Closerandcloserwecame，oneofusdriftinghelplessly，andtheotherswimmingstronglyfortheislands。Whenwewereaboutafurlongapartthegreatbeastseemedtochangeitscourse，mayhapittookthewreckageonwhichIfloatedforanoutlyingshoal，somethingonwhichitcouldrestaspaceinthatlongswim。Bethisasitmay，thebeastcamehurtlingdownonmelipdeepinthewaves，amightybrownheadwithprickedearsthatflickedthewaterfromthemnowandthen，smallbrighteyessetfarback，andwidepalmatedantlersonamightyforehead，likethedeadbranchesofatree。WhatthatMartianmountainelkhadhopedforcanonlybeguessed，whathemetwithwasatangleoffloatingfinerycarryinganumbedtravelleronit，andwithasnortofdisappointmentheturnedagain。
Itwasapoorchance，butbetterthannothing，andasheturnedItriedtothrowastrandofsilkIhadunwoundfromthesoddenmassoverhisbranchingtines。Quickasthoughtthebeasttwistedhisheadasideandtossedhisantlerssothatthetrywasfruitless。ButwasItolosemyonlychanceofshore？WithallmystrengthIhurledmyselfuponhim，missingmyclutchagainbyahair’s—breadthandgoinghead—
longintothesaltfurrowhischestwasturningup。HappilyIkeptholdoftheweb，forthegreatelkthenturnedback，passingbetweenmeandtheruckofstuffandgettingtherebythesilkunderhischin，andasIcamegaspingtothetoponcemoreroundcamethatdaintywreckageoverhisback，andIclutchedit，andsoonerthanittakestotellIwastowingtotheshoreasperhapsnoonewasevertowedbefore。
Thebigbeastdraggedtherucklikewitheredweedbe—
hindhim，bellowingallthetimewithavoicewhichmadethehillsechoallround；andthen，whenhegothisfeetupontheshallows，rosedrippingandmountainous，averycliffofblackhideandlimbagainstthenightshine，andwithasinglesweepofhisantlerstorethewebbingfromme，wholayproneandbreathlessinthemud，and，thinkingitwashisenemy，hurledthelimpbundleonthebeach，andthen，havingpoundeditwithhisclovenfeetintoformlessshreds，bellowedagainvictoriouslyandwentoffintothedark—
nessoftheforests。
CHAPTERIX
Ilanded，stiffenoughasyouwillguess，butpleasedtobeonshoreagain。Itwasamelancholyneighbourhoodoflowislands，overgrownwithrankgrassandbushes，saltwaterencirclingthem，andinsidesandydunesandhummockswithshallowpools，gleamingghostlyintheretreatingdaylight，whilebeyondtheserosetheblackbossesofwhatlookedlikeaforest。ThitherImademyway，plunginguncomfortablythroughshallows，andtrippingoverblackenedbrancheswhich，lyingjustbelowthesurface，quiveredlikesnakesastheeveningbreezeruffledeachsurface，untilthegroundhardenedunderfoot，andpresentlyIwasstanding，hungryandfaintbutsafe，ondrylandagain。
Theforestwassoclosetothesea，onecouldnotadvancewithoutenteringit，andoncewithinitsdarkarcadeseverywaylookedequallygloomyandhopeless。Istruggledthroughtanglesnightmademoreandmoreimpenetrableeachmin—
ute，untilpresentlyIcouldgonofurther，andwhereadensecanopyoftreesoverheadgaveoutforaminuteontheedgeofaswampyhollow，Ideterminedtowaitfordaylight。
Neverwasthereamorewetorwearytraveller，oronemoredesperatelylonelythanhewhowrappedhimselfupinthemiserableinsufficiencyofhiswetrags，andwithoutfireorsuppercreptamongsttheexposedrootsofatreegrowingoutofabank，andpreparedtohopegrimlyformorning。
Roundandroundmeanwhilewasdrawntheclosescreenofnight，tilltheclearinginfrontwasblottedout，andonlythetree—tops，blackasruggedhillsonebehindtheother，stoodoutagainsttheheavypurpleofthecircletofskyabove。Astheeveningdeepenedthequaintestnoisesbeganoneveryhand——noisessostrangeandbewilderingthatasI
cowereddownwithmyteethchattering，andstaredhardintotheimpenetrable，theycouldbelikenedtonothingbutthecryingofallthesoulsofdeadthingssincethebeginning。
NeverwastheresuchaninfernalchorusasthatwhichplayeduptheMartianstars。Downthereinfront，wherehummockgrasswasgrowing，somebeastsqueakedcontin—
uously，tillIshoutedathim，thenhestoppedaminute，andbeganagaininentirelyanothernote。AwayonthehillstworivalmonsterswerecallingtoeachotherintonessohollowtheyseemedasIlistenedtopenetratethroughme，andechooutofmyheartagain。Faroverhead，giganticbatswereflitting，theshadowoftheirwingsdimmingadozenuniversesatonce，andcryingtoeachotherinshrilltonesthatrenttheairliketearingsilk。
AsIlistenedtothosevampiresdiscussingtheirinfernallovesunderthestars，fromabranchrightoverheadbrokesuchadeathlyhowlfromthethroatofawanderingforestcatthateverythingelsewashushedforamoment。Allaboutamyriadinsectsweremakingnightgiddywiththeirghostlyfires，whileundergroundandfromthelabyrinthsofmat—
tedrootscamequaintsoundsofrustlingsnakesandforestpigs，andallthelesserthingsthatdigandscratchandgrowl。
YetIwasdesperatelysleepy，myswordhungheavyasleadatmyside，myeyelidsdrooped，andsoatlastIdozeduneasilyforanhourortwo。Then，allonasudden，Icamewideawakewithashock。Thenightwasquieternow；
awayintheforestdepthstrangenoisesstillarose，butcloseathandwasastrangehush，likethehushofexpecta—
tion，and，listeningwonderingly，Iwasawareofslow，heavyfootstepscomingupfromtheriver，nowtwoorthreestepstogether，thenapause，thenanothersteportwo，andasI
benttowardstheapproachingthing，staringintothedark—
ness，mystrainedsenseswereconsciousofanotherapproach，aslikeascouldbe，comingfrombehindme。Ontheycame，makingtheverygroundquakewiththeirweight，tillIjudgedthatbothwereaboutontheedgeoftheclearing，twovastrat—likeshadows，butasbigaselephants，andbringingamostintolerablesmellofsourslimewiththem。There，ontheedgeoftheamphitheatre，eachforthefirsttimeap—
pearedtobecomeawareoftheother’spresence——thefoot—
stepsstoppeddead。Icouldhearthewaterdrippingfromthefurofthosegiantbrutesamongsttheshadowsandthedeepbreathingoftheonenearestme，ascantytenpacesoff，butnotanothersoundinthestillness。
Minuteafterminutepassed，yetneithermoved。Ahalf—
hourgrewtoafullhour，andthathourlengthenedamidthekeenesttensiontillmyearsachedwithlistening，andmyeyesweresorewithstrainingintotheblackness。AtlastIbegantowonderwhetherthoseearth—shakingbeastshadnotbeenanevildream，andwasjustventuringtostretchoutacrampedleg，andrallymyselfuponmycowardice，when，withoutwarning，atmyelbowrosethemostear—
piercingscreamofragethatevercamefromalivingthroat。
TherewasasweepingrushinthedarknesswhichIcouldfeelbutnotsee，andwithashockthetwogladiatorsmetinthemidstofthearena。Overandovertheywentscreamingandstruggling，andslippingandplunging。Icouldhearthemtearingateachother，andthesharpcriesofpain，firstoneandthenanothergaveasclawortoothgothome，andallthetime，thoughthegroundwasquakingundertheirstrugglesandtheairfullofhorribleuproar，notathingwastobeseen。Ididnotevenknowwhatmannerofbeaststheywerewhorockedandrolledandtoreateachother’sthroats，butIheardtheirteethsnapping，andtheirfiercebreathinthepausesofthestruggle，andcouldbutwaitinahuddleamongsttherootsuntilitwasover。Toandfrotheywent，nowatthefarsideofthedarkclearing，nowsoclosethathotdropsofbloodfromtheirjawsfellonmyfacelikeraininthedarkness。Itseemedasthoughthefightwouldneverend，butpresentlytherewasmoreofworryinginitandlessofsnapping；itwasclearoneortheotherhadhadenoughandasImarkedthisthoseblackshad—
owscamegaspingandstrugglingtowardsme。Therewasasuddensharpcry，adesperatefinaltussle——beforewhichstrongtreessnappedandbusheswereflattenedoutlikegrass，nottwentyyardsaway——andthenforaminuteallwassilent。
Oneofthemhadkilled，andasIsatrootedtothespotI
wasforcedtolistenwhilehisenemytorehimupandatehim。ManyabanquethaveIbeenat，butneveranuglieronethanthat。Isatinthedarknesswhiletheunknownthingatmyfeetrippedthefleshfromhishalf—deadrivalinstrips，andacrossthedampnightwindcamethereekofthatabominablefeast——thereekofbloodandspilten—
trails——untilIturnedawaymyfaceinloathing，andwasnearlystartingtomyfeettoventurearushintotheforestshadows。ButIwasspellbound，andremainedlisteningtotheheavymunchofblood—stainedjawsuntilpresentlyIwasawareotherandlesserfeasterswerecoming。Therewasatwinkleofhungryeyesallaboutthelimitsofthearea，theshineofgreenpointsofenviousfirethatcircledroundindecreasingorbits，asthelittlefoxesandjackalscamecrowdingin。Onefellowtookmeforarock，sostillIsat，puttinghishot，softpawsuponmykneeforaspace，andotherspassedmesonearIcouldallbuttouchthem。
Thebigbeasthadtakenhimselfoffbythistime，andtheremusthavebeenseveralhundredsofthesenewcomers。
Amerrytimetheyhadofit；thewholeplacewasfullofthegreen，hurryingeyes，andamidstthesnapofteethandyappingandquarrellingIcouldhearthefleshbeingtornfromtheredbonesineverydirection。Onewolf—likeindividualbroughtamassofhotlivertoeatbetweenmyfeet，butI
gavehimakick，andsenthimawaymuchtohissurprise。
Gradually，however，thesoundofthisunholyfeastdiedaway，and，thoughyoumayhardlybelieveit，Ifelloffintoadoze。Itwasnotsleep，butitservedthepurpose，andwheninanhourortwoadraughtofcoolairrousedme，Iawoke，feelingmoremyselfagain。
Slowlymorningcame，andtheblackwallofforestaroundbecamefullofpurpleintersticesastheeastbrightened。Thoseglimmersoflightbetweenboughandtrunkturnedtoyellowandred，theday—shinepresentlystretchedlikeacanopyfrompointtopointofthetreetopsoneithersideofmysleeping—place，andIarose。
Allmylimbswerestiffwithcold，myveinsemptiedbyhungerandwounds，andforaspaceIhadnotevenstrengthtomove。Butalittlerubbingsoftenedmycrampedmusclespresentlyandlimpingpainfullydowntotheplaceofcombat，Isurveyedthetracesofthatmidnightfight。I
willnotdwelluponit。Itwasuglyandgrim；thetrampledgrass，thegiantfootmarks，eachenringingitspoolofcur—
dledblood；thebrokenbushes，thegroovedmud—slideswheretheunknownbruteshadslidindeadlyembrace；thehollows，thesplinteredboughs，theirraggedpointstuftedwithskinandhair——allwassickeningtome。YetsohungrywasIthatwhenIturnedtowardstheodiousremnantsofthevanquished——ashapelessmassofabomination——mythou—
ghtsflewatoncetobreakfasting！Iwentdownandin—
spectedthevictimcautiously——ahugerat—likebeastasfarasmightbejudgedfromthebareuprisingribs——allthatwasleftofhimlookingliketheframeworkofaschooneryacht。Hisheartlayamongsttheoffal，andmyknifecameouttocutamealfromit，butIcouldnotdoit。ThreetimesIessayedthetask，hungeranddisgustcontendingformastery；threetimesturnedbackinloathing。AtlastI
couldstandthesightnomore，and，slammingtheknifeupagain，turnedonmyheels，andfairlyranforfreshairandtheshore，wheretheseawasbeginningtoglimmerinthelightafewscoreyardsthroughtheforeststems。There，oncemoreoutontheopen，onapebblybeach，Istripped，spreadingmythingsouttodryonthestones，andlayingmyselfdownwiththelappingofthewavesinmyears，andthefirstyellowsunshinethawingmylimbs，triedtopiecetogetherthehurryingeventsofthelastfewdays。
WhatweremygayMartiansdoing？Lazydogstoletme，astranger，betheonlyonetodrawswordindefenceoftheirownprincess！WherewaspoorHeru，thatsweetmaidenwife？Thethoughtofherinthehandsoftheape—menwasodious。AndyetwasInotmadtotrytorescue，oreventofollowheralone？IfbyanychanceIcouldgetoffthisbeast—hauntedplaceandcatchupwiththeravishers，whathadItolookforfromthemexceptspeedyextinction，andthatlikelyenoughbythemostpainfulprocesstheywereacquaintedwith？
Theotheralternativeofgoingbackemptyhandedwasterriblyignominious。IhadlecturedtheamiableyoungmanhoodofSethsosoundlyonthesubjectofgallantry，andsetthemsuchagoodexampleontwooccasions，thatitwouldbebathostosaunterback，handsinpockets，andcon—
fessIknewnothingofthelady’sfateandhadbeendauntedbythefirstnightaloneintheforest。Besides，howdullitwouldbeinthatbeautiful，tumble—downoldcitywithoutHeru，withnoexpectationdaybydayofseeinghersylph—likeformandhearingthemerrytinkleofherfairylaughterasshescoffedattheunknownlearningcol—
lectedbyherancestorsinathousandlaboriousyears。No！
Iwouldgoonforcertain。Iwasyoung，inlove，andangry，andbeforethosequalificationsdifficultiesbecamelight。
Meanwhile，thefirstessentialwasbreakfastofsomekind。
Iarose，stretched，putonmyhalf—driedclothes，andmount—
ingalowhummockontheforestedgelookedaround。
Thesunwasridingupfinelyintothesky，andtheseatotheeastwardshoneforleaguesandleaguesintheloveliestazure。
Whereitrippledonmyownbeachandthoseofthelowislandsnotedovernight，awonderfulfireofblueandredplayedonthesandsasthoughthebrokenwaterwerefulloflivinggems。Theskywasfullofstrangegullswithlong，forkedtails，andalovelylittleflyinglizardwithtransparentwingsofthepalestgreen——likethoseofagrass—
hopper——wasflittingaboutpickingupinsectstragglers。
Allthiswasverycharming，butwhatIkeptsayingtomyselfwas\"Streakyrashersandhotcoffee：rashersandcoffeeandrolls，\"and，indeed，hadthegatesofParadisethemselvesopenedatthatmomentIfearmyfirstlookdownthecelestialstreetswithinwouldhavebeenforarestaurant。
Theydidnot，andIwasjustturningawaydisconsolatewhenmyeyecaught，ascendingfrombehindthenextbluffdownthebeach，athinstrandofsmokerisingintothemorningair。
Itwasnothingsomuchinitself——athinspiralcreepingupwardsmast—high，thenflatteningoutintoamushroomhead——butitmeanteverythingtome。Wheretherewasfiretheremustbehumanity，andwheretherewashuman—
ity——ay，totheveryoutlayersoftheuniverse——theremustbebreakfast。Itwasasplendidthought；Irusheddownthehillockandwentgailyforthatbluethreadamongstthereeds。Itwasnottwohundredyardsaway，andsoonbelowmewasatinybaywithbluestwaterfrillingasilverbeach，andinthemidstofitafireonahearthdancingroundapotthatsimmeredgloriously。Butofanownertherewasnothingtobeseen。Ipeeredhereandthereontheshore，butnothingmoved，whileouttoseathewaterwasshininglikemoltenmetalwithnotadotuponit！——whatdiditmatter？Ilaughedas，pleasedandhungry，Islippeddownthebankandstrodeacrossthesands；itpleasedFatetoplaybandywithme，andifitsentmesupperlesstobed，why，herewasrestitutioninthewayofbreakfast。
Itookupamorselofthestuffinthekettleonahandystickandfounditgood——indeed，IknewitatonceasaverydaintymessmadefromtherootsofaherbtheMartiansgreat—
lyliked；Anhadpiledmyplatterwithitwhenwesuppedthatnightinthemarket—placeofSeth，andthesweetwhitestuffhadmeltedintomycorporalessence，itseemed，with—
outanygrossintermediateprocessofdigestion。AndhereI
wasagain，hungry，sniffingthefragrantbreathofafullmealandnotasoulinsight——Ishouldhavebeenafoolnottohaveeaten。Sothinking，downIsat，takingthepotfromitsplace，andwhenitwasalittlecoolplungingmyhandsintoitandfeastingwithasgoodanappetiteaseveramanhadbefore。
Itwasgloriouslyambrosial，anddeeperanddeeperI
went，withthetallstalkofthesmokeinfrontgrowingfromthehearth—stoneslikesomestrangenewplant，theplea—
santsunshineonmyback，andneverathoughtforany—
thingbutthetaskinhand。Deeperanddeeper，obliviousofallelse，untiltogettheverylastdropsIliftedthepipkinupandputtingbackmyheaddrankinthatfashion。
ItwasonlywhenwithasighofpleasureIlowereditslowlyagainthatovertherimasitsanktheredawneduponmethevisionofaMartianstandingbyanemptycanoeontheedgeofthewaterandregardingmewithcalmamaze—
ment。Iwas，infact，soastonishedthatforaminutetheemptypotstoodstillbeforemyface，andoveritsedgewestaredateachotherinmutesurprise，thenwithallthedig—
nitythatmightbeIlaidthevesseldownbetweenmyfeetandwaitedforthenewcomertospeak。Shewasagirlbyheryellowgarb，afisherwoman，itseemed，forintheprowofhercraftwaspiledanetuponwhichthescalesoffishesweretwinkling——aMartian，obviously，butsomethingmorero—
bustthanmostofthem，asavourofhonestworkabouthersunburntfacewhichmypallidfriendsawayyonderwerelackingin，andwhenwehadstaredateachotherforafewmomentsinsilenceshecameforwardasteportwoandsaidwithoutatraceoffearorshyness，\"Areyouaspirit，sir？
\"Why，\"Ianswered，\"aboutasmuch，nomoreandnoless，thanmostofus。\"
\"Aye，\"shesaid。\"Ithoughtyouwere，fornonebutspiritslivehereuponthisisland；areyouforgoodorevil？\"
\"FarbetterforthebreakfastofwhichIfearIhaverobbedyou，butwanderingalongtheshoreandfindingthispotboilingwithnoowner，Iventuredtosampleit，anditwassogoodmyappetitegotthebetterofmanners。\"
Thegirlbowed，andstandingatarespectfuldistanceaskedifIwouldlikesomefishaswell；shehadsome，butnotmany，andifIwouldeatshewouldcookthemformeinaminute——itwasnotoften，sheaddedlightly，shehadmetoneofmykindbefore。Infact，itwasobviousthatsimplepersondidactuallytakemeforabeingofanotherworld，andwasitformetosayshewaswrong？Soadopt—
ingadignityworthyofmyreputationInoddedgravelytoheroffer。Shefetchedfromtheboatfourlittlefishesofthedaintiestkindimaginable。Theywereeachaboutasbigasahandandpalebluewhenyoulookeddownuponthem，butsoclearagainstthelightthateveryboneandveinintheirbodiescouldbetraced。Thesewerewrappedjustastheywereinabroad，greenleafandthentheMartian，takingapointedstick，madeahollowinthewhiteashes，laidtheminsidebyside，anddrewthehotdustoveragain。
Whiletheycookedwechattedasthoughtheacquaintancewerethemostcasualthingintheworld，andIfounditwasindeedanislandwewereonandnotthemainland，asI
hadhopedatfirst。Seth，shetoldme，wasfarawaytotheeastward，andifthewoodmenhadgonebyintheirshipstheywouldhavepassedroundtothenorth—westofwherewewere。
Ispentanhourortwowiththatamiableindividual，and，itistobehoped，sustainedthecharacterofaspiritualvisitantwithconsiderabledignity。Inoneparticularatleast，that，namely，ofappetite，Ididhonourtomysupposedsource，andasmyentertainerwouldnothearofpaymentinmaterialkind，allIcoulddowastoshowhersomeconjuringtricks，whichgreatlyincreasedherbeliefinmysupernaturalorigin，andtoteachhersomenewhitchesandknots，usingherfishing—lineasameansofillustration，ademonstrationwhichcalledfromherthenaturalobservationthatwemustbegoodsailors\"upaloft\"sinceweknewsomuchaboutcordage，thenweparted。
Shehadseennothingofthewoodmen，thoughshehadheardtheyhadbeentoSethandthought，fromsomenicetiesofgeographicalcalculationwhichIcouldnotfollow，theywouldhavecrossedtothenorth，asjuststated，ofherisland。
Thereshetoldme，withmuchsurpriseatmydesirefortheinformation，howImight，byfollowingtheforesttracktothewestwardcoast，makemywaytoafishingvillage，wheretheywouldgivemeacanoeanddirectme，sincesuchwasmyextraordinarywish，totheplacewhere，ifanywhere，thewildmenhadtouchedontheirwayhome。
Shefilledmywalletwithdriedhoney—cakesandmymouthwithsugarplumsfromherlittlestore，thendownonherkneeswentthatpoorwaifofaworn—outcivilisationandkissedmyhandsinhumblefarewell，andI，blushingtobesosaluted，andafterallbutasailor，gotherbytherosyfingersandliftedherupshoulderhigh，andgettingonehandunderherchinandtheotherbehindherheadkissedhertwiceuponherprettycheeks；andso，Isay，weparted。
CHAPTERX
OffintotheforestIwent，feelingaboyishelationtobesofreenortakingheedorcountoftherecklessadventurebeforeme。TheMartianweatherforthemomentwaslovelyandthemany—colouredgrasslushandsoftunderfoot。MileaftermileIwent，heedingthedistancelightly，theairwassoelastic。Nowpressingforwardasthemaininterestofmyerrandtooktheupperhand，andremembranceofpoorHerulikeacrushedwhiteflowerintheredgripofthosecruelravisherscameuponme，andthenpausingtosighwithpleasureorstandagape——forgetfulevenofher——inwonderoftheunknownlovelinessaboutme。
AndwellmightIstare！Everythinginthatforestwaswonderful！Therewereplantswhichturnedfromcolourtocolourwiththevaryinghoursoftheday。Whileothershadagrowthsoswiftitwasdangeroustositintheirneighbour—
hoodsincethelong，succulenttendrilsclamberingfromtheparentstemwouldweaveyouintoahelplesstanglewhileyougazed，fascinated，uponthem。Therewereplantsthatclimbedandwalked；sighingplantswhocalledthewingedthingsoftheairtothemwithanoisesoliketoagirlsobbingthatagainandagainIstoppedinthetangledpathtolisten。Thereweregreenbladder—mosseswhichswamaboutthesurfaceofthestillpoolslikegiganticfrog—broods。Therewereontheridgeswarriortreesburninginthevindictivenessofalongforgottencause——ablazeofcrimsonscimitarthornsfromroottotopmosttwig；anddownagaininthecoolhollowswerelady—bushesmakingtwilightofthegreengloomwiththeircloudyivoryblos—
somsandfillingtheshadowswithsuchaheavyscentthatheadandheartreeledwithfatalpleasureasonepushedasidetheirbranches。Everyriver—bedwasfullofmightyreeds，whosestemsclatteredtogetherwhenthewindblewlikeswordsonshields，andeverynowandthenabitofforestwaswoventogetherwiththeropeystemsofgiantcreeperstillnomanorbeastcouldhavepassedsaveforthepathswhichconstantusehadkeptopenthroughthemazes。
AlldaylongIwanderedonthroughthosewonderfulwoodlands，andinfactloiteredsomuchovertheirinfinitemarvelsthatwhensundowncamealltoosoontherewasstillundulatingforesteverywhere，vistasoffairygladesoneveryhand，peopledwithincrediblethingsandechoingwithsoundsthatexcitedtheearsasmuchasotherthingsfascinatedtheeyes，butnosignoftheseaormyfishingvillageanywhere。
Itdidnotmatter；alittleoftheMartianleisurelinesswasgettingintomyblood：\"Ifnottoday，whythentomorrow，\"
asAnwouldhavesaid；andwiththisforcomfortIselectedawarm，sandyhollowundertherootsofabigtree，mademybriefarrangementsforthenight，atesomehoneycakes，andwassoonsleepingblissfully。
Iwokeearlynextmorning，aftermanyhoursofinterrupteddreams，andhavingnothingtodotillthewhitehazehadliftedandmadeitpossibletostartagain，restedidlyatimeonmyelbowandwatchedthesunshinefilterintotherecesses。
Veryprettyitwastoseethethickcanopyoverhead，bystar—lightsoimpenetrable，openitschinksandfissuresasthesearchingsuncameuponit；toseethepin—holegapsshinelikespanglespresently，thespacesbroadenintolessersuns，andeventhethickleafagebrightenandshinedownonmewithasoftsea—greenradiance。Thesunwardsidesofthetree—stemstookaglow，andthedewthatrandrippingdowntheirmossysidestrickledblood—redtoearth。Else—
wheretheshadowswerestillblack，andstrangethingsbegantomoveinthem——thingsweinourmiddle—agedworldhaveneverseenthelikenessof：beastshalfbirds，birdshalfcreepingthings，andcreepingthingswhichitseemedtomepassedthroughlessercreationsdowntothebasestlifethatcrawlswithoutinterruptionordivision。
Itwasnotforme，asailor，toknowmuchofsuchthings，yetsomeIcouldnotfailtonotice。Ononegreybranchoverhead，juttingfromatree—stemwhereapatchofvelvetmossmadeinthemorningglintafairybed，awon—
derfulflowerunfolded。Itwasasplendidbud，ivorywhite，cushionedinleaves，andsecuredtoitsplacebynakedwhiterootsthatclippedthebranchlikefingersofalady’shand。
EvenasIlookeditopened，apalewhitestar，andhungpensiveandinvitingonitsmossycushion。FromitcamesucharavishingodourthatevenI，atthefurtherendofthegreatscaleoflife，feltmypulsesquickenandmyeyesbrightenwithcupidity。Iwasintheveryactofclimbingthetree，butbeforeIcouldmovehandorfoottwothingshappened，whetheryoutakemywordforthemorno。
Firstly，upthroughagladeintheunderwood，attractedbytheodour，cameanuglybrownbirdwithacapaciousbeakandshiningclaws。Heperchednearby，andpeepedandpeereduntilhemadeouttheflowerpiningonhervirginstem，whereatoffhehoppedtoherbranchandthere，withacynicalchuckle，struttedtoandfrobetweenherandthemainstemlikeanillgeniusguardingafairyprincess。
SurelyHeavenwouldnotallowhimtotamperwithsochasteabud！Myhandreachedforastonetothrowathimwhenhappenedthesecondthing。Therecameagentlepatuponthewoodlandfloor，andfromatreeoverheaddroppeddownanotherlivingplantliketotheoneaboveyetnotexactlysimilar，amale，myinstinctstoldme，infullsol—
itaryblossomlikeherabove，cincturedwithleaves，andsupportedbyhalfascoreofthickwhiterootsthatworked，asIlooked，likethelimbsofacrab。Inatwinklingthatparti—colouredgentlemanvegetablenearmewasofftothestemuponwhichgrewhisladylove；runningandscram—
bling，draggingthefineryofhistasselledpetalsbehind，itwaslaughabletowatchhiseagerness。Hegotagripofthetreeanduphewent，\"handoverhand，\"rootoverroot。Ihadjusttimetonoteothersofhisspecieshaddroppedhereandthereupontheground，andwerehurry—
ingwithfrantichastetothesamedestinationwhenhereachedthefatalbranch，andwasstraddlingvictoriouslydownit，blindtoallbutloveandlonging。Thatill—omenedbirdwhostoodabovethemaiden—flowerlethimcomewithinastalk’slength，sonearthatthewhitesplendourofhissleepingladygleamedwithinarms’reach，thenthegreatbeakwasopened，thegreatclawsmadeaclutch，thegal—
lant’sheadwasyankedfromhisneck，andasitwenttumblingdownthemawofthefeatheredthinghiswhitelegsfellspinningthroughspace，andlayknottingthem—
selvesinagonyuponthegroundforaminuteortwobeforetheyrelaxedandbecameflaccidinthereposeofdeath。An—
otherandanothervegetablesuitormadeforthatfataltryst，andaseachcameupthesnapofthebrownbird’sbeakwasalltheirobsequies。Atlastnomorecame，andthenthatNemesisofclawsandquillswalkedovertothegirl—flower，hisstomachfeathersruffledwithrepletion，thegreenbloodofherloversdrippingfromhisclaws，andpulledhergoldenheartout，toreherwhitelimbsonefromtheother，andswallowedherpiecemealbeforemyveryeyes！ThenupinwrathIjumpedandyelledathimtillthewoodsechoed，buttoolatetostayhissacrilege。
Bythistimethesunwasbathingeverythinginsplendour，andturningawayfromthewondersaboutme，Isetoffatbestpacealongthewell—troddenpathwhichledwithoutturningtothewestcoastvillagewherethecanoeswere。
Itprovedfarcloserthanexpected。Asamatteroffacttheforestinthisdirectiongrewrightdowntothewater’sedge；
thesalt—lovingtreesactuallyoverhangingthewaves——oneofthepleasantestsightsinnature——andthusIcamerightoutontopofthehamletbeforetherehadbeenanindicationofitspresence。Itoccupiedtwosidesofaprettylittlebay，thethirdsidebeingflatlandgivenovertothecultivationofanenormousspeciesofgourdwhosecharacteristicyellowflowersandgreen，succulentleaveswerediscernibleevenatthisdistance。
Ibranchedoffalongtheedgeofthesurfanddownadaintylittleflowerypath，noticingmeanwhilehowthewholebaywasfilledbyhundredsofemptycanoes，whilescoresofothersweredrawnuponthestrand，andthenthefirstthingIchanceduponwasagroupofpeople——youthful，ofcourse，withtheeternalMartianbloom——andinthesplendidsimplicityofalmostcompletenakedness。Myfirstideawasthattheywerebathing，andfixingmyeyesonthetree—topswithgreatpropriety，Igaveawarningcough。Atthatsoundinsteadofgettingtocover，orclothes，allstartedupandstoodstaringforatimelikeaherdofstartledcattle。
Itwashighlyembarrassing；theywererightinthepath，arounddozenofthem，nakedandsolittleashamedthatwhenIedgedawaymodestlytheybegantorunafterme。
AndthefarthertheycameforwardthemoreIretired，tillwewereplayingakindofgameofhide—and—seekroundthetree—stems。InthemiddleofitmyheelcaughtinarootanddownIwentveryhardandveryignominiously，whereonthoselaughing，light—heartedfolkrushedin，andwithsmilesandjestshelpedmetomyfeet。
\"WasIthetravellerwhohadcomefromSeth？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Oh，thenthatwaswell。Theyhadheardsuchatravellerwasontheroad，andhadcomealittlewaydownthepath，asfarasmightbewithoutfatigue，tomeethim。\"
\"WouldIeatwiththem？\"theseamiablestrangersasked，pushingtheirsoftwarmfingersintomineandringingmeroundwithacircle。\"Butfirstlymighttheyhelpmeoutofmyclothes？Itwashot，andthesethingswerecumber—
some。\"Astotheeating，Iwasagreeableenoughseeinghowcasualmealshadbeenwithmelately，butmyclothes，thoughHeavenknowstheyweregettinghorriblyraggedandtravel—stained，Iclungtodesperately。
Mynewfriendsshruggedtheirdimpledshouldersand，argumentsbeingtedious，atoncesquattedroundmeinthedappledshadeofabigtreeandproducedtheirstoresofneverfailingprovisions。AfterapleasantlittlemealtakenthusintheopenandwithallthesimplicityMartiansde—
lightin，wegottotalkingaboutthoseyellowcanoeswhichwerebobbingaboutonthebluewatersofthebay。
\"Wouldyouliketoseewheretheyaregrown？\"askedanindividualbaskingbymyside。
\"Grown！\"Iansweredwithincredulity。\"Built，youmean。
NeverinmylifedidIhearofgrowingboats。\"
\"Butthen，sir，\"observedthegirlasshesuckedthehoneyoutofthestalkofanazureconvolvulusflowerandthrewtheremainsatabutterflythatsailedacrossthesunshine，\"youknowsolittle！Youhavecomefromafar，fromsomebarbarousandbarrendistrict。Hereweundoubtedlygrowourboats，andthoughweknowtheThitherfolkandsuchuncultivatedracesmaketheircraftbycumbrousmethodsofflatplanks，yetwepreferourownway，foronethingbe—
causeitsavestrouble，\"andasshemurmuredthatall—
sufficientreasonthegentledamselnoddedreflectively。
Butoneofhercompanions，morelivelyforthemoment，tickledherwithastrawuntilsheroused，andthensaid，\"Letustakethestrangertotheboatgardennow。Thecur—
rentwilldriftusroundthebay，andwecancomebackwhenitturns。Ifwewaitweshallhavetorowinbothdirections，orevenwalk，\"andagainplanetaryslothfulnesscarriedtheday。
Sodowntothebeachwestrolledandlaunchedoneofthegolden—huedskiffsupontheprettydancingwaveletsjustwheretheyran，lippedwithjewelledspray，ontheshore，andthenonlyhadIachancetoscrutinisetheirmaterial。Ipattedthatonewewereuponinsideandout。I
notedwithaseaman’sadmirationitslightness，elasticity，andsupremesleekness，itsmarvellousbuoyancyandfairy—
like\"lines，\"andaftersomeminutes’considerationitsud—
denlyflashedacrossmethatitwasallofgourdrind。Andasiftosupplyconfirmation，theflatlandwewereap—
proachingontheoppositesideofthebaywascoveredbythecharacteristicverdureoftheseplantswithatouchhereandthereofsplendidyellowblossoms，butallofgiganticproportions。
\"Ay，\"saidaMartiandamsellyingonthebottom，andtakingandkissingmyhandasshespoke，inthesimple—
heartedwayofherpeople，\"Iseeyouhaveguessedhowwemakeourboats。Isitthesameinyourdistantcountry？\"
\"No，mygirl，andwhat’smore，IamabituneasyastowhatthefellowsontheCarolinawillsayiftheyeverhearIwenttoseainahollowed—outpumpkin，andwithayounglady——well，dressedasyouare——forcrew。EvennowIcan—
notimaginehowyougetyourshipssotrimandshapely——
thereisnotaseamorapatchanywhere，itlooksasifyouhadrunthemintoamould。\"
\"That’sjustwhatwehavedone，sir，andnowyouwillwitnessthemouldsatwork，forhereweare，\"andthelittleskiffwaspulledashoreandtheMartiansandIjumpedoutontheshelvingbeach，hauledourboatuphighanddry，andthererightoverus，likegreatgreenumbrellas，spreadthefrondsoftheoutmostgardenofthisstrangestofallship—
buildingyards。Briefly，andnottomakethispartofmystorytoolong，thosegildedboysandgirlstookmeashore，andchatteringlikefinchesintheevening，showedhowtheyplantedtheirgourdseed，nourishedthegiganticplantsastheygrewwithbrackishwaterandtheburntashes；then，whentheyflowered，matedthemaleandfemaleblossoms，gloriousfunnelsofgoldenhuebigenoughforonetolivein；andwhentheyoungfruitwasofthebignessofanordinarybolster，howtheyslippeditintoadoublemouldofopenreed—worksomethinglikethetwohalvesofawalnut—
shell；andhow，growingdaybydayinthis，itsoontookeverycurveandlinetheychosetogiveit，eventhehangingkeelbelow，thestrengthenedbulwarks，andtallprow—piece。
Itwassoingenious，yetsimple；andIconfessIlaughedovermyfirstskiff\"onthestalk，\"andfelltobanteringtheMartians，askingwhetheritwasagoodseasonfornavies，whethertheirCunarderswerespreadingnicely，iftheycouldgivemeapinchofbargeseed，orayachtinbudtoshowtomyfriendsathome。
Butthoselazypeopletookthematterseriouslyenough。
Theyledmedowngreenalleysarchedoverwithhugemelon—likeleaves；theyledmealonginnumerablebyways，makingmepeepandpeerthroughthechequeredsunlightatocean—growingcraft，thathadbuddedtwelvemonthsbefore，alreadyfillingtheirmouldstothelastinchofspace。
Theytoldmethatwhenthegrowingprocesswassufficientlyadvanced，theyloosenedthecasing，andcuttingaholeintotheinteriorofeachgiantfruit，scoopedoutallitsseed，therebycheckingmoreadvance，andthrowingintotherindstrengththatwouldotherwisehavegonetoreproductive—
ness。Theysaideachfruitmadetwovessels，buttheupperhalfwasalwaysbestandusedforlongsalt—waterjour—
neys，thelowerpiecebeingbutforpuntingorfishingontheirlakes。Theycuttheminhalfwhilestillgreen，scrapedoutthelightremainingpulpwhendry，anddraggedthemdownwiththeminimumoftrouble，lightasfeathers，ten—
aciousassteelplate，andalreadyintheformandfashionofdaintycraftfromfivetotwentyfeetinlength，whentheprocesswascompleted。
Bythetimewehadexploredthisstrangestofship—
buildingyards，andIhadseenlastyear’scroponthestocksbeingpolishedandfittedwithseatsandgear，thesunwasgoingdown；andtheMartiantwilight，owingtothecomparativesteepnessofthelittleplanet’ssides，beingbrief，westrolledbacktothevillage，andtheretheygavemeharbourageforthenight，ambrosialsupper，andadeepdraughtofthewineofForgetfulness，underthegauzyspellofwhichtherealandunrealmeltedintothevistasofrosyoblivion，andIslept。
CHAPTERXI
WiththenewmorningcamefreshenergyandaspasmofconscienceasIthoughtofpoorHeruandtheshabbysortofrescuerIwastolieaboutwiththeseprettytriflerswhilesheremainedinperil。
SoIhadabathandaswim，abreakfast，and，tomyshamebeitacknowledged，asortoffarewellmerry—go—
rounddanceontheyellowsandswithadozenyoungpersonsalllight—heartedasthemorning，beautifulastheflowersthatboundtheirhair，andintheextremityofstatuesqueattire。
ThenatlastIgotthemtogivemeasea—goingcanoe，astockofcakesandfreshwater；andwithmanypartingin—
junctionshowtofindtheWoodmantrail，sinceIwouldnotlistentoreasonandliealltherestofmylifewiththeminthesunshine，theypushedmeoffonmylonelyvoyage。
\"Overthebluewaters！\"theyshoutedinchorusasIdippedmypaddleintothediamond—crestedwavelets。\"Sixhours，adventurousstranger，withthesunbehindyou！Thenintothebroadriverbehindtheyellowsand—bar。Butnottheblacknorthwardriver！Notthestrong，blackriver，aboveallthings，stranger！ForthatistheRiveroftheDead，bywhichmanygobutnonecomeback。Goodbye！\"Andwavingthemadieu，Isternlyturnedmyeyesfromdelightsbehindandfacedthefascinationofperilsinfront。
Infourhours（fortheMartianshadforgottenintheircalculationsthatmymusclesweresomethingbetterthantheirs）I\"rose\"thefurthershore，andthenthequestionwas，Whereranthatwestwardriveroftheirs？
Itturnedoutafterwardsthat，knowingnothingoftheirtides，Ihaddriftedmuchtoofartonorthward，andcon—
sequentlythecoasthadcloseduptheestuarymouthI
shouldhaveentered。Notasignofanopeningshowedany—
where，andhavingnothingwhateverforguidanceIturnednorthward，eagerlyscanninganendlesslineoflowcliffs，asthedaylessened，forthepromisedsand—barorinlet。
Aboutduskmycanoe，flyingswiftlyforwardatitsownsweetwill，broughtmeintoabight，abare，desolate—lookingcountrywithnovegetationsavegrassandsedgeonthenearmarshesandstonyhillsrisingupbeyond，withothersbeyondthemmountingstepbysteptoalonglineofridgesandpeaksstillcoveredinwintersnow。
Theoutlookwasanythingbutcheering。Notatraceofhabitationhadbeenseenforalongtime，notasinglelivingbeinginwhoseneighbourhoodIcouldlandandasktheway；nothinglivinganywherebutamonstrouskindofsea—
slug，asbigasadog，batteningonthewatersidegarbage，andgauntbirdslikevultureswhocroakedonthemud—flats，andhalf—spreadwingsoffunerealblacknessastheygam—
bolledhereandthere。WherewaspoorHeru？Wherepink—
shoulderedAn？Wherethosewildmenwhohadtakentheprincessfromus？Lastly，butnotleast，wherewasI？
AllthefirststarsoftheMartianskywerestrangetome，andmyboatwhirlingroundandroundonthecurrentcon—
fusedwhatlittlegeographyImightotherwisehaveretained。
Itwasacheerlesslookout，andagainandagainIcursedmyfollyforcomingonsuchafool’serrandasIsat，chininhand，staringatalandscapethatgrewmoreandmorede—
pressingeverymile。Togoonlookedlikedestruction，togobackwasalmostimpossiblewithoutaguide；andwhileI
wasstillwonderingwhichofthetwomightbethelesserevil，thestreamIwasonturnedacorner，andinamomentwewereuponwaterwhichranwithswift，oilysmoothnessstraightforthesnow—rangesnowbeginningtoloomun—
pleasantlycloseahead。
Bythistimethenightwascomingonapace，thelastoftheevil—lookingbirdshadwingeditswayacrosstheredsunsetglare，andthoughitwasclearenoughinmid—riverunderthebanks，nowsteepandunclimbable，itwasalreadyevening。
Andwiththedarknesscameawondrouscoldbreathfromofftheice—fields，blowingthroughmylowlandwrap—
pingsasthoughtheywerebuttissue。Imunchedabitofhoney—cake，tookacautioussipofwine，andthoughIwillnotownIwasfrightened，yetnoonewilldenythatthecir—
cumstanceswerediscouraging。
Standingupinthefrailcanoeandlookingaround，atthesecondglanceanobjectcaughtmyeyecomingwiththestream，andrapidlyovertakingmeonastrongsluiceofwater。Itwasaraftofsomesort，andsomethingextra—
ordinarilylikeasittingMartianonit！Nearerandneareritcame，bobbingtotheriseandfallofeachwaveletwiththelasticysunlighttouchingitupwithredsandgolds，nearerandnearerinthedeadlyhushofthatforsakenregion，andthenatlastsonearitshowedquiteplainlyonthepurplewater，araftwithsomeonesittingunderacanopy。
WithathrillofdelightIwavedmycapaloftandshouted——
\"Ship—ahoy！Hullo，messmate，whereareweboundto？\"
Butneverananswercamefromthatswiftly—passingstranger，soagainIhailed——
\"Putupyourhelm，Mr。Skipper；Ihavelostmybearings，andthechronometerhasrundown，\"butwithoutapauseorsoundthatstrangecraftwentslippingby。
ThatsilencewasmorethanIcouldstand。Itwasagainstallseacourtesies，andthelastchanceoflearningwhereIwaspassingaway。So，angrilythepaddlewassnatchedfromthecanoebottom，androaringoutagain——
\"Stop，Isay，youd—————lubber，stop，orbyallthegodsIwillmakeyou！\"Iplungedthepaddleintothewaterandshotmylittlecraftslantinglyacrossthestreamtointer—
ceptthenewcomer。Asinglestrokesentmeintomid—stream，asecondbroughtmewithintouchofthatstrangecraft。Itwasaflatraft，undoubtedly，thoughsodisguisedbyflowersandsilktrailersthatitsshapewasdifficulttomakeout。Inthecentrewasachairofceremonybedeckedwithgreeneryandgreatpalebuds，hardlyyetwithered——oh，wherehadIseensuchachairandsucharaftbefore？
Andtheriddledidnotlongremainunanswered。Uponthatseat，asIsweptupalongsideandlaidasunburnthanduponitsedge，wasagirl，andanotherlooktoldmeshewasdead！
Suchasweet，pallid，Martianmaid，herfairheadlollingbackagainsttherearofthechairandgentlymovingtoandfrowiththeriseandfallofhercraft。Herfaceinthepalelightoftheeveninglikecarvedivory，andnotlesspassion—
lessandstill；herarmsbare，andherpoorfingersstillclosedinherlapuponthebeautifulbudstheyhadputintothem。Ifairlygaspedwithamazementatthedreadfulsweetnessofthatsolitarylady，andcouldhardlybelieveshewasreallyacorpse！But，alas！therewasnodoubtofit，andIstaredather，halfinadmirationandhalfinfear；
notinghowthelastsunsetflushlentahecticbeautytoherfaceforamoment，andthenhowfairandghostlyshestoodoutagainstthepurplingsky；howherlightdraperyliftedtotheicywind，andhowdreadfullystrangeallthosesoft—
scentedflowersandtrappingsseemedaswespedalongsidebysideintothecountryofnightandsnow。
Thenallofasuddenthetruemeaningofherbeingthereburstuponme，andwithastartandacryIlookedaround。
WEWEREFLYINGSWIFTLYDOWNTHATRIVEROFTHEDEADTHEY
HADTOLDMEOFTHATHASNOOUTLETANDNORETURNING！
WithfrantichasteIsnatchedupapaddleagainandtriedtopaddleagainstthegreatblackcurrentsweepingusfor—
ward。Iworkeduntiltheperspirationstoodinbeadsonmyforehead，andallthetimeIworkedtheriver，likesomeblacksnake，hissedandtwined，andthatprettyladyrodecheerilyalongatmyside。Overheadstarsofunearthlybril—
liancywerecomingoutinthefrostysky，whileoneitherhandthebankswerehighandtheshadowsunderthemblackasink。InthoseshadowsnowandthenInoticedwithahorribleindifferenceotherraftsweretravelling，andpresently，asthestreamnarrowed，theycameoutandjoinedus，deadMartians，buddingboysandgirls；oldervoyagerswiththeiragequickeninguponthemintheMartianmanner，justassomefruitonlyripensafteritfalls；yellow—girtslavesstaringintothenightinfront，quiteamerrycrewallclusteredaboutIandthatgentlelady，andmorefaraheadandmorebehind，allbobbingandjostlingforwardaswehurriedtothedreadfulgraveyardintheMartianre—
gionsofeternalwinternonehadeverseenandnoonecameto！Icriedaloudinmydesolationandfearandhidmyfaceinmyhands，whiletheicycliffsmockedmycryandthedeadmaid，trippingalongside，rolledherheadover，andstaredatmewithstony，unseeingeyes。
Well，Iamnofinewriter。Isatdowntotellaplain，un—
varnishedtale，andIwillnotlettheweirdhorrorofthatridegetintomypen。Wecareenedforward，IandthoselostMartians，untilprettynearonmidnight，bywhichtimethegreatlight—givingplanetswereup，andneverachancedidFategivemeallthattimeofpartingcompanywiththem。Aboutmidnightwewererightintotheregionofsnowandice，nottheactualpolarregionoftheplanet，asI
afterwardsguessed，butoneofthoselongoutlierswhichfollowthecourseofthebroadwaterwaysalmostintofertileregions，andthecold，thoughintense，wassomewhatmodifiedbythecompletestillnessoftheair。
ItwasjustthenthatIbegantobeawareofalow，rum—
blingsoundahead，increasingsteadilyuntiltherecouldnotbeanydoubtthejourneywasnearlyoverandwewereapproachingthosegreatfallsAnhadtoldmeof，overwhichthedeadtumbletoperpetualoblivion。Therewasnoop—
portunityforaction，and，luckily，littletimeforthought。I
rememberclappingmyhandtomyheartasImutteredanim—
perfectprayer，andlaughingalittleasIfeltinmypocket，betweenitandthatorgan，anenvelopecontainingsomecorn—plasterandapacketofunpaidtailors’bills。ThenI
pulledoutthatlocketwithpoorforgottenPolly’sphoto—
graph，andwhileIwasstillkissingitfervently，andthedeadgirlonmyrightwasjealouslynudgingmycanoewiththecornerofherraft，weplungedintoanarrowgullyasblackashell，shotroundasharpcorneratatremendouspace，andthemomentafterwardsenteredalakeinthemidstofanunbrokenamphitheatreofcliffsgleaminginsoftlightallround。
EventothismomentIcanrecalltheblueshineofthoseterribleicecragsframingtheweirdpictureinoneveryhand，andthestrangeeffectuponmymindaswepassedoutofthedarknessofthegullydownwhichwehadcomeintothesepulchralradianceofthatplace。Butthoughitfixedwithoneinstantaneousflashitsimpressiononmymindforever，therewasnotimetoadmireit。Aswesweptontothelake’ssurface，andaglanceoflightcomingoveradipintheicewallstotheleftlitupthedeadfacesandhalf—
witheredflowersofmyfellow—travellerswithstartlingdis—
tinctness，Inoticedwithanewterroratthelowerendofthelaketowardswhichwewerehurryingthewatersuddenlydisappearedinacloudoffrostyspray，anditwasfromthencecamethelow，ominousrumblewhichhadsoundeduptheravineasweapproached。Itwasthefall，andbeyondthestreamdroppeddownglassystepafterstep，inwildpoolsandrapids，throughwhichnoboatcouldliveforamoment，toablackcavernentrance，whereitwasswal—
lowedupineternalnight。
IWOULDnotgothatway！Withayellsuchasthosesolitudeshadprobablyneverheardsincetheplanetwasfashionedoutofthevoid，Iseizedthepaddleagainandstruckoutfuriouslyfromthemaincurrent，withtheresultofpost—
poningthecrisisforatime，andfindingmyselfbobbingroundtowardsthenorthernamphitheatre，wherethelightfellclearestfromplanetsoverhead。Itwaslikeagreatball—
roomwiththoseconstellationsfortapers，andaghastlycrowdofMartiansweredoingcotillionsandwaltzesallaboutmeontheirraftsasthetroubledwater，icycoldandclearasglass，eddiedushereandthereinsolemncon—
fusion。Onthenarrowbeachesattheclifffootwerehundredsofwreckedvoyagers——thewall—flowersofthatghostlyas—
sembly—room——andIwentjostlingandtwirlingroundthecircleasthoughlookingforalikelypartner，untilmybrainspunandmyheartwassick。
FortwentyminutesFateplayedwithme，andthenthedeadlysuckofthestreamgotmedownagainclosetowherethewaterbegantoraceforthefalls。Ivowedsav—
agelyIwouldnotgooverthemifitcouldbehelped，andstruggledfuriously。
Ontheleft，inshadow，anarrowbeachseemedtoliebetweenthewaterandtheclifffoot；towardsitIfought。AttheveryfirststrokeIfouledaraft；theoccupantthereofcametumblingaboardandnearlyswampedme。Butnowitwasafightforlife，sohimIseizedwithoutceremonybyclammyneckandlegandthrewbackintothewater。
ThenanotherplayfulMartianbuttedthebehindpartofmycanoeandsetitspinning，sothatallthestarsseemedtobedancinggiddilyinthesky。WithayellIshovedhimoff，butonlytofindhiscomradeswereclosingroundmeinasolidringaswesuckeddowntotheabyssatever—
increasingspeed。
ThenIfoughtlikeafury，hacking，pushing，andpaddlingshorewards，cryingoutinmyexcitement，andspinningandbumpingandtwistingeverdownwards。ForeveryfootIgainedtheypushedmeonayard，asthoughdeterminedtheirfateshouldbeminealso。
Theycrowdedroundmeinacompactcircle，theirpoorflower—girtheadsnoddingastheswiftcurrentcurtsiedtheircrafts。Theyhemmedmeinwithdesperatepersistencyaswespunthroughtheghostlystarlightinaswirlingmassdowntodestruction！AndinaminuteweweresoclosetotheedgeofthefallIcouldseethewaterbreakintoridgesasitfeltthesolidbottomgivewayunderit。Weweresoclosethatalreadytheforemostrafts，tenyardsahead，weretippingandtheiroccupantsonebyonewavingtheirarmsaboutandtumblingfromtheirfuneralchairsastheyshotintothesprayveilandwentoutofsightunderafaintrainbowthatwasarchedoverthere，thesymbolofpeaceandtheonlylovelythinginthatgruesomeregion。AnotherminuteandImusthavegonewiththem。Itwastoolatetothinkofgettingoutofthetanglethen；thewaterbehindwasheavywithtrailingsilksandflowers。Wewerejammedtogetheralmostlikeonehugefloatandinthatlatterfactlaymyonechance。
Ontheleftwasalowledgeofrocksleadingbacktothenarrowbeachalreadymentioned，andtheledgecameouttowithinafewfeetofwheretheoutmostboatonthatsidewouldpassit。Itwastheonlychanceandapoorone，butalreadythefirstrankofmyfleetwastremblingonthebrink，andwithoutstoppingtoweighmattersIboundedoffmyowncanoeontotheraftalongside，whichrockedwithmyweightlikeatea—tray。FromthatIleapt，withsuchheartygood—willasIhadneverhadbefore，ontoasecondandthird。IjumpedfromthefootstoolofoneMartiantothekneeofanother，steadyingmyselfbyafreeuseoftheirnoddingheadsasIpassed。AndeverytimeIjumpedashipcollapsedbehindme。AsIstaggeredwithmyspringintothelastandoutermostboattheledgewasstillsixfeetaway，halfhiddeninasmotheroffoam，andtherimofthegreatfalljustunderit。ThenIdrewallmysailoragilitytogetherandjustasthelittlevesselwasgoingbowupovertheedgeIleaptfromher——camedownblindedwithsprayontheledge，rolledoverandover，clutchedfranticallyatthefrozensoil，andwassafeforthemoment，butonlyafewinchesfromthevortexbelow！
AssoonasIpickedmyselfupandgotbreath，Iwalkedshorewardsandfound，withgreatsatisfaction，thattheledgejoinedtheshelvingbeach，andsowalkedonintheblueobscurityofthecliffshadowbackfromthefallsinthebarehopethatthebeachmightleadbysomewayintothegullythroughwhichwehadcomeandopencountrybeyond。
Butafteracoupleofhundredyardsthishopeendedasabruptlyasthespititselfindeepwater，andthereIwas，asfarasthedarknesswouldallowmetoascertain，asutterlytrappedasanymortalcouldbe。
Iwillnotdwellonthenextfewminutes，fornoonelikestoacknowledgethathehasbeenunmannedevenforaspace。Whenthoseminuteswereovercalmnessandcon—
siderationreturned，andIwasabletolookabout。
Alltheoppositecliffs，risingsheerfromthewater，wereinlight，theircoldblueandwhitesurfacesrisingfarupintotheblackstarfieldsoverhead。Lookingatthemintentlyfromthisvantage—pointIsawwithoutatfirstunderstandingthatalongthemhorizontally，tierabovetier，wererowsofobjects，like——like——why，goodHeavens，theywerelikemenandwomeninallsortsofstrangeposturesandpositions！
RubbingmyeyesandlookingagainIperceivedwithastartandastrangecreepyfeelingdownmybackthattheyWERE
menandwomen！——hundredsofthem，thousands，allinrowsascormorantsstanduponsea—sidecliffs，myriadsandmyriadsnowIlookedabout，ineveryconceivableposeandattitudebutneverasound，neveramovementamongstthevastconcourse。
ThenIturnedbacktothecliffsbehindme。Yes！theyeretheretoo，dimmerbyreasonoftheshadows，butthereforcertain，fromthesnowfieldsfarabovedown，down——goodHeavens！totheverylevelwhereIstood。Therewasoneofthemnottenyardsawayhalfinandhalfoutoftheicewall，andsettingmyteethIwalkedoverandexaminedhim。AndtherewasanotherfurtherinbehindasIpeeredintotheclearbluedepth，anotherbehindthatone，anotherbehindhim——justlikecherriesinajelly。
Itwasstartlingandalmostincredible，yetsomanywonderfulthingshadhappenedoflatethatwonderswerelosingtheirsharpness，andIwassoonexaminingthecliffalmostascoollyasthoughitwereonlysometrivialgeo—
logical\"section，\"somenewkindofpetrifiedsea—urchinswhichhadcaughtmyattentionandnotawholenationinice，ahugeamphitheatreoffossilisedhumanitywhichstareddownonme。