexclusivepropertyoftheMariners’Guild，securedtothembyroyalpatent，andmostjealouslyguarded。
Sothereremainedtomeinmyday，hourstogaze（ifIwould）
uponthequays，theharbours，thepalaces，andthepyramidsofthesplendidcitybeforemewhichIhadseengrowstonebystonefromitsfoundations;ortoroammyeyeoverthepasturesandthegrainlandsbeyondthewalls，andtolooklonginglyatthedenseforestsbehind，fromwhichfieldbyfieldwehadsotediouslyrippedourterritory。
WouldTathocontinuetheworksohealthilybegun？Itrustedso，eveninspiteofhisselfishwords。Andatallhours，duringtheradianceofourLordtheSun，orunderthestarsofnight，I
wasfreetopursuethatstudyofthehighermysteries，onwhichweofthePriests’Clanaretrainedtosetourminds，withoutaidofbookorinstrument，ofimageortemple。
Therefittingofthenavywasgoneaboutwithspeed。Never，itissaid，hadshipsbeenreprovisionedandcaulked，andremannedwithgreaterspeedfortheover—oceanvoyage。Indeed，itwasbarelyoveramonthfromthedaythattheybroughtupintheharbour，theyputoutbeyondthewalls，andbegantheirvoyageeastwardoverthehillsanddaleoftheocean。
Rowing—slavesfromEuropeforthislongpassageofseaarenottakennow，owingtothedifficultyinprovisioningthem，formodernhumanityforbidsthepracticeoflettingthemeatoneanotheraccordingtothehomecustomoftheircontinent;sailsalonearebutanindifferentstandby;butmodernsciencehasshownhowtoextractforcefromtheSun，whenHeisfreefromcloud，andthis（inamannerkeptsecretbymariners）ismadetodrawsea—waterattheforepartofthevessel，andejectitwithsuchforceatthesternthatsheisappreciablydrivenforward，evenwiththewindadverse。
Inanothermatteralsohasnavigationvastlyimproved。Itisnotnecessarynow，asformerly，totrustwhollytoastarrynight（whenbeyondsightofland）tofinddirection。Alittleimagehasbeenmade，andisstoodbalancedintheforepartofeveryvessel，withanarmoutstretched，pointingconstantlytothedirectionwheretheSouthernCrossliesintheHeavens。So，bysettinganangle，canajustcoursebecorrectlysteered。Otherinstrumentshavetheyalsoforfindingatruepositionontheoceanwastes，forthenewermariner，whenheisatsea，putslittletrustintheGods，andconfidesmightilyinhisownthewsandwits。