Myself，Iamnopampererofthecommonpeople。Isaythat，ifamanbelefttohungerandshiver，hewillworktogainhimfoodandraiment;andifnot，whythenhecandie，andtheStateiswellridofaworthlessfellow。Butherebesideus，aswemarchedthroughmanywards，weremarksofblindoppression;starveddeadbodies，withthebonesstartingthroughtheleanskin，sprawledinthegutter;andindeeditwasplainthat，saveforthefavouredfew，thepeopleofthegreatcapitalwereunderamostheavyoppression。
Butatthis，thoughImightregretitabominably，Icouldmakenostrongcomplaint。Bytheancientlawofthelandallthepeople，greatandsmall，weretheservantsoftheking，tobeputwithoutquestiontowhatpurposeshechose;andPhorenicestoodintheplaceoftheking。SoItriedtothinknotreason，butwithasighpassedon，keepingmyeyesabovethemiseriesandthesqualorsoftheroadway，andsendingoutmythoughtstothestarswhichhunginthepurplenightabove，andtotheHighGodswhichdweltamongstthem，seeking，ifitmightbe，forguidanceformyfuturepolicies。
Andsointimethewindingsofthestreetsbroughtustothewalls，and，coursingbesidetheseandgivingfittinganswertothesentrieswhobeattheirdrumsaswepassed，wecameintimetothatgreatgatewhichwasachargetothecaptainofthegarrison。
Hereitwasplaintherewassomespecialcommotion。Anoiseoflaughterwentupintothestillnightair，andwithitnowandagainthesnarlandroarofagreatbeast，andnowandagaintheshriekofahurtman。Butwhatevermightbeafoot，itwasnotascenetocomeuponsuddenly。Theentrancegatesofourgreatcapitalweredesignedbytheirancientbuilderstobenolessstrongthanthewallsthemselves。Fourpairsofvalveswerethere，eachamonstrousblockofstonetwoman—heightssquare，andaman—heightthick，andthewallwasdoubledtoreceivethem，enclosinganopencircusbetweenitstwoparts。Thefourgatesthemselvesweresetoneattheinner，oneattheoutersideofeachofthesewalls，andahiddenmachinerysoconnectedthem，thatofeachsetonecouldnotopentilltheotherwasclosed;andasforforcingthemwithoutwarengines，onemightasfoolishlytrytopushdowntheroyalpyramidwiththebarehand。
Myescortmadeoutcrywiththehornwhichhungfromthewallinvitingsuchasummons，andawardercametoanarrow—slit，anddidinspectionofourpersonsandbusiness。Hissurveywasaccordingtotheancientformofwords，whichislong，andthiswasmadestillmoretediousbythenoisefromwithin，whicheverandagaindrownedallspeechbetweenusentirely。
Butatlasttheformalitieshadbeendulycompliedwith，andheshotbackthemassivebarsandboltsofstone，andthrewajaronemonstrousstonevalveofthedoor。Intothechamberwithin——achambermadefromthethicknessofthewallbetweenthetwodoors——Iandmyfellowscrowded，andthenthewarderwithhismachinespulledtothevalvewhichhadbeenopened，andcametomeagainthroughthepressofmyescort，bowinglowtotheground。
\"Ihavenovailtogiveyou，\"Isaidabruptly。\"Getonwithyourduty。Openmethatotherdoor。\"
\"Withrespect，mylord，itwouldbebetterthatIshouldfirstannouncemylord’spresence。Thereisabaitinggoingforwardinthecircus，andthetigersareasyetmeresavages，andnorespectersofpersons。\"
\"Thewhat？\"
\"Thetigers，ifmylordwillpermitthemthename。TheyarebaitingabatchofprisonerswiththetwogreatbeastswhichtheEmpress（whosenamebeadored）hassentheretoaiduskeepthegate。Butifmylordwill，therearethewardroomsleadingoffthispassage，andthegallerieswhichrunoutfromthemcommandingthecircus，andfromtheremylordcanseethesportundisturbed。\"
Now，themerelustforkillingexcitesonlydisgustinme，butIsuspectedtheordersoftheEmpressinthismatter，andhadacuriositytoseeherscheme。SoIsteppedintothewarder’slodge，andonintothegallerieswhichcommandedthecircuswiththeirarrow—slits。Theoldbuildersoftheplacehadintendedtheseforasecondlineofdefence，for，supposingtheouterdoorsallforced，anenemycouldbespeedilyshotdowninthecircus，withoutbeingabletogiveablowinreturn，andsowouldonlymarchintoadeath—trap。Butasagazing—placeonaspectacletheywerenolessuseful。
Thecircuswasbrightlitbythemoonlight，andtheairwhichcameintomefromitwasacridwiththereekofblood。Therewasnosportinwhatwasgoingforward:asIsaid，itwasmerekilling，andthesightdisgustedme。Iamnoprudeaboutthismatter。Giveaprisonerhisweapons，puthiminapitwithbeastsofreasonablestrength，andlethimfighttoafinishifyouchoose，andIcanlookonthereandapplaudthestrokes。Thewarprisoner，beingaprisoner，hasearneddeathbynaturallaw，andpreferstogethislaststrokeinhotbloodthantobeknockeddownbytheheadsman’saxe。Anditisanybraveman’sluxuryeithertohelporwatchalustyfight。Butthisbaitinginthecircusbetweenthegateswasnofairbattlelikethat。
Tobeginwith，thebeastswerenofairantagonistsforsinglemen。Infact，twentymenarmedmightwellhavefledfromthem。
Whenthewardersaidtigers，Isupposedhemeantthegreatcatsofthewoods。Buthere，inthecircus，Isawapairofthemostterrificofallthefur—bearinglandbeasts，thegreattigersofthecaves——hugemonsters，ofsuchponderousstrengththatinhungertheywilloftentimesdragdownamammoth，iftheycanfindhimawayfromhisherd。
HowtheyhadbeenbroughtcaptiveIcouldnottell。HunterofbeaststhoughIhadbeenforallmydays，ItakenoshameinsayingthatIalwaysapproachedtheslayingofacave—tigerwithstratagemandinfinitecaution。Toentrapitaliveandbringittoacityonachainwasbeyondmymostdaringschemes，andIhavebeenaccreditedwithmorenewthingsthanone。Buthereitwasinfact，andIsawinthesecaptivebeastsanewcertificateforPhorenice’sgenius。
Thepurposeofthesetwocave—tigerswasplain:whilsttheywereinthecircus，andloose，nolivingbeingcouldcrossfromonegatetotheother。Theywereanewandsturdyadditiontothedefencesofthecapital。Acollarofbronzewasroundthethroatofeach，andonthecollarwasamassivechainwhichledtothewall，whereitcouldbepayedoutorhauledinbymeansofawindlassinoneofthehiddengalleries。Sothatatordinarymomentsthetwohugebeastscouldbetethered，oneclosetoeitherendofthecircus，asthelitterofbonesandothermessesshowed，leavingfreepassage—waybetweenthetwosetsofdoors。
ButwhenIstoodtherebythearrow—slit，lookingdownintothemoonlightofthecircus，thesechainswereslackened（thoughmenstoodbythewindlassofeach），andthegreatstripedbruteswereprowlingaboutthecircuswiththelinksclankingandchinkingintheirwake。Lyingstarkonthepavementwerethebodiesofsomeeightmen，deadanduneaten;andthoughthecave—tigersstoppedtheirprowlingsnowandagaintonuzzlethese，andbeatthemaboutwithplayfulpaw—blows，theymadenopretenceatcommencingameal。
Itwasclearthatthiscruelsporthadgrowncommontothem，andtheyknewtherewereothervictimsyettobeaddedtothetally。
Presently，sureenough，asIwatched，avalveofthefarthergateswungbackanarm’slength，andaprisoner，furiouslyresisting，wasthrustoutintothecircus。Hefellonhisface，andafteronelookaroundhimhelayresolutelystill，witheyesonthegroundpassivelyawaitinghisfate。Theponderousstoneofthegateclappedtoinitsplace;thecave—tigersturnedintheirprowlings;andachatterofwagersrantoandfroamongstthewatchersbehindthearrow—slits。
Itseemedtherewerenicetiesofcrueltyinthiswretchedgame。Therewasasharpclankasthewindlassesweremanned，andthetetheringchainsweredrawninbyperhapsascoreoflinks。
Oneofthecave—tigerscrouched，lasheditstail，andlaunchedforthonaterrificspring。Thechaintautened，themassivelinkssangtothestrain，andthegreatbeastgavearoarwhichshookthewalls。Ithadmissedthepronemanbyahand’sbreadth，andthewatchersbehindthearrow—slitsshriekedforththeirdelight。Theothertigersprangalsoandmissed，andagaintherewereshoutsofpleasure，whichmingledwiththebellowingvoicesofthebeasts。
Themanlaymotionlessinhisform。Onemorecowardly，oronemorebrave，mighthaverunfromdeath，orfacedit;butthispoorprisonerchosethemiddlecourse——hepermitteddeathtocometohim，andhadenoughofdoggednesstowaitforitwithoutstir。
Thegreatcave—tigerswereused，itappeared，tothisdisgustingsport。Therewerenomorewildsprings，nomorestubbingsattheendofthemassivechains。Theylaydownonthepavement，andpresentlybegantopurr，rollingontotheirsidesandrubbingthemselvesluxuriously。Theprisonerstilllaymotionlessinhisform。
Byslowdegreesthemonstrousbruteseachdrewtotheendofitschainandbegantoreachatthemanwithout—stretchedforepaw。
Themalecouldnottouchhim;thefemalecouldjustreachhimwiththefartipofaclaw;andIsawaredscratchstartupinthebareskinofhissideateverystroke。Butstilltheprisonerwouldnotstir。Itseemedtomethattheymustslackoutmorelinksofoneofthetigers’chains，orletthevileplaylingerintomeretediousness。
ButIhadmoretolearnyet。Themaletiger，eithertaughtbyhisowndevilishness，orbythosebrutesthatwerehiskeepers，hadstillanotherruseinstore。Herosetohisfeetandturnedround，backingagainstthechain。Ayellofapplausefromthehiddenmenbehindthearrow—slitstoldthattheyknewwhatwasinstore;andthenthemonstrousbeast，stretchedtotheutmostofitsvastlength，kickedsharplywithonehindpaw。
Iheardthecrunchoftheprisoner’sribsasthepadsstruckhim，andatthatsamemomentthepoorwretch’sbodywasspurnedawaybytheblow，asonemightthrowafruitwiththehand。Butitdidnottravelfar。Itwasclearthattheshe—tigerknewthismanoeuvreofhermate’s。Shecaughtthemanonhisbound，nuzzlingoverhimforaminute，andthentossinghimhighintotheair，andleapinguptothefullofhersplendidheightafterhim。
Thoseotheronlookersthoughtitmagnificent;theirgleefulshoutssaidasmuch。Butforme，mygorgeroseatthesight。Oncethetigershadreachedhim，themanhadbeenkilled，itistrue，withoutanyunnecessarylingering。Evenalightblowfromthoseterrificpawswouldslaythestrongestmanliving。Buttoseethetwocave—tigerstoyingwiththepoorbodywasaninsulttotheprideofourrace。
However，Iwasnottheretopreachthesuperiorityofmantothebeasts，andtheindecencyanddegradationofpermittingmantobeundulyinsulted。IhadcometolearnformyselfthenewbalanceofthingsinthekingdomofAtlantis，andsoIstoodatmyplacebehindthearrow—slitwithastillface。Andpresentlyanothersceneinthisghastlyplaywasenacted。
Thecave—tigerstiredoftheirsport，andfirstoneandthentheotherfelloncemoretoprowlingoverthelitteredpavements，withtheheavychainsscrapingandchinkingintheirwake。Theymadenobeginningtofeastonthebodiesprovidedforthem。Thatwouldbeforafterwards。Inthepresent，thefascinationofslaughterwasbiginthem，andtheyhadthoughtthatitwouldbeindulgedfurther。Itseemedthattheyknewtheirentertainers。
Againthewindlassclanked，andthetetheringchainsdrewthegreatbeastsclearofthedoorway;andagainavalveofthefartherdoorswungajar，andanotherprisonerwasthruststrugglingintothecircus。AsicknessseizedmewhenIsawthatthiswasawoman，butstill，inviewoftheobjectIhadinhand，Imadenointerruption。
ItwasnotthatIhadneverseenwomensenttodeathbefore。
Ageneral，whohasdonehisfighting，mustinhisdayhavekilledwomenequallywithmen;yes，andseenthemearntheirdeath—blowbylustybattling。Yetthereseemedsomethingsowantoninthiscruelhelplesssacrificeofawomanprisoner，thatIhadastrugglewithmyselftoavoidinterference。Stillitiseverthecasethattheindividualmustbesacrificedtoapolicy，andsoasIsay，I
watchedon，outwardlycoldandimpassive。
Iwatchedtoo（Iconfessitfreely）withaquickeningheart。
Herewasnosullensubmissivevictimlikethelast。Shemayhavebeenmorecowardly（assomewomenare），shemayhavebeenbraver（asmanywomenhaveshownthemselves）;but，atanyrate，itwasclearthatshewasgoingtomakeastruggleforherlife，andtodoviciousdamage，itmightbe，beforesheyieldeditup。Thewatchersbehindthearrow—slitsrecognizedthis。Theirwagers，andthehumoftheirappreciation，sweptloudlyroundtheringofthecircus。
Theystrippedtheirprisoners，beforetheythrustthemouttothisdeath，ofalltheclothestheymightcarry，forclotheshaveavalue;andsothewomanstoodtherebare—limbedinthemoonlight。
Sheclappedherbacktothegreatstonedoorbywhichshehadentered，andfacedfatewithglowingeye。Gods！therehavebeentimesinearlyyearswhenIcouldhavepluckedoutswordandjumpeddown，andfoughtforherthereforthesheerdelightofsuchabattle。Butnowpolicyrestrainedme。Theindividualmightwantahelpinghand，butitwasbecomingmoreandmoreclearthatAtlantiswantedaministeralso;andbeforethesegreatneeds，thelesseronesperforcemustperish。Still，beitnotedthat，ifI
didnotjumpdown，noothermantherethatnighthadsufficientmanhoodremainingtoventuretheopportunity。
MyheartglowedasIwatchedher。Shepickedabonefromthelitteronthepavementandbeatoffitsheadbyblowsagainstthewall。Thenwithherteethshefashionedthepointtostillfurthersharpness。Icouldseeherteethglistenwhiteinthemoonraysasshebitwiththem。
Thehugecave—tigers，whichstoodashighasherheadastheywalked，camenearertoherintheirprowlings，yetobviouslyneglectedher。Thiswaspartoftheiraccustomedschemeoftorment，andthewomanknewitwell。Therewassomethingintolerableintheirnoiseless，ceaselesspaddingsoverthepavement。Icouldseetheprisoner’sbreastheaveasshewatchedthem。Aterrorsuchasthatwouldhavemademanyavictimsickandhelpless。
ButthisonewasbolderthanIhadthought。Shedidnotwaitforaspring:shemadethefirstattackherself。Whentheshe—tigermadeitsstrolltowardsher，andwasintheactofturning，sheflungherselfintoasuddenleap，strikingviciouslyatitseyewithhersharpenedbone。Aroarfromtheonlookersacknowledgedthestroke。Thecave—tiger’seyeremainedundarkened，butthepunyweaponhaddealtitasmartfleshwound，andwithagreatbellowofsurpriseandpainitscamperedawaytogainspaceforarushandaspring。
Butthewomandidnotawaititscharge。Withashrillscreamshespedforward，runningatthefullofherspeedacrossthemoonlightdirectlytowardsthatshadowedpartoftheencirclingwallwithinwhosethicknessIhadmygazingplace;andthen，throwingeverytendonofherbodyintothespring，madethegreatestleapthatsurelyanyhumanbeingeveraccomplished，evenwhenspurredonbytheutmostofterroranddesperation。InanafterdayImeasuredit，andthoughofacertaintyshemusthaveaddedmuchtothetallybythesheerforceofherrun，whichdroveherclinginguptheroughsurfaceofthewall，itisasurethingthatinthatsplendidleapherfeetmusthavedangledaman—heightandahalfabovethepavement。
Isayitwasprodigious，butthenthespurwasmorethantheordinary，andthewomanherselfwasfaroutofthecommonbothinthewsandintelligence;andtheendoftheleapleftherwithfivefingerslodgedinthesillofthearrow—slitfromwhichIwatched。
Eventhenshemusthaveslippedbackifshehadbeenlefttoherself，forthesillsloped，andthestonewasfinelysmooth;butIshotoutmyhandandgrippedhersbythewrist，andinstantlysheclamberedupwithbothkneesonthesills，andherfingerstwinedroundtogripmywristinherturn。
Andnowyouwillsupposeshegushedoutprayersandpromises，thinkingonlyofsafetyandenlargement。Therewasnothingofthis。Withsavagepantingwordlessnessshetookfreshgriponthesharpenedbonewithhersparehand，andlungedwithitdesperatelythroughthearrow—slit。Withthehandthatclutchedmineshedrewmetowardsher，soastogivetheblowsthesurerchance，andsounpreparedwasIforsuchanattack，andwithsuchfiercesuddennessdidshedeliverit，thatthefirstblowwasneargivingmemyquietus。ButIgrappledwiththepoorfranticcreatureasgentlyasmightbe——thestoneofthewallseparatingusalways——andstrippedherofherweapon，andheldherfirmlycaptivetillshemightcalmherself。
\"Thatwasanungratefulblow，\"Isaid。\"Butformyhandyou’dhaveslippedandbethesportofatiger’spawthisminute。\"
\"Oh，Imustkillsomeone，\"shepanted，\"beforeIamkilledmyself。\"
\"Therewillbetimeenoughtothinkuponthatsomeotherday;
butfornowyouarefarenoughoffmeetingfurtherharm。\"
\"Youarelyingtome。YouwillthrowmetothebeastsassoonasIloosemygrip。Iknowyourkind:youwillnotberobbedofyoursport。\"
\"Iwillgosofarastoprovemyselftoyou，\"saidI，andcalledoutforthewarderwhohadtendedthedoorsbelow。\"Bidthosetigersbetetheredonashorterchain，\"Iordered，\"andthengoyourselfoutsideintothecircus，andhelpthisladydelicatelytotheground。\"
Thewordwaspassedandthesethingsweredone;andItoocameoutintothecircusandjoinedthewoman，whostoodwaitingunderthemoonlight。Buttheotherswhohadseenthesedoingswerebynomeanssuitedatthechangeofplan。Oneofthegreatstonevalvesofthefartherdooropenedhurriedly，andamanstrodeout，armedandflushed。\"ByalltheGods！\"heshouted。\"Whocomesbetweenmeandmypastime？\"
Isteppedquietlytotheadvance。\"Ifear，sir，\"Isaid，\"thatyoumustlaunchyourangeragainstme。ByaccidentIgavethatwomansanctuary，andIhadnothearttotossherbacktoyourbeasts。\"
Hisfingersbegantosnapagainsthishilt。
\"Youhavecometothewrongmarketherewithyourqualms。I
amcaptainhere，andmywordcarries，subjectonlytoPhorenice’snod。Doyouhearthat？DoyouknowtoothatIcanhaveyoutossedtothosestripedgate—keepersofmineformeddlinginherewithoutaninvitation？\"Helookedatmesharpenough，butsawplainlythatIwasastranger。\"Butperhapsyoucarryaname，myman，whichwarrantsyourimpertinence？\"
\"Deucalionismypoorname，\"Isaid，\"butIcannotexpectyouwillknowit。Iambutnewlylandedhere，sir，andwhenIleftAtlantissomescoreofyearsback，averydifferentmantoyouheldguardoverthesegates。\"Hehadhisforeheadonmyfeetbythistime。\"IhaditfromtheEmpressthisnightthatshewillto—morrowmakeanewsortingofthiskingdom’sdignities。Perhapsthereissomerecommendationyouwouldwishmetolaybeforeherinreturnforyourcourtesies？\"
\"Mylord，\"saidtheman，\"ifyouwishit，Icanhaveaturnwiththosecave—tigersmyselfnow，andyoucanlookonfrombehindthewallsandseethemtearme。\"
\"Whytellmewhatisnonews？\"
\"Iwishtoremindmylordofhispower;Iwishtobegofhisclemency。\"
\"Youshowedyourpowertothesepoorprisoners;butfromwhatremainsheretobeseen，fewofthemhavetastedmuchofyourclemency。\"
\"Theorderswere，\"saidthecaptainofthegate，asthoughhethoughtawordmightbesaidhereforhisdefence，\"theorderswere，mylord，thatthetigersshouldbekeptfierceandaccustomedtokilling。\"
\"Then，ifyouhaveobeyedorders，letmebethelasttochideyou。Butitismypleasurethatthiswomanberespited，andIwishnowtoquestionher。\"
Themangottohisfeetagainwithobviousrelief，thoughstillbowinglow。
\"Thenifmylordwillhonourmebysittinginmyroomthatoverlookstheoutergate，thefavourwillneverbeforgotten。\"
\"Showtheway，\"Isaid，andtookthewomanbythefingers，leadinghergently。Atthetwoendsofthecircusthetigersprowledaboutonshortchains，growlingandmuttering。
Wepassedthroughthedoorintothethicknessoftheouterwall，andthecaptainofthegateledusintohisprivatechamber，asnugenoughboxoverlookingtheplainbeyondthecity。Helitatorchfromhislampandthrustitintoabracketonthewall，andbowingdeeplyandwalkingbackwards，leftusalone，closingthedoorinplacebehindhim。Hewasanindustriousfellow，thiscaptain，tojudgefromthespoilwithwhichhischamberwaspacked。
Therecouldhavecomeveryfewtradersinthroughthatgatebelowwithouthislevyingaprivatetribute;andso，judgingthatmostofhisgoodshadbeenunlawfullycomeby，Ihadlittlequalmatmakingaselection。Itwasnotdecentthatthewoman，beinganAtlantean，shouldgobereftofthedignityofclothes，asthoughshewereameresavagefromEurope;andsoIsoughtaboutamongstthecaptain’sspoilforgarmentsthatwouldbebefitting。
But，asIbusiedmyselfinthissearchforraiment，rummagingamongsttheheapsandbales，withahandandeyelittleskilledinsuchbusiness，Iheardasoundbehindwhichcausedmetoturnmyhead，andtherewasthewomanwithadaggershehadpickedfromthefloor，intheactofdrawingitfromthesheath。
Shecaughtmyeyeanddrewtheweaponclear，butseeingthatImadenoadvancetowardsher，ormovetoprotectmyself，waitedwhereshewas，andpresentlywastookwithashuddering。
\"Yourdesignsseemsomewhatofariddle，\"Isaid。\"Atfirstyouwishedtokillmefrommotiveswhichyouexplained，andwhichIquiteunderstood。Itlayinmypowernexttoconfersomesmallbenefituponyou，inconsequenceofwhichyouarehere，andnot——shallwesay？——yonderinthecircus。Whyyoushoulddesirenowtokilltheonlymanherewhocansetyoucompletelyfree，andbeyondthesewalls，isathingitwouldgratifymemuchtolearn。
Isaynothingofthetrifleofingratitude。Gratitudeandingratitudeareoflittleweighthere。Thereissomefargreaterinyourmind。\"
Shepressedahandhardagainstherbreasts。\"YouareDeucalion，\"shegasped;\"Iheardyousayit。\"
\"IamDeucalion。Sofar，Ihaveknownnoreasontofeelshameformyname。\"
\"AndIcomeofthose，\"shecried，witharisingvoice，\"whobiteagainstthiscity，becausetheyhavefoundtheirfatetoointolerablewiththelandasitisorderednow。WeheardofyourcomingfromYucatan。ItwaswewhosentthefleettotakeyouattheentrancetotheGulf。\"
\"Yourfleetgaveusaprettyfight。\"
\"Oh，Iknow，Iknow。Wehadourwatchersonthehighlandwhobroughtusthetidings。Wehadanomenevenbeforethat。Wherewelaywithourarmybeforethewallshere，wesawgreatbirdscarryingofftheslaintothemountains。Butwherethefleetfailed，IsawachancewhereI，awoman，might——\"
\"Whereyoumightsucceed？\"Isatmedownonapileofthecaptain’sstuffs。ItseemedasifhereatlastthatIshouldfindasolutionformanythings。\"Youcarryaname？\"Iasked。
\"TheycallmeNais。\"
\"Ah，\"Isaid，andsignedtohertotaketheclothesthatIhadsoughtout。Shewascuriouslylike，sobothmyeyesandhearingsaid，toYlga，thefan—girlofPhorenice，butasshehadtoldmeofnoparentageIaskedfornonethen。Stillhertalkaloneletmeknowthatshewasbredofnoneofthecommonpeople，andImadeupmymindtowardsdefiniteunderstanding。\"Nais，\"Isaid，\"youwishtokillme。AtthesametimeIhavenodoubtyouwishtoliveonyourself，ifonlytogetcreditfromyourpeopleforwhatyouhavedone。SohereIwillmakeacontractwithyou。ProvetomethatmydeathisforAtlantis’good，andIswearbyourLordtheSuntogooutwithyoubeyondthewalls，whereyoucanstabmeandthengetyougone。Orthe——\"
\"Iwillnotbeyourslave。\"
\"Idonotaskyouforservice。Orelse，Iwishedtosay，I
shalllivesolongastheHighGodswish，anddomypoorbestforthiscountry。Andforyou——Ishallsetyoufreetodoyourbestalso。Sonow，Iprayyou，speak。\"
7。THEBITERSOFTHEWALLS
（FURTHERACCOUNT）
\"Youwillsetmefree，\"shesaid，regardingmefromunderherbrows，\"withoutanyfurtherexactionsortreaty？\"
\"Iwillsetyoufreeexactlyonthoseterms，\"Ianswered，\"unlessindeedweheredecidethatitisbetterforAtlantisthatIshoulddie，inwhichcasethefreedomwillbeofyourowntaking。\"
\"Mylordplaysaboldgame。\"
\"Tut，tut，\"Isaid。
\"ButIshallnothesitatetotakethefullofmybond，unlessmytheoriesaremostclearlydisprovedtome。\"
\"Tut，\"Isaid，\"youwomen，howyoucanplayoutthetimeneedlessly。Showmesufficientcause，andyoushallkillmewhereandhowyouplease。Come，begintheaccusation。\"
\"Youareatyrant。\"
\"AtleastIhavenotparadedmytyranniesinAtlantisthesetwentyyears。Why，Nais，Ididbutlandyesterday。\"
\"YouwillnotdenyyoucamebackfromYucatanforapurpose。\"
\"IcamebackbecauseIwassentfor。TheEmpressgivesnoreasonsforherrecalls。Shestatesherwill;andwewhoserveherobeywithoutquestion。\"
\"Pah，Iknowthatolddogma。\"
\"Ifyoudiscreditmypoorhonestyattheoutsetlikethis，I
fearweshallnotgetfarwithourunravelling。\"
\"Mylordmustbeindeedsimple，\"saidthisstrangewomanscornfully，\"ifheisignorantofwhatallAtlantisknows。\"
\"Thensimpleyoumustwritemedown。OveryonderinYucatanweweretoowellwrappedupinourownparochialneedsandpoliciestohaveleisuretopondermuchovertheslimnewswhichdriftedouttousfromAtlantis——and，intruth，littleenoughcame。Byexample，Phorenice（whoseofficebeadored）isagreatpersonagehereathome;butoverthereinthecolonywebarelyknewsomuchashername。Here，sinceIhavebeenashore，Ihaveseenmanynewwonders;Ihavebeencarriedbyaridingmammoth;Ihavesatatabanquet;butinwhatnewpoliciesthereareafoot，Ihaveyettobeschooled。\"
\"Then，iftrulyyoudonotknowit，letmerepeattoyouthecommontale。Phorenicehastiredofherunmatedlife。\"
\"Staythere。IwillhearnowordagainsttheEmpress。\"
\"Pah，mylord，yourscruplesaremostdecorous。ButIdidnomorethanrepeatwhattheEmpresshadmadepublicbyproclamation。
Sheismindedtotaketoherselfahusband，andnothingshortofthebestisgoodenoughforPhorenice。Oneafteranotherhasbeenputupinturnasfavourite——andbeenfoundwanting。Oh，Itellyou，wehereinAtlantishavewatchedhercourtshipwithjumpinghearts。Firstitwasthisonehere，thenitwasthatonethere;
nowitwasthisgeneraljustreturnedfromavictory，andadaylaterhehadbeenpackedbacktohiscamp，togiveplacetosomedashinggovernorwhohadsqueezedincreasedrevenuesfromhisprovince。ButeveryshipthatcamefromtheWestsaidthattherewasastrongermanthananyoftheseinYucatan，andatlasttheEmpresschangedthewordingofhervow。’I’llhaveDeucalionformyhusband，’saidshe，’andthenwewillseewhocanstandagainstmywishes。’\"
\"TheEmpress（whosenamebeadored）candoasshepleasesinsuchmatters，\"Isaidguardedly;\"butthatisbesidetheargument。
IamheretoknowhowitwouldbebetterforAtlantisthatIshoulddie？\"
\"Youknowyouarethestrongestmaninthekingdom。\"
\"Itpleasesyoutosayso。\"
\"AndPhoreniceisthestrongestwoman。\"
\"Thatisbeyonddoubt。\"
\"Why，then，iftheEmpresstakesyouinmarriage，weshallbeunderadoubletyranny。Andherrulealoneismorecruellyheavythanwecanbearalready。\"
\"IpassnocriticismonPhorenice’srule。Ihavenotseenit。
ButIcraveyourmercy，Nais，onthenewcomerintothiskingdom。