Phorenicelaughedassheswam。\"Youhandleyourselflikeasoreman，Deucalion。Ioweyousomethingforlendingmethecushionofyourbody。Bymyface！There’smoreofthegallantaboutyouwhenitcomestothetestthanonewouldguesstohearyoutalk。Howdidyouliketheride，sir？Iwarrantitcametoyouasanewexperience。\"
\"I’dlieferhavewalked。\"
\"Pish，man！You’llneverbeacourtier。Youshouldhaveswornthatwithmeinyourarmsyoucouldhavewishedthebumpinghadgoneonforever。Ho，theboatthere！Holdyourarrows。
Deucalion，hailmethosefoolsinthatboat。Tellthemthat，iftheyhurtsomuchasahairofmymammoth，I’llkillthemallbytorture。He’llexhausthimselfdirectly，andwhenhisflurry’sdonewe’llleavehimwhereheistoconsiderhisevilwaysforadayorso，andthenhaulhimoutwithwindlasses，andtamehimafresh。Pho！IcouldnotfeelmyselftobePhorenice，ifIhadnofine，red，shaggymammothtotakemeoutformyrides。\"
Theboatwasaten—slavegalleywhichwaschurningupfromthefarthersideoftheharbourashardaswell—pliedwhipscouldmakeoarsdriveher，butatthesoundofmyshoutsthesoldiersonherforedeckstoppedtheirarrowshots，andthesteersmanswervedheroffonanewcoursetopickusup。Tillthenwehadbeenswimmingleisurelyacrossanangleoftheharbour，soastoavoidlandingwherethesewersoutpoured;butwestoppednow，treadingthewater，andwerehelpedoverthesidebymostrespectfulhands。
Thegalleybelongedtothecaptainoftheport，amincingfigureofamariner，whosehighestappetiteinlifewastolickthefeetofthegreat，andhebegantofawnandprostratehimselfatonce，andtowishthathiseyeshadbeenblindedbeforehesawtheEmpressinsuchdeadlyperil。
\"Theperilmaypass，\"saidshe。\"It’snothingmortalthatwilleverkillme。ButIhavespoiledmyprettyclothes，andshedajewelortwo，andthat’sannoyingenoughasyousay，goodman。\"
ThesillyfellowrepeatedawishthathemightbeblindedbeforetheEmpresswaseverputtosuchdiscomfortagain。
Butitseemedshecouldbecloyedwithflattery。\"Ifyouaretiredofyoureyes，\"saidshe，\"letmetellyouthatyouhavegonethewaytohavethempluckedoutfromtheirsockets。Killmymammoth，wouldyou，becausehehasshownhimselfatriflefrolicsome？Youandyoursortwantmoreeducation，myman。I
shallhavetoteachyouthatport—captainsandsuchsmallcreaturesareveryeasytocomeby，andverysmallvaluewhengot，butthatmymammothismine——mine，doyouunderstand？——thepropertyofGoddessPhorenice，andassuchissacred。\"
Theport—captainabasedhimselfbeforeher。\"Iamanignorantfellow，\"saidhe，\"andheavenwasrobbedofitsbrightestornamentwhenPhorenicecamedowntoAtlantis。Butifreparationispermittedme，Ihavetwoprisonersinthecabinoftheboatherewhoshallbesacrificedtothemammothforthwith。Doubtlessitwouldpleasehimtomakesportwiththem，andspilloutthelastleesofhisrageupontheirbodies。\"
\"Prisonersyou’vegot，haveyou？Howtaken？\"
\"Undercoveroflastnighttheyweretryingtopassinbetweenthetwofortswhichguardtheharbourmouth。Buttheirboatfouledthechain，andbythelightofthetorchesthesentriesspiedthem。
Theywerecaughtwithropes，andputinadungeon。Thereisanordernottoabuseprisonersbeforetheyhavebeenbroughtbeforeajudgment？\"
\"Itwasmyorder。Didtheseprisonersoffertobuytheirliveswithnews？\"
\"Themanhasnotspoken。Indeed，Ithinkhegothisdeath—woundinbeingtaken。Thewomanfoughtlikeacatalso，sotheysaidinthefort，butshewascaughtwithouthurt。Shesaysshehasgotnothingthatwouldbeofusetotell。Shesaysshehastiredoflivinglikeasavageoutsidethecity，andmoreoverthat，inside，thereisamanforwhosenearnessshecravesmostmightily。\"
\"Tut！\"saidPhorenice。\"Isthisaromancewehaveswumto？
Youseewhataffectionatecreatureswewomenare，Deucalion。\"——Thegalleywasbroughtupagainsttheroyalquayandmadefasttoitsgoldenrings。IhandedtheEmpressashore，butsheturnedagainandfacedtheboat，hergarmentsstillyieldingupaslenderdripofwater。——\"Produceyourwomanprisoner，mastercaptain，andletusseewhethersheisarunawaywife，oralovesickgirlmadafterhersweetheart。ThenIwilldeliverjudgmentonher，andaslikeasnotwillsurpriseyouallwithmyclemency。Iaminamoodfortenderromanceto—day。\"
Theport—captainwentintothelittlehutchofacabinwithawhiteface。ItwasplainthatPhorenice’spleasantriesscaredhim。
\"Themanappearstobedead，YourMajesty。Iseethathiswounds——\"
\"Bringoutthewoman，youfool。Iaskedforher。Keepyourcarrionwhereitis。\"
Isawthefellowstoopforhisknifetocutalashing，andpresentlywhoshouldhebringouttothedaylightbutthegirlI
hadsavedfromthecave—tigersinthecircus，andwhohadsostrangelydrawnmetoherduringthehoursthatwehadspentafterwardsincompanionship。Itwasclear，too，thattheEmpressrecognisedheralso。Indeed，shemadenosecretaboutthematter，addressingherbyname，andmockinglymakinginquiriesaboutthemenageoftherebels，andthesuccessoftheprisoner’samours。
\"Thisgoodport—captaintellsmethatyoumadeamostvaliantattempttoreturn，Nais，andforanexcuseyoutoldthatitwasyourloveforsomemaninthecityherewhichdrewyou。Come，now，wearewillingtooverlookmuchofyourfaults，ifyouwillgiveusareasonablechance。Pointmeoutyourman，andifheisaproperfellow，Iwillseethathewedsyouhonestly。Yes，andIwilldomoreforyou，Nais，sincethisdaybringsmetoahusband。Seeingthatallyourestateisconfiscateasapenaltyforyourlaterebellion，Iwillchargemyselfwithyourdowry，andgiveitbacktoyou。Socome，namemetheman。\"
Thegirllookedatherwithasullenbrow。\"Ispokealie，\"
shesaid;\"thereisnoman。\"
Itriedmyselftogiveheradvocacy。\"Theladydoubtlessspokewhatcametoherlips。Whenawomanisinthegripofarudesoldiery，anyexcusewhichcansaveherforthemomentmustserve。
Formyself，Ishouldthinkitlikeenoughthatshewouldconfesstohavingcomebacktoheroldallegiance，ifshewereasked。\"
\"Sir，\"saidtheEmpress，\"keepyourpeace。Anyinterestyoumayshowinthismatterwillgofartooffendme。YouhavespokenofNaisinyournarrativebefore，andalthoughyourtonguewasshrewdandyoudidnotsaymuch，IamawomanandIcouldreadbetweenthelines。Nowregard，myrebel，Ihavenowishtobeundulyharduponyou，thoughonceyouweremyfan—girl，andsoyourrunningawaytotheseill—kemptmalcontents，whobeattheirheadsagainstmycitywalls，isallthemorenaughty。Butyoumustmeetmehalfway。Youmustgiveanexcuseforleniency。Pointmeoutthemanyouwouldwed，andheshallbeyourhusbandto—morrow。\"
\"Thereisnoman。\"
\"Thennamemeoneatrandom。Why，myprettyNais，nottenmonthsagotherewereascorewhowouldhaveleapedatthechanceofhavingyouforawife。Dropyourcoyness，girl，andnamemeoneofthose。IwarrantyouthatIwillbeyourambassadressandwillputthemattertohimwithsuchdelicacythathewillnotmakeyoublushbyrefusal。\"
Theprisonermoistenedherlips。\"Iamamaiden，andIhaveamaiden’smodesty。Iwilldieasyouchoose，butIwillnotdothisindecency。\"
\"Well，Iamamaidentoo，andthoughbecauseIamEmpressalso，questionsofStatehavetostandbeforequestionsofmyprivatemodesty，Icanhaveasympathyforyours——althoughintruthitdidnotobtrudeundulywhenyouweremyfan—girl，Nais。No，cometothinkofit，youlikedatenderglanceandaprettyphraseaswellasanywhenyouwerefan—girl。Youhavegrownwildandshy，amongstthesesavagerebels，butIwillnotpunishyouforthat。
\"Letmecallyourfavouritestomemorynow。TherewasTarca，ofcourse，butTarcahadadifferencewiththatill—dressedfatherofyours，andwearsaleprosyonhalfhisfaceinsteadofthatbeardheusedtotrimsofinely。AndthenthereisTatho，butTathoisawayoverseas。Eron，too，youlikedonce，butbelostanarminfightingt’otherday，andIwouldnotmarryyoutolessthanawholeman。Ah，bymyface！Ihaveit，thedaintyexquisite，Rota！Heisthehusband！HowwellIrememberthewayheusedtodressinachangeofgarbeachdaytocatchyourproudfancy，girl。
Well，youshallhaveRota。Heshallleadyoutowifebeforethishourto—morrow。\"
Againtheprisonermoistenedherlips。\"IwillnothaveRota，andsparemetheothers。Iknowwhyyoumockme，Phorenice。\"
\"Thentherearethreeofusherewhoshareoneknowledge。\"——Sheturnedhereyesuponme。Gods！whoeversawthelikeofPhorenice’seyes，andwhoeversawthemlitwithsuchfireasburnedwithinthemthen？——\"Mylord，youaremarryingmeforpolicy;Iammarryingyouforpolicy，andforanotherreasonwhichhasgrownstrongeroflate，andwhichyoumayguessat。Doyouwishstilltocarryoutthematch？\"
IlookedonceatNais，andthenIlookedsteadilybacktoPhorenice。ThecommandgivenbythemouthofZaemonfromtheHighCounciloftheSacredMountainhadtooutweighallelse，andI
answeredthatsuchwasmydesire。
\"Then，\"saidshe，gloweringatmewithhereyes，\"youshallbuildmeuptheprettybodyofNaisbeneathathroneofgraniteasaweddinggift。Andyoushalldoittoowithyourownproperhands，myDeucalion，whilstIwatchyourdevotion。\"
AndtoNaissheturnedwithacruelsmile。\"Youliedtome，mygirl，andyouspoketruthtothesoldiersintheharbourforts。
Thereisamanhereinthecityyoucameafter，andheistheonemanyoumaynothave。Becauseyouknowmewell，andmymethodsverythoroughly，yourloveforhimmustbeverydeep，oryouwouldnothavecome。Andso，beinghere，youshallbeputbeyondmischief’sreach。Iamnotoneofthosewhoseeluxuryinfosteringrivals。
\"YoucameforattentionatthehandsofDeucalion。Bymyface！
youshallhaveit。Iwillwatchmyselfwhilsthebuildsyouupliving。\"
11。ANAFFAIRWITHTHE
BARBAROUSFISHERS
SothismightyEmpresschosetobejealousofamerewomanprisoner！
Nowmymindhasbeentrainedtoworkwithasoldierlyquicknessinthesemomentsofstress，andIdecidedonmypropercourseontheinstantthewordshadleftherlips。IwassacrificingmyselfforAtlantisbyorderoftheHighCouncilofthePriests，and，ifneedful，Naismustbesacrificedalso，althoughinthesameflashaschemecametomeforsavingher。
SoIbowedgravelybeforetheEmpress，andsaidI，\"Inthis，andinallotherthingswhereamerehumanhandispotent，Iwillcarryoutyourwishes，Phorenice。\"Andsheonherpartpattedmyarm，andfreshwavesoffeelingwelledupfromthedepthsofherwondrouseyes。SurelytheGodswonforherhalfherschemesandhalfherbattleswhentheygavePhorenicehershape，andhervoice，andthematterswhichlaywithintheoutlinesofherface。
Bythistimethemerchants，andtheotherdwellersadjacenttothispartoftheharbour，wheretheroyalquaystands，hadcomedown，offeringchangesofraiment，andhousestoretireinto。
Phorenicewasallgraciousness，andthoughitwaslittleenoughI
caredformerewetnessofmycoat，stillthatpartoftheharbourintowhichwehadbeenthrownbythemammothwasnotoversavoury，andIwasgladenoughtofollowherexample。Formyself，IsaidnofurtherwordtoNais，andrefrainedevenfromgivingheraglanceoffarewell。ButasmallsoplikethiswasnomealforPhorenice，andshegavetheport—captainstrictordersfortheguardingofhisprisonerbeforeshelefthim。
AtthehouseintowhichIwasusheredtheygavemeabath，andIeasedmyhostoftheplainestgarmentinhisstore，andhewaspleasedenoughatgettingoffsocheaply。ButIhadanhourtospendoutsideonthepavementlisteningtothedistantdinofbombardmentbeforePhorenicecameouttomeagain，andIcouldnothelpfeelingsomegrimamusementatthefaceofthemerchantwhofollowed。Thefellowwasclearlyruined。Hehadastoreofjewelsandgaudsofthemostcostlykind，whichwereonlyinfractionhisown，seeingthathehadboughtthem（asthecustomis）inpartnershipwithothermerchants。ThesehadpleasedPhorenice’seye，andsoshehadtakenallanddisposedthemonherperson。
\"Aretheynotpretty？\"saidshe，showingthemtome。\"Seehowtheyflashunderthesun。Iamquitegladnow，Deucalion，thatthemammothgaveusthatfuriousrideandthatspill，sinceithasbroughtmesuchabonnypresent。Youmaytellthefellowherethatsomedaywhenhehasearnedsomemore，Iwillcomeandbehisguestagain。Ah！Theyhavebroughtuslitters，Isee。Well，sendoneawayanddoyoushareminewithme，sir。Wemustplayatbeingloversto—day，evenifloveisamatterwhichwillcometousbothwithmorecertaintyto—morrow。No;donotordermorebearers。Myownslaveswillcarryushandilyenough。Iamgladyouarenotoneofyourgross，overfedmen，Deucalion。Iamsmallandslimmyself，andIdonotwanttobehusbandedbyamanwhowillovershadowme。\"
\"Backtotheroyalpyramid？\"Iasked。
\"No，nortothewalls。IneitherwishtofightnortositasEmpressto—day，sir。AsIhavetoldyoubefore，itismywhimtobePhorenice，themaiden，forafewhours，andifsomeoneIwotofwouldwoomenow，asothermaidensarewooed，Ishouldesteemitaluxury。Bidtheslavescarryusroundtheharbour’srim，andgivewordtothesestarersthat，iftheyfollow，IwillcalldownfireuponthemasIdiduponthesacrifice。\"
Now，Ihadseensomethingoftheunrulinessofthestreetsmyself，andIhadgatheredahintalsofromtheofficeratthegateoftheroyalpyramidthatnightofPhorenice’swelcomingbanquet。
ButaswhatevertherewasinthemattermustbecommonknowledgetotheEmpress，Ididnotbringittohermemorythen。SoIdismissedtheguardwhichhadcomeup，anddroveawaywithafewsharpwordsthethrongofgapingsightseerswhoalways，sillycreatures，mustneedscometostareattheirbetters;andthenIsatinthelitterintheplacewhereIwasinvited，andthebearersputtheirheadstothepole。
Theyswungawaywithusalongthewidepavementwhichrunsbetweenthehousesofthemerchantsandthemarinerfolkandthedimplingwatersoftheharbour，andIthoughtsomewhatsadlyofthefewshipsthatfloatedonthatsplendidbasinnow，andofthefewevidencesofbusinessthatshowedthemselvesonthequays。Timewaswhentheshipswereberthedsoclosethatmanyhadtowaitintheestuaryoutsidethewalls，andmemorialshadbeensenttotheKingthattheportshouldbedoubledinsizetoholdtheglutoftrade。Andthat，too，intheolddaysofoarandsail，whenmachinesdrawingpowerfromourLordtheSunwerebutrarelyusedtohelpavesselspeedilyalonghercourse。
TheEgyptvoyageandareturnwasamatterofayearthen，asagainstabraceofmonthsnow，andofthreeshipsthatsetout，oneatleastcouldbereckoneduponsuccumbingtothedangersofthewidewatersandtheterriblebeaststhathauntthem。Butinthoseolddaystraderoaredwithlustylife，andwasevergrowingwiderandmoreheavy。YourmerchantthenwasaportlymanandgavegenerouslytotheGods。Butnowalltheworldseemedtobeinarms，andmoreovertradewasvulgar。Yourmerchant，ifhewasamanofsubstance，forgothismerchandise，sworethatchafferingwasmoreindelicatethanblasphemyandcurledhisbeardafterthenewfashion，andbecameacourtier。Wherehisfatherhadspentanxiousdayswithcargotallyandship—master，thesonwastedhoursindirectingsewingmenastheyadornedacoat，andnightsinvapouringatabanquet。
Ofthesmallermerchantswhohadnosubstancelaidby，taxesandtheconstantbickeringsofwarhadwellnighgroundthemintostarvation。Besides，withthecountryinconstantuproar，therewerefewmarketsleftformostmerchandise，norwasthereaughtmadenowwhichcouldbecarriedabroad。Ifyourweaverispressedasafire—tubemanhedoesnotmakecloth，andifyourfarmerisplayingatrebellion，hedoesnotbuyslavestotillhisfields。
Indeed，theytoldmethatamonthbeforemyreturn，asfineacargoofslaveshadbeenbroughtintoharbourasevercameoutofEurope，andtherewasnothingforitbuttosetthemashoreacrosstheestuary，andleavethemfreetostarveorliveinthewildgroundthereastheychose。TherewasnomaninallAtlantiswhowouldholdsomuchasonemoreslaveasagift。
ButthoughIwasgrievedatthisfallingaway，allschemesforremedywouldbeforafterwards。Itwouldonlymakeillworsetospeakofitaswerodetogetherinthelitter。IwasgrowingtoknowPhorenice’smoodsenoughforthat。Still，Ithinkthatshetoohadstudiedmine，anddidherbesttointerestmebetweenherburstsoftrifling。Wewentouttowherethewesternmostharbourwalljoinstheland，andtherethepantingbearerssetusdown。
Sheledmeintoalittlehouseofstonewhichstoodbyitself，builtoutonapromontorywherethereisaconstantrunoftide，andwhenwehadbeengivenadmittance，aftermuchunbarring，sheshowedmehernewgoldcollectors。
InthedryknowledgetaughtinthecollegesandgrovesoftheSacredMountainithadbeenacommonfacttousthatthemetalgoldwaspresentinadissolvedstateinallseawater，butofplansfordraggingitforthintoyellowhardness，nonehadeverbeendiscussed。Butherethisfield—rearedupstartofanEmpresshadstumbleduponthetrickasthoughithadbeenwritteninabook。
ShepattedmyarmlaughinglyasIstaredcuriouslyroundtheplace。\"ItellallothersinAtlantisthatonlytheGodshavethissecret，\"saidshe，\"andthatTheygaveittomeasoneofthemselves。ButIamnoGoddesstoyou，amI，Deucalion？And，bymyface！Ihavenootherexplanationofhowthisplanwasinvented。We’llsupposeImusthavedreamedit。Look！Thesea—watersluicesinthroughthatculvert，andpassesovertheseroughmetalplatessetinthefloor，andthenflowsoutagainyonderinitsnaturalcourse。Youseetheyellowmetalcaughtintheridgesoftheplates？Thatisgold。Andmyfellowsheremeltitwithfireintobars，andtakeittomysmith’sinthecity。Thetidesvaryconstantly，asyoupriestsknowwell，asthequietmoondrawsthem，anditdoesnottakemuchfiguringtoknowhowmuchoftheseapassesthroughtheseculvertsinamonthandhowmuchgoldtoagrainshouldbecaughtintheplates。Myfellowshereatfirstthoughttocheatme，butItowedtwooftheminthewateroncebehindagalleytillthecannibalfishatethem，andsincethentheothershavegivenmecreditfor——forwhatdoyouthink？\"
\"Moredivinity。\"
\"Isupposeitisthat。ButIamlettingyouseehowitisdone。Justhavetheheadtoworkoutalittlesum，andseewhataneffectcanbegained。YouwillbeaGodyetyourself，Deucalion，withthesesillyAtlanteans，ifonlyyouwilluseyourwitandcleverness。\"
Wasshelaughingatme？Wassheinearnest？Icouldnottell。Sometimesshepointedoutthathersuccessandtriumphsweremerelytherewardofthoughtandbrilliancy，andnextmomentshegavemesomeimpossibleexplanationandleftmetodeducethatshemustbemorethanmortalorthethingcouldneverhavebeenfound。
Ingoodtruth，thislittlewomanwithhersupplemindandhersupplebodymystifiedmemoreandmorethelongerIstayedbyherside;andmoreandmoredespairingdidIgrowthatAtlantiscouldeverberestoredbymyagencytopeaceandtheancientGods，evenafterIhadcarriedoutthecommandsoftheHighCouncil，andtakenhertowife。
Onlyoneplanseemedhumanlypossible，andthatwastocurbherfurthermischievousnessbydeathandthenleavethewretchedcountrynaturallytorecover。Itwasjustadagger—stroke，andthethingwasdone。Yettheveryideaofthisrevoltedme，andwhenthedesperatethoughtcametomymind（whichitdideverandanon），Ihuggedtomyselftheanswerthatifitwerefittingtodothisthing，theHighGodsinTheirinfinitewisdomwouldsurelyhaveputdefinitecommandsuponmeforitscarryingout。
Yet，suchwasthefascinationofPhorenice，thatwhenpresentlywelefthergoldcollectors，andstumbledintosuchperil，thatalittlewithholdingofmyhandwouldhavegainedherapassagetothenetherGods，Ifoundmyselffightingwhenshecalleduponme，asseldomIhavefoughtbefore。Andthough，ofcourse，someblameforthismustbelaiduponthatlustofbattlewhichthrillseventhecoldestofuswhenblowsbegintowhistleandwar—criesstarttoring，thereisnodoubtalsothatthepleasureofprotectingPhorenice，andthedistasteforseeingherpulleddownbythoserude，uncouthfishersputspecialnerveandvehemenceintomyblows。
ThecauseofthematterwastheunrestandtheprevalencytostreetviolencewhichIhavespokenofabove，andthedesperatepovertyofthecommonpeople，whichledthemtotakeanyriskifitshowedthemachanceofwinningthewherewithaltopurchaseameal。
Wehadoncemoremountedthelitter，andoncemorethebearers，withtheirheadsbeneaththepole，boreusonattheiraccustomedswingingtrot。Phorenicewastellingmeabouthernewsuppliesofgold。Shehadmadefreshsumptuarylaws，itappeared。
\"Intheolddays，\"saidshe，\"whenyellowgoldwastediouslydredgedupgrainbygrainfromrivergravelsinthedangerouslands，aquillfullwouldcostarichman’ssavings，andsononebutthosewhosehighstationfittedthemtobesoadornedcouldweargoldenornaments。Butwhenthesea—watergavemegoldherebythedoublehandfuladay，Ifoundthatthepriceoftheseriverhoardsdecreased，andoneday——couldyoucreditit？——acommonfellow，whowasoneofmysmiths，cametomewearingacollarofyellowgoldonhisowncommonneck。Well，Ihadthatneckdivided，aspaymentforhispresumption;andasIpromisedtorepeatthedivisionpromptlyonallotheroffenders，thatspecialspeciesofforwardnessseemstobecheckedforthetime。Therearemanyexasperations，Deucalion，ingoverningthesecommonpeople。\"
Shehadotherthingstosayuponthematter，butatthispointIsawtwoclumsyboatsoffisherspaddlingtousfromovertheripples，andatthesametimeamongstthenarrowlaneswhichledbetweenthehousesontheothersideofus，savage—facedmenwerebeginningtorunafterthelitterinthreateningclusters。
\"Withpermission，\"Isaid，\"Iwillstepoutoftheconveyanceandscatterthisrabble。\"
\"Oh，thepeoplealwaysclusterroundme。Pooruglysouls，theyseemtotakeastrangedelightincomingtostareatmyprettylooks。Butscatterthem。IhavesaidIdidnotwishtobefollowed。Iamtakingholidaynow，Deucalion，amInot，whilstyoulearntowoome？\"
Isteppedtotheground。Theroughfishersintheboatswerebeginningtoshouttothosewhododgedamongstthehousestoseetoitthatwedidnotescape，andthenumberswhohemmedusinontheshoresidewereincreasingeverymoment。Theprospectwasunpleasantenough。Wehadcomeoutbeyondthemerchants’quarters，andwerelevelwiththosesmallhutsofmudandgrasswhichthefishingpopulationdeemsufficientforshelter，andwhichhasalwaysbeenaspotwhereturbulencemightbeexpected。Indeed，eveninthosedaysofpeaceandgoodgovernmentintheoldKing’stime，thispartofthecityhadrarelybeenwithoutitsweeklyriot。
Thelifeofthefishermanisthemosthardthatanyhumantoilershavetoendure。Violencefromthewindandwaves，andpeltingfromfirestonesoutoftheskyaretheirdailyportion;thegreatbeaststhatdwellintheseashuntthemwithsavagepersistence，anditisararedaywhenatleastsomeoneofthefishers’guildfailstocomehometoanswerthetally。
Moreover，themannerwhichprevailsofcatchingfishisnotwithoutitsrisks。
Toeachmanthereisalargesea—fowltakenasanestling，andtrainedtothework。Aringofbronzeisrounditsnecktopreventitsswallowingthespoilforwhichitdives，andforeachfishittakesandfliesbackwithtotheboat，theheadandtailandinwardsaregiventoitforareward，theringbeingremovedwhilstitmakesthemeal。
Thebirdsarefaithful，oncetheyhavegotatraining，andareseldomknowntodeserttheirowners;but，althoughthefisherstreatthemmorekindlythantheydotheirwives，orchildrenoftheirownbegetting，thelifeofthebirdsisprecariouslikethatoftheirmasters。Thelargerbeastsandfishoftheseapreyonthemastheypreyonthesmallerfish，andsowhatevercaremaybelavisheduponthem，theyaremostliabletosuddencuttingoff。
Andhereisanotherthingthatmakesthelifeofthefishermostprecarious:ifhisfishingbirdbeslain，andthesecondwhichhehasintrainingalsocomebyillfortune，heisleftsuddenlybereftofallutensilsoflivelihood，and（foraughthisguild—fellowscare）hemaygostarve。ForthesefishersholdthattheGodsofthesearegulatetheircraft，andthatifoneisnotpleasingtoThemTheyrobhimofhisbirds;afterwhichitwouldbeimpioustohaveanytruckordealingwithsuchafellow;andaccordinglyheislefttostarveorrobashechooses。
Allofwhichcircumstancestendtomakethefishersrude，desperatemen，whohavebeenforcedintothetradebecauseallothercallingshaverejectedthem。Theyarefellows，moreover，whowillspendthegainsofamonthonanight’sdebauch，forfearthatthemorrowwillrobthemoflifeandthechanceofspending;and，moreover，itistheironepointofhonourtobecurbedinnodesirebyanordinaryfearofconsequences。Aswillappear。
Iwentquicklytowardsthelargestknotofthesepeople，whowereskulkingbehindthehouses，leavingthelitterhaltedinthepathbehindme，andIbadethemsharplyenoughtodisperse。\"Foranemployment，\"Iadded，\"putyourhousesinorder，andcleanthefishoffalfromthelanesbetweenthem。To—morrowIwillcomeroundheretoinspect，andputthisquarterintoabetterorder。
Butforto—daytheEmpress（whosenamebeadored）wishesforaprivacy，soceaseyourstaring。\"
\"Thengiveusmoney，\"saidashrillvoicefromamongstthehuts。
\"Iwillsendyouatorchinanhour’stime，\"Isaidgrimly，\"andrigyouagallows，ifyougivememoreannoyance。Toyourkennels，you！\"
Ithinktheywouldhaveobeyedthevoiceofauthorityiftheyhadbeenlefttothemselves。Therewasaquickstiramongstthem。
Thosethatstoodinthesunlightinstinctivelyslippedintotheshadow，andmanydodgedintothehousesandcoweredindarkcornersoutofsight。Butthemeninthetwohide—coveredfisher—boatsthatwerepaddlingup，calledthembackwithboisterouscries。
Isignedtothelitter—bearerstomoveonquicklyalongtheirroad。Therewasneedofdisciplinehere，andIwasmindedtodealitoutmyselfwithafirmhand。IjudgedthatIcouldpreventthemfollowingtheEmpress，butifshestillremainedasaglitteringbaitforthemtorob，andIhadtoprotectheralso，itmightbethatmyworkwouldnotbedonesoeffectively。
ButitseemsIwaspresumptuousingivinganorderwhichdealtwiththepersonofPhorenice。Shebadethebearersstandwheretheywere，andsteppedout，anddrewherweaponsfrombeneaththecushions。Shecametowardsmestrappingaswordontoherhip，andcarryingawell—dintedtargetofgoldonherleftforearm。\"Anunfairtrick，\"criesshe，laughing。\"Ifyouwillkeepafighttoyourselfnow，Deucalion，wherewillyourgreedinesscarryyouwhenIamyourshrinking，wistfullittlewife？Arethesefoolstrulygoingtostandupagainstus？\"
Iwasnotcovetingafight，butitseemedasiftherewouldbenoavoidanceofitnow。TherobeandtheglitteringgaudsofwhichPhorenicehadrecentlydespoiledthemerchant，drewtheeyesofthesepeoplewithkeenattraction。Thefishersintheboatspaddledintothesurfwhichedgedthebeach，andleapedoversideandleftthefrailbasket—workstructurestobespewedupsoundorsmashed，aschanceordered。Andfromthehouses，andfromthefilthylanesbetweenthem，pouredouthordesofothers，womenmixedwiththemen，gatheringroundusthreateningly。
\"Haveacare，\"shoutedoneontheoutskirtsofthecrowd。
\"Shecalleddownfireforthesacrificeonceto—day，andshecanburnupothershereifshechooses。\"
\"Somuchthemoreforthosethatareleft，\"retortedanother。
\"Shecannotburnall。\"