Withthis——withthis——\"butherehisragerenderedhimin—
articulate；hestammeredandstutteredforaminute，andthenasthekillingfurysettledonhimhisyellowteethshutwithasuddensnap，whilethroughthemhisbreathrattledlikewindthroughdeadpinebranchesinDecember，thesinewssatuponhishandsashisfingerstightenedupontheaxe—heftliketherootsofthesamepinesfromthegroundwhenwinterrainhaswashedthesoilfrombeneaththem；
hissmalleyesgleamedlikebalefulplanets；everyhairuponhisshaggybackgrewstiffanderect——anotherminuteandmyspanwereended。
WithaleapfromwhereIsatIflewatthathairybeast，andsinkingmyfistsdeepinhisthrottle，shookhimtillhiseyesblazedwithdeliriousfires。Wewaltzedacrosstheshortgreen—
sward，andinandaboutthetree—trunks，shaking，pulling，andhittingaswewent，tillatlastIfelttheman’svigourdy—
ingwithinhim；alittlemoreshaking，asuddentwist，andhewaslyingonthegroundbeforeme，senselessandcivil！
Thatistheworstofsomeorators，Ithoughttomyself，asIgloomilygatheredupthescatteredfragmentsofmylunch；
theyneverknowwhentheyhavesaidenough，andaretooapttobecarriedawaybytheirownarguments。
Thatinhospitablevillagewasleftbehindinfullbeliefthemountainloominginthesouthcouldbereachedbeforenightfall，whiletheroadtoitsleftwouldserveasasureguidetofoodandshelterfortheevening。But，asitturnedout，themorning’shazedevelopedastrongmisteretheafternoonwashalfgone，throughwhichitwasimpossibletoseemorethantwentyyards。Myhillloomedgiganticforatimewithatantalisingappearanceofbeingonlyamileortwoahead，thenwavered，becamevisionary，andfinallydisap—
pearedascompletelyasthoughtheforestmisthaddrunkitupbodily。
Therewasstilltheroadtoguideme，afairlywell—
beatentracktwiningthroughtheglades；buteventhebestofhighwaysaredifficultinfog，andthisonewascompli—
catedbyvarioussidepaths，madeprobablybyhuntersorbark—cutters，andwithoutcompassorguidemarksitwasnecessarytoadvancewithextremecaution，orgethelplesslymazed。
Anhour’ssteadytrampingbroughtmenowhereinparticu—
lar，andstoppingforaminutetoconsider，Ipickedafewwildfruit，suchasmywood—cutterfriendhadeaten，fromanoverhangingbush，andinsodoingslipped，thesoilhavingnowbecomedamp，andinfallingbrokeabranchoff。Theincidentwasonlyimportantfromwhatfollows。Pickingmyselfup，perhapsalittleshakenbythejolt，Isetoffagainuponwhatseemedtheplainroad，andbeingbythistimedispleasedbymysurroundings，determinedtomakeapushfor\"civilization\"beforetherapidlygatheringdarknessset—
tleddown。
Handsinpocketsandcollarup，Imarchedforwardatagoodroundpaceforanhour，constantlystrainingeyesforasightofthehillandearsforsomeindicationsoflivingbeingsinthedeathlyhushoftheshroudedwoods，andattheendofthattime，feelingsurehabitationsmustnowbenear，arrivedatwhatlookedlikealittleopenspace，some—
howseemingratherfamiliarinitsvagueoutlines。
WherehadIseensuchaplacebefore？Saunteringroundthemargin，abushwithabrokenbranchsud—
denlyattractedmyattention——abrokenbushwithalongslideinthemudbelowit，andthestampofNavybootsinthesoftturf！Iglaredatthosesignsforamoment，thenwithanexclamationofchagrinrecognisedthemonlytoowell——itwasthebushwhenceIhadpickedthefruit，andthemarkofmyfall。Anhour’shardwalkingroundsomeaccursedwoodlandtrackhadbroughtmeexactlybacktothepointIhadstartedfrom——Iwaslost！
ItreallyseemedtogettwentypercentdarkerasImadethatabominablediscovery，andthepositiondawnedinallitsuncomfortableintensity。Therewasnothingforitbuttostartoffagain，thistimejudgingmydirectiononlybyalightbreathofairdriftingthemisttanglesbeforeit；andthereinImadeagreatmistake，forthebreezehadshiftedseveralpointsfromthequarterwhenceitblewinthemorning。
Knowingnothingofthis，Iwentforwardwithasmuchlightheartednessascouldbemanaged，hummingasongtomyself，andcarefullyputtingasidethoughtsofwarmthandsupper，whiletheduskincreasedandthegreatforestvegetationseemedtogrowrankerandcloserateverystepAnotherdisconcertingthingwasthatthegroundslopedgraduallydownwards，notupwardsasitshouldhavedone，tillitseemedthepathlayacrosstheflatsofaforest—coveredplain，whichdidnotconformtomywishofstrikingaroadonthefoot—hillsofthemountain。However，Iploddedon，drawingsomesmallcomfortfromthefactthatasdarknesscamethemistrosefromthegroundandappearedtocon—
denseinaghostlycurtaintwentyfeetoverhead，whereithungbetweenmeandaclearnightsky，presentlyillum—
inedbystarlightwiththestrangesteffect。
Tired，footsore，anddejected，Istruggledonalittlefurther。Ohforacab，Ilaughedbitterlytomyself。Ohforeventhehumblenecessaryomnibusofcivilisation。Ohforthehumblesttuck—shopwhereamugofhotcoffeeandasnackcouldbehadbyahomelesswanderer；andasI
thoughtandploddedsavagelyon，collarup，handsinpockets，throughtheblacktanglesofthatendlesswood，suddenlythesoundofwailingchildrencaughtmyear！
Itwasthesoftest，saddestmusicevermortallistenedto。Itwasasthoughscoresofbabesinpainweredroppingtosleepontheirmothers’breasts，andallhushingtheirsor—
rowswithoneaccordinacommonmelancholychorus。I
stoodspell—boundatthatelfinwailing，thefirstsoundtobreakthedeathlystillnessoftheroadforanhourormore，andmybloodtingledasIlistenedtoit。Nevertheless，herewaswhatIwaslookingfor；wheretherewereweepingchildrentheremustbehabitations，andshelter，and——splendidthought！——supper。Poorlittlebabes！theircryingwasthedeadliest，sweetestthinginsorrowsIeverlistenedto。Ifitwascholic——why，Iknewalittleofmedicine，andingratitudeforthatprospectivesupper，Ihadasoulbigenoughtocureathousand；andiftheywereindisgrace，andbysomequaintMartianfashionhadsufferedsimul—
taneouspunishmentforbabyoffences，Iwouldpleadforthem。
Infact，Ifairlysetoffattheruntowardsthesobbing，intheblack，wet，nightairahead，and，trippingasIran，lookeddownandsawinthefilteringstarlightthattheforestgrasshadgivenplacetoanancientroadway，pavedwithmoss—grownflag—stones，suchastheystillusedinSeth。
WithoutstoppingtothinkwhatthatmightmeanIhur—
riedon，thewailingnowrightahead，atremuloustumultofgentlegriefrisingandfallingonthenightairlikethesoundofaseaafterastorm；andso，presently，inaminuteortwo，cameuponaruinedarchwayspanningthelonelyroad，heldtogetherbygreatmassesofblack—fingeredcreep—
ers，gauntandghostlyintheshadows，anextraordinaryandunexpectedvision；andasIstoppedwithajerkunderthatforbiddinggatewayandglaredatitstumbledmasonryandgreatportalshangingrottenattheirhinges，suddenlythetruthflasheduponme。Ihadtakentheforbiddenroadafterall。Iwasintheancient，ghost—hauntedcityofQueenYang！
CHAPTERXV
ThedarkforestseemedtoshutbehindasIenteredthegatewayofthedesertedHithertown，againstwhichmywood—cutterfriendhadwarnedme，whileinsidethesoftmisthunginthestarlightlikegreydraperyoverendlessvistasofruins。WhatwasItodo？Withoutallwasblackandcheerless，insidetherewasatleastshelter。Wetandcold，mycouragewasnottobeputdownbythestoriesofasillysavage；Iwouldgoonwhateverhappened。Besides，thesoftsoundofcrying，nowapparentlyallabout，seemedcompanionable，andIhadheardsomuchofghostsoflate，thesharpedgeoffearattheirpresencewaswearingoff。
SoinIwent：upabroad，decayedstreet，itsflagstonesheavedeverywherebytherootsofgnarledtrees，andfindingnothingsaveruin，triedtorestunderawall。Butthenightairwaschillyandtheshelterpoor，sooutIcameagain，withthewailingintheshadowssocloseaboutnowthatIstopped，andmusteringupcouragecalledaloud：
\"Hullo，youwhoweepthereinthedark，areyoulivingordead？\"Andafteraminutefromthehollowsoftheemptyhearthsaroundcamethesadlittleresponsiveecho：
\"Areyoulivingordead？\"Itwasverydelusiveandun—
satisfactory，andIwaswonderingwhattodonextwhenaslantofwarmerwindcameupbehindmeunderthemist，andimmediatelylittletonguesofblueflameblossomedwith—
outvisiblecauseineverydarksomecrevice；paleflickersofmiasmiclightrisingpallidfromeverylurkingnookandcornerintheblackdesolationasthoughathousandlampswerelitbyunseenfingers，and，kneehigh，floatedoutintothethoroughfarewheretheyoscillatedgentlyinairygrace，andthen，formingintoprocession，begandriftingbe—
forethetepidairtowardsthecitycentre。AtonceIthoughtofwhatthewoodcutterhadseen，butwastoowetandsulkybythistimetocare。Thefascinationoftheplacewasonme，anddroppingintorearofthemarch，Iwentforwardwithit。Bythistimethewailinghadstopped，thoughnowandthenitseemedadarkformmovedintheemptydoor—
waysoneitherhand，whilethemist，partingintogossamersbeforethewind，tookmarvellouslyhumanformsineveryalleyandlanewepassed。
ThusI，asoddengiant，ledbythoseelfintorches，pacedthroughthecityuntilwecametoanopensquarewithagreatlumberofruinsinthecentreallmarredandspoiledbyvegetation；andherethelightswavered，andwentoutbyscoresandhundreds，justasthepetalsdropfromspentflowers，whileitseemed，thoughitmayhavebeenonlywindintherankgrass，thattheairwasfullofmostplaintivesighsaseachlittlelampslippedintooblivion。
Thebigpilewasamassoffallenmasonry，which，fromthebrokenpillarsallabout，mighthavebeenapalaceortempleonce。Ipushedin，butitwasasdarkasHadeshere，so，afterstrugglingforatimeinalabyrinthofchambers，choseasandyrecess，withsomedryherbagebywayofbeddinginacorner，andthere，thankfulatleastforshel—
ter，mynight’swanderingscametoanendandIcoiledmyselfdown，atealasthandfulofdryfruit，and，strangeasitmayseem，wassoonsleepingpeacefully。
Idreamedthatnightthatawoman，withafaceaswhiteasivory，cameandbentoverme。Sheledababebyeitherhand，whilebehindherwerescoresofotherones，withlovelyfaces，butallaspaleasthestarsthemselves，wholookedandsighed，butsaidnothing，andwhentheyhadstaredtheirfill，droppedoutonebyone，leavingawonderfulblankinthemonotonywheretheyhadbeen；butbeyondthatdreamnothinghappened。
ItwasafinemorningwhenIwokeagain，andob—
viouslybroaddayoutside，thesunshinecomingdownthroughcracksintheoldpalaceroof，andlyingingoldenpoolsonthefloorwithdazzlingeffect。
Rubbingmyeyesandsittingup，ittookmesometimetogetmysensestogether，andatfirstanuneasyfeelingpossessedmethatIwassomehowdematerialisedandinanunrealworld。Butatwingeofcrampinmyleftarm，andahealthysneeze，whichfrightenedascoreofbatsoverheadnearlyoutoftheirsenses，wasreassuringonthispoint，andrubbingawaythecrampandstaggeringtomyfeet，Ilookedaboutatthestrangesurroundings。Itwascavernouschaosoneveryside：magnificentarchitecturereducedtotheconfusionofadebris—heap，onlythehollowchambersbeinghereandtherepreservedbymassivecolumnsmeetingoverhead。Intothesetheyellowlightfilteredwher—
everarentinacupolaorside—walladmittedit，andalluredbythevisionofcorridorsonebeyondtheother，Ipresentlysetoffonatourofdiscovery。
Twentyminutes’scramblingbroughtmetoaplacewherethefallenjambsofafinedoorwaylaysoclosetogetherthattherewasbarelyroomtopassbetweenthem。However，seeinglightbeyond，Isqueezedthrough，andIfoundmy—
selfinthebest—preservedchamberofall——awide，roomyhallwithadomedroof，ahazeofmuralpaintingsonthewalls，andamarblefloornearlyhiddeninacenturyoffallendust。Istumbledoversomethingatthethreshold，andpickingitup，founditwasababy’sskull！Andthereweremoreofthemnowthatmyeyesbecameaccustomedtothelight。Thewholefloorwasmottledwiththem——scoresandhundredsofbonesandthosepoorlittlerelicsofhumanityjuttingoutofthesandeverywhere。Inthehushofthatgreatdeadnurserythelittlewhitetrophiesseemedinexpressiblypathetic，andIshouldhaveturnedbackreverentlyfromthatchamberofforgottensorrowsbutthatsomethingcaughtmyeyeinthecentreofit。
Itwasanoblongpileofwhitestone，veryill—usedandchipped，wrist—deepindust，yetwhenaslantoflightcameinfromaboveandfellstraightuponit，themarbleagainsttheblackgloombeyondblazedlikelivingpearl。Itwasdazzling；andshadingmyeyesandgoingtenderlyoverthroughthepoordeadbabes，Ilooked，andthere，fullintheshine，layawoman’sskeleton，stillwrappedinarobeofwhichlittlewasleftsavethehardgoldembroidery。Herbrownhair，wonderfultosay，stilllaylikelank，deadsea—
weedabouther，andamongstitwasafilletcrownofplainironsetwithgemssuchaseyeneverlookeduponbefore。
Therewerenotmany，butenoughtomaketheproudsim—
plicityofthatcircletglistenlikealittlebandoffire——agleaminghaloonherdeadforeheadinfinitelyfascinating。Athersidesweretwootherlittlebleachedhumanflowers，andIstoodbeforethemforalongtimeinsilentsympathy。
CouldthisbeQueenYang，ofwhomthewoodcutterhadtoldme？Itmustbe——whoelse？Andifitwere，whatstrangechancehadbroughtmehere——astranger，yetthefirsttocome，sincehersorrow，fromherdistantkindred？Andifitwere，thenthatfilletbelongedofrighttoHeru，thelastrep—
resentativeofherkind。OughtInottotakeittoherratherthanleaveitasspoiltothefirstidlethiefwithpluckenoughtoderidethemysteriesofthehauntedcity？LongtimeI
thoughtoveritinthefaint，heavyatmosphereofthathall，andthenverygentlyunwoundthehair，liftedthecirclet，and，scarcelyknowingwhatIdid，putitinmyshoulder—bag。
AfterthatIwentmorecheerfullyintotheoutsidesun—
shine，andsettingmyclothestodryonastone，tookstockofthesituation。Theplacewas，perhaps，notquitesoromanticbydayasbynight，andthescatteredtrees，mattedbycreepers，withwhichthewholewereovergrown，preventedanythinglikeanextensiveviewoftheruinedcitybeingob—
tained。Butwhatgavemegreatsatisfactionwastonoteoverthesetreestotheeastwardatwo—humpedmountain，notmorethansixorsevenmilesdistant——theveryoneI
hadmislaidthedaybefore。Herewasrealityandachanceofgettingbacktocivilisation。Iwasasgladasifhomewereinsight，andnot，perhaps，thelesssobecausethehillmeantvillagesandfood；andyouwhohavedoubtlesslunchedwellandlatelywillpleasebearinmindIhadhadnothingsincebreakfastthedaybefore；andthoughthismaylookpicturesqueonpaper，inpracticeitisapainfuliteminone’sprogramme。
Well，Igavemydampclothesbutaturnortwomoreinthesun，andthen，arguingthatfromthebaregroundwheretheforestendedhalf—wayupthehill，awideviewwouldbeobtained，hurriedintomygarmentsandsetoffthitherrightgleefully。Aturnortwodowntheblankstreets，nowprosaicenough，aneasyscramblethroughagapinthecrumblingbattlements，andtherewastheopenforestagain，withafriendlypathwellmarkedbythepassageofthosewildanimalswhomadethecitytheirlairtrendingtowardsmylandmark。
Alightbreakfastofsoftgreennuts，pluckedontheway，andthenthegroundbegantobendupwardsandthewoodstothinalittle。Withinfiniteardour，justbeforemid—
day，Iscrambledontoabareknollontheveryhillside，andfellexhaustedbeforethetopcouldbereached。
Butwhatwerehungerorfatiguetothesatisfactionofthatmoment？Therewastheseabeforeme，theclear，strong，gracioussea，blueleaguesofit，furrowedbythewhiteridgesofsomedistantstorm。Icouldsmellthescentofitevenhere，andmysailorheartroseinprideatthecompanion—
shipofthatalienocean。Lovelyandblessedthing！howoftenhaveIturnedfromtheshallowtrivialitiesofthelandandfoundconsolationinthestrengthofyourstatelysoli—
tudes！HowoftenhaveIturnedfromthetinselledpresenceoftheshore，theinfinitepretensionsofdrylandthatmakelifeasorry，hecticsham，andfoundintheblackbosomoftheGreatMothersolaceandcomfort！Dear，lovelysea，man—
halfofeverysphere，asfarremovedinthesequenceofyourstrongemotionsfromthepaintedfripperiesofthewoman—landaspolefrompole——thegratefulblessingofthehumblestofyourfollowersonyou！
Themeresightofsaltwaterdidmegood。Heavenknowsourseparationhadnotbeenlong，andmanyanunkindslaphastheMothergivenmeinthebygone；yetthemeresightofherwastonic，aletheoftroubles，asedativefortirednerves；andIgazedthatmorningattheillimitableblue，thegreat，unfetteredroadtoeverywhere，theever—
varied，theimmutable，thethingwhichwasbeforeevery—
thingandshallbelastofall，inanecstasyofaffection。
Therewasalsoothersatisfactionathand。Notamileawaylayawell—definedroad——doubtlesstheonespokenofbythewood—cutter——andwherethetrackpointedtotheseashorethelowroofsandcirclingsmokeofaThithertown—
shipshowed。
ThereIwenthot—footed，and，muchtoohungrytobeniceinformality，swunguptothelargestbuildingonthewatersidequayanddemandedbreakfastofthemanwhowasloungingbyitsdoorwaychewingahoneyreed。Helookedmeupanddownwithoutemotion，then，fallingintothecommonmistake，said，\"Thisisnotahostelforghosts，sir。Wedonotboardandlodgephantomshere；thisisadryfishshop。\"
\"Thriceblessedtrade！\"Ianswered。\"Givemesomedriedfish，goodfellow，or，forthematterofthat，driedhorseordog，oranythingmortalteethcanbitethrough，andIwillshowyoumytastesarealtogethermundane。\"
Butheshookhishead。\"Thisisnoplaceforthelikesofyou，whocome，mayhap，fromthecityofYangorsomeotherabodeofdisembodiedspirits——you，whocomeformischiefandpayharbouragewithmischance——isitlikelyyoucouldeatwholesomefood？\"
\"IndeedIcould，andplentyofit，seeingIhavedinedandbreakfastedalongthehedgeswiththeblackbirdsthistwodays。Lookhere，Iwillpayinadvance。Willthatgetmeameal？\"and，whippingoutmyknife，cutoffanotherofmyfast—recedingcoatbuttons。
Themantookitwithgreatinterest，asIhopedhewould，theyellowmetalbeingapparentlyaveryscarcecommodityinhispartoftheplanet。
\"Gold？\"heasked。
\"Well——ahem！Iforgottoaskthemanwhosewedthemonformewhattheywereexactly，butitlookslikegold，doesn’tit？\"
\"Yes，\"heanswered，turningittoandfroadmiringlyinhishand，\"youarethefirstghostIeverknewtopayinad—
vance，andplentyofthemgotoandfrothroughhere。Suchaprettythingiswellworthameal——if，indeed，youcanstomachourroughfare。Here，youwomanwithin，\"hecalledtotheladywhomIpresumewashiswife，\"hereisagentlemanfromthenetherregionswhowantssomebreak—
fastandhaspaidinadvance。Givehimsomeofyourbest，forhehaspaidwell。\"
\"Andwhat，\"saidafemalevoicefrominside，\"whatifI
refusedtoserveanotheroftheseplaguywanderersyouarealwaysfoistinguponme？\"
\"Don’tmindhertongue，sir。It’stheworstpartofher，thoughsheismightyproudofit。Goinandshewillseeyoudonotcomeouthungry，\"andtheThithermanreturnedcalmlytohishoneystick。
\"Comeon，youSoul—with—a—man’s—stomach，\"growledthewoman，andtoohungrytobeparticularaboutthetoneofinvitation，Istrodeintotheparlourofthatstrangerefreshmentplace。ThewomanwasthefirstIhadseenoftheouterrace，andbetterthanmighthavebeenexpectedinappearance。Big，strong，andruddy，shewasamentalshockaftertheslenderslipsofgirlhoodonthefarsideofthewater，halfadozenofwhomshecouldhavecarriedoffwithouteffortinherlongarms。Yettherewasaboutherthecredentialofroughhealth，thedignityofmuscle，anuprightcarriage，ananimalgraceofmovement，andwithalacomelythoughstronglyfeaturedface，whichpleasedmeatonce，andlateronIhadgreatcausetorememberherwithgratitude。Sheeyedmesulkilyforaminute，thenherfrowngraduallysoftened，andtheinstinctiveloveofthewomanforthesupernaturalmasteredherotherfeelings。
\"Isthathowyoulookedinanotherworld？\"sheasked。
\"Yes，exactly，captoboots。Whatdoyouthinkoftheattire，ma’am？\"
\"Notmuch，\"repliedthegoodwomanfrankly。\"Itcouldnothavebeenbecomingevenwhennew，andyouappearasthoughyouhadtakenamuddyroadsincethen。Whatdidyoudieof？\"
\"Iwilltellyousomuchasthis，madam——thatwhatI
amliketodieofnowishunger，plain，unvarnishedhunger，so，inHeaven’sname，getoutwhatyouhaveandletmefall—to，formylastmealwasyesterdaymorning。\"
Whereat，withashrugofhershouldersattheeccentric—
itiesofnetherfolk，thewomanwenttotherearofthehouse，andpresentlycamebackwithamealwhichshowedherhusbandhaddonescantjusticetotheestablishmentbycallingitadryfishshop。Itistrue，fishsuppliedthestapleoftherepast，aswasinevitableinaseaport，but，likeallMartianfish，itwasofambrosialkind，withasavouraboutitofwineandsunshinesuchasnofishonoursideofspacecanboastof。Thentherewerecakes，steamingandhot，vegetableswhichfittedintothepreviouscoursewithexquisitenicety，and，lastly，awoodentankardofthein—
variableThitherbeertofinishoff。Suchamealasahungrymanmightconsiderhimselffortunatetomeetwithanyday。
Thewomanwatchedmeeatwithmuchsatisfaction，andwhenIhadansweredascoreofartlessquestionsaboutmypreviousstate，orpresentconditionandprospects，moreorlesstohersatisfaction，shesuppliedmeinturnwithsomeinformationwhichwasreallyvaluabletomejustthen。
FirstIlearnedthatAr—hap’smen，withtheabductedHeru，hadpassedthroughthisveryporttwodaysbefore，andbythistimewereprobablyinthemaintown，which，itappeared，wasonlyabouttwelvehours’rowingupthesalt—
waterestuaryoutside。Herewasnews！Heru，theprizeandobjectofmywildadventure，closeathandandwell。Itbroughtawholenewtrainofthoughts，forthelastfewdayshadbeensofullofthestressoftravel，thebare，hardnecessityofgettingforward，thattheobjectofmyquest，illogicalasitmayseem，hadgoneintothebackgroundbeforethesethings。Andhereagain，asIfinishedthelastcakeanddrankdowntothebottomofthealetankard，theextremefollyoftheventurecameuponme，themadnessofventuringsingle—handedintothedenoftheWoodKing。
WhathadItohopefor？Whatchance，howeverremote，wasthereofsuccessfullywrestingthatbloomingprizefromthearmsofhercaptor？Forcewasoutofthequestion；
stealthwasutterlyimpractical；asforcajolery，apparentlythesoleremainingmeansofwinningbackthePrincess——why，onemightaswelltrythepersuasionofapennyfluteuponahungryeagleasseektorouseAr—hap’ssympathiesforbereavedHathinthatway。Surelytogoforwardwouldmeanmyowncertaindestruction，withnoadvantage，nohelptoHeru；andifIwasevertoturnbackorstopintheidlequest，herewastheplaceandtime。MyHitherfriendswerebehindthesea；tothemIcouldreturnbeforeitwastoolate，andhereweretheroughbuthonestThitherfolk，whowoulddoubtlessletmeliveamongstthemifthatwastobemyfate。Oneorotheralternativewerebetterthangoingtotortureanddeath。
\"YouseemtotakethefateofthatHithergirlofyoursmightilytoheart，stranger，\"quothmyhostess，withatouchoffemininejealousy，asshewatchedmyhesitation。\"Doyouknowanythingofher？\"
\"Yes，\"Iansweredgloomily。\"IhaveseenheronceortwiceawayinSeth。\"
\"Ah，thatremindsme！Whentheybroughtherupherefromtheboatstodryherwetclothes，shecriedandcalledinhergriefforjustsuchaoneasyou，sayinghealonewhostruckdownourmenatherfeastcouldrescueher——\"
\"What！Heruhereinthisroombutyesterday！Howdidshelook？Wasshehurt？Howhadtheytreatedher？\"
Myeagernessgavemeaway。Thewomanlookedatmethroughherhalf—shuteyesaspace，andthensaid，\"Oh！sitsthewindinTHATquarter？Soyoucanloveaswellaseat。
Imustsayyouarewell—conditionedforaspirit。\"
Igotupandwalkedabouttheroomaspace，then，feelingveryfriendless，andknowingnowomanwaseverbornwhowasnotinterestedinanotherwoman’sloves，IboldlydrewmyhostessasideandtoldheraboutHeru，andthatIwasinpursuitofher，dwellingonthegirl’sgentlehelplessness，myownhare—brainedadventure，andfranklyaskingwhatsortofasovereignAr—hapwas，whatthecustomsofhiscourtmightbe，andwhethershecouldsuggestanymeans，tem—
poralorspiritual，bywhichhemightbemovedtogivebackHerutoherkindred。
Norwasmyconfidencemisplaced。Thewoman，asI
guessed，wastouchedsomewherebackinherfemaleheartbymymeltinglove—tale，bymyanxietyandHeru’speril。
Besides，aghostinsearchofafairylady——andsuchtheslenderfolkofSethwerestillconsideredtobebytheracewhichhadsupplantedthem——thiswasromanceindeed。
Tobebrief，thatgoodwomanprovedinvaluable。
Shetoldme，firstly，thatAr—hapwasbelievedtobeawayatwar，\"weekending\"aswashiscustom，amongstrebellioustribes，andbystartingatonceupthewater，Ishouldveryprobablygettothetownbeforehedid。Sec—
ondly，shethoughtifIkeptclearofprivatebrawlstherewaslittlechanceofmyreceivinginjury，fromthepeopleatallevents，astheywereaccustomedtostrangevisitors，andcivilenoughuntiltheywerefiredbywar。\"Sicklecold，swordhot，\"wasoneoftheirproverbs，meaningtherebythatinpeacefultimestheywerelambs，howeverlionliketheymightbeincontest。
Thiswasreassuring，butastorecoveringthelady，thatwasanothermatteroverwhichthegoodwomanshookherhead。
ItwasillcomingbetweenAr—hapandhistribute，shesaid；
still，ifIwantedtoseeHeruonceagain，thiswasmyop—
portunity，and，fortherest，thatchance，whichoftenfavourstheenamoured，mustbemyhelp。
Briefly，thoughIshouldprobablyhavegoneforwardinanycaseoutofsheerobstinacy，haditbeentocertaindestruction，thisbetteraspectofthesituationhastenedmyresolution。Ithankedthewomanforhelp，andthenthemanoutsidewascalledintoadviseastothebestandspeediestwayofgettingwithinearshotofhishairysovereignty，themonarchofThitherland。
CHAPTERXVI
TheMartiantoldmeofamerchantboatwithtenrowerswhichwasgoinguptothecapitalinacoupleofhours，andastheskipperwasafriendofhistheywouldnodoubttakemeassupercargo，therebysavingthenecessityofpassengerfees，whichwasobviouslyaconsiderationwithme。Itwasnotaltogetheraromanticapproachtothedungeonofanimprisonedbeauty，butitwaspractical，whichisoftenbetterifnotsopleasant。Sotheofferwasgladlyclosedwith，andcurlingmyselfinarugoffoxskins，forIwastiredwithmuchwalking，sailorsneverbeinggoodfoot—
gangers，Isleptsoundlyfilltheycametotellmeitwastimetogoonboard。
Thevesselwasmorelikeacanalbargethananythingelse，leanandlong，withthecargopiledinaridgedownthecentreasfarmersstoretheirwinterturnips，therowerssittingoneithersideofthisplyingoarslikedessert—spoonswithlonghandles，whiletheychantedamonotonouscadenceofmonosyllables：
Oh，ho，oh，Oh，ho，oh，Howhigh，howhigh。
andthenagainafterapause——
Howhigh，howhighOh，ho，oh，Oh，ho，oh。
thewhichwasinfinitelysleep—provokingifnotarefrainofahighintellectualorder。
Ishutmyeyesaswepulledawayfromthewharfsofthatnamelessemporiumandpickedapassagethroughacrowdofquaintshipping，wonderingwhereIwas，andaskingmyselfwhetherIwasmentallyrisingequaltomyextraordinarysurroundings，whetherIadequatelyappreci—
atedtheimmensityofmyremovefromthoseotherseasonwhichIhadlasttravelled，tiller—ropesinhand，pilotingacaptain’sgalleyfromawharf。Goodheavens，whatwouldmycomradesonmyshipsayiftheycouldseemenowsteer—
ingaloadofhairysavagesuponeofthosewaterwayswhichourbiggesttelescopesmagnifybuttothethicknessofanindication？No，Iwasnotrisingequaltotheoc—
casion，andcouldnot。Thehumanmindisofbutlimitedcapacityafterall，andsuchfreaksoffortunearebeyonditsconception。IknewIwaswhereIwas，butIknewI
shouldprobablynevergetthechanceoftellingofit，andthatnoonewouldeverbelievemeifIdid，andIre—
signedmyselftotheinevitablewithsullenacquiescence，smotheringthewonderthatmighthavebeenoverwhelminginpassinginterestsofthemoment。
Thereislittletorecordofthatvoyage。WepassedthroughafleetofAr—hap’swarships，emptyandatanchorindoubleline，serviceablehalf—deckedcutters，builtofsolidtimber，notpumpkinrinditwaspleasanttonotice，andthenthetowndroppedawayasweproceededupastreamaboutasbroadastheHudsonatitswidest，andprofuselystuddedwithislands。Thiswaterwasbitterlysaltandjoinedan—
otherseaontheothersideoftheMartiancontinent。Yetithadapronouncedflowagainstuseastward，thistiderunningforthreespringmonthsandbeingfollowed，I
learned，asoceantemperaturesvaried，byaflowintheoppositedirectionthroughoutthesummer。
Justatpresentthecurrentwassostrongeastwards，themoisturebeadeduponmyrowers’tawnyhidesastheystrug—
gledagainstit，andtheirmelancholysongdawdledin\"linkedsweetnesslongdrawnout，\"whiletheswingoftheiroarsgrewlongerandlonger。Trulyitwasveryhot，farhotterthanwasusualfortheseason，thesemendeclared，andpos—
siblythisrobbedmeofmywontedenergy，andyou，gentlereader，ofadescriptionofallthestrangethingswepasseduponthathighway。
Sufficeittosaywespentascorchingafternoon，thegreaterpartofastiflingnightmooredunderamud—bankwithagroveoftreesontopfromwhichgiganticfire—flieshungasthoughtheplacewereilluminatedforagardenfete，andthen，rowingonagaininthecomparativelycoolhoursbeforedawn，turnedintoabackwateratcock—crow。
Theskipperofourcargoboatrousedmejustasweturned，puttingundermysleepynostrilsahandfuloftoastedbeansonaleaf，andasmallcupfullofsomethingthatwasnotcoffee，butsmeltasgoodasthatmatutinalbeveragealwaysdoestothetiredtraveller。
Overourprowwasanimmensearchoffoliage，andunder—
neathalongarcadeofcoolblackshadows，shelteringstillwater，tillwaterandshadowsuddenlyendedaquarterofamiledowninapatchofbrilliantcolour。Itwasaspeacefulascouldbeinthefirstmorninglight，andtomeoveralltherewastheinexpressibleattractionoftheunknown。
Asourboatslippedsilentlyforwardupthisleafylane，athinwhite\"feather\"inhermouthalonebreakingthesteelysurfaceofthestream，themenrestedfromtheirworkandbegan，assailorswill，toputontheirshore—goingclothes，thewhiletheychattedinlowtonesovertheprofitsofthevoyage。Overheadflyingsquirrelswereflittingtoandfrolikebats，orshellingfruitwhereofthehusksfellwithapleasantsplashaboutus，andononebankacoupleofearlymotherswerewashingtheirbabies，whosesmotheredprotestswerealmosttheonlysoundinthismorningworld。
Anothersilentdiportwooftheoarsandthecolouraheadcrystallisedintoatown。IfIsaiditwaslikeanAfricanvillageonalargescale，Ishouldprobablygiveyouthebestdescriptioninthefewestwords。Fromtheverywater’sedgeuptothecrownofalowhillinland，extendedamassofhutsandwoodenbuildings，emboweredandpartlyhiddeninbrightgreenfoliage，withhereandtherepatchesofmillet，orsomesuchfoodplant，andtheflowersthatgroweverywheresoabundantlyinthiscountry。ItwasallArcadianandpeacefulenoughatthemoment，andaswedrewnearthemenwerejustcomingouttothequaysalongthehar—
bourfront，thestreetsfillingandthetownwakingtobusylife。
Aturntotheleftthroughawatergatedefendedbytowersofwoodandmud，andwewereinthecityharbouritself；
boatsofmanykindsmooredoneveryside；quaintcraftfromthegulfsandbaysofNowhere，fullofunheard—ofmerch—
andise，andmannedbystrange—facedcrews，everyvesselaromanceofnamelessseas，anepitomeofanundiscoveredworld，andeverymomentthescenegrewbusierasthebreakfastsmokearose，andwharfandgangwaysettoworkupontheday’slabours。
Ourboat——loaded，asitturnedout，withspoilfromSeth——
wasruntoaplaceofhonouratthebottomofthetownsquare，andwasanobjectofmuchcuriositytoasmallcrowdwhichspeedilycollectedandlentahandwiththemooringropes，thewhilechattingexcitedlywiththecrewaboutfurthertributeandthelatestnewsfromoverseas。Atthesametimeaswarthybarbarian，whosetrappingsshowedhimtobesomesortoffunctionary，camedowntoour\"captain，\"
muchwaggingofheadsandcountingofnotchedstickstakingplacebetweenthem。
I，indeed，wasapparentlytheleastinterestingitemofthecargo，andthiswasembarrassing。Noherolikestobene—
glected，itisfataltohispart。Ihadsaidmyprayersandsteeledmyselftoallsortsoffineenduranceonthewayup，andhere，whenitcametothecrisis，noonewasanxioustoplaythenecessaryvillain。Theyjusthelpedmeashorecivillyenough，thecaptainnoddedhisheadatme，mutter—
ingsomethinginanindifferenttonetothefunctionaryaboutaghostwhohadwanderedoverseasandbeggedapassageupthecanal；thegroupaboutthequaystaredalittle，butthatwasall。
OnceIrememberseeingasquatting，life—sizeheathenidolhoistedfromavessel’sholdanddepositedonasugar—boxonaNewYorkquay。Someribaldpasser—byputabatteredfelthatuponVishnu’ssacredcurls，andtherethepoorimagesat，analieninanindifferentland，asackacrossitsshoulders，a\"billycock\"uponitshead，andhonouredatmostwithapassingstare。Ithoughtofthatlonelyimageasal—
mostaslonelyIstoodontheThithermen’squay，withoutthesupportoffriendsorheroics，wonderingwhattodonext。
However，acheerfuldispositionissometimesbetterthanabankingaccount，andnothavingtheoneIcultivatedtheother，sunningmyselfamongstthebalesforatime，andthen，sincenoneseemedinterestedinme，wanderedoffintothetown，partlytosatisfymycuriosity，andpartlyinthevaguehopeofascertainingifmyprincesswasreallyhere，and，ifpossible，gettingsightofher。
Meanwhileitturnedhotwithasupernatural，heavysortofheataltogether，Ioverheardpassersbyexclaiming，outofthecommon，andafterwanderingforanhourthroughgardensandendlessstreetsofthatchedhuts，Iwasgladenoughtothrowmyselfdownintheshadowofsometreesontheoutskirtsofthegreatcentralpileofbuildings，awholevillageinitselfofbeam—builttowersanddwelling—
place，suggestingbyitssuperiorsizethatitmightactuallybeAr—hap’spalace。
Hotterandhotteritgrew，whileacurioussecondarysunriseinthewest，thelikeofwhichIneversawbeforeseemedtoaddtotheheat，andheavierandheaviermyeye—
lids，tillIdozedatlast，andfinallysleptuncomfortablyforatime。
Rousingupsuddenly，imaginemysurprisetoseesitting，chinonknees，aboutayardaway，aslendergirlishfigure，infinitelyoutofplaceinthatworldofroughbarbarians。
Wasitpossible？WasIdreaming？No，therewasnodoubtaboutit，shewasagirloftheHitherfolk，slimandpretty，butwithawonderfullysadlookinhergazelleeyes，andscarcelyasignoftheindolenthappinessofSethinthepalelittlefaceregardingmesofixedly。
\"Goodgracious，miss，\"Isaid，stillrubbingmyeyesanddoubtingmysenses，\"haveyoudroppedfromtheskies？YouaretheverylastpersonIexpectedtoseeinthisbarbarianplace。\"
\"Andyoutoo，sir。Oh，itislovelytoseeonesonewlyfromhome，andfree—seeming——notaslave。\"
\"HowdidyouknowIwasfromSeth？\"
\"Oh，thatwaseasyenough，\"andwithalittlelaughshepointedtoapebblelyingbetweenus，onwhichwasapieceofbatteredsweetmeatinaperforatedbamboobox。PoorAnhadgivenmesomethingjustlikethatinaplayfulmood，andIhadkeptitinmypocketforhersake，being，asyouwillhavedoubtlessobserved，asentimentalyoungman，andnowIclappedmyhandwhereitshouldhavebeen，butitwasgone。
\"Yes，\"saidmynewfriend，\"thatisyours。Ismeltthesweetmeatcomingupthehill，andcrossedthegrassuntilI
foundyouhereasleep。Oh，itwaslovely！Itookitfromyourpocket，andwhiteSethroseupbeforemyswimmingeyes，evenatthescentofit。IamSi，wellnamed，forthatinourlandmeanssadness，Si，thedaughterofPrinceHath’schiefsweetmeat—maker，soIshouldknowsomethingofsuchstuff。MayI，please，nibblealittlepiece？\"
\"Eatitall，mylass，andwelcome。Howcameyouhere？
ButIcanguess。Donotanswerifyouwouldrathernot。\"
\"Ay，butIwill。ItisnoteverydayIcanspeaktoearssofriendlyasyours。Iamaslave，chosenformylucklessbeautyaslastyear’stributetoAr—hap。\"
\"Andnow？\"
\"AndnowtheslaveofAr—hap’shorse—keeper，setasidetomakeroomforafresherface。\"
\"Anddoyouknowwhosefacethatis？\"
\"NotI，ahaplessmaidsentintothislandofhorrors，tobearignominyandstripes，toeatcoarsefoodanddocoarsework，themiserableplaythingofsomebruteinsemi—humanform，withbuttheoneconsolationofdyingearlyaswetribute—womenalwaysdie。Poorcomradeinexile，Ionlyknowherasyetbysympathy。\"
\"WhatifIsaiditwasHeru，theprincess？\"
TheMartiangirlsprangtoherfeet，andclaspingherhandsexclaimed，\"Heru，theSlender！Thentheendcomes，foritiswritteninourbooksthatthelasttributeispaidwhenthebestispaid。Oh，howsplendidifshegaveherselfoffreewilltothisslaverytoenditonceforall。Wasitso？\"
\"Ithink，Si，yourprincesscouldnothaveknownofthattradition；shedidnotcomewillingly。Besides，Iamcometofetchherback，ifitmaybe，andthatspoilsthelookofsacrifice。\"
\"Youtofetchherback，andfromAr—hap’sarms？Myword，SirSpirit，youmustknowsomepotentcharms；or，whatislesslikely，mycountrymenmusthaveamazinglyimprovedinplucksinceIleftthem。Haveyouagreatarmyathand？\"
ButIonlyshookmyhead，and，touchingmysword，saidthatherewastheonlyarmycomingtorescueHeru。
Whereontheladyrepliedthatshethoughtmyvalourdidmemorehonourthanmydiscretion。HowdidIproposetotaketheprincessfromhercaptors？
\"Totellthetruth，damsel，thatisamatterwhichwillhavetobelefttoyourinvention，orthekindnessofsuchasyou。Iamhereonahare—brainederrand，playingknight—
errantinawaythatshocksmycommonsense。ButsincethematterhasgonesofarIwillseeitthrough，ordieintheattempt。YourbullylordshalleithergivemeHeru，stock，lock，andblock，orhangmefromayard—arm。ButI
wouldratherhavethelady。Come，youwillhelpme；and，asabeginning，ifsheisinyondershantygetmespeechwithher。\"
PoorSi’seyesdilatedattheperilofthesuggestion，andIsawthesluggishMartiannatureatwaragainstherbetterfeelings。Butpresentlythelatterconquered。\"Iwilltry，\"shesaid。\"Whatmatterafewstripesmoreorless？\"pointingtoherrosyshoulderswhereredscarscrisscrossupononean—
othershowedhowtheMartiangirlsfaredinAr—hap’spalacewhentheirnoveltyworeoff。\"Iwilltrytohelpyou；andiftheykillmeforit——why，thatwillnotmattermuch。\"AndforthwithinthatblazingforenoonundertheflickeringshadowofthetreesweputourheadstogethertoseewhatwemightdoforHeru。
Itwasnotmuchforthemoment。Trywhatwewouldthatafternoon，Icouldnotpersuadethosewhohadchargeoftheprincesstoletmeevenapproachherplaceofim—
prisonment，butSi，asawoman，wasmoresuccessful，actuallyseeingherforafewmoments，andmanagedtowhisperinherearthatIhadcome，theSpirit—with—the—gold—buttons—
down—hisfront，afterwardsdescribingtomeinflowingMar—
tianimagery——butdoubtlessnotmorehighlycolouredthanpoorHeru’semotionwarranted——howdelightedlythatladyhadreceivedthenews。
Sialsodidmeanotherservice，presentingmetotheporter’swife，whokeptakindofboarding—houseatthegatesofAr—hap’spalaceforgentlemenandladieswithgrievances。Ihadheardoflobbyingbefore，andthepre—
sentationofpetitions，thoughIhadneverindulgedmyselfinthepastime；butthecrowdofpetitionershere，withpetitionsaswildandpicturesqueastheirownmotleyap—
pearances，wassurelythestrangestthatevergatheredroundaseatofsupremeauthority。
Siwhisperedintheearofthatgoodwomanthenatureofmyerrand，withdoubtlesssomeblandishmentofherown；andmyerrandbeingonesomuchabovethevulgarandsonearlytouchingthesovereign，Iwasatonceac—
cordedaseparateroominthegate—house，whenceIcouldlookdownincomparativepeaceonthecommonherdofsuitors，andlistentothebuzzoftheirinvectiveastheypractisedspeecheswhichIcalculateditwouldtakeAr—hapalltherestofhisreigntolistento，withoutallowinghimanytimeforpronouncingverdictsonthem。
HereImademyselfcomfortable，andawaitedthereturnofthesovereignasplacidlyasmightbe。Meanwhilefatewasplayingintomyfeeblehands。
Ihavesaiditwashotweather。AtfirstthisseemedbutanoutcomeoftheMartianclimate，butasthehourswentbytheheatdevelopedtoanincredibleextent。Alsothatredglarepreviouslynotedinthewestgrewinintensity，till，asthehoursslippedby，allthetownwasstaringatitinpantinghorror。Ihaveseenaprairieonfire，luckilyfromthefarsideofacomfortablybroadriver，andhaveriddenthroughapine—
forestwheneverytreeformileswasanupliftedtorch，andpungentyellowsmokerolleddowneachcorriesideingreyriverscrestedwithdancingflame。ButthatMartianglarewasmoresombreandterriblethaneither。
\"Whatisit？\"IaskedofpoorSi，whocameoutgaspingtospeaktomebythegate—house。
\"Noneofusknow，andunlessthegodstheseThitherfolkbelieveinareangry，andintendtodestroytheworldwithyonderredswordinthesky，Icannotguess。Perhaps，\"
sheadded，withasuddenflashofinspiration，\"itcomesbyyourmachinationsforHeru’shelp。\"
\"No！\"
\"Ifnotbyyourwish，then，inthenameofallyoulove，setyourwishagainstit。Ifyouknowanyincantationssuitablefortheoccasion，oh，practisethemnowatonce，forlook，eventheverygrassiswithering；birdsaredroppingfromtrees；
fishes，horriblybloated，arebeginningtofloatdownthesteamingrills；andI，withallothers，haveanamelessdreaduponme。\"
Hotterandhotteritgrew，untilaboutsunsettheredblazeupontheskyslowlyopened，andshowedusforabouthalfanhour，throughtheopeningalurid，flame—colouredmeteorfaroutinspacebeyond；thenthecleftclosedagain，andthroughthatabominableredcurtaincametheverybreathofHades。
WhatwasreallyhappeningIamnotastronomerenoughtosay，thoughoncoolerconsiderationIhavecometotheconclusionthatourplanet，ingoingouttoitssummerpasturesintheremoterfieldsofspace，hadsomehowcomeacrossawanderinglesserworldandgotprettywellsingedinpassing。Thisispurelymyownopinion，andIhavenotyetsubmittedittothekindlyauthoritiesoftheLickObser—
vatoryforverification。AllIcansayforcertainisthatinanincrediblyshortspaceoftimethefaceofthecountrychangedfromgreentosear，flowersdrooped；streams（therewerenotmanyintheneighbourhoodapparently）driedup；
fishesdied；amightythirsttherewasnothingtoquenchset—
tleddownonmanandbeast，andweallfeltthatunlessProvidencelistenedtotheprayersandimprecationswhichthewholetownsettoworkwithfranticzealtohurlatit，orthatabominablecometintheskysheeredoffonanothertackwiththeleastpossibledelay，weshouldallbere—
ducedtocindersinaverybriefspaceoftime。
CHAPTERXVII
Theeveningoftheseconddayhadalreadycome，whenAr—haparrivedhomeafterweekendingamongstatribeofrebellioussubjects。ButanyimposingStateentrywhichmighthavebeenintendedwasrenderedimpossiblebytheheatandthethreatofthatbalefulworldinthewesternsky。
ItwasaluridbutdisorderedspectaclewhichIwit—
nessedfrommyroominthegate—housejustafternightfall。
Thereturningarmyhadapparentlyfallenawayexhaustedonitsmarchthroughthetown；onlysomethreehundredofthebodyguardstraggledupthehill，limpandsweating，behindagroupofpennons，inthemidstofwhichrodeahorsemanwhosecommandingpresenceandsplendidwarharnessimpressedme，thoughIcouldnotmakeouthisfeatures；awild，impressionistsceneofblackoutlines，tossingheadgear，andspearsglitteringandvanishinginfrontoftheredglareinthesky，butnothingmore。Eventhedrythroatsofthesuitorsinthecourtyardhardlymusteredahuskycryofwelcomeasthecavalcadetroopedintotheenclosure，andthentheshadowsenfoldedthemupinsilence，and，toohotandlistlesstocaremuchwhatthemorrowbroughtforth，Ithrewmyselfonthebarefloor，tossingandturninginavainendeavourtosleepuntildawncameoncemore。
Athinmistwhichfellwithdaybreakdrewaveiloverthehorribleglareinthewestforanhourortwo，andtakingadvantageoftheslightalleviationofheat，Iroseandwentintothegardenstoenjoyadipinapool，making，withitssurroundingjungleofflowers，oneofthepleasantestthingsaboutthewood—king’sforestcitadel。Theveryearthseemedscorchedandbakingunderfoot——andthepoolwasgone！Ithadrunasdryasalimekiln；nothingremainedoftheprettyfallwhichhadfeditbutamiserabletrickleofdropsfromthecascadeabove。Downbeyondthetownshoneagleamofwaterwherethebittercanalsteamedandsim—
meredinthefirstgreyofthemorning，butupheresixmonthsofscorchingdroughtcouldnothaveworkedmorehavoc。Theveryleavesweredroppingfromthetrees，andtheluxuriantgrowthsofthedaybeforelookedasthoughasimoonhadplayeduponthem。
Istaggeredbackindisgust，andfoundsomeshowofofficialactivityaboutthepalace。Itwastheking’scustom，itappeared，tohearpetitionsandredresswrongsassoonafterhisreturnaspossible，buttodaytheceremonywastobecutshortashismajestywasgoingoutwithallhiscourttoaneighbouringmountainto\"prayawaythecomet，\"whichbythistimewascausingdirealarmallthroughthecity。
\"Heaven’sownparticularblessingonhisprayers，myfriend，\"Isaidtothemanwhotoldmethis。\"Unlesshismajesty’sorisonsarefruitful，weshallallbecookedlikebakedpotatoesbeforenightfall，andthoughIhavefacedmanykindsofdeath，thatisnottheoneIwouldchoosebypreference。Isthereachanceofmyselfbeingheardatthethrone？YourpeculiarclimatetemptsmetohurryupwithmybusinessandbegoneifImay。\"
\"Notonlymayyoubeheard，sir，butyouaresum—
moned。Thekinghasheardofyousomehow，andsentmetofindandbringyouintohispresenceatonce。\"
\"Sobeit，\"Isaid，toohottocarewhathappened。\"I
havenoleveedresswithme。Ilostmyluggagechecksometimeago，butifyouwillwaitoutsideIwillbewithyouinamoment。\"
Hastilytidyingmyselfup，andgivingmyhairacomb，asthoughjustofftoseeMr。SecretaryfortheNavy，oronthewaytogetasenatortopushanewpatentmedicineforme，Irejoinedmyguideoutside，andtogetherwecrossedthewidecourtyard，enteredthegreatlog—builtportalsofAr—hap’shouse，andimmediatelyafterwardsfoundourselvesinavasthalldimlylitbyrayscominginthroughsquarespacesundertheeaves，andcrowdedonbothsideswithguards，courtiers，andsupplicants。Theheatwastre—
mendous，theodourofThithermenandtheill—dressedhidestheyworealmostoverpowering。YetlittleIreckedforeither，forthereatthetopoftheroom，seatedonadaismadeofrough—hewnwoodinletwithgoldandcoveredwithsplendidfurs，wasAr—haphimself。
Afinefellow，swarthy，huge，andhairy，atanyothertimeorplaceIcouldhavegivenhimdueadmirationasanadmirableexampleofthesavageontheborderlandofgraceandculture，butnowIonlyglancedathim，andthentowhereathissideagirlwascrouching，agemofhumanlovelinessagainstthatduskysetting。ItwasHeru，myravishedprincess，and，stillcladinherdiaphanousHitherrobes，herfacewhitewithanxiety，hereyesbrightasstars，theembodimentofhelpless，flowerybeauty，myheartturnedoveratsightofher。
Poorgirl！WhenshesawmestrideintothehallsheroseswiftlyfromAr—hap’sside，claspedherprettyhands，andgivingacryofjoywouldhaverushedtowardsme，butthekinglaidamightypawuponher，underwhichshesubsidedwithashiverasthoughthetouchhadblanchedallthelifewithin。
\"Goodmorning，yourmajesty，\"Isaid，walkingboldlyuptothelowerstepofthedais。
\"Goodmorning，mostsingular—lookingvagrantfromtheUnknown，\"answeredthemonarch。\"InwhatwaycanI
beofservicetoyou？’’
\"Ihavecomeaboutthatgirl，\"Isaid，noddingtowhereHerulayblossominginthehotgloomlikesomenight—
floweringbud。\"Idonotknowwhetheryourmajestyisawarehowshecamehere，butitisahighlydiscreditableincidentinwhatisdoubtlessyourotherwiseblamelessreign。Someroughscullionsintrustedwiththedutyofcol—
lectingyourmajesty’scustomsaskedPrinceHathoftheHitherpeopletopointoutthemostattractiveyoungpersonathisweddingfeast，andtheprinceindicatedthatladythereatyourside。Itwasadirtytrick，andalltheworsebecauseitwasinspiredbymalice，whichisthemeanestofallweaknesses。Ihadthepleasureofknockingdownsomeofyourmajesty’srepresentatives，buttheystolethegirlawaywhileIslept，and，briefly，Ihavecometofetchherback。\"
Themonarchhadfollowedmyspeech，thelongestevermadeinmylife，withfierce，blinkingeyes，andwhenitstoppedlookedatpoorshrinkingHeruasthoughforex—
planation，thenroundthecircleofhisawestruckcourtiers，andreadingdismayatmyboldnessintheirfaces，burstintoagutturallaugh。
\"IsupposeyouhavethegreatandpuissantHithernationbehindyouinthisrequest，Mr。Spirit？\"
\"No，Icamealone，hopingtofindjusticehere，and，ifnot，thenpreparedtodoallIcouldtomakeyourmajestycursethedayyourservantsmaltreatedmyfriends。\"
\"Tallwords，stranger！MayIaskwhatyouproposetodoifAr—hap，inhisownpalace，amongsthispeopleandsoldiers，refusestodisgorgeaprettyprizeatthebiddingofoneshabbyinterloper——muddyandfriendless？\"
\"WhatshouldIdo？\"
\"Yes，\"saidtheking，withahaughtyfrown。\"Whatwouldyoudo？\"
Idonotknowwhatpromptedthereply。ForamomentIwascompletelyatalosswhattosaytothisveryobviousquestion，andthenallonasudden，rememberingtheyheldmetobesomekindofdisembodiedspirit，byahappyinspiration，fixingmyeyesgrimlyontheking，Ianswered，\"WhatwouldIdo？Why，IWOULDHAUNTYOU！\"
Itmaynotseemagreatstrokeofgeniushere，buttheeffectontheMartianwasinstantaneous。Hesatstraightup，hishandstightened，hiseyesdilated，andthenfidgetingun—
easily，afteraminutehebeckonedtoanover—dressedin—
dividual，whomHeruafterwardstoldmewastheCourtnecromancer，andbeganwhisperinginhisear。
Afteraminute’sconsultationheturnedagain，aratherfrightenedcivilitystrugglinginhisfacewithanger，andsaid，\"Wehavenowish，ofcourse，stranger，tooffendyouorthosewhohadthehonourofyourpatronage。Perhapstheprincessherewasalittleroughlyhandled，and，Icon—
fess，ifshewerealtogetherasreluctantassheseems，alessermaidwouldhavedoneaswell。IcouldhavewooedthisoneinSeth，whereImayshortlycome，andourespousalswouldpossiblyhavelent，intheeyesofyourfriends，quiteacheerfulaspecttomyarrival。Butmyam—
bassadorshavehadnogreatschoolingindiplomacy；theyhavebroughtPrincessHeruhere，andhowcanIhandherovertooneIknownothingof？HowdoIknowyouareaghost，afterall？HowdoIknowyouhaveanythingbutarustyswordandmuchimpertinencetobackyouras—
toundingclaim？\"
\"Oh，letitbejustasyoulike，\"Isaid，calmlyshellingandeatinganutIhadpickedup。\"Onlyifyoudonotgivethemaidback，why，then——\"AndIstoppedasthoughthesequelweretoopainfultoputintowords。
Againthatsuperstitiousmonarchofalandthrongedwithmaliciousspiritscalleduphismagician，and，aftertheyhadconsultedamoment，turnedmorecheerfullytome。
\"Lookhere，Mister—from—Nowhere，ifyouarereallyaspirit，andhavethepowertohurtasyousay，youwillhavethepoweralsotogoandcomebetweenthelivingandthedead，betweenthepresentandthepast。NowIwillsetyouanerrand，andgiveyoufiveminutestodoitin。\"
\"Fiveminutes！\"Iexclaimedinincautiousalarm。