Myself，Iamnopampererofthecommonpeople。Isaythat，ifamanbelefttohungerandshiver，hewillworktogainhimfoodandraiment;andifnot，whythenhecandie，andtheStateiswellridofaworthlessfellow。Butherebesideus，aswemarchedthroughmanywards，weremarksofblindoppression;starveddeadbodies，withthebonesstartingthroughtheleanskin，sprawledinthegutter;andindeeditwasplainthat，saveforthefavouredfew，thepeopleofthegreatcapitalwereunderamostheavyoppression。
　　Butatthis，thoughImightregretitabominably，Icouldmakenostrongcomplaint。Bytheancientlawofthelandallthepeople，greatandsmall，weretheservantsoftheking，tobeputwithoutquestiontowhatpurposeshechose;andPhorenicestoodintheplaceoftheking。SoItriedtothinknotreason，butwithasighpassedon，keepingmyeyesabovethemiseriesandthesqualorsoftheroadway，andsendingoutmythoughtstothestarswhichhunginthepurplenightabove，andtotheHighGodswhichdweltamongstthem，seeking，ifitmightbe，forguidanceformyfuturepolicies。
　　Andsointimethewindingsofthestreetsbroughtustothewalls，and，coursingbesidetheseandgivingfittinganswertothesentrieswhobeattheirdrumsaswepassed，wecameintimetothatgreatgatewhichwasachargetothecaptainofthegarrison。
　　Hereitwasplaintherewassomespecialcommotion。Anoiseoflaughterwentupintothestillnightair，andwithitnowandagainthesnarlandroarofagreatbeast，andnowandagaintheshriekofahurtman。Butwhatevermightbeafoot，itwasnotascenetocomeuponsuddenly。Theentrancegatesofourgreatcapitalweredesignedbytheirancientbuilderstobenolessstrongthanthewallsthemselves。Fourpairsofvalveswerethere，eachamonstrousblockofstonetwoman—heightssquare，andaman—heightthick，andthewallwasdoubledtoreceivethem，enclosinganopencircusbetweenitstwoparts。Thefourgatesthemselvesweresetoneattheinner，oneattheoutersideofeachofthesewalls，andahiddenmachinerysoconnectedthem，thatofeachsetonecouldnotopentilltheotherwasclosed;andasforforcingthemwithoutwarengines，onemightasfoolishlytrytopushdowntheroyalpyramidwiththebarehand。
　　Myescortmadeoutcrywiththehornwhichhungfromthewallinvitingsuchasummons，andawardercametoanarrow—slit，anddidinspectionofourpersonsandbusiness。Hissurveywasaccordingtotheancientformofwords，whichislong，andthiswasmadestillmoretediousbythenoisefromwithin，whicheverandagaindrownedallspeechbetweenusentirely。
　　Butatlasttheformalitieshadbeendulycompliedwith，andheshotbackthemassivebarsandboltsofstone，andthrewajaronemonstrousstonevalveofthedoor。Intothechamberwithin——achambermadefromthethicknessofthewallbetweenthetwodoors——Iandmyfellowscrowded，andthenthewarderwithhismachinespulledtothevalvewhichhadbeenopened，andcametomeagainthroughthepressofmyescort，bowinglowtotheground。
　　"Ihavenovailtogiveyou，"Isaidabruptly。"Getonwithyourduty。Openmethatotherdoor。"
　　"Withrespect，mylord，itwouldbebetterthatIshouldfirstannouncemylord’spresence。Thereisabaitinggoingforwardinthecircus，andthetigersareasyetmeresavages，andnorespectersofpersons。"
　　"Thewhat？"
　　"Thetigers，ifmylordwillpermitthemthename。TheyarebaitingabatchofprisonerswiththetwogreatbeastswhichtheEmpress（whosenamebeadored）hassentheretoaiduskeepthegate。Butifmylordwill，therearethewardroomsleadingoffthispassage，andthegallerieswhichrunoutfromthemcommandingthecircus，andfromtheremylordcanseethesportundisturbed。"
　　Now，themerelustforkillingexcitesonlydisgustinme，butIsuspectedtheordersoftheEmpressinthismatter，andhadacuriositytoseeherscheme。SoIsteppedintothewarder’slodge，andonintothegallerieswhichcommandedthecircuswiththeirarrow—slits。Theoldbuildersoftheplacehadintendedtheseforasecondlineofdefence，for，supposingtheouterdoorsallforced，anenemycouldbespeedilyshotdowninthecircus，withoutbeingabletogiveablowinreturn，andsowouldonlymarchintoadeath—trap。Butasagazing—placeonaspectacletheywerenolessuseful。
　　Thecircuswasbrightlitbythemoonlight，andtheairwhichcameintomefromitwasacridwiththereekofblood。Therewasnosportinwhatwasgoingforward:asIsaid，itwasmerekilling，andthesightdisgustedme。Iamnoprudeaboutthismatter。Giveaprisonerhisweapons，puthiminapitwithbeastsofreasonablestrength，andlethimfighttoafinishifyouchoose，andIcanlookonthereandapplaudthestrokes。Thewarprisoner，beingaprisoner，hasearneddeathbynaturallaw，andpreferstogethislaststrokeinhotbloodthantobeknockeddownbytheheadsman’saxe。Anditisanybraveman’sluxuryeithertohelporwatchalustyfight。Butthisbaitinginthecircusbetweenthegateswasnofairbattlelikethat。
　　Tobeginwith，thebeastswerenofairantagonistsforsinglemen。Infact，twentymenarmedmightwellhavefledfromthem。
　　Whenthewardersaidtigers，Isupposedhemeantthegreatcatsofthewoods。Buthere，inthecircus，Isawapairofthemostterrificofallthefur—bearinglandbeasts，thegreattigersofthecaves——hugemonsters，ofsuchponderousstrengththatinhungertheywilloftentimesdragdownamammoth，iftheycanfindhimawayfromhisherd。
　　HowtheyhadbeenbroughtcaptiveIcouldnottell。HunterofbeaststhoughIhadbeenforallmydays，ItakenoshameinsayingthatIalwaysapproachedtheslayingofacave—tigerwithstratagemandinfinitecaution。Toentrapitaliveandbringittoacityonachainwasbeyondmymostdaringschemes，andIhavebeenaccreditedwithmorenewthingsthanone。Buthereitwasinfact，andIsawinthesecaptivebeastsanewcertificateforPhorenice’sgenius。
　　Thepurposeofthesetwocave—tigerswasplain:whilsttheywereinthecircus，andloose，nolivingbeingcouldcrossfromonegatetotheother。Theywereanewandsturdyadditiontothedefencesofthecapital。Acollarofbronzewasroundthethroatofeach，andonthecollarwasamassivechainwhichledtothewall，whereitcouldbepayedoutorhauledinbymeansofawindlassinoneofthehiddengalleries。Sothatatordinarymomentsthetwohugebeastscouldbetethered，oneclosetoeitherendofthecircus，asthelitterofbonesandothermessesshowed，leavingfreepassage—waybetweenthetwosetsofdoors。
　　ButwhenIstoodtherebythearrow—slit，lookingdownintothemoonlightofthecircus，thesechainswereslackened（thoughmenstoodbythewindlassofeach），andthegreatstripedbruteswereprowlingaboutthecircuswiththelinksclankingandchinkingintheirwake。Lyingstarkonthepavementwerethebodiesofsomeeightmen，deadanduneaten;andthoughthecave—tigersstoppedtheirprowlingsnowandagaintonuzzlethese，andbeatthemaboutwithplayfulpaw—blows，theymadenopretenceatcommencingameal。
　　Itwasclearthatthiscruelsporthadgrowncommontothem，andtheyknewtherewereothervictimsyettobeaddedtothetally。
　　Presently，sureenough，asIwatched，avalveofthefarthergateswungbackanarm’slength，andaprisoner，furiouslyresisting，wasthrustoutintothecircus。Hefellonhisface，andafteronelookaroundhimhelayresolutelystill，witheyesonthegroundpassivelyawaitinghisfate。Theponderousstoneofthegateclappedtoinitsplace;thecave—tigersturnedintheirprowlings;andachatterofwagersrantoandfroamongstthewatchersbehindthearrow—slits。
　　Itseemedtherewerenicetiesofcrueltyinthiswretchedgame。Therewasasharpclankasthewindlassesweremanned，andthetetheringchainsweredrawninbyperhapsascoreoflinks。
　　Oneofthecave—tigerscrouched，lasheditstail，andlaunchedforthonaterrificspring。Thechaintautened，themassivelinkssangtothestrain，andthegreatbeastgavearoarwhichshookthewalls。Ithadmissedthepronemanbyahand’sbreadth，andthewatchersbehindthearrow—slitsshriekedforththeirdelight。Theothertigersprangalsoandmissed，andagaintherewereshoutsofpleasure，whichmingledwiththebellowingvoicesofthebeasts。
　　Themanlaymotionlessinhisform。Onemorecowardly，oronemorebrave，mighthaverunfromdeath，orfacedit;butthispoorprisonerchosethemiddlecourse——hepermitteddeathtocometohim，andhadenoughofdoggednesstowaitforitwithoutstir。
　　Thegreatcave—tigerswereused，itappeared，tothisdisgustingsport。Therewerenomorewildsprings，nomorestubbingsattheendofthemassivechains。Theylaydownonthepavement，andpresentlybegantopurr，rollingontotheirsidesandrubbingthemselvesluxuriously。Theprisonerstilllaymotionlessinhisform。
　　Byslowdegreesthemonstrousbruteseachdrewtotheendofitschainandbegantoreachatthemanwithout—stretchedforepaw。
　　Themalecouldnottouchhim;thefemalecouldjustreachhimwiththefartipofaclaw;andIsawaredscratchstartupinthebareskinofhissideateverystroke。Butstilltheprisonerwouldnotstir。Itseemedtomethattheymustslackoutmorelinksofoneofthetigers’chains，orletthevileplaylingerintomeretediousness。
　　ButIhadmoretolearnyet。Themaletiger，eithertaughtbyhisowndevilishness，orbythosebrutesthatwerehiskeepers，hadstillanotherruseinstore。Herosetohisfeetandturnedround，backingagainstthechain。Ayellofapplausefromthehiddenmenbehindthearrow—slitstoldthattheyknewwhatwasinstore;andthenthemonstrousbeast，stretchedtotheutmostofitsvastlength，kickedsharplywithonehindpaw。
　　Iheardthecrunchoftheprisoner’sribsasthepadsstruckhim，andatthatsamemomentthepoorwretch’sbodywasspurnedawaybytheblow，asonemightthrowafruitwiththehand。Butitdidnottravelfar。Itwasclearthattheshe—tigerknewthismanoeuvreofhermate’s。Shecaughtthemanonhisbound，nuzzlingoverhimforaminute，andthentossinghimhighintotheair，andleapinguptothefullofhersplendidheightafterhim。
　　Thoseotheronlookersthoughtitmagnificent;theirgleefulshoutssaidasmuch。Butforme，mygorgeroseatthesight。Oncethetigershadreachedhim，themanhadbeenkilled，itistrue，withoutanyunnecessarylingering。Evenalightblowfromthoseterrificpawswouldslaythestrongestmanliving。Buttoseethetwocave—tigerstoyingwiththepoorbodywasaninsulttotheprideofourrace。
　　However，Iwasnottheretopreachthesuperiorityofmantothebeasts，andtheindecencyanddegradationofpermittingmantobeundulyinsulted。IhadcometolearnformyselfthenewbalanceofthingsinthekingdomofAtlantis，andsoIstoodatmyplacebehindthearrow—slitwithastillface。Andpresentlyanothersceneinthisghastlyplaywasenacted。
　　Thecave—tigerstiredoftheirsport，andfirstoneandthentheotherfelloncemoretoprowlingoverthelitteredpavements，withtheheavychainsscrapingandchinkingintheirwake。Theymadenobeginningtofeastonthebodiesprovidedforthem。Thatwouldbeforafterwards。Inthepresent，thefascinationofslaughterwasbiginthem，andtheyhadthoughtthatitwouldbeindulgedfurther。Itseemedthattheyknewtheirentertainers。
　　Againthewindlassclanked，andthetetheringchainsdrewthegreatbeastsclearofthedoorway;andagainavalveofthefartherdoorswungajar，andanotherprisonerwasthruststrugglingintothecircus。AsicknessseizedmewhenIsawthatthiswasawoman，butstill，inviewoftheobjectIhadinhand，Imadenointerruption。
　　ItwasnotthatIhadneverseenwomensenttodeathbefore。
　　Ageneral，whohasdonehisfighting，mustinhisdayhavekilledwomenequallywithmen;yes，andseenthemearntheirdeath—blowbylustybattling。Yetthereseemedsomethingsowantoninthiscruelhelplesssacrificeofawomanprisoner，thatIhadastrugglewithmyselftoavoidinterference。Stillitiseverthecasethattheindividualmustbesacrificedtoapolicy，andsoasIsay，I
　　watchedon，outwardlycoldandimpassive。
　　Iwatchedtoo（Iconfessitfreely）withaquickeningheart。
　　Herewasnosullensubmissivevictimlikethelast。Shemayhavebeenmorecowardly（assomewomenare），shemayhavebeenbraver（asmanywomenhaveshownthemselves）;but，atanyrate，itwasclearthatshewasgoingtomakeastruggleforherlife，andtodoviciousdamage，itmightbe，beforesheyieldeditup。Thewatchersbehindthearrow—slitsrecognizedthis。Theirwagers，andthehumoftheirappreciation，sweptloudlyroundtheringofthecircus。
　　Theystrippedtheirprisoners，beforetheythrustthemouttothisdeath，ofalltheclothestheymightcarry，forclotheshaveavalue;andsothewomanstoodtherebare—limbedinthemoonlight。
　　Sheclappedherbacktothegreatstonedoorbywhichshehadentered，andfacedfatewithglowingeye。Gods！therehavebeentimesinearlyyearswhenIcouldhavepluckedoutswordandjumpeddown，andfoughtforherthereforthesheerdelightofsuchabattle。Butnowpolicyrestrainedme。Theindividualmightwantahelpinghand，butitwasbecomingmoreandmoreclearthatAtlantiswantedaministeralso;andbeforethesegreatneeds，thelesseronesperforcemustperish。Still，beitnotedthat，ifI
　　didnotjumpdown，noothermantherethatnighthadsufficientmanhoodremainingtoventuretheopportunity。
　　MyheartglowedasIwatchedher。Shepickedabonefromthelitteronthepavementandbeatoffitsheadbyblowsagainstthewall。Thenwithherteethshefashionedthepointtostillfurthersharpness。Icouldseeherteethglistenwhiteinthemoonraysasshebitwiththem。
　　Thehugecave—tigers，whichstoodashighasherheadastheywalked，camenearertoherintheirprowlings，yetobviouslyneglectedher。Thiswaspartoftheiraccustomedschemeoftorment，andthewomanknewitwell。Therewassomethingintolerableintheirnoiseless，ceaselesspaddingsoverthepavement。Icouldseetheprisoner’sbreastheaveasshewatchedthem。Aterrorsuchasthatwouldhavemademanyavictimsickandhelpless。
　　ButthisonewasbolderthanIhadthought。Shedidnotwaitforaspring:shemadethefirstattackherself。Whentheshe—tigermadeitsstrolltowardsher，andwasintheactofturning，sheflungherselfintoasuddenleap，strikingviciouslyatitseyewithhersharpenedbone。Aroarfromtheonlookersacknowledgedthestroke。Thecave—tiger’seyeremainedundarkened，butthepunyweaponhaddealtitasmartfleshwound，andwithagreatbellowofsurpriseandpainitscamperedawaytogainspaceforarushandaspring。
　　Butthewomandidnotawaititscharge。Withashrillscreamshespedforward，runningatthefullofherspeedacrossthemoonlightdirectlytowardsthatshadowedpartoftheencirclingwallwithinwhosethicknessIhadmygazingplace;andthen，throwingeverytendonofherbodyintothespring，madethegreatestleapthatsurelyanyhumanbeingeveraccomplished，evenwhenspurredonbytheutmostofterroranddesperation。InanafterdayImeasuredit，andthoughofacertaintyshemusthaveaddedmuchtothetallybythesheerforceofherrun，whichdroveherclinginguptheroughsurfaceofthewall，itisasurethingthatinthatsplendidleapherfeetmusthavedangledaman—heightandahalfabovethepavement。
　　Isayitwasprodigious，butthenthespurwasmorethantheordinary，andthewomanherselfwasfaroutofthecommonbothinthewsandintelligence;andtheendoftheleapleftherwithfivefingerslodgedinthesillofthearrow—slitfromwhichIwatched。
　　Eventhenshemusthaveslippedbackifshehadbeenlefttoherself，forthesillsloped，andthestonewasfinelysmooth;butIshotoutmyhandandgrippedhersbythewrist，andinstantlysheclamberedupwithbothkneesonthesills，andherfingerstwinedroundtogripmywristinherturn。
　　Andnowyouwillsupposeshegushedoutprayersandpromises，thinkingonlyofsafetyandenlargement。Therewasnothingofthis。Withsavagepantingwordlessnessshetookfreshgriponthesharpenedbonewithhersparehand，andlungedwithitdesperatelythroughthearrow—slit。Withthehandthatclutchedmineshedrewmetowardsher，soastogivetheblowsthesurerchance，andsounpreparedwasIforsuchanattack，andwithsuchfiercesuddennessdidshedeliverit，thatthefirstblowwasneargivingmemyquietus。ButIgrappledwiththepoorfranticcreatureasgentlyasmightbe——thestoneofthewallseparatingusalways——andstrippedherofherweapon，andheldherfirmlycaptivetillshemightcalmherself。
　　"Thatwasanungratefulblow，"Isaid。"Butformyhandyou’dhaveslippedandbethesportofatiger’spawthisminute。"
　　"Oh，Imustkillsomeone，"shepanted，"beforeIamkilledmyself。"
　　"Therewillbetimeenoughtothinkuponthatsomeotherday;
　　butfornowyouarefarenoughoffmeetingfurtherharm。"
　　"Youarelyingtome。YouwillthrowmetothebeastsassoonasIloosemygrip。Iknowyourkind:youwillnotberobbedofyoursport。"
　　"Iwillgosofarastoprovemyselftoyou，"saidI，andcalledoutforthewarderwhohadtendedthedoorsbelow。"Bidthosetigersbetetheredonashorterchain，"Iordered，"andthengoyourselfoutsideintothecircus，andhelpthisladydelicatelytotheground。"
　　Thewordwaspassedandthesethingsweredone;andItoocameoutintothecircusandjoinedthewoman，whostoodwaitingunderthemoonlight。Buttheotherswhohadseenthesedoingswerebynomeanssuitedatthechangeofplan。Oneofthegreatstonevalvesofthefartherdooropenedhurriedly，andamanstrodeout，armedandflushed。"ByalltheGods！"heshouted。"Whocomesbetweenmeandmypastime？"
　　Isteppedquietlytotheadvance。"Ifear，sir，"Isaid，"thatyoumustlaunchyourangeragainstme。ByaccidentIgavethatwomansanctuary，andIhadnothearttotossherbacktoyourbeasts。"
　　Hisfingersbegantosnapagainsthishilt。
　　"Youhavecometothewrongmarketherewithyourqualms。I
　　amcaptainhere，andmywordcarries，subjectonlytoPhorenice’snod。Doyouhearthat？DoyouknowtoothatIcanhaveyoutossedtothosestripedgate—keepersofmineformeddlinginherewithoutaninvitation？"Helookedatmesharpenough，butsawplainlythatIwasastranger。"Butperhapsyoucarryaname，myman，whichwarrantsyourimpertinence？"
　　"Deucalionismypoorname，"Isaid，"butIcannotexpectyouwillknowit。Iambutnewlylandedhere，sir，andwhenIleftAtlantissomescoreofyearsback，averydifferentmantoyouheldguardoverthesegates。"Hehadhisforeheadonmyfeetbythistime。"IhaditfromtheEmpressthisnightthatshewillto—morrowmakeanewsortingofthiskingdom’sdignities。Perhapsthereissomerecommendationyouwouldwishmetolaybeforeherinreturnforyourcourtesies？"
　　"Mylord，"saidtheman，"ifyouwishit，Icanhaveaturnwiththosecave—tigersmyselfnow，andyoucanlookonfrombehindthewallsandseethemtearme。"
　　"Whytellmewhatisnonews？"
　　"Iwishtoremindmylordofhispower;Iwishtobegofhisclemency。"
　　"Youshowedyourpowertothesepoorprisoners;butfromwhatremainsheretobeseen，fewofthemhavetastedmuchofyourclemency。"
　　"Theorderswere，"saidthecaptainofthegate，asthoughhethoughtawordmightbesaidhereforhisdefence，"theorderswere，mylord，thatthetigersshouldbekeptfierceandaccustomedtokilling。"
　　"Then，ifyouhaveobeyedorders，letmebethelasttochideyou。Butitismypleasurethatthiswomanberespited，andIwishnowtoquestionher。"
　　Themangottohisfeetagainwithobviousrelief，thoughstillbowinglow。
　　"Thenifmylordwillhonourmebysittinginmyroomthatoverlookstheoutergate，thefavourwillneverbeforgotten。"
　　"Showtheway，"Isaid，andtookthewomanbythefingers，leadinghergently。Atthetwoendsofthecircusthetigersprowledaboutonshortchains，growlingandmuttering。
　　Wepassedthroughthedoorintothethicknessoftheouterwall，andthecaptainofthegateledusintohisprivatechamber，asnugenoughboxoverlookingtheplainbeyondthecity。Helitatorchfromhislampandthrustitintoabracketonthewall，andbowingdeeplyandwalkingbackwards，leftusalone，closingthedoorinplacebehindhim。Hewasanindustriousfellow，thiscaptain，tojudgefromthespoilwithwhichhischamberwaspacked。
　　Therecouldhavecomeveryfewtradersinthroughthatgatebelowwithouthislevyingaprivatetribute;andso，judgingthatmostofhisgoodshadbeenunlawfullycomeby，Ihadlittlequalmatmakingaselection。Itwasnotdecentthatthewoman，beinganAtlantean，shouldgobereftofthedignityofclothes，asthoughshewereameresavagefromEurope;andsoIsoughtaboutamongstthecaptain’sspoilforgarmentsthatwouldbebefitting。
　　But，asIbusiedmyselfinthissearchforraiment，rummagingamongsttheheapsandbales，withahandandeyelittleskilledinsuchbusiness，Iheardasoundbehindwhichcausedmetoturnmyhead，andtherewasthewomanwithadaggershehadpickedfromthefloor，intheactofdrawingitfromthesheath。
　　Shecaughtmyeyeanddrewtheweaponclear，butseeingthatImadenoadvancetowardsher，ormovetoprotectmyself，waitedwhereshewas，andpresentlywastookwithashuddering。
　　"Yourdesignsseemsomewhatofariddle，"Isaid。"Atfirstyouwishedtokillmefrommotiveswhichyouexplained，andwhichIquiteunderstood。Itlayinmypowernexttoconfersomesmallbenefituponyou，inconsequenceofwhichyouarehere，andnot——shallwesay？——yonderinthecircus。Whyyoushoulddesirenowtokilltheonlymanherewhocansetyoucompletelyfree，andbeyondthesewalls，isathingitwouldgratifymemuchtolearn。
　　Isaynothingofthetrifleofingratitude。Gratitudeandingratitudeareoflittleweighthere。Thereissomefargreaterinyourmind。"
　　Shepressedahandhardagainstherbreasts。"YouareDeucalion，"shegasped;"Iheardyousayit。"
　　"IamDeucalion。Sofar，Ihaveknownnoreasontofeelshameformyname。"
　　"AndIcomeofthose，"shecried，witharisingvoice，"whobiteagainstthiscity，becausetheyhavefoundtheirfatetoointolerablewiththelandasitisorderednow。WeheardofyourcomingfromYucatan。ItwaswewhosentthefleettotakeyouattheentrancetotheGulf。"
　　"Yourfleetgaveusaprettyfight。"
　　"Oh，Iknow，Iknow。Wehadourwatchersonthehighlandwhobroughtusthetidings。Wehadanomenevenbeforethat。Wherewelaywithourarmybeforethewallshere，wesawgreatbirdscarryingofftheslaintothemountains。Butwherethefleetfailed，IsawachancewhereI，awoman，might——"
　　"Whereyoumightsucceed？"Isatmedownonapileofthecaptain’sstuffs。ItseemedasifhereatlastthatIshouldfindasolutionformanythings。"Youcarryaname？"Iasked。
　　"TheycallmeNais。"
　　"Ah，"Isaid，andsignedtohertotaketheclothesthatIhadsoughtout。Shewascuriouslylike，sobothmyeyesandhearingsaid，toYlga，thefan—girlofPhorenice，butasshehadtoldmeofnoparentageIaskedfornonethen。Stillhertalkaloneletmeknowthatshewasbredofnoneofthecommonpeople，andImadeupmymindtowardsdefiniteunderstanding。"Nais，"Isaid，"youwishtokillme。AtthesametimeIhavenodoubtyouwishtoliveonyourself，ifonlytogetcreditfromyourpeopleforwhatyouhavedone。SohereIwillmakeacontractwithyou。ProvetomethatmydeathisforAtlantis’good，andIswearbyourLordtheSuntogooutwithyoubeyondthewalls，whereyoucanstabmeandthengetyougone。Orthe——"
　　"Iwillnotbeyourslave。"
　　"Idonotaskyouforservice。Orelse，Iwishedtosay，I
　　shalllivesolongastheHighGodswish，anddomypoorbestforthiscountry。Andforyou——Ishallsetyoufreetodoyourbestalso。Sonow，Iprayyou，speak。"
　　7。THEBITERSOFTHEWALLS
　　（FURTHERACCOUNT）
　　"Youwillsetmefree，"shesaid，regardingmefromunderherbrows，"withoutanyfurtherexactionsortreaty？"
　　"Iwillsetyoufreeexactlyonthoseterms，"Ianswered，"unlessindeedweheredecidethatitisbetterforAtlantisthatIshoulddie，inwhichcasethefreedomwillbeofyourowntaking。"
　　"Mylordplaysaboldgame。"
　　"Tut，tut，"Isaid。
　　"ButIshallnothesitatetotakethefullofmybond，unlessmytheoriesaremostclearlydisprovedtome。"
　　"Tut，"Isaid，"youwomen，howyoucanplayoutthetimeneedlessly。Showmesufficientcause，andyoushallkillmewhereandhowyouplease。Come，begintheaccusation。"
　　"Youareatyrant。"
　　"AtleastIhavenotparadedmytyranniesinAtlantisthesetwentyyears。Why，Nais，Ididbutlandyesterday。"
　　"YouwillnotdenyyoucamebackfromYucatanforapurpose。"
　　"IcamebackbecauseIwassentfor。TheEmpressgivesnoreasonsforherrecalls。Shestatesherwill;andwewhoserveherobeywithoutquestion。"
　　"Pah，Iknowthatolddogma。"
　　"Ifyoudiscreditmypoorhonestyattheoutsetlikethis，I
　　fearweshallnotgetfarwithourunravelling。"
　　"Mylordmustbeindeedsimple，"saidthisstrangewomanscornfully，"ifheisignorantofwhatallAtlantisknows。"
　　"Thensimpleyoumustwritemedown。OveryonderinYucatanweweretoowellwrappedupinourownparochialneedsandpoliciestohaveleisuretopondermuchovertheslimnewswhichdriftedouttousfromAtlantis——and，intruth，littleenoughcame。Byexample，Phorenice（whoseofficebeadored）isagreatpersonagehereathome;butoverthereinthecolonywebarelyknewsomuchashername。Here，sinceIhavebeenashore，Ihaveseenmanynewwonders;Ihavebeencarriedbyaridingmammoth;Ihavesatatabanquet;butinwhatnewpoliciesthereareafoot，Ihaveyettobeschooled。"
　　"Then，iftrulyyoudonotknowit，letmerepeattoyouthecommontale。Phorenicehastiredofherunmatedlife。"
　　"Staythere。IwillhearnowordagainsttheEmpress。"
　　"Pah，mylord，yourscruplesaremostdecorous。ButIdidnomorethanrepeatwhattheEmpresshadmadepublicbyproclamation。
　　Sheismindedtotaketoherselfahusband，andnothingshortofthebestisgoodenoughforPhorenice。Oneafteranotherhasbeenputupinturnasfavourite——andbeenfoundwanting。Oh，Itellyou，wehereinAtlantishavewatchedhercourtshipwithjumpinghearts。Firstitwasthisonehere，thenitwasthatonethere;
　　nowitwasthisgeneraljustreturnedfromavictory，andadaylaterhehadbeenpackedbacktohiscamp，togiveplacetosomedashinggovernorwhohadsqueezedincreasedrevenuesfromhisprovince。ButeveryshipthatcamefromtheWestsaidthattherewasastrongermanthananyoftheseinYucatan，andatlasttheEmpresschangedthewordingofhervow。’I’llhaveDeucalionformyhusband，’saidshe，’andthenwewillseewhocanstandagainstmywishes。’"
　　"TheEmpress（whosenamebeadored）candoasshepleasesinsuchmatters，"Isaidguardedly;"butthatisbesidetheargument。
　　IamheretoknowhowitwouldbebetterforAtlantisthatIshoulddie？"
　　"Youknowyouarethestrongestmaninthekingdom。"
　　"Itpleasesyoutosayso。"
　　"AndPhoreniceisthestrongestwoman。"
　　"Thatisbeyonddoubt。"
　　"Why，then，iftheEmpresstakesyouinmarriage，weshallbeunderadoubletyranny。Andherrulealoneismorecruellyheavythanwecanbearalready。"
　　"IpassnocriticismonPhorenice’srule。Ihavenotseenit。
　　ButIcraveyourmercy，Nais，onthenewcomerintothiskingdom。