Therewasnoflickerofbreath;therewasnoneofthatpulsingofthebodywhichdenoteslife;butstillshehadnottheappearanceofordinarydeath。TheNaisIhadplacedninelongyearsbeforetorestinthehollowofthestone，wasafinegrownwoman，fullbosomed，andwellboned。TheNaisthatremainedformewashalfherweight。TheoldNaisitwouldhavepuzzledmetocarryforanhour:thiswasnoburdentoimpedeagrownman。
　　Inotherwaystooshehadaltered。Thenailsofherfingershadgrowntosuchagreatlengththattheyweretwistedinspirals，andthefingersthemselvesandherhandsweresowaxyandtransparentthatthebonycoreuponwhichtheywerebuiltshoweditselfbeneaththefleshinplaindulloutline。Herclay—coldlipsweresowhite，thatonesighedtorememberthefullbeautyoftheircarmine。Hershouldersandneckhadlosttheircomelycurves，andmadebonyhollowsnowinwhichthedustofentombmentlodgedblackandthickly。
　　ReverentlyIsetaboutpreparingthosethingswhichifallwentwellshouldrestoreher。Iheatedwaterandfilledabath，andtinctureditheavilywiththoseessencesofthelifeofbeastswhichthePriestsextractandstoreagainsttimesofurgentneedandsickness。Ilaidherchin—deepinthisbath，andsatbesideittowatch，maintainingthatbathataconstantbloodheat。
　　AnhourIwatched;twohoursIwatched;threehours——andyetsheshowednoflickeroflife。Theheatofherbodygivenherbythebath，wasthesameastheheatofmyown。ButinthefeelofherskinwhenIstrokeditwithmyhand，therewassomethinglackingstill。OnlywhenourLordtheSunroseforHisdaydidI
　　breakoffmywatching，whilstIsaidthenecessaryprayerwhichisprescribed，andquicklyreturnedagaintothegloomofthehouse。
　　Iwastornwithanxiety，andasthetimewentonandstillnosignoflifecameback，thehopethathadoncebeensohighwithinmebegantosickenandleavemedowncastanddespondent。Fromwithout，camethedinoffighting。AlreadyPhorenicehadsenthertroopstostormthepassageway，andthePriestswhodefendeditwereshatteringthemwithvolleysofrocks。Butthesesoundsofwarwokenopulsewithinme。IfNaisdidnotwake，thentheworldformewasended，andIhadnospiritlefttocarewhoremaineduppermost。TheGodsinTheirduetimewilldoubtlesssmitemeforthisimpiety。ButImakeaconfessionofithereonthesesheets，havingnomindtoconcealanyportionofthishistoryforthesmallreasonthatitdoesmeapersonaldiscredit。
　　Butasthehourswenton，andstillnoflickeroflifecametolessenthedumbagonythatrackedme，Igrewmoreventuresome，andaddedmoreessencestothebath，anddrugsalsosuchasexperiencehadshownmightwakethedisusedtissuesintolife。Iwatchedonwithstaringeyes，rubbingherwastedbodynowandagain，andalwayskeepingtheheatofthebathataconstant。FromthefirstIhadbarredthedooragainstallwhowouldhavecomeneartohelpme。WithmyownhandsIhadlaidmylovetosleep，andIcouldnotbearthatothersshouldrouseher，ifindeedrousedsheshouldeverbe。Butafterthosefirstoffers，nootherscame，andthesnarlanddinoffightingtoldofwhatoccupiedthem。
　　Itishardtotakenoteofsmallchangeswhichoccurwithinfiniteslownesswhenoneisallthewhileonthetensewatch，andhighstrungthoughmysenseswere，IthinktheremusthavebeensomeindicationofreturninglifeshownbeforeIwaskeenenoughtonoticeit。Forofasudden，asIgazed，Isawafaintripplingonthesurfaceofthewaterofthebath。Gods！Woulditcomebackagaintomyloveatlast——thislife，thiswakefulness？Theripplediedoutasithadcome，andIstoopedmyheadnearertothebathtotryifIcouldseesomefaintheavingofherbosomsomesmalltwitchingofthelimbs。No，shelaytherestillwithoutevenaflutterofmovement。ButasIwatched，surelyitseemedtomyachingeyesthatsometingewasbeginningtowarmthatblankwhitenessofskin？
　　HowIfilledmyselfwiththatsight。Thecolourwasreturningtoheragainbeyondadoubt。Oncemorethedriedbloodwasbecomingfluidandbeginningagaintocourseinitsoldchannels。
　　Herhairfloatedoutintheliquidofthebathlikesomebrowntangleoftheoceanweed，andeverandagainittwitchedandeddiedtosomeimpulsewhichinitselfwastoosmallfortheeyetosee。
　　Shehadsleptforninelongyears，andIknewthatthewakeningcouldbenoneofthesuddenest。Indeed，itcamebyitsowngradationsandwithinfiniteslowness，andIdidnotdaredomoretohastenit。Furtherdrugsmightverywellstopeternallywhatthosewhichhadbeenusedalreadyhadbegun。SoIsatmotionlesswhereIwas，andwatchedthecolourcomeback，andthewaxennessgo，andeventhefullnessofhercurvesinsomesmallmeasurereturn。Andwhengrowingstrengthgaveherpowertoendurethem，andshewasrackedwiththosepainswhichareinevitabletobeingbornbackagaininthisfashiontolife，Itoofeltthereflexofheragony，andwrithedinlovingsympathy。
　　Stillfurther，too，wasIwrungbyatormentofdoubtastowhetherlifeortheserackingswouldintheendbeconqueror。
　　Aftereachparoxysmthecolourebbedbackfromheragain，andforawhileshewouldliemotionless。Butstrengthandpowerseemedgraduallytogrow，andatlasttheseprevailed，anddrovedeathandsleepbeneaththem。Hereyelidsstruggledwiththeirfastenings。
　　Herlipsparted，andherbosomheaved。Withshiveringgaspsherbreathbegantopantbetweenherreddeninglips。Atfirstitrattleddrylyinherthroat，butsoonitsoftenedandbecamemoreregular。Andthenwithalastefforthereyes，hergloriouslovingeyes，slowlyopened。
　　Ileanedoverandcalledhersoftlybyname。
　　Hereyesmetmine，andaglowarosefromtheirdepthsthatgavemethegreatestjoyIhavemetinalltheworld。
　　"Deucalion，mylove，"shewhispered。"Oh，mydear，soyouhavecomeforme。HowIhavedreamedofyou！HowIhavebeenracked！Butitwasworthitallforthis。"
　　18。STORMOFTHESACREDMOUNTAIN
　　ItwasNaisherselfwhosentmetoattendtomysternerduties。ThedinoftheattackcametousinthehousewhereIwastendingher，andsheaskeditsmeaning。Aspithilyasmightbe，forshewasinnoconditionfortediouslistening，Igaveherthehistoryofhernineyears’sleep。
　　Thecolourflushedmoretoherface。"MylordistheproperestmaninalltheworldtobeKing，"shewhispered。
　　"IrefusedtotouchthetradetilltheyhadgivenmetheQueenIdesired，safeandalive，hereupontheMountain。"
　　"Howwepoorwomenaremadethechattelsofyoumen！But，formyself，Iseemtolikethetrafficwellenough。YoushouldnothaveletmestandinthewayofAtlantis’good，Deucalion。Still，itisverysweettoknowyouwereweakthereforonce，andthatI
　　wasthecauseofyourweakness。Whatisthatbathoveryonder？
　　Ah！Iremember;mywitsseemnoneoftheclearestjustnow。"
　　"Youhavemadethebeginning。Yourstrengthwillreturntoyoubyquickdegrees。Butitwillnotbearhurrying。Youmusthaveapatience。"
　　"Yourear，sir，foronemoment，andthenIwillrestinpeace。
　　Mypoorlooks，aretheyallgone？Youseemtohavenomirrorhere。
　　IhadvisionsthatIshouldwakeupwrinkledandold。"
　　"Youareasyouwere，dear，thatfirstnightIsawyou——themostbeautifulwomaninalltheworld。"
　　"Iampleasedyoulikeme，"shesaid，andtookthecupofbrothIofferedher。"Myhairseemstohavegrown;butitneedscombingsadly。Ihadafancy，dear，once，thatyoulikedruddyhairbest，andnotaplainbrown。"Sheclosedhereyesthen，lyingbackamongstthecushionswhereIhadplacedher，anddroppedoffintohealthysleep，withthesmilesstillplayinguponherlips。
　　Iputthecoverletoverher，andkissedherlightly，holdingbackmybeardlestitshouldsweephercheek。AndthenIwentoutofthechamber。
　　Thatbeardhadgrownvastlydisagreeabletometheselasthours，andthenIwentintoaroominthehouse，andfoundinstruments，andshaveditdowntothebarechin。AchangeofrobealsoIfoundthereandtookitinsteadofmysqualidrags。Ifamanisintruthaking，heowesthesethingstothedignityofhisoffice。
　　But，ifthedinofthefightingwasanyguide，minewasanarrowingkingdom。Everyhouritseemedtogrowfiercerandmorenear，anditwasclearthatsomeofthegatesinthepassageupthecleftinthecliff，impregnablethoughallmenhadthoughtthem，hadyieldedtothevehemenceofPhorenice’sattack。And，indeed，itwasscarcelytobemarvelledat。Withallhergeniusspurredontofurybytheblowthathadbeenstruckatherbywreckingsofairapartofthecity，theEmpresswouldbenolightadversaryevenforastrongplacetoresist，andtheSacredMountainwasnolongerstrong。
　　Defencesofstone，cunninglyplannedandmightilybuilt，itstillpossessed，butthesewillnotfightalone。Theyneedmentolinethem，and，moreover，abundanceofmen。Foralwaysinastormofthiskind，somedesperatefellowswillspitatdeathandgettohandgrips，orslingersandarchersslipintheirshot，orthethrowing—firegetshome，or（ashere）somenewfangledmachinelikePhorenice’sfire—tubes，makeoneinathousandoftheirwaveringdartsfindthelife;andso，thoughthegeneralattackingloseshishundreds，thedefendersalsoarenotwithouttheirdead。
　　Theslaughter，asitturnedout，hadbeenprodigious。Asfastasthestormerscameup，thePriestswhoheldthelowestgateremainingtousraineddowngreatrocksuponthemtillthenarrowalleyofthestairwaspavedwiththeirwrithingdead。ButPhorenicestoodonaspuroftherockbelowthemurgingonthecharges，andwithaninsanevalourcompanyaftercompanymarcheduptohurlthemselveshopelesslyagainstthedefences。Theyhadnomachinestobatterthemassivegates，andtheirattackwasaspatheticallyuselessasthatofachildwhohammersagainstawallwithanorange;andmeanwhiletheterriblestonesfromabovemowedthemdownremorselessly。
　　Companyaftercompanyofthetroopsmarchedintothisterribledeath—trap，andnotamanofallofthemevercameback。NorwasitPhorenice’spolicythattheyshoulddoso。Inherlustforthisfinalconquest，shewasmindedtopourouttroopstillshehadfilledupthepasseswiththeslain，sothatatlastshemightmarchontoalevelfightoverthebridgeoftheirpoorbodies。ItwasnopartofPhorenice’smoodevertocountthecost。Shesetdowntheobjectwhichwastobegained，anditwasherpolicythatthepeopleofAtlantisweretheretogainitforher。
　　Twogatesthenhadshecarriedinthisdreadfulfashion，slaughteringthosePrieststhatstoodbehind，themwhohadnotbeenalreadyshotdown。AndhereIcamedownfromabovetotakemyshareinthefight。Therewasnotrumpettoannouncemycoming，noheraldtoproclaimmyquality，butthePriestsasasheercustompickedup"Deucalion！"asabattle—cry;andsomeshoutedthat，withaKingtolead，therewouldbenofurthergroundlost。
　　Itwasclearthatthenamecarriedtotheothersideandboreweightwithit。Acompanyofpoor，doomedwretcheswhowerehurryingupstoppedintheircharge。Theword"Deucalion！"wasbandiedroundandhandedbackdowntheline。Ithoughwithsomegrimsatisfaction，thatherewasevidenceIwasnotcompletelyforgottenintheland。
　　Therecameshoutstothemfrombehindtocarryontheiradvance;
　　buttheydidnotbudge;andpresentlyaglitteringofficerpantedup，andcommencedtostrikerightandleftamongstthemwithhissword。FromwhereIstoodonthehighrampartabovethegate，Icouldseehimplainly，andrecognisedhimatonce。
　　"Itmattersnotwhattheyusefortheirbattle—cry，"hewasshouting。"YouhavetheordersofyourdivineEmpress，andthatisenough。Youshouldbeproudtodieforherwish，youcowards。Andifyoudonotobey，youwilldieafterwardsundertheinstrumentsofthetormentors，verypainfully。AsforDeucalion，heisdeadanytimethesenineyears。"
　　"Thereitseemsyoulie，myLordTatho，"Ishouteddowntohim。
　　Hestarted，andlookedupatme。
　　"Soyouarethereinrealtruth，then？Well，oldcomrade，I
　　amsorry。Butitistoolatetomakeacompositionnow。YouareonthesideofthesemangyPriests，andtheEmpresshasmadeanedictthattheyaretoberootedout，andIamhermostobedientservant。"
　　"Youusedtobeskilfuloffence，"Isaid，andindeedtherewaslittleenoughtochoosebetweenus。"Ifitpleaseyoutostopthispitifulkilling，makeyourselfthechampionofyourside，andIwillstandformine，andwewillfightoutthisquarrelinsomefairplace，andbindourpartiestoabidebytheresult。"
　　"Itwouldbeagrandfightbetweenustwo，oldfriend，anditgoeshardwithmetobalkyouofit。ButIcannotpleasureyou。
　　IamgeneralhereunderPhorenice，andshehasgivenmethestrongestordersnottoperilmyself。Andbesides，thoughyouareagreatman，Deucalion，youarenotchief。YouarenotevenoneoftheThree。"
　　"IamKing。"
　　Tatholaughed。"Fewbutyourselfwouldsayso，mylord。"
　　"Fewtruly，butwhatthereare，theyarepowerful。Iwasgiventhenameforthefirsttimeyesterday，andasafirstblowinthecampaigntherewassomemischiefdoneinthecity。Iwastheremyself，andsawhowyoutookit。"
　　"YouwereinAtlantis！"
　　"IwentforNais。Sheisonthemountainnow，andto—morrowwillbemyQueen。Tatho，asapriesttoapriest，letmesolemnlybringtoyourmemorytheinfinitepoweryoubiteagainstonthisSacredMountain。YourteachinghaswarnedyouoftheweaponsthatarestoredintheArkoftheMysteries。Ifyoupersistinthisattack，atthebestyoucanmerelylose;attheworstyoucanbringaboutawreckoverwhicheventheHighGodswillshudderasTheyorderit。"
　　"Youcannotscareusbacknowbywords，"saidTathodoggedly。
　　"Andasformagic，itwillbemetbymagic。PhorenicehasfoundbyherownclevernessasmanypowersaswereeverstoredupintheArkoftheMysteries。"
　　"Yetshelookedonhelplesslyenoughlastnight，whenherroyalpyramidwastrundledintoarubbishheap。Zaemonhadprophesiedthatthisshouldbeso，andforawitness，whyImyselfstoodclosertoherthanwetwostandnow，andsawher。"
　　"Iwillownyoutookherbysurprisesomewhatthere。Idonotunderstandthesemattersmyself;IwasnevermorethanoneoftheSevenintheolddays;andnow，quiterightly，Phorenicekeepstheknowledgeofhermagictoherself:butitseemstimeisneededwhenonemagicistobemetbyanother。"
　　"Well，"Isaid，"Iknowlittleaboutthebusinesseither。I
　　leavethesemattersnowtothosewhoarehigherabovemeinthepriesthood。Indeed，havingalikingforNais，itseemsIamdebarredfromeverbeinggivenunderstandingaboutthehighestofthehigherMysteries。SoIcontentmyselfwithbeingasoldier，andwhentheappointeddaycomes，IshallfallandkissmymothertheEarthforthelasttime。You，soIamtold，haveambitionforlongerlife。"
　　Henodded。"PhorenicehasfoundtheGreatSecret，andIamtobethefirstthatwillshareitwithher。WeshallbeasGodsupontheearth，seeingthatDeathwillbepowerlesstotouchus。Andthetwinsonsshehasborneme，willbemadeimmortalalso。"
　　"Phoreniceisheadstrong。No，mylord，thereisnoneedtoshakeyourheadandtrytodenyit。Ihavehadsomeacquaintancewithher。Buttheorderhasbeenmade，andherimmortalitywillbesnatchedfromherveryrudely。Now，marksolemnlymywords。I，Deucalion，havebeenappointedKingofAtlantisbytheHighCouncilofthePriestswhoarethemouthpieceofthemostHighGods，andifIdonothavemyreign，thentherewillbenoAtlantislefttocarryeitherKingorEmpress。Youknowme，Tatho，foramanthatneverlies。"
　　Henodded。
　　"Thensaveyourselfbeforeitistoolate。Youshallhaveagainyourvice—royaltyinYucatan。"
　　"But，man，thereisnoYucatan。Agreathordeoflittlehairycreatures，thatweresomethinglessthanhumanandsomethingmorethanbeasts，sweptdownuponourcitiesandatethemout。Oh，youmaysneerifyouchoose！OtherssneeredwhenIcamehome，tilltheEmpressstoppedthem。Butyouknowwhatatrainofdriverantsis，thatyoumeetwithintheforests？Youmaylightfiresacrosstheirpath，andtheywillmarchintothemintheirblindbravery，andputthemoutwiththeirbodies，andthosethatareleftwillmarchoninanunbrokencolumn，anddevourallthatstandsintheirpath。Itellyou，mylord，thoselittlehairycreatureswereliketheants——aye，fornumbers，andwoodenbravery，aswellasforappetite。Asaresultto—day，thereisnoYucatan。"
　　"YoushallhaveEgypt，then。"
　　Heburstatmehotly。"IwouldnottakesevenEgyptsandtenYucatans。Mylord，youthinkmorepoorlyofmethaniskind，whenyouaskmetobecomeatraitor。InyourplacewouldyouthrowyourNaisaway，ifthedoingitwouldsaveyoufromadanger？"
　　"Thatisdifferent。"
　　"Innodegree。Youhaveakindnessforher。IhaveallthatandmoreforPhorenice，whois，besides，mywifeandthemotherofmychildren。IfIhavequalms——andIfreelyconfessIknowyouaredesperatemenupthere，andhavedreadfulpowersatyourcommand——myshiveringsareforthemandnotformyself。ButI
　　think，mylord，thisparleyisleadingtonothing，andthoughthesecommonsoldiersherewillunderstandlittleenoughofourtalk，theymaybepickingupawordhereandthere，andIdonotwishthemtogoontotheirdeath（asyouwillseethemdoshortly）andcarryevilreportsaboutmetowhateverGodstheychancetocomebefore。"
　　Hesalutedmewithhisswordanddrewback，andoncemorethemissilesbegantofly，andthedoomedwretches，whohadbeenhaltingbesidethesteeprockwallsofthepassbeganoncemoretopresshopelesslyforward。Theyhadscaling—ladderscertainly，buttheyhadnochanceofgettingtheseplanted。Theycoulddonaughtbutfillthenarrowwaywiththeirbodies，andtothatendtheyhadbeensent，andtothatendtheyhumblydied。OurPriestswithcrowandleverwrenchedfromtheirlodging—placesthegreatrockswhichhadbeenmadeready，andsentthemcrashingdown，sothatoncemorescreamsfilledthepass，andthehorridbutcherywasrenewed。
　　Buteverandagain，somearroworsomesling—stone，orsomefire—tube’sdartwouldfinditswayupfrombelowandthroughthedefences，andtherewewouldbewithamanthelesstocarryonthefight。ItwaswellenoughforPhorenicetobelavishwithhertroops;indeed，ifshewishedforsuccess，therewerenotwowaysforit;andwhenthoseshehadleviedwerekilled，shecouldreadilypressothersintotheservice，seeingthatshehadthewholebroadfaceofthecountryunderherrule。Butwithusitwasdifferent。Amandownonoursidewasamanwhosearmwouldbitterlybemissed，andonewhichcouldinnopossiblewaybereplaced。
　　Imadecalculationofthechances，andsawclearlythat，ifwecontinuedthefightonthepresentplan，theywouldstormthegatesoneafteranotherastheycametothem，andthatbythetimetheuppermostgatewasreached，therewouldbenoPriestalivetodefendit。Andso，notdisdainingtofashionmyselfonPhorenice’snewerplan，whichheldthatageneralshouldattimesinpreferenceplotcoldlyfromaplaceofsomesafety，andnotleadthethickofthefighting，Ileftthosewhostoodtothegatewithsomeroughsoldier’swordsofcheer，andwithdrewagainupthenarrowstairofthepass。
　　ThisoneapproachtotheSacredMountainwas，asIhavesaidbefore，vastlymoredifficultanddangerousintheoldendayswhenitstoodasamerebarecleftastheHighGodsmadeit。Butachasmhadbeenbridgedhere，ashelfcutthroughthesolidrockthere，andinmanyplacestheroadwaywasbuiltuponpiersfromdistantcragsbelowsoastomakealluniformandeasy。Itcametomymindnow，thatifIcoulddestroythispath，wemightgainabreathingspaceforfurthereffort。
　　Theideaseemedgood，oratleastnootheroccurredtomewhichwouldinanywayrelieveourdesperatesituation，andI
　　lookedaroundmeformeanstoputitintoexecution。Upanddown，fromthemountaintotheplainsbelow，Ihadtraversedthatnarrowstairofapasssomethousandsoftimes，andsoinamannerofspeakingkneweverystone，andeveryturn，andeverycutofitbyheart。ButIhadneverlookeduponitwithaneyetoshavingoffallroadwaytotheSacredMountain，andsonow，eveninthismomentofdreadfulstress，IhadtotraverseitnolessthanthreetimesafreshbeforeIcoulddecideuponthebestsitefordemolition。
　　Butoncethepointwasfixed，therewaslittledelayingettingtheschemeinmovement。AlreadyIhadsentmentothestorehousesamongstthePriests’dwellingstofetchmerams，andcrows，andacids，andhammers，andsuchothermaterialaswasneeded，andthesestoodhandybehindoneoftheuppergates。Iputoneverypairofhandsthatcouldbesparedtothework，nomatterwhatwastheirageandfeebleness;yes，ifNaiscouldhavewalkedsofarIwouldhavepressedherforthelabour;andpresentlycarvedbalustrade，andwaysidestatue，togetherwiththeletteredwall—stonesandthefoot—worncobbles，roareddownintothegulfbelow，andaddedtheirdintotheshrieksandyellsandcrashesofthefighting。Gods！Butitwasahatefultask，smashingdownthatsplendidhandiworkofthemenofthepast。Butitwasbetterthatitshouldcrashdowntoruinintheabyssbelow，thanthatPhoreniceshouldprofaneitwithherimpioussandals。
　　AtfirstIhadfearedthatitwouldbeneedfultosacrificetheknotofbravemenwhoweresovaliantlydefendingthegatethenbeingattacked。Itisdisgustingtobeforcedintoameasureofthiskind，butinhardwarfareitisoftenneedfultothecarryingoutofhisschemesforageneraltoleaveapartofhistroopstofighttoafinish，andwithouthopeofrescue，asvaliantlyastheymay;andallhecandofortheirrewardistorecommendthemearnestlytothecareoftheGods。Butwhentheworkofdestroyingthepathwaywasnearlycompleted，Isawachanceofretrievingthem。
　　Wehadnotbeencontentmerelywithbreakingarches，andthrowingdownthepiers。Wehadgotourramsandleversunderthelivingrockitselfonwhichallthewholefabricstood;andfirestoodreadytoheattheramsfortheirwork;andwhenthewordwasgiven，thewholecouldbesentcrashingdownthefaceofthecliffsbeyondchanceofrepair。
　　Allwas，Isay，finallypreparedinthisfashion，andthenI
　　gavethewordtohold。Anarrowledgestillremainedundestroyed，andofferedfootway，andoverthisIcrossed。Thecutwehadmadewasimmediatelybelowtheuppermostgateofall，andbelowittherewerethreemoremassivegatesstillunviolated，besidestheonethenbeingsovehementlyattacked。Already，thegarrisonshadbeenretiredfromthese，andIpassedthroughthemallinturn，unchallengedandunchecked，andcametothatbusyrampartwherethetwelvePriestsleftaliveworked，strippedtothewaist，atheavingdownthemurderousrocks。
　　ForawhileIbusiedmyselfattheirside，stoppinganoccasionalfire—tubedartorarrowonmyshieldandpassingthemthetidings。
　　Theattackwasgrowingfiercereveryminutenow。Theenemyhadpackedthepassbelowwell—nighfulloftheirdead，andourbatteringstoneshadlessdistancetofallandsocoulddolessexecution。Theypressedforwardmoreeagerlythaneverwiththeirscalingladders，anditwasplainthatsoontheywouldinevitablyputtheplacetothestorm。EvenduringtheshorttimeIwasthere，theirsling—stonesandmissilestooklifefromthreemoreofthetwelvewhostoodwithmeonthedefence。
　　SoIgavethewordforonemorefuriousavalancheofrocktobepelteddown，andwhilstthefewlivingwerecrawlingoutfromthosekilledbythedischarge，andwhilstthenextbandofreinforcementscamescramblingupoverthebodies，Isentmynineremainingmenawayatarunupthesteepstairwayofthepath，andthenfollowedthemmyself。Eachofthegatesinturnwepassed，shuttingthemafterus，andbreakingthebarsandleverswithwhichtheyweremoved，andnottillwewerethroughthelastdidtheroarofshoutsfrombelowtellthatthebesiegershadfoundthegatetheybitagainstwasdeserted。
　　Onebyonewebalancedourwayacrossthenarrowledgewhichwasleftwherethepathhadbeendestroyed，andonepoorPriestthatcarriedawoundgrewgiddy，andlosthisbalancehere，andtoppleddowntohisdeathintheabyssbelowbeforeahandcouldbestretchedouttosteadyhim。Andthen，whenwewereallover，heatwasputtotherams，andtheyexpandedwiththeirresistlessforce，andtoretheremainingledgesfromtheirholdintherock。IthinkapangwentthroughusallthenwhenwesawforourselvesthelastconnectinglinkcutawayfrombetweenthepoorremaininghandfulofourSacredClanontheMountain，andtherestofourgreatnation，whohadgrownsobitterlyestrangedtous，below。
　　Buthereatanyratewasabreakinthefighting。Therewerenofurtherpreparationswecouldmakeforourdefence，andhighthoughIknewPhorenice’sgeniustobe，Ididnotseehowshecouldverywelldootherthanacceptthecheckandretire。SoIsetaguardontherampartsoftheuppermostgatetowatchallpossiblemovements，andgavethewordtotheotherstogoandfindtherestwhichsomuchtheyneeded。
　　Formyself，dutifullyItriedtofindZaemonfirst，goingontheerrandmyproperself，fortherewaslittleenoughofkinglystateobservedontheSacredMountain，althoughthenameandtitlehadbeengivenme。ButZaemonwasnottobecomeat。HewasengagedinsidetheArkoftheMysterieswithanotheroftheThree，andbeingmyselfonlyoneoftheSeven，Ihadnotrankenoughinthepriesthoodtobreakinupontheirworkings。AndsoIwasfreetoturnwheremylikingswouldhaveledmefirst，andthatwastothehousewhichshelteredNais。
　　ShewakedasIcameinoverthethreshold，andhereyesfilledwithawelcomeforme。Iwentacrossandkneltwhereshelay，puttingmyfaceonthepillowbesideher。Shewasfulloftendertalkandsweetendearments。Gods！WhataninfinityofdelightI
　　hadmissedbynotknowingmyNaisearlier！Butshehadawillofherownthroughitall，andsomequaintconceitswhichmadeherallthemoreadorable。Sheralliedmeonthenewcleannessofmychin，andontherobewhichIhadtakenasacovering。Sheprofessedaprettyaweformykingship，andvowedthathadsheknownofmycomingdignitiesshewouldneverhavedaredtodiscoveraloveforme。ButaboutmymarriagewithPhoreniceshespokewithlesslightness。Sheputoutherthinwhitehand，anddrewmyfacetoherlips。
　　"Itisweakofmetohaveajealousy，"shemurmured，"knowinghowcompletelymylordisminealone;butIcannothelpit。Youhavesaidyouwereherhusbandforawhile。ItgivesmeapangtothinkthatIshallnotbethefirsttolieinyourarms，Deucalion。"
　　"Thenyoumaygailythrowyourpangaway，"Iwhisperedback。
　　"IwashusbandtoPhoreniceinmerewordforhowlongIdonotpreciselyknow。Butinanythingbeyond，Iwasneverherhusbandatall。Shemarriedmebyaformsheprescribedherself，ignoringalltheoldritesandceremonies，andwhetheritwouldholdaslegalornot，weneednottroubletoinquire。SheherselfhasmostnicelyandcompletelyannulledthatmarriageasIhavetoldyou。Tathoisherhusbandnow，andfathertoherchildren，andheseemstohaveafondnessforherwhichdoeshimcredit。"
　　Wesaidotherthingstoointhatchamber，thosesmallrepetitionsofendearmentswhicharesoprecioustolovers，andsobeyondthecomprehensionofotherfolk，buttheyarenottobesetdownonthesesheets。Theyareamereprivatematterwhichcanhavenoconcerntoanyonebeyondourtwoselves，andmoreweightysubjectsarepilingthemselvesupindeepindexforthehistorian。
　　Phorenice，itseemed，hadmorerageagainstthePriests’ClanontheMountainandmorebrightgeniustohelphertoavengeancethanIhadcredited。Hertroopsstormedeasilythegateswehadlefttothem，andswarmeduptilltheystoodwherethepathwaywasbrokendown。Inthefiercenessoftheirrush，theforemostwerethrustoverthebrinkbythosepressingupbehind，beforetheadvancecouldbehalted，andthesewentscreamingtoahorriddeathinthegreatgulfbelow。Butitwasnopositionherethatalavishspendingofmencouldtake，andpresentlyallweredrawnoff，saveforsomehalf—scorewhostoodasoutpostsentries，anddodgedoutofarrow—shotbehindanglesoftherock。
　　Itseems，too，thattheEmpressherselfreconnoiteredtheplace，usingduecautionandquickness，andsogotforherselfafullplanofitsrequirementswithoutbeingobligedtotrustthemeasuringofanothereye。Withextraordinarynimblenessshemusthaveplannedanenginesuchaswasnecessarytosuitherpurposes，andgivenordersforitsmaking;forevenwiththevastforceandresourcesatherdisposal，thespeedwithwhichitwasbuiltwasprodigious。
　　Therewasverylittlenoisemadetotellofwhatwasafoot。