Iamstrong，sayyou，andthereforeIamatyrant，sayyou。Nowtomethissequenceisfaulty。\"
\"Whoshouldastrongmanusestrengthfor，ifnotforhimself？
Andifforhimself，whythatspellstyranny。Youwillgetallyourheart’sdesires，mylord，andyouwillforgetthatmanyathousandofthecommonpeoplewillhavetopayforthem。\"
\"Andthisisallyouraccusation？\"
\"Itseemstobeblackenough。Iamonethathasacompassionformyfellow—men，mylord，andbecauseofthatcompassionyouseemewhatIamto—day。Therewasatime，notlongpassed，whenI
sleptassoftandateasdaintyasanyinAtlantis。\"
Ismiled。\"Yourspeechtoldmethatmuchfromthefirst。\"
\"ThenIwouldIhadcastthespeechoff，too，ifthatisalsoaliveryofthetyrant’sclass。ButItellyouIsawalltheoppressionmyselffromtheoppressor’sside。IwashighinPhorenice’sfavourthen。\"
\"That，too，iseasyofcredence。Ylgaisthefan—girltotheEmpressnow，andsecondladyinthekingdom，andthosewhohaveseenYlgacouldmakeaneasyguessattheparentageofNais。\"
\"Wewerethedaughtersofonebirth;butIdonotcountwitheitherZaemonorYlganow。YlgaisthecreatureofPhorenice，andPhorenicewouldhaveallthepeopleofAtlantisslavesandinchains，sothatshemightcrushthemtheeasier。AndasforZaemon，heisnofriendofPhorenice’s;hefightswithbrainandsoultodragtheoldauthoritytothoseontheSacredMountain;andthat，ifitcomedownonusagain，wouldonlybetheexchangeofoneformofslaveryforanother。\"
\"Itseemstomeyoubiteatallauthority。\"
\"Infact，\"shesaidsimply，\"Ido。Ihaveseentoomuchofit。\"
\"Andsoyouthinkaruleofno—rulewouldbebestforthecountry？\"
\"Youhaveputitplainlyinwordsforme。Thatismycreedto—day。Thatisthecreedofallthoseyonder，whositinthecampandbesiegethiscity。Andwenumberonourside，now，allinAtlantissavethoseinthecityandahandfulonthepriests’
Mountain。\"
Ishookmyhead。\"Acreedofdesperation，ifyoulike，Nais，but，believeme，asillycreed。Sincemanwasbornoutofthequakingsandthefeversofthisearth，andpickedhiswayamongstthecooler—places，hehasbeendependentalwaysonhisfellow—men。
Andwheretwoarecongregatedtogether，onemustbechief，andorderhowmattersaretobegoverned——atleast，Ispeakofmenwhohaveawishtobehigherthanthebeasts。HaveyoueversetfootinEurope？\"
\"No。\"
\"Ihave。YearsbackIsailedthere，gatheringslaves。WhatdidIsee？Acountrywithoutruleororder。Tyrantstheywere，tobesure，buttheywerethebeasts。Themenandthewomenweretherudestsavages，knowingnothingofthearts，dressinginskinsanduncleanness，harbouringincavesandthetree—tops。Thebeastsroamedaboutwheretheywould，andhuntedthemunchecked。\"
\"Still，theyfoughtyoufortheirliberty？\"
\"Neveronce。Theyknewhowdisastrouswastheirmasterlessfreedom。Eventotheirdull，savagebrainsitwasasurethingthatnoslaverycouldbeworse;andtothatstateyou，andyourfriends，andyourtheories，willreduceAtlantis，ifyougettheupperhand。But，then，toargueinacircle，youwillnevergetit。Fortoconquer，youmustsetupleaders，andonceyouhavesetthemup，youwillneverpullthemdownagain。\"
\"Aye，\"shesaidwithasigh，\"thereistruthinthatlast。\"
Thetorchhadfilledthecaptain’sroomwitharesinoussmoke，buttheflamewasgrowingpale。Dawnwascomingingreylythroughaslenderarrow—slit，andwithiteverandagaintheglowfromsomemountainoutofsight，whichwasshootingforthspasmodicburstsoffire。Withitalsoweremutteringsofdistantfallingrocks，andsullentremblings，whichhadenduredallthenightthrough，andI
judgedthatearthwasinoneofherquakingmoods，andwouldprobablyduringtheforthcomingdayofferussomechasteningdiscomforts。
Onthisaccount，perhaps，mysenseswerestilledtocertainevidenceswhichwouldotherwisehavegivenmeasuspicion;andalso，thereisnodenyingthatmygeneralwakefulnesswassappedbyanothermatter。Thiswoman，Nais，interestedmevastlyoutofthecommon;themerepresenceofherseemedtowarmtheorgansofmyinterior;andwhilstshewasthere，allmythoughtsandsenseswerepresentintheroomofthecaptainofthegateinwhichwesat。
Butofasuddenthefloorofthechamberrockedandfellawaybeneathme，andinatumultofdust，andlitter，andbalesofthecaptain’splunder，Ifelldown（stillseatedontheflagstone）intoapitwhichhadbeendiggedbeneathit。Withtheviolenceofthedescent，andtheflutterofallthesearticlesaboutmyhead，Iwasinnoconditionforimmediateaction;andwhilstIwasstillhalf—stunnedbytheshock，andlongbeforeIcouldgetmyeyesintoserviceagain，Ihadbeenseized，andbound，andhalf—strangledwithanooseofhide。VoiceswereraisedthatIshouldbedespatchedatonceoutoftheway;butoneinauthoritycriedoutthat，killingmeatleisure，andasaprisoner，promisedmoregenteelsport;andsoIwasthrustdownonthefloor，whilstawholearmyofmentrodinovermetotheattack。
Whathadhappenedwascleartomenow，thoughIwaspowerlesstodoanythinginhindrance。Therebelswithmorecraftthananyonehadcreditedtothem，haddrivenagalleyfromtheircampundertheground，intendingsotomakeanentranceintotheheartofthecity。Intheirclumsyignorance，andhavingnooneofsufficienttalentinmensuration，theyhadbungledsadlybothindirectionandlength，andsohadendedtheirburrowunderthischamberofthecaptainofthegate。Thegreatflagstoneinitsfallhad，itappeared，crushedfourofthemtodeath，butthesewerelittlenoticedorlamented。Lifewastothemabaubleoftheslenderestprice，andahordeofotherspressedthroughtheopening，lustingforthefight，andreckingnothingoftheirrisksandperils。
Half—chokedbythefoulairofthegalley，andtroddenonbythisgreatprocessionoffeet，itwaslittleenoughIcoulddotohelpmyimmediateselfmuchlessthemoredistantcity。Butwhenthechiefmassoftheattackershadpassedthrough，andtherecameonlyhereandthereoneeagertotakehisshareatstormingthegate，acoupleoffellowspluckedmeupoutofthemudonthefloor，andbegandraggingmedownthroughthestinkingdarknessofthegalleytowardsthepitthatgaveitentrance。
Twentytimeswewerejostledbyothershasteningtotheattack，eitherfromhungerforfight，orfromappetiteforwhattheycouldsteal。Butwecametotheopenatlast，andhalf—suffocatedthoughIwas，Icontrivedtodoobeisance，andsayaloudtheprescribedprayertothemostHighGodsingratitudeforthefresh，sweetairwhichTheyhadprovided。
OurLordtheSunwasonthevergeofrisingforHisday，andallthingswereplainlyshown。Beforemewerethemonstrouswallsofthecapital，withtheheadsofitspyramidsandhigherbuildingsshowingabovethem。Andonthewalls，thesentrieswalkedcalmlytheirappointedpaces，ortookshelteragainstarrowsinthecasematesprovidedforthem。
Thedinoffightingwithinthegaterosehighintotheair，andtheheavyroaringofthecave—tigerstoldthattheytooweretakingtheirshareofthemelee。Butthemassivestoneworkofthewallshidalltheactualengagementfromourview，andwhichpartywasgettingtheupperhandwecouldnotevenguess。Butthesoundstoldhowtightafightwasbeinghammeredoutinthosenarrowboundaries，andmyveinstingledtobeoncemorebackattheoldtrade，andtobedoingmyshare。
Buttherewasnochivalryaboutthefellowswhoheldmebymybonds。Theythrustmeintoasmalltemplenearby，whichoncehadbeenafaneinmuchfavourwithtravellers，whowishedtoshowgratitudeforthesafejourneytothecapital，butwhichnowwasrobbedandruined，andtheyswungtothestoneentrancegateandbarredit，leavingmetocommunewithmyself。Presently，theytoldme，Ishouldbeputtodeathbytorments。Well，thisseemedtobethenewcustomofAtlantis，andIshouldhavetoendureitasbestIcould。TheHighGods，itappeared，hadnofurtheruseformyservicesinAtlantis，andIwasnotinthemoodthentobiteverymuchattheirdecision。WhatIhadseenofthecountrysincemyreturnhadnotenamouredmeverymuchwithitsnewconditions。
ThelittletempleinwhichIwasgaoledhadbeenrobbedanddespoiledofallitsfurnishments。Butthelight—slits，whereatcertainhoursofthedaytheraysofourLordtheSunhadfallenupontheimageoftheGod，beforethishadbeentakenaway，gavemevantageplacesfromwhichIcouldseeoverthecampoftheserebelbesiegers，andadrearyprospectitwas。Thepeopleseemedtohaveshuckedoffthecultureofcenturiesinasmanymonths，andtohavegonebackforthemostparttosheerbrutishness。Themajorityharbouredonthebareground。Fewownedshelter，andtheseweremerelybowersofmudandbranches。
Theyfoughtandquarrelledamongstthemselvesforfood，eatingtheirmeatraw，andtheirgrain（whentheyhadit）unground。ManywhopassedmyvisionIsawwereevengnawingthesoftinsideoftreebark。
Thedeadlaywheretheyfell。Thesickandthewoundedfoundnohandtotendthem。Greatman—eatingbirdshoveredaboutthecamporskulkedabout，heavywithgorging，amongstthehovels，andnoonehadpublicspiritenoughtogivethembattle。Thestinkoftheplaceroseuptoheavenasafoulincenseinvitingapestilence。Therewasnoorder，notraceofstrongcommandanywhere。Withthreehundredwell—disciplinedtroopsitseemedtomethatIcouldhavesentthosepoordesperatehordesflyinginpanictotheforest。
However，therewasnoverylengthyspaceoftimegrantedmeforthinkingoutthepolicyofthismattertoanygreatdepth。Theattackonthegatehadbeendeliveredwithsuddenness;therepulsewasnotslow。Ofwhatdesperatefightingtookplaceinthegalleries，andinthecircusbetweenthetwosetsofgates，thedetailwillneverbetoldinfull。
Atthefirstalarmthegreatcave—tigersweresetloose，andtheseragedimpartiallyagainstkeeperandfoe。Ofthosethatwentinthroughthetunnel，notoneintenreturned，andtherewerefewofthesebutwhatcarriedabloodywound。Some，withtherulingpassionstillstronginthem，borebackplunder;onetrailedalongwithhimtheheadofthecaptainofthegate;andamongstthemtheydraggedouttwoofthewarderswhowerewounded，andwhomrevengehadurgedthemtotakeasprisoners。
Overthesetwolastahubbubnowarose，thatseemedlikelytoboiloverintoblows。Everyvoiceshoutedoutforthemwhathethoughtthemostrepulsivefate。Somewereforburning，someforskinning，someforimpaling，someforotherthings:myfleshcreptasIheardtheirravenousyells。Thosethathadbeentothetroubleofmakingthemcaptivewerestillbreathlessfromthefight，andwerereadilythrustaside;anditseemedtomethatthepoorwretcheswouldbehustledintodeathbeforeanydefinitefatewasagreedupon，whichallwouldpassassufficientlyterrific。
NeverhadIseensuchadisorderlytumult，neversuchaleaderlessmob。But，asalwayshashappened，andalwayswill，thestrongermenbydintofloudervoicesandmorevigorousshouldersgottheirplansagreedtoatlast，andtheothersperforcehadtogiveway。
Abandofthemsetoffrunning，andpresentlyreturnedatsnails’pace，draggingwiththem（withmanysquealsfromungreasedwheels）oneofthosehugewarengineswithwhichbesiegersarewonttothrowgreatstonesandothermissilesintothecitiestheysitdownagainst。Theyranitupjustbeyondbowshotofthewalls，andclampeditfirmlydownwithstakesandropestotheearth。Thensettingtheirleanarmstothewindlasses，theydrewbackthegreattreewhichformedthespringtillitstetheringplacereachedtheground，andinthecradleatitsheadtheyplacedoneoftheprisoners，boundhelplessly，sothathecouldnotthrowhimselfovertheside。
Thentherude，savage，skin—cladmobstoodback，andonewhohadappointedhimselfengineerknockedbackthecatchthatheldthegreatspringinplace。
Withawhirandatwangtheelasticwoodflungupwards，andtheboundmanwasshotawayfromitstipwiththespeedofalightningflash。Hesangthroughtheair，spinningoverandoverwithinconceivablerapidity，andthegreatcrowdofrebelsheldtheirbreathinsilenceastheywatched。Hepassedhighabovethecitywall，atinymannikininthedistancenow，andthenthetrajectoryofhisflightbegantolower。Thespikeofanew—builtpyramidlayinthepathofhisterrificflight，andhestruckitwithathudwhosesoundfloatedouttousafterwards，andthenhetoppleddownoutofoursight，leavingaredstainonthewhitenessofthestoneashefell。
Witharoarthecrowdacknowledgedthesuccessoftheirdevice，andbellowedoutinsultstoPhorenice，andinsultstotheGods:apoorfranticcrowdtheyshowedthemselves。Andthenwithraveningshouts，theyfellupontheothercaptivewarder，bindinghimalsointoacompacthelplessmissile，andmeanwhilegettingtheengineingearagainforanothershot。
ButformypartIsawnothingofthisdisgustingscene。I
heardtheboltgratestealthilyagainstthedoorofthelittletempleinwhichIwasimprisoned，andwasmindedtogivethesebrutishrebelssomewhatofasurprise。Ihadridmyselfofmybondshandilyenough;Ihadrubbedmylimbstothatperfectsupplenesswhichisalwaysdesirablebeforeafight;andIhadplannedtorushoutsosoonasthedoorwasswung，andkillthosethatcamefirstwithfistblowsonthebrowandchin。
Theyhadnotsuspectedmyname，itwasclear，formystatureandgarbwerenothingoutoftheordinary;butifmybodilystrengthandfightingpowerhadbeensufficienttoraisemetoavice—royaltylikethatofYucatan，andletmeendurealiveinthatgovernmentthroughouttwentyhard—battlingyears，why，itwaslikelythatthisrabbleofsavageswouldseesomethingthatwasnewandadmirableinthepracticeofarmsbeforethecrudeweightoftheirnumberscoulddragmedown。Nay，Ididnotevendespairofwinningfreealtogether。Imustfindmeaweaponfromthosethatcameuptobattle，withwhichIcouldwriteworthysignatures，andImustattemptnostandingfights。Gods！butwhataglowtheprospectdidsendthroughmeasIstoodtherewaiting。
Avainerman，writinghistory，mighthavesaidthatalways，beforeeverythingelse，heheldinmindthegreaterinterestsbeforetheless。Butforme——Iprefertobehonest，andownmyselfhuman。Inmygleeatthatforthcomingfight——whichpromisedtobethegreatestandmostfuriousIhadknowninallalonglifeofbattling——IwillconfessthatAtlantisandherdifferingpolicieswerecleanforgot。Ishouldgooutanunknownmanfromthelittlecellofatemple，Ishoulddomywork，andthen，whetherItookfreedomwithme，orwhetherIcamedownatlastmyselfonapileofslain，thesepeoplewouldguesswithoutbeingtoldthename，thatherewasDeucalion。Gods！whatafightwewouldhavemade！
Butthedoordidnotopenwidetogivemespaceformyfirstrush。Itcreakedgratinglyoutwardsonitspivots，andaslimhandandawhitearmslippedinside，beckoningmetoquietude。Herewassomewoman。Thedoorcreakedwider，andshecameinside。
\"Nais，\"Isaid。
\"Silence，ortheywillhearyou，andremember。Atpresentthosewhobroughtyouherearekilled，andunlessbychancesomeoneblundersintothisrobbedshrine，youwillnotbefound。\"
\"Then，ifthatisso，letmegooutandwalkamongstthesepeopleasoneofthemselves。\"
Sheshookherhead。
\"But，Nais，Iamnotknownhere。Iammerelyamaninveryplainandmud—stainedrobe。Ishouldbeinnowaysremarkable。\"
Asmiletwitchedherface。\"Mylord，\"shesaid，\"wearsnobeard;andhisistheonlycleanchininthecamp。\"
Ijoinedinherlaugh。\"Apestonmywantoffoppishnessthen。ButIamforgettingsomewhat。Itcomestomymindthatwestillhaveunfinishedthatsmalldiscussionofoursconcerningthelengthofmypoorlife。Haveyoudecidedtocutitofffromriskoffurthermischief，ordoyouproposetogivemefurtherspan？\"
Sheturnedtomewithalookofsharpdistress。\"Mylord，\"
shesaid，\"Iwouldhaveyouforgetthatsillytalkofmine。ThislasttwohoursIthoughtyouweredeadinrealtruth。\"
\"Andyouwerenotrelieved？\"
\"Ifeltthattheonlymanwasgoneoutoftheworld——Imean，mylord，theonlymanwhocansaveAtlantis。\"
\"Yourwordsgivemeaconfidence。ThenyouwouldhavemegobackandbecomehusbandtoPhorenice？\"
\"Ifthereisnootherway。\"
\"IwarnyouIshalldothat，ifshestillsodesiresit，andifitseemstomethatthatcoursewillbebest。Thisisnohourforprivatelikingsordislikings。\"
\"Iknowit，\"shesaid，\"Ifeelit。Ihavenoheartnow，saveonlyforAtlantis。Ihaveschooledmyselfoncemoretothat。\"
\"AndatpresentIaminthislonelittleboxofatemple。A
minuteago，beforeyoucame，Ihadpromisedmyselfaprettyenoughfighttosignalisemychangingofabode。\"
\"Theremustbenothingofthat。Iwillnothavethesepoorpeopleslaughteredunnecessarily。NordoIwishtoseemylordexposedtoahopelessrisk。Thispoorplace，suchasitis，hasbeengiventomeasanabode，and，ifmylordcanremaindecorouslytillnightfallinamaiden’schamber，hemayatleastbesureofquietude。Iamaperson，\"sheaddedsimply，\"thatinthiscamphassomerespect。Whendarknesscomes，Iwilltakemylorddowntotheseaandaboat，andsohemaycomewitheasetotheharbourandthewatergate。\"
8。THEPREACHERFROMTHEMOUNTAINS
ItwaslongenoughsinceIhadfoundleisureforaparcelofsleep，andsoduringthelargerpartofthatdayIamfreetoconfessthatIslumberedsoundly，Naiswatchingme。Nightfell，andstillweremainedwithintheprivacyofthetemple。ItwasourplanthatIshouldstaytheretillthecampslept，andsoIshouldhavemorechanceofreachingtheseawithoutdisturbance。
Thenightcamedownwet，withadrizzleofrain，andthroughtheslitsinthetemplewallswecouldseethemanyfiresinthecampwellcaredfor，themenandwomeninskinsandragstoastingbeforethem，withsteamrisingastheheatfoughtwiththeirwetness。Folkseatedindiscomfortlikethisareproverbiallyalertandcruelinthetemper，andNaisfrownedasshelookedontheinclemencyoftheweather。
\"Afinenight，\"shesaid，\"andIwouldhavesentmylordbacktothecitywithoutasoulherebeingthewiser;butinthischill，peoplesleepsourly。Wemustwaittillthehourdrugsthemsounder。\"
Andsowewaited，sittingtheretogetheronthatpavementsolongunkissedbyworshippers，anditwaslittleenoughwesaidaloud。Buttherecanbegoodcompanionshipwithoutsentencesoftalk。
Butasthehoursdrewon，thenightbegantogrowlessquiet。
Fromthedistancesomeonebegantoblowonahornorashell，sendingforthaharshraucousnoteincessantly。Thesoundcamenearer，aswecouldtellfromitsgrowingloudness，andthevoicesofthosebythefiresmadethemselvesheard，railingattheblowerforhisdisturbance。Andpresentlyitbecamestationary，andstandingupwecouldseethroughtheslitsinthewallsthepeopleofthecamprousingupfromtheiruneasyrest，andclusteringtogetherroundonewhostoodandtalkedtothemfromthepedestalofawarengine。
Whathewasdeclaiminguponwecouldnothear，andourcuriosityonthematterwasnotkeen。Giventhatallwhodidnotsleepwenttowearythemselveswiththisfellow，asNaiswhispered，itwouldbesimpleformetomakeanexitintheoppositedirection。
Butherewewerereckoningwithouttheinevitablebusybody。
Adozenpairsoffeetsplashingthroughthewetcameuptothesideofthelittletemple，andcriedloudlythatNaisshouldjointheaudience。Shehadeloquenceoftongue，itappeared，andtheyfearedlestthisspeakerwhohadtakenhisstandonthewarengineshouldmakeschismsamongsttheirranksunlesssomeskilledpersonstoodupalsotorefutehisarguments。
Here，then，itseemedtomethatImustbeelbowedintomyskirmishbythemostunexpectedofchances，butNaiswasfirmlymindedthatthereshouldbenofight，ifcourageonherpartcouldturnit。\"Comeoutwithme，\"shewhispered，\"andkeepdistantfromthelightofthefires。\"
\"Buthowexplainmybeinghere？\"
\"Thereisnoreasontoexplainanything，\"shesaidbitterly。
\"Theywilltakeyouformylover。Thereisnothingremarkableinthat:itisthemodehere。Butoh，whydidnottheGodsmakeyouwearabeard，andcurlit，evenasothermen？Thenyoucouldhavebeengoneandsafethesetwohours。\"
\"Asmoothchinpleasesmebetter。\"
\"Soitdoesme，\"Iheardhermurmurassheleanedherweightonthestonewhichhunginthedoorway，andpusheditajar;\"yourchin。\"Theraggedmenoutside——therewerewomenwiththemalso——didnotwaittowatchmeveryclosely。Acoarsejestortwoflew（whichIcouldhavefoundgoodhearttohaverepaidwithasword—thrust）andtheysteppedoffintothedarkness，justturningfromtimetotimetomakesurewefollowed。Onallsidesotherswerepressinginthesamedirection——blackshadowsagainstthenight;therainspatnoisilyonthecampfiresaswepassedthem;
andfrombehinduscameupothers。Therewerenosleepersinthecampnow;allwerepressingontohearthispreacherwhostoodonthepedestalofthewarengine;andifwehadtriedtoswervefromthestraightcourse，weshouldhavebeenmarkedatonce。
Soweheldonthroughthedarkness，andpresentlycamewithinearshot。
Stillitwaslittleenoughofthepreacher’swordswecouldmakeoutatfirst。\"Whoareyourchiefs？\"camethequestionattheendofafervidharangue，andimmediatelyallfurtherrationaltalkwasdrownedinuproar。\"Wehavenochiefs，\"thepeopleshouted，\"wearedonewithchiefs;weareallequalhere。Takeawayyoursillymagic。Youmaykilluswithmagicifyouchoose，butruleusyoushallnot。Norshalltheotherpriestsrule。NorPhorenice。
Noranybody。Wearedonewithrulers。\"
Thepresshadbroughtuscloserandclosertothemanwhostoodonthewarengine。Wesawhimtobeold，withwhitehairthattumbledonhisshoulders，andalongwhitebeard，untrimmedanduncurled。Saveforawispofragabouttheloins，hisbodywasunclothed，andglistenedinthewet。
Butinhishandheheldthatwhichmarkedhiscaste。Withithepointedhissentences，andattimeshewhirleditaboutbathinghiswet，nakedbodyinahalooflight。Itwasawandwhosetipburnedwithanunconsumingfire，whichglowedandtwinkledandblazedlikesomestarsentdownbytheGodsfromtheirownplaceinthehighheaven。ItwastheSymbolofourLordtheSun，acredentialnoonecouldforge，andoneonwhichnocivilisedmanwouldcastadoubt。
Indeed，theraggedfranticcrewdidnotquestionforonemomentthathewasamemberoftheClanofPriests，theClanwhichfromtimeoutofnumberinghadgivenrulersfortheland，andevenintheirloudestclamourstheyfreelyacknowledgedhispowers。
\"Youmaykilluswithyourmagic，ifyouchoose，\"theyscreamedathim。Butstubbornlytheyrefusedtocomebacktotheiroldallegiance。\"Wehavesufferedtoomanythingstheselateryears，\"
theycried。\"Wearedonewithrulersnowforalways。\"
ButformyselfIsawtheoldmanwithadifferentemotion。
HerewasZaemonthatwasfathertoNais，ZaemonthathadseenmeyesterdayseatedonthedivanatPhorenice’selbow，andwhoto—daycoulddenouncemeasDeucalionifsohechose。Theserebelshadexpendedanavyintheirwishtokillmefourdaysearlier，andiftheyknewofmynearness，eventhoughNaisweremyadvocate，hercoldreasoningwouldhavehadlittlechanceofanaudiencenow。
TheHighGodswhokeepthetetherofourliveshideTheirsecretswell，butIdidnotthinkitimpioustobesurethatminewasverynearthecuttingthen。
Thebeautifulwomansawthistoo。Sheevenwentsofarastotwineherfingersinmineandpressthemasafarewell，andI
pressedhersinreturn，forIwassorryenoughnottoseehermore。
StillIcouldnothelplettingmythoughtstravelwithagrimgloatingoverthefinemoundofdeadIshouldbuildbeforetheseragged，unskilledrebelspulledmedown。Anditwasinevitablethisshouldbeso。Forofalltheemotionsthatcanfermentinthehumanheart，thejoyofstrifeiskeenest，andnonebutanoldfighter，facetofacewithwhatmustnecessarilybehisfinalbattle，cantellhowdeepthislustisembroideredintotheveryfoundationsofhisbeing。
ButforthetimeZaemondidnotseeme，beingtoomuchwrappedinhisoutcry，andsoIwasfreetolistentotheburningwordswhichhespreadaroundhim，andtodeterminetheireffectonthehearers。
Thethemehepreachedwasnonewone。Hetoldthateversincethebeginningofhistory，theGodshadsetapartoneClanofthepeopletoruleovertherestandbetheirPriests，anduntilthecomingofPhorenicethesehaddonetheirdutieswithexactitudeandjustice。Theyhadfoughtinvaders，carriedwaragainstthebeasts，andstudiedearth—movementssothattheywereabletoforetellearthquakesanderuptions，andcouldspreadwarningsthatthepeoplemightbeabletoescapetheirdevastations。Theyarenoself—seekers;theiraimwasalwaystofurthertheinterestofAtlantis，andsodohonourtothekingdomonwhichtheHighGodshadsettheirspecialfavour。UnderthePriestlyClan，Atlantishadreachedthepinnacleofhumanprosperityandhappiness。
\"But，\"criedtheoldman，wavingtheSymboltillhiswetbodyglistenedinahalooflight，\"thepeoplegrewfatandcarelesswiththeireasylife。Theybegantohaveaconceitthattheirgoodfortunewasearnedbytheirownpunybrainsandthews，andwasnogiftfromtheGodsabove;andpresentlythecultoftheseGodsbecameneglected，andTheirtempleswerebarrenofgiftsandworshippers。Followedapunishment。TheGodsinTheirinscrutablewaydecreedthatawifeofoneofthePriests（thatwasagovernorofnoinconsiderableprovince）shouldseeawomanchildbythewayside，andtakeitforadoption。ThatchildtheGodsintheirinfinitewisdomfashionedintoascourgeforAtlantis，andyouwhohavefelttheweightofPhorenice’shand，knowwithwhatcompletenesstheHighGodscanfashiontheirinstruments。
\"Yet，evenastheysetup，socantheythrowdown，andthosethatshalldebasePhoreniceareevennowappointed。Theoldruleistobere—established;butnottillyouwhohavesinnedaresufficientlychastenedtocrytoitforrelief。\"HewavedthemysteriousglowingSymbolbeforehim。\"See，\"hecriedinhishigholdquaveringvoice，\"youknowtheunspeakablePowerofwhichthatisthesign，andforwhichIamthemouthpiece。Itisforyoutomakedecisionnow。AretheGodstothrowdownthiswomanwhohasscornedThemandsocruellytroddenonyou？Orareyoutobestillfurtherpurgedofyourpridebeforeyouareripefordeliverance？\"
Theoldpriestbrokeoffwithagesture，andhisraggedwhitebeardsankontohischest。Promptlyayoungman，skincladandcarryinghisweapon，elbowedupthroughthepressoflisteners，andjumpedontotheplatformbesidehim。\"Hearme，brethren！\"hebellowed，inhisstrongyoungvoice。\"Wearedonewithtyrants。
Deathmaycome，andweallofusherehaveshownhowlittlewefearit。Butownrulersagainwewillnot，andthatisourfinalsay。
Mylord，\"hesaid，turningtotheoldmanwithabraveface，\"I
knowitisinyourpowertokillmebymagicifyouchoose，butI
havesaidmysay，andcanstandthecostifneedsbe。\"
\"Icankillyou，butIwillnot，\"saidZaemon。\"Youhavesaidyoursilliness。Nowgoyoutothegroundagain。\"
\"Wehavefreespeechhere。IwillnotgotillIchoose。\"