第18章

Allthewoodworkandmetalworkwascut，andtongued，andforged，andfittedfirstbyskilledcraftsmenbelow，intheplainatthefootofthecleft;andwheneachponderousbalkandeachcrosspiece，andeachplankwasdraggedupthesteeppassthroughtheconqueredgates，itwasreadyinstantlyforfittingintoitsappointedplaceinthecompletedmachine。

Thecleftwasstraightwheretheysetabouttheirbuilding，andtherewasnocurveorspuroftheclifftohidetheirhandiworkfromthoseofthePriestswhowatchedfromtherampartsaboveouroneremaininggate。ButPhorenicehadacoynesslestherengineshouldbeseenbeforeitwascompleted，andsotoscreenitshehadavastfirebuiltattheuppermostpointwherethecausewaywasbrokenoff，andfeddiligentlywithwetsedgeandgreenwood，sothatagreatsmokepouredout，risinglikeacurtainthatshutoutallview。AndsothoughthePriestsontherampartabovethegatepickedoffnowandagainsomeofthosewhotendedthefire，theycoulddothebesiegersnofurtherinjury，andremaineduptothelastquiteinignoranceoftheirtactics。

Thepassageupthecleftwasinshadowduringthenighthours，for，thoughallthecrestoftheSacredMountainwasalwayslitbrightlybytheeternalfireswhichmadeitsdefenceonthefartherside，theirglowthrewnogleamdownthatflankwherethecliffransheertotheplainsbeneath。AndsoitwasundercoverofthedarknessthatPhorenicebroughtupherengineintopositionforattack。

Plankinghadbeenlaiddownforitswheels，andthewheelsthemselveswellgreased，anditmaybethatshehopedtomarchinuponuswhilstallslept。Buttherewasacertaincreakingandgroaningoftimbers，andlabouredpantingofmen，whichgaveadvertisementthatsomethingwasbeingattempted，andthealarmwasspreadquietlyinthehopethatifasurprisehadbeenplanned，therealsurprisemightbeturnedtheotherway。

Amessengercametomerunning，whereIsatinthehouseatthesideofmylove，andshe，likethesoldier’swifeshewasmadetobe，kissedmeandbademegoquicklyandcareformyhonour，andbringbackmywoundsforhertomend。

Ontherampartabovethegateallwassilence，saveforthefaintrustleofarmedmen，andoutoftheblackdarknessahead，andfromtheothersideofthebrokencauseway，camethesoundsofwhichthemessengerbadwarnedme。

Thecaptainofthegatecametomeandwhispered:"WehavemadenolighttilltheKingcame，notknowingtheKing’swillinthematter。IsitwishedIsendsomeofthethrowing—firedownyonder，onthechancethatitdoessomeharm，andatthesametimelightsuptheplace？Orisitwilledthatwewaitfortheirsurprise？"

"Sendthefire，"Isaid，"orwemayfindthatPhorenice’sbrainhasbeenonetoomanyforus。"

Thecaptainofthegatetookoneoftheballsinhishand，litthefuse，andhurledit。Thehorridthingburstamongstamassofmenwhowerelabouringwithahugeengine，sputteringthemwithitsdeadlyfire，andlightingtheirgarments。Theplanoftheengineshoweditselfplainly。Theyhadbuiltthemavastgreattower，restingonwheelsatitsbase，sothatitmightbypushedforwardfrombehind，andslantingatitsfoottoallowforthesteepnessofthepathandleaveitalwaysupright。

Itwasstoreyedinside，withladdersjoiningeachfloor，andthroughslitsinthesidewhichfacedusbowmencouldcoveranattack。Fromitstopagreatbridgerearedhighaboveit，beingcarriedverticallytillthetowerwasbroughtnearenoughforitsuse。Thebridgewashingedatthethirdstoreyofthetower，andfastenedwithropestoitsextremetop;but，oncetheropeswerecut，thebridgewouldfall，andlightuponwhatevercamewithinitsswing，andbeheldtherebythespikeswithwhichitwasstuddedbeneath。

Isaw，andinwardlyfeltmyselfconquered。TheclevernessofPhorenicehadbeentoostrongformydefence。Nowar—engineofwhichwehadcommandcouldoversetthetower。Thewholeofitsmassivetimberswerehungwiththewetnew—strippedskinsofbeasts，sothateventhethrowing—firecouldnotdestroyit。Whatpunymeanswehadtoimpedethosewhopusheditforwardwouldhavelittleeffect。Presentlyitwouldcometotheplaceappointed，andtheropeswouldbecut，andthebridgewouldthunderdownontherampartaboveourlastgate，andthestormerswouldpourouttotheirfinalsuccess。

Well，lifehadloomedverypleasantformethesefewdayswithawarmandlovingNaisoncemoreintouchofmyarms，buttheHighGodsinTheirinfinitewisdomknewbestalways，andIwasnorebeltostaystiff—neckedagainsttheirdecision。Butitiseverasoldier’sprivilege，comewhatmay，towarmoverafight，andthemostexquisitelyfiercejoyofallisthatfinalfightofamanwhoknowsthathemustdie，andwholustsonlytomakehisbedofslainhighenoughtocarryaduememoryofhispowerswiththosewhoafterwardscometogazeuponit。Igrippedmyaxe，andthemusclesofmyarmsstoodoutinknotsatthethoughtofit。WouldTathocometogivemesport？Ifearednot。Theywouldsendonlythecommonsoldiersfirsttothestorm，andImustbecontenttodomykillingonthose。

AndNais，whatofher？Ihadaquietmindthere。Whenanyspoilerscametothehousewhereshelay，shewouldknowthatDeucalionhadbeentakenuptotheGods，andshewouldnotbelonginfollowinghim。Shehadherdagger。No，IhadnofearsofbeingpartedlongfromNaisnow。

19。DESTRUCTIONOFATLANTIS

AtotteringoldPriestcameupandtouchedmeontheshoulder。

"Well？"Isaidsharply，havingsmalltasteforinterruptionjustnow。

"NewshasbeencarriedtotheThree，myKing，ofwhatisthreatened。"

"ThentheywillknowthatIstandherenow，brother，toenjoythefinestfightofmylife。WhenitisfinishedIshallgototheGods，andbetherestandingbehindthestarstowelcomethemwhenpresentlytheyalsoarrive。Theyhavemyregretsthattheyaretoooldandtoofeebletodieandlookuponafinekillingthemselves。"

"Ihavecommandsfromthem，myKing，tolayuponyou，whichI

fearyouwilllikebutslenderly。Youareforbiddentofindyourdeathhereinthefighting。Theyhaveafurtheruseforyouyet。"

Iturnedontheoldmanangrilyenough。"Ishalltakenosuchorder，mybrother。Iamnotgoingtobelieveitwasevergiven。

Youmusthavemisunderstood。IfIamaman，ifIamaPriest，ifIamasoldier，ifIamaKing，thenitstandstomyhonourthatnoenemyshouldpassthisgatewhilstyetIlive。Andyoumaygobackandthrowthatmessageattheirteeth。"

Theoldmansmiledenviously。He，too，hadbeenakeensoldierinhisday。"Itoldthemyouwouldnoteasilybelievesuchamessage，andaskedthemforasign，andtheyborewithme，andgavemeone。Iwastogiveyouthisjewel，myKing。"

"Howcametheybythat？ItisabraceletfromtheelbowofNais。"

"Theymusthavestrippedherofit。IdidnotknowitcamefromNais。ThewordIwastobringyousaidthattheownerofthejewelwasinsidetheArkoftheMysteries，andwaitedyouthere。

TheusewhichtheThreehaveforyoufurtherconcernsheralso。"

EvenwhenIheardthat，Iwillfreelyconfessthatmyobediencewassorelytried，andIhavethelessshameinsettingitdownonthesesheets，becauseIknowthatalltruesoldierswillfeelasympathyformyplight。Indeed，thepromiseofthebattlewasverytempting。ButintheendmyloveforNaisprevailed，andIgavethesalutationthatwasneedfulintokenthatIheardtheorderandobeyedit。

TotheknotofPriestswhowereleftforthedefence，Iturnedandmademyfarewells。"YouwillhavewhatIshallmiss，mybrothers，"Isaid。"Ienvyyouthatfight。But，thoughIamKingofAtlantis，stillIamonlyoneoftheSeven，andsoamtheservantoftheThreeandmustobeytheirorder。TheyspeakinwordsthewillofthemostHighGods，andwemustdoastheycommand。YouwillstandbehindthestarsbeforeIcome，andIaskofyouthatyouwillcommendmetoThoseyoumeetthere。ItisnotmyownwillthatIshallnotappeartherebyyourside。"

Theyheardmywordswithsmiles，andverycourteouslysalutedmewiththeirweapons，andthereweparted。Ididnotseethefight，butIknowitwasgood，fromthetimewhichpassedbeforePhorenice’shordesbrokeoutontothecrestoftheMountain。Theydiedhard，thatlastremnantofthelesserPriestsofAtlantis。

WithasourenoughfeelingIwentuptotheheadofthepass，andthenthroughthegroves，andbetweenthetemplesandcollegesandhouseswhichstoodontheupperslopesoftheSacredMountain，tillIreachedthatboundary，beyondwhichinmilderdaysitwasdeathforanybuttheprivilegedfewtopass。Butthetime，itappearedtome，waspastforconventions，and，moreover，myowntemperwashot;anditislikelythatIshouldhavestrodeonwithlittlescrupleifIhadnotbeeninterrupted。Butinthetemplewhichmarkedtheboundary，therewasoldZaemonwaiting;andhe，withduesolemnityofwords，andwiththewholeofsomeancientritualordainedforthatpurpose，soughtdispensationfromtheHighGodsformytrespass，andwouldnotgivemewaytillhewasthroughwithhisceremony。

AlreadyPhorenice’stowerandbridgewereinposition，fortheclashandyellingofafighttoldthatthesmallhandfulofPriestsontherampartofthelastgatewerebarteringtheirlivesforthehighestreturnindeadthattheycouldearn。Theyweretrainedfightingmenall，butoldandfeeble，andtheoddsagainstthemweretooenormoustobestemmedforoverlong。Inaveryshorttimetheplacewouldbeputtothestorm，andtheroofoftheSacredMountainwouldbeattheopenmercyoftheinvader。Iftherewasanyfurtherthingtobedone，itwaswellthatitshouldbesetaboutquicklywhilstpeaceremained。Itseemedtomethatthemomentforpromptaction，andthetimeforlengthypompousceremonialwasdoneforgood。

ButZaemonwasmindedotherwise。HeledmeuptotheArkoftheMysteries，andchidedmyimpatience，andwaitedtillIhadgivenitmyreverentialkiss，andthenhecalledaloud，andanotheroldmancameoutoftheopeningwhichisinthetopoftheArk，andclimbedpainfullydownbythebattenswhicharefixedonitssides。HewasamanIhadneverseenbefore，hoary，frail，andemaciated，andheandZaemonwerethentheonlytworemainingPriestswhohadbeenraisedtothehighestdegreeknowntoourClan，andwhoalonehadknowledgeofthehighestsecretsandpowersandmysteries。

"Look！"criedZaemon，inhisshrilloldvoice，andsweptatremblingfingerovertheshatteredcity，andthegreatspreadofseaandcountrywhichlayinviewofusbelow。Ifollowedhispointingandlooked，andachillbegantocrawlthroughme。Allwasplainlyshown。OurLordtheSunburnedhighoverheadinaskyofcloudlessblue，anddayshimmeredinHisheat。Allbelowseemedfromthatdistancepeacefulandwarmandstill，saveonlythatthemountainssmokedmorethanordinary，andsomespoutedfires，andthattheseaboiledwithsomestrangedisorder。

Butitwasthesignificanceoftheseathattroubledmemost。

Faroutonthedistantcoastitsurgedagainsttherocksinenormousrollsofsurf;andupthegreatestuary，attheheadofwhichthecityofAtlantisstands，itgushedinsuccessivewavesofenormousheightwhichneverreturned。Alreadythelowerlandsoneithersidewereblottedoutbeneathtumultuouswaters，theharbourwallsweredrownedoutofsight，andthefloodwascreepingupintothelowerwardsofthegreatcityitself。

"Youhaveseen？"askedZaemon。

"Ihaveseen。"

"Youunderstand？"

"lnpart。"

"Thenletmetellyouall。Thisisthebeginning，andtheendwillfollowswiftly。ThemostHighGods，thatsitbehindthestars，havealimittoevenTheirsublimepatience;andthathasbeenpassed。ThecityofAtlantis，thegreatcontinentthatisbeyond，andallthatareinthemaredoomedtounutterabledestruction。Ofolditwasforeseenthatthisgreatwiping—outwouldhappenthroughthesinsofmen，andtothisendtheArkoftheMysterieswasbuiltunderthedirectionoftheGods。Nomortalimplementscansomuchasscratchitssurface，nowavesorrockswreckit。Insideisstoredonsheetsoftheancientwritingallthatisknownintheworldoflearningthatisnotsharedbythecommonpeople，alsothereisgraininastore，andsweetwaterintankssufficientfortwopersonsforthespaceoffouryears，togetherwithseeds，weapons，andallsuchothermattersasweredeemedfit。

"OutofallthisvastcountryithasbeendecreedbytheHighGodsthattwoshallnotperish。Twoshallbechosen，amanandawoman，whoarefitandproperpersonstocarryawaywiththemtheancientlearningtodisposeofitastheyseebest，andafterwardstorearuparacewhoshallintimebuildanotherkingdomanddohonourtoourLordtheSunandtheotherGodsinanotherplace。

ThewomaniswithintheArkalready，andseatedintheplaceappointedforher，andthoughsheisadaughterofmine，theburdenofherchoosingiswithyou。Fortheman，thechoicehasfallenuponyourself。"

Iwashalfnumbwiththeshockofwhatwasbefalling。"IdonotknowthatIcaretobeasurvivor。"

"Youarenotaskedforyourwishes，"saidtheoldman。"YouaregivenanorderfromtheHighGods，whoknowyoutobeTheirfaithfulservant。"

Habitrodestronguponme。Imadesalutationintherequiredform，andsaidthatIheardandwouldobey。

"ThenitremainstoraiseyoutothesublimedegreeoftheThree，andifyourlearningissosmallthatyouwillnotunderstandthekeystomanyofthePowers，andthehighestoftheMysteries，whentheyarehandedtoyou，thatfaultcannotberemediednow。"

Certainlythetimeremainingwasshortenough。Thefightstillrageddownatthegateinthepass，thoughitwasawonderhowthehandfulofPriestshadheldtheirgroundsolong。Buttheoceanrolledinuponthelandinanever—increasingflood，andthemountainssmokedandbelchedforthmorevolleysofrockastheweightincreasedontheirlowerparts，andpresentlythosethatbesiegedtheMountaincouldnotfailtoseethefatethatthreatenedthem。Thentherewouldbenowithholdingtheirrush。

Intheirmadfuryandpanictheywouldsweepallobstructionresistlesslybeforethem，andthosewhostoodintheirpathmightlooktothemselves。

ButtherewasnohurryingZaemonandhisfellowsage。Theywerewithouttemplefortheceremony，withoutsacrificeorincensetodecorateit。Theyhadbuttheskyforarooftomaketheirechoes，andtheGodsthemselvesforwitnesses。Buttheywentthroughtheworkofraisingmetotheirowndegree，withallthegrandandmajesticformwhichhasgathereddignityfromtheages，andbynoonesentencedidtheycurtailit。Aburningmountainburstwithabellowingroarastheincomingwatersmetitsfires，butgravelytheywenton，inturnrecitingtheirsentences。

Phorenice’stroopsbrokedownthelastresistance，andpouredinafrenziedstreamamongstthegrovesandtemples，butstilltheyquaveredneverintheritual。

Ithadbeensaidthatthisceremonyisthegrandestandthemostimpressiveofallthoseconnectedwithourholyreligion;andcertainlyIfounditso;andIspeakasoneintimatewithalltheothers。EventhetremendouscircumstanceswhichhemmedthemincoulddonothingtomakethesefrailoldmenforgetthedeferencewhichwasduetothehighestorderoftheClan。

Formyself，IwillfreelyownIwaslessrapt。Istoodtherebareheadedintheheat，amantryingtoconcentratehimself，andyettornthewhilebyathousandforeignemotions。Theawfulthingthatwashappeningallaroundcompelledsomeofmyattention。A

continentwasintheveryactandarticleofmeetingwithcompletedestruction，andifZaemonandtheotherPriestwerestrongenoughtogivetheirmindswhollyuptoamatterparochialtothepriesthood，Iwasnotsostoical。Andmoreover，IwasfilledwithotheranxietiesandthoughtsconcerningNais。YetImanagedtopreserveadecentshowofattentiontotheceremony;makingallthoseresponseswhichwererequiredofme;andtryingaswellasmightbetopreserveinmymindthosesentenceswhichwerethekeystopowerandlearning，andnotmerephrasingsofgrandeuranddevotion。

Butitbecameclearthatiftheceremonyofmyraisingdidnotsoonarriveatitsnaturalend，itwouldbecutshortpresentlywithsomethingofsuddenness。Phorenice’sconqueringlegionsswarmedoutontothecrestoftheMountain，andnowcarriedfullknowledgeofthedreadfulthingthatwascomeuponthecountry。

Theywereoutofallcontrol，andranaboutlikemendistracted;

butknowingfullwellthatthePriestswouldhavebroughtthisterriblewrecktopassbyvirtueofthepowerswhichwerestoredwithintheArkoftheMysteries，itwouldbetheirnaturalimpulsetopouroutafinalvengeanceuponanyofthesesamePrieststheycouldcomeacrossbeforeitwastoolate。

Itbegantocometomymindthatiftheceremonydidnotveryshortlyterminate，thefurtherpartoftheplanwouldstandverysmallchanceofcompletion，andIshouldcomebymydeathafterallbyfightingtoafinish，asIhadpicturedtomyselfbefore。Myflickeringattentionsawthesoldierscomingalwaysnearerintheirfranticwanderings，andsawalsotheseabelowrollingdeeperanddeeperinupontheland。

Thefires，too，whichringedinhalfthemountain，spurteduptodoubletheiroldheight，andburnedwithanunceasingroar。ButforalldistractionthesethingsgavetothetwooldPriestswhowereraisingme，wemighthavebeeninthequietnessofsomeancienttemple，withnosomuchasaflytobuzzaninterruption。

Butatlastanendcametotheceremony。"Kneel，"criedZaemon，"andmakeobeisancetoyourmothertheEarth，andswearbytheHighGodsthatyouwillnevermakeimproperuseofthepowersoverHerwhichthisdayyouhavebeengranted。"

WhenIhaddonethat，hebademeriseasafullyinstalledanddulyinitiatedmemberoftheThree。"Youwillhavenoopportunitytopractisetheworkingsofthisdegreewitheitherofus，mybrother，"saidhe，"forpresentlyourotherbrotherandIgotostandbeforetheGodstodelivertoThemanaccountofourtrust，andofhowwehavecarrieditout。Butwhatitemsyourememberhereandtheremayturnofusetoyouhereafter。Andnowwetwogiveyouourfarewells，andpromisetocommendyouhighlytotheGodswhensoonwemeetTheminTheirplacebehindthestars。ClimbnowintotheArk，andbereadytoshutthedoorwhichguardsit，ifthereisanyattemptbytheseragingpeopletoinvadethatalso。

Remember，mybrother，itistheGods’directwillthatyouandthewomanNaisgofromthisplacelivingandsound，andyouareexpresslyforbiddentoacceptchallengeorprovocationtofightonanypretextwhatever。Butaslongasmaybedoneinsafety，youmaylookoutuponAtlantisinherdeath—throes。Itisveryfittingthatoneoftheonlytwowhoaresenthencealive，shouldcarrythefulltaleofwhathasbefallen。"

IwenttothetopoftheArkofMysteriesthen，climbingtherebythebattenswhicharefastenedtothesides，andthendescendedbythestairwhichisinsideandfoundNaisinalittlechamberwaitingforme。

"IwasbiddenstayherebyZaemon，"shesaid，"whoforcedmetothisplacebythreatsandalsobypromisesthatmylordwouldfollow。Heisveryungentle，thatfatherofmine，butIthinkhehasakindnessforusboth，andanywayheismyfatherandI

cannothelplovinghim。Istherenochancetosavehimfromwhatisgoingtohappen？"

"HewillnotcomeintothisArk，forIaskedhim。IthasbeenordainedfromtheancienttimewhenfirsttheArkwasbuilt，thatwhenthedayforitspurposecame，onewomanandonemanshouldbeitsonlytenants，andtheyareherealready。Zaemon’swillinthematterisnottobetwistedbyyouorbyme。HehasamessagetobedeliveredtotheGods，and（ifIknowhimatall），hegrudgeseveryminutethatislostincarryingittothem。"

Ileftherthen，andwentoutagainupthestair，andstoodoncemoreontheroofoftheArk。OntheMountaintopmenstillranaboutdistracted，butgraduallytheywerecomingtowheretheArkrestedonthehighestpoint。Forthemoment，however，Ipassedthemlightly。Thedrowningofthegreatcontinentthathadbeenspreadoutbelowfilledtheeye。Oceanroaredinuponitwithstillmorefuriouswaves。Theplainsandthelevellandswerefoaminglakes。ThegreatcityofAtlantishadvanishedeternally。

Themountainsalonekepttheirheadsabovetheflood，andspewedoutrocks，andsteam，andboilingstone，orburstwhenthewatersreachedthemandcreatedgreatwhirlpoolsofsurgingsea，andtwistedtrees，andbubblingmud。

Inthespaceofafewbreathseverylivingcreaturethatdweltinthelowergroundshadbeensmotheredbythewaters，saveforafewwhohuddledinapairofgalleysthatweredrivenoarlessinland，overwhathadoncebeenblackforestandhuntinglandforthebeasts。AndevenasIwatched，thesealsowereswallowedupbythehorridturmoilofsea，andnothingbuttheseabeasts，andthoseofthegreaterlizardswhichcanliveinsuchoutrageouswaters，couldhavesurvivedeventhatstateofthedestruction。

Indeed，nonebutthosemenwhohadnowfoundstanding—groundontheupperslopesoftheSacredMountainsurvived，anditwasplainthattheirspanwasshort，forthegreatmassofthecontinentsankdeeperandmoredeepeveryminutebeforeourachingeyes，beneaththeboilinginrushoftheseas。

Butthoughthegreatmassofthesoldieryweredazedandmaddenedattheprospectoftheoverwhelmingwhichthreatenedthem，thereweresomewithastrengthofmindtoovalianttogiveanyoutwardshowofdiscomposure。Presentlyacompactlittlebodyofpeoplecamefromoutthehousesandthetemples，andheadeddirectlyacrosstheopengroundtowardstheArk。OntheoutsidemarchedPhorenice’spersonalguardswiththeirweaponsnewblooded。

Theyhadbeenforcedtofightawaythroughtheirownfellowsoldiers。Thepoordementedcreatureshadthoughtitwaseveryoneforhimselfnow，tilltheseguards（bytheirmistress’sorder）

provedtothemthatPhorenicestillcamefirst。

Andinthemiddleofthem，borneinalitterofgoldandivorybyhergrotesqueEuropeanslaves，rodetheEmpress，stillcalm，stilllovely，andseeminglydividedinhersentimentsbetweencontemptandamusement。Hertwochildrenlayinthelitteratherfeet。OnherrighthandmarchedTathogorgeouslyapparelled，andwithabeardcurledandplaitedintoathousandringlets。Ontheotherside，plyingherindustrywithunruffleddefence，walkedYlga，onceagainfan—girl，andsostillsecondladyinthisdwindlingkingdom。

ThepartyofthemhaltedhalfascoreofpacesfromtheArkbyPhorenice’sorder。"Donotgonearertothoseuncleanoldmen。

Theycarryarankodourwiththem，andforthemomentweareshortofessencestosweetentheairoftheirneighbourhood。"Sheliftedhereyebrowsandlookedupatme。"Trulyaquietlittlegatheringofoldacquaintances。Why，thereisDeucalion，thatonceItooktheflavourofandthrewasidewhenhecloyedme。"

"IhaveNaishere，"Isaid，"andpresentlywetwowillbeallthatareleftaliveofthisnation。"

"Naisisquitewelcometomyleavings，"shelaughed。"IwilllookdownuponyourcountrycooingswhenpresentlyIgobacktothePlacebehindthestarsfromwhichIcame。Youareaveryrusticperson，Deucalion。TheytellmetoothatthreeorfourofthesesmellingoldmenupherehavenamedyouKing。Didyouswellmuchwithdignity？OrdidyourememberthattherewasaprettyEmpressleftthatwouldstillbeEmpresssolongastherewasanAtlantistogovern？Come，sir，findyourtongue。Bymyface！youmusthavehungeredformeverymadlytheseyearswehavebeenparted，ifnew—grownruggednessoffeatureisanevidence。"

"Haveyourgibe。Idonotgibebackatawomanwhopresentlywilldie。"

"Bah！Deucalion，youwilllivebehindthetimes。HavetheynottoldyouthatIknowtheGreatSecretandamindeedaGoddessnow？Myartscanmakeliferunoneternally。"

"Thenthewaterswillpresentlytestthemhard，"Isaid，buttherethetalkwastakenintootherlips。ZaemonwentforwardtothefrontofthelitterwiththeSymbolofourLordtheSunglowinginhishand，andburstintoaflowofcursing。Itwashardformetohearhiswords。Theroarofthewaterswhichpouredupovertheland，andbeatinvastwavesagainsttheSacredMountainitself，grewnearerandmoreloud。Buttheoldmanhadhissay。

Phorenicegaveorderstoherguardsforhiskilling;yes，triedeventorisefromthelitteranddotheworkherself;butZaemonheldtheSymboltohisfront，anditspowerinthatsuprememomentmasteredalltheartsthatcouldbebroughtagainstit。ThemajestyofthemostHighGodswasvindicated，andthatsplendidEmpressknewitandlaybacksullenlyamongstthecushionsofherlitter，abeatenwoman。

Onlyonepersoninthatrigidknotofpeoplefoundpowertoleavetherest，andthatwasYlga。ShecameouttothesideoftheArk，andleanedup，andcriedmeafarewellthroughthegatheringroaroftheflood。

"IwouldImightsaveyouandtakeyouwithus，"Isaid。

"Asforthat，"shesaid，withagesture，"Iwouldnotcomeifyouaskedme。Iamnotawomanthatwilltakeanythinglessthanall。ButIshallmeetwhatcomespresentlywiththememorythatyouwillhavemealwayssomewhereinyourrecollection。Iknowsomewhatofmen，evenmenofyourstamp，Deucalion，andyouwillneverforgetthatyoucameveryneartolovingmeonce。"

Ithink，too，shesaidsomethingfurther，concerningNais，butthebellowingrushofthewatersdrownedallotherwords。Agreatmistmadefromthestreamsentupbytheswampedburningmountainsstoppedallaccurateview，thoughtheblazefromthefireslititlikegold。ButIhadalastsightofahordeofsoldieryrushinguptheslopesoftheMountain，withascumofsurgebillowingattheirheels，andlickingmanyofthembackinitsclutch。AndthenmyeyefellonoldZaemonwavingtomewiththeSymboltoshutdownthedoorintheroofoftheArk。

Iobeyedhislastcommand，andwentdownthestair，andclosedallingressbehindme。Therewereboltsplacedready，andIshottheseintotheirsockets，andtherewereNaisandIalone，andcutofffromalltherestofourworldthatremained。

Iwenttotheplacewhereshelay，andputmyarmstightlyaroundher。Without，weheardmenbeatingdesperatelyontheArkwiththeirweapons，andsomeevenclimbedbythebattenstothetopandwrenchedtotryandmovethedoorfromitsfastenings。Theendwascomingverynearlytothemnow，andthegreatcrowdofthemweremadwithterror。

IwouldhavegivenmuchtohaveknownhowPhorenicefaredinthatfinaltumult，andhowshefacedit。Icouldseeher，withherlovelyface，andherwondrouseyes，andherruddyhaircurlingaboutherneck，andbyalltheGods！Ithoughtmoreofheratthatlastmomentthanofthepoorlandshehadconquered，andmisgoverned，andbroughttothishorriddestruction。ThereisnodenyingthefascinationwhichPhorenicecarriedwithher。

Buttheenddidnotdallylongwithitscoming。TherewasalittlesurgethatliftedtheArkahand’sbreadthorsoinitscradle，andsetitbackagainwithajarandaquiver。Theblowsfromaxesandweaponsceasedonitslowerpart，butredoubledintofrenziedbatteringsonitsroundedroof。Thereweresomescreamsandcriesalsowhichcametousbutdullythroughthethicknessofitsponderoussheathing，thoughlikelyenoughtheyweresentforthatthefullpitchofhumanlungsoutside。Andwhenanothersurgecame，roaringandthundering，whichpickedupthegreatvesselasthoughithadbeenafeather，andspunitgiddily;andafterthatwetouchedearthorrocknomore。

Wetossedaboutonthecrestandtroughsofdeliriousseas，asportforthegreedyGodsoftheocean。Thelamphadfallen，andwecrouchedthereindarkness，dullyweighedwiththeburdenofknowledgethatwealoneweresavedoutofwhatwasyesterdayamightynation。

20。ONTHEBOSOMOFTHEDEEP

TheArkwasrudderless，oarless，andmachineless，andcouldtravelonlywheretheHighGodschose。Theinsidewasdark，andfullofanancientsmell，andcrowdedwithgroaningsandnoise。I

couldnotfindthefire—boxtorelightthefallenlamp，andsowehadtoendureblindlywhatwasdealtouttous。Thewavestossedusinmercilesssport，andIclungonbythesideofNais，holdinghertothebed。Wedidnotspeakmuch，buttherewasfullcompanionshipinourbereavementandoursilence。

WhenAtlantissanktoformnewoceanbed，sheleftgreatwhirlpoolsandspoutingsfromherdrownedfiresasafleetinglegacytotheGodsoftheSea。Andthen，Ithink（thoughintheblackbellyoftheArkwecouldnotseethesethings），avasthurricaneofwindmusthavecomeonnextsoastoleavenopieceofthedesolationincomplete。Forsevennightsandsevendaysdidthisdreadfulturmoilcontinue，ascountedforusafterwardsbythereckonerofhourswhichhungwithintheArk，andthenthehowlingofthewinddeparted，andonlytherollofalongstillswellremained。Itwasregularanditwasoily，asIcouldtellbythedifferenceofthemotion，andthenforthefirsttimeIdaredtogoupthestair，andopenthedoorwhichstoodintheroofoftheArk。

Thesweetaircamegushingdowntofreshenthefoulnesswithin，andastheArkrodedrylyovertheseas，IwentbelowandbroughtupNaistogainrefreshmentfromthecuringraysofourLordtheSun。DulythepairofusadoredHim，andgavethanksforHisgreatmercyincomingtolightanotherday，andthenwelaidourselvesdownwhereweweretodoze，andtakethateasyrestwhichwesourgentlyneeded。

Yet，thoughIwastiredbeyondwords，forlongenoughsleepwouldnotvisitme。WearilyIstaredoutovertheoilysunlitwaters。Nobluroflandmettheeye。Theringofoceanwasunbrokenoneveryside，andoverheadthevaultofheavenremainedunchanged。ThebosomofthedeepwaslitteredwiththepoorwreckageofAtlantis，toremindone，iftherehadbeenaneed，thatwhathadcomeaboutwasfact，andnotsomehorriddream。Trees，squaredtimber，asmashedandupturnedboatofhides，andhereandtheretheroundedcorpseofamanorbeastshoulderedovertheswells，andkeptconvoywithourArkasshedriftedoninchargeoftheGodsandthecurrent。

Butsleepcametomeatlast，andIdroppedoffintounconsciousness，holdingthehandofNaisinmine，andwhennextI

woke，Ifoundheropen—eyedalsoandwatchingmetenderly。Wewerefinelyrested，bothofus，andrestandstrengthbringonecomplacency。WeweremorereadynowtoacceptthestationwhichtheHighGodshadmadeforuswithoutrepining，andsowewentbelowagainintothebellyoftheArktoeatanddrinkandmaintainstrengthforthenewlifewhichlaybeforeus。

AwonderfulvesselwasthisArk，nowwewereabletoseeitatleisureandintimately。Althoughforthefirsttimenowinallitscenturiesoflifeitswamuponthewaters，itshowednoleakorsuncrack。Inside，evenitsfloorwasbonedry。Thatitwasbuiltfromsomewood，onecouldseebythegrainings，butnowherecouldonefindsutureorjoint。Thelivingtimbershadbeenputinplaceandthengrowntogetherbyanartwhichwehavelostto—day，butwhichtheAncientsknewwithmuchperfection;andafterwardssometreatment，whichisalsoasecretofthoseforgottenbuilders，hadmadethewoodashardasmetalandimpervioustoallattacksoftheweather。

Inthegloomycaveofitsbellywerestoredmanymatters。Atoneend，ingreattanksoneithersideofcentralalley，wasaprodigiousstoreofgrain。Sweetwaterwasinothertanksattheotherend。Inanotherplaceweredrugsandsamples，andessencesofthelifeofbeasts;allthesethingsbeingforusewhilsttheArkroamedundertheguidanceoftheGodsonthebosomofthedeep。

OnallthewallsoftheArk，andonallthepartitionsofthetanksandtheotherwoodwork，therewerecarvedintherudeartofbygonetimerepresentationsofallthebeastswhichlivedinAtlantis;andontheseIlookedwithahunter’sinterest，assomeofthemwerestrangetome，andhaddiedoutwiththemenwhohadperpetuatedtheminthesesculptures。Therewasagoodstoreofweaponstooandthetoolsforhandicrafts。

Now，formanyweeks，ourlifeenduredinthisArkastheGodsdroveitabouthereandthereacrossthefaceofthewaters。Wehadnogovernmentoverdirection;wecouldnotbysomuchasahair’sbreadthadayincreaseherspeed。TheHighGodsthathadchosenthetwoofustobetheonlyonessavedoutofallAtlantis，hadsolecontrolofourfate，andintoTheirhandswecheerfullyresignedourfuturedirection。

Ofthatlandwhichwereachedinduetime，andwherewemadeourabidingplace，andwhereourchildrenwereborn，Ishalltellofinitsplace;butsincethischroniclehasproceededsofarinanexactorderoftheeventsastheycametopass，itisnecessaryfirsttonarratehowwecamebythesheetsonwhichitiswritten。

Inagreatcoffer，inthecentreoftheArk’sfloor，thewholeoftheMysterieslearnedduringthestudyofagesweresetdowninaccuratewriting。Ireadthroughsomeofthemduringthedayswhichpassed，andtheawfulnessofthePowersoverwhichtheygavecontrolappalledme。IhadseensomeofthesePowerssetlooseinAtlantis，andwasawitnessofherdestruction。ButherewerePowersfarhigherthanthose;herewasthegreatSecretofLifeandDeathwhichPhorenicealsohadfound，andforwhichshehadbeendestroyed;andtherewereotherthingsalsoofwhichIcannotevenbringmystylotoscribe。

ThethoughtofbeingcustodianofthesewritingswasmorethanIcouldendure，andthemorethematterrestedinmymind，themoreintolerablebecametheburden。AndatlastItookhotirons，andwiththemsearedthewaxonthesheetstilleveryletteroftheoldwritingswasobliterated。IfIdidwrong，theHighGodsinTheirinfinitejusticewillgivemepunishment;ifitiswellthatthesegreatsecretsshouldendureonearth，Theyintheirinfinitepowerwilldictatethemafreshtosomefittingscribes;butIdestroyedthemthereastheArkswayedwithusoverthewaves;andlater，whenwecametoland，IrewroteuponthesheetsthematterswhichledtogreatAtlantisbeingdraggedtoherdeath—throes。

Nais，thatIlovesotenderly——

[TRANSLATOR’SNOTE:Theremainingsheetsaretoobrokentobelegible。]