Ihadgoneupthestepstodomyhatefulworkamanfullofgrief，thoughoutwardlyunmoved。AsIcamedownagainIhadafeelingofincompleteness;itseemedasthoughhalfmyinwardshadbeenleftbehindwithNaisinthehollowofthestone，andtheirplacewastakenbyavoidwhichachedwearily;butstillIcarriedapassiveface，andmemorythatbeforealltheseprivatemattersstoodthecommandoftheHighCouncil，whichsatbeforetheArkoftheMysteries。
SoIwentandstoodbeforePhorenice，andsaidthewordswhichtheancientformsprescribedconcerningthecarryingoutofherwish。
\"Then，now，\"shesaid，\"Iwillgivemyselftoyouaswife。Wearenotasothers，youandI，Deucalion。Thereisalawandaformsetdownforthemarryingoftheseotherpeople，butthatwouldbeuselessforourpurposes。Wewillhaveneitherpriestnorscribetojoinusandsetdowntheunion。IamthelawhereinAtlantis，andyousoonwillbepartofme。Wewillnotbedemeanedbyprofanerhands。Wewillmaketheceremonyforourselves，andforwitnesses，therearesufficientinwaiting。Afterwards，therecordshallbecutdeepinthegranitethroneyouhavebuiltforme，andtheletteringfilledinwithgold，sothatitshallendureandremainbrightforalways。\"
\"TheEmpresscandonowrong，\"Isaidformally，andtookthehandsheofferedme，andhelpedhertorise。Wewalkedoutfromthescarletawningintotheglareofthesunshine，sheleaningonme，flushing，andsoradiantlylovelythatthepeoplebegantohailherwithrapturousshoutsof\"AGoddess;ourGoddessPhorenice。\"
Butformetheyhadnowelcomingword。Ithinkthesetgrimnessofmyfacebothscaredandrepelledthem。
Wewentupthestepswhichledtothethrone，thepeoplestillshouting，andIsatherintheroyalseatbeneaththesnake’soutstretchedhead，andshedrewmedowntositbesideher。
Sheraisedherjewelledhand，andasilencefellonthatgreatthrong，asthoughthebreathhadbeensuddenlycutshortforallofthem。
ThenPhorenicemadeproclamation:
\"Hearme，Omypeople，andhearme，OHighGodsfromwhomIamcome。ItakethismanDeucalion，tobemyhusband，tosharewithmetheprosperityofAtlantis，andjoinmeinguardingourgreatpossession。Mayallourenemiesperishassheisnowperishingabovewhomwesit。\"Andthensheputherarmsaroundmyneck，andkissedmehotlyonthemouth。
InturnIalsospoke:\"Hearme，OmostHighGods，whoseservantIam，andhearmealso，Oyepeople。ItakethisEmpress，Phorenice，towife，tohelpwithhertheprosperityofAtlantis，andjoinwithheringuardingthewelfareofthatgreatpossession。
Mayalltheenemiesofthiscountryperishastheyhaveperishedinthepast。\"
Andthen，Itoo，whohadnotbeenpermittedbythefatetotouchthelipsofmylove，bestowedthefirstkissIhadevergivenwomantoPhorenice，thatwasnowbeingmademywife。
Butwewerenotcompletelylinkedyet。
\"Awomanisone，andmanisone，\"sheproclaimed，followingforthefirsttimetheoldformofwords，\"butinmarriagetheymerge，sothatwifeandhusbandarenomoreseparate，butoneconjointly。Intokenofthiswewillnowmakethesymbolicjoiningtogether，sothatallmayseeandremember。\"Shetookherdagger，andprickingthebrawnonmyforearmtillaheadofbloodappeared，setherredlipstoit，andtookitintoherself。
\"Ah，\"shesaid，withhereyessparkling，\"nowyouarepartofmeindeed，Deucalion，andIfeelyouhavestrengthenedmealready。\"
Shepulleddowntheneckofherrobe。\"Letmemakeyoumyreturn。\"
Iprickedtheroundedwhitenessofhershoulder。Gods！whenIrememberedwhowasbeneathusaswesatonthatthrone，Icouldhavedriventhebladethroughtoherheart！AndthenI，too，putdownmylips，andtookthedropofherbloodthatwasyieldedtome。
Mytonguewasdry，mythroatwasparched，andmyfacesuffused，andIthoughtIshouldhavechoked。
ButtheEmpress，whowasordinarilysoacute，wasmisledthen。
\"Itthrillsyou？\"shecried。\"Itburnswithinyoulikelivingfire？Ihavejustfeltit。Bymyface！Deucalion，ifIhadknownthepleasureitgivestobemadeawife，IdonotthinkIshouldhavewaitedthislongforyou。Ah，yes;butwithanothermanI
shouldhavehadnothrill。Imighthavegonethroughtheceremonywithanother，butitwouldhaveleftmecold。Well，theysaythisfeelingcomestoawomanbutonceinhertime，andIwouldnotchangeitforthegloryofallmyconquestsandthewhirlofallmypower。\"Sheleanedinclosetomesothattheredcurlsofherhairsweptmycheek，andherbreathcamehotagainstmymouth。\"Tastedyoueveranysweetsodeliciousasthisknowledgethatwearemadeonenow，Deucalion，pastallpossibledissolving？\"
Icouldnotlietoheranymorejustthen。TheGodsknowhowhonestlyIhadstriventoplaythepartcommandedmeforAtlantis’
good，butthereisalimittohumanendurance，andminewasreached。Iwasnotallangertowardsher。Ihadsomepityforthispassionofhers，whichhadgrownofitselfcertainly，butwhichIhaddonenothingtocheck;andtheindecentfranknesswithwhichitwasdisplayedwasonlypartoftheliveryofpotentateswhoflauntwhatmeanerfolkwouldcoylyhide。Butalwaysbeforemyeyeswasapictureofthegirlonwhomherjealousyhadtakensuchabittervengeance，andtoinventspuriouslover’stalkthenwasathingmytonguerefusedtodo。
\"Wordsarepoorthings，\"Isaid，\"andIamamanunusedtowomen，andhavebutasmallstockofanyphrasesexceptthedryest。
Remember，Phorenice，aweekagone，Ididnotknowwhatlovewas，andnowthatIhavelearnedthelesson，somewhatofthesuddenest，thelanguageremainsstilltocometome。Myinwardsspeak;indeedtheyarefullofspeech;butIcannottranslateintobaldcoldwordswhattheysay。\"
Andhere，surelytheHighGodstookpityonmytiedtongueandmymisery，andmadeanopportunityforbringingtheceremonytoanend。Amanranintothesquareshouting，andshowingawoundthatdripped，andpresentlyallthatvastcrowdwhichstoodonthepavements，andthesidesofthepyramids，andtheroofsofthetemples，tookupthecry，andbegantofeelfortheirweapons。
\"Therebelsarein！\"\"Theyhaveburrowedapathintothecity！\"\"Theyhavekilledthecave—tigersandtakenagate！\"\"Theyareputtingthewholeplacetothestorm！\"\"Theywillpresentlyleavenopoorsoulofusherealive！\"
Therethenwasaterminationofourmarriagecooings。Withrebelsmerelybitingatthewalls，itwasfinetoputstrongtrustinthedefences，andeasytoaffectcontemptforthebesiegers’
powers，andtokeepthebusinessofpageantsandstatecraftandmarryingsturningoneasywheels。Butwithrebelsoldiersalreadyinsidethecity（andhordesofothersdoubtlesspressingontheirheels），theaffairstookadifferentlight。Itwasnomomentforfurtherdelay，andPhorenicewasthefirsttoadmitit。Theglowthathadbeeninhereyeschangedtotheglareofthefighter，asthefellowwhohadrunupsqualledouthistidings。
Istoodandstretchedmychest。Iseemedinneedofair。
\"Here，\"Isaid，\"isworkthatIcanunderstandmoreclearly。I
willgoandsweepthisrabblebacktotheirburrows，Phorenice。\"
\"Butnotalone，sir。Icometoo。Itismycitystill。Nay，sir，wearetoonewlywedtobepartedyet。\"
\"Haveyourwill，\"Isaid，andtogetherwewentdownthestepsofthethronetothepavementbelow。UndermybreathIsaidafarewelltoNais。
Ourarmour—bearersmetuswithweapons，andwesteppedintolitters，andtheslavestookusoffhotfoot。Thewoundedmanwhohadfirstbroughtthenewshadfalleninafaint，andnomoretidingswastobegotfromhim，butthegrowingdinofthefightgaveusthegeneraldirection，andpresentlywebegantomeetknotsofpeoplewhodweltneartheplaceofirruption，runningawayinwildpanic，loadeddownwiththeirhouseholdgoods。
Itwasuselesstostopthese，asfighttheycouldnot，andiftheyhadstayedtheywouldmerelyhavebeenslaughteredlikeflies，andwouldinalllikelihoodhaveimpededourownsoldiery。Andsoweletthemrunscreamingontheirblindway，butforcedthelittersthroughthemwithbutverylittleregardfortheircowardconvenience。
Nowtheadvantageoftherebels，whenitcametobelookeduponbyasoldier’seye，wasathingoflittleenoughimportance。
Theyhaddrivenatunnelfrombehindacoveringmound，beneaththewalls，andhadopeneditcleverlyenoughthroughthefloorofamiddle—classhouse。Theyhadcomethroughintothis，collectingtheirnumbersunderitsshelter，anddoubtlesshopingthatthemarriageoftheEmpress（ofwhichspieshadgiventheminformation）
wouldsapthewatchfulnessofthecityguards。Butitseemstheywerediscoveredandattackedbeforetheywerethoroughlyreadytoemerge，and，asafinebodyoftroopswerebarrackednearthespot，theirexterminationwouldhavebeenmerelyamatteroftime，evenifwehadnotcomeup。
Itdidnottakeatrainedeyelongtodecideonthis，andPhorenice，withalaugh，laybackonthecushionsofthelitter，andreturnedherweaponstothearmour—bearerwhocamepantinguptoreceivethem。\"Wegrownervouswithourmarriedlife，myDeucalion，\"shesaid。\"Wearefearfullestthisnew—foundhappinessbetakenfromustoosuddenly。\"
ButIwasnottoberobbedofmybreathing—spaceinthiswise。
\"Letmecraveaweddinggiftofyou，\"Isaid。
\"Itisyoursbeforeyounameit。\"
\"Thengivemetroops，andsetmewideacitygateamileawayfromhere。\"
\"Youcangatherfivehundredasyougofromheretothegate，takingtwohundredofthosethatarehere。Ifyouwantmore，theymustbefetchedfromotherbarracksalongthewalls。Butwhereisyourplan？\"
\"Why，mypoorstrategyteachesmethis:thesefoolishrebelshavesetalltheirhopesonthismine，andalltheirexcitementonitspresentsuccess。IftheyarekeptoccupiedherebyaPhorenice，whowillgivethemsomedaintyfightingwithoutcheckingthemunduly，theywillpressontotheattackandforgetallelse，andneversomuchasdreamofasortie。Andmeanwhile，aDeucalionwithhistroopwillmarchoutofthecitywellawayfromhere，withouttuckofdrumorblareoftrumpet，andfallmostunpleasantlyupontheirrear。Afterwhich，aPhorenicewillburnthehousehereatthemine’shead，whichisofwood，andstrawthatched，todiscouragefurtheregress，andeithergotothewallstowatchthefightfromthere，orsallyoutalsoandspurontheroutasherfancydictates。\"
\"Yourschemeissopretty，IwouldIcouldrobyouofitformyowncredit’ssake，andasitis，Imustkissyouforyourcleverness。Butyougotmywordfirst，younaughtyfellow，andyoushallhavethemenanddoasyouask。Eh，sir，thisisasadbeginningofourweddedlife，ifyoubegintorobyourlittlewifeofallthesweetsofconquestfromtheoutset。\"
Shetookbacktheweaponsandtargetshehadgiventothearmour—bearer，andsteppedoverthesideofthelittertotheground。\"Butatleast，\"shesaid，\"ifyouaregoingtofight，youshallhavetroopsthatwilldocredittomydrill，\"andthereuponproceededtotelloffthecompaniesofmen—at—armswhoweretoaccompanyme。Sheleftherselffewenoughtostemtheinfluxofrebelswhopouredceaselesslyinthroughthetunnel;butasIhadseen，withPhorenice，heavyoddsaddedonlytoherenjoyment。
ButfortheEmpress，Iwillownatthetimetohavegivenlittleenoughofthought。Myownpropergriefswererawwithinme，andIthirstedforthatforgetfulnessofallelsewhichbattlegives，sothatforawhileImighthavearestfromtheirgnawings。
Itmademybloodrunfreertohearoncemorethetrampofpractisedtroopsbehindme，andwhenallhadbeencollected，wemarchedoutthroughagateofthecity，andpresentlywerechargingthroughandthroughthestragglingrearoftheenemy。BytheGods！
forthemomentevenNaiswasblottedfrommyweariedmind。NeverhadIlovedmoretoletmyfiercenessrunmadlyriot。NeverhaveIgloatedmoreabundantlyovertheterriblejoyofbattle。
Naismustforgivemyweaknessinseekingtoforgetherevenforabreathing—space。Hadthatopportunitybeendeniedme，I
believetheagonyofrememberingwouldhavesnappedmybrain—stringsforalways。
14。AGAINTHEGODSMAKECHANGE
Nowitwouldbetedioustotellhowwithahandfulofhighlytrainedfightingmen，Ichargedandrecharged，andfinallybrokeupthathordeofrebelswhichoutnumberedusbyfifteentimes。Itmustberememberedthattheygrewsuddenlypanic—strickeninfindingthatofallthosewhowentinunderthecitywallsbythemineonwhichtheyhadsetsuchgreatstore，nonecameback，andthatthesoundsofpanicwhichhadfirstbrokenoutwithinthecitysoongavewaytocriesoftriumphandjoy。Anditmustbecarriedinmemoryalsothatthesewretchedrebelswerewithouttrainingworthyofthename，wereforthemostpartweaponedveryvilely，and，seeingthattheirsillyprinciplesmadeeachtheequalofhisneighbour，werepracticallywithoutheadsorleadersalso。
Sowhenthepanicbegan，itspreadlikeamalignantmurrainthroughalltheirraggedranks，andtherewerenonetorallytheflying，nonetodirectthoseofmoredesperatebraverywhostayedandfought。
Myschemeofattackwassimple。Ihuntedthemwithoutahalt。
Iandmyfellowsneverstoppedtoplaythedefensive。Weturnedoneflank，andchargedthroughacentre，andthenwewereharryingtheotherflank，andoncemorehackingourpassagethroughthesolidmass。Andsobyconstantlykeepingthemontherun，andinignoranceofwhencewouldcomethenextattack，panicbegantogrowamongstthemandferment，tillpresentlythoseintheouterlinescommencedtoscurryawaytowardstheforestsandthespoiledcorn—landsofthecountry，andthoseintheinnerpackswereonlywishfulofachancetofollowthem。
Itwasnofeatofarmsthisbreakingupoftherebelleaguer，andnopractisedsoldierwouldwishtoclaimitassuch。Itwassimplytakingadvantageofthechancesofthemoment，andassuchitwassuccessful。Givenanopenbattleontheirownground，thesedesperaterebelswouldhavefoughttillnonecouldstand，andbysheerferociousnumberswouldhavepulleddownanytrainedtroopsthatthecitycouldhavesentagainstthem，whethertheyhadadvancedinphalanxorwhatformationyouwill。Foritmustberememberedtheywerefarremovedfromcowards，beingAtlanteanall，justaswerethosewithinthecity，andwere，moreover，spurredtoextraordinarysavagenessanddesperationbytheoppressionunderwhichtheyhadgroaned，andthewrongstheyhadbeenforcedtoendure。
Still，asIsay，thepoorcreatureswerescattered，andthesiegewasraisedfromthatmoment，anditwasplaintoseethattherebellionmightbemadetoend，ifnounreasonableharshnesswasusedforitsfinalsuppression。Toogreatseverity，thoughperhapsitmaybejustlytheirportion，onlydrivessuchmalcontentstofurtherdesperations。
Now，followingupthesefugitives，tomakesurethattherewasnohaltintheirretreat，andtosendthelessonofpanicthoroughlyhometothem，hadledusalongdistancefromthecitywalls;andaswehadfoughtallthroughtheburningheatofthedayandmymenwereheavilywearied，Idecidedtohaltwherewewereforthenightamongstsomehalf—ruinedhouseswhichwouldmakeatemporaryfortification。Fortunately，adroveoflittlecloven—hoofedhorseswhichhadbeenscaredbysomeoftherebelsintheirflighthappenedtoblunderintoourlines，andaswekilledfivebeforetheywereclearagain，therewasasoldier’ssupperforus，andquicklythefireswerelitandcookingit。
Sentriespacedtheoutskirtsandmadetheircriestooneanother，andthewoundedsatbythefiresanddressedtheirhurts，andwiththeofficersItalkedovertheengagementsoftheday，andthemethodsofeachcharge，andtheotherdetailsofthefighting。
Itisthespecialperquisiteofsoldierstodallyoverthesematterswithgusto，thoughtheyareentirelywithoutinterestforlaymen。
Thehourdrewonforsleep，andsnoreswentupfromeveryside。Itwasclearthatallmyofficerswereweariedout，andonlycontinuedthetalkthroughdeferencetotheircommander。YetIhadafeverishdreadofbeingleftaloneagainwithmythoughts，andpressedthemonwithconversationremorselessly。Butintheendtheyweresavedtherudenessofdroppingoffintounconsciousnessduringmytalk。Asentrycameupandsaluted。\"Mylord，\"hereported。\"thereisawomancomeupfromthecitywhomwehavecaughttryingtocomeintothebivouac。\"
\"Howisshenamed？\"
\"Shewillnotsay。\"
\"Hasshebusiness？’
\"Shewillsaynone。Shedemandsonlytoseemylord。\"
\"Bringherheretothefire，\"Iordered，andthenonsecondthoughtsrememberingthatthewoman，whoevershemightbe，hadnewslikelyenoughformyprivateear（orotherwiseshewouldnothavecometosouncoutharendezvous），Isaidtothesentry:\"Stay，\"
andgotupfromthegroundbesidethefire，andwentwithhimtotheouterline。
\"Whereisshe？\"Iasked。
\"Mycomradesareholdingher。Shemightbeawenchbelongingtotheserebels，withdesignstoputaknifeintomylord’sheart，andthenwesentrieswouldsuffer。TheEmpress，\"headdedsimply，\"seemstosetgoodstoreuponmylordatpresent，andweknowtheclevernessofhertormentors。\"
\"Yourthoughtfulnessisfrank，\"Isaid，andthenheshowedmethewoman。Shewasmuffledupinhoodandcloak，butonewholovedNaisasIlovedcouldnotmistaketheformofYlga，hertwinsister，becauseofmereswathings。SoItoldthesentriestoreleaseherwithoutaskingherforspeech，andthenledheroutfromthebivouacbeyondearshotoftheirlines。
\"Itissomethingofthemostpressingthathasbroughtyououthere，Ylga？\"
\"Youknowme，then？Theremustbesomethingwarmerthantheordinarybetweenustwo，Deucalion，ifyoucouldguesswhowalkedbeneathallthesemufflings。\"
Iletthatpass。\"Butwhat’syourerrand，girl？\"
\"Aye，\"shesaidbitterly，\"there’smyreward。Allyourconcern’sforthemessage，noneforthecarrier。Well，goodmylord，youarehusbandtothedaintyPhorenicenolonger。\"
\"Thisisnews。\"
\"Andtrueenough，too。Shewillhavenomoreofyou，divorcesyou，spurnsyou，thrustsyoufromher，and，afterthefirstsplutterofwrathisdone，thencomepainsandpenalties。\"
\"TheEmpresscandonowrong。IwillhaveyouspeakrespectfulwordsoftheEmpress。\"
\"Oh，bedonewiththatoldfable！Itsickensme。Thewomanwasmadforloveofyou，andnowshe’smadwithjealousy。SheknowsthatyougaveNaissomeofyourpriest’smagic，andthatshesleepstillyouchoosetocomeandclaimher，eventhoughthedaybeacenturyfromthis。Andifyouwishtoknowthemethodofherenlightenment，itissimple。Thereisanotherairshaftnexttotheonedownwhichyoudidyourcooingandbilling，andthatleadstoanothercellinwhichlayanotherprisoner。Thewretchheardallthatpassed，andthoughttobuyenlargementbytellingit。
\"Buthisnewscameatriflestale。Itseemsthatwiththepressureofthemorning’sceremonies，theyforgottobringaration，andwhenatlasthisgaolerdidrememberhim，itwasratherlate，seeingthatbythenPhorenicehadtiedherselfpubliclytoahusband，andpoorNaishaddoubtlesseatenhergreendrug。
However，thefoolsmustneedstryandbarterhistaleforwhatitwouldfetch;and，aswasnatural，hadsuchasillyheadchoppedoffforhispains;andafterthatyourPhorenicebehavedasyoumayguess。Andnowyoumaythankme，sir，forcomingtowarnyounottogobacktoAtlantis。\"
\"ButIshallgoback。AndiftheEmpresschoosestocutmyheadalsofromitspropercolumn，thatisastheHighGodswill。\"
\"YouaremoresickoflifethanIthought。ButIthink，sir，ourPhorenicejudgesyourcaseveryaccurately。Itwaspermittedmetoheartheoutburstingofthislady’srage。’ShallIhewoffhishead？’saidshe。’Pah！ShallIgivehimovertomytormentors，andstandbywhilsttheydotheirworst？Hewouldnotwrinklehisbrowattheirfiercestefforts。No;hemusthaveaheavierpunishmentthananyofthese，andonealsowhichwillendure。Ishalllopoffhisrighthandandhisleftfoot，sothathemaybeafightingmannolonger，andthenIshalldrivehimforthcrippledintothedangerouslands，wherehemaylearnFear。
Thebeastsshallhunthim，thefiresofthegroundshallspoilhisrest。Heshallknowhunger，andheshallbreathebadair。AndallthewhileheshallrememberthatIhaveNaisnearme，livingandlockedinhercoffinofstone，toplaywithasIchoose，andtogiveovertowhatinsultsmaycometomyfancy。’Thatiswhatshesaid，Deucalion。NowIaskyouagainwillyougobacktomeethervengeance？\"
\"No，\"Isaid，\"itisnopartofmyplantobemutilatedandlefttolive。\"
\"So，beingawomanofsomesense，Ijudged。And，moreover，havingsomesmallkindnessstillleftforyou，Ihavetakenituponmyselftomakeaplanforyourfurthermovementwhichmayfallinwithyourwhim。DoesthenameofTobcomebacktoyourmemory？\"
\"OnewhowasCaptainofTatho’snavy？\"
\"ThatsameTob。Agruff，rudefellow，andsmellingvileoftar，butseemingtohaveasturdyhonestyofhisown。Tobsailsawaythisnightforpartsunknown，presumablytofoundakingdomwithTobforking。ItseemshecanfindlittleenoughtoearnathiscraftinAtlantistheselatterdays，andhasscruplesatseeinghiswifeandyoungoneshungry。HetoldmethisattheharboursidewhenIputmyneckundertheaxebysayingIwantedcarriageforyou，sir，andsohavingmeunderhisthumb，hewasperhapsmoreloose—lippedthanusual。YouseemtohavemadeafineimpressiononTob，Deucalion。Hesaid——Irepeathisheartydisrespect——youwerejusttherecruithewanted，butwhetheryoujoinedhimornot，hewouldgotothenetherGodstodoyouservice。\"
\"Bythefellow’sside，Igainedsomeexperienceinfightingthegreaterseabeasts。\"
\"Well，goanddoitagain。Believeme，sir，itisyouronlychance。Itwouldgrievememuchtohearthesearing—ironhissonyourstumps。IbargainedwithTobtogetclearoftheharbourfortsbeforethechainwasupforthenight，andasheisaverydaringfellow，withnofearofnavigatingunderthedarkness，hehimselfsaidhewouldcometoapointoftheshorewhichweagreedupon，andthereawaityou。Come，Deucalion，letmeleadyoutotheplace。\"
\"Mygirl，\"Isaid，\"IseeIoweyoumanythanksforwhatyouhavedoneonmypoorbehalf。\"
\"Oh，yourthanks！\"shesaid。\"Youmaykeepthem。Ididnotcomeouthereinthedarkandthedangersformerethanks，thoughIknewwellenoughtherewouldbelittleelseoffered。\"——Shepluckedatmysleeve。——\"Nowshowmeyourwalkingpace，sir。Theywillbegintowantyourcountenanceinthecampdirectly，andweneedhankerafternotoonarrowinquiriesforwhat’salong。\"
Sothereonwesetoff，YlgaandI，leavingthelightsofthebivouacbehindus，andsheshowedtheway，whilstIcarriedmyweaponsreadytowardoffattackswhetherfrombeastsorfrommen。
Fewwordswerepassedbetweenus，exceptthosewhichhadconcernwiththedangersnaturaltotheway。Onceonlydidwetouchoneanother，andthatwaswhereatree—trunkbridgedarivuletofscaldingwaterwhichflowedfromaboil—springtowardsthesea。
\"Areyousureoffooting？\"Iasked，forthenightwasdark，andtheheatofthewaterwouldpeelthefleshfromthebonesifoneslippedintoit。
\"No，\"shesaid，\"Iamnot，\"andreachedoutandtookmyhand。
Ihelpedheroverandthenloosedmygrip，andshesighed，andslowlyslippedherhandaway。Thenonagainwewentinsilence，sidebyside，hourafterhour，andleagueafterleague。
Butatlastwetoppedarise，andbelowusthroughthetreesIcouldseethegleamofthegreatestuaryonwhichthecityofAtlantisstands。Thegroundwassoggyandwetbeneathus，thetreeswerefullofbarbsandspines，thewaywasmonstroushard。
Ylga’sbreathwasbeginningtocomeinlabouredpants。ButwhenI
offeredtotakeherarm，andhelpher，assomereturnagainstwhatshehaddoneforme，sherepulsedmerudelyenough。\"Iamnopoorweakling，\"saidshe，\"ifthatisyouronlyreasonforwantingtotouchme。\"
Presently，however，wecameoutthroughthetrees，andtheroughestpartofourjourneywasdone。Wesawtheshipridingtoheranchorsinshoreamileaway，andaweirdenoughobjectshewasunderthefaintstarlight。Wemadeourwaytoheralongthelevelbeaches。
Tobwaskeepingakeenwatch。Wewerechallengedthemomentwecamewithinstoneorarrowshot，andbiddentohaltandreciteourbusiness;buthewascivilenoughwhenheheardwewerethosewhomheexpected。Hecalledacrewandslackedouthisanchor—ropetillhisshipgroundagainsttheshingle，andthenthrustouthistwosteeringoarstohelpusclamberaboard。
IturnedtoYlgawithwordsofthanksandfarewell。\"Iwillneverforgetwhatyouhavedoneformethisnight;andshouldtheHighGodsseefittobringmebacktoAtlantisandpower，youshalltastemygratitude。\"
\"Idonotwanttoreturn。Iamsickofthisoldlifehere。\"
\"Butyouhaveyourpalaceinthecity，andyourservants，andyourwealth，andPhorenicewillnotdisturbyoufromtheirpossession。\"
\"Oh，asforthat，Icouldgobackandbefan—girltomorrow。
ButIdonotwanttogoback。\"
\"Letmetellyouitisnotimeforagentlynurturedladylikeyourselftogoforward。IhavebeenviceroyofYucatan，Ylga，andknowsomewhatofmakingafootholdinthesenewcountries。Andthatwasnothingcomparedwithwhatthiswillbe。Itellyouitentailshardships，andprivations，andsufferingswhichyoucouldnotguessat。Fewsurvivewhogotocoloniseinthebeginning，andthoseonlyofthehardiest，andtheyearnnewscarsandnewbatteringseveryday。\"
\"Idonotcare，and，besides，Icansharethework。Icancook，Icanshootagoodarrow，andIcanmakegarments，yes，thoughtheywerecutfromtheskinsofbeastsandhadtobesewnwithbackbonesinews。Becauseyoudespisefineclothes，andbecauseyouhaveseenmeonlydeckedoutasfan—girl，youthinkI
amuseless。Bah，Deucalion！Neverletpeoplepratetomeaboutyourperfection。Youknowlessaboutawomanthanaboynewfromschool。\"
\"IhavelearnedallIcaretoknowaboutonewoman，andbecauseofthememoryofher，Icouldnotpresumetoaskhersistertocomewithmenow。\"
\"Aye，\"shesaidbitterly，\"kickmypride。IknewwellenoughitwasonlysecondplacetoNaisIcouldgetallthetimeIwaswantingtocome。Yetnoonebutaboorwouldhaveremindedmeofit。Gods！andtothinkthathalfthemeninAtlantishavecourtedme，andnowIamarrivedatthis！\"
\"Imustgoalone。Itwouldhavemademehappiertotakeyouresteemwithme。Butasitis，IsupposeIshallcarryonlyyourhate。\"
\"Thatisthemosthumiliatingthingofall;Icannotbringmyselftohateyou。Ioughtto，Iknow，afterthebrutalwayyouhavescornedme。ButIdonot，andthereisthetruth。Iseemtogrowthefonderofyou，andifIthoughttherewasawayofkeepingyoualive，andunmutilated，hereinAtlantis，IdonotthinkI
shouldpointoutthatTobistiredofwaiting，andwillprobablybeoffwithoutyou。\"Sheflungherarmssuddenlyaboutmyneck，andkissedmehotlyonthemouth。\"There，thatisforgood—bye，dear。