第13章

Ihadgoneupthestepstodomyhatefulworkamanfullofgrief，thoughoutwardlyunmoved。AsIcamedownagainIhadafeelingofincompleteness;itseemedasthoughhalfmyinwardshadbeenleftbehindwithNaisinthehollowofthestone，andtheirplacewastakenbyavoidwhichachedwearily;butstillIcarriedapassiveface，andmemorythatbeforealltheseprivatemattersstoodthecommandoftheHighCouncil，whichsatbeforetheArkoftheMysteries。

SoIwentandstoodbeforePhorenice，andsaidthewordswhichtheancientformsprescribedconcerningthecarryingoutofherwish。

"Then，now，"shesaid，"Iwillgivemyselftoyouaswife。Wearenotasothers，youandI，Deucalion。Thereisalawandaformsetdownforthemarryingoftheseotherpeople，butthatwouldbeuselessforourpurposes。Wewillhaveneitherpriestnorscribetojoinusandsetdowntheunion。IamthelawhereinAtlantis，andyousoonwillbepartofme。Wewillnotbedemeanedbyprofanerhands。Wewillmaketheceremonyforourselves，andforwitnesses，therearesufficientinwaiting。Afterwards，therecordshallbecutdeepinthegranitethroneyouhavebuiltforme，andtheletteringfilledinwithgold，sothatitshallendureandremainbrightforalways。"

"TheEmpresscandonowrong，"Isaidformally，andtookthehandsheofferedme，andhelpedhertorise。Wewalkedoutfromthescarletawningintotheglareofthesunshine，sheleaningonme，flushing，andsoradiantlylovelythatthepeoplebegantohailherwithrapturousshoutsof"AGoddess;ourGoddessPhorenice。"

Butformetheyhadnowelcomingword。Ithinkthesetgrimnessofmyfacebothscaredandrepelledthem。

Wewentupthestepswhichledtothethrone，thepeoplestillshouting，andIsatherintheroyalseatbeneaththesnake’soutstretchedhead，andshedrewmedowntositbesideher。

Sheraisedherjewelledhand，andasilencefellonthatgreatthrong，asthoughthebreathhadbeensuddenlycutshortforallofthem。

ThenPhorenicemadeproclamation:

"Hearme，Omypeople，andhearme，OHighGodsfromwhomIamcome。ItakethismanDeucalion，tobemyhusband，tosharewithmetheprosperityofAtlantis，andjoinmeinguardingourgreatpossession。Mayallourenemiesperishassheisnowperishingabovewhomwesit。"Andthensheputherarmsaroundmyneck，andkissedmehotlyonthemouth。

InturnIalsospoke:"Hearme，OmostHighGods，whoseservantIam，andhearmealso，Oyepeople。ItakethisEmpress，Phorenice，towife，tohelpwithhertheprosperityofAtlantis，andjoinwithheringuardingthewelfareofthatgreatpossession。

Mayalltheenemiesofthiscountryperishastheyhaveperishedinthepast。"

Andthen，Itoo，whohadnotbeenpermittedbythefatetotouchthelipsofmylove，bestowedthefirstkissIhadevergivenwomantoPhorenice，thatwasnowbeingmademywife。

Butwewerenotcompletelylinkedyet。

"Awomanisone，andmanisone，"sheproclaimed，followingforthefirsttimetheoldformofwords，"butinmarriagetheymerge，sothatwifeandhusbandarenomoreseparate，butoneconjointly。Intokenofthiswewillnowmakethesymbolicjoiningtogether，sothatallmayseeandremember。"Shetookherdagger，andprickingthebrawnonmyforearmtillaheadofbloodappeared，setherredlipstoit，andtookitintoherself。

"Ah，"shesaid，withhereyessparkling，"nowyouarepartofmeindeed，Deucalion，andIfeelyouhavestrengthenedmealready。"

Shepulleddowntheneckofherrobe。"Letmemakeyoumyreturn。"

Iprickedtheroundedwhitenessofhershoulder。Gods！whenIrememberedwhowasbeneathusaswesatonthatthrone，Icouldhavedriventhebladethroughtoherheart！AndthenI，too，putdownmylips，andtookthedropofherbloodthatwasyieldedtome。

Mytonguewasdry，mythroatwasparched，andmyfacesuffused，andIthoughtIshouldhavechoked。

ButtheEmpress，whowasordinarilysoacute，wasmisledthen。

"Itthrillsyou？"shecried。"Itburnswithinyoulikelivingfire？Ihavejustfeltit。Bymyface！Deucalion，ifIhadknownthepleasureitgivestobemadeawife，IdonotthinkIshouldhavewaitedthislongforyou。Ah，yes;butwithanothermanI

shouldhavehadnothrill。Imighthavegonethroughtheceremonywithanother，butitwouldhaveleftmecold。Well，theysaythisfeelingcomestoawomanbutonceinhertime，andIwouldnotchangeitforthegloryofallmyconquestsandthewhirlofallmypower。"Sheleanedinclosetomesothattheredcurlsofherhairsweptmycheek，andherbreathcamehotagainstmymouth。"Tastedyoueveranysweetsodeliciousasthisknowledgethatwearemadeonenow，Deucalion，pastallpossibledissolving？"

Icouldnotlietoheranymorejustthen。TheGodsknowhowhonestlyIhadstriventoplaythepartcommandedmeforAtlantis’

good，butthereisalimittohumanendurance，andminewasreached。Iwasnotallangertowardsher。Ihadsomepityforthispassionofhers，whichhadgrownofitselfcertainly，butwhichIhaddonenothingtocheck;andtheindecentfranknesswithwhichitwasdisplayedwasonlypartoftheliveryofpotentateswhoflauntwhatmeanerfolkwouldcoylyhide。Butalwaysbeforemyeyeswasapictureofthegirlonwhomherjealousyhadtakensuchabittervengeance，andtoinventspuriouslover’stalkthenwasathingmytonguerefusedtodo。

"Wordsarepoorthings，"Isaid，"andIamamanunusedtowomen，andhavebutasmallstockofanyphrasesexceptthedryest。

Remember，Phorenice，aweekagone，Ididnotknowwhatlovewas，andnowthatIhavelearnedthelesson，somewhatofthesuddenest，thelanguageremainsstilltocometome。Myinwardsspeak;indeedtheyarefullofspeech;butIcannottranslateintobaldcoldwordswhattheysay。"

Andhere，surelytheHighGodstookpityonmytiedtongueandmymisery，andmadeanopportunityforbringingtheceremonytoanend。Amanranintothesquareshouting，andshowingawoundthatdripped，andpresentlyallthatvastcrowdwhichstoodonthepavements，andthesidesofthepyramids，andtheroofsofthetemples，tookupthecry，andbegantofeelfortheirweapons。

"Therebelsarein！""Theyhaveburrowedapathintothecity！""Theyhavekilledthecave—tigersandtakenagate！""Theyareputtingthewholeplacetothestorm！""Theywillpresentlyleavenopoorsoulofusherealive！"

Therethenwasaterminationofourmarriagecooings。Withrebelsmerelybitingatthewalls，itwasfinetoputstrongtrustinthedefences，andeasytoaffectcontemptforthebesiegers’

powers，andtokeepthebusinessofpageantsandstatecraftandmarryingsturningoneasywheels。Butwithrebelsoldiersalreadyinsidethecity（andhordesofothersdoubtlesspressingontheirheels），theaffairstookadifferentlight。Itwasnomomentforfurtherdelay，andPhorenicewasthefirsttoadmitit。Theglowthathadbeeninhereyeschangedtotheglareofthefighter，asthefellowwhohadrunupsqualledouthistidings。

Istoodandstretchedmychest。Iseemedinneedofair。

"Here，"Isaid，"isworkthatIcanunderstandmoreclearly。I

willgoandsweepthisrabblebacktotheirburrows，Phorenice。"

"Butnotalone，sir。Icometoo。Itismycitystill。Nay，sir，wearetoonewlywedtobepartedyet。"

"Haveyourwill，"Isaid，andtogetherwewentdownthestepsofthethronetothepavementbelow。UndermybreathIsaidafarewelltoNais。

Ourarmour—bearersmetuswithweapons，andwesteppedintolitters，andtheslavestookusoffhotfoot。Thewoundedmanwhohadfirstbroughtthenewshadfalleninafaint，andnomoretidingswastobegotfromhim，butthegrowingdinofthefightgaveusthegeneraldirection，andpresentlywebegantomeetknotsofpeoplewhodweltneartheplaceofirruption，runningawayinwildpanic，loadeddownwiththeirhouseholdgoods。

Itwasuselesstostopthese，asfighttheycouldnot，andiftheyhadstayedtheywouldmerelyhavebeenslaughteredlikeflies，andwouldinalllikelihoodhaveimpededourownsoldiery。Andsoweletthemrunscreamingontheirblindway，butforcedthelittersthroughthemwithbutverylittleregardfortheircowardconvenience。

Nowtheadvantageoftherebels，whenitcametobelookeduponbyasoldier’seye，wasathingoflittleenoughimportance。

Theyhaddrivenatunnelfrombehindacoveringmound，beneaththewalls，andhadopeneditcleverlyenoughthroughthefloorofamiddle—classhouse。Theyhadcomethroughintothis，collectingtheirnumbersunderitsshelter，anddoubtlesshopingthatthemarriageoftheEmpress（ofwhichspieshadgiventheminformation）

wouldsapthewatchfulnessofthecityguards。Butitseemstheywerediscoveredandattackedbeforetheywerethoroughlyreadytoemerge，and，asafinebodyoftroopswerebarrackednearthespot，theirexterminationwouldhavebeenmerelyamatteroftime，evenifwehadnotcomeup。

Itdidnottakeatrainedeyelongtodecideonthis，andPhorenice，withalaugh，laybackonthecushionsofthelitter，andreturnedherweaponstothearmour—bearerwhocamepantinguptoreceivethem。"Wegrownervouswithourmarriedlife，myDeucalion，"shesaid。"Wearefearfullestthisnew—foundhappinessbetakenfromustoosuddenly。"

ButIwasnottoberobbedofmybreathing—spaceinthiswise。

"Letmecraveaweddinggiftofyou，"Isaid。

"Itisyoursbeforeyounameit。"

"Thengivemetroops，andsetmewideacitygateamileawayfromhere。"

"Youcangatherfivehundredasyougofromheretothegate，takingtwohundredofthosethatarehere。Ifyouwantmore，theymustbefetchedfromotherbarracksalongthewalls。Butwhereisyourplan？"

"Why，mypoorstrategyteachesmethis:thesefoolishrebelshavesetalltheirhopesonthismine，andalltheirexcitementonitspresentsuccess。IftheyarekeptoccupiedherebyaPhorenice，whowillgivethemsomedaintyfightingwithoutcheckingthemunduly，theywillpressontotheattackandforgetallelse，andneversomuchasdreamofasortie。Andmeanwhile，aDeucalionwithhistroopwillmarchoutofthecitywellawayfromhere，withouttuckofdrumorblareoftrumpet，andfallmostunpleasantlyupontheirrear。Afterwhich，aPhorenicewillburnthehousehereatthemine’shead，whichisofwood，andstrawthatched，todiscouragefurtheregress，andeithergotothewallstowatchthefightfromthere，orsallyoutalsoandspurontheroutasherfancydictates。"

"Yourschemeissopretty，IwouldIcouldrobyouofitformyowncredit’ssake，andasitis，Imustkissyouforyourcleverness。Butyougotmywordfirst，younaughtyfellow，andyoushallhavethemenanddoasyouask。Eh，sir，thisisasadbeginningofourweddedlife，ifyoubegintorobyourlittlewifeofallthesweetsofconquestfromtheoutset。"

Shetookbacktheweaponsandtargetshehadgiventothearmour—bearer，andsteppedoverthesideofthelittertotheground。"Butatleast，"shesaid，"ifyouaregoingtofight，youshallhavetroopsthatwilldocredittomydrill，"andthereuponproceededtotelloffthecompaniesofmen—at—armswhoweretoaccompanyme。Sheleftherselffewenoughtostemtheinfluxofrebelswhopouredceaselesslyinthroughthetunnel;butasIhadseen，withPhorenice，heavyoddsaddedonlytoherenjoyment。

ButfortheEmpress，Iwillownatthetimetohavegivenlittleenoughofthought。Myownpropergriefswererawwithinme，andIthirstedforthatforgetfulnessofallelsewhichbattlegives，sothatforawhileImighthavearestfromtheirgnawings。

Itmademybloodrunfreertohearoncemorethetrampofpractisedtroopsbehindme，andwhenallhadbeencollected，wemarchedoutthroughagateofthecity，andpresentlywerechargingthroughandthroughthestragglingrearoftheenemy。BytheGods！

forthemomentevenNaiswasblottedfrommyweariedmind。NeverhadIlovedmoretoletmyfiercenessrunmadlyriot。NeverhaveIgloatedmoreabundantlyovertheterriblejoyofbattle。

Naismustforgivemyweaknessinseekingtoforgetherevenforabreathing—space。Hadthatopportunitybeendeniedme，I

believetheagonyofrememberingwouldhavesnappedmybrain—stringsforalways。

14。AGAINTHEGODSMAKECHANGE

Nowitwouldbetedioustotellhowwithahandfulofhighlytrainedfightingmen，Ichargedandrecharged，andfinallybrokeupthathordeofrebelswhichoutnumberedusbyfifteentimes。Itmustberememberedthattheygrewsuddenlypanic—strickeninfindingthatofallthosewhowentinunderthecitywallsbythemineonwhichtheyhadsetsuchgreatstore，nonecameback，andthatthesoundsofpanicwhichhadfirstbrokenoutwithinthecitysoongavewaytocriesoftriumphandjoy。Anditmustbecarriedinmemoryalsothatthesewretchedrebelswerewithouttrainingworthyofthename，wereforthemostpartweaponedveryvilely，and，seeingthattheirsillyprinciplesmadeeachtheequalofhisneighbour，werepracticallywithoutheadsorleadersalso。

Sowhenthepanicbegan，itspreadlikeamalignantmurrainthroughalltheirraggedranks，andtherewerenonetorallytheflying，nonetodirectthoseofmoredesperatebraverywhostayedandfought。

Myschemeofattackwassimple。Ihuntedthemwithoutahalt。

Iandmyfellowsneverstoppedtoplaythedefensive。Weturnedoneflank，andchargedthroughacentre，andthenwewereharryingtheotherflank，andoncemorehackingourpassagethroughthesolidmass。Andsobyconstantlykeepingthemontherun，andinignoranceofwhencewouldcomethenextattack，panicbegantogrowamongstthemandferment，tillpresentlythoseintheouterlinescommencedtoscurryawaytowardstheforestsandthespoiledcorn—landsofthecountry，andthoseintheinnerpackswereonlywishfulofachancetofollowthem。

Itwasnofeatofarmsthisbreakingupoftherebelleaguer，andnopractisedsoldierwouldwishtoclaimitassuch。Itwassimplytakingadvantageofthechancesofthemoment，andassuchitwassuccessful。Givenanopenbattleontheirownground，thesedesperaterebelswouldhavefoughttillnonecouldstand，andbysheerferociousnumberswouldhavepulleddownanytrainedtroopsthatthecitycouldhavesentagainstthem，whethertheyhadadvancedinphalanxorwhatformationyouwill。Foritmustberememberedtheywerefarremovedfromcowards，beingAtlanteanall，justaswerethosewithinthecity，andwere，moreover，spurredtoextraordinarysavagenessanddesperationbytheoppressionunderwhichtheyhadgroaned，andthewrongstheyhadbeenforcedtoendure。

Still，asIsay，thepoorcreatureswerescattered，andthesiegewasraisedfromthatmoment，anditwasplaintoseethattherebellionmightbemadetoend，ifnounreasonableharshnesswasusedforitsfinalsuppression。Toogreatseverity，thoughperhapsitmaybejustlytheirportion，onlydrivessuchmalcontentstofurtherdesperations。

Now，followingupthesefugitives，tomakesurethattherewasnohaltintheirretreat，andtosendthelessonofpanicthoroughlyhometothem，hadledusalongdistancefromthecitywalls;andaswehadfoughtallthroughtheburningheatofthedayandmymenwereheavilywearied，Idecidedtohaltwherewewereforthenightamongstsomehalf—ruinedhouseswhichwouldmakeatemporaryfortification。Fortunately，adroveoflittlecloven—hoofedhorseswhichhadbeenscaredbysomeoftherebelsintheirflighthappenedtoblunderintoourlines，andaswekilledfivebeforetheywereclearagain，therewasasoldier’ssupperforus，andquicklythefireswerelitandcookingit。

Sentriespacedtheoutskirtsandmadetheircriestooneanother，andthewoundedsatbythefiresanddressedtheirhurts，andwiththeofficersItalkedovertheengagementsoftheday，andthemethodsofeachcharge，andtheotherdetailsofthefighting。

Itisthespecialperquisiteofsoldierstodallyoverthesematterswithgusto，thoughtheyareentirelywithoutinterestforlaymen。

Thehourdrewonforsleep，andsnoreswentupfromeveryside。Itwasclearthatallmyofficerswereweariedout，andonlycontinuedthetalkthroughdeferencetotheircommander。YetIhadafeverishdreadofbeingleftaloneagainwithmythoughts，andpressedthemonwithconversationremorselessly。Butintheendtheyweresavedtherudenessofdroppingoffintounconsciousnessduringmytalk。Asentrycameupandsaluted。"Mylord，"hereported。"thereisawomancomeupfromthecitywhomwehavecaughttryingtocomeintothebivouac。"

"Howisshenamed？"

"Shewillnotsay。"

"Hasshebusiness？’

"Shewillsaynone。Shedemandsonlytoseemylord。"

"Bringherheretothefire，"Iordered，andthenonsecondthoughtsrememberingthatthewoman，whoevershemightbe，hadnewslikelyenoughformyprivateear（orotherwiseshewouldnothavecometosouncoutharendezvous），Isaidtothesentry:"Stay，"

andgotupfromthegroundbesidethefire，andwentwithhimtotheouterline。

"Whereisshe？"Iasked。

"Mycomradesareholdingher。Shemightbeawenchbelongingtotheserebels，withdesignstoputaknifeintomylord’sheart，andthenwesentrieswouldsuffer。TheEmpress，"headdedsimply，"seemstosetgoodstoreuponmylordatpresent，andweknowtheclevernessofhertormentors。"

"Yourthoughtfulnessisfrank，"Isaid，andthenheshowedmethewoman。Shewasmuffledupinhoodandcloak，butonewholovedNaisasIlovedcouldnotmistaketheformofYlga，hertwinsister，becauseofmereswathings。SoItoldthesentriestoreleaseherwithoutaskingherforspeech，andthenledheroutfromthebivouacbeyondearshotoftheirlines。

"Itissomethingofthemostpressingthathasbroughtyououthere，Ylga？"

"Youknowme，then？Theremustbesomethingwarmerthantheordinarybetweenustwo，Deucalion，ifyoucouldguesswhowalkedbeneathallthesemufflings。"

Iletthatpass。"Butwhat’syourerrand，girl？"

"Aye，"shesaidbitterly，"there’smyreward。Allyourconcern’sforthemessage，noneforthecarrier。Well，goodmylord，youarehusbandtothedaintyPhorenicenolonger。"

"Thisisnews。"

"Andtrueenough，too。Shewillhavenomoreofyou，divorcesyou，spurnsyou，thrustsyoufromher，and，afterthefirstsplutterofwrathisdone，thencomepainsandpenalties。"

"TheEmpresscandonowrong。IwillhaveyouspeakrespectfulwordsoftheEmpress。"

"Oh，bedonewiththatoldfable！Itsickensme。Thewomanwasmadforloveofyou，andnowshe’smadwithjealousy。SheknowsthatyougaveNaissomeofyourpriest’smagic，andthatshesleepstillyouchoosetocomeandclaimher，eventhoughthedaybeacenturyfromthis。Andifyouwishtoknowthemethodofherenlightenment，itissimple。Thereisanotherairshaftnexttotheonedownwhichyoudidyourcooingandbilling，andthatleadstoanothercellinwhichlayanotherprisoner。Thewretchheardallthatpassed，andthoughttobuyenlargementbytellingit。

"Buthisnewscameatriflestale。Itseemsthatwiththepressureofthemorning’sceremonies，theyforgottobringaration，andwhenatlasthisgaolerdidrememberhim，itwasratherlate，seeingthatbythenPhorenicehadtiedherselfpubliclytoahusband，andpoorNaishaddoubtlesseatenhergreendrug。

However，thefoolsmustneedstryandbarterhistaleforwhatitwouldfetch;and，aswasnatural，hadsuchasillyheadchoppedoffforhispains;andafterthatyourPhorenicebehavedasyoumayguess。Andnowyoumaythankme，sir，forcomingtowarnyounottogobacktoAtlantis。"

"ButIshallgoback。AndiftheEmpresschoosestocutmyheadalsofromitspropercolumn，thatisastheHighGodswill。"

"YouaremoresickoflifethanIthought。ButIthink，sir，ourPhorenicejudgesyourcaseveryaccurately。Itwaspermittedmetoheartheoutburstingofthislady’srage。’ShallIhewoffhishead？’saidshe。’Pah！ShallIgivehimovertomytormentors，andstandbywhilsttheydotheirworst？Hewouldnotwrinklehisbrowattheirfiercestefforts。No;hemusthaveaheavierpunishmentthananyofthese，andonealsowhichwillendure。Ishalllopoffhisrighthandandhisleftfoot，sothathemaybeafightingmannolonger，andthenIshalldrivehimforthcrippledintothedangerouslands，wherehemaylearnFear。

Thebeastsshallhunthim，thefiresofthegroundshallspoilhisrest。Heshallknowhunger，andheshallbreathebadair。AndallthewhileheshallrememberthatIhaveNaisnearme，livingandlockedinhercoffinofstone，toplaywithasIchoose，andtogiveovertowhatinsultsmaycometomyfancy。’Thatiswhatshesaid，Deucalion。NowIaskyouagainwillyougobacktomeethervengeance？"

"No，"Isaid，"itisnopartofmyplantobemutilatedandlefttolive。"

"So，beingawomanofsomesense，Ijudged。And，moreover，havingsomesmallkindnessstillleftforyou，Ihavetakenituponmyselftomakeaplanforyourfurthermovementwhichmayfallinwithyourwhim。DoesthenameofTobcomebacktoyourmemory？"

"OnewhowasCaptainofTatho’snavy？"

"ThatsameTob。Agruff，rudefellow，andsmellingvileoftar，butseemingtohaveasturdyhonestyofhisown。Tobsailsawaythisnightforpartsunknown，presumablytofoundakingdomwithTobforking。ItseemshecanfindlittleenoughtoearnathiscraftinAtlantistheselatterdays，andhasscruplesatseeinghiswifeandyoungoneshungry。HetoldmethisattheharboursidewhenIputmyneckundertheaxebysayingIwantedcarriageforyou，sir，andsohavingmeunderhisthumb，hewasperhapsmoreloose—lippedthanusual。YouseemtohavemadeafineimpressiononTob，Deucalion。Hesaid——Irepeathisheartydisrespect——youwerejusttherecruithewanted，butwhetheryoujoinedhimornot，hewouldgotothenetherGodstodoyouservice。"

"Bythefellow’sside，Igainedsomeexperienceinfightingthegreaterseabeasts。"

"Well，goanddoitagain。Believeme，sir，itisyouronlychance。Itwouldgrievememuchtohearthesearing—ironhissonyourstumps。IbargainedwithTobtogetclearoftheharbourfortsbeforethechainwasupforthenight，andasheisaverydaringfellow，withnofearofnavigatingunderthedarkness，hehimselfsaidhewouldcometoapointoftheshorewhichweagreedupon，andthereawaityou。Come，Deucalion，letmeleadyoutotheplace。"

"Mygirl，"Isaid，"IseeIoweyoumanythanksforwhatyouhavedoneonmypoorbehalf。"

"Oh，yourthanks！"shesaid。"Youmaykeepthem。Ididnotcomeouthereinthedarkandthedangersformerethanks，thoughIknewwellenoughtherewouldbelittleelseoffered。"——Shepluckedatmysleeve。——"Nowshowmeyourwalkingpace，sir。Theywillbegintowantyourcountenanceinthecampdirectly，andweneedhankerafternotoonarrowinquiriesforwhat’salong。"

Sothereonwesetoff，YlgaandI，leavingthelightsofthebivouacbehindus，andsheshowedtheway，whilstIcarriedmyweaponsreadytowardoffattackswhetherfrombeastsorfrommen。

Fewwordswerepassedbetweenus，exceptthosewhichhadconcernwiththedangersnaturaltotheway。Onceonlydidwetouchoneanother，andthatwaswhereatree—trunkbridgedarivuletofscaldingwaterwhichflowedfromaboil—springtowardsthesea。

"Areyousureoffooting？"Iasked，forthenightwasdark，andtheheatofthewaterwouldpeelthefleshfromthebonesifoneslippedintoit。

"No，"shesaid，"Iamnot，"andreachedoutandtookmyhand。

Ihelpedheroverandthenloosedmygrip，andshesighed，andslowlyslippedherhandaway。Thenonagainwewentinsilence，sidebyside，hourafterhour，andleagueafterleague。

Butatlastwetoppedarise，andbelowusthroughthetreesIcouldseethegleamofthegreatestuaryonwhichthecityofAtlantisstands。Thegroundwassoggyandwetbeneathus，thetreeswerefullofbarbsandspines，thewaywasmonstroushard。

Ylga’sbreathwasbeginningtocomeinlabouredpants。ButwhenI

offeredtotakeherarm，andhelpher，assomereturnagainstwhatshehaddoneforme，sherepulsedmerudelyenough。"Iamnopoorweakling，"saidshe，"ifthatisyouronlyreasonforwantingtotouchme。"

Presently，however，wecameoutthroughthetrees，andtheroughestpartofourjourneywasdone。Wesawtheshipridingtoheranchorsinshoreamileaway，andaweirdenoughobjectshewasunderthefaintstarlight。Wemadeourwaytoheralongthelevelbeaches。

Tobwaskeepingakeenwatch。Wewerechallengedthemomentwecamewithinstoneorarrowshot，andbiddentohaltandreciteourbusiness;buthewascivilenoughwhenheheardwewerethosewhomheexpected。Hecalledacrewandslackedouthisanchor—ropetillhisshipgroundagainsttheshingle，andthenthrustouthistwosteeringoarstohelpusclamberaboard。

IturnedtoYlgawithwordsofthanksandfarewell。"Iwillneverforgetwhatyouhavedoneformethisnight;andshouldtheHighGodsseefittobringmebacktoAtlantisandpower，youshalltastemygratitude。"

"Idonotwanttoreturn。Iamsickofthisoldlifehere。"

"Butyouhaveyourpalaceinthecity，andyourservants，andyourwealth，andPhorenicewillnotdisturbyoufromtheirpossession。"

"Oh，asforthat，Icouldgobackandbefan—girltomorrow。

ButIdonotwanttogoback。"

"Letmetellyouitisnotimeforagentlynurturedladylikeyourselftogoforward。IhavebeenviceroyofYucatan，Ylga，andknowsomewhatofmakingafootholdinthesenewcountries。Andthatwasnothingcomparedwithwhatthiswillbe。Itellyouitentailshardships，andprivations，andsufferingswhichyoucouldnotguessat。Fewsurvivewhogotocoloniseinthebeginning，andthoseonlyofthehardiest，andtheyearnnewscarsandnewbatteringseveryday。"

"Idonotcare，and，besides，Icansharethework。Icancook，Icanshootagoodarrow，andIcanmakegarments，yes，thoughtheywerecutfromtheskinsofbeastsandhadtobesewnwithbackbonesinews。Becauseyoudespisefineclothes，andbecauseyouhaveseenmeonlydeckedoutasfan—girl，youthinkI

amuseless。Bah，Deucalion！Neverletpeoplepratetomeaboutyourperfection。Youknowlessaboutawomanthanaboynewfromschool。"

"IhavelearnedallIcaretoknowaboutonewoman，andbecauseofthememoryofher，Icouldnotpresumetoaskhersistertocomewithmenow。"

"Aye，"shesaidbitterly，"kickmypride。IknewwellenoughitwasonlysecondplacetoNaisIcouldgetallthetimeIwaswantingtocome。Yetnoonebutaboorwouldhaveremindedmeofit。Gods！andtothinkthathalfthemeninAtlantishavecourtedme，andnowIamarrivedatthis！"

"Imustgoalone。Itwouldhavemademehappiertotakeyouresteemwithme。Butasitis，IsupposeIshallcarryonlyyourhate。"

"Thatisthemosthumiliatingthingofall;Icannotbringmyselftohateyou。Ioughtto，Iknow，afterthebrutalwayyouhavescornedme。ButIdonot，andthereisthetruth。Iseemtogrowthefonderofyou，andifIthoughttherewasawayofkeepingyoualive，andunmutilated，hereinAtlantis，IdonotthinkI

shouldpointoutthatTobistiredofwaiting，andwillprobablybeoffwithoutyou。"Sheflungherarmssuddenlyaboutmyneck，andkissedmehotlyonthemouth。"There，thatisforgood—bye，dear。