Thematterwassimpleenoughwhenyoucametolookatitwithphilosophy。TheMartianshadsenttheirdeaddownhereformanythousandyearsandastheycametheywerefrozenin，thebandsandzonesinwhichtheysatindicatingperhapsalternatingseasons。ThenafterNaturehadbeenstoringthemlikethatforlongagessomeup—
heavalhappened，andthiscleftandlakeopenedthroughtheheartofthepreserve。Probablytheriveronceranfaruptherewherethestarlightwascrowningthebluecliffswithasilverdiademoflight，onlywhenthishollowopeneddiditslowlydeepenalowercourse，spreadingoutinalake，andeventuallytumblingdownthoseicystepsloseitselfinthedarkrootsofthehills。Itwasverysimple，nodoubt，butincrediblyweirdandwonderfultomewhostood，thesolelivingthinginthatimmenseconcourseofdeadhumanity。
LookwhereIwoulditwasthesameeverywhere。Thoseendlessrowsoffrozenbodieslying，sitting，orstandingstaredatmefromeverynicheandcornice。Italmostseemed，asthelightveeredslowlyround，asthoughtheysmiledandfrownedattimes，butneverawordwasthereamongstthosemillions；thesilenceitselfwasaudible，andsavethedulllowthunderofthefall，somonotonoustheearbe—
cameaccustomedtoandsoondisregardedit，therewasnotasoundanywhere，notarustle，notawhisperbroketheeternalcalmofthatgreatcaravansaryofthedead。
Theveryrattleoftheshingleundermyfeetandthejingleofmynavyscabbardseemedoffensiveintheperfecthush，and，tooawedtobefrightened，Ipresentlyturnedawayfromthedreadfulshineofthosecliffsandfeltmywayalongthebaseofthewallonmyownside。Therewasnomeansofescapethatway，andpresentlytheshinglebeachitselfgaveoutasstated，wherethecliffwallrosestraightfromthesurfaceofthelake，soIturnedback，andfindingagrottointheicedeterminedtomakemyselfascomfortableasmightbeuntildaylightcame。
CHAPTERXII
Fortunatelytherewasagooddealofbrokentimberthrownupat\"high—water\"mark，andwithastackofthisatthemouthofthelittlecaveapleasantfirewassoonmadebyhelpofaflintpebbleandthesteelbackofmysword。Itwasaheartyblazeandlitupallthenearcliffswitharuddyjumpingglowwhichgavetheiroccu—
pantsamarvellousappearanceoflife。Theheatalsobroughtoffthedullrimeuponthesideofmyrecess，leavingitclearaspolishedglass，andIwasalittlestartledtosee，onlyaninchorsobackintheiceandstandingaserectaseverhehadbeeninlife，thefigureofanimposinggreycladman。Hisarmswerefolded，hischindroppeduponhischest，hisrobesofthefineststuff，theveryflowerstheyhaddeckedhisheadwithfrozenwithimmortality，andunderthem，roundhiscrispandiron—greyhair，asimplebandofgoldwithstrangerunesandfiguresengraveduponit。
Therewassomethingverysimpleyetstatelyabouthim，thoughhisfacewashiddenandasIgazedlongandin—
tentlytheideagotholdofmethathehadbeenakingoveranundegenerateMartianrace，andhadstoodwaitingfortheDawnavery，verylongtime。
Iwishedalittlethathehadnotbeenquitesoneartheglassysurfaceoftheicedownwhichthewarmthwasbringingquickmoisturedrops。Hadhebeenbackthereinthebluedepthswhereothersweresittingandcrouchingitwouldhavebeenmuchmorecomfortable。ButIwasasailor，andmisfortunemakesstrangecompanions，soIpiledupthefireagain，andlyingdownpresentlyonthedryshinglewithmybacktohimstaredmoodilyattheblazetillslowlythefatiguesofthedaytold，myeyelidsdroppedand，withmanyafitfulstartandturn，atlengthIslept。
Itwasanhourbeforedawn，thefirehadburntlowandIwasdreamingofanangrydiscussionwithmytailorinNewYorkastothesitofmylastnewtrouserswhenafaintsoundofmovingshinglecaughtmyquickseamanear，andbeforeIcouldraisemyheadorliftahand，aman’sweightwasonme——aheavy，strongmanwhoboremedownwithirresistibleforce。Ifelttheslapofhisice—coldhanduponmythroatandhisteethinthebackofmyneck！Inaninstant，thoughbuthalfawake，withayellofsurpriseandangerIgrappledwiththeenemy，andexertingallmystrengthrolledhimover。Overandoverwewentstrugglingto—
wardsthefire，andwhenIgothimwithinafootorsoofitIcameoutontop，and，diggingmyknucklesintohisthrottle，bangedhisheaduponthestonyfloorinrecklessrage，untilallofasuddenitseemedtomehewasdonefor。
Irelaxedmygrip，buttheothermannevermoved。Ishookhimagain，likeaterrierwitharat，butheneverresentedit。HadIkilledhim？Howlimpandcoldhewas！Andthenallofasuddenanuneasyfeelingcameuponme。Ireachedout，andthrowingahandfulofdriedstuffupontheembersthefiredancedgailyupintotheair，andtheblazeshowedmeIwassavagelyholdingdowntothegravelandkneelingonthechestofthatlong—deadkingfrommygrottowall！
Itwasthemanoutoftheicewithoutadoubt。Therewastheverynichehehadfallenfromundertheinfluenceofthefireheat，theveryrecess，exactlyinhisshapeineverydetail，whencehehadstoodgazingintovacuityallthoseyears。Ileftgomyhold，andaftertheflutterinmyhearthadgonedown，apologeticallysethimupagainstthewallofthecavernwhencehehadfallen；thenbuiltupthefireuntiltwirlingflamesdancedtotheveryroofinthebluelightofdawn，andhobgoblinshadowsleaptandcaperedaboutus。ThenoncemoreIsatdownontheoppositesideoftheblaze，restingmychinuponmyhands，andstaredintothefrozeneyesofthatgrimstranger，who，withhischinuponhisknees，staredbackatmewithirresistible，remorselesssteadfastness。
Hewasasfreshasifhehaddiedbutyesterday，yetbyhisclothingandsomethinginhisappearance，whichwasnotthatoftheMartianofto—day，Iknewhemightbemanythousandyearsold。Whatthingshehadseen，whatwondersheknew！WhatastorymightbeputintohismouthifIwereacapablewritergiftedwithtimeandimaginationinsteadofapooroutcast，ill—paidlieutenantwhoseliterarywitisoftentaxedhardlytofillevenalog—
bookentry！Istaredathimsolongandhard，andheatmethroughtheblinkingflames，thatagainIdozed——anddozed——
anddozedagainuntilatlastwhenIwokeingoodearnestitwasdaylight。
Bythistimehungerwasveryaggressive。Thefirewasnaughtbutacircletofgreyashes；thedeadking，stillsittingagainstthecave—side，lookedveryblueandcold，andwithanuncomfortablerealisationofmypositionIshookmyselftogether，pickedupandpocketedwithoutmuchthoughtthequeergoldcircletthathaddroppedfromhisforehead，andwentoutsidetoseewhatprospectofescapethenewdayhadbrought。
Itwasnotmuch。Uprivertherewasnottheremotestchance。NotevenaNiagarasteamercouldhaveforgedbackagainstthesluicecomingdownfromthegulchthere。
Lookinground，thesidesoftheicyamphitheatre——justlightingupnowwithgloriousgoldandcrimsonglimmersofmorning——wereassteepasawallface；onlybacktowardsthefallswasthereapossibilityofgettingoutofthedreadfultrap，sothitherIwent，afteralastlookatthepooroldking，alongmynarrowbeachwithalltheeagernessbegottenofafinalchance。Uptotheverybrinkitlookedhopelessenough，but，lookingdownwardswhenthatwasreached，insteadofasheerdroptheslopeseemedtobeawild\"staircase\"ofrocksandicyledgeswithhereandtherealittlepatchofsandonacornice，andfarbelow，fivehundredfeetorso，agoodbigspreadofgravelanacreortwoinextentclosebywheretheriverplungedoutofsightintothenethermostcavernmouth。
Itwassohopelessupaboveit，itcouldnotpossiblybeworsefurtherdown，andtherewastheuglyblackfloodrunningintotheholetotrustmyselftoasalastresource；
soslippingandslidingIbeganthedescent。
HadIbeenaschoolboywithagoodbreakfastaheadtheincidentmighthavebeenamusingenough。Thetravel—
lingwasmostlydoneontheseatofmytrousers，whichconsequentlybecamecakedwithmudandglacialloam。
Somewasaccomplishedonhandsandknees，withnowandthenabitdownasnowslope，ingood，honesthead—over—
heelsfashion。Theresultwasafineappetiteforthenextmealwhenitshouldpleaseprovidencetosendit，andanabruptarrivalonthebottombeachaboutfiveminutesafterleavingtheuppercircles。
Icametobehindaclusterofbreast—highrocks，andbeforemovingtookalookround。Judgethenofmyas—
tonishmentanddelightatthesecondglancetoperceiveaboutahundredyardsawayabrownobject，lookinglikeanapeinthehalflight，meanderingslowlyupthemarginofthewatertowardsme。Everynowandthenitstopped，stoopingdowntopickupsomethingorotherfromthescumalongthetorrent，anditwasthefactthatthesetrifles，whatevertheywere，wereputintoawalletbythevision’sside——notintohismouth——whichfirstmademeunderstandwithajoyfulthrillthatitwasaMANbeforeme——areal，livingmaninthishugechamberofdeadhorrors！Thenagainitflashedacrossmymindinaluminousmomentthatwhereonemancouldcome，orgo，orlive，anothercoulddolikewise，andneverdidcatwatchmousewithmorecon—
centratedeagernessthanIthatquaint，bent—shoulderedthinghobblingaboutinthebluemorningshadowswhereallelsewassilence。
Nearerandnearerhecame，tillsoclosefaceandgarbwerediscernible，andthentherecouldnolongerbeanydoubt，itwasawoodman，anoldman，withgrizzledmonkey—face，stoopinggait，andashaggyfurcloak，utterlyunliketheairygarmentsofmyHitherfolk，whonowstoodbeforeme。Itgavemequiteastarttorecognisehimthere，foritshowedIwasinanewland，andsincehewasgoingsocheerfullyabouthisbusiness，whateveritmightchancetobe，theremustbesomewayoutofthisaccursedpitinwhichIhadfallen。SoverycautiouslyIedgedout，takingadvantageofallthecoverpossibleuntilwewereonlytwentyyardsapart，andthensuddenlystandingup，andputtingonthemostaffablesmile，Icalledout——
\"Hullo，mess—mate！\"
Theeffectwaselectrical。Thatquaintoldfellowsprangayardintoairasthoughaspringhadshothimup。Then，comingdown，hestoodtransfixedathisfullheightasstiffasaramrod，staringatmewithincrediblewonder。HelookedsofunnythatinspiteofhungerandlonelinessIburstoutlaughing，whereatthewoodman，suddenlyrecoveringhissenses，turnedonhisheelsandsetoffathisbestpaceintheoppositedirection。Thiswouldneverdo！Iwantedhimtobemyguide，philosopher，andfriend。Hewasmysolevisiblelinkwiththeoutsideworld，soafterhimIwentattip—topspeed，andcatchinghimupinfiftyyardsalongtheshinglelaidholdofhisnethergarments。WhereattheoldfellowstoppingsuddenlyIshotcleanoverhisback，comingdownonmyshoulderinthegravel。
ButIwasmuchyoungerthanhe，andinaminutewasinchaseagain。ThistimeIlaidholdofhiscloak，andthemomenthefeltmygripheslippedtheneck—thongsandleftmewithonlythemangygarmentinmyhands。Againwesetoff，dodgingandscamperingwithallourmightuponthatfrozenbitofbeach。Theactivityofthatoldfellowwasmarvellous，butIcouldnotandwouldnotlosehim。
Imadearushandgrappledhim，buthetossedhisheadroundandslippedawayoncemoreundermyarm，asthoughhehadbeenbroughtupbyaChinesewrestler。Thenhegotononesideofaflatrock，Itheother，andforthreeorfourminuteswewaltzedroundthatslabinthemostinsanemanner。
Butbythistimewewerebothprettywellspent——hewithageandIwithfaintnessfrommylongfast，andwecamepresentlytoastandstill。
Afterglaringatmeforatime，thewoodmangaspedoutashestruggledforbreath——
\"Oh，mightyanddreadfulspirit！Oh，dwellerinpri—
mordialice，sayfromwhichnicheofthecliffshasthebreathofchancethawedyou？\"
\"Neveranicheatall，Mr。Hunter—for—Haddocks’—Eyes，\"
IansweredassoonasIcouldspeak。\"Iamjustacastawaywreckedlastnightonthisshoreofyours，andverygratefulindeedwillIbeifyoucanshowmethewaytosomebreakfastfirst，andafterwardstotheoutsideworld。\"
Buttheoldfellowwouldnotbelieve。\"Spiritssuchasyou，\"
hesaidsullenly，\"neednofood，andgowhithertheywillbywishalone。\"
\"ItellyouIamnotaspirit，andashungryasIdon’tparticularlywanttobeagain。Here，lookatthebackofmytrousers，cakedthreeinchesdeepinmud。IfIwereaspirit，doyouthinkIwouldslideaboutonmycoat—tailslikethat？
DoyouthinkthatifIcouldtravelbyvolitionIwouldslipdowntheseinfernalcliffsonmypants’seatasIhavejustdone？Andasformaterialism——lookatthisfist；itpunchedyoujustnow！Surelytherewasnothingspiritualinthatknock？’’
\"No，\"saidthesavage，rubbinghishead，\"itwasagood，honestrap，soImusttakeyouatyourword。Ifyouareindeedman，andhungry，itwillbeacharitytofeedyou；
ifyouareaspirit，itwillatleastbeinterestingtowatchyoueat；sositdown，andlet’sseewhatIhaveinmywallet。\"
Socross—leggedwesquattedoppositeeachotheronthetablerock，and，feelinglikeanotherSindbadtheSailor，I
watchedmynewfriendfumbleinhisbagandlayoutathissideallsortsofoddsandendsofstring，fish—hooks，chew—
ing—gum，materialformakingafire，andsoon，untilatlasthecametoapackage（doneup，Inotedwithdelight，inabroad，greenleafwhichhadcertainlybeengrowingthatmorning），andunrollingit，displayedalumpofdriedmeat，afewbiscuits，muchthickerandheavierthanthehoney—
cakesoftheHitherfolk，andsomethingthatlookedandsmeltlikestrong，whitecheese。
Hesignedtometoeat，andyoumaydependuponitI
wasnotslowinacceptingtheinvitation。Thattoughbiltongtastedtomelikethetendereststeakthatevercamefromagrill；thebiscuitswereambrosial；thecheesemeltedinmymouthasbuttermeltsinthatofthevirtuous；butwhentheoldmanfinishedthequaintpicnicbyinvitingmetoaccompanyhimdowntothewatersideforadrink，Ishookmyhead。Ihadagreatrespectfordeadqueensandkings，Isaid，butthereweretoomanyofthemupabovetomakemethirstythismorning；myrespectdidnotgotomakingmedesiretoimbibetheminsolution！
AfterwardsIchancedtoaskhimwhathehadbeenpick—
ingupjustnowalongthemargin，andafterlookingatmesuspiciouslyforaminuteheasked——
\"Youarenotathief？\"Onbeingreassuredonthatpointhecontinued：\"AndyouwillnotattempttorobmeoftheharvestforwhichIventureintothisghost—hauntedglen，whichyouandIaloneoflivingmenhaveseen？\"
\"No。\"Whatevertheywere，Isaid，Iwouldrespecthisearnings。
\"Verywell，then，\"saidtheoldman，\"lookhere！Icomehithertopickupthoseprettytrifleswhichyonderlordsandladieshavedonewith，\"andplunginghishandintoan—
otherbaghebroughtoutaperfectfistfulofsplendidgemsandjewels，somesetandsomeunset。\"Theywashfromthehandsandwristsofthosewhohavelodgingsinthecrevicesofthefallsabove，\"heexplained。\"Afteratimethebeachherewillbethickwiththem。CouldIgetupwhenceyoucamedown，theymightbegatheredbythesackful。Come！
thereisaneddystillunsearched，andIwillshowyouhowtheylie。\"
Itwasveryfascinating，andIandthatoldmansettoworkamongstthegravels，and，tobebrief，inhalfanhourfoundenoughglitteringstufftosetupaFifthAvenuejewel—
ler’sshop。Buttotellthetruth，nowthatIhadbreakfasted，andfeltmanhoodinmyveinsagain，Iwaseagertobeoff，andoutoftheclose，death—taintedatmosphereofthatvalley。ConsequentlyIpresentlystoodupandsaid——
\"Lookhere，oldman，thisisfinesportnodoubt，butjustatpresentIhaveabigjobonhand——onewhichwillnotwait，andImustbegoing。See，luckandyoungeyeshavefavouredme；hereistwiceasmuchgoldandstonesasyouhavegottogether——itisallyourswithoutaquestionifyouwillshowmethewayoutofthisdenandafterwardsputmeontheroadtoyourbigcity，forthitherIamboundwithanerrandtoyourking，Ar—hap。\"
Thesightofmygems，backed，perhaps，withthemen—
tionofAr—hap’sname，appealedtotheoldfellow；andaf—
teragruntortwoabout\"losingatide\"justwhenspoilwassoabundant，heacceptedthebargain，shoulderedhisbe—
longings，andledmetowardsthefarcornerofthebeach。
Itlookedasifwewerewalkingrightagainstthetower—
ingicewall，butwhenwewerewithinayardortwoofitanarrowcleft，onlyeighteenincheswide，andwonderfullymaskedbyanicecolumn，showedtotheleft，andintothiswesqueezedourselves，theentrancebywhichwehadcomeappearingtocloseupinstantlywehadgoneapaceortwo，soperfectlydidtheicewallsmatcheachother。
Itwasthemostuncannythoroughfareconceivable——asheer，sharpcrackintheblueicecliffsextendingfromwherethesunlightshoneinadazzlinggoldenbandfivehundredfeetoverheadtowherebottomwastouchedinblueob—
scurityoftheice—foot。Itwassonarrowwehadtotravelsidewaysforthemostpart，afactwhichbroughtmyfacecloseagainsttheclearblueglasswalls，andenabledmefromtimetotimetosee，farbackinthosetranslucentdepths，moreandmoreandevermorefrozenMartianswaitinginstonysilencefortheirrelease。
Butthefactoffactswasthatslowlytheflooroftheclefttrendedupwards，whilsttheskystripappearedtocomedownwardstomeetit。Amile，perhaps，wegrowledandsqueezedupthatwonderfulgully；thenwithafeelingofincrediblejoyIfelttheclear，outerairsmitinguponme。
InmyhurryanddelightIputmyheadintothesmallofthebackofthepuffingoldmanwhoblockedthewayinfrontandforcedhimforward，untilatlast——beforeweexpectedit——thecleftsuddenlyended，andheandI
tumbledheadlongovereachotherontoaglittering，frozensnowslope；theskyazureoverhead，thesunshinewarmasatepidbath，andawideprospectofmountainandplainextendingallaround。
SodelightfulwasthesuddenchangeofcircumstancesthatIbecamequiteboyish，andseizingtheoldmaninmyexub—
erancebythehands，draggedhimtohisfeet，anddancedhimroundandroundinacircle，whilehisancienthairflappedabouthishead，hisskincloakwavedfromhisshoulderslikeapairofduskywingsandhalf—eatencakes，driedflesh，glitteringjewels，brokendiadems，andgoldenfinger—ringswereflunginanarcaboutus。Wecaperedtillfairlyoutofbreath，andthen，slappinghimonthebackshoulder，Iaskedwhoselandallthiswasaboutus。
Herepliedthatitwasnoone’s，allwastefromvergetoverge。
\"What！\"wasmyexclamation。\"Allownerless，andwithsomuchtreasurehiddenhereabout！Why，Ishallannexittomycountry，andyouandIwillpegoutoriginalsettlers’
claims！\"And，stillexcitedbythemountainair，Iwhippedoutmysword，andindefaultofastar—spangledbannertoplantonthenewly—acquiredterritory，tracedingiganticlettersonthesnow—crust——U。S。A。
\"Andnow，\"Iadded，wipingtherimeoffmybladewiththelappetofmycoat，\"letusstopcaperingabouthereandgettobusiness。Youhavepromisedtoputmeonthewaytoyourbigcity。\"
\"Comeonthen，\"saidthelittleman，gatheringuphisproperty。\"Thiswhitehillsideleadstonowhere；wemustgetintothevalleyfirst，andthenyoushallseeyourroad。\"
Andrightwellthatquaintbarbariankepthispromise。
CHAPTERXIII
Itwashalfaday’smarchfromthoseglitteringsnow—
fieldsintothelowcountry，andwhenthatwasreachedI
foundmyselfamongstquiteanotherpeople。
Thelandwasnolongerfatandflowery，givingeverykindofproducefortheasking，butstonyforthemostpart，and，wherewefirstcameonvegetation，overgrownbyfirs，withapinewhichlookedtomelikeaspecieswhichwenttomakethecoalmeasuresinmydearbutdistantplanet。MorethanthisIcannotsay，fortherearenoplacesintheworldlikemess—roomandquarter—deckforforgettingschoollearn—
ing。Insteadofthegloriouswealthofparti—colouredvege—
tationmyeyeshadbeenaccustomedtolately，heretheyrestedoninfertilestretchesofmarshlandintersectedbymoss—coveredgravelshoots，lookingasthoughtheyhadbeenpushedintotheplainsinfrontofextinctglacierscomingdownfromtheregionbehindus。Onthelowhillsawayfromtheseathosesombreevergreenforestswithanundergrowthofmossandredlichensweremorevariegatedwithlightfoliage，andindeedthepinesprovedtobebutafringetotheArcticice，givingwayrapidlytomoretypicalMartianvegetationeachmilewemarchedtothesouthward。
Asfortheinhabitants，theyseemed，likemyguide，rough，uncouthfellows，buthonestenoughwhenyoucametoknowthem。Anintroduction，however，washighlydesirable。I
chanceduponthefirstnativeashewasgatheringreindeer—
moss。Mycompanionwassomelittlewaybehindatthemoment，andwhenthegentleaboriginesawthestrangerhestaredhardforamoment，then，turningonhisheels，withextraordinaryswiftnessflungatmehalfapoundofhardflintstone。HadhisaimbeenalittlemorecarefulthishumblenarrativehadneverappearedontheBroadwaybookstalls。Asitwas，thepebble，missingmyheadbyaninchortwo，splinteredintoahundredfragmentsonarockbehind，andwhileIwasdebatingwhetherarevengefulrushattheslingerorastrategicadvancetotherearweremoreadvisable，myguidecalledouttohiscountryman——
\"Ho！youbaseprowlerinthemorasses；youeaterofun—
cleanvegetation，doyounotseethisisaghostIamcon—
ducting，adwellerintheicecliffs，aspirittenthousandyearsold？Putbyyourslinglesthewitheryouwithaglance。\"And，veryreasonably，surprised，theaboriginedidashewasbidandcautiouslyadvancedtoinspectme。
Thenewssoonspreadoverthecountrysidethatmyjewel—
hunterwasbringingalive\"spook\"alongwithhim，con—
siderablecuriositymixedwithanawealltomyadvantagecharacterisingthepeoplewemetthereafter。Yetthewon—
derwasnotsogreatasmighthavebeenexpected，forthesepeoplewereaccustomedtomeetingthetagsoflostraces，andthoughtheystaredhard，theirinterestwaschieflyinhearinghow，when，andwhereIhadbeenfound，whetherIbitorkicked，orhadanyothervices，andifI
possessedanycommercialvalue。
Myguide’sthroatmusthaveachedwiththerepetitionofthenarrative，butashemadethestoryredoundgreatlytohisownglory，heputupcheerfullywiththehoarseness。
Inthisway，walkingandtalkingalternately，wetravelledduringdaylightthroughacountrywhichslowlylostitsruggedfeaturesandbecamemoreandmoreinhabited，thehardypeoplelivinginscatteredvillagesincontradictiontothedebasedcity—lovingHitherfolk。
Aboutnightfallwecametoasea—fishers’hamlet，where，aftertheoldmanhadexplainedmyexaltednatureandven—
erableantiquity，Iwasofferedshelterforthenight。
Myhostwastheheadman，andImustsayhisbearingtowardsthesupernaturalwasmostunaffected。IfithadbeenanAvenuehotelIcouldnothavefoundmorehandsometreatmentthaninthatreed—thatchedhut。Theymademewashandrest，andthenwereallagogformyhistory；butthatIpostponed，contentingmyselfwithtellingthemIhadbeenlatelyinSeth，andhadcomethencetoseethemviatheicevalley——toallofwhichtheylistenedwiththesimplicityofchildren。AfterwardsIturnedonthem，andopenlymar—
velledthatsosmallageographicaldistanceastherewasbetweenthatlandandthiscouldmakesovastahumandifference。\"Thetruth，Odwellerinblueshadowsofprimordialice，is，\"saidthemostintelligentoftheThitherfolkaswesatoverfrieddeer—steakinhishutthatevening，\"wewhoareMEN，notPeri—zad，notoverstayedfairieslikethoseyouhavebeenamongst，arenewcomershereonthisshore。Wecamebutafewgenerationsagofromwherethegoldcurtainsofthesunliebehindthewestwardpine—trees，andaswecamewedrove，yearbyyear，thosefays，thosespenttriflers，backbeforeus。Allthislandwastheirsonce，andmoreandmoretowardsouroldhome。Youmaystillseetracesofharboursdugandcitiesbuiltthousandsofyearsago，whentheHitherfolkwerelivingmenandwomen——
nottheirshadows。Thebigwateroutsidestopsusforaspace，but，\"headded，laughinggrufflyandtakingadraughtofastrongbeerhehadbeenheatingbythefire，\"KingAr—haphastheirprettynosesbetweenhisfingers；hetakestributeandgirlswhilehegetsready——theysayheisnearlyreadythissummer，andifheis，itwillnotbemuchofanexcusehewillneedtolickupthelastofthosetriflers，thosepretencesofmanhood。\"
ThenwefelltotalkingofAr—hap，hissubjectsandtown，andIlearnedthetideshadsweptmealongwaytothenorthwardoftheproperroutebetweenthecapitalsofthetworaces，thatdaytheycarriedmeintotheDead—Men’sIce，astheseentertainersofminecalledthenorthernsnows。
Togetbacktotheplacepreviouslyaimedat，wherethewoodmenroadcameoutontheseashore，itwasnecessarytogoeitherbyboat，aroundaboutwaythroughamazeofchannels，\"astangledasthegrassrootsinautumn\"；
or，secondly，byacoupleofdays’marchingduesouthwardacrossthebaseofthegreatpeninsulawewereon，andsostrikebluewateragainatthelong—sought—forharbour。
AsIlaydozinganddreamingonapileofstrangefursinthecornerofthehutthateveningImadeupmymindforthelandjourneytomorrow，havinghadenoughforthemo—
mentofnauticalMartianadventures；andthispointsettled，fellagaintowonderingwhatmademefollowsorecklessaquestinthewayIwasdoing；askingmyselfagainandagainwhatwasgazelle—eyedHerutomeafterall，andwhyshoulditmatterevenasmuchasthevalueofabrasswaist—
coatbuttonwhetherHathhadherorAr—hap？WhatafoolIwastoriskmyselfdaybydayinquaintanddangerousadventures，wearingoutgoodGovernmentshoe—leatherinothermen’squarrels，allforasillyslipofroyalgirlhoodwho，bythistime，wasprobablymakingherselfcomfortableandforgettingbothHathandmeinthearmsofherroughnewlord。
AndfromHerumyminddriftedbackdreamilytopoorAn，andSeth，thecityoffallenmagnificence，wherethespentmastersofastrangeplanetnowlivedonsuffer—
ance——theghostsoftheirformerselves。WherewasAn，wheretherevellersonthemorning——solongagoitseemed！——whenfirstthatinfernalrugofminetranslatedachancewishintoahorriblerealityandshotmedownhere，astrangerandanoutcast？Wherewasthemagicrugitself？Wheremysteakandtomatosupper？Whohadeatenit？Whowasdrawingmypay？IfIcouldbutfindtherugwhenIgotbacktoSeth，gods！butIwouldtryifitwouldnotreturnwhenceIhadcome，andasswiftly，outofallthesesillycoilsandadventuring。
Somusing，presentlythefirelightdieddown，andbulkyformsofhide—wrappedwoodmensleepingonthefloorslowlydisappearedinobscuritylikerangesofmountainsdisappearinginthedarknessofnight。Allthoseuncouthforms，andthethroboftheseaoutside，presentlyfadeduponmysenses，andIslepttheheavysleepofonewhosewakefulnessgiveswaybeforeanimperiousphysicaldemand。
Allthroughthelonghoursofthenight，whilethewavesoutsidechampeduponthegravels，andthewoodmensnoredandgrunteduneasilyastheysimultaneouslydreamtoftheday’shuntinganddigesteditsproceeds，Islept；andthenwhendawnbegantobreakIpassedfromthatheavystuporintoanotherandlighterrealm，whereinfancyagainrosesuperiortobodilyfatigue，andeventsofthelastfewdayspassedinprocessionthroughmymind。
IdreamtIwaslunchingatafashionableseasideresortwithPollyatmyside，andAnkeptbringingusmelons，whichgrewsomonstrouseverytimeaknifewasputintothemthatpoorPollyscreamedaloud。IdreamtIwasafloatonaraft，hotlypursuedbymytailor，whosebareandshinyhead——mayProvidencebegoodtohim！——wasgarlandedwithroses，whileinhisfistwasabunchofunpaidbills，thewhichhewavedaloft，shoutingtometostop。Andthuswedanceddownanink—blackriveruntilhehadchiveyedmeintothevasthalloftheAdmiralty，whereafearsomeSecretary，whosegoldenteethrattledanddroppedfromhisheadwithmingledcoldandanger，toweredabovemeasheaskedwhyIwasabsentfrommyshipwithoutleave。AndIwasjustmumblingoutexcuseswhilestoopingtopickuphisgoldendentistry，whensomeonestirringinthehutarousedme。Istarteduponmyelbowandlookedaround。
WherewasI？Foraminuteallwasconfusedanddark。
Theheavymound—likeformsofsleepingmen，thedimoutlinesoftheirhuntinggearuponthewalls，thepaleseabeyond，halfseenthroughtheopendoorway，justturninglividinthemorninglight；andthenasmyeyesgrewmoreac—
customedtotheobscurity，andmystupidsensesreturned，Irecognisedthesurroundings，and，withasigh，rememberedyesterday’sadventures。
However，itwouldneverdotomope；so，risingsilentlyandpickingawaythroughhumanlumberonthefloor，I
wentoutanddowntothewater’sedge，where\"shore—going\"
clothes，aswesailorscallthem，wereslippedoff，andI
plungedintotheseaforaswim。
Itwasawelcomedip，forIneededtheplungephysicallyandintellectually，butitcametoanabruptconclusion。TheThitherfolkapparentlyhadneverheardofthisformofenjoyment；tothemwaterstoodfordrinkingordrowning，nothingelse，andsinceonecouldnotdrinkthesea，tobeinitmeant，evenforaghost，todrown。Consequently，whenthewordwentroundthejustrousingvillagesthat\"He—on—foot—
from—afar\"wasadriftinthewaves，rescuepartieswerehur—
riedlyorganised，aboatlaunched，and，inspiteofallmykickingandshouting（whichtheytooktobeevidenceofmysemi—moribundcondition），Iwasspeedilyhauledoutbyhairyandpowerfulhands，pungentherbsburntun—
dermynose，andmyheelsheldhighintheairinorderthatthewatermightrunoutofme。Itwasonlywiththegreatestdifficultythoseroughbuthonestfellowswereeventuallygottobelievemesaved。
ThebreakfastImadeofgrilleddeerfleshandafishnotunlikesalmon，however，convincedthemofmyrecovery，andafterwardwepartedverygoodfriends；fortherewassome—
thinginthenatureofthoseruggedbarbariansjustcomingintothedawnofcivilisationthatwonmylikingfarmorethantheeffetegentlenessofothersacrossthewater。
Whenthetimeofpartingcametheyshowednocuriosityastomyerrand，butjustgavemesomefoodinafish—skinbag，thrustaheavystone—headedaxeintomyhand，\"incaseIhadtotalktoathiefontheroad，\"andpointedoutonthesouthernhorizonaforkedmountain，underwhich，theysaid，wastheharbourandhigh—roadtoKingAr—hap’scapital。
Thentheyhuggedmetotheirhairychestsinturn，andletmegowithatraveller’sblessing。
ThereIwasagain，allalone，nonebutmythoughtsforcompanions，andnothingbutyouthtoexcusethefollyinthusventuringonarecklessquest！
However，whocangainsaythatsameyouth？Theveryspiceofdangermademystepslightandthewaypleasant。
Foramileortwothetrackwasplainenough，throughanundulatingcountrygraduallybecomingmoreandmorewoodedwithvegetation，changingrapidlyfromAlpinetosub—tropical。Theairalsogrewwarmer，andwhenthedivid—
ingridgewascrossedandathickforestentered，thesnowsanddreadfulregionofDeadmen’sIcealreadyseemedleaguesandleaguesaway。
Probablyawarmoceancurrentplayedononesideofthepeninsula，whileacoldoneswepttheother，butforsci—
entificaspectsofthequestionIcaredlittleinmyjoyatbeinganewinasoftclimate，amongstbeautifulflowersandvividlifeagain。MileaftermileslippedquicklybyasIstrodealong，whistling\"YankeeDoodle\"tomyselfandrevellinginthechange。AtoneplaceImetarough—lookingMartianwoodcutter，whowantedtofightuntilhefoundIalsowantedto，whenheturnedverycivilandastalkativeasasolitaryliverofteniswhenhistonguegetsstarted。HeparticularlydesiredtoknowwhereIcamefrom，and，asinthecasewithsomanyotherofhiscountrymen，tookitforgranted，andwithverylittlesurprise，thatIwaseitheraspiritoraninhabitantofanotherworld。Withthisideainhismindhegavemeacuriouspieceofinformation，which，unfortunately，Iwasneverabletofollowup。
\"Idon’tthinkyoucanbeaspirit，\"hesaid，criticallyeyeingmyclothes，whichwerenowgettingraggedanddirtybeyonddescription。\"Theyarefiner—lookingthingsthanyou，andIdoubtiftheirtoescomethroughtheirshoeslikeyoursdo。Ifyouareawandererfromthestars，youarenotlikethatotheronewehavedownyonder，\"andhepointedtothesouthward。
\"What！\"Iasked，prickingmyearsinamazement，\"an—
otherwandererfromtheoutsideworld！Doeshecomefromtheearth？\"——usingthewordAnhadgivenmetosignifymyownplanet。
\"No，notfromthere；fromtheonethatburnsblueineveningbetweensunandsea。Mensayheworkedasastokerorsomethingofthekindwhenhewasathome，andgottriflingwithavolcanotap，andwaslappedinhotmud，andblownouthere。Mybrothersawhimaboutaweekago。\"
\"Nowwhatyousayisdownrightcurious。IthoughtI
hadamonopolyofthatkindofbusinessinthissphereofyours。Ishouldbetremendouslyinterestedtoseehim。\"
\"Noyouwouldn’t，\"brieflyansweredthewoodman。\"Heisthestupidestfooleverblownfromoneworldtoanother——
morestupidtolookatthanyouare。Heisagaseous，waveything，soglumyoucan’tgettwowordsaweekoutofhim，andsounstablethatyouneverknowwhenyouarewithhimandwhenthebreezehasdriftedhimsomewhereelse。\"
Icouldbutlaughandinsist，withallrespecttothewoodcutter，suchanindividualwereworththeknowinghoweverunstablehisconstitution；atwhichthemanshruggedhisshouldersandchangedtheconversation，asthoughthesubjectweretootrivialtobeworthmuchconsideration。
Thisindividualgavemethepleasureofhiscompanyuntilnearlysundown，andfindingItookaninterestinthingsoftheforest，pointedoutmorecuriousplantsandtreesthanIhavespacetomention。Twoofthem，however，clingtomymemoryverytenaciously。OnewasaveryCirceamongstplants，thehorriblecharmofwhichcanneverbeforgotten。
Weweregoingdownagladewhenamostravishingodourfelluponmynostrils。Itwasheavenlysweetyetwithaltherelurkedanincredibly，unexpressiblytemptingspiceofwickednessinit。Themomenthecaughtthatambrosialinvitationintheairmywoodmanspitfiercelyontheground，andtakingaplugofwoolfromhispouchstuffedhisnostrilsup。Thenhebeckonedmetocomeaway。Buttheodourwastooravishing，Iwasboundtoseewhenceitarose，andfindingmedeaftoallwarnings，themanreluctantlyturnedasidedowntheenticingtrail。Wepushedaboutahundredyardsthroughbushesuntilwecametoalittlearenafullinsunshinewheretherewereneitherbirdsnorbutterflies，butadeath—likehushuponeverything。Indeed，theplaceseemedshunnedinspiteofthesoddenlovelinessofthatscentwhichmonopolisedandmountedtomybrainuntilIwasbeginningtobedrunkwiththesheerpleasureofit。Andthereinthecentreofthespacestoodaplantnotunlikeatreefern，aboutsixfeethigh，andcrownedbyonehugeandlovelyblossom。Itresembledavastpassion—flowerofincrediblesplendour。Therewerefourpetals，withpointsrestingontheground，eachsixfeetlong，ivory—whiteinside，exquisitelypatternedwithglitteringsilverveins。Fromthebaseoftheseroseuprightagauzyveilofazurefilamentsofthesamelengthasthepetals，wirelike，yetsoftassilk，andinsidethemagainrestedachaliceofsilverholdingatinypooloflimpidgoldenhoney。Circe，indeed！Itwasfromthatcupthescentarose，andmythroatgrewdrywithlongingasIlookedatit；myeyesstrainedthroughthebluetendrilstowardsthatliquidnectar，andmygiddysensesfelttheymustdrinkordie！Iglancedatthewoodmanwithasmileofdrunkenhappiness，thenturnedtotteringlegstowardstheblossom。Astrideupthesmoothcausewayofwhitepetals，apushthroughtheazurehaze，andthewineofthewoodenchantresswouldbemine——moltenam—
berwine，hotterandmoregoldenthanthesunshine；thefireofitwasinmyveins，therecklessnessofintoxicationwasonme，lifeitselfasnothingcomparedtoasipfromthatchalice，mylipsmusttasteormysoulwoulddie，andwithtremblinghandandstrainedfaceIbegantoclimb。
Butthewoodmanpulledmeback。
\"Back，stranger！\"hecried。\"Thosewhodrinkthereneverliveagain。\"
\"Blessedoblivion！IfIhadathousandlivesthepricewerestilltoocheap，\"andoncemoreIessayedtoscrambleup。
Butthemanwasabigfellow，andwithnostrilsplugged，andeyesavertedfromthedeadlyglamour，heseizedmebythecollarandthrewmeback。ThreetimesItried，threetimeshehurledmedown，fartoofaintandabsorbedtoheedthepersonalviolence。Thenstandingbetweenus，\"Look，\"
hesaid，\"lookandlearn。\"
Hehadkilledasmallapethatmorning，meaninglaterontotakeitsfurforclothing，andthishenowunslungfromhisshoulder，andhitchingthehandleofhisaxeintothelooseskinatthebackofitsneck，cautiouslyadvancedtothewitchplant，andgentlyhoistedthemonkeyoverthebluepalings。Themomentitslimp，deadfeettouchedthegoldenpoolashudderpassedthroughtheplant，andabirdsome—
wherefarbackintheforestcriedoutinhorror。Quickasthought，aspasmoflifeshotupthetendrils，andliketonguesofblueflametheyclosedroundthevictim，lappinghismiserablebodyintheirembrace。Atthesametimethepetalsbegantorise，showingastheydidsohard，leathery，un—
lovelyouterrinds，andbythetimethewoodmanwasbackatmysidetheflowerwasclosed。
Closerandcloserwoundthebluetendrils；tighterandtighterclosedthecruelpetalswiththeirirongrip，untilatlastweheardtheape’sbonescracklinglikedryfirewood；
thennexthisheadburst，hisbrainscameoozingthroughthecrevices，whilebloodandentrailsfollowedthemthrougheverycranny，andthehorriblemesswiththeoverflowofthechalicecurleddownthesteminahundredsteamingrills，tillatlastthepetalslockedwithanuglysnapupontheirghastlymeal，andIturnedawayfromthesightindreadandloathing。
ThatwasplantNumberOne。
PlantNumberTwowasofmilderdisposition，andwonaheartylaughformyfriendlywoodman。Infact，beingofachildlikenature，hissuccessasaprofessorofbotanyquitepleasedhim，andnotcontentwithansweringmyquestions，hesettoworktofindnewvegetablesurprises，greatlyenjoyingmywonderandthesenseofimportanceitgavehim。
Inthiswaywecame，lateronintheday，toaspotwhereherbagewassomewhatscantier，thegrasscoarse，andsoilshallow。HereIespiedatreeofsmallsize，apparentlywithered，butstillbearingafewparchedleavesonitsupper—
mosttwigs。
\"Nowthat，\"quoththeprofessor，\"isahighlycurioustree，andIshouldlikeyoutomakeacloseacquaintancewithit。
Itgrowsfromaseedinthecourseofasinglespringtime，perishesinthesummer；butafewspecimensstandthrough—
outthewinter，providedthesituationissheltered，asthisonehasdone。IfyouwillkindlygodownandshakeitsstemIbelieveyouwilllearnsomethinginteresting。\"
So，verywillingtohumourhim，awayIwenttothetree，whichwasperfectineverydetail，butapparentlyverydry，claspeditwithbothhands，and，pullingmyselfto—
gether，gaveitamightyshake。Theresultwasinstantaneous。
Thewholethingwasnothingbutaskinofdust，whenceallfibreandsaphadgone，andatmytouchitdissolvedintoacloudofpowder，ahugepuffofwhitedustwhichdescendedonmeasthoughacoupleofflour—bagshadbeeninvertedovermyhead；andasIstaggeredoutsneez—
ingandblinking，whiteasamillerfromfacetofoot，theMartianburstintoawild，joyouspealoflaughterthatmadethewoodsringagain。HismerrimentwassosincereIhadnotthehearttobeangry，andsoonlaughedasloudashedid；though，forthefuture，Itookhisbotanicales—
sayswithalittlemorecaution。
CHAPTERXIV
Thatwoodmanfriendofmineprovedsoengagingitwasdifficulttogetaway，andthuswhen，duskuponus，andmyobjectstillalongdistanceoff，heaskedmetospendthenightathishut，Igladlyassented。
Wesoonreachedthecabinwherethemanlivedbyhimselfwhilstworkingintheforest。Itwasapicturesquelittleplaceonatree—overhunglagoon，thatched，wattled，andallaboutwerepilesofapleasant—scentedbark，collectedforthepurposeoftanninghides，andIcouldnotbutmarvelthatsuchafamiliarprocessshouldbepractisedidenticallyontwosidesoftheuniversalether。ButasamatteroffactthesimilarityofmanydetailsofexistencehereandtherewasthemoststrikingofthethingsIlearnedwhilstintheredplanet。
Withinthehutstoodahearthinthecentreofthefloor，whereonacomfortableblazesoonsparkled，anduponthewallshungvariousimplements，hides，andastoreofdriedfruitsofvariousnovelkinds。Myhost，whenhehadsomewhatdisdainfullywatchedmewashinarillofwatercloseby，suggestedsupper，andIagreedwithheartiestgoodwill。
\"Nothingwonderful！Oh，Mr。Blue—coat！\"hesaid，pranc—
ingaboutashemadehishospitablearrangements。\"Nofinemeatorscentedwinetounlock，onebyone，allthedoorsofparadise，suchasIhaveheardtheyhaveinlandsbe—
yondthesea；butfaregoodenoughforplainmenwhoeatbuttolive。So！reachmedownyonderbunchofyellowarufruit，anddon’tupsetthatcalabash，forallmyfunnieststorieslurkatthebottomofit。\"
Ididashebid，andsoonweweresquattingbythefiretoastingarusonpointedsticks，thedoorwayclosedwithawattlehurdle，andtheblackandgoldfirelightfillingthehutwithfantasticshadows。Thenwhenthebanana—likefruitwasready，themanfetchedfromarecessaloafofbreadsavouredwiththedustofdriedandpoundedfish，puttheforesaidcalabashofstrongaletowarm，anddownwesattosupperwithrealwoodmanappetites。SeldomhaveIenjoyedamealsomuch，andwhenwehadfinishedthefruitandthewheatcakemyguidesnatchedupthegreatgourdofale，andputtingittohislipscalledout：
\"Here’stoyou，stranger；here’stoyourcountry；here’stoyourgirl，ifyouhaveone，anddeathtoyourenemies！\"Thenhedrankdeepandlong，and，passedthestufftome。
\"Here’stoyou，bullyhost，andthemissus，andthechildren，ifthereareany，andmorepowertoyourel—
bow！\"——thewhichgratifiedhimgreatly，thoughprobablyhehadsmallideaofmymeaning。
Andrightmerrywewerethatevening。Thehostwasajollygoodfellow，andhisale，withapleasantsavourofmintinit，wastheheartiestdrinkIeversetlipsto。Wetalkedandlaughedtilltheveryjackalsyappedinsympathyoutside。Andwhenhehadtoldascoreofwonderfulwoodstoriesaspungentofthelifeofthesefairyforestsasthearomaticscentofhisbark—heapsoutside，asiridescentwiththecoloursofanotherworldastherainbowbubblesrid—
ingdownhisstarlitrill，Itookaturn，andtoldhimofthecommonplacesofmyworldsofaraway，whereathelaughedgloriouslyagain。Thegreaterthecommonplacethelargerhisjoy。Thehumbleststory，hardlycalculatedtoimpressagriffinbetweenwatchesonthemain—deck，wasamasterpieceofwittothatgentlesavage；andwhenI\"tookoff\"thetricksandfoiblesofsomeofmysuperiors——Heavenforgivemeforsuchtreason！——helistenedwiththeexquisiteopen—
moutheddelightofonewhowandersinabrand—newworldofmirth。
Wedrankandlaughedoverthatstrongbeertillthelittleowlsoutsideraisedtheirvoiceincombinedaccord，andthenthewoodman，shakingthelastremnantofhissleepywitstogether，andgivingareproachfullookatmeforfinallypassinghimthegourdemptytothelastdrop，rose，threwafuronapileofdeadgrassatonesideofthehut，andbidmesleep，\"forhisbrainwasgiddywiththewondersoftheincredibleandludicrousspherewhichIhadlatelyin—
habited。\"
Slowlythefirediedaway；slowlythequiveringgoldandblackarabesquesonthewallsmergedinaredhazeasthesticksdroppedintotinder，andthegreatblackoutlineofthehairymonsterwhohadthrownhimselfdownbytheembersroseupthewallsagainstthatflushliketheoutlineofarangeofhillsagainstasunsetglow。Ilisteneddrowsilyforaspacetohissnoringandthelaughinganswerofthebrookoutside，andthenthatambrosialsleepwhichisthegentleattendantofhardshipanddangertouchedmytiredeyelids，andI，too，slept。
Myfriendwasglumthenextmorning，astheywhostayover—longatthesupperflagonareapttobe。Hehadbeenatworkanhouronhisbark—heapswhenIcameoutintotheopen，anditwasonlybyagooddealofdiplomacyandsomematerialhelpinsortinghisfaggotsthathewasgotintoabetterframeofmind。Icouldnot，however，trusthismoodcompletely，andasIdidnotwanttoendsojovialafriendshipwithaquarrel，Ihurriedthroughourbreakfastofdrybread，withhard—boiledlizardeggs，andthensettlingmyreckoningwithoneofthebrassbuttonsfrommycoat，whichheimmediatelythreaded，witheveryevidenceofex—
tremegratification，onastringoftrinketshangingroundhisneck，askedhimthewaytoAr—hap’scapital。
\"Yourwayiseasy，friend，aslongasyoukeeptothestraightpathandhaveyondertwo—humpedmountaininfront。Totheleftisthesea，andbehindthehillrunsthecanalandroadbywhichalltrafficcomesorgoestoAr—hap。
Butaboveallthingspassnottothehillsright，fornomangoesthere；thereawaytheforestsarethickasnight，andintheirperpetualshadowsaretheruinsofaHithercity，ahauntedfairytowntowhichsometravellershavebeen，butwhencenoneeverreturnedalive。\"
\"BythegreatJove，thatsoundspromising！Iwouldliketoseethattownifmyerrandwerenotsourgent。\"
Buttheoldfellowshookhisshaggyheadandturnedashadeyellower。\"Itisnoplacefordecentfolk，\"hegrowled。
\"Imyselfoncepassedwithinamileofitsoutskirtsatdusk，andsawtheunholylittlepeople’slanternedprocessionsstartingfortheshrineofQueenYang，who，traditionsays，killedherselfandathousandbabieswithherwhenwetookthisland。\"
\"Myword，thatwasaholocaust！Couldn’tIdropintheretolunch？Itwouldmakeafinepaperforananti—
quariansociety。\"
Againthewoodmanfrowned。\"DoasIbidyou，son。
Youaretooyoungandgreentogoonventuresbyyourself。
Keeptothestraightroad：shuntheswampsandthefairyforest，elsewillyouneverseeAr—hap。\"
\"AndasIhaveveryurgentandveryimportantbusinesswithhim，comrade，nodoubtyouradviceisgood。IwillcallonPrincessYangsomeotherday。Andnowgoodbye！
Rougherbutfriendliershelterthanyouhavegivenmenomancouldaskfor。Iamdownrightsorrytopartwithyouinthislonelyland。Ifeverwemeetagain——\"butweneverdid！Thehonestoldchurlclaspedmeintohishairybosomthreetimes，stuffedmywalletwithdryfruitandbread，andoncemorerepeatinghisdirections，sentmeonmylonelyway。
IconfessIsighedwhileturningintotheforest，andlookedbackmorethanonceathisretreatingform。Thelonelinessofmyposition，thehopelessnessofmyventure，welledupinmyheartafterthatgoodcomradeship，andwhenthehutwasoutofsightIwentforwarddownthegreengrassroad，chinonchest，fortwentyminutesinthedeepestdejection。
But，thankHeaven，Iwasbornwithatoughspirit，andpossessamindwhichhaslearnedinmanyfightstogivebravecounseltomyspirit，andthuspresentlyIshookmyselftogether，settingmyfaceboldlytothequestandtheday’swork。
Itwasnotsoclearamorningasthepreviousone，andasteamywindonwhatatseaIshouldhavecalledthestarboardbow，asIpressedforwardtothedistanthill，hadacuriouslysubduingeffectonmythoughts，andfilledtheforestgladeswithatremulousunrealityliketonothingonourearth，anddistinctlyembarrassingtoastrangerinastrangeland。Smallbirdsinthatquaintatmospherichazelookedlikecondors，butterflieslikegiantfowl，andthesim—
plestobjectsoftheforestliketheimaginationsofadisordereddream。Behindthatgauzyhallucinationafinewhitemistcameup，andthesunspreadoutflatandredinthesky，whilethepent—inheatbecamealmostunendurable。
StillIploddedon，growlingtomyselfthatinChristianlatitudesalltheevidenceswouldhavebeenheldtobe—
tokenastormbeforenight，whatevertheymightdohere，butforthemostpartlostinmyowngloomyspeculations。
Thatwasthemorepitysince，inthinkingthewalkovernow，itseemstomethatIpassedmanymarvels，sawmanygloriousvistasinthosenamelessforests，manyspreadsofcolour，manyincidentsthat，couldIbutrememberthemmoredistinctly，wouldsupplymaterialformakingmyfortuneasadescriptivetraveller。Butwhatwouldyou？Ihaveforgotten，andamtoovirtuoustodrawonmyimagination，asitissometimessaidothertravellershavedonewhenpicturesquefactsweredeficient。Yes，Ihaveforgottenallaboutthatday，savethatitwassultryhot，thatItookoffmycoatandwaistcoattobecooler，carryingthem，likethetrampIwas，acrossmyarm，andthusdishevelledpassedsometimeintheafternoonanencampmentofforestfolk，wherefromalmostallthemenweregone，andthewomenshyandsurly。
Innoverysocialhumourmyself，Iwalkedroundtheirwoodlandvillage，andontheoutskirts，byabrook，justasIwaswishingthereweresomeonetoeatmysolitarylunchwith，chanceduponafellowbusilyengagedinhammeringstonesintoweaponsuponaflintanvil。
Hewasanugly—lookingindividualatbest，yetIwashardupforcompany，soIputmycoatdown，and，seatingmyselfonalogopposite，proceededtoopenmywallet，andtakeoutthefrugalstoresthewoodmanhadgivenmethatmorning。
Themanwasseateduponthegroundholdingastoneanvilbetweenhisfeet，whilewithhishandsheturnedandchippedwithgreatskillaspear—headhewasmakingoutofflint。Itwasabouttheonlypastimehehad，andhislittleyelloweyesgleamedwithacraftsman’spleasure，hisshaggyroundshoulderswerebentoverthetask，thechipsflewinquickparticles，andthewoodechoedmusicallyasthearti—
ficerwatchedthethingunderhishandstakeformandfashion。PresentlyIspoke，andtheworkerlookedup，nottoopleasedatbeingthusinterrupted。Buthewaseasyofpropitiation，andoverahandfulofdriedraisinscommuni—
cative。
How，Iasked，knowingacraftsman’scraftisoftennearesttohisheart，howwasitsuchthingsasthathechippedcametobethoughtofbyhimandhis？Whereonthewoodman，havingspitouttheraisin—stonesandwipedhisfingersonhisfur，saidinsubstancethatthefirstweaponwasfashionedwhentheearliestapehurledthefirststoneinwrath。
\"But，chum，\"Isaid，takinguphishalf—finishedspearandtouchingtherazor—fineedgewithadmiringcaution，\"fromhurlingthecrudepebbletofashioningsuchasthisisalongstride。Whofirstedgedandpointedtheprimitivemalice？Whatmanwiththesoulofathousandunbornfightersinhimnotchedandsharpenedyournaturalrock？\"
Whereonthechippergrinned，andansweredthat，whenthewoodmenhadfoundstonesthatwouldcrackskulls，itcameuponthempresentlythattheywouldcracknutsaswell。Andcrackingnutsbetweentwostonesonedayaflintshattered，andthereonthegrasswasthegoldensecretoftheedge——thethingthathasmademanwhatheis。
\"Yetagain，goodfellow，\"Iqueried，\"eventhishappychanceonlygivesusaweapon，sharp，nodoubt，andcal—
culatedtodoahundredservicesforanytentheoriginalpebblecouldhavedone，butstillunhandled，smallinforce，imperfect——nowtellme，whichofyouramiableancestorsfirstputahandletothefashionedflint，andhowhethoughtofit？\"
Theworkmanhaddonehisflakebynow，andwrappingitinabitofskin，putitcarefullyinhisbeltbeforeturningtoanswermyquestion。
\"Whomadethefirsthandleforthefirstflint，youofthemanyquestions？Shedid——she，theMother，\"hesuddenlycried，pattingtheearthwithhisbrownhand，andworkinghimselfupashespoke，\"madeitinherheartforusherfirst—born。See，hereissuchasthefirsthandledweaponthatevercameoutofdarkness，\"andhesnatchedfromtheground，whereithadlainhiddenunderhisfox—skincloak，aheavyclub。Isawinaninstanthowitwas。Theclubhadbeenasapling，andthesapling’srootshadgrownaboutandcircledwithasplendidgripalumpofnativeflint。
Awoodmanhadpulledthesapling，foundtheflint，andfashionedthetwoinamomentofhappyinspiration，theonetoanaxe—headandtheothertoahandle，astheylayNature—welded！
\"This，Isay，isthefirst——thefirst！\"screamedtheoldfellowasthoughIwerecontradictinghim，thumpingthegroundwithhisweapon，andworkinghimselfuptoafuryasitsblackmagicenteredhisbeing。\"Thisisthefirst：withthisIslewHetterandGur，andthosewhoplunderedmyhiding—
placesinthewoods；withthisIhavekilledascoreofothers，burstingtheirheads，andcrackingtheirboneslikedrysticks。