\"Whenwillshestop?\"Iwhisperedtomyfriendundermybreath。
\"Whentheearth—starrestsintheroof—nicheofthetempleitisclimbing,\"sheansweredback。
\"Andthen?\"
\"Onthetripodisaglobeofwater。Initshewillseethedestinyoftheyear,andwilltellus。Thewhiterthewaterstays,thebetterforus;itnevervariesfromwhite。Butwemustnottalk;see!sheisstopping。\"
AndasIlookedback,thedancewascertainlyebbingnowwithsuchsmoothlydecreasingundulations,thateveryheartbegantobeatcalmerinresponse。Therewasaminuteortwoofsuchslowcessation,andthentosayshestoppedweretoogrossadescription。Motionratherdiedawayfromher,andthepriestessgroundedassmoothlyasashipgroundsinfineweatheronasandybank。Thereshewasatlast,crouchedbehindthetripod,onecorneroftheclothcoveringitgraspedinherhand,andhereyesfixedontheshiningroundjustpoiseduponthedistantrun。
Keenlythegirlwatcheditslideintozenith,thentheclothwassnatchedfromthetripod—top。Asitfellitun—
coveredabeautifulandperfectglobeofclearwhiteglass,afootorsoindiameter,andobviouslyfilledwiththethin—
nest,mostlimpidwaterimaginable。Atfirstitseemedtome,whostoodneartothepriestessofMars,withthatbeamingspheredirectlybetweenus,andthenewlyrisenworld,thatitssmoothandflawlessfacewasabsolutelydevoidofsignorcolouring。Then,asthedistantplanetbecamestrongerinthemagnifyingMartianair,ormyeyesbetteraccustomedtothatsuddennucleusofbrilliancy,adelicateandin—
finitelylovelynetworkofcolourscameuponit。Theywereliketheradiantprismsthatsometimesflushthesurfaceofabubblemorethanaughtelseforatime。ButasIwatchedthatmosaicofyellowandpurplecreepsoftlytoandfroupontheglobeitseemedtheyslowlytookformandmeaning。Anotherminuteortwoandtheyhadcertainlycon—
gealedintoasettledplan,andthen,asIstaredandwondered,itburstuponmeinaminutethatIwaslookinguponapicture,faithfulineverydetail,oftheworldIstoodon;allitsruddyforests,itssapphiresea,bothbroadandnarrowones,itswhitepeakedmountains,andunnumberedislandsbeingmappedoutwithstartlingclearnessforaspelluponthatbeamingorb。
Thenastrangethinghappened。Heru,whohadbeencrouchinginatremulousheapbythetripod,rosestealthilyandpassedherhandsafewtimesacrossthesphere。Colourandpicturevanishedathertouchlikebreathfromamirror。
Againallwasclearandpellucid。
\"Now,\"saidmycompanion,\"nowlisten!ForHerureadsthedestiny;thewhitertheglobestaysthebetterforus——\"
andthenIfeltherhandtightenonminewithastartledgraspasthewordsdiedawayuponherlips。
Evenasthegirlspoke,thesphere,whichhadbeenbeam—
inginthecentreofthesilentsquarelikeamightywhitejewel,begantoflushwithangryred。Redderandreddergrewthegleam——afieryglowwhichseemedcurdlingintheinterioroftheroundasthoughitwerefilledwithflame;
redderandredder,untiltheprincess,staringintoit,seemedturnedagainstthejet—blacknightbehind,intoaformofmoltenmetal。Aspasmofterrorpassedacrossherasshestared;herlimbsstiffened;herfrightenedhandswereclutchedinfront,andshestoodcoweringunderthatgreatcrimsonnucleuslikeonebereftofpowerandlife,andlosttoeverysensebutthatofagony。Notasyllablecamefromherlips,notamovementstirredherbody,onlythatdumb,stupidstareofhorror,atthesomethingshesawintheglobe。
WhatcouldIdo?Icouldnotsitandseehersoulcomeoutatherfrightenedeyes,andnotaMartianmovedafingertoherrescue;theredshinegleamedonemptyfaces,tierabovetier,andflungitsbroadflushovertheendlessrankofopen—mouthedspectators,thenbackIlookedtoHeru——thatwinsomelittleladyforwhom,youwillre—
member,Ihadalreadymorethanapassingfancy——andsawwithathrillofemotionthatwhileshestillkepthereyesontheflamingglobelikeoneinahorribledreamherhandswereslowly,veryslowly,risinginsupplicationtoME!Itwasnotvanity。Therewasnomistakingthedirectionofthatsilent,imploringappeal。
Notamanofhercountrymenmoved,notevenblackHath!Therewasnotasoundintheworld,itseemed,butthenoisyclatterofmyownshoenailsonthemarbleflags。InthegreatredeyeofthatunholyglobetheMartiansglimmeredlikeapicturemultitudeundertheredcliffoftheirruinedpalace。Iglaredroundatthemwithcontemptforaminute,thensprangforwardandsnatchedtheprin—
cessup。Itwaslikepullingaflowerupbytheroots。ShewasstiffandstarkwhenIlayholdofher,butwhenItoreherfromthemagicgroundshesuddenlygaveapiercingshriek,andfaintedinmyarms。
ThenasIturneduponmyheelswithheruponmybreastmyfootcaughtupontheclothsstillwoundaboutthetripodofthesphere。Overwentthatimplementofathousandyearsofsorcery,andoutwenttheredfire。ButlittleI
cared——theprincesswassafe!Andupthepalacesteps,amidstalow,wailinghumofconsternationfromthere—
coveringMartians,Iborethatbundleoflimpandsenselesslovelinessupintothepaleshineofherownporch,andthere,layingherdownuponacouch,watchedherrecoverpresentlyamongstherwomenwithavariedassortmentofemotionstinglinginmyveins。
CHAPTERVI
Beyondthefirstflutterofsurprise,theMartianshadshownnointerestintheabruptterminationoftheyear’sdivinations。Theymeltedaway,atriflemoresilentlyper—
hapsthanusual,whenIshatteredthemagicglobe,butwiththeirinvariableindifference,andhavinghandedtherevivingHeruovertosomewomenwholedheraway,apparentlyalreadyhalfforgetfulofthethingsthathadjusthappened,Iwasleftaloneonthepalacesteps,notevenAnbesideme,andonlytheshadowofapasserbynowandthentobreakthesolitude。Whereonagreatlone—
linesstookholduponme,and,pacingtoandfroalongtheancientterracewithbentheadandfoldedarms,I
bewailedmyfate。ToandfroIwalked,heedlessandmelancholy,thinkingoftheoldworld,thatwassofarandthisnearworldsodistantfrommeineverythingmakinglifeworthliving,thinking,asIstrodegloomilyhereandthere,howgladlyIwouldexchangethesepoorpuppetsandthemockeryofatowntheydweltin,forasightofmycom—
radesandacornerinthepoorestwine—shopsaloninNewYorkor’Frisco;idlyspeculatingwhy,andhow,Icamehere,asIsauntereddownamongsttheglistening,shell—likefragmentsoftheshatteredglobe,andfindingnoanswer。
HowcouldI?Itwastoofair,Ithought,standingthereintheopen;therewasafatalsweetnessintheair,adeadlysufficiencyinthebeautyofeverythingaroundfallingonthelaxsenseslikesomesleepydraughtofpleasure。Notaleafstirred,thewidepurpleroofoftheskywasunbrokenbythehealthypromiseofacloudfromrimtorim,thesplendidcountry,teemingwithitsspring—timerichness,layinrankperfectioneverywhere;andjustasrankandsleekandpassionlesswerethosewhoownedit。
Why,evenI,whoyesterdaywasstrong,begantocomeunderthespellofit。Butyesterdaythespiritoftheoldworldwasstillstrongwithinme,yethowmuchthingswerenowchanging。Thewell—strungmusclesloosening,theheartbeatingaslowermeasure,thebusyminddrowsingofftolistlessness。WasI,too,destinedtobecomelikethese?
WastheredstuffinmyveinstobewatereddowntopallidMartiansap?Wasambitionandhopetodesertme,andidlenessitselfbecomelaborious,whileliferantoseedingildeduselessness?LittledidIguesshowunnecessarymyfearswere,oroftheincrediblefairytaleofadventureintowhichfatewasgoingtoplungeme。
Stillengrossedthenextmorningbythesethoughts,I
decidedIwouldgotoHath。Hathwasaman——atleasttheysaidso——hemightsympathiseeventhoughhecouldnothelp,andso,dressingfinished,Iwentdowntowardstheinnermostpalacewhenceforanhourortwohadcomesoundsofunwontedbustle。Askingforthewayoccasion—
allyfromsleepyfolklollingaboutthecorridors,waitingasitseemedfortheirbreakfaststocometothem,andembarrassedbythenewdaylight,Iwanderedtoandfrointhelabyrinthsofthatstonyant—heapuntilIchanceduponacurtaineddoorwaywhichadmittedtoalongcham—
ber,high—roofed,ampleinproportions,withcolonnadesoneithersideseparatedfromthemainaislebyrowsoffloweryfiguresandemblematicscroll—work,meaningIknewnotwhat。Abovethosepillarsranagallerywithmanywindowslookingoutovertheruinedcity。Whileatthefurtherendofthechamberstoodthreebroadstepsleadingtoadais。AsIentered,thewholeplacewasfullofbustlinggirls,theiryellowgarmentslikeabedofflowersinthesunlighttricklingthroughthecasements,andallintentonthespreadingofafeastonlongtablesrangedupanddownthehall。Themorninglightstreamedinonthewhitecloths。Itglitteredontheglassandthegoldtheywereputtingonthetrestles,andgaveresplendentdepthsofcolourtotheribbonbandsroundthepillars。Allweresobusynoonenoticedmestandinginthetwilightbythedoor,butpresently,layingahandonaworker’sshoulder,Iaskedwhotheybanquetedfor,andwhysuchunwontedpreparation?
\"Itisthemarriage—feasttonight,stranger,andamarvelyoudidnotknowit。You,too,aretobewed。\"
\"Ihadnotheardofit,damsel;apaternalforethoughtofyourGovernment,Isuppose?Haveyouanyideawhotheladyis?\"
\"HowshouldIknow?\"sheansweredlaughingly。\"Thatisthesecretoftheurn。Meanwhile,wehavesetyouaplaceatthetable—headnearPrincessHeru,andtonightyoudipandhaveyourchancelikeallofthem;maylucksendyouarosybride,andsaveherfromAr—hap。\"
\"Ay,nowIremember;Antoldmeofthisbefore;Ar—hapisthesovereignwithwhomyourpeoplehavealittledifference,andsharesunbiddeninthefreedistributionofbridesto—night。Thispromisestobeinteresting;dependonitIwillcome;ifyouwillkeepmeaplacewhereIcanhearthespeeches,andnotforgetmewhentheturtlesoupgoesround,Ishallbemorethangrateful。Nowtoanothermatter。
IwanttogetafewminuteswithyourPresident,PrinceHath。Heconcentratesthefluidintelligenceofthissphere,Iamtold。WherecanIfindhim?\"
\"Heisdrunk,inthelibrary,sir!\"
\"Myword!Itisearlyinthedayforthat,andasingularconjunctionofplaceandcircumstance。\"
\"Where,\"saidthegirl,\"couldhesaferbe?Wecanalwaysfetchhimifwewanthim,andsunkinblueob—
livionhewillnotcometoharm。\"
\"Acheerfulview,Miss,whichisworthyoftheattentionofourreformers。Nevertheless,Iwillgotohim。Ihaveknownmentellmoretruthinthatstatethaninanyother。\"
Theservitordirectedmetothelibrary,andafterdeso—
latewanderingsupcrumblingstepsanddownmoulderingcorridors,sunnyandlovelyindecay,Icametotheim—
menselumber—shedofknowledgetheyhadtoldmeof,acityofdeadbooks,aplaceofdustycathedralaislesstoredwithforgottenlearning。AtatablesatHaththepurposeless,enthronedinleatherandvellum,snoringindivinecontentamongstallthatwastedlabour,andnothingIcoulddowassufficienttoshakehimintosemblanceofintelligence。SoperforceIturnedawaytillheshouldhavecometohim—
self,andwanderingroundthesplendidlitterofanoblelibrary,presentlyamongsttheruckofvolumesonthefloor,amongstthoselordlytomesintatteredgreenandgold,andivory,myeyelituponavolumeproppedupcuriouslyonend,andgoingtoitthroughtheconfusionI
sawbythedriedfruitrinduponthestickssupportingit,thatthegraveandreverendtomewassettocatchamouse!
ItwasasplendidbookwhenIlookedmoreclosely,boundasakingmightbindhischoicesttreasure,thesweet—
scentedleatheronitwasnodoubtfrayed;thegoldenarabesquesuponthecovershadlongsinceshedtheireyesofinsetgems,thejewelledclasplockingitslearningupfromvulgargazewasbentandopen。Yetitwasalordlytomewithanodourofsanctityaboutit,andliftingitwithdiffi—
culty,Inoticedonitscoveraredstainofmouse’sblood。
Thosewhoputittothisquaintuseofmouse—traphadalreadyhadsomesport,butsurelyneverwasamousecrushedbeforeundersomuchlearning。AndwhileIstoodguessingatwhatthebookmightholdwithin,Heru,theprincess,cametrippingintome,andwiththeabruptfamili—
arityofherkind,laidavelvethanduponmywrist,connedthetitleovertoherself。
\"Whatdoesitsay,sweetgirl?\"Iasked。\"Thematterislearned,byitsfeel,\"andthatmaid,pursingupherprettylips,readthetitletome——\"TheSecretoftheGods。\"
\"TheSecretoftheGods,\"Imurmured。\"Wasitpos—
sibleotherworldshadstruggledhopelesslytocomewithinthebarestkenofthatgreatknowledge,whileherethesamewassettocatchamousewith?\"
Isaid,\"Silver—footed,sitdownandreadmeapassageortwo,\"andproppingthemightyvolumeuponatabledrewabenchbeforeitandpulledherdownbesideme。
\"Oh!ahorrid,dryoldbookforcertain,\"criedthatlady,herpinkfingertipsfallingaslightlyonthemustyleavesasalmondpetalsonMarchdust。\"WhereshallIbegin?Itisallequallydull。\"
\"Dipin,\"wasmyanswer。\"’Tisnogreatmatterwhere,butnearthebeginning。Whatsaysthewriterofhisintention?
Whatsetsheouttoprove?\"
\"HesaysthatistheSecretoftheFirstGreatTruth,descendedstraighttohim——\"
\"Manyhavesaidsomuch,yethavelied。\"
\"Hesaysthatwhichiswritteninhisbookisthroughhimbutnotofhim,pastcriticismandbeyondcavil。’Tisallinancientandcrabbedcharactersgoingbacktothethresholdofmylearning,buthereuponthispassage—topwheretheyarewritlargeImakethemouttosay,’ONLYTHEMAN
WHOHASDIEDMANYTIMESBEGINSTOLIVE。’\"
\"Apregnantpassage!Turnanotherpage,andtryagain;
Ihaveaninklingofthebookalready。\"
\"’Tispoor,sillystuff,\"saidthegirl,slippingahandcovertlyintomyown。\"Whywillyoumakemereadit?
Ihaveabookonpomatumsworthtwiceasmuchasthis。\"
\"Nevertheless,dipinagain,dearlady。Whatsaysthenextheading?\"Andwithalittlesighattheheavinessofhertask,Herureadout:\"SOMETIMESTHEGODSTHEM—
SELVESFORGETTHEANSWERSTOTHEIROWN
RIDDLES。\"
\"Lady,Iknewit!
\"Allthisisstillpreliminarytothegreatmatterofthebook,butthemutteringsofthepriestwhodrawsbackthecur—
tainsoftheshrine——andhere,afterthescribehasleftthesetwoyellowpagesblankasthoughtosetaspaceofreverencebetweenhimselfandwhatcomesnext——herespeaksthetruth,thevoice,thefactofalllife。\"But\"Oh!
Jones,\"shesaid,turningfromthedustypagesandclaspingheryoung,milk—warmhandsovermineandleaningtowardsmeuntilherblushingcheekwasneartomyshoulderandtheincenseofherbreathuponme。\"Oh!GulliverJones,\"
shesaid。\"Makemereadnomore;mysoulrevoltsfromthetask,thecrazybrownlettersswimbeforemyeyes。Istherenolearningnearathandthatwouldbepleasanterreadingthanthissillybookofyours?What,afterall,\"shesaid,growingbolderatthesoundofherownvoice,\"what,afterall,isthemustyreticenceofgodstothewhisperedsecretofamaid?Jones,splendidstrangerforwhomallmenstandasideandwomenlookovershoulders,oh,letmebeyourbook!\"shewhispered,slippingontomykneeandwindingherarmsroundmynecktill,throughthewhiteglimmerofhersinglevest,Icouldfeelherheartbeatingagainstmine。\"Newestanddearestoffriends,putbythisdrearylearningandlookinmyeyes;istherenothingtobespeltoutthere?\"
AndIwasconstrainedtodoasshebidme,forshewasasfreshasanalmondblossomtouchedbythesun,andlookingdownintotwoswimmingbluelakeswhereshynessandpassionwerecontending——bookseasyenough,intruth,toberead,Isawthatshelovedme,withtheunconventionalardourofhernature。
Itwasapleasantdiscovery,ifitsabruptnesswasem—
barrassing,forshewasamaidinathousand;andhalfashamedandhalflaughingIletherescalademe,throwingnowandthenaruefullookattheSecretoftheGods,andallthatpricelessknowledgetreatedsounworthily。
WhatelsecouldIdo?Besides,Ilovedhermyself!Andiftherewasamomentarychagrinathavingyondergoldenknowledgeputoffbythislovelyinterruption,yetIwasfleshandblood,thegodscouldwait——theyhadtowaitlongandoftenbefore,andwhenthissweetinterpreterwascomfortedwewouldhaveanothertry。SoithappenedItookherintomyheartandgavehertheanswersheaskedfor。
Foralongtimewesatintheduskygrandeuroftheroyallibrary,mymindrevolvingbetweenwonderandad—
mirationoftheneglectedknowledgeallabout,andthestir—
ringsofanewlove,whileHeruherself,lapsedagainintoMartiancalm,layhalfsleepingonmyshoulder,butpre—
sently,unwindingherarms,Iputherdown。
\"There,sweetheart,\"Iwhispered,\"enoughofthisforthemoment;tonight,perhaps,somemore,butwhilewearehereamongstallthislordlylitter,Icanthinkofnothingelse。\"
AgainIbidherturnthepages,notingasshedidsohoweachchapterwasheadedbythecolouredconfigurationofaworld。Pagebypageweturnedofcracklingparchment,untilbychance,atthetopofone,myeyecaughtacolouredroundIcouldnotfailtorecognise——’twasthespinningbut—
tononthebluebreastoftheimmeasurablethatyesterdayIinhabited。\"Readhere,\"Icried,clappingmyfingeruponthepagemidwaydown,wherethereweresomesignslookinglikeEgyptianwriting。\"SaysthisquaintdabblerinallknowledgeanythingofIsis,anythingofPhra,ofAm—
mon,ofAmmonTop?\"
\"AndwhowasIsis?whoAmmonTop?\"askedthelady。
\"Nay,read,\"Ianswered,anddownthepageherslenderfingerswentawanderingtillataspotofknottedsignstheystopped。\"Why,hereissomethingaboutthyIsis,\"ex—
claimedHeru,asthoughamusedatmyperspicuity。\"Here,halfwaydownthischapterofearth—history,itsays,\"andputtingonepinkkneeacrosstheothertobetterpropthebooksheread:
\"AndthepriestsofThebesweregone;thesandstoodun—
trampledonthetemplestepsathousandyears;thewildbeessangthesongofdesolationintheearsofIsis;thewildcatslitteredinthestonylapofAmmon;ay,anotherthou—
sandyearswentby,andearthwastilledofunseenhandsandsownwithyellowgrainfromParadise,andthethinveilthatseparatestheknownfromtheunknownwasrent,andmenwalkedtoandfro。\"
\"Goon,\"Isaid。
\"Nay,\"laughedtheother,\"thelittlemiceintheireager—
nesshavebeenbeforeyou——see,allthiscornerisgnawedaway。\"
\"Readonagain,\"Isaid,\"wherethepageiswhole;thosesipsofknowledgeyouhavegivenmakemethirstyformore。
There,beginwherethisblazonryofinitialedredandgoldlookssolikethecarpetspreadbythescribeforthefeetofasovereigntruth——whatsayshehere?\"Andshe,halfpoutingtobesetbackoncemoretothattask,halfwon—
deringasshegazedonthosemagicletters,lethereyesrundownthepage,thenbegan:
\"AnditwastheBeginning,andinthecentrevoidpres—
entlytherecameanucleusoflight:andthelightbrightenedinthegreyprimevalmorningandbecamedefiniteandarticulate。Andfromthemidstofthatnatalsplendour,behindwhichwastheUnknowable,thelifecamehitherward;fromthemidstofthatnucleusundescribed,undescribable,thereissuedpresentlytheprimevalsighthatbreathedthebreathoflifeintoallthings。Andthatsighthrilledthroughtheemptyspacesoftheillimitable:itbreathedthebreathofpromiseoverthefrozenhillsoftheoutsideplanetswherethenight—frosthadlastedwithoutbeginning:andthewatersoftenthousandnamelessoceans,girdingnamelessplanets,werestirred,tremblingintotheirdepth。Itcrossedtheil—
limitablespaceswheretheherdingaerolitesswirlforeverthroughspaceinthewakeofcareeringworld,andalltheirwhistlingwingsansweredtoit。Itreverberatedthroughthegreywastesofvacuity,andcrossedthedarkoceansoftheOutside,eventotheblackshoresoftheeternalnightbeyond。
\"Andhardlyhadechoofthatbreathdiedawayinthehollowoftheheavensandtheemptywombsofamillionbarrenworlds,whenthelightbrightenedagain,anddraw—
inginuponitselfbecamedefiniteandtookform,andtherefrom,atthemomentofprimitiveconception,therecame——\"
Andjustthen,asshehadreadsofarasthat,whenallmyfacultieswereachingtoknowwhatcamenext——
whetherthiswerebuttheidlescribblingofavacuousfool,orsomethingelse——thererosethesoundofsoftflutesandtinklingbellsinthecorridors,asseneschalswanderedpip—
ingroundthepalacetocallfolktomeals,asmellofroastmeatandgrillingfishasthatprocessionliftedthecurtainsbetweenthehalls,and——
\"Dinner!\"shoutedmysweetMartian,slappingthecov—
ersofTheSecretoftheGodstogetherandpushingthestatelytomeheadlongfromthetable。\"Dinner!’Tisworthahundredthousandplanetstothehungry!\"
NothingIcouldsaywouldkeepher,and,scarcelyknow—
ingwhethertolaughortobeangryatsounseemlyaninterruption,butbothbeingpurposelessIdugmyhandsintomypockets,andsomewhatsulkilyrefusingHeru’sinvita—
tiontoluncheoninthecorridor(Navyrationshadnotfittedmystomachfortheseconstantdebauchesofgos—
samerfood),strolledintothetownagaininnoverypleasantframeofmind。
CHAPTERVII
ItwasonlyatmomentsliketheseIhadanytimetoreflectonmycircumstancesorthatgiddychancewhichhadshotmeintospaceinthisfashion,and,frankly,theopportunities,whentheydidcome,broughtsuchanextraordinaryde—
pressingtrainofthought,Ibynomeansinvitedthem。
Evenwiththetimeavailabletheoccasionwasalwaysawryforsuchreflection。Thesedaintytriflersmadesulkingasimpossibleamongstthemasphilosophyinaballroom。WhenIstalkedoutlikethatfromthelibraryinfinemoodtomoraliseandapostrophiseheaveninawaythatwouldnodoubthavelookedfineuponthesepages,onesprightlydam—
sel,justasthegloomyrhetoricwasburstingfrommylips,thrustaflowerundermynosewhosescentbroughtonaviolentattackofsneezing,hercompanionsjoininghandsanddancingroundmewhiletheyimitatedmyagony。Then,whenIburstawayfromthemandrusheddownanar—
rowarcadeofcrumblingmansions,anotherstoppedmeinmid—career,andtakingthehoney—stickshewassuckingfromherlips,putittomine,likeapretty,playfulchild。An—
otheraskedmetodance,anothertodrinkpinkoblivionwithher,andsoon。Howcouldonelamentamongstallthisirritatingcheerfulness?
Anmighthavehelpedme,forpoorAnwasintelligentforaMartian,butshehaddisappeared,andtheterriblevacu—
ityoflifeintheplanetwasforceduponmewhenIrealisedthatpossessingnocognomen,nofixedaddress,orrating,itwouldbethemerestchanceifIevercameacrossheragain。
Lookingformyfriendlyguideandgettingmoreandmoreatseaamongstamazeofcomelybutsimilarfaces,ImadechanceacquaintancewithanotherofherkindwhocheerfullydrankmyhealthattheGovernment’sexpense,andchattedonthingsMartian。Shetookmetoseeafuneralbywayofamusement,andIfoundthesepeoplefloatedtheirdeadoffonflower—deckedraftsinsteadofburyingthem,thesend—offsalltakingplaceuponacertainswift—flowingstream,whichcarriedthedeadawayintothevastregionofnorthernice,butmoreexactlywhithermyinformantseemedtohavenoidea。Thevoyageronthisoccasionwasold,andthisbroughttomymindthecuriousfactthatI
hadobservedfewchildreninthecity,andnoelders,all,exceptperhapsHath,beinginastateofsleekyouthfulness。
MynewfriendexplainedthepeculiaritybydeclaringMar—
tiansripenedwithextraordinaryrapidityfrominfancytotheequivalentofabouttwenty—fiveyearsofage,withus,andthenremainedatthatperiodhoweverlongtheymightlive;Onlywhentheydieddidtheiraccumulatedseasonscomeuponthem;thegirlturningpale,andwringingherpret—
tyhandsinsympatheticconcernwhenItoldhertherewasalandwheredecrepitudewasnotsohappilypostponed。TheMartians,shesaid,arrangedtheircalendarbythevaryingcoloursoftheseasons,andlovedblueasanantidotetothegenerallyredandrustycharacteroftheirsoil。
Discussingsuchthingsasthesewelightlysquanderedthedayaway,andIknowofnothingmoretonoteuntiltheeveningwascomeagain:thatwonderfulpurpleeveningwhichcreepsovertheouterworldsatsunset,aseductivedarknessgemmedwithtenthousandstarsridingsolowintheheaventheyseemscarcelymorethanmasthigh。Whenthathourwascomemyfriendtiptoedagaintomycheek,andthen,pointingtothepalaceandlaughinglyhopingfatewouldsendmeabride\"assoftascatkinandassweetashoney,\"slippedawayintothedarkness。
ThenIrememberedallonasuddenthiswasthecon—
nubialeveningofmysprightlyfriends——theoccasionwhen,asAnhadtoldme,theGovernmentconstituteditselfintoagiganticmatrimonialagency,and,withthecheerfulcare—
lessnessoftheplace,shuffledthematrimonialpackanew,anddealtafreshhandtoalltheplayers。NowIhadnowishtoavailmyselfofasailor’sprivilegeofabrideineveryport,butsurelythisgamewouldbeinterestingenoughtosee,evenifIwerebutadisinterestedspectator。AsamatteroffactIwassomethingmorethanthat,andhadbeenthinkingagooddealofHeruduringtheday。IdonotknowwhetherIactuallyaspiredtoherhand——thatwerealargeorder,eveniftherehadbeennosuspicioninmymindshewasalreadybespokeinsomevaguewaybytheinvisibleHath,mostabortiveofprinces。Butshewasundeniablyalovelygirl;themoreonethoughtofherthemoreshegrewuponthefancy,andthenthepreferenceshehadshownmyselfwasverygratifying。Yes,Iwouldcertainlyseethisquaintceremonial,evenifItooknoleadingpartinit。
ThegreatcentrehallofthepalacewasfullofaradiantlightbringingupitsruinedcolumnsandintrudingcreeperstothebesteffectwhenIentered。Dinneralsowasjustbeingserved,astheywouldsayinanother,andalas!verydistantplace,andthewholebuildingthrongedwithfolk。
Downthecentrelowtableswithroomforfourhundredpeoplewereranged,buttheylookedquaintenoughsincebuttwohundredweresittingthere,allbrand—newbachelorsabouttobeturnedintobrandnewBenedicts,andtakingitmightilycalmlyitseemed。Acrossthehall—topwasaraisedtablesimilarlyarrangedandornamented;andenteringintothespiritofthething,andlittleguessinghowsternarealitywastocomefromtheevening,Isatdowninavacantplaceneartothedais,andonlyafewpacesfromwherethepale,ghost—eyedHathwasalreadyseated。
Almostimmediatelyafterwardsmusicbegantobuzzallaboutthehall——musicofthekindthepeoplelovedwhichalwaysseemedtomeasthoughitwereexudingfromthetablesandbenches,sodisembodiedanddifficultitwastolocate;allthesleepygallantsraisedtheirflower—encircledheadsatthesametime,seizingtheirwine—cups,alreadyfilledtothebrim,andthedooratthebottomofthehallopening,theladies,precededbyonecarryingamysteriousvasecoveredwithaglitteringcloth,camein。
Now,beingsomewhatthirsty,Ihadalreadydrunkhalfthewineinmybeaker,andwhetheritwasthatdraught,druggedasallMartianwinesare,orthesheerlovelinessofthemaidsthemselves,Icannotsay,butastheprocessionentered,and,dividing,circledroundunderthecolonnadesofthehall,asensationofextraordinaryfelicitycameoverme——anemotionofdivinecontentmentpurgedofallgross—
ness——andIstaredandstaredatthecirclingloveliness,gos—
samer—clad,flower—girdled,trippingbymewithvapidde—
light。Eitherthewinewasbuddinginmyhead,ortherewaslittletochoosefromamongstthem,forhadanyofthoseladiessatdowninthevacantplacebesideme,Ishouldcertainlyhaveacceptedherasagiftfromheaven,withoutquestionorcavil。Butoneafteranothertheyslippedby,modestlytakingtheirplacesintheshadowsuntilatlastcamePrincessHeru,andatthesightofhermysoulwasstirred。
Shecameundulatingoverthewhitemarble,thelovelinessofherfairypersondimmedbutscarcelyhiddenbyarobeofsoftestlawnincolourlikerose—petals,hereyesaglitterwithexcitementandacharmingblushuponherface。
Shecamestraightuptome,and,restingadaintyhanduponmyshoulder,whispered,\"Areyoucomeasaspectatoronly,dearMr。Jones,ordoyoujoininourcustomtonight?\"
\"Icameonlyasabystander,lady,butthefascinationoftheopportunityisdeadly——\"
\"Andhaveyouanypreference?\"——thisinthesoftestlittlevoicefromsomewhereinthenapeofmyneck。\"StrangerssometimessaytherearefairwomeninSeth。\"
\"None——tillyoucame;andnow,aswassaidalongtimeago,’AllisdrossthatisnotHelen。’Dearestlady,\"Iranon,detainingherbythefingertipsandgazingupintothoseshyandstar—likeeyes,\"mustIindeedputallthehopesyourkindnesshasrousedinmetheselastfewdaystoashuffleinyonderurn,takingmychancewithalltheselazyfellows?InthatlandwhereofIwas,wewouldnothavehaditso,weloadedourdiceinthesematters,astrongmantheremighthaveawillingmaidthoughallheavenweresetagainsthim!Butgivemeleave,sweetlady,andIwillrufflewiththesefellows;givemeaglanceandIwillbartermylifeforyourbilletwhenitisdrawn,buttostandidlybyandseeyouwonbyacoldchance,Icannotdoit。\"
Thatladylaughedalittleandsaid,\"Menmakelaws,dearJones,forwomentokeep。Itistherule,andwemustnotbreakit。\"Then,gentlytuggingatherimprisonedfingersandgatheringupherskirtstogo,sheadded,\"Butitmighthappenthatwitherewerebetterthansword。\"Thenshehesitated,andfreeingherselfatlastslippedfrommyside,yetbeforeshewasquitegonehalfturnedagainandwhisperedsolowthatnoonebutIcouldhearit,\"A
goldenpool,andasilverfish,andalinenothickerthanahair!\"andbeforeIcouldbegameaningofher,hadpasseddownthehallandtakenaplacewiththeotherexpectantdamsels。
\"Agoldenpool,\"Isaidtomyself,\"asilverfish,andalineofhair。\"Whatcouldshemean?Yetthatshemeantsomething,andsomethingclearlyofimportance,Icouldnotdoubt。\"Agoldenpool,andasilverfish——\"Iburiedmychininmychestandthoughtdeeplybutwithouteffectwhilethepreparationsweremadeandthefatefulurn,eachmaidhavingslippedhernametabletwithin,wasbroughtdowntous,coveredinabeautifulwebofrose—colouredtissue,andcommenceditsround,passingslowlyfromhandtohandaseachofthosehandsome,impassive,fawn—eyedgallantsliftedacornerofthewebinturnandhelpedthemselvestofate。
\"Agoldenpool,\"Imuttered,\"andasilverfish\"——soab—
sorbedinmyownthoughtsIhardlynoticedthegreatcupbeginitsjourney,butwhenithadgonethreeorfourplacestheglitterofthelightsuponitcaughtmyeye。Itwasofpuregold,round—brimmed,andcircledaboutwithastringoftheblueconvolvulus,whichimpliesdelighttothesepeople。Ay!andeachmanwasplunginghishandintothedarkandtakinginhisturnasmallnotch—edgedmother—of—
pearlbilletfromitthatflashedsoftandsilveryasheturneditinhishandtoreadthenameengravedinunknowncharactersthereon。\"Why,\"Isaid,withastart,\"surelyTHISmightbethegoldenpoolandthesethesilverfish——
butthehair—fineline?AndagainImeditateddeeply,withallmysensesonthewatch。
Slowlytheurncreptround,andaseachmantookaticketfromit,andpassedit,smiling,totheseneschalbehindhim,thatofficialreadoutthenameuponit,andablushingdamselslippedfromthecrowdabove,crossingovertothesideofthemanwithwhomchancehadthuslightlylinkedherforthebriefMartianyear,andputtingherhandsinhistheykissedbeforeallthecompany,andsatdowntotheirplacesatthetableascalmlyascountryfolkmightchoosepartnersatavillagefairinhay—time。
Butnotsowithme。EachtimeanamewascalledI
startedandstaredatthedrawerinawaywhichshouldhavefilledhimwithalarmhadalarmbeenpossibletothepeace—soakedtriflers,thenturnedtoglancetowhere,amongstthewomen,mytenderlittleprincesswasleaningagainstapillar,withdroopinghead,slowlypullingacon—
volvulusbudtopieces。Nonedrew,thoughallwerethinkingofher,asIcouldtellinmyfingertips。Keenerandkeenergrewthesuspenseasnameafternamewastoldandeachslimwhitedamselskippedtotheplaceallottedher。AndallthetimeIkeptmutteringtomyselfaboutthat\"goldenpool,\"
wonderingandwonderinguntiltheurnhadpassedhalfroundthetablesandwasonlysomethreemenupfromme——andthenanideaflashedacrossmymind。Idippedmyfingersinthescentedwater—basinonthetable,dryingthemcarefullyonanapkin,andwaiting,outwardlyascalmasany,yetinwardlywrungbythosetremorswhichbesetallmalecreationinsuchcircumstances。
Andnowatlastitwasmyturn。Thegreaturn,blazinggolden,throughitsrosycovering,wasinfront,andalleyesonme。IclappedasunburnthanduponitstopasthoughIwouldtakeallremaininginittomyselfandstaredroundatthatcompany——onlyherherselfIdurstnotlookat!Then,withabeatingheart,Iliftedacornerofthewebandslippedmyhandintothedarkinside,mutteringtomyselfasIdidso,\"Agoldenpool,andasilverfish,andalinenothickerthanahair。\"Itouchedinturntwentyperplexingtabletsandwasnowhitthewiser,andfeltaboutthesidesyetcametonothing,gropinghereandtherewitharisingdespair,untilasmyfingers,stilldampandfineoftouch,wentroundthesidesasecondtime,yes!therewassome—
thing,somethinginthehollowofthefluting,athought,athread,andyetenough。Itookitunseen,liftingitwithin—
finiteforbearance,andtheendwasweighted,theothertabletsslippedandrattledasfromtheirmidst,hangingtothatonefinevirginhair,upcameapearlybillet。Idoubtednolonger,butsnappedthethread,andshowedthetablet,heardHeru’sname,readfromitamongstthesoftapplauseofthatluxuriouscompanywithalltheunconcernIcouldmuster。
Thereshewasinamoment,liptolipwithme,beforethemall,hereyesmorethaneverlikeplanetsfromhernativeskies,andonlythequickheaveofherbosom,slowlysubsidinglikeagroundswellafterastorm,remainingtotellthatevenMartianbloodcouldsometimesbeatquickerthanusual!Shesatdowninherplacebymeinthesimplestway,andsooneverythingwasasmerryascouldbe。Themainmealcameonnow,andasfarasIcouldseethoseMartiangallantshadextremelygoodappetites,thoughtheydrankatfirstbutlittle,wiselyrememberingthestrengthoftheirwines。Asforme,Iateoffishesthatneverswaminearthlyseas,andofstrangefowlthatneverflappedawaythroughthickterrestrialair,ateanddrankashappyasaking,andfallingeachmomentmoreandmoreinlovewiththewonderfullybeautifulgirlatmysidewhowasarealwomanoffleshandbloodIknew,yetsomehowsodainty,sopinkandwhite,sounlikeothergirlsinthesmoothnessofheroutlines,inthesubtlegraceofeachunthinkingattitude,thatagainandagainIlookedatherovertherimofmytankardhalffearingshemightdissolveintonothing,beingthehalf—fairywhichshewas。
Presentlysheasked,\"Didthatdeedofmine,thehairintheurn,offendyou,stranger?\"
\"Offendme,lady!\"Ilaughed。\"Why,haditbeentheblackestcrimethatevercameoutofaperverseimaginationitwouldhavebroughtitsownpardonwithit;I,leastofallinthisroom,haveleastcausetobeoffended。\"
\"Iriskedmuchforyouandbrokeourrules。\"
\"Why,nodoubtthatwasso,but’tistheprivilegeofyourkindtohavesomesayinthislittlematterofgivingandtakinginmarriage。IonlymarvelthatyourcountrywomensubmitsotamelytothequaintestgameofchanceIeverplayedat。
\"Ay,anditiswomen’snaturenodoubttokeepthelawswhichothersmake,asyouhavesaidyourself。Yetthisrule,lady,isonebrokenwithmorecreditthankept,andifyouhaveoffendednoonemorethanme,yourpenanceiseasilydone。\"
\"ButIhaveoffendedsomeone,\"shesaid,layingherhandonminewithgentlenervousnessinitstouch,\"onewhohasthepowertohurt,andenoughenergytoresent。Hath,upthereatthecross—table,haveIoffendeddeeplytonight,forhehopedtohaveme,andwouldhavecompelledanyothermantobartermeforthemaidchanceassignedtohim;butofyou,somehow,heisafraid——Ihaveseenhimstaringatyou,andchangingcolourasthoughheknewsomethingnooneelseknows——\"
\"Briefly,charminggirl,\"Isaid,forthewinewasbe—
ginningtosinginmyhead,andmyeyeswereblinkingstupidly——\"briefly,Hathhaththeenot,andthere’sanendofit。IwouldspitascoreofHaths,asthesefigsarespitonthisgoldenskewer,beforeIwouldrelinquishahairofyourheadtohim,ortoanyman,\"andaseverythingaboutthegreathallbegantolookgauzyandunrealthroughthegatheringfumesofmyconfusion,Ismiledonthatgraciouslady,andbegantowhisperIknownotwhattoher,andwhisperanddoze,anddoze——
Iknownothowlongafterwardsitwas,whetheraminuteoranhour,butwhenIliftedmyheadsuddenlyfromthelady’sshoulderalltheplacewasinconfusion,everyoneupontheirfeet,thetalkandthedrinkingceased,andalleyesturnedtothefardoorwaywherethecurtainswerejustdroppingagainasIlooked,whileinfrontofthemwerestandingthreemen。
Thesenewcomerswereutterlyunlikeanyothers——afright—
fulvisionofuglystrengthamidstthelollinglovelinessallabout。Lowofstature,broadofshoulder,hairy,deep—chest—
ed,withsharp,twinklingeyes,setfarbackunderbushyeyebrows,retreatingforeheads,andflatnosesinfacestan—
nedtoaduskycopperhuebyexposuretoeverykindofweatherthatrackstheextremeMartianclimatetheyweresooppositetoallaboutme,soquaintandgrimamongstthosemild,fair—skinnedfolk,thatatfirstIthoughttheywerebutadisorderedcreationofmyfancy。
Irubbedmyeyesandstaredandblinked,butno!theywererealmen,offleshandblood,andnowtheyhadcomedownwithasmuchstatelinessastheirbandylegswouldadmitof,intothefullglareofthelightstothecentretablewhereHathsat。Isawtheirsplendidapparel,thegreatstringsofrudelypolishedgemshungroundtheirhairynecksandwrists,thecunninglydyedskinsofsoft—furredanimals,greenandredandblack,wherewiththeirlimbswereswathed,andthenIheardsomeonebymewhisperinafrightenedtone,\"Theenvoysfromoverseas。\"
\"Oh,\"Ithoughtsleepilytomyself,\"sothesearetheape—menofthewesternwoods,arethey?Thosewholongagovanquishedmywhite—skinnedfriendsandyearlycometoclaimtheirtribute。Jove,whathaytheymusthavemadeofthem!Howthosepeach—skinnedgirlsmusthavescreamedandthedownystriplingsbythemfelttheirdimpledkneesknocktogether,asthemadfloodofbarbarianscamepour—
ingoverfromtheforest,andlongagostormedtheircit—
adelslikeastreamofredlava,asdeadly,asirresistible,asremorseless!\"AndIlayasprawluponmyarmsonthetablewatchingthemwiththestupidindifferenceIthoughtIcouldsowellafford。
MeanwhileHathwasonfoot,paleandobsequiouslikeothersinthepresenceofthosedreadambassadors,butmorecollected,Ithought。Withthedeepestbowshewelcomedthem,handingthemdrinkinagoldenStatecup,andwhentheyhaddrunk(Iheardtheliquorrunningdowntheirgreatthroats,inthefrightenedhush,likewaterinarunnelonawetday),theywipedtheirfiercelipsupontheirfurrysleeves,andtheleaderbeganrecitingthetributefortheyear。Somuchcorn,somuchwine——andverymuchitwas——somanythousandsellsofclothandwebbing,andsomuchhammeredgold,andsinahandlar,preciousmetalofwhichIknewnothingasyet;andeverashewentgrowl—
ingthroughthelistinhisharshanimalvoice,herefreshedhismemorywithacolouredstickwhereonanotchwasmadeforeveryitem,thewoodmennothavingcomeasyet,apparently,tothegentlerartofwrittensignsandsymbols。Longerandlongerthatcaravanofunearnedwealthstretchedoutbeforemyfancy,butatlastitwasdone,orallbutdone,andtheheadenvoy,passingthepaintedsticktoamanbehind,foldedhisbare,sinewyarms,uponwhichtheredfellbristlesasitdoesuponagorilla’s,acrosshisamplechest,and,includingusallinonegeneralscowl,turnedtoHathashesaid——
\"AllthisforAr—hap,thewood—king,mymasterandyours;
allthis,andthemostbeautifulwomanheretonightatyourtables!\"
\"Anitem,\"Ismiledstupidlytomyself,forindeedIwasverysleepyandhadnoniceperceptionofthings,\"whichshowshismajestywiththetwo—prongednameisajollyfellowafterall,andknowswealthisincompletewithoutthecrownandprimingofallriches。IwonderhowtheMartianboyswilllikethispostscript,\"andchinonhand,andeyesthatwouldhardlystayopen,Iwatchedtoseewhatwouldhappennext。Therewasalittleconversationbetweentheprinceandtheape—man;thenIsawHaththetraitorpointinmydirectionandsay——
\"Sinceyouaskandwillbeadvised,then,mightysir,therecanbenodoubtofit,themostbeautifulwomanheretonightisundoubtedlyshewhositsyonderbyhiminblue。\"
\"Averyprettycompliment!\"Ithought,toodulltoseewhatwascomingquickly,\"andhandsomeofHath,allthingsconsidered。\"
AndsoIdozedanddozed,andthenstarted,andstared!
WasIinmysenses?WasImad,ordreaming?Thedrunk—
ennessdroppedfrommelikeamantle;withasingle,smotheredcryIcametomyselfandsawthatitwasalltootrue。ThesavageenvoyhadcomedownthehallatHath’svindictiveprompting,hadliftedmyfairgirltoherfeet,andthere,evenasIlooked,haddrawnher,whiteasdeath,intotheredcircleofhisarm,andwithonehandunderherchinhadraisedhersweetfacetowithinaninchofhis,andwasstaringatherwithsmall,uglyeyes。
\"Yes,\"saidtheenjoy,moreinterestedlythanhehadspokenyet,\"itwilldo;thetributeisaccepted——forAr—
hap,mymaster!\"AndtakingshrinkingHerubythewrist,andlayingaheavyhanduponhershoulder,hewasabouttoleadherupthehall。
Iwassoberenoughthen。Iwasonfootinaninstant,andbeforealltheglitteringcompany,beforethosesimperinggirlsandpaleMartianyouths,whosatmumblingtheirfingers,toofrightenedtolifttheireyesfromofftheirhalf—finisheddinners,Isprangattheenvoy。Istruckhimwithmyclenchedfistonthesideofhisbullethead,andheletgoofHeru,whoslippedinsensiblefromhishairychestlikeawhitecloudslippingdowntheslopesofahillatsunrise,andturnedonmewithasnortofrage。Westaredateachotherforaminute,andthenIfeltthewinefumesroaringinmyhead;I
rushedathimandclosed。Itwaslikeembracingamoun—
tainbull,andherespondedwithahugthatmademyribscrackle。Foraminutewewerelockedtogetherlikethat,swinginghereandthere,andthengettingahandloose,I
belabouredhimsounmercifullythatheputhisheaddown,andthatwaswhatIwanted。Igotanewholdofhimaswestaggeredandplunged,roaringthewhilelikethewildbeastswewere,theteethchatteringintheMartianheadsastheywatchedus,andthen,exertingallmystrength,liftedhimfairlyfromhisfeetandwithsupremeeffortswunghimup,shoulderhigh,andwithamightyheavehurledhimacrossthetables,flungthatambassador,whomnoMartiandaredlookupon,crashingandsprawlingthroughthegoldandsilverofthefeast,whirledhimroundwithsuchasplendidsendthatbenchandtrestle,tankardsandflagons,chairsandclothsandcandelabrasallwentdownintothunderingchaoswithhim,andtheenvoyonlystayedwhenhissacredpersoncametoharbouramongstthewestraloddsandends,thesoiledlinen,anddirtyplattersofourweddingfeast。
Irememberseeinghimthereonhandsandknees,andthentheliquorIhadhadwouldnotbedenied。InvainIdrewmyhandsacrossmydroopingeyelids,invainItriedtomastermykneesthatknockedtogether。Thespellofthelove—drinkthatHeru,blushing,hadheldtomylipswasonme。Itssoft,overwhelminginfluenceroselikeaprismaticfogbetweenmeandmyenemy,everythingagainbecamehazyanddreamlike,andfeeblycallingonHeru,mychindroppeduponmychest,mylimbsrelaxed,andIslippeddownindrowsyoblivionbeforemyrival。
CHAPTERVIII
Theymusthavecarriedme,stillundertheinfluenceofwinefumes,tothechamberwhereIsleptthatnight,forwhenIwokethefollowingmorningmysurroundingswerefamiliarenough,thoughagloriousmazeofuncertaintiesrockedtoandfroinmymind。
Wasitarealfeastwehadsharedinovernight,oronlyaquaintdream?WasHerurealoronlyalovelyfancy?Andthosehairyruffiansofwhomahorriblevisiondancedbeforemywakingeyes,weretheyfancytoo?No,mywristsstillachedwiththestrainofthetussle,thequaint,sadwinetastewasstillonmylips——itwasallrealenough,Idecided,startingupinbed;andifitwasrealwherewasthelittleprincess?Whathadtheydonewithher?Surelytheyhadnotgivenhertotheape—men——cowardsthoughtheyweretheycouldnothavebeencowardsenoughforthat。AndasIwonderedakeen,brightpictureofthehaplessmaidasIsawherlastblossomedbeforemymind’seye,theam—
bassadorsoneithersideholdingherwrists,andsheshrink—
ingfromtheminhorrorwhileherpoor,whitefaceturnedtomeforrescueindesperatepleading——oh!Imustfindheratallcosts;andleapingfrombedIsnatchedupthosetrouserswithoutwhichthebestofheroesisnothing,andhadhardlygotintothemwhentherecamethepatteroflightfeetwithoutandaMartian,inahurryforonce,withhalfadozenothersbehindhim,sweptasidethecurtainsofmydoorway。
Theypeepedandpeeredallabouttheroom,thenonesaid,\"IsPrincessHeruwithyou,sir?\"
\"No,\"Iansweredroughly。\"Saintsalive,man,doyouthinkIwouldhaveyoutumblinginhereovereachother’sheelsifshewere?\"
\"ThenitmustindeedhavebeenHeru,\"hesaid,speak—
inginanawedvoicetohisfellows,\"whomwesawcarrieddowntotheharbouratdaybreakbyyonderwoodmen,\"andthepinkupontheirprettycheeksfadedtonothingatthesuggestion。
\"What!\"Iroared,\"Herutakenfromthepalacebyahandfulofmenandnoneofyouinfernalrascals——noneofyouwhite—liveredabortionsliftedahandtosaveher——curseonyouathousandtimes。Outofmyway,youchurls!\"AndsnatchingupcoatandhatandswordIrushedfuriouslydownthelong,marblestairsjustastheshortMartiannightwasgivingplacetolavender—colouredlightofmorning。I
foundmywaysomehowdownthedesertedcorridorswheretheairwasheavywitharomaticvapours;Iflewbycur—
tainednichesandchamberswhereamongstmoundsofhalf—
witheredflowerstheMartianloverswereslowlywaking。
DownintothebanquethallIsped,andthereinthetwilightwasthelitterofthefeaststillabout——goldcupsandsilver,brokenbreadandmeat,theconvolvulusflowersallturningtheirpallidfacestotherosydaylight,makingpoolsofbrightnessbetweentheshadows。Amongstthelitterlittlesapphire—colouredfincheswerefeeding,twitteringmerrilytothemselvesastheyhoppedabout,andhereandtheredownthelongtableslayasprawlabelatedreveller,hisemptyoblivion—phialbeforehim,hiscurlyheaduponhisarms,dreamingperhapsoflastnight’sfeastandaneglectedbridedozingdispassionateinsomedistantchamber。ButHeruwasnotthereandlittleIcaredfortwitteringfinchesorsighingdamsels。WithhastyfeetIrusheddownthehalloutintothecool,sweetairoftheplanetmorning。
ThereImetonewhomIknew,andhetoldmehehadbeenamongthecrowdandhadheardthewoodmenhadgonenofartherthantherivergate,thatHeruwaswiththembeyondadoubt。Iwouldnotlistentomore。\"Good!\"I
shouted。\"Getmeahorseandjustahandfulofyoursleekkindredandwewillpulltheprizefromthebear’spawevenyet!Surely,\"Isaid,turningtoaknotofMartianyouthswhostoodlisteningafewstepsaway,\"surelysomeofyouwillcomewithmeatthispinch?Thebigbulliesareveryfew;thesearunsbehindthem;themaidintheirclutchisworthfightingfor;itneedsbutonegoodonset,fiveminutes’gallantry,andsheisoursagain。Thinkhowfineitwilllooktobringherbackbeforeyonsleepyfellowshavefoundtheirweapons。You,there,withthebluetunic!youlookaproperfellow,andsomethingofaheartshouldbeatundersuchgaywrappings,willyoucomewithme?\"
Butblue—mantle,bitinghisthumbs,murmuredhehadnotbreakfastedyetandedgedawaybehindhiscom—
panions。WhereverIlookedeyesdroppedandtimidhandsfidgetedastheirownersbackedofffrommydangerousen—
thusiasm。Therewasobviouslynohelptobehadfromthem,andmeantimethepreciousmomentswereflying,sowithadisdainfulglanceIturnedonmyheelsandsetoffaloneashardasIcouldgofortheharbour。
Butitwastoolate。Irushedthroughthemarketplacewhereallwassilentanddeserted;IranontothewharvesbeyondandtheywereemptysaveforthelitterandembersofthefiresAr—hap’smenhadmadeduringtheirstay;Idashedouttothelanding—place,andthereatthehythethelastboat—
loadsofthevillainswerejustembarking,twoboatloadsofthemtwentyyardsfromshore,andanotherstilluponthebeach。Thislatterwascareeningoverasaduskygroupofmenliftedaboardtoaheapoftumbledsilksandstuffsinthesternsuchasweetpieceofinsensiblemerchandiseasnoman,Iatleastofall,couldmistake。ItwasHeruher—
self,andtherogueswereladlingheronboardlikesomuchsandal—woodorcottonsheeting。Ididnotwaitformore,butoutcamemysword,andyieldingtoarecklessimpulse,forwhichperhapslastnight’swinewasasmuchtoblameasanything,Isprangdownthestepsandleaptaboardoftheboatjustasitwaspushedoffupontheswifttide。FullofBersarkrage,Icutonebrawnycopper—colouredthiefdown,andstruckanotherwithmyfistbetweentheeyessothathewentheadlongintothewater,sinkinglikelead,anddeepintothegreattargetofhisneighbour’schestIdrovemyblade。Hadtherebeenamanbesideme,hadtherebeenbuttwoorthreeofallthosesilkentriflers,toolatecomeontheterracesabovetowatch,wemighthavewon。ButallalonewhatcouldIdo?Thatlastredbeastturnedonmyblade,andashefelldraggedmehalfdownwithhim。I
staggeredup,andtuggingthemetalfromhimturnedonthenext。
Atthatmomentthecauseofalltheturmoil,rousedbythefighting,cametoherself,andsittinguponthepiledplunderintheboatstaredroundforamomentwithachild—
ishhorroratthebarbarianswhoseprizeshewas,thenatme,thenatthedeadmanatmyfeetwhosebloodwaswellinginaredtidefromthewoundinhisbreast。Asthefullmeaningofthescenedawneduponhershestartedtoherfeet,lookingwonderfullybeautifulamongstthoseduskyforms,andextendingherhandstomebegantocryinthemostpiteousway。Isprangforward,andasIdidsosawanape—
manclaphishairypawoverhermouthandface——itwaslikeaneclipseofthemoonbyaredearth—shadow,I
thoughtatthemoment——anddragherroughlyback,butthatwasaboutthelastIremembered。AsIturnedtohithimstandingontheslipperythwart,anotherroguecreptupbehindandletdrivewithaclubhehadinhand。Thecud—
gelcaughtmesidewaysonthehead,aglancingshot。I
canrecallablazeoflight,astrangemedleyofsoundsinmyears,andthen,clutchingatapileofstuffsasIfell,atallbowerofsprayrisingoneitherhand,andthecoolshockoftheblueseaasIplungedheadlongin——butnoth—
ingafterthat!
HowlongafterIknownot,butpresentlyatissueofday—
lightcreptintomyeyes,andIawokeagain。Itwasbetterthannothingperhaps,yetitwasapoorawakening。Thebigsunlaylowdown,andthedaywasallbutdone;somuchIguessedasIrockedinthatlightwithanundulatingmovement,andthenasmysensesreturnedmorefully,recognisedwithastartofwonderthatIwasstillinthewater,floatingonaswiftcurrentintotheunknownonanair—filledpileofsilkenstuffswhichhadbeenpulleddownwithmefromtheboatwhenIgotmygangingfromyonderrascal’smace。Itwasawetcouch,soddenandchilly,butasthefresheningeveningwindblewonmyfaceandthedark—
eningwaterlappedagainstmyforeheadIrevivedmorefully。
Wherehadwecometo?Iturnedanachingneck,andallalongonbothsidesseemedtostretchsteep,straightcoastsaboutamileorsoapart,intheshadowofthesettingsunblackasebony。Betweenthetwothehamperedwaterranquickly,with,awayontheright,someshallowsandyspitsandislandscoveredwithdwarfbushes——chilly,inhospitable—
lookingplacestheyseemedasIturnedmyeyesuponthem;
buthewhorideshelplessdownaneveningtidestandsoutfornogreatnicetiesoflanding—place;couldIbutreachthemtheywouldmakeatleastadrierbedthanthisofmine,andatthatthought,turningover,Ifoundallmymusclesasstiffasiron,thesinewsofmyneckandforearmsamassofagoniesandnomorefittoswimmetothosereedyswamps,whichnow,aspainandhungerbegantotell,seemedtoweartheaspectsofparadise。
WithagroanIdroppedbackuponmyraftandwatchedtheislandsslippingby,whileovermyfeetthesouthernskydarkenedtopurple。Therewasnohelpthere,butglanc—
ingroundawayontheleftandafewfurlongsfromme,I
noticedonthesurfaceofthewatertwoconvergingstrandsofbrightness,ananglethepointofwhichseemedtobecomingtowardsme。Neareritcameandnearer,rightacrossmyroad,untilIcouldseeablackdotatthepoint,aheadpresentlydeveloped,thenasweapproachedtheearsandantlersofaswimmingstag。Itwasahugebeastasitloomedupagainsttheglow,biggerthananymortalstageverwas——thekindoffellow—travellernoonewouldwillinglyaccost,butevenifIhadwishedtogetoutofitspathI
hadnopowertodoso。