第10章

Phorenicelaughedassheswam。"Youhandleyourselflikeasoreman，Deucalion。Ioweyousomethingforlendingmethecushionofyourbody。Bymyface！There’smoreofthegallantaboutyouwhenitcomestothetestthanonewouldguesstohearyoutalk。Howdidyouliketheride，sir？Iwarrantitcametoyouasanewexperience。"

"I’dlieferhavewalked。"

"Pish，man！You’llneverbeacourtier。Youshouldhaveswornthatwithmeinyourarmsyoucouldhavewishedthebumpinghadgoneonforever。Ho，theboatthere！Holdyourarrows。

Deucalion，hailmethosefoolsinthatboat。Tellthemthat，iftheyhurtsomuchasahairofmymammoth，I’llkillthemallbytorture。He’llexhausthimselfdirectly，andwhenhisflurry’sdonewe’llleavehimwhereheistoconsiderhisevilwaysforadayorso，andthenhaulhimoutwithwindlasses，andtamehimafresh。Pho！IcouldnotfeelmyselftobePhorenice，ifIhadnofine，red，shaggymammothtotakemeoutformyrides。"

Theboatwasaten—slavegalleywhichwaschurningupfromthefarthersideoftheharbourashardaswell—pliedwhipscouldmakeoarsdriveher，butatthesoundofmyshoutsthesoldiersonherforedeckstoppedtheirarrowshots，andthesteersmanswervedheroffonanewcoursetopickusup。Tillthenwehadbeenswimmingleisurelyacrossanangleoftheharbour，soastoavoidlandingwherethesewersoutpoured;butwestoppednow，treadingthewater，andwerehelpedoverthesidebymostrespectfulhands。

Thegalleybelongedtothecaptainoftheport，amincingfigureofamariner，whosehighestappetiteinlifewastolickthefeetofthegreat，andhebegantofawnandprostratehimselfatonce，andtowishthathiseyeshadbeenblindedbeforehesawtheEmpressinsuchdeadlyperil。

"Theperilmaypass，"saidshe。"It’snothingmortalthatwilleverkillme。ButIhavespoiledmyprettyclothes，andshedajewelortwo，andthat’sannoyingenoughasyousay，goodman。"

ThesillyfellowrepeatedawishthathemightbeblindedbeforetheEmpresswaseverputtosuchdiscomfortagain。

Butitseemedshecouldbecloyedwithflattery。"Ifyouaretiredofyoureyes，"saidshe，"letmetellyouthatyouhavegonethewaytohavethempluckedoutfromtheirsockets。Killmymammoth，wouldyou，becausehehasshownhimselfatriflefrolicsome？Youandyoursortwantmoreeducation，myman。I

shallhavetoteachyouthatport—captainsandsuchsmallcreaturesareveryeasytocomeby，andverysmallvaluewhengot，butthatmymammothismine——mine，doyouunderstand？——thepropertyofGoddessPhorenice，andassuchissacred。"

Theport—captainabasedhimselfbeforeher。"Iamanignorantfellow，"saidhe，"andheavenwasrobbedofitsbrightestornamentwhenPhorenicecamedowntoAtlantis。Butifreparationispermittedme，Ihavetwoprisonersinthecabinoftheboatherewhoshallbesacrificedtothemammothforthwith。Doubtlessitwouldpleasehimtomakesportwiththem，andspilloutthelastleesofhisrageupontheirbodies。"

"Prisonersyou’vegot，haveyou？Howtaken？"

"Undercoveroflastnighttheyweretryingtopassinbetweenthetwofortswhichguardtheharbourmouth。Buttheirboatfouledthechain，andbythelightofthetorchesthesentriesspiedthem。

Theywerecaughtwithropes，andputinadungeon。Thereisanordernottoabuseprisonersbeforetheyhavebeenbroughtbeforeajudgment？"

"Itwasmyorder。Didtheseprisonersoffertobuytheirliveswithnews？"

"Themanhasnotspoken。Indeed，Ithinkhegothisdeath—woundinbeingtaken。Thewomanfoughtlikeacatalso，sotheysaidinthefort，butshewascaughtwithouthurt。Shesaysshehasgotnothingthatwouldbeofusetotell。Shesaysshehastiredoflivinglikeasavageoutsidethecity，andmoreoverthat，inside，thereisamanforwhosenearnessshecravesmostmightily。"

"Tut！"saidPhorenice。"Isthisaromancewehaveswumto？

Youseewhataffectionatecreatureswewomenare，Deucalion。"——Thegalleywasbroughtupagainsttheroyalquayandmadefasttoitsgoldenrings。IhandedtheEmpressashore，butsheturnedagainandfacedtheboat，hergarmentsstillyieldingupaslenderdripofwater。——"Produceyourwomanprisoner，mastercaptain，andletusseewhethersheisarunawaywife，oralovesickgirlmadafterhersweetheart。ThenIwilldeliverjudgmentonher，andaslikeasnotwillsurpriseyouallwithmyclemency。Iaminamoodfortenderromanceto—day。"

Theport—captainwentintothelittlehutchofacabinwithawhiteface。ItwasplainthatPhorenice’spleasantriesscaredhim。

"Themanappearstobedead，YourMajesty。Iseethathiswounds——"

"Bringoutthewoman，youfool。Iaskedforher。Keepyourcarrionwhereitis。"

Isawthefellowstoopforhisknifetocutalashing，andpresentlywhoshouldhebringouttothedaylightbutthegirlI

hadsavedfromthecave—tigersinthecircus，andwhohadsostrangelydrawnmetoherduringthehoursthatwehadspentafterwardsincompanionship。Itwasclear，too，thattheEmpressrecognisedheralso。Indeed，shemadenosecretaboutthematter，addressingherbyname，andmockinglymakinginquiriesaboutthemenageoftherebels，andthesuccessoftheprisoner’samours。

"Thisgoodport—captaintellsmethatyoumadeamostvaliantattempttoreturn，Nais，andforanexcuseyoutoldthatitwasyourloveforsomemaninthecityherewhichdrewyou。Come，now，wearewillingtooverlookmuchofyourfaults，ifyouwillgiveusareasonablechance。Pointmeoutyourman，andifheisaproperfellow，Iwillseethathewedsyouhonestly。Yes，andIwilldomoreforyou，Nais，sincethisdaybringsmetoahusband。Seeingthatallyourestateisconfiscateasapenaltyforyourlaterebellion，Iwillchargemyselfwithyourdowry，andgiveitbacktoyou。Socome，namemetheman。"

Thegirllookedatherwithasullenbrow。"Ispokealie，"

shesaid;"thereisnoman。"

Itriedmyselftogiveheradvocacy。"Theladydoubtlessspokewhatcametoherlips。Whenawomanisinthegripofarudesoldiery，anyexcusewhichcansaveherforthemomentmustserve。

Formyself，Ishouldthinkitlikeenoughthatshewouldconfesstohavingcomebacktoheroldallegiance，ifshewereasked。"

"Sir，"saidtheEmpress，"keepyourpeace。Anyinterestyoumayshowinthismatterwillgofartooffendme。YouhavespokenofNaisinyournarrativebefore，andalthoughyourtonguewasshrewdandyoudidnotsaymuch，IamawomanandIcouldreadbetweenthelines。Nowregard，myrebel，Ihavenowishtobeundulyharduponyou，thoughonceyouweremyfan—girl，andsoyourrunningawaytotheseill—kemptmalcontents，whobeattheirheadsagainstmycitywalls，isallthemorenaughty。Butyoumustmeetmehalfway。Youmustgiveanexcuseforleniency。Pointmeoutthemanyouwouldwed，andheshallbeyourhusbandto—morrow。"

"Thereisnoman。"

"Thennamemeoneatrandom。Why，myprettyNais，nottenmonthsagotherewereascorewhowouldhaveleapedatthechanceofhavingyouforawife。Dropyourcoyness，girl，andnamemeoneofthose。IwarrantyouthatIwillbeyourambassadressandwillputthemattertohimwithsuchdelicacythathewillnotmakeyoublushbyrefusal。"

Theprisonermoistenedherlips。"Iamamaiden，andIhaveamaiden’smodesty。Iwilldieasyouchoose，butIwillnotdothisindecency。"

"Well，Iamamaidentoo，andthoughbecauseIamEmpressalso，questionsofStatehavetostandbeforequestionsofmyprivatemodesty，Icanhaveasympathyforyours——althoughintruthitdidnotobtrudeundulywhenyouweremyfan—girl，Nais。No，cometothinkofit，youlikedatenderglanceandaprettyphraseaswellasanywhenyouwerefan—girl。Youhavegrownwildandshy，amongstthesesavagerebels，butIwillnotpunishyouforthat。

"Letmecallyourfavouritestomemorynow。TherewasTarca，ofcourse，butTarcahadadifferencewiththatill—dressedfatherofyours，andwearsaleprosyonhalfhisfaceinsteadofthatbeardheusedtotrimsofinely。AndthenthereisTatho，butTathoisawayoverseas。Eron，too，youlikedonce，butbelostanarminfightingt’otherday，andIwouldnotmarryyoutolessthanawholeman。Ah，bymyface！Ihaveit，thedaintyexquisite，Rota！Heisthehusband！HowwellIrememberthewayheusedtodressinachangeofgarbeachdaytocatchyourproudfancy，girl。

Well，youshallhaveRota。Heshallleadyoutowifebeforethishourto—morrow。"

Againtheprisonermoistenedherlips。"IwillnothaveRota，andsparemetheothers。Iknowwhyyoumockme，Phorenice。"

"Thentherearethreeofusherewhoshareoneknowledge。"——Sheturnedhereyesuponme。Gods！whoeversawthelikeofPhorenice’seyes，andwhoeversawthemlitwithsuchfireasburnedwithinthemthen？——"Mylord，youaremarryingmeforpolicy;Iammarryingyouforpolicy，andforanotherreasonwhichhasgrownstrongeroflate，andwhichyoumayguessat。Doyouwishstilltocarryoutthematch？"

IlookedonceatNais，andthenIlookedsteadilybacktoPhorenice。ThecommandgivenbythemouthofZaemonfromtheHighCounciloftheSacredMountainhadtooutweighallelse，andI

answeredthatsuchwasmydesire。

"Then，"saidshe，gloweringatmewithhereyes，"youshallbuildmeuptheprettybodyofNaisbeneathathroneofgraniteasaweddinggift。Andyoushalldoittoowithyourownproperhands，myDeucalion，whilstIwatchyourdevotion。"

AndtoNaissheturnedwithacruelsmile。"Youliedtome，mygirl，andyouspoketruthtothesoldiersintheharbourforts。

Thereisamanhereinthecityyoucameafter，andheistheonemanyoumaynothave。Becauseyouknowmewell，andmymethodsverythoroughly，yourloveforhimmustbeverydeep，oryouwouldnothavecome。Andso，beinghere，youshallbeputbeyondmischief’sreach。Iamnotoneofthosewhoseeluxuryinfosteringrivals。

"YoucameforattentionatthehandsofDeucalion。Bymyface！

youshallhaveit。Iwillwatchmyselfwhilsthebuildsyouupliving。"

11。ANAFFAIRWITHTHE

BARBAROUSFISHERS

SothismightyEmpresschosetobejealousofamerewomanprisoner！

Nowmymindhasbeentrainedtoworkwithasoldierlyquicknessinthesemomentsofstress，andIdecidedonmypropercourseontheinstantthewordshadleftherlips。IwassacrificingmyselfforAtlantisbyorderoftheHighCouncilofthePriests，and，ifneedful，Naismustbesacrificedalso，althoughinthesameflashaschemecametomeforsavingher。

SoIbowedgravelybeforetheEmpress，andsaidI，"Inthis，andinallotherthingswhereamerehumanhandispotent，Iwillcarryoutyourwishes，Phorenice。"Andsheonherpartpattedmyarm，andfreshwavesoffeelingwelledupfromthedepthsofherwondrouseyes。SurelytheGodswonforherhalfherschemesandhalfherbattleswhentheygavePhorenicehershape，andhervoice，andthematterswhichlaywithintheoutlinesofherface。

Bythistimethemerchants，andtheotherdwellersadjacenttothispartoftheharbour，wheretheroyalquaystands，hadcomedown，offeringchangesofraiment，andhousestoretireinto。

Phorenicewasallgraciousness，andthoughitwaslittleenoughI

caredformerewetnessofmycoat，stillthatpartoftheharbourintowhichwehadbeenthrownbythemammothwasnotoversavoury，andIwasgladenoughtofollowherexample。Formyself，IsaidnofurtherwordtoNais，andrefrainedevenfromgivingheraglanceoffarewell。ButasmallsoplikethiswasnomealforPhorenice，andshegavetheport—captainstrictordersfortheguardingofhisprisonerbeforeshelefthim。

AtthehouseintowhichIwasusheredtheygavemeabath，andIeasedmyhostoftheplainestgarmentinhisstore，andhewaspleasedenoughatgettingoffsocheaply。ButIhadanhourtospendoutsideonthepavementlisteningtothedistantdinofbombardmentbeforePhorenicecameouttomeagain，andIcouldnothelpfeelingsomegrimamusementatthefaceofthemerchantwhofollowed。Thefellowwasclearlyruined。Hehadastoreofjewelsandgaudsofthemostcostlykind，whichwereonlyinfractionhisown，seeingthathehadboughtthem（asthecustomis）inpartnershipwithothermerchants。ThesehadpleasedPhorenice’seye，andsoshehadtakenallanddisposedthemonherperson。

"Aretheynotpretty？"saidshe，showingthemtome。"Seehowtheyflashunderthesun。Iamquitegladnow，Deucalion，thatthemammothgaveusthatfuriousrideandthatspill，sinceithasbroughtmesuchabonnypresent。Youmaytellthefellowherethatsomedaywhenhehasearnedsomemore，Iwillcomeandbehisguestagain。Ah！Theyhavebroughtuslitters，Isee。Well，sendoneawayanddoyoushareminewithme，sir。Wemustplayatbeingloversto—day，evenifloveisamatterwhichwillcometousbothwithmorecertaintyto—morrow。No;donotordermorebearers。Myownslaveswillcarryushandilyenough。Iamgladyouarenotoneofyourgross，overfedmen，Deucalion。Iamsmallandslimmyself，andIdonotwanttobehusbandedbyamanwhowillovershadowme。"

"Backtotheroyalpyramid？"Iasked。

"No，nortothewalls。IneitherwishtofightnortositasEmpressto—day，sir。AsIhavetoldyoubefore，itismywhimtobePhorenice，themaiden，forafewhours，andifsomeoneIwotofwouldwoomenow，asothermaidensarewooed，Ishouldesteemitaluxury。Bidtheslavescarryusroundtheharbour’srim，andgivewordtothesestarersthat，iftheyfollow，IwillcalldownfireuponthemasIdiduponthesacrifice。"

Now，Ihadseensomethingoftheunrulinessofthestreetsmyself，andIhadgatheredahintalsofromtheofficeratthegateoftheroyalpyramidthatnightofPhorenice’swelcomingbanquet。

ButaswhatevertherewasinthemattermustbecommonknowledgetotheEmpress，Ididnotbringittohermemorythen。SoIdismissedtheguardwhichhadcomeup，anddroveawaywithafewsharpwordsthethrongofgapingsightseerswhoalways，sillycreatures，mustneedscometostareattheirbetters;andthenIsatinthelitterintheplacewhereIwasinvited，andthebearersputtheirheadstothepole。

Theyswungawaywithusalongthewidepavementwhichrunsbetweenthehousesofthemerchantsandthemarinerfolkandthedimplingwatersoftheharbour，andIthoughtsomewhatsadlyofthefewshipsthatfloatedonthatsplendidbasinnow，andofthefewevidencesofbusinessthatshowedthemselvesonthequays。Timewaswhentheshipswereberthedsoclosethatmanyhadtowaitintheestuaryoutsidethewalls，andmemorialshadbeensenttotheKingthattheportshouldbedoubledinsizetoholdtheglutoftrade。Andthat，too，intheolddaysofoarandsail，whenmachinesdrawingpowerfromourLordtheSunwerebutrarelyusedtohelpavesselspeedilyalonghercourse。

TheEgyptvoyageandareturnwasamatterofayearthen，asagainstabraceofmonthsnow，andofthreeshipsthatsetout，oneatleastcouldbereckoneduponsuccumbingtothedangersofthewidewatersandtheterriblebeaststhathauntthem。Butinthoseolddaystraderoaredwithlustylife，andwasevergrowingwiderandmoreheavy。YourmerchantthenwasaportlymanandgavegenerouslytotheGods。Butnowalltheworldseemedtobeinarms，andmoreovertradewasvulgar。Yourmerchant，ifhewasamanofsubstance，forgothismerchandise，sworethatchafferingwasmoreindelicatethanblasphemyandcurledhisbeardafterthenewfashion，andbecameacourtier。Wherehisfatherhadspentanxiousdayswithcargotallyandship—master，thesonwastedhoursindirectingsewingmenastheyadornedacoat，andnightsinvapouringatabanquet。

Ofthesmallermerchantswhohadnosubstancelaidby，taxesandtheconstantbickeringsofwarhadwellnighgroundthemintostarvation。Besides，withthecountryinconstantuproar，therewerefewmarketsleftformostmerchandise，norwasthereaughtmadenowwhichcouldbecarriedabroad。Ifyourweaverispressedasafire—tubemanhedoesnotmakecloth，andifyourfarmerisplayingatrebellion，hedoesnotbuyslavestotillhisfields。

Indeed，theytoldmethatamonthbeforemyreturn，asfineacargoofslaveshadbeenbroughtintoharbourasevercameoutofEurope，andtherewasnothingforitbuttosetthemashoreacrosstheestuary，andleavethemfreetostarveorliveinthewildgroundthereastheychose。TherewasnomaninallAtlantiswhowouldholdsomuchasonemoreslaveasagift。

ButthoughIwasgrievedatthisfallingaway，allschemesforremedywouldbeforafterwards。Itwouldonlymakeillworsetospeakofitaswerodetogetherinthelitter。IwasgrowingtoknowPhorenice’smoodsenoughforthat。Still，Ithinkthatshetoohadstudiedmine，anddidherbesttointerestmebetweenherburstsoftrifling。Wewentouttowherethewesternmostharbourwalljoinstheland，andtherethepantingbearerssetusdown。

Sheledmeintoalittlehouseofstonewhichstoodbyitself，builtoutonapromontorywherethereisaconstantrunoftide，andwhenwehadbeengivenadmittance，aftermuchunbarring，sheshowedmehernewgoldcollectors。

InthedryknowledgetaughtinthecollegesandgrovesoftheSacredMountainithadbeenacommonfacttousthatthemetalgoldwaspresentinadissolvedstateinallseawater，butofplansfordraggingitforthintoyellowhardness，nonehadeverbeendiscussed。Butherethisfield—rearedupstartofanEmpresshadstumbleduponthetrickasthoughithadbeenwritteninabook。

ShepattedmyarmlaughinglyasIstaredcuriouslyroundtheplace。"ItellallothersinAtlantisthatonlytheGodshavethissecret，"saidshe，"andthatTheygaveittomeasoneofthemselves。ButIamnoGoddesstoyou，amI，Deucalion？And，bymyface！Ihavenootherexplanationofhowthisplanwasinvented。We’llsupposeImusthavedreamedit。Look！Thesea—watersluicesinthroughthatculvert，andpassesovertheseroughmetalplatessetinthefloor，andthenflowsoutagainyonderinitsnaturalcourse。Youseetheyellowmetalcaughtintheridgesoftheplates？Thatisgold。Andmyfellowsheremeltitwithfireintobars，andtakeittomysmith’sinthecity。Thetidesvaryconstantly，asyoupriestsknowwell，asthequietmoondrawsthem，anditdoesnottakemuchfiguringtoknowhowmuchoftheseapassesthroughtheseculvertsinamonthandhowmuchgoldtoagrainshouldbecaughtintheplates。Myfellowshereatfirstthoughttocheatme，butItowedtwooftheminthewateroncebehindagalleytillthecannibalfishatethem，andsincethentheothershavegivenmecreditfor——forwhatdoyouthink？"

"Moredivinity。"

"Isupposeitisthat。ButIamlettingyouseehowitisdone。Justhavetheheadtoworkoutalittlesum，andseewhataneffectcanbegained。YouwillbeaGodyetyourself，Deucalion，withthesesillyAtlanteans，ifonlyyouwilluseyourwitandcleverness。"

Wasshelaughingatme？Wassheinearnest？Icouldnottell。Sometimesshepointedoutthathersuccessandtriumphsweremerelytherewardofthoughtandbrilliancy，andnextmomentshegavemesomeimpossibleexplanationandleftmetodeducethatshemustbemorethanmortalorthethingcouldneverhavebeenfound。

Ingoodtruth，thislittlewomanwithhersupplemindandhersupplebodymystifiedmemoreandmorethelongerIstayedbyherside;andmoreandmoredespairingdidIgrowthatAtlantiscouldeverberestoredbymyagencytopeaceandtheancientGods，evenafterIhadcarriedoutthecommandsoftheHighCouncil，andtakenhertowife。

Onlyoneplanseemedhumanlypossible，andthatwastocurbherfurthermischievousnessbydeathandthenleavethewretchedcountrynaturallytorecover。Itwasjustadagger—stroke，andthethingwasdone。Yettheveryideaofthisrevoltedme，andwhenthedesperatethoughtcametomymind（whichitdideverandanon），Ihuggedtomyselftheanswerthatifitwerefittingtodothisthing，theHighGodsinTheirinfinitewisdomwouldsurelyhaveputdefinitecommandsuponmeforitscarryingout。

Yet，suchwasthefascinationofPhorenice，thatwhenpresentlywelefthergoldcollectors，andstumbledintosuchperil，thatalittlewithholdingofmyhandwouldhavegainedherapassagetothenetherGods，Ifoundmyselffightingwhenshecalleduponme，asseldomIhavefoughtbefore。Andthough，ofcourse，someblameforthismustbelaiduponthatlustofbattlewhichthrillseventhecoldestofuswhenblowsbegintowhistleandwar—criesstarttoring，thereisnodoubtalsothatthepleasureofprotectingPhorenice，andthedistasteforseeingherpulleddownbythoserude，uncouthfishersputspecialnerveandvehemenceintomyblows。

ThecauseofthematterwastheunrestandtheprevalencytostreetviolencewhichIhavespokenofabove，andthedesperatepovertyofthecommonpeople，whichledthemtotakeanyriskifitshowedthemachanceofwinningthewherewithaltopurchaseameal。

Wehadoncemoremountedthelitter，andoncemorethebearers，withtheirheadsbeneaththepole，boreusonattheiraccustomedswingingtrot。Phorenicewastellingmeabouthernewsuppliesofgold。Shehadmadefreshsumptuarylaws，itappeared。

"Intheolddays，"saidshe，"whenyellowgoldwastediouslydredgedupgrainbygrainfromrivergravelsinthedangerouslands，aquillfullwouldcostarichman’ssavings，andsononebutthosewhosehighstationfittedthemtobesoadornedcouldweargoldenornaments。Butwhenthesea—watergavemegoldherebythedoublehandfuladay，Ifoundthatthepriceoftheseriverhoardsdecreased，andoneday——couldyoucreditit？——acommonfellow，whowasoneofmysmiths，cametomewearingacollarofyellowgoldonhisowncommonneck。Well，Ihadthatneckdivided，aspaymentforhispresumption;andasIpromisedtorepeatthedivisionpromptlyonallotheroffenders，thatspecialspeciesofforwardnessseemstobecheckedforthetime。Therearemanyexasperations，Deucalion，ingoverningthesecommonpeople。"

Shehadotherthingstosayuponthematter，butatthispointIsawtwoclumsyboatsoffisherspaddlingtousfromovertheripples，andatthesametimeamongstthenarrowlaneswhichledbetweenthehousesontheothersideofus，savage—facedmenwerebeginningtorunafterthelitterinthreateningclusters。

"Withpermission，"Isaid，"Iwillstepoutoftheconveyanceandscatterthisrabble。"

"Oh，thepeoplealwaysclusterroundme。Pooruglysouls，theyseemtotakeastrangedelightincomingtostareatmyprettylooks。Butscatterthem。IhavesaidIdidnotwishtobefollowed。Iamtakingholidaynow，Deucalion，amInot，whilstyoulearntowoome？"

Isteppedtotheground。Theroughfishersintheboatswerebeginningtoshouttothosewhododgedamongstthehousestoseetoitthatwedidnotescape，andthenumberswhohemmedusinontheshoresidewereincreasingeverymoment。Theprospectwasunpleasantenough。Wehadcomeoutbeyondthemerchants’quarters，andwerelevelwiththosesmallhutsofmudandgrasswhichthefishingpopulationdeemsufficientforshelter，andwhichhasalwaysbeenaspotwhereturbulencemightbeexpected。Indeed，eveninthosedaysofpeaceandgoodgovernmentintheoldKing’stime，thispartofthecityhadrarelybeenwithoutitsweeklyriot。

Thelifeofthefishermanisthemosthardthatanyhumantoilershavetoendure。Violencefromthewindandwaves，andpeltingfromfirestonesoutoftheskyaretheirdailyportion;thegreatbeaststhatdwellintheseashuntthemwithsavagepersistence，anditisararedaywhenatleastsomeoneofthefishers’guildfailstocomehometoanswerthetally。

Moreover，themannerwhichprevailsofcatchingfishisnotwithoutitsrisks。

Toeachmanthereisalargesea—fowltakenasanestling，andtrainedtothework。Aringofbronzeisrounditsnecktopreventitsswallowingthespoilforwhichitdives，andforeachfishittakesandfliesbackwithtotheboat，theheadandtailandinwardsaregiventoitforareward，theringbeingremovedwhilstitmakesthemeal。

Thebirdsarefaithful，oncetheyhavegotatraining，andareseldomknowntodeserttheirowners;but，althoughthefisherstreatthemmorekindlythantheydotheirwives，orchildrenoftheirownbegetting，thelifeofthebirdsisprecariouslikethatoftheirmasters。Thelargerbeastsandfishoftheseapreyonthemastheypreyonthesmallerfish，andsowhatevercaremaybelavisheduponthem，theyaremostliabletosuddencuttingoff。

Andhereisanotherthingthatmakesthelifeofthefishermostprecarious:ifhisfishingbirdbeslain，andthesecondwhichhehasintrainingalsocomebyillfortune，heisleftsuddenlybereftofallutensilsoflivelihood，and（foraughthisguild—fellowscare）hemaygostarve。ForthesefishersholdthattheGodsofthesearegulatetheircraft，andthatifoneisnotpleasingtoThemTheyrobhimofhisbirds;afterwhichitwouldbeimpioustohaveanytruckordealingwithsuchafellow;andaccordinglyheislefttostarveorrobashechooses。

Allofwhichcircumstancestendtomakethefishersrude，desperatemen，whohavebeenforcedintothetradebecauseallothercallingshaverejectedthem。Theyarefellows，moreover，whowillspendthegainsofamonthonanight’sdebauch，forfearthatthemorrowwillrobthemoflifeandthechanceofspending;and，moreover，itistheironepointofhonourtobecurbedinnodesirebyanordinaryfearofconsequences。Aswillappear。

Iwentquicklytowardsthelargestknotofthesepeople，whowereskulkingbehindthehouses，leavingthelitterhaltedinthepathbehindme，andIbadethemsharplyenoughtodisperse。"Foranemployment，"Iadded，"putyourhousesinorder，andcleanthefishoffalfromthelanesbetweenthem。To—morrowIwillcomeroundheretoinspect，andputthisquarterintoabetterorder。

Butforto—daytheEmpress（whosenamebeadored）wishesforaprivacy，soceaseyourstaring。"

"Thengiveusmoney，"saidashrillvoicefromamongstthehuts。

"Iwillsendyouatorchinanhour’stime，"Isaidgrimly，"andrigyouagallows，ifyougivememoreannoyance。Toyourkennels，you！"

Ithinktheywouldhaveobeyedthevoiceofauthorityiftheyhadbeenlefttothemselves。Therewasaquickstiramongstthem。

Thosethatstoodinthesunlightinstinctivelyslippedintotheshadow，andmanydodgedintothehousesandcoweredindarkcornersoutofsight。Butthemeninthetwohide—coveredfisher—boatsthatwerepaddlingup，calledthembackwithboisterouscries。

Isignedtothelitter—bearerstomoveonquicklyalongtheirroad。Therewasneedofdisciplinehere，andIwasmindedtodealitoutmyselfwithafirmhand。IjudgedthatIcouldpreventthemfollowingtheEmpress，butifshestillremainedasaglitteringbaitforthemtorob，andIhadtoprotectheralso，itmightbethatmyworkwouldnotbedonesoeffectively。

ButitseemsIwaspresumptuousingivinganorderwhichdealtwiththepersonofPhorenice。Shebadethebearersstandwheretheywere，andsteppedout，anddrewherweaponsfrombeneaththecushions。Shecametowardsmestrappingaswordontoherhip，andcarryingawell—dintedtargetofgoldonherleftforearm。"Anunfairtrick，"criesshe，laughing。"Ifyouwillkeepafighttoyourselfnow，Deucalion，wherewillyourgreedinesscarryyouwhenIamyourshrinking，wistfullittlewife？Arethesefoolstrulygoingtostandupagainstus？"

Iwasnotcovetingafight，butitseemedasiftherewouldbenoavoidanceofitnow。TherobeandtheglitteringgaudsofwhichPhorenicehadrecentlydespoiledthemerchant，drewtheeyesofthesepeoplewithkeenattraction。Thefishersintheboatspaddledintothesurfwhichedgedthebeach，andleapedoversideandleftthefrailbasket—workstructurestobespewedupsoundorsmashed，aschanceordered。Andfromthehouses，andfromthefilthylanesbetweenthem，pouredouthordesofothers，womenmixedwiththemen，gatheringroundusthreateningly。

"Haveacare，"shoutedoneontheoutskirtsofthecrowd。

"Shecalleddownfireforthesacrificeonceto—day，andshecanburnupothershereifshechooses。"

"Somuchthemoreforthosethatareleft，"retortedanother。

"Shecannotburnall。"