Therewasnoflickerofbreath;therewasnoneofthatpulsingofthebodywhichdenoteslife;butstillshehadnottheappearanceofordinarydeath。TheNaisIhadplacedninelongyearsbeforetorestinthehollowofthestone，wasafinegrownwoman，fullbosomed，andwellboned。TheNaisthatremainedformewashalfherweight。TheoldNaisitwouldhavepuzzledmetocarryforanhour:thiswasnoburdentoimpedeagrownman。
Inotherwaystooshehadaltered。Thenailsofherfingershadgrowntosuchagreatlengththattheyweretwistedinspirals，andthefingersthemselvesandherhandsweresowaxyandtransparentthatthebonycoreuponwhichtheywerebuiltshoweditselfbeneaththefleshinplaindulloutline。Herclay—coldlipsweresowhite，thatonesighedtorememberthefullbeautyoftheircarmine。Hershouldersandneckhadlosttheircomelycurves，andmadebonyhollowsnowinwhichthedustofentombmentlodgedblackandthickly。
ReverentlyIsetaboutpreparingthosethingswhichifallwentwellshouldrestoreher。Iheatedwaterandfilledabath，andtinctureditheavilywiththoseessencesofthelifeofbeastswhichthePriestsextractandstoreagainsttimesofurgentneedandsickness。Ilaidherchin—deepinthisbath，andsatbesideittowatch，maintainingthatbathataconstantbloodheat。
AnhourIwatched;twohoursIwatched;threehours——andyetsheshowednoflickeroflife。Theheatofherbodygivenherbythebath，wasthesameastheheatofmyown。ButinthefeelofherskinwhenIstrokeditwithmyhand，therewassomethinglackingstill。OnlywhenourLordtheSunroseforHisdaydidI
breakoffmywatching，whilstIsaidthenecessaryprayerwhichisprescribed，andquicklyreturnedagaintothegloomofthehouse。
Iwastornwithanxiety，andasthetimewentonandstillnosignoflifecameback，thehopethathadoncebeensohighwithinmebegantosickenandleavemedowncastanddespondent。Fromwithout，camethedinoffighting。AlreadyPhorenicehadsenthertroopstostormthepassageway，andthePriestswhodefendeditwereshatteringthemwithvolleysofrocks。Butthesesoundsofwarwokenopulsewithinme。IfNaisdidnotwake，thentheworldformewasended，andIhadnospiritlefttocarewhoremaineduppermost。TheGodsinTheirduetimewilldoubtlesssmitemeforthisimpiety。ButImakeaconfessionofithereonthesesheets，havingnomindtoconcealanyportionofthishistoryforthesmallreasonthatitdoesmeapersonaldiscredit。
Butasthehourswenton，andstillnoflickeroflifecametolessenthedumbagonythatrackedme，Igrewmoreventuresome，andaddedmoreessencestothebath，anddrugsalsosuchasexperiencehadshownmightwakethedisusedtissuesintolife。Iwatchedonwithstaringeyes，rubbingherwastedbodynowandagain，andalwayskeepingtheheatofthebathataconstant。FromthefirstIhadbarredthedooragainstallwhowouldhavecomeneartohelpme。WithmyownhandsIhadlaidmylovetosleep，andIcouldnotbearthatothersshouldrouseher，ifindeedrousedsheshouldeverbe。Butafterthosefirstoffers，nootherscame，andthesnarlanddinoffightingtoldofwhatoccupiedthem。
Itishardtotakenoteofsmallchangeswhichoccurwithinfiniteslownesswhenoneisallthewhileonthetensewatch，andhighstrungthoughmysenseswere，IthinktheremusthavebeensomeindicationofreturninglifeshownbeforeIwaskeenenoughtonoticeit。Forofasudden，asIgazed，Isawafaintripplingonthesurfaceofthewaterofthebath。Gods！Woulditcomebackagaintomyloveatlast——thislife，thiswakefulness？Theripplediedoutasithadcome，andIstoopedmyheadnearertothebathtotryifIcouldseesomefaintheavingofherbosomsomesmalltwitchingofthelimbs。No，shelaytherestillwithoutevenaflutterofmovement。ButasIwatched，surelyitseemedtomyachingeyesthatsometingewasbeginningtowarmthatblankwhitenessofskin？
HowIfilledmyselfwiththatsight。Thecolourwasreturningtoheragainbeyondadoubt。Oncemorethedriedbloodwasbecomingfluidandbeginningagaintocourseinitsoldchannels。
Herhairfloatedoutintheliquidofthebathlikesomebrowntangleoftheoceanweed，andeverandagainittwitchedandeddiedtosomeimpulsewhichinitselfwastoosmallfortheeyetosee。
Shehadsleptforninelongyears，andIknewthatthewakeningcouldbenoneofthesuddenest。Indeed，itcamebyitsowngradationsandwithinfiniteslowness，andIdidnotdaredomoretohastenit。Furtherdrugsmightverywellstopeternallywhatthosewhichhadbeenusedalreadyhadbegun。SoIsatmotionlesswhereIwas，andwatchedthecolourcomeback，andthewaxennessgo，andeventhefullnessofhercurvesinsomesmallmeasurereturn。Andwhengrowingstrengthgaveherpowertoendurethem，andshewasrackedwiththosepainswhichareinevitabletobeingbornbackagaininthisfashiontolife，Itoofeltthereflexofheragony，andwrithedinlovingsympathy。
Stillfurther，too，wasIwrungbyatormentofdoubtastowhetherlifeortheserackingswouldintheendbeconqueror。
Aftereachparoxysmthecolourebbedbackfromheragain，andforawhileshewouldliemotionless。Butstrengthandpowerseemedgraduallytogrow，andatlasttheseprevailed，anddrovedeathandsleepbeneaththem。Hereyelidsstruggledwiththeirfastenings。
Herlipsparted，andherbosomheaved。Withshiveringgaspsherbreathbegantopantbetweenherreddeninglips。Atfirstitrattleddrylyinherthroat，butsoonitsoftenedandbecamemoreregular。Andthenwithalastefforthereyes，hergloriouslovingeyes，slowlyopened。
Ileanedoverandcalledhersoftlybyname。
Hereyesmetmine，andaglowarosefromtheirdepthsthatgavemethegreatestjoyIhavemetinalltheworld。
\"Deucalion，mylove，\"shewhispered。\"Oh，mydear，soyouhavecomeforme。HowIhavedreamedofyou！HowIhavebeenracked！Butitwasworthitallforthis。\"
18。STORMOFTHESACREDMOUNTAIN
ItwasNaisherselfwhosentmetoattendtomysternerduties。ThedinoftheattackcametousinthehousewhereIwastendingher，andsheaskeditsmeaning。Aspithilyasmightbe，forshewasinnoconditionfortediouslistening，Igaveherthehistoryofhernineyears’sleep。
Thecolourflushedmoretoherface。\"MylordistheproperestmaninalltheworldtobeKing，\"shewhispered。
\"IrefusedtotouchthetradetilltheyhadgivenmetheQueenIdesired，safeandalive，hereupontheMountain。\"
\"Howwepoorwomenaremadethechattelsofyoumen！But，formyself，Iseemtolikethetrafficwellenough。YoushouldnothaveletmestandinthewayofAtlantis’good，Deucalion。Still，itisverysweettoknowyouwereweakthereforonce，andthatI
wasthecauseofyourweakness。Whatisthatbathoveryonder？
Ah！Iremember;mywitsseemnoneoftheclearestjustnow。\"
\"Youhavemadethebeginning。Yourstrengthwillreturntoyoubyquickdegrees。Butitwillnotbearhurrying。Youmusthaveapatience。\"
\"Yourear，sir，foronemoment，andthenIwillrestinpeace。
Mypoorlooks，aretheyallgone？Youseemtohavenomirrorhere。
IhadvisionsthatIshouldwakeupwrinkledandold。\"
\"Youareasyouwere，dear，thatfirstnightIsawyou——themostbeautifulwomaninalltheworld。\"
\"Iampleasedyoulikeme，\"shesaid，andtookthecupofbrothIofferedher。\"Myhairseemstohavegrown;butitneedscombingsadly。Ihadafancy，dear，once，thatyoulikedruddyhairbest，andnotaplainbrown。\"Sheclosedhereyesthen，lyingbackamongstthecushionswhereIhadplacedher，anddroppedoffintohealthysleep，withthesmilesstillplayinguponherlips。
Iputthecoverletoverher，andkissedherlightly，holdingbackmybeardlestitshouldsweephercheek。AndthenIwentoutofthechamber。
Thatbeardhadgrownvastlydisagreeabletometheselasthours，andthenIwentintoaroominthehouse，andfoundinstruments，andshaveditdowntothebarechin。AchangeofrobealsoIfoundthereandtookitinsteadofmysqualidrags。Ifamanisintruthaking，heowesthesethingstothedignityofhisoffice。
But，ifthedinofthefightingwasanyguide，minewasanarrowingkingdom。Everyhouritseemedtogrowfiercerandmorenear，anditwasclearthatsomeofthegatesinthepassageupthecleftinthecliff，impregnablethoughallmenhadthoughtthem，hadyieldedtothevehemenceofPhorenice’sattack。And，indeed，itwasscarcelytobemarvelledat。Withallhergeniusspurredontofurybytheblowthathadbeenstruckatherbywreckingsofairapartofthecity，theEmpresswouldbenolightadversaryevenforastrongplacetoresist，andtheSacredMountainwasnolongerstrong。
Defencesofstone，cunninglyplannedandmightilybuilt，itstillpossessed，butthesewillnotfightalone。Theyneedmentolinethem，and，moreover，abundanceofmen。Foralwaysinastormofthiskind，somedesperatefellowswillspitatdeathandgettohandgrips，orslingersandarchersslipintheirshot，orthethrowing—firegetshome，or（ashere）somenewfangledmachinelikePhorenice’sfire—tubes，makeoneinathousandoftheirwaveringdartsfindthelife;andso，thoughthegeneralattackingloseshishundreds，thedefendersalsoarenotwithouttheirdead。
Theslaughter，asitturnedout，hadbeenprodigious。Asfastasthestormerscameup，thePriestswhoheldthelowestgateremainingtousraineddowngreatrocksuponthemtillthenarrowalleyofthestairwaspavedwiththeirwrithingdead。ButPhorenicestoodonaspuroftherockbelowthemurgingonthecharges，andwithaninsanevalourcompanyaftercompanymarcheduptohurlthemselveshopelesslyagainstthedefences。Theyhadnomachinestobatterthemassivegates，andtheirattackwasaspatheticallyuselessasthatofachildwhohammersagainstawallwithanorange;andmeanwhiletheterriblestonesfromabovemowedthemdownremorselessly。
Companyaftercompanyofthetroopsmarchedintothisterribledeath—trap，andnotamanofallofthemevercameback。NorwasitPhorenice’spolicythattheyshoulddoso。Inherlustforthisfinalconquest，shewasmindedtopourouttroopstillshehadfilledupthepasseswiththeslain，sothatatlastshemightmarchontoalevelfightoverthebridgeoftheirpoorbodies。ItwasnopartofPhorenice’smoodevertocountthecost。Shesetdowntheobjectwhichwastobegained，anditwasherpolicythatthepeopleofAtlantisweretheretogainitforher。
Twogatesthenhadshecarriedinthisdreadfulfashion，slaughteringthosePrieststhatstoodbehind，themwhohadnotbeenalreadyshotdown。AndhereIcamedownfromabovetotakemyshareinthefight。Therewasnotrumpettoannouncemycoming，noheraldtoproclaimmyquality，butthePriestsasasheercustompickedup\"Deucalion！\"asabattle—cry;andsomeshoutedthat，withaKingtolead，therewouldbenofurthergroundlost。
Itwasclearthatthenamecarriedtotheothersideandboreweightwithit。Acompanyofpoor，doomedwretcheswhowerehurryingupstoppedintheircharge。Theword\"Deucalion！\"wasbandiedroundandhandedbackdowntheline。Ithoughwithsomegrimsatisfaction，thatherewasevidenceIwasnotcompletelyforgottenintheland。
Therecameshoutstothemfrombehindtocarryontheiradvance;
buttheydidnotbudge;andpresentlyaglitteringofficerpantedup，andcommencedtostrikerightandleftamongstthemwithhissword。FromwhereIstoodonthehighrampartabovethegate，Icouldseehimplainly，andrecognisedhimatonce。
\"Itmattersnotwhattheyusefortheirbattle—cry，\"hewasshouting。\"YouhavetheordersofyourdivineEmpress，andthatisenough。Youshouldbeproudtodieforherwish，youcowards。Andifyoudonotobey，youwilldieafterwardsundertheinstrumentsofthetormentors，verypainfully。AsforDeucalion，heisdeadanytimethesenineyears。\"
\"Thereitseemsyoulie，myLordTatho，\"Ishouteddowntohim。
Hestarted，andlookedupatme。
\"Soyouarethereinrealtruth，then？Well，oldcomrade，I
amsorry。Butitistoolatetomakeacompositionnow。YouareonthesideofthesemangyPriests，andtheEmpresshasmadeanedictthattheyaretoberootedout，andIamhermostobedientservant。\"
\"Youusedtobeskilfuloffence，\"Isaid，andindeedtherewaslittleenoughtochoosebetweenus。\"Ifitpleaseyoutostopthispitifulkilling，makeyourselfthechampionofyourside，andIwillstandformine，andwewillfightoutthisquarrelinsomefairplace，andbindourpartiestoabidebytheresult。\"
\"Itwouldbeagrandfightbetweenustwo，oldfriend，anditgoeshardwithmetobalkyouofit。ButIcannotpleasureyou。
IamgeneralhereunderPhorenice，andshehasgivenmethestrongestordersnottoperilmyself。Andbesides，thoughyouareagreatman，Deucalion，youarenotchief。YouarenotevenoneoftheThree。\"
\"IamKing。\"
Tatholaughed。\"Fewbutyourselfwouldsayso，mylord。\"
\"Fewtruly，butwhatthereare，theyarepowerful。Iwasgiventhenameforthefirsttimeyesterday，andasafirstblowinthecampaigntherewassomemischiefdoneinthecity。Iwastheremyself，andsawhowyoutookit。\"
\"YouwereinAtlantis！\"
\"IwentforNais。Sheisonthemountainnow，andto—morrowwillbemyQueen。Tatho，asapriesttoapriest，letmesolemnlybringtoyourmemorytheinfinitepoweryoubiteagainstonthisSacredMountain。YourteachinghaswarnedyouoftheweaponsthatarestoredintheArkoftheMysteries。Ifyoupersistinthisattack，atthebestyoucanmerelylose;attheworstyoucanbringaboutawreckoverwhicheventheHighGodswillshudderasTheyorderit。\"
\"Youcannotscareusbacknowbywords，\"saidTathodoggedly。
\"Andasformagic，itwillbemetbymagic。PhorenicehasfoundbyherownclevernessasmanypowersaswereeverstoredupintheArkoftheMysteries。\"
\"Yetshelookedonhelplesslyenoughlastnight，whenherroyalpyramidwastrundledintoarubbishheap。Zaemonhadprophesiedthatthisshouldbeso，andforawitness，whyImyselfstoodclosertoherthanwetwostandnow，andsawher。\"
\"Iwillownyoutookherbysurprisesomewhatthere。Idonotunderstandthesemattersmyself;IwasnevermorethanoneoftheSevenintheolddays;andnow，quiterightly，Phorenicekeepstheknowledgeofhermagictoherself:butitseemstimeisneededwhenonemagicistobemetbyanother。\"
\"Well，\"Isaid，\"Iknowlittleaboutthebusinesseither。I
leavethesemattersnowtothosewhoarehigherabovemeinthepriesthood。Indeed，havingalikingforNais，itseemsIamdebarredfromeverbeinggivenunderstandingaboutthehighestofthehigherMysteries。SoIcontentmyselfwithbeingasoldier，andwhentheappointeddaycomes，IshallfallandkissmymothertheEarthforthelasttime。You，soIamtold，haveambitionforlongerlife。\"
Henodded。\"PhorenicehasfoundtheGreatSecret，andIamtobethefirstthatwillshareitwithher。WeshallbeasGodsupontheearth，seeingthatDeathwillbepowerlesstotouchus。Andthetwinsonsshehasborneme，willbemadeimmortalalso。\"
\"Phoreniceisheadstrong。No，mylord，thereisnoneedtoshakeyourheadandtrytodenyit。Ihavehadsomeacquaintancewithher。Buttheorderhasbeenmade，andherimmortalitywillbesnatchedfromherveryrudely。Now，marksolemnlymywords。I，Deucalion，havebeenappointedKingofAtlantisbytheHighCouncilofthePriestswhoarethemouthpieceofthemostHighGods，andifIdonothavemyreign，thentherewillbenoAtlantislefttocarryeitherKingorEmpress。Youknowme，Tatho，foramanthatneverlies。\"
Henodded。
\"Thensaveyourselfbeforeitistoolate。Youshallhaveagainyourvice—royaltyinYucatan。\"
\"But，man，thereisnoYucatan。Agreathordeoflittlehairycreatures，thatweresomethinglessthanhumanandsomethingmorethanbeasts，sweptdownuponourcitiesandatethemout。Oh，youmaysneerifyouchoose！OtherssneeredwhenIcamehome，tilltheEmpressstoppedthem。Butyouknowwhatatrainofdriverantsis，thatyoumeetwithintheforests？Youmaylightfiresacrosstheirpath，andtheywillmarchintothemintheirblindbravery，andputthemoutwiththeirbodies，andthosethatareleftwillmarchoninanunbrokencolumn，anddevourallthatstandsintheirpath。Itellyou，mylord，thoselittlehairycreatureswereliketheants——aye，fornumbers，andwoodenbravery，aswellasforappetite。Asaresultto—day，thereisnoYucatan。\"
\"YoushallhaveEgypt，then。\"
Heburstatmehotly。\"IwouldnottakesevenEgyptsandtenYucatans。Mylord，youthinkmorepoorlyofmethaniskind，whenyouaskmetobecomeatraitor。InyourplacewouldyouthrowyourNaisaway，ifthedoingitwouldsaveyoufromadanger？\"
\"Thatisdifferent。\"
\"Innodegree。Youhaveakindnessforher。IhaveallthatandmoreforPhorenice，whois，besides，mywifeandthemotherofmychildren。IfIhavequalms——andIfreelyconfessIknowyouaredesperatemenupthere，andhavedreadfulpowersatyourcommand——myshiveringsareforthemandnotformyself。ButI
think，mylord，thisparleyisleadingtonothing，andthoughthesecommonsoldiersherewillunderstandlittleenoughofourtalk，theymaybepickingupawordhereandthere，andIdonotwishthemtogoontotheirdeath（asyouwillseethemdoshortly）andcarryevilreportsaboutmetowhateverGodstheychancetocomebefore。\"
Hesalutedmewithhisswordanddrewback，andoncemorethemissilesbegantofly，andthedoomedwretches，whohadbeenhaltingbesidethesteeprockwallsofthepassbeganoncemoretopresshopelesslyforward。Theyhadscaling—ladderscertainly，buttheyhadnochanceofgettingtheseplanted。Theycoulddonaughtbutfillthenarrowwaywiththeirbodies，andtothatendtheyhadbeensent，andtothatendtheyhumblydied。OurPriestswithcrowandleverwrenchedfromtheirlodging—placesthegreatrockswhichhadbeenmadeready，andsentthemcrashingdown，sothatoncemorescreamsfilledthepass，andthehorridbutcherywasrenewed。
Buteverandagain，somearroworsomesling—stone，orsomefire—tube’sdartwouldfinditswayupfrombelowandthroughthedefences，andtherewewouldbewithamanthelesstocarryonthefight。ItwaswellenoughforPhorenicetobelavishwithhertroops;indeed，ifshewishedforsuccess，therewerenotwowaysforit;andwhenthoseshehadleviedwerekilled，shecouldreadilypressothersintotheservice，seeingthatshehadthewholebroadfaceofthecountryunderherrule。Butwithusitwasdifferent。Amandownonoursidewasamanwhosearmwouldbitterlybemissed，andonewhichcouldinnopossiblewaybereplaced。
Imadecalculationofthechances，andsawclearlythat，ifwecontinuedthefightonthepresentplan，theywouldstormthegatesoneafteranotherastheycametothem，andthatbythetimetheuppermostgatewasreached，therewouldbenoPriestalivetodefendit。Andso，notdisdainingtofashionmyselfonPhorenice’snewerplan，whichheldthatageneralshouldattimesinpreferenceplotcoldlyfromaplaceofsomesafety，andnotleadthethickofthefighting，Ileftthosewhostoodtothegatewithsomeroughsoldier’swordsofcheer，andwithdrewagainupthenarrowstairofthepass。
ThisoneapproachtotheSacredMountainwas，asIhavesaidbefore，vastlymoredifficultanddangerousintheoldendayswhenitstoodasamerebarecleftastheHighGodsmadeit。Butachasmhadbeenbridgedhere，ashelfcutthroughthesolidrockthere，andinmanyplacestheroadwaywasbuiltuponpiersfromdistantcragsbelowsoastomakealluniformandeasy。Itcametomymindnow，thatifIcoulddestroythispath，wemightgainabreathingspaceforfurthereffort。
Theideaseemedgood，oratleastnootheroccurredtomewhichwouldinanywayrelieveourdesperatesituation，andI
lookedaroundmeformeanstoputitintoexecution。Upanddown，fromthemountaintotheplainsbelow，Ihadtraversedthatnarrowstairofapasssomethousandsoftimes，andsoinamannerofspeakingkneweverystone，andeveryturn，andeverycutofitbyheart。ButIhadneverlookeduponitwithaneyetoshavingoffallroadwaytotheSacredMountain，andsonow，eveninthismomentofdreadfulstress，IhadtotraverseitnolessthanthreetimesafreshbeforeIcoulddecideuponthebestsitefordemolition。
Butoncethepointwasfixed，therewaslittledelayingettingtheschemeinmovement。AlreadyIhadsentmentothestorehousesamongstthePriests’dwellingstofetchmerams，andcrows，andacids，andhammers，andsuchothermaterialaswasneeded，andthesestoodhandybehindoneoftheuppergates。Iputoneverypairofhandsthatcouldbesparedtothework，nomatterwhatwastheirageandfeebleness;yes，ifNaiscouldhavewalkedsofarIwouldhavepressedherforthelabour;andpresentlycarvedbalustrade，andwaysidestatue，togetherwiththeletteredwall—stonesandthefoot—worncobbles，roareddownintothegulfbelow，andaddedtheirdintotheshrieksandyellsandcrashesofthefighting。Gods！Butitwasahatefultask，smashingdownthatsplendidhandiworkofthemenofthepast。Butitwasbetterthatitshouldcrashdowntoruinintheabyssbelow，thanthatPhoreniceshouldprofaneitwithherimpioussandals。
AtfirstIhadfearedthatitwouldbeneedfultosacrificetheknotofbravemenwhoweresovaliantlydefendingthegatethenbeingattacked。Itisdisgustingtobeforcedintoameasureofthiskind，butinhardwarfareitisoftenneedfultothecarryingoutofhisschemesforageneraltoleaveapartofhistroopstofighttoafinish，andwithouthopeofrescue，asvaliantlyastheymay;andallhecandofortheirrewardistorecommendthemearnestlytothecareoftheGods。Butwhentheworkofdestroyingthepathwaywasnearlycompleted，Isawachanceofretrievingthem。
Wehadnotbeencontentmerelywithbreakingarches，andthrowingdownthepiers。Wehadgotourramsandleversunderthelivingrockitselfonwhichallthewholefabricstood;andfirestoodreadytoheattheramsfortheirwork;andwhenthewordwasgiven，thewholecouldbesentcrashingdownthefaceofthecliffsbeyondchanceofrepair。
Allwas，Isay，finallypreparedinthisfashion，andthenI
gavethewordtohold。Anarrowledgestillremainedundestroyed，andofferedfootway，andoverthisIcrossed。Thecutwehadmadewasimmediatelybelowtheuppermostgateofall，andbelowittherewerethreemoremassivegatesstillunviolated，besidestheonethenbeingsovehementlyattacked。Already，thegarrisonshadbeenretiredfromthese，andIpassedthroughthemallinturn，unchallengedandunchecked，andcametothatbusyrampartwherethetwelvePriestsleftaliveworked，strippedtothewaist，atheavingdownthemurderousrocks。
ForawhileIbusiedmyselfattheirside，stoppinganoccasionalfire—tubedartorarrowonmyshieldandpassingthemthetidings。
Theattackwasgrowingfiercereveryminutenow。Theenemyhadpackedthepassbelowwell—nighfulloftheirdead，andourbatteringstoneshadlessdistancetofallandsocoulddolessexecution。Theypressedforwardmoreeagerlythaneverwiththeirscalingladders，anditwasplainthatsoontheywouldinevitablyputtheplacetothestorm。EvenduringtheshorttimeIwasthere，theirsling—stonesandmissilestooklifefromthreemoreofthetwelvewhostoodwithmeonthedefence。
SoIgavethewordforonemorefuriousavalancheofrocktobepelteddown，andwhilstthefewlivingwerecrawlingoutfromthosekilledbythedischarge，andwhilstthenextbandofreinforcementscamescramblingupoverthebodies，Isentmynineremainingmenawayatarunupthesteepstairwayofthepath，andthenfollowedthemmyself。Eachofthegatesinturnwepassed，shuttingthemafterus，andbreakingthebarsandleverswithwhichtheyweremoved，andnottillwewerethroughthelastdidtheroarofshoutsfrombelowtellthatthebesiegershadfoundthegatetheybitagainstwasdeserted。
Onebyonewebalancedourwayacrossthenarrowledgewhichwasleftwherethepathhadbeendestroyed，andonepoorPriestthatcarriedawoundgrewgiddy，andlosthisbalancehere，andtoppleddowntohisdeathintheabyssbelowbeforeahandcouldbestretchedouttosteadyhim。Andthen，whenwewereallover，heatwasputtotherams，andtheyexpandedwiththeirresistlessforce，andtoretheremainingledgesfromtheirholdintherock。IthinkapangwentthroughusallthenwhenwesawforourselvesthelastconnectinglinkcutawayfrombetweenthepoorremaininghandfulofourSacredClanontheMountain，andtherestofourgreatnation，whohadgrownsobitterlyestrangedtous，below。
Buthereatanyratewasabreakinthefighting。Therewerenofurtherpreparationswecouldmakeforourdefence，andhighthoughIknewPhorenice’sgeniustobe，Ididnotseehowshecouldverywelldootherthanacceptthecheckandretire。SoIsetaguardontherampartsoftheuppermostgatetowatchallpossiblemovements，andgavethewordtotheotherstogoandfindtherestwhichsomuchtheyneeded。
Formyself，dutifullyItriedtofindZaemonfirst，goingontheerrandmyproperself，fortherewaslittleenoughofkinglystateobservedontheSacredMountain，althoughthenameandtitlehadbeengivenme。ButZaemonwasnottobecomeat。HewasengagedinsidetheArkoftheMysterieswithanotheroftheThree，andbeingmyselfonlyoneoftheSeven，Ihadnotrankenoughinthepriesthoodtobreakinupontheirworkings。AndsoIwasfreetoturnwheremylikingswouldhaveledmefirst，andthatwastothehousewhichshelteredNais。
ShewakedasIcameinoverthethreshold，andhereyesfilledwithawelcomeforme。Iwentacrossandkneltwhereshelay，puttingmyfaceonthepillowbesideher。Shewasfulloftendertalkandsweetendearments。Gods！WhataninfinityofdelightI
hadmissedbynotknowingmyNaisearlier！Butshehadawillofherownthroughitall，andsomequaintconceitswhichmadeherallthemoreadorable。Sheralliedmeonthenewcleannessofmychin，andontherobewhichIhadtakenasacovering。Sheprofessedaprettyaweformykingship，andvowedthathadsheknownofmycomingdignitiesshewouldneverhavedaredtodiscoveraloveforme。ButaboutmymarriagewithPhoreniceshespokewithlesslightness。Sheputoutherthinwhitehand，anddrewmyfacetoherlips。
\"Itisweakofmetohaveajealousy，\"shemurmured，\"knowinghowcompletelymylordisminealone;butIcannothelpit。Youhavesaidyouwereherhusbandforawhile。ItgivesmeapangtothinkthatIshallnotbethefirsttolieinyourarms，Deucalion。\"
\"Thenyoumaygailythrowyourpangaway，\"Iwhisperedback。
\"IwashusbandtoPhoreniceinmerewordforhowlongIdonotpreciselyknow。Butinanythingbeyond，Iwasneverherhusbandatall。Shemarriedmebyaformsheprescribedherself，ignoringalltheoldritesandceremonies，andwhetheritwouldholdaslegalornot，weneednottroubletoinquire。SheherselfhasmostnicelyandcompletelyannulledthatmarriageasIhavetoldyou。Tathoisherhusbandnow，andfathertoherchildren，andheseemstohaveafondnessforherwhichdoeshimcredit。\"
Wesaidotherthingstoointhatchamber，thosesmallrepetitionsofendearmentswhicharesoprecioustolovers，andsobeyondthecomprehensionofotherfolk，buttheyarenottobesetdownonthesesheets。Theyareamereprivatematterwhichcanhavenoconcerntoanyonebeyondourtwoselves，andmoreweightysubjectsarepilingthemselvesupindeepindexforthehistorian。
Phorenice，itseemed，hadmorerageagainstthePriests’ClanontheMountainandmorebrightgeniustohelphertoavengeancethanIhadcredited。Hertroopsstormedeasilythegateswehadlefttothem，andswarmeduptilltheystoodwherethepathwaywasbrokendown。Inthefiercenessoftheirrush，theforemostwerethrustoverthebrinkbythosepressingupbehind，beforetheadvancecouldbehalted，andthesewentscreamingtoahorriddeathinthegreatgulfbelow。Butitwasnopositionherethatalavishspendingofmencouldtake，andpresentlyallweredrawnoff，saveforsomehalf—scorewhostoodasoutpostsentries，anddodgedoutofarrow—shotbehindanglesoftherock。
Itseems，too，thattheEmpressherselfreconnoiteredtheplace，usingduecautionandquickness，andsogotforherselfafullplanofitsrequirementswithoutbeingobligedtotrustthemeasuringofanothereye。Withextraordinarynimblenessshemusthaveplannedanenginesuchaswasnecessarytosuitherpurposes，andgivenordersforitsmaking;forevenwiththevastforceandresourcesatherdisposal，thespeedwithwhichitwasbuiltwasprodigious。
Therewasverylittlenoisemadetotellofwhatwasafoot。