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。