第6章

Myself，Iamnopampererofthecommonpeople。Isaythat，ifamanbelefttohungerandshiver，hewillworktogainhimfoodandraiment;andifnot，whythenhecandie，andtheStateiswellridofaworthlessfellow。Butherebesideus，aswemarchedthroughmanywards，weremarksofblindoppression;starveddeadbodies，withthebonesstartingthroughtheleanskin，sprawledinthegutter;andindeeditwasplainthat，saveforthefavouredfew，thepeopleofthegreatcapitalwereunderamostheavyoppression。

Butatthis，thoughImightregretitabominably，Icouldmakenostrongcomplaint。Bytheancientlawofthelandallthepeople，greatandsmall，weretheservantsoftheking，tobeputwithoutquestiontowhatpurposeshechose;andPhorenicestoodintheplaceoftheking。SoItriedtothinknotreason，butwithasighpassedon，keepingmyeyesabovethemiseriesandthesqualorsoftheroadway，andsendingoutmythoughtstothestarswhichhunginthepurplenightabove，andtotheHighGodswhichdweltamongstthem，seeking，ifitmightbe，forguidanceformyfuturepolicies。

Andsointimethewindingsofthestreetsbroughtustothewalls，and，coursingbesidetheseandgivingfittinganswertothesentrieswhobeattheirdrumsaswepassed，wecameintimetothatgreatgatewhichwasachargetothecaptainofthegarrison。

Hereitwasplaintherewassomespecialcommotion。Anoiseoflaughterwentupintothestillnightair，andwithitnowandagainthesnarlandroarofagreatbeast，andnowandagaintheshriekofahurtman。Butwhatevermightbeafoot，itwasnotascenetocomeuponsuddenly。Theentrancegatesofourgreatcapitalweredesignedbytheirancientbuilderstobenolessstrongthanthewallsthemselves。Fourpairsofvalveswerethere，eachamonstrousblockofstonetwoman—heightssquare，andaman—heightthick，andthewallwasdoubledtoreceivethem，enclosinganopencircusbetweenitstwoparts。Thefourgatesthemselvesweresetoneattheinner，oneattheoutersideofeachofthesewalls，andahiddenmachinerysoconnectedthem，thatofeachsetonecouldnotopentilltheotherwasclosed;andasforforcingthemwithoutwarengines，onemightasfoolishlytrytopushdowntheroyalpyramidwiththebarehand。

Myescortmadeoutcrywiththehornwhichhungfromthewallinvitingsuchasummons，andawardercametoanarrow—slit，anddidinspectionofourpersonsandbusiness。Hissurveywasaccordingtotheancientformofwords，whichislong，andthiswasmadestillmoretediousbythenoisefromwithin，whicheverandagaindrownedallspeechbetweenusentirely。

Butatlasttheformalitieshadbeendulycompliedwith，andheshotbackthemassivebarsandboltsofstone，andthrewajaronemonstrousstonevalveofthedoor。Intothechamberwithin——achambermadefromthethicknessofthewallbetweenthetwodoors——Iandmyfellowscrowded，andthenthewarderwithhismachinespulledtothevalvewhichhadbeenopened，andcametomeagainthroughthepressofmyescort，bowinglowtotheground。

"Ihavenovailtogiveyou，"Isaidabruptly。"Getonwithyourduty。Openmethatotherdoor。"

"Withrespect，mylord，itwouldbebetterthatIshouldfirstannouncemylord’spresence。Thereisabaitinggoingforwardinthecircus，andthetigersareasyetmeresavages，andnorespectersofpersons。"

"Thewhat？"

"Thetigers，ifmylordwillpermitthemthename。TheyarebaitingabatchofprisonerswiththetwogreatbeastswhichtheEmpress（whosenamebeadored）hassentheretoaiduskeepthegate。Butifmylordwill，therearethewardroomsleadingoffthispassage，andthegallerieswhichrunoutfromthemcommandingthecircus，andfromtheremylordcanseethesportundisturbed。"

Now，themerelustforkillingexcitesonlydisgustinme，butIsuspectedtheordersoftheEmpressinthismatter，andhadacuriositytoseeherscheme。SoIsteppedintothewarder’slodge，andonintothegallerieswhichcommandedthecircuswiththeirarrow—slits。Theoldbuildersoftheplacehadintendedtheseforasecondlineofdefence，for，supposingtheouterdoorsallforced，anenemycouldbespeedilyshotdowninthecircus，withoutbeingabletogiveablowinreturn，andsowouldonlymarchintoadeath—trap。Butasagazing—placeonaspectacletheywerenolessuseful。

Thecircuswasbrightlitbythemoonlight，andtheairwhichcameintomefromitwasacridwiththereekofblood。Therewasnosportinwhatwasgoingforward:asIsaid，itwasmerekilling，andthesightdisgustedme。Iamnoprudeaboutthismatter。Giveaprisonerhisweapons，puthiminapitwithbeastsofreasonablestrength，andlethimfighttoafinishifyouchoose，andIcanlookonthereandapplaudthestrokes。Thewarprisoner，beingaprisoner，hasearneddeathbynaturallaw，andpreferstogethislaststrokeinhotbloodthantobeknockeddownbytheheadsman’saxe。Anditisanybraveman’sluxuryeithertohelporwatchalustyfight。Butthisbaitinginthecircusbetweenthegateswasnofairbattlelikethat。

Tobeginwith，thebeastswerenofairantagonistsforsinglemen。Infact，twentymenarmedmightwellhavefledfromthem。

Whenthewardersaidtigers，Isupposedhemeantthegreatcatsofthewoods。Buthere，inthecircus，Isawapairofthemostterrificofallthefur—bearinglandbeasts，thegreattigersofthecaves——hugemonsters，ofsuchponderousstrengththatinhungertheywilloftentimesdragdownamammoth，iftheycanfindhimawayfromhisherd。

HowtheyhadbeenbroughtcaptiveIcouldnottell。HunterofbeaststhoughIhadbeenforallmydays，ItakenoshameinsayingthatIalwaysapproachedtheslayingofacave—tigerwithstratagemandinfinitecaution。Toentrapitaliveandbringittoacityonachainwasbeyondmymostdaringschemes，andIhavebeenaccreditedwithmorenewthingsthanone。Buthereitwasinfact，andIsawinthesecaptivebeastsanewcertificateforPhorenice’sgenius。

Thepurposeofthesetwocave—tigerswasplain:whilsttheywereinthecircus，andloose，nolivingbeingcouldcrossfromonegatetotheother。Theywereanewandsturdyadditiontothedefencesofthecapital。Acollarofbronzewasroundthethroatofeach，andonthecollarwasamassivechainwhichledtothewall，whereitcouldbepayedoutorhauledinbymeansofawindlassinoneofthehiddengalleries。Sothatatordinarymomentsthetwohugebeastscouldbetethered，oneclosetoeitherendofthecircus，asthelitterofbonesandothermessesshowed，leavingfreepassage—waybetweenthetwosetsofdoors。

ButwhenIstoodtherebythearrow—slit，lookingdownintothemoonlightofthecircus，thesechainswereslackened（thoughmenstoodbythewindlassofeach），andthegreatstripedbruteswereprowlingaboutthecircuswiththelinksclankingandchinkingintheirwake。Lyingstarkonthepavementwerethebodiesofsomeeightmen，deadanduneaten;andthoughthecave—tigersstoppedtheirprowlingsnowandagaintonuzzlethese，andbeatthemaboutwithplayfulpaw—blows，theymadenopretenceatcommencingameal。

Itwasclearthatthiscruelsporthadgrowncommontothem，andtheyknewtherewereothervictimsyettobeaddedtothetally。

Presently，sureenough，asIwatched，avalveofthefarthergateswungbackanarm’slength，andaprisoner，furiouslyresisting，wasthrustoutintothecircus。Hefellonhisface，andafteronelookaroundhimhelayresolutelystill，witheyesonthegroundpassivelyawaitinghisfate。Theponderousstoneofthegateclappedtoinitsplace;thecave—tigersturnedintheirprowlings;andachatterofwagersrantoandfroamongstthewatchersbehindthearrow—slits。

Itseemedtherewerenicetiesofcrueltyinthiswretchedgame。Therewasasharpclankasthewindlassesweremanned，andthetetheringchainsweredrawninbyperhapsascoreoflinks。

Oneofthecave—tigerscrouched，lasheditstail，andlaunchedforthonaterrificspring。Thechaintautened，themassivelinkssangtothestrain，andthegreatbeastgavearoarwhichshookthewalls。Ithadmissedthepronemanbyahand’sbreadth，andthewatchersbehindthearrow—slitsshriekedforththeirdelight。Theothertigersprangalsoandmissed，andagaintherewereshoutsofpleasure，whichmingledwiththebellowingvoicesofthebeasts。

Themanlaymotionlessinhisform。Onemorecowardly，oronemorebrave，mighthaverunfromdeath，orfacedit;butthispoorprisonerchosethemiddlecourse——hepermitteddeathtocometohim，andhadenoughofdoggednesstowaitforitwithoutstir。

Thegreatcave—tigerswereused，itappeared，tothisdisgustingsport。Therewerenomorewildsprings，nomorestubbingsattheendofthemassivechains。Theylaydownonthepavement，andpresentlybegantopurr，rollingontotheirsidesandrubbingthemselvesluxuriously。Theprisonerstilllaymotionlessinhisform。

Byslowdegreesthemonstrousbruteseachdrewtotheendofitschainandbegantoreachatthemanwithout—stretchedforepaw。

Themalecouldnottouchhim;thefemalecouldjustreachhimwiththefartipofaclaw;andIsawaredscratchstartupinthebareskinofhissideateverystroke。Butstilltheprisonerwouldnotstir。Itseemedtomethattheymustslackoutmorelinksofoneofthetigers’chains，orletthevileplaylingerintomeretediousness。

ButIhadmoretolearnyet。Themaletiger，eithertaughtbyhisowndevilishness，orbythosebrutesthatwerehiskeepers，hadstillanotherruseinstore。Herosetohisfeetandturnedround，backingagainstthechain。Ayellofapplausefromthehiddenmenbehindthearrow—slitstoldthattheyknewwhatwasinstore;andthenthemonstrousbeast，stretchedtotheutmostofitsvastlength，kickedsharplywithonehindpaw。

Iheardthecrunchoftheprisoner’sribsasthepadsstruckhim，andatthatsamemomentthepoorwretch’sbodywasspurnedawaybytheblow，asonemightthrowafruitwiththehand。Butitdidnottravelfar。Itwasclearthattheshe—tigerknewthismanoeuvreofhermate’s。Shecaughtthemanonhisbound，nuzzlingoverhimforaminute，andthentossinghimhighintotheair，andleapinguptothefullofhersplendidheightafterhim。

Thoseotheronlookersthoughtitmagnificent;theirgleefulshoutssaidasmuch。Butforme，mygorgeroseatthesight。Oncethetigershadreachedhim，themanhadbeenkilled，itistrue，withoutanyunnecessarylingering。Evenalightblowfromthoseterrificpawswouldslaythestrongestmanliving。Buttoseethetwocave—tigerstoyingwiththepoorbodywasaninsulttotheprideofourrace。

However，Iwasnottheretopreachthesuperiorityofmantothebeasts，andtheindecencyanddegradationofpermittingmantobeundulyinsulted。IhadcometolearnformyselfthenewbalanceofthingsinthekingdomofAtlantis，andsoIstoodatmyplacebehindthearrow—slitwithastillface。Andpresentlyanothersceneinthisghastlyplaywasenacted。

Thecave—tigerstiredoftheirsport，andfirstoneandthentheotherfelloncemoretoprowlingoverthelitteredpavements，withtheheavychainsscrapingandchinkingintheirwake。Theymadenobeginningtofeastonthebodiesprovidedforthem。Thatwouldbeforafterwards。Inthepresent，thefascinationofslaughterwasbiginthem，andtheyhadthoughtthatitwouldbeindulgedfurther。Itseemedthattheyknewtheirentertainers。

Againthewindlassclanked，andthetetheringchainsdrewthegreatbeastsclearofthedoorway;andagainavalveofthefartherdoorswungajar，andanotherprisonerwasthruststrugglingintothecircus。AsicknessseizedmewhenIsawthatthiswasawoman，butstill，inviewoftheobjectIhadinhand，Imadenointerruption。

ItwasnotthatIhadneverseenwomensenttodeathbefore。

Ageneral，whohasdonehisfighting，mustinhisdayhavekilledwomenequallywithmen;yes，andseenthemearntheirdeath—blowbylustybattling。Yetthereseemedsomethingsowantoninthiscruelhelplesssacrificeofawomanprisoner，thatIhadastrugglewithmyselftoavoidinterference。Stillitiseverthecasethattheindividualmustbesacrificedtoapolicy，andsoasIsay，I

watchedon，outwardlycoldandimpassive。

Iwatchedtoo（Iconfessitfreely）withaquickeningheart。

Herewasnosullensubmissivevictimlikethelast。Shemayhavebeenmorecowardly（assomewomenare），shemayhavebeenbraver（asmanywomenhaveshownthemselves）;but，atanyrate，itwasclearthatshewasgoingtomakeastruggleforherlife，andtodoviciousdamage，itmightbe，beforesheyieldeditup。Thewatchersbehindthearrow—slitsrecognizedthis。Theirwagers，andthehumoftheirappreciation，sweptloudlyroundtheringofthecircus。

Theystrippedtheirprisoners，beforetheythrustthemouttothisdeath，ofalltheclothestheymightcarry，forclotheshaveavalue;andsothewomanstoodtherebare—limbedinthemoonlight。

Sheclappedherbacktothegreatstonedoorbywhichshehadentered，andfacedfatewithglowingeye。Gods！therehavebeentimesinearlyyearswhenIcouldhavepluckedoutswordandjumpeddown，andfoughtforherthereforthesheerdelightofsuchabattle。Butnowpolicyrestrainedme。Theindividualmightwantahelpinghand，butitwasbecomingmoreandmoreclearthatAtlantiswantedaministeralso;andbeforethesegreatneeds，thelesseronesperforcemustperish。Still，beitnotedthat，ifI

didnotjumpdown，noothermantherethatnighthadsufficientmanhoodremainingtoventuretheopportunity。

MyheartglowedasIwatchedher。Shepickedabonefromthelitteronthepavementandbeatoffitsheadbyblowsagainstthewall。Thenwithherteethshefashionedthepointtostillfurthersharpness。Icouldseeherteethglistenwhiteinthemoonraysasshebitwiththem。

Thehugecave—tigers，whichstoodashighasherheadastheywalked，camenearertoherintheirprowlings，yetobviouslyneglectedher。Thiswaspartoftheiraccustomedschemeoftorment，andthewomanknewitwell。Therewassomethingintolerableintheirnoiseless，ceaselesspaddingsoverthepavement。Icouldseetheprisoner’sbreastheaveasshewatchedthem。Aterrorsuchasthatwouldhavemademanyavictimsickandhelpless。

ButthisonewasbolderthanIhadthought。Shedidnotwaitforaspring:shemadethefirstattackherself。Whentheshe—tigermadeitsstrolltowardsher，andwasintheactofturning，sheflungherselfintoasuddenleap，strikingviciouslyatitseyewithhersharpenedbone。Aroarfromtheonlookersacknowledgedthestroke。Thecave—tiger’seyeremainedundarkened，butthepunyweaponhaddealtitasmartfleshwound，andwithagreatbellowofsurpriseandpainitscamperedawaytogainspaceforarushandaspring。

Butthewomandidnotawaititscharge。Withashrillscreamshespedforward，runningatthefullofherspeedacrossthemoonlightdirectlytowardsthatshadowedpartoftheencirclingwallwithinwhosethicknessIhadmygazingplace;andthen，throwingeverytendonofherbodyintothespring，madethegreatestleapthatsurelyanyhumanbeingeveraccomplished，evenwhenspurredonbytheutmostofterroranddesperation。InanafterdayImeasuredit，andthoughofacertaintyshemusthaveaddedmuchtothetallybythesheerforceofherrun，whichdroveherclinginguptheroughsurfaceofthewall，itisasurethingthatinthatsplendidleapherfeetmusthavedangledaman—heightandahalfabovethepavement。

Isayitwasprodigious，butthenthespurwasmorethantheordinary，andthewomanherselfwasfaroutofthecommonbothinthewsandintelligence;andtheendoftheleapleftherwithfivefingerslodgedinthesillofthearrow—slitfromwhichIwatched。

Eventhenshemusthaveslippedbackifshehadbeenlefttoherself，forthesillsloped，andthestonewasfinelysmooth;butIshotoutmyhandandgrippedhersbythewrist，andinstantlysheclamberedupwithbothkneesonthesills，andherfingerstwinedroundtogripmywristinherturn。

Andnowyouwillsupposeshegushedoutprayersandpromises，thinkingonlyofsafetyandenlargement。Therewasnothingofthis。Withsavagepantingwordlessnessshetookfreshgriponthesharpenedbonewithhersparehand，andlungedwithitdesperatelythroughthearrow—slit。Withthehandthatclutchedmineshedrewmetowardsher，soastogivetheblowsthesurerchance，andsounpreparedwasIforsuchanattack，andwithsuchfiercesuddennessdidshedeliverit，thatthefirstblowwasneargivingmemyquietus。ButIgrappledwiththepoorfranticcreatureasgentlyasmightbe——thestoneofthewallseparatingusalways——andstrippedherofherweapon，andheldherfirmlycaptivetillshemightcalmherself。

"Thatwasanungratefulblow，"Isaid。"Butformyhandyou’dhaveslippedandbethesportofatiger’spawthisminute。"

"Oh，Imustkillsomeone，"shepanted，"beforeIamkilledmyself。"

"Therewillbetimeenoughtothinkuponthatsomeotherday;

butfornowyouarefarenoughoffmeetingfurtherharm。"

"Youarelyingtome。YouwillthrowmetothebeastsassoonasIloosemygrip。Iknowyourkind:youwillnotberobbedofyoursport。"

"Iwillgosofarastoprovemyselftoyou，"saidI，andcalledoutforthewarderwhohadtendedthedoorsbelow。"Bidthosetigersbetetheredonashorterchain，"Iordered，"andthengoyourselfoutsideintothecircus，andhelpthisladydelicatelytotheground。"

Thewordwaspassedandthesethingsweredone;andItoocameoutintothecircusandjoinedthewoman，whostoodwaitingunderthemoonlight。Buttheotherswhohadseenthesedoingswerebynomeanssuitedatthechangeofplan。Oneofthegreatstonevalvesofthefartherdooropenedhurriedly，andamanstrodeout，armedandflushed。"ByalltheGods！"heshouted。"Whocomesbetweenmeandmypastime？"

Isteppedquietlytotheadvance。"Ifear，sir，"Isaid，"thatyoumustlaunchyourangeragainstme。ByaccidentIgavethatwomansanctuary，andIhadnothearttotossherbacktoyourbeasts。"

Hisfingersbegantosnapagainsthishilt。

"Youhavecometothewrongmarketherewithyourqualms。I

amcaptainhere，andmywordcarries，subjectonlytoPhorenice’snod。Doyouhearthat？DoyouknowtoothatIcanhaveyoutossedtothosestripedgate—keepersofmineformeddlinginherewithoutaninvitation？"Helookedatmesharpenough，butsawplainlythatIwasastranger。"Butperhapsyoucarryaname，myman，whichwarrantsyourimpertinence？"

"Deucalionismypoorname，"Isaid，"butIcannotexpectyouwillknowit。Iambutnewlylandedhere，sir，andwhenIleftAtlantissomescoreofyearsback，averydifferentmantoyouheldguardoverthesegates。"Hehadhisforeheadonmyfeetbythistime。"IhaditfromtheEmpressthisnightthatshewillto—morrowmakeanewsortingofthiskingdom’sdignities。Perhapsthereissomerecommendationyouwouldwishmetolaybeforeherinreturnforyourcourtesies？"

"Mylord，"saidtheman，"ifyouwishit，Icanhaveaturnwiththosecave—tigersmyselfnow，andyoucanlookonfrombehindthewallsandseethemtearme。"

"Whytellmewhatisnonews？"

"Iwishtoremindmylordofhispower;Iwishtobegofhisclemency。"

"Youshowedyourpowertothesepoorprisoners;butfromwhatremainsheretobeseen，fewofthemhavetastedmuchofyourclemency。"

"Theorderswere，"saidthecaptainofthegate，asthoughhethoughtawordmightbesaidhereforhisdefence，"theorderswere，mylord，thatthetigersshouldbekeptfierceandaccustomedtokilling。"

"Then，ifyouhaveobeyedorders，letmebethelasttochideyou。Butitismypleasurethatthiswomanberespited，andIwishnowtoquestionher。"

Themangottohisfeetagainwithobviousrelief，thoughstillbowinglow。

"Thenifmylordwillhonourmebysittinginmyroomthatoverlookstheoutergate，thefavourwillneverbeforgotten。"

"Showtheway，"Isaid，andtookthewomanbythefingers，leadinghergently。Atthetwoendsofthecircusthetigersprowledaboutonshortchains，growlingandmuttering。

Wepassedthroughthedoorintothethicknessoftheouterwall，andthecaptainofthegateledusintohisprivatechamber，asnugenoughboxoverlookingtheplainbeyondthecity。Helitatorchfromhislampandthrustitintoabracketonthewall，andbowingdeeplyandwalkingbackwards，leftusalone，closingthedoorinplacebehindhim。Hewasanindustriousfellow，thiscaptain，tojudgefromthespoilwithwhichhischamberwaspacked。

Therecouldhavecomeveryfewtradersinthroughthatgatebelowwithouthislevyingaprivatetribute;andso，judgingthatmostofhisgoodshadbeenunlawfullycomeby，Ihadlittlequalmatmakingaselection。Itwasnotdecentthatthewoman，beinganAtlantean，shouldgobereftofthedignityofclothes，asthoughshewereameresavagefromEurope;andsoIsoughtaboutamongstthecaptain’sspoilforgarmentsthatwouldbebefitting。

But，asIbusiedmyselfinthissearchforraiment，rummagingamongsttheheapsandbales，withahandandeyelittleskilledinsuchbusiness，Iheardasoundbehindwhichcausedmetoturnmyhead，andtherewasthewomanwithadaggershehadpickedfromthefloor，intheactofdrawingitfromthesheath。

Shecaughtmyeyeanddrewtheweaponclear，butseeingthatImadenoadvancetowardsher，ormovetoprotectmyself，waitedwhereshewas，andpresentlywastookwithashuddering。

"Yourdesignsseemsomewhatofariddle，"Isaid。"Atfirstyouwishedtokillmefrommotiveswhichyouexplained，andwhichIquiteunderstood。Itlayinmypowernexttoconfersomesmallbenefituponyou，inconsequenceofwhichyouarehere，andnot——shallwesay？——yonderinthecircus。Whyyoushoulddesirenowtokilltheonlymanherewhocansetyoucompletelyfree，andbeyondthesewalls，isathingitwouldgratifymemuchtolearn。

Isaynothingofthetrifleofingratitude。Gratitudeandingratitudeareoflittleweighthere。Thereissomefargreaterinyourmind。"

Shepressedahandhardagainstherbreasts。"YouareDeucalion，"shegasped;"Iheardyousayit。"

"IamDeucalion。Sofar，Ihaveknownnoreasontofeelshameformyname。"

"AndIcomeofthose，"shecried，witharisingvoice，"whobiteagainstthiscity，becausetheyhavefoundtheirfatetoointolerablewiththelandasitisorderednow。WeheardofyourcomingfromYucatan。ItwaswewhosentthefleettotakeyouattheentrancetotheGulf。"

"Yourfleetgaveusaprettyfight。"

"Oh，Iknow，Iknow。Wehadourwatchersonthehighlandwhobroughtusthetidings。Wehadanomenevenbeforethat。Wherewelaywithourarmybeforethewallshere，wesawgreatbirdscarryingofftheslaintothemountains。Butwherethefleetfailed，IsawachancewhereI，awoman，might——"

"Whereyoumightsucceed？"Isatmedownonapileofthecaptain’sstuffs。ItseemedasifhereatlastthatIshouldfindasolutionformanythings。"Youcarryaname？"Iasked。

"TheycallmeNais。"

"Ah，"Isaid，andsignedtohertotaketheclothesthatIhadsoughtout。Shewascuriouslylike，sobothmyeyesandhearingsaid，toYlga，thefan—girlofPhorenice，butasshehadtoldmeofnoparentageIaskedfornonethen。Stillhertalkaloneletmeknowthatshewasbredofnoneofthecommonpeople，andImadeupmymindtowardsdefiniteunderstanding。"Nais，"Isaid，"youwishtokillme。AtthesametimeIhavenodoubtyouwishtoliveonyourself，ifonlytogetcreditfromyourpeopleforwhatyouhavedone。SohereIwillmakeacontractwithyou。ProvetomethatmydeathisforAtlantis’good，andIswearbyourLordtheSuntogooutwithyoubeyondthewalls，whereyoucanstabmeandthengetyougone。Orthe——"

"Iwillnotbeyourslave。"

"Idonotaskyouforservice。Orelse，Iwishedtosay，I

shalllivesolongastheHighGodswish，anddomypoorbestforthiscountry。Andforyou——Ishallsetyoufreetodoyourbestalso。Sonow，Iprayyou，speak。"

7。THEBITERSOFTHEWALLS

（FURTHERACCOUNT）

"Youwillsetmefree，"shesaid，regardingmefromunderherbrows，"withoutanyfurtherexactionsortreaty？"

"Iwillsetyoufreeexactlyonthoseterms，"Ianswered，"unlessindeedweheredecidethatitisbetterforAtlantisthatIshoulddie，inwhichcasethefreedomwillbeofyourowntaking。"

"Mylordplaysaboldgame。"

"Tut，tut，"Isaid。

"ButIshallnothesitatetotakethefullofmybond，unlessmytheoriesaremostclearlydisprovedtome。"

"Tut，"Isaid，"youwomen，howyoucanplayoutthetimeneedlessly。Showmesufficientcause，andyoushallkillmewhereandhowyouplease。Come，begintheaccusation。"

"Youareatyrant。"

"AtleastIhavenotparadedmytyranniesinAtlantisthesetwentyyears。Why，Nais，Ididbutlandyesterday。"

"YouwillnotdenyyoucamebackfromYucatanforapurpose。"

"IcamebackbecauseIwassentfor。TheEmpressgivesnoreasonsforherrecalls。Shestatesherwill;andwewhoserveherobeywithoutquestion。"

"Pah，Iknowthatolddogma。"

"Ifyoudiscreditmypoorhonestyattheoutsetlikethis，I

fearweshallnotgetfarwithourunravelling。"

"Mylordmustbeindeedsimple，"saidthisstrangewomanscornfully，"ifheisignorantofwhatallAtlantisknows。"

"Thensimpleyoumustwritemedown。OveryonderinYucatanweweretoowellwrappedupinourownparochialneedsandpoliciestohaveleisuretopondermuchovertheslimnewswhichdriftedouttousfromAtlantis——and，intruth，littleenoughcame。Byexample，Phorenice（whoseofficebeadored）isagreatpersonagehereathome;butoverthereinthecolonywebarelyknewsomuchashername。Here，sinceIhavebeenashore，Ihaveseenmanynewwonders;Ihavebeencarriedbyaridingmammoth;Ihavesatatabanquet;butinwhatnewpoliciesthereareafoot，Ihaveyettobeschooled。"

"Then，iftrulyyoudonotknowit，letmerepeattoyouthecommontale。Phorenicehastiredofherunmatedlife。"

"Staythere。IwillhearnowordagainsttheEmpress。"

"Pah，mylord，yourscruplesaremostdecorous。ButIdidnomorethanrepeatwhattheEmpresshadmadepublicbyproclamation。

Sheismindedtotaketoherselfahusband，andnothingshortofthebestisgoodenoughforPhorenice。Oneafteranotherhasbeenputupinturnasfavourite——andbeenfoundwanting。Oh，Itellyou，wehereinAtlantishavewatchedhercourtshipwithjumpinghearts。Firstitwasthisonehere，thenitwasthatonethere;

nowitwasthisgeneraljustreturnedfromavictory，andadaylaterhehadbeenpackedbacktohiscamp，togiveplacetosomedashinggovernorwhohadsqueezedincreasedrevenuesfromhisprovince。ButeveryshipthatcamefromtheWestsaidthattherewasastrongermanthananyoftheseinYucatan，andatlasttheEmpresschangedthewordingofhervow。’I’llhaveDeucalionformyhusband，’saidshe，’andthenwewillseewhocanstandagainstmywishes。’"

"TheEmpress（whosenamebeadored）candoasshepleasesinsuchmatters，"Isaidguardedly;"butthatisbesidetheargument。

IamheretoknowhowitwouldbebetterforAtlantisthatIshoulddie？"

"Youknowyouarethestrongestmaninthekingdom。"

"Itpleasesyoutosayso。"

"AndPhoreniceisthestrongestwoman。"

"Thatisbeyonddoubt。"

"Why，then，iftheEmpresstakesyouinmarriage，weshallbeunderadoubletyranny。Andherrulealoneismorecruellyheavythanwecanbearalready。"

"IpassnocriticismonPhorenice’srule。Ihavenotseenit。

ButIcraveyourmercy，Nais，onthenewcomerintothiskingdom。