OriginalTitle：Lieut。GulliverJones
CHAPTERI
DareIsayit？DareIsaythatI，aplain，prosaiclieutenantintherepublicanservicehavedonetheincrediblethingsheresetoutfortheloveofawoman——forachimerainfemaleshape；forapale，vapidghostofwoman—loveliness？
AttimesItellmyselfIdarenot：thatyouwilllaugh，andcastmeasideasafabricator；andthenagainIpickupmypenandcollectthescatteredpages，forIMUSTwriteit——thepallidsplendourofthatthingIloved，andwon，andlostiseverbeforeme，andwillnotbeforgotten。Thetumultofthestruggleintowhichthatvisionledmestillthrobsinmymind，thesoft，lispingvoicesoftheplanetIransackedforitssakeandtheroarofthedestructionwhichfollowedmebackfromthequestdrownsallothersoundsinmyears！Imustandwillwrite——itrelievesme；
readandbelieveasyoulist。
AtthemomentthisstorycommencesIwasthinkingofgrill—
edsteakandtomatoes——steakcrispandbrownonbothsides，andtomatoesredasasettingsun！
MuchelsethoughIhaveforgotten，THATfactremainsasclearasthelastsightofawell—rememberedshoreinthemindofsomewave—tossedtraveller。Andtheoccasionwhichproducedthatprosaicthoughtwasanightwellcalculatedtomakeonethinkofsupperandfireside，thoughtheonemightbefrugalandtheotherlonely，andasI，GulliverJones，thepoorforesaidNavylieutenant，withthehonouredstarsofourRepubliconmycollar，andanundeservedsnubfromthoseinauthorityranklinginmyheart，pickedmywayhomewardbyashortcutthroughthedismalnessofaNewYorkslumIlongedforsteakandstout，slippersandapipe，withallthepathetickeennessofatroubledsoul。
Itwasawild，blackkindofnight，andtheweirdnessofitshowedupasIpassedfromlighttolightorcrossedthemouthsofdimalleysleadingHeavenknowstowhatinfernaldensofmysteryandcrimeeveninthislatter—daycityofours。
Themoonwasupasfarasthechurchsteeples；largevapourycloudsscuddingacrosstheskybetweenusandher，andastrong，gustywind，ladenwithbigraindropssnarledangrilyroundcornersandsighedintheparapetslikestrangevoicestalkingaboutthingsnotofhumaninterest。
Itmadenodifferencetome，ofcourse。NewYorkinthisyearofgraceisnottheplaceforthesupernaturalbethetimeneversofitforwitch—ridingandthenightwindinthechimney—stackssoundneversomuchlikethelastgurglingcriesofthrottledmen。No！theworldwasverymatter—of—fact，andparticularlysotome，apooryoungersonwithfivedollarsinmypursebywayoffortune，apacketofunpaidbillsinmybreastpocket，androundmyneckalocketwithaportraitthereinofthatdearbuxom，freckled，stub—nosedgirlawayinalittlesouthernseaporttownwhomIthoughtIlovedwithamagnificentaffection。Gods！
Ihadnoteventouchedthefringeofthataffliction。
Thussaunteringalongmoodily，mychinonmychestandmuchtooabsorbedinreflectiontohaveanyniceapprecia—
tionofwhatwashappeningaboutme，Iwascrossinginfrontofadilapidatedblockofhouses，datingbacknearlytothetimeofthePilgrimFathers，whenIhadavagueconsciousnessofsomethingdarksuddenlysweepingbyme——
athinglikeahugebat，orasolidshadow，ifsuchathingcouldbe，andthenextinstanttherewasathudandabump，abumpagain，ahalf—stifledcry，andthenahurriedvisionofsomeblackcarpetingthatflappedandshookasthoughallthewindsofEbliswereinitsfolds，andthenapparentlydisgorgedfromitsinmostrecessesalittleman。
Beforemyfirststartofhalf—amusedsurprisewasoverI
sawhimbytheflickeringlamp—lightclutchatspaceashetriedtosteadyhimself，stumbleontheslipperycurb，andthenextmomentgodownonthebackofhisheadwithamostuglythud。
NowIwasnotdestituteoffeeling，thoughithadbeenmylottoseemendieinmanyways，andIranovertothatmotionlessformwithoutanideathatanythingbutanordinaryaccidenthadoccurred。Therehelay，silentand，asitturnedoutafterwards，deadasadoor—nail，thestrangestoldfellowevereyeslookedupon，dressedinshabbysorrel—
colouredclothesofantiquecut，withalonggreybearduponhischin，pent—roofeyebrows，andawizenedcomplexionsopuckeredandtannedbyexposuretoHeavenonlyknewwhatweathersthatitwasimpossibletoguesshisnationality。
Iliftedhimupoutofthepuddleofblackbloodinwhichhewaslying，andhisheaddroppedbackovermyarmasthoughithadbeenfixedtohisbodywithstringalone。Therewasneitherheart—beatnorbreathinhim，andthelastflickeroflifefadedoutofthatgauntfaceevenasIwatched。Itwasnotaltogetherapleasantsituation，andtheonlythingtodoappearedtobetogetthedeadmanintopropercare（thoughlittlegooditcoulddohimnow！）
asspeedilyaspossible。So，sendingachancepasser—byintothemainstreetforacab，Iplacedhimintoitassoonasitcame，andtherebeingnobodyelsetogo，gotinwithhimmyself，tellingthedriveratthesametimetotakeustothenearesthospital。
\"Isthisyourrug，captain？\"askedabystanderjustasweweredrivingoff。
\"Notmine，\"Iansweredsomewhatroughly。\"Youdon’tsupposeIgoaboutatthistimeofnightwithTurkeycarpetsundermyarm，doyou？Itbelongstothisoldchapherewhohasjustdroppedoutoftheskiesontohishead；chuckitontopandshutthedoor！\"Andthatrug，theverymain—
springofthestartlingthingswhichfollowed，wasthuscare—
lesslythrownontothecarriage，andoffwewent。
Well，tobebrief，Ihandedinthatstarkoldtravellerfromnowhereatthehospital，andasamatterofcuriositysatinthewaiting—roomwhiletheyexaminedhim。Infiveminutesthehouse—surgeonondutycameintoseeme，andwithashakeofhisheadsaidbriefly——
\"Gone，sir——cleangone！Brokehisnecklikeapipe—stem。
Moststrange—lookingman，andnoneofuscanevenguessathisage。Notafriendofyours，Isuppose？\"
\"Nothingwhatevertodowithme，sir。Heslippedonthepavementandfellinfrontofmejustnow，andasamat—
terofcommoncharityIbroughthiminhere。Werethereanymeansofidentificationonhim？\"
\"Nonewhatever，\"answeredthedoctor，takingouthisnotebookand，asamatterofform，writingdownmynameandaddressandafewbriefparticulars，\"nothingwhat—
everexceptthiscurious—lookingbeadhungroundhisneckbyablackenedthongofleather，\"andhehandedmeathingaboutasbigasafilbertnutwithaloopforsuspensionandapparentlyofrockcrystal，thoughsobegrimedanddullitsnaturewasdifficulttospeakofwithcertainty。ThebeadwasofnoseemingvalueandslippedunintentionallyintomywaistcoatpocketasIchattedforafewminutesmorewiththedoctor，andthen，shakinghands，Isaidgoodbye，andwentbacktothecabwhichwasstillwaitingoutside。
ItwasonlyonreachinghomeInoticedthehospitalportershadomittedtotakethedeadman’scarpetfromtheroofofthecabwhentheycarriedhimin，andasthecab—
mandidnotcareaboutdrivingbacktothehospitalwithit，anditcouldnotwellbeleftinthestreet，Isomewhatreluctantlycarrieditindoorswithme。
OnceintheshineofmyownlampandacigarinmymouthIhadacloserlookatthatancientpieceofartworkfromheaven，ortheotherplace，onlyknowswhatancientloom。
Abig，strongrugoffadedOrientalcolouring，itcoveredhalfthefloorofmysitting—room，thesubstancebeingofamaterialmorelikecamel’shairthananythingelse，andrun—
ningacross，whenexaminedclosely，weresomedarkfibressolongandfinethatsurelytheymusthavecomefromthetailofSolomon’sfavouriteblackstallionitself。Butthestrangestthingaboutthatcarpetwasitspattern。Itwasthreadbareenoughtoallconscienceinplaces，yetthedesignstilllivedinsolemn，age—wastedhues，and，asIdraggedittomystove—frontandspreaditout，itseemedtomethatitwasasmuchlikeastarmapdonebyascribewhohadlatelyrecoveredfromdeliriumtremensasanythingelse。Inthecentreappearedaroundsuchasmightbetakenforthesun，whilehereandthere，\"inthefield，\"asheraldssay，werelesserorbswhichfromtheirsizeandpositioncouldrepresentsmallerworldscirclingaboutit。Betweentheseorbsweredottedlinesandarrow—headsoftheoldestformpointinginalldirections，whilealltheinterveningspaceswerefilledupwithwovencharactershalf—wayinappearancebetweenRunesandCryptic—Sanskrit。Roundthebordersthesecharactersranintoawildmaze，aperfectjungleofanalphabetthroughwhichnonebutawizardcouldhaveforcedawayinsearchofmeaning。
Altogether，IthoughtasIkickeditoutstraightuponmyfloor，itwasastrangeandnotunhandsomearticleoffurniture——itwoulddonicelyforthemess—roomontheCarolina，andifanyrepresentativesofyonderpooroldfel—
lowturneduptomorrow，why，Iwouldgivethemacoupleofdollarsforit。LittledidIguesshowdearitwouldbeatanyprice！
Meanwhilethatsteakwaslate，andnowthatthetempor—
aryexcitementoftheeveningwaswearingoffIfelldullagain。Whatadark，soddenworlditwasthatfrownedinonmeasImovedovertothewindowandopeneditforthebenefitofthecoolair，andhowthewindhowledabouttherooftops。HowlonelyIwas！WhatafoolIhadbeentoaskforlongleaveandcomeashorelikethis，tocurryfavourwithasetofstubborndunderheadswhocarednothingforme——orPolly，andcouldnotorwouldnotunderstandhowimportantitwastothebestinterestsoftheServicethatIshouldgetthatpromotionwhichalonewouldsendmebacktoheraneligiblewooer！WhatafoolIwasnottohavevolunteeredforsomedesperateserviceinsteadofwast—
ingtimelikethis！Thenatleastlifewouldhavebeeninteresting；nowitwasdullasditch—water，withwretchedvistasofstagnantwaitingbetweennowandthatjoyfuldaywhenIcouldclaimthatdear，rosy—checkedgirlformyown。WhatafoolIhadbeen！
\"Iwish，Iwish，\"Iexclaimed，walkingroundthelittleroom，\"IwishIwere——\"
WhiletheseunfinishedexclamationswereactuallypassingmylipsIchancedtocrossthatinfernalmat，anditisnomorestartlingthantrue，butatmywordaquiverofexpectationranthroughthatgauntweb——arustleofantici—
pationfilleditsancientfabric，andonefrayedcornersurgedup，andasIpassedoffitssurfaceinmystride，thesentencestillunfinishedonmylips，wrappeditselfaboutmyleftlegwithextraordinaryswiftnessandsoeffectivelythatInearlyfellintothearmsofmylandlady，whoopenedthedooratthemomentandcameinwithatrayandthesteakandtomatoesmentionedmorethanoncealready。
Itwasthedraughtcausedbytheopeningdoor，ofcourse，thathadmadethedeadman’srugliftsostrangely——
whatelsecouldithavebeen？Imadethisapologytothegoodwoman，andwhenshehadsetthetableandclosedthedoortookanotherturnortwoaboutmyden，con—
tinuingasIdidsomyangrythoughts。
\"Yes，yes，\"Isaidatlast，returningtothestoveandtakingmystand，handsinpockets，infrontofit，\"anythingwerebetterthanthis，anyenterprisehoweverwild，anyadventurehoweverdesperate。Oh，IwishIwereanywherebuthere，anywhereoutofthisredtape—riddenworldofours！IWISH
IWEREINTHEPLANETMARS！\"
HowcanIdescribewhatfollowedthoselucklesswords？
EvenasIspokethemagiccarpetquiveredresponsivelyundermyfeet，andanundulationwentallroundthefringeasthoughasuddenwindwereshakingit。IthumpedupinthemiddlesoabruptlythatIcamedownsittingwithashockthatnumbedmeforthemoment。ItthrewmeonmybackandbilloweduproundmeasthoughIwereinthetroughofastormysea。QuickerthanIcanwriteitlappedacorneroverandrolledmeinitsfoldslikeachrysalisinacocoon。Igaveawildyellandmadeonefranticstruggle，butitwastoolate。Withtheleatherystrengthofagiantandtheswiftnessofanaccomplishedcigar—
rollercoveringa\"core\"withleaf，itswampedmyefforts，straightenedmylimbs，rolledmeover，lappedmeinfoldafterfoldtillheadandfeetandeverythingweregone——
crushedlifeandbreathbackintomyinnermostbeing，andthen，withthelastparticleofconsciousness，Ifeltmyselfliftedfromthefloor，passonceroundtheroom，andfinallyshootout，pointforemost，intospacethroughtheopenwindow，andgoupandupandupwithasoundofrendingatmospheresthatseemedtotearlikerivensilkinonepro—
longedshriekundermyhead，andtocloseupinthunderasternuntilmyreelingsensescouldstanditnolonger。andtimeandspaceandcircumstancesalllosttheirmeaningtome。
CHAPTERII
HowlongthatwildrushlastedIhavenomeansofjudging。
Itmayhavebeenanhour，aday，ormanydays，forIwasthroughoutinastateofsuspendedanimation，butpresentlymysensesbegantoreturnandwiththemasensa—
tionoflesseningspeed，agratefulrelieftoaheavypressurewhichhadheldmylifecrushedinitsgrasp，withoutdestroy—
ingitcompletely。Itwasjustthatsortofsensationthoughmorekeenwhich，drowsyinhisbunk，atravellerfeelswhenheisaware，withoutspecialperception，harbourisreachedandavoyagecomestoanend。Butinmycasetheslowingdownwasforalongtimecomparative。Yetthesensationservedtorevivemyscatteredsenses，andjustasIwasawakeningtoalivelysenseofamazement，anincredibledoubtofmyownemotions，andaneagerdesiretoknowwhathadhappened，mystrangeconveyanceoscillatedonceortwice，undulatedlightlyupanddown，likeawood—
peckerflyingfromtreetotree，andthengrounded，bowsfirst，rolledoverseveraltimes，thensteadiedagain，and，comingatlasttorest，thenextminutetheinfernalrugopened，quiver—
ingalongallitsbordersinitspeculiarway，andhumpingupinthemiddleshotmefivefeetintotheairlikeacattossedfromaschoolboy’sblanket。
AsIturnedoverIhadadimvisionofaclearlightliketheshineofdawn，andsolidgroundslopingawaybelowme。
Uponthatslopewasrangedacrowdofsquattingpeople，andastaid—lookingindividualwithhisbackturnedstoodnearerby。AfterwardsIfoundhewaslecturingallthosesittersontheethicsofgravityandtheinherentpropertiesoffallingbodies；atthemomentIonlyknewhewasdirectlyinmylineasIdescended，andhimroundthewaistIseized，giddywiththelightandfreshair，waltzedhimdowntheslopewiththeforceofmyimpetus，and，trippingatthebottom，rolledoverandoverrecklesslywithhimsheerintothearmsofthegapingcrowdbelow。Overandoverwewentintothethickestmassofbodies，makingawaythroughthepeople，untilatlastwecametoastopinaperfectmoundofwrithingformsandwavinglegsandarms。WhenwehaddonethemassdisentangleditselfandIwasabletoraisemyheadfromtheshoulderofsomeoneonwhomI
hadfallen，liftinghim，orher——whichwasit？——intoasittingposturealongsideofmeatthesametime，whiletheothersroseaboutuslikewheat—stalksafterastorm，andedgedshylyoff，aswellastheymight。
Suchasleek，slimyouthitwaswhosatupfacingme，withaflushofgentlesurpriseonhisface，anddapperhandsthatfeltcautiouslyabouthisanatomyforinjuredplaces。Helookedsoquaintlyruefulyetwithalsogood—
temperedthatIcouldnothelpburstingintolaughterinspiteofmyownamazement。Thenhelaughedtoo，asedate，musicalchuckle，andsaidsomethingincomprehensible，point—
ingatthesametimetoacutuponmyfingerthatwasbleed—
ingalittle。Ishookmyhead，meaningtherebythatitwasnothing，butthestrangerwithgracefulsolicitudetookmyhand，and，afterexaminingthehurt，deliberatelytoreastripofclothfromabrightyellowtoga—likegarmenthewaswearingandboundtheplaceupwithawoman’stenderness。
Meanwhile，asheministered，therewastimetolookaboutme。WherewasI？ItwasnottheBroadway；itwasnotStatenIslandonaSaturdayafternoon。Thenightwasjustover，andthesunonthepointofrising。Yetitwasstillshadowyallabout，theairbeingmarvellouslytepidandpleasanttothesenses。Quaint，softaromaslikethebreathofanewworld——thefragranceofunknownflowers，andthedewyscentofnever—troddenfieldsdriftedtomynostrils；
andtomyearscameasoundoflaughterscarcelymorehumanthanthemurmurofthewindinthetrees，andaprettyundulatingwhisperasthoughagreatconcourseofpeopleweretalkingsoftlyintheirsleep。Igazedaboutscarcelyknowinghowmuchofmysensesorsurroundingswererealandhowmuchfanciful，untilIpresentlybe—
cameawaretherosytwilightwasbroadeningintoday，andundertheincreasingshineastrangescenewasfashion—
ingitself。
AtfirstitwasanopalseaIlookedonofmist，shotalongitsuppersurfacewiththerosygoldandpinksofdawn。
Then，asthatsoft，translucentlakeebbed，juttinghillscamethroughit，blackandcrimson，andastheyseemedtomountintotheairotherlowerhillsshowedthroughtheveilwithroundedforestknobstillatlastthebrighteningdaydis—
pelledthemist，andastherosy—colouredgauzyfragmentswentslowlyfloatingawayawonderfullyfaircountrylayatmyfeet，withabroadseaglimmeringinmanyarmsandbaysinthedistancebeyond。Itwasalldimandunrealatfirst，themountainsshadowy，theoceanunreal，thefloweryfieldsbe—
tweenitandmevacantandshadowy。
Yetweretheyvacant？Asmyeyesclearedanddaybrightenedstillmore，andIturnedmyheadthiswayandthat，itpresentlydawneduponmeallthemeadowcop—
picesandterracesnorthwardsofwhereIlay，allthatblueandspaciousgroundIhadthoughttobebareandvacant，werealivewithateemingcityofboothsandtents；nowIcametolookmorecloselytherewasawholetownupontheslope，builtasmightbeinanightofboughsandbranchesstillunwithered，thestreetsandwaysofthatcityintheshadowsthrongedwithexpectantpeoplemovingingroupsandshiftingtoandfroinlivelystreams——chattingatthestallsandclusteringroundthetentdoorsinsoft，gauzy，parti—colouredcrowdsinawaybothfascinatingandper—
plexing。
Istaredaboutmelikeachildatitsfirstpantomime，dimlyunderstandingallIsawwasnovel，butmorealluredtothecolourandlifeofthepicturethanconcernedwithitsexactmeaning；andwhileIstaredandturnedmyfingerwasbandaged，andmynewfriendhadbeenlispingawaytomewithoutgettinganythinginturnbutashakeofthehead。Thismadehimthoughtful，andthereonfollowedacuriousincidentwhichIcannotexplain。Idoubtevenwhetheryouwillbelieveit；butwhatamItodointhatcase？Youhavealreadyacceptedtheepisodeofmycom—
ing，oryouwouldhaveshutthecoversbeforearrivingatthispageofmymodestnarrative，andthisemboldensme。
Imaystrengthenmyclaimonyourcredulitybypointingouttheextraordinarymarvelswhichscienceisteachingyouevenonourownlittleworld。Toquoteasingleinstance：IfanyonehaddeclaredtenyearsagothatitwouldshortlybepracticableandeasyfortwopersonstoconversefromshoretoshoreacrosstheAtlanticwithoutanyinterveningmedium，hewouldhavebeenlaughedatasapossiblyamusingbutcertainlyextravagantromancer。Yetthatpic—
turesquelieofyesterdayisamongsttheaccomplishedfactsoftoday！ThereforeIamencouragedtoaskyourin—
dulgence，inthenameofyourpreviouserrors，forthefollowingandanyotherinstancesinwhichImayappeartotriflewithstrictveracity。Thereisnosuchthingastheimpossibleinouruniverse！
WhenmyfriendlycompanionfoundIcouldnotunder—
standhim，helookedseriousforaminuteortwo，thenshortenedhisbrilliantyellowtoga，asthoughhehadar—
rivedatsomeresolve，andkneltdowndirectlyinfrontofme。Henexttookmyfacebetweenhishands，andputtinghisnosewithinaninchofmine，staredintomyeyeswithallhismight。AtfirstIwasinclinedtolaugh，butbeforelongthemostcurioussensationstookholdofme。
Theycommencedwithathrillwhichpassedallupmybody，andnextallfeelingsavetheconsciousnessoftheloudbeatingofmyheartceased。Thenitseemedthatboy’seyeswereinsidemyheadandnotoutside，whilealongwiththemanintangiblesomethingpervadedmybrain。
Thesensationatfirstwasliketheapplicationofethertotheskin——acool，numbingemotion。Itwasfollowedbyacurioustinglingfeeling，assomedormantcellsinmymindansweredtothethought—transfer，andwerefilledandfertil—
ised！Myotherbrain—cellsmostdistinctlyfeltthevitalisingoftheircompanions，andforaboutaminuteIexperi—
encedextremenauseaandaheadachesuchascomesfromover—study，thoughbothpassedswiftlyoff。Ipresumethatinthefutureweshallallobtainknowledgeinthisway。
TheProfessorsofalaterdaywillperhapskeepshopsforthesaleofmiscellaneousinformation，andweshalldropinandbeinflatedwithlearningjustasthebicyclistgetshistirepumpedup，orthemotoristisrechargedwithelectricityatsomuchperunit。Examinationswillthenbecomemattersofcapacityintherealmeaningofthatword，andweshallbetemptedtoinvestourpocket—moneybyadvertisementsof\"AcheaplineinAstrology，\"\"Tryourdouble—strength，two—
minutecourseofClassics，\"\"ThisisremnantdayforTrig—
onometryandMetaphysics，\"andsoon。
Myfrienddidnotgetasfarasthat。Withhimtheprocessdidnottakemorethanaminute，butitwasstartlinginitsresults，andreducedmetoanextraordinarystateofhypnoticreceptibility。Whenitwasovermyinstructortappedwithafingeronmylips，utteringaloudashedidsothewords——
\"Knownone；knowsome；knowlittle；knowmorel\"againandagain；andthestrangestpartofitisthatashespokeI
didknowatfirstalittle，thenmore，andstillmore，byswiftaccumulation，ofhisspeechandmeaning。Infact，whenpre—
sentlyhesuddenlylaidahandovermyeyesandthenletgoofmyheadwithapleasantlyputquestionastohowIfelt，Ihadnodifficultywhateverinansweringhiminhisowntongue，androsefromthegroundasonegetsfromahair—dresser’schair，withavagueideaoflookingroundformyhatandofferinghimhisfee。
\"Myword，sir！\"Isaid，inlispingMartian，asIpulleddownmycuffsandputmycravatstraight，\"thatwasaquickprocess。Ionceheardofamanwholearntalanguageinthemomentshegaveeachdaytohavinghisbootsblacked；butthisbeatsall。ItrustIwasadocilepupil？\"
\"Oh，fairly，sir，\"answeredthesoft，musicalvoiceofthestrangebeingbyme；\"butyourheadisthickandyourbraintough。Icouldhavetaughtanotherinhalfthetime。\"
\"Curiouslyenough，\"wasmyresponse，\"thosearealmosttheverywordswithwhichmydearoldtutordismissedmethemorningIleftcollege。Nevermind，thethingisdone。ShallIpayyouanything？\"
\"Idonotunderstand。\"
\"Anyhonorarium，then？Somepeopleunderstandonewordandnottheother。\"Buttheboyonlyshookhisheadinanswer。
Strangelyenough，Iwasnotgreatlysurprisedallthistimeeitheratthenoveltyofmywhereaboutsoratthehypnoticinstructioninanewlanguagejustreceived。Per—
hapsitwasbecausemyheadstillspuntoogiddilywiththatflightintheoldrugformuchthought；perhapsbe—
causeIdidnotyetfullyrealisethethingthathadhappened。
But，anyhow，thereisthefact，which，likesomanyothersinmynarrative，must，alas！remainunexplainedforthemoment。Therug，bytheway，hadcompletelydisap—
peared，myfriendcomfortingmeonthisscore，however，bysayinghehadseenitrolledupandtakenawaybyonewhomheknew。
\"Weareverytidypeoplehere，stranger，\"hesaid，\"andeverythingfoundLyingaboutgoesbacktothePalacestore—
rooms。Youwilllaughtoseethelumberthere，forfewofusevertakethetroubletoreclaimourproperty。\"
HeavenknowsIwasinnolaughingmoodwhenIsawthatenchantedwebagain！
WhenIhadlainandwatchedthebrighteningsceneforatime，Igotup，andhavingstretchedandshakenmyclothesintosomesortoforder，westrolleddownthehillandjoinedthelight—heartedcrowdsthattwinedacrosstheplainandthroughthestreetsoftheircityofbooths。Theyweretheprettiest，daintiestfolkevereyeslookedupon，well—formedandliketousascouldbeinthemain，butslenderandwillowy，sodaintyandlight，boththemenandthewomen，soprettyofcheekandhair，somildofaspect，Ifelt，asIstrodeamongstthem，Icouldhavepluckedthemlikeflowersandboundthemupinbuncheswithmybelt。
AndyetsomehowIlikedthemfromthefirstminute；suchahappy，careless，light—heartedrace，againIsay，neverwasseenbefore。Therewasnotastainofthoughtorcareonasingleoneofthosewhiteforeheadsthateddiedroundmeundertheirpeaked，blossom—likecaps，theperpetualsmiletheirfacesworeneversufferedrebukeanywhere；theirverymovementsweregracefulandslow，theirlaughterwaslowandmusical，therewasanodouroffriendly，slothfulhappinessaboutthemthatmademeadmirewhetherIwouldorno。
UnfortunatelyIwasnotabletoliveonlaughter，astheyappearedtobe，sopresentlyturningtomyacquaintance，whohadtoldmehisnamewastheplainmonosyllabicAn，andclappingmyhandonhisshoulderashestoodlostinsleepyreflection，said，inagood，heartyway，\"Hullo，friendYellow—jerkin！Ifastrangermightsethimselfathwartthecheerfulcurrentofyourmeditations，maysuchaoneaskhowfar’tistothenearestwine—shoporaboothwhereathirstymanmaygetamugofaleatamoderatereckoning？\"
ThatgildedyouthstaggeredundermyfriendlyblowasthoughthehammerofThorhimselfhadsuddenlylituponhisshoulder，andruefullyrubbinghistenderskin，heturnedonmemild，handsomeeyes，answeringafteramoment，dur—
ingwhichhisnativemildnessstruggledwiththepainI
hadunwittinglygivenhim——
\"Ifyourthirstbeasemphaticasyourgreeting，friendHeavy—fist，itwillcertainlybeakindlydeedtoleadyoutothedrinking—place。Myshouldertingleswithyourgood—
fellowship，\"headded，keepingtwoarms’—lengthsclearofme。
\"Doyouwish，\"hesaid，\"merelytocleanseadustythroat，orforblueorpinkoblivion？\"
\"Why，\"Iansweredlaughingly，\"Ihavecomealongishjourneysinceyesterdaynight——ajourneyoutofcountofallreasonablemileage——andImightfairlypleadadustythroatasexcuseforabeginning；butastotheotherthingsmentioned，thosetintedforgetfulnesses，Idonotevenknowwhatyoumean。\"
\"Undoubtedlyyouareastranger，\"saidthefriendlyyouth，eyeingmefromtoptotoewithrenewedwonder，\"andbyyourunknowngarbonefromafar。\"
\"Fromhowfarnomancansay——notevenI——butfromveryfar，intruth。Letthatstayyourcuriosityforthetime。
Andnowtobenchandale—mug，ongoodfellow！——theshort—
estway。Iwasneversothirstyasthissinceourwater—buttswentoverboardwhenIsailedthesouthernseasasatrampapprentice，andforthreedayswehadtodampourblacktongueswiththepuddlesthenight—dewsleftintheliftofourmainsail。\"
Withoutmorewords，beingalittleawedofme，Ithought，theboyledmethroughthegood—humouredcrowdtowhere，facingthemainroadtothetown，butalittleshelteredbyathicketoftreescoveredwithgiganticpinkblossoms，stoodadrinking—place——aclusteroftablessetroundanopengrass—plot。Herehebroughtmeaplatterofsomelightinefficientcakeswhichmerelyservedtomakehungermoreself—conscious，andsomefinearomaticwinecontainedinatriple—bodiedflask，eachdivisioncontainingvintageofaseparatehue。Webrokeourbiscuits，sippedthatmysteriouswine，andtalkedofmanythingsuntilatlastsomethingsetusonthesubjectofastronomy，astudyIfoundmydappergallanthadsomeknowledgeof——
whichwasnottobewonderedatseeinghedweltunderskieseachnightsetthickabovehiscurlyheadwithtawnyplanets，andglitteringconstellationssprinkledthroughspacelikeflowersinMaymeadows。Heknewwhatworldswentroundthesun，largerorlesser，andseeingthisIbe—
gantoquestionhim，forIwasuneasyinmyinnermostmindand，youwillremember，sofarhadnocertainknowledgeofwhereIwas，onlyadim，restlesssuspicionthatIhadcomebeyondthekenofallmen’sknowledge。
Therefore，sweepingcleartheboardwithmysleeve，andbreakingthewafercakeIwaseating，Isetdownonecentralpieceforthesun，and，\"Seehere！\"Isaid，\"goodfel—
low！Thismorselshallstandforthatsunyouhavejustbeenwelcomingbackwithquaintritual。Nowstretchyourstarryknowledgetotheutmost，andputdownthattankardforamoment。Ifthisbeyondersunandthislessercrumbbetheoutermostoneofourrevolvingsystem，andthisthenextwithin，andthisthenext，andsoon；nowifthisbesotellmewhichofthesefragmentaryorbsisours——whichofallthesecrumbsfromthehandoftheprimordialwouldbethatwestandupon？\"AndIwaitedwithananxietyalightmannerthinlyhid，tohearhisanswer。
Itcameatonce。Laughingasthoughthequestionweretootrivial，andmoretohumourmywaywardfancythanaughtelse，thatboycircledhisrosythumbaboutaminuteandbroughtitdownontheplanetMars！
Istartedandstaredathim；thenallofatremblecried，\"Youtriflewithme！Chooseagain——there，see，Iwillsetthesymbolsandnamethemtoyouanew。Therenow，onyoursoultellmetrulywhichthisplanetis，theonehereatourfeet？\"Andagaintheboyshookhishead，wonderingatmyeagerness，andpointedtoMars，sayinggentlyashedidsothefactwascertainasthedayaboveus，nothingwasmarvellousbutmyquestioning。
Mars！oh，dreadful，tremendous，unexpected！Withacryofaffright，andbringingmyfistdownonthetabletillallthecupsuponitleapt，Itoldhimhelied——liedlikeasimpletonwhoseastronomywasasrottenashiswit——
smotethetableandscowledathimforaspell，thenturnedawayandletmychinfalluponmybreastandmyhandsuponmylap。
Andyet，andyet，itmightbeso！Everythingaboutmewasnewandstrange，thecrisp，thinairIbreathedwasnew；thelukewarmsunshinenew；thesleek，long，ivoryfacesofthepeoplenew！Yesterday——wasityesterday？——I
wasbackthere——awayinaworldthatpinestoknowofotherworlds，andonefantasticwishofmine，backedbyahideous，infernalchance，hadswungbackthedoorsofspaceandshotme——ifthatboyspoketrue——intotheoutervoidwhereneverlivingmanhadbeenbefore：allmywitsaboutme，allthehorriblebathosofmyearthlyclothingonme，allmyterrestrialhungersinmyveins！
Isprangtomyfeetandsweptmyhandsacrossmyeyes。
Wasthatadream，orthis？No，no，bothweretooreal。
Thehumofmyfarawaycitystillranginmyears：aswiftvisionofthegirlIhadloved；ofthemenIhadhated；ofthethingsIhadhopedforrosebeforeme，stilldazingmyinnereye。Andtheseaboutmewererealpeople，too；itwasrealearth；realskies，trees，androcks——hadtheinfernalgodsindeedheard，Iaskedmyself，thefoolishwishthatstartedfrommylipsinamomentoffiercediscontent，andsweptmeintoanothersphere，anotherexistence？I
lookedattheboyasthoughhecouldanswerthatquestion，buttherewasnothinginhisfacebutvacuouswonder；I
clappedmyhandstogetherandbeatmybreast；itwastrue；
mysoulwithinmesaiditwastrue；theboyhadnotlied；
thedjinshadheard；IwasjustinthefleshIhad；mycommonhumanhungersstillunsatisfiedwherenevermortalmanhadhungeredbefore；andscarcelyknowingwhetherI
fearedornot，whethertolaughorcry，butwithallthewonderandterrorofthatgreatremovesweepingsuddenlyuponmeIstaggeredbacktomyseat，anddroppingmyarmsuponthetable，leantmyheadheavilyuponthemandstrovetochokebackthepassionwhichbesetme。
CHAPTERIII
ItwasthelighttouchoftheboyAnuponmyshoulderwhichrousedme。Hewasbendingdown，hisprettyfacefullofconcernfulsympathy，andinaminutesaid——know—
ingnothingofmythoughts，ofcourse，\"Itisthewine，stranger，thepinkoblivion，itsometimesmakesonefeellikethatuntilenoughistaken；youstoppedjustshortofwhatyoushouldhavehad，andthenextcupwouldhavebeendelight——Ishouldhavetoldyou。\"
\"Ay，\"Ianswered，gladheshouldthinkso，\"itwasthewine，nodoubt；yourquaintdrink，sir，tangledupmysensesforthemoment，buttheyareclearernow，andI
ameagerpastexpressiontolearnalittlemoreofthisstrangecountryIhavewanderedinto。\"
\"Iwouldrather，\"saidtheboy，relapsingagainintohisstateofkindlylethargy，\"thatyoulearntthingsasyouwent，fortalkingiswork，andworkwehate，buttodayweareallnewandfresh，andifeveryouaretoaskquestionsnowiscertainlythetime。Comewithmetothecityyonder，andaswegoIwillanswerthethingsyouwishtoknow；\"andIwentwithhim，forIwashumbleandamazed，and，intruth，atthatmoment，hadnotawordtosayformyself。
AllthewayfromtheplainwhereIhadawoketothewallsofthecitystoodbooths，drinking—places，andgardensdividedbylabyrinthsofcanals，andemboweredinshrub—
beriesthatseemedcomingintoleafandfloweraswelooked，soswiftwastheprocessoftheirgrowth。Thesewaterwayswerecoveredwithskiffsbeingpushedandrowedineverydirection；thecheerfulrowerscallingtoeachotherthroughtheleafyscreensseparatingonelanefromanothertilltheplacewasfulloftheirhappychirruping。Everyboothandway—sidehalting—placewasthrongedwiththesedelicateandsprightlypeople，sofriendly，sogracious，andwithalsopur—
poseless。
Ibegantothinkweshouldneverreachthetownitself，forfirstmyguidewouldsitdownonagreenstream—bank，hisfeeta—dangleintheclearwater，andbandywitwithapassingboatasthoughtherewerenothingelseintheworldtothinkof。AndwhenIdraggedhimoutofthat，whisper—
inginhisear，\"Thetown，mydearboy！thetown！Iamallagapetoseeit，\"hewouldsaunterreluctantlytoaboothahundredyardsfurtheronandfalltoeatingstrangecon—
fectionsorsippingcolouredwineswithchanceacquaintances，tillagainIpluckedhimbythesleeveandsaid：\"Seth，goodcomrade——wasitnotsoyoucalledyourcityjustnow？——takemetothegates，andIwillbegratefultoyou，\"thenonagaindownaflowerylane，aimlessandhappy，wastingmytimeandhis，withplacidcivilityIwasledbythatsimpleguide。
Whereverwewentthepeoplestaredatme，aswelltheymight，asIwalkedthroughthemovertoppingthetallestbyaheadormore。Thedrinking—cupspausedhalf—waytotheirmouths；thejestsdiedawayupontheirlips；andtheblinkingeyesofthedrinkersshonewithamomentarysparkleofwonderastheirmindsreeleddownthosemany—
tintedfloodstotherealmsofobliviontheyloved。
Iheardmenwhisperonetoanother，\"Whoishe？\"；
\"Whencedoeshecome？\"；\"Isheatribute—taker？\"asI
strolledamongstthem，mymindstillsothrilledwithdoubtandwonderthattometheyseemedhardlymorethanpaintedpuppets，thevistasoftheirlovelygladesandtheivorytownbeyondonlythefancyofadream，andtheirtalkasincontinentasthebabbleofastream。
Thenhappily，asIwalkedalongwithbentheadbrood—
ingovertheincrediblethingthathadhappened，mycom—
panion’sshapelylegsgaveout，andwithasighoffatiguehesuggestedweshouldtakeaskiffamongstthemanyly—
ingaboutuponthemarginsandsailtowardsthetown，\"For，\"saidhe，\"thebreezeblowsthitherward，and’tisashametouseone’slimbswhenNaturewillcarryusfornothing！\"
\"Buthaveyouaboatofyourownhereabouts？\"Iqueried；
\"fortotellthetruthIcamefromhomemyselfsomewhatpoorlyprovidedwithmeanstobuyorbarter，andifyourpursebenotheavierthanminewemuststilldoaspoormendo。\"
\"Oh！\"saidAn，\"thereisnoneedtothinkofthat，nooneheretohireorhireof；wewilljusttakethefirstskiffweseethatsuitsus。\"
\"Andwhatiftheownershouldcomealongandfindhisboatgone？\"
\"Why，whatshouldhedobuttakethenextalongthebank，andthemasterofthatthenextagain——howelsecoulditbe？\"saidtheMartian，andshruggingmyshoulders，forIwasinnogreatmoodtoargue，wewentdowntothewaterway，throughathicketofbuddingtreesunderlaidwithacarpetofsmallredflowersfillingtheairwithascentofhoney，andsoonfoundadiminutivecraftpulleduponthebank。ThereweresomedaintycloaksandwrapsinitwhichAntookoutandlaidunderatree。Butfirsthefeltinthepouchofoneforasweetmeatwhichhisfinenostrils，acuteasasquirrel’s，toldhimwasthere，andtakingthelumpoutbitapiecefromit，afterwardsreplacingitintheowner’spocketwiththefrankestsimplicity。
Thenwepushedoff，hoistedtheslendermast，setthesmallestlug—sailthateverasailorsmiledat，and，myselfatthehelm，andthatgoldenyouthamidships，awaywedriftedunderthicketsofdroopingcanestasselledwithyel—
lowcatkin—flowers，upthebluealleyofthewaterintothebroaderopenriverbeyondwithitsrapidflowandcrowd—
ingboats，thewhitecityfrontnowtoweringclearbeforeus。
Theairwasfullofsunshineandmerryvoices；birdsweresinging，treeswerebudding；onlymyheartwasheavy，mymindconfused。YetwhyshouldIbesad，Isaidtomyselfpresently？Lifebeatinmypulses；whathadItofear？
ThisworldIhadtumbledintowasnewandstrange，nodoubt，buttomorrowitwouldbeoldandfamiliar；itdis—
creditedmymanhoodtositbrow—bentlikethat，sowithaneffortIrousedmyself。
\"Oldchap！\"Isaidtomycompanion，ashesatastrideofathwartslowlychewingsomethingstickyandeyeingmeoutofthecornerofhiseyeswithvapidwonder，\"tellmesomethingofthislandofyours，orsomethingaboutyourself——whichremindsmeIhaveaquestiontoask。Itisabitdelicate，butyoulookasensiblesortoffellow，andwilltakenooffence。Thefactis，Ihavenoticedaswecamealonghalfyourpopulationdressesinallthecoloursoftherainbow——’fancysuitings’ourtailorscouldcallitathome——andthishalfofthecensusareundoubtedlymenandwomen。Therubisthattheotherhalf，towhichyoube—
long，alldressalikeinYELLOW，andIwillbefiredfromthebiggestgunontheCarolina’smaindeckifIcantellwhatsexyoubelongto！Itookyouforaboyinthebegin—
ning，andthewayyouclosedwiththeideaofhavingadrinkwithmeseemedtoshowIwasdeadontherightcourse。ThenalittlelateronIheardyouandafriendabusingoursexfromanoutsidepointofviewinawaywhichwasverydisconcerting。This，andsomeotherthings，havesetmeallabroadagain，andasfateseemsdeterminedtomakeuschumsforthisvoyage——why——well，frankly，I
shouldbegladtoknowifyoubeboyorgirl？IfyouareasIam，nomorenorlessthen——forIlikeyou——there’smyhandincomradeship。Ifyouareotherwise，asthosesleekoutlinesseemtopromise——why，here’smyhandagain！Butmanorwomanyoumustbe——come，whichisit？\"
IfIhadbeenperplexedbefore，towatchthatboynowwasmorecuriousthanever。Hedrewbackfrommewithashowofwoundeddignity，thenbithislips，andsighed，andstared，andfrowned。\"Come，\"Isaidlaughingly，\"speak！
itengendersambiguitytobesoambiguousofgender！’Tisnogreatmatter，yesorno，aplainanswerwillsetusfairlyinourfriendship；ifitiscomrade，thencomradeletitbe；
ifmaid，why，Ishallnotquarrelwiththat，thoughitcostmealikelymessmate。\"
\"Youmockme。\"
\"NotI，Inevermockedanyone。\"
\"Anddoesmyrobetellyounothing？\"
\"Nothingsomuch；ayellowtunicandbecomingenough，butnothingaboutittohangadeductionon。Come！Areyouagirl，afterall？\"
\"Idonotcountmyselfagirl。\"
\"Why，then，youarethemostbloomingboythatevereyesweresetupon；andthough’tiswithsometingeofregret，yetcheerfullyIwelcomeyouintotheranksofman—
hood。\"
\"Ihateyourmanhood，senditafterthemaidhood；itfitsmejustasbadly。\"
\"ButAn，bereasonable；manormaidyoumustbe。\"
\"Mustbe；why？\"
\"Why？\"Waseversuchaquestionputtoasanemortalbefore？Istaredatthatambiguousthingbeforeme，andthen，alittlewrothtobeplayedwith，growledoutsome—
thingaboutMartiansbeingalldrunkormad。
\"’Tisyouyourselfareoneorother，\"saidthatindividual，bythistimepinkwithanger，\"andifyouthinkbecauseIamwhatIamyoucansafelytauntme，youarewrong。
See！Ihaveasting，\"andlikeathwartedchildmycom—
panionhalfdrewfromthefoldsoftheyellowtunic—dressthedaintiest，mostharmless—lookinglittledaggerthatwaseverseen。
\"Oh，ifitcomestothat，\"Ianswered，touchingtheNavyscabbardstillatmyhip，andregainingmytemperatthesightofhers，\"why，Ihaveastingalso——andtwiceaslongasyours！Butintruth，An，letusnottalkofthesethings；ifsomethinginwhatIhavesaidhasoffendedniceMartianscruplesIamsorry，andwillquestionnomore，leavingmywonderfortimetosettle。\"
\"No，\"saidtheother，\"itwasmyfaulttobehastyofoffence；Iamnotsoangeredonceayear。Butintruthyourquestionmovesusyellowrobesdeeply。Didyounotreallyknowthatwewhowearthissaffrontunicareslaves，——
araceapart，despisedbyall。\"
\"’Slaves，’no；howshouldIknowit？\"
\"Ithoughtyoumustunderstandathingsofundamental，anditwasthatthoughtwhichmadeyourquestionsseemunkind。Butifindeedyouhavecomesofarasnottounder—
standeventhis，thenletmetellyouonceweofthisgarbwerewomen——priestessesoftheimmaculateconceptionsofhumanity；guardiansofthosegreathopesandlongingswhichdiesoeasily。Andbecauseweforgotourhighstationandtooktoapinganothersexthegodsdesertedandmendespisedus，givingus，inthefiercenessoftheircontempt，whatweaskedfor。Wearetheslaveantsofthenest，thework—beesofthehive，come，intruth，ofthoseherewhostillbemenandwomenofasort，buttoilersonly；un—
knowninlove，unregrettedindeath——thosewhodangleallchildrenbuttheirown——slavescursedwiththeaccomplish—
mentoftheirownambition。\"
TherewasnodoubtpoorAnbelievedwhatshesaid，forherattitudewasoneofextremedejectionwhileshespoke，andtocheerherIlaughed。
\"Oh！come，itcan’tbeasbadasthat。Surelysometimessomeofyouwinbacktowomanhood？Youyourselfdonotlooksofargonebutwhatsomedeedofabnegation，somestrongloveifyoucouldbutconceiveitwouldsetyourightagain。Surelyyouoftheprimroserobescansometimeslove？\"
WhereatunwittinglyItroubledthewatersintheplacidsoulofthatoutcastMartian！Icannotexactlydescribehowitwas，butshebentherheadsilentlyforamomentortwo，andthen，withasigh，liftinghereyessuddenlytomine，saidquietly，\"Yes，sometimes；sometimes——butverysel—
dom，\"whileforaninstantacrossherfacethereflashedthesummerlightningofanewhope，asingletransientglanceofwistful，timidentreaty；ofwonderanddelightthatdarednotevenyetacknowledgeitself。
Thenitwasmyturntositsilent，andthepausewassoawkwardthatinaminute，tobreakit，Iexclaimed——
\"Let’sdroppersonalities，oldchap——ImeanmydearMissAn。Tellmesomethingaboutyourpeople，andletusbeginproperlyatthetop：haveyougotaking，forinstance？\"
Tothisthegirl，pullingherselfoutofthepleasantsloughofherlistlessness，andfallingintomyvein，answered——
\"Bothyesandno，sirtravellerfromafar——nochiefly，andyetperhapsyes。Ifitwerenothenitwereso，andifyesthenHathwereourking。\"
\"AmildkingIshouldjudgebyyouruncertainty。IntheplacewhereIcamefromkingspresstheirindividualitiessomewhatmoreclearlyontheirsubjects’minds。IsHathhereinthecity？Doeshecometoyourfeaststoday？\"
Annodded。Hathwasontheriver，hehadbeentoseethesunrise；evennowshethoughtthelaughterandsingingdownbehindthebendmightbetheking’sbargecomingupcitywards。\"Hewillnotbelate，\"saidmycompanion，\"becausethemarriage—feastissetfortomorrowinthepalace。\"
Ibecameinterested。Kings，palaces，marriage—feasts——why，herewassomethingsubstantialtogoupon；afterallthesegauzyfolkmightturnoutgoodfellows，jollycom—
radestosojournamongst——andmarriage—feastsremindedmeagainIwashungry。
\"Whoisit，\"Iasked，withmoreinterestinmytone，\"whogetsmarried？——isityourambiguouskinghimself？\"
WhereatAn’spurpleeyesbroadenedwithwonder：thenasthoughshewouldnotbeuncivilshecheckedherself，andansweredwithsmotheredpityformyignorance，\"NotonlyHathhimself，buteveryone，stranger，theyareallmarriedtomorrow；youwouldnothavethemmarriedoneatatime，wouldyou？\"——thiswithinexpressiblederision。
Isaid，withhumility，somethinglikethathappenedintheplaceIcamefrom，askingherhowitchancedtheconvenienceofsomanycametooneclimaxatthesamemo—
ment。\"Surely，An，thisisamarvelofarrangement。WhereI
dweltwooingswouldsometimesbelongorsometimesshort，andallmaidswerenotcomplacentbysuchuniversalagree—
ment。\"
Thegirlwasclearlyperplexed。Shestaredatmeaspace，thensaid，\"Whathavewooingslongorshorttodowithweddings？Youtalkasifyoudidyourwooingfirstandthencametomarriage——wegetmarriedfirstandwooafter—
wards！\"
\"’Tisnotabadidea，andIcanseeitmightlendaneaseandcertaintytothepastimewhichourmethodlacks。
Butifthewomanisgotfirstandsuedsubsequently，whobringsyoutogether？Whoseestotheessentialpreliminariesofassortment？\"
An，lookingatmyshoesasthoughshespeculatedontheremotenessofthejourneyIhadcomeifitweremeasuredbymyignorance，replied，\"Theurn，stranger，theurndoesthat——whatelse？Howitmaybeinthatout—fashionedregionyouhavecomefromIcannottell，buthere——’tissocommonplaceIshouldhavethoughtyoumusthaveknownit——weputeachnewyearthenamesofallwomenkindintoanurnandthemendrawforthem，eachtown，eachvillagebyitself，andthosetheydrawaretheirs；isitconceivableyourracehasothermethods？\"
Itoldheritwasso——wepickedandchoseforourselves，beseechingthedamsels，fightingforthem，andholdingthesunofromancewasatitssettingjustwheretheMartiansheldittorise。WhereatAnburstoutlaughing——aclear，ringinglaughthatsetallthelight—heartedfolkinthenearestboatslaughinginsympathy。Butwhenthegrotesquenessoftheideahadsomewhatwornoff，sheturnedgraveandaskedmeifsuchafancydidnotleadtospite，envy，andbickerings。
\"Why，itseemstome，\"shesaid，shakinghercurlyhead，\"suchaplanmightfirecities，desolateplains，andemptypalaces——\"
\"Suchthingshavebeen。\"
\"Ah！ourwayismuchthebetter。See！\"quoththatgentlephilosopher。\"’Here，’oneofourwomenwouldsay，’amI
to—day，unwed，asfreeofthoughtasyonderbirdchasingthecatkindown；tomorrowIshallbemarried，withawholesummertomakelovein，relievedatoneboundofallthoseuncertaintiesyouacknowledgeto，withnothingtodobutlieaboutonsunnybankswithhimwhomchancesendsme，cometothegoaloflovewithoutanytravellingtogetthere。’Why，youmustacknowledgethisistheper—
fectionofease。\"
\"Butsupposing，\"Isaid，\"chancedealtunkindlytoyoufromyournuptialurn，supposingthemanwasnottoyourliking，oranothercovetedhim？\"TowhichAnanswered，withsomeshrewdness——
\"Inthefirstcaseweshoulddowhatwemight，beingnoworseoffthanthoseinyourlandwhohadplayedillprovidencetothemselves。Inthesecond，nomaidwouldcovethimwhomfatehadgiventoanother，itweretoofatiguing，orifsuchathingDIDhappen，thenoneofthemwouldwaivehisclaims，fornomanorwomaneverbornwasworthawrangle，anditisallowedustobarterandchangealittle。\"
Allthiswasstrangeenough。Icouldnotbutlaugh，whileAnlaughedatthelightestinvitation，andthuschattingandderidingeachother’ssocialarrangementswefloatedidlytownwardsandpresentlycameoutintothemainwaterwayperhapsamilewideandflowingrapidly，asstreamswillonthethresholdofthespring，withbrashorwasteofdistantbeachesridingdownit，andeverynowandthenabrokenbranchortree—stemglancingthroughwaveswhosecrestsafreshwindliftedandsowedingoldenshowersintheinter—
veningfurrows。TheMartiansseemedexpertuponthewater，steeringnimblybetweenthesefloatingdangerswhentheymetthem，butforthemostparthuggingtheshorewhereamoreplacidstreambettersuitedtheirfancies，andforatimeallwentwell。
An，aswewentalong，wastellingmemoreofherstrangecountry，pointingoutbirdsorflowersandnamingthemtome。\"Nowthat，\"shesaid，pointingtoasmallgreyowlwhosatreflectiveonafloatinglogwewereapproaching——
\"thatisabirdofomen；coveryourfaceandlookaway，foritisnotwelltowatchit。\"
WhereatIlaughed。\"Oh！\"Ianswered，\"sothoseancientfollieshavecomeasfarasthis，havethey？ButitisnobirdgreyorblackorwhitethatcanfrightenfolkwhereIcomefrom；see，Iwillrufflehisphilosophyforhim，\"andsuitingtheactiontothewordsIliftedapebblethathappenedtolieatthebottomoftheboatandflungitatthatcreaturewiththemelancholyeyes。Awaywenttheowl，dippinghiswingsintothewaterateverystroke，andashewentwailingoutaghostlycry，whichevenamongstsunshineandglittermadeone’sfleshcreep。