Ilearnedafterwaysthatsopressingwastherebels’attack，andsodestructivethebatteringoftheirnewwarengines，thatPhorenicehadgoneofftothewallsfirsttolendawhileherbrilliantskillforitsrepulse，andtoputheartintothedefenders。Butasitwas，thedayhadburnedouttoitsmiddleandscorchedusintolerably，beforethenoiseofthedrumsandhornsgaveadvertisementthatthepageanthadformedinprocession;andofthosewhowaitedinthecrowd，manyhadfaintedwithexhaustionandtheheat，andnotafewhaddied。ButlifewascheapinthecityofAtlantisnow，andnooneheededthefallen。
　　Nearerandnearerdrewthedrumsandthebrayingoftheothermusic，andpresentlytheheadofaglitteringprocessionbegantoarriveanddisposeitselfinthespacewhichhadbeensetapart。
　　Manyathousandpoorstarvingwretchessighedwhentheysawthewantonsplendourofit。ButtheselordsandthesecourtiersofthisnewAtlantishadnoconcernbeyondtheirownbelliesandtheirownbacks，exceptfortheironealienregard——theirsimperingaffectionforPhorenice。
　　Ithink，though，theirloyaltyfortheEmpresswasrealenough，anditwasnottobewonderedat，sinceeverythingtheyhadcamefromherlavishhands。Indeed，thewomanhadacharmthatcannotbedenied，forwhensheappeared，ridinginthegoldencastle（whereIalsohadridden）onthebackofhermonstrousshaggymammoth，thestarvedsullenfacesofthecrowdbrightenedasthoughamealandsuddenprosperityhadbeenbestoweduponthem;
　　andwithoutawordofcommand，withoutatraceofcompulsion，theyburstintospontaneousshoutsofwelcome。
　　Sheacknowledgeditwithasmileofthanks。Hercheekswerealittleflushed，hermovementsquick，hermannerhigh—strung，asallwellmightbe，seeingthehorriblesacrilegeshehadinmind。
　　Butshewasundeniablylovely;yes，moreadorablybeautifulthaneverwithherpresentthrillofexcitement;andwhenthestairwasbrought，andshewalkeddownfromthemammoth’sbacktotheground，thosenearfelltotheirkneesandgaveherworship，outofsheerfascinationforherbeautyandcharm。
　　Ylga，thefan—girl，aloneofallthatvastmultituderoundtheSuntemplecontainedherselfwithherformalpacesandduties。Shelookedpainedandtroubled。Itwasplaintosee，evenfromthedistancewhereIstood，thatshecarriedaheavyheartunderthejewelsofherrobe。Itwasfitting，too，thatthisshouldbeso。
　　ThoughshehadbeenlongenoughdivorcedfromhiscareandfosteredbytheEmpress，YlgawasadaughterofZaemon，andhewasthechiefestofourLordtheSun’sministershereonearth。ShecouldnotforgetherupbringingnowatthissuprememomentwhenthehighestoftheoldGodswastobeformallydefied。Andperhapsalso（havingakindnessforPhorenice）shewasnotalittledreadfuloftheconsequences。
　　ButtheEmpresshadnoeyeforonesadlookamongstallthatseaofglowingfaces。Boldlyandproudlyshestrodeoutintothecircle，asthoughshehadbeenthedulyappointedpriestforthesacrifice。Andafterhercameaknotofmen，dressedaspriests，andbearingthevictim。Someofthesewerecreaturesofherown，anditwaseasytoforgivemereignorantlaymen，wonoverbytheglamourofPhorenice’spresence。Butsome，totheirshame，weremenborninthePriests’Clan，andbroughtupinthegrovesandcollegesoftheSacredMountain，andfortheirapostasytherecouldbenopalliation。
　　Thewoodhadalreadybeenstackedonthealtar—stoneinthedueformrequiredbytheancientsymbolism，andtheEmpressstoodasidewhilstthosewhofolloweddidwhatwasneedful。Astheyopenedout，Isawthatthevictimwasoneofthesmall，cloven—hoofedhorsesthatroamtheplains——amostacceptablesacrifice。Theybounditsfeetwithmetalgyves，andputitonthepyre，where，forawhile，itlayneighing。Thentheysteppedaside，andleftitliving。Herewasaninnovation。
　　Thefalsepriestswentbacktothefarthersideofthecircle，andPhorenicestoodalonebeforethealtar。Shelifteduphervoice，sweet，tuneful，andcarrying，andthoughthedinofthesiegestillcamefromoverthecity，noeartherelostawordofwhatwasspoken。
　　Sheraisedherglancealoft，andallothereyesfollowedit。
　　Theheavenwasclearasthedeepsea，agorgeousblue。Butasthewordscamefromher，soasmallmistwasborninthesky，wheelingandcirclinglikeaball，althoughthedaywaswindless，andrapidlygrowingdarkerandmorecompact。Sodensehaditbecome，thatpresentlyitthrewashadowonpartofthesacredcircleandsootheditintotwilight，thoughallwithoutwherethepeoplestoodwasstillgarishday。Andintheballofmistwerelittlequickstabsandsplashesofnoiselessflame。
　　Shespoke，notinthepriests’sacredtongue——thoughsuchwasherwickedcleverness，thatshemayverywellhavelearnedit——butinthecommonspeechofthepeople，sothatallwhoheardmightunderstand;andshetoldofherwondrousbirth（asshechosetonameit），andofthedirectaidofthemostHighGods，whichhadenabledhertoworksomanymarvels。Andintheendsheliftedbothofherfairwhitearmstowardstheblacknessabove，andwithherlovelyfacesetwiththestrainofwill，sheutteredherfinalcry:
　　"OmyhighFather，theSun，IprayYounowtoacknowledgemeasYourverydaughter。GivethispeopleasignthatIamindeedachildoftheGodsandnofrailmortal。Hereissacrificeunlit，wheremortalpriestswiththeirpunyfireshadweekly，sincethefoundationofthisland，sentsavourysmoketowardsthesky。I
　　prayYousenddowntheheavenlyfiretoburnthisbeasthereoffered，intokenthatthoughYoustillruleonhigh，YouhavegivenmeAtlantistobemykingdom，andthepeopleoftheEarthtobemyworshippers。"
　　Shebrokeoffandstrainedtowardsthesky。Herfacewascontorted。Herlimbsshook。"OmightyFather，"shecried，"whohastmademeaGodandanequal，hearme！Hearme！"
　　Outoftheblackcloudoverheadtherecameablindingflashoflight，whichspatdownwardsontothealtar。Thecloven—hoofedhorsegaveoneshrillneigh，andoneconvulsion，andfellbackdead。Flamescrackledoutfromthewoodpile，andtheairbecamerichwiththesmellofburningflesh。Andlo！inanothermomentthecloudabovehadmeltedintonothingness，andtheflamesburntpale，andthesmokewentupinathinbluespiraltowardsthedeeperbluenessofthesky。
　　Phorenice，theEmpress，stoodtherebeforethegreatstone，andbeforethesnakeandtheoutstretchedhandoflifewhichwereinscribeduponit，flushed，exultant，andoncemoreradiantlylovely;andtheknotofpriestswithinthecircle，andthegreatmobofpeoplewithout，felltothegroundadoring。
　　"Phorenice，Goddess！"theycried。"Phorenice，GoddessofallAtlantis！"
　　ButformyselfIdidnotkneel。Iwouldhavenopartinthisapostasy，soIstoodthereawaitingfate。
　　10。AWOOING
　　Amurmurquicklyspranguproundme，whichgrewintoshouts。
　　"Kneel，"onewhispered，"kneel，sir，oryouwillbeseen。"Andanothercried:"Kneel，youwithoutbeard，anddoobeisancetotheonlyGoddess，orbytheoldGodsIwillmakemyselfherpriestandbutcheryou！"Andsotheshoutsaroseintoaroar。
　　Butpresentlytheword"Deucalion"begantobebandiedabout，andtherecameamoderationinthezealoftheseenthusiasts。
　　Deucalion，themanwhohadleftAtlantistwentyyearsbeforetoruleYucatan，theymightknowlittleenoughabout，butDeucalion，whorodenotmanydaysbackbesidetheEmpressinthegoldencastlebeneaththecanopyofsnakes，wasapersontheyremembered;andwhentheyweigheduphispossibleabilityforvengeance，theshoutsdiedawayfromthemlimply。
　　Sowhenthesilencehadgrownagain，andPhoreniceturnedandsawmestandingaloneamongstalltheprostrateworshippers，I
　　steppedoutfromthecrowdandpassedbetweentwoofthegreatstones，andwentacrossthecircletowhereshestoodbesidethealtar。Ididnotprostratemyself。AttheprescribeddistanceI
　　madethesalutationwhichsheherselfhadorderedwhenshemademeherchiefminister，andthenhailedherwithformaldecorumasEmpress。
　　"Deucalion，manofice，"sheretorted。
　　"IstilladheretotheoldGods！"
　　"Iwasnotreferringtothat，"saidshe，andlookedatmewithasidelongsmile。
　　ButhereYlgacameuptouswithafacethatwaswhite，andahandthatshook，andmadesupplicationformylife。"IfhewillnotleavetheoldGodsyet，"shepleaded，"surelyyouwillpardonhim？Heisastrongman，anddoesnotbecomeaconverteasily。
　　Youmaychangehimlater。Butthink，Phorenice，heisDeucalion;
　　andifyouslayhimhereforthisonething，thereisnoothermanwithinallthemarchesofAtlantiswhowouldsoworthilyserve——"
　　TheEmpresstookthewordsfromher。"Youslut，"shecriedout。"Ihaveyounearmetoappointmywardrobe，andcarrymyfan，anddoyoudaretoputameddlingfingeronmypolicies？Backwithyou，outsidethiscircle，orI’llhaveyouwhipped。Ay，andI’lldomore。I’llserveyouasZaemonservedmycaptain，Tarca。ShallIpointafingeratyou，andsmiteyourprettyskinwithasuddenleprosy？"
　　Thegirlbowedhershoulders，andwentawaycowed，andPhoreniceturnedtome。"Mylord，"shesaid，"Iamlikeayoungbirdinthenestthathassuddenlyfounditswings。WingshavesomanyusesthatIamcurioustotrythemall。"
　　"MayeachnewflighttheytakebeforthegoodofAtlantis。"
　　"Oh，"shesaid，withaneye—flash，"Iknowwhatyouhavemostatheart。Butwewillgobacktothepyramid，andtalkthisoutatmoreleisure。Iprayyounow，mylord，conductmebacktomyridingbeast。"
　　ItappearedthenthatIwastobecondonedfornotofferingherworship，andsoputtingpublicquestiononherdeification。ItappearedalsothatYlga’sinterferencewaslookeduponasuntimely，and，thoughIcouldnotunderstandtheexactreasonsforeitherofthesethings，Iacceptedthemastheywere，seeingthattheyforwardedtheschemethatZaemonhadbiddenmecarryout。
　　SowhentheEmpresslentmeherfingers——warm，delicatefingerstheywere，thoughsoskilfultograsptheweaponsofwar——I
　　tookthemgravely，andledheroutofthegreatcircle，whichshehadpollutedwithhertrickeries。IhadexpectedtoseeourLordtheSuntakevengeanceontheprofanationwhilstitwasstillinact;butnonehadcome:andIknewthatHewouldchoosehisowngoodtimeforretribution，andappointwhatinstrumentHethoughtbest，withoutmyraisingapunyarmtoguardHismightyhonour。
　　SoIledthislovelysinfulwomanbacktothehugeredmammothwhichstoodtheretamelyinwaiting，andthesmellofthesacrificecameafterusaswewalked。Shemountedthestairtothegoldencastleontheshaggybeast’sback，andbadememountalsoandtakeseatbesideher。Buttheplaceofthefan—girlbehindwasempty，andwhatwesaidaswerodebackthroughthestreetstherewasnonetooverhear。
　　Shewaseagertoknowwhathadbefallenmeaftertheattackonthegate，andItoldherthetale，layingstressontheworthinessofNais，andutteringanopinionthatwithcarethegirlmightbewonbacktoallegianceagain。OnlythecommandsthatZaemonlaiduponmewhenheandIspoketogetherinthesacredtongue，didI
　　withhold，asitisnotlawfultorepeatthesematterssaveonlyintheHighCouncilofthePriestsitselfastheysitbeforetheArkoftheMysteries。
　　"YouseemtohaveanunusualkindlinessforthisrebelNais，"
　　saidPhorenice。
　　"Sheshowedherselftomeasmorecleverandthoughtfulthanthecommonherd。"
　　"Ay，"sheanswered，withasighthatIthinkwasrealenoughinitsway，"anEmpresslosesmuchthatmeanerwomangetsashercommondue。"
　　"Inwhatparticular？"
　　"Shemissesthehonestwooingofherequals。"
　　"IfyousetupforaGoddess——"Isaid。
　　"Pah！IwishtobenoGoddesstoyou，Deucalion。Thatwasforthecommonpeople;itgivesmemorepowerwiththem;ithelpsmyschemes。AllyouSevenhigherpriestsknowthattrickofcallingdownthefire，anditpleasedmetofilchit。Canyounotbegenerous，andadmitthatawomanmaybeascleverinfindingoutthesenaturallawsasyourmustyelderpriests？"
　　"RemainsthatyouareEmpress。"
　　"NorEmpresseither。Justthinkthatthereisawomanseatedbesideyouonthiscushion，Deucalion，andlookuponher，andsaywhatwordscomefirsttoyourlips。Havedonewithceremonies，andhavedonewithstatecraft。Doyouwishtowaitonasyouaretillallyourmanhoodwithers？Itiswellnottohurryundulyinthesematters:Iamwithyouthere。Yet，whobutafoolwatchesafruitgrowripe，andthenleavesittillitispastitsprime？"
　　Ilookedonhergloriousbeauty，butasIliveitleftmecold。ButIrememberedthecommandthathadbeenlaiduponme，andforcedasmile。"Imayhavebeenfastidious，"Isaid，"butIdonotregretwaitingthislong。"
　　"NorI。ButIhaveplayedmylifeasamaid，timeenough。I
　　amawoman，ripe，andfull—blooded，andthedayhascomewhenI
　　shouldbemorethanwhatIhavebeen。"
　　Iletmyhandclenchonhers。"Takemetohusbandthen，andIwillbeagoodmantoyou。But，asIambiddenspeaktoPhorenicethewomannow，andnottotheEmpress，IofferfairwarningthatIwillbenopuppet。"
　　Shelookedatmesidelong。"IhavebeenmastersolongthatIthinkitwillcomeasenjoymenttobemasteredsometimes。No，Deucalion，Ipromisethat——youshallbenopuppet。Indeed，itwouldtakealustylungtodothepipingifyouweretodanceagainstyourwill。"
　　"Then，asmanandwifewewilllivetogetherintheroyalpyramid，andwewillrulethiscountrywithallthewitthatithaspleasedtheHighGodstobestowonus。Thesemiserabledifferencesshallbesweptaside;therebelsshallgobacktotheirhomes，andhunt，andfightthebeastsintheprovinces，andthePriests’Clanshallbepacified。Phorenice，youandIwillthrowourselvesbrainandsoulintothegovernment，andwewillmakeAtlantisriseasanationthatshalloncemoresurpassalltheworldforpeaceandprosperity。"
　　Petulantlyshedrewherhandawayfrommine。"oh，yourconditions，andyourAtlantis！Youcarryacrudenessinthesecolonialmannersofyours，Deucalion，thatpallsononeafterthefirstbluntflavourhaswornaway。AmItodoallthewooing？Istherenothrillofloveunderallyourice？"
　　"Intruth，Idonotknowwhatlovemaybe。Ihavehadlittleenoughspeechwithwomenallthesebusyyears。"
　　"Wewereapair，then，whenyoulanded，thoughIhaveheardsighsandprotestationsfromeverymanthatcarriesabeardinallAtlantis。Someofthemtickledmyfancyfortheday，butnoneofthemhavemovedmedeeper。No，Ialsohavenotlearnedwhatthislovemaybefrommyownpersonalfeelings。But，sir，Ithinkthatyouwillteachmesoon，ifyougoonwithyourcoldness。"
　　"FromwhatIhaveseen，loveisforthepoor，andtheweak，andforthoseofflightyemotions。"
　　"ThenIwouldthatanotherwomanwereEmpress，andthatIweresomeill—dressedcreatureofthegutterthatastrongmancouldpickupbyforce，andcarryawaytohishomeforsheerpassion。
　　Ah！HowIcouldrevelinit！HowIcouldrespondifhecaughtmywhim！"Shelaughed。"ButIshouldleadhimasadlifeofitifmylikingwerenotsostrongashis。"
　　"Weareaswearemade，andwecannotchangeourinwardswhichmoveus。"
　　Shelookedatmewithasullenglance。"IfIdonotchangeyours，myDeucalion，therewillbemoretroublebrewedforthispoorAtlantisthatyousetsuchstoreupon。Therewillbeilldoingsinthiscominghouseholdofoursifmylovegrowsforyou，andyoursremainsstillunborn。"
　　Ibelieveshewouldhavehadmefondleherthereinthegoldencastleonthemammoth’sshabbyback，beforethecitystreetspackedwithcuriouspeople。Shehadlittleenoughappetiteforprivacyatanytime。ButforthelifeofmeIcouldnotdoit。TheGodsknowIwasearnestenoughaboutmytask，andTheyknowalsohowitrepelledme。ButIwasatruepriestthatday，andIhadputawayallpersonallikingtocarryoutthecommandswhichtheCouncilhadlaiduponme。IfIhadknownhowtosetaboutit，Iwouldhavefalleninwithhermood。Butwhereanyofthoseshallowbedizenedtriflersaboutthecourtwouldhavebeengliblyinhiselement，I
　　stuckforlackofadozenwords。
　　Therewasnohelpforitbuttoleaveall，savewhatIactuallyfelt，unsaid。DiplomacyIwastrainedin，andonmostmattersIhadaglibenoughtongue。ButtopalterwithwomenwasalightnessIhadalwaysneglected，andifIhadinventedwould—beprettyspeechesoutofmyclumsyinexperience，Phorenicewouldhaveseenthroughthefraudontheinstant。Shehadbeennurturedduringtheseyearsofherruleonapapofthesesillyprotestations，andcouldweightheirvaluewithanexpert’sexactness。
　　Norwasitacasewherehonestconfessionwouldhaveservedmypurposebetter。IfIhadputmypositiontoherinplainwords，itwouldhavemaderelationsworse。AndsoperforceIhadtoholdmytongue，andsubmittobeconsideredaclown。
　　"Ihadalwaysheard，"shesaid，"thatyoucolonistsinYucatanwerefaraheadofthoseinEgyptinalltheartsandgraces。Butyou，sir，dosmallcredittoyourvice—royalty。Why，IhavehadgentryfromtheNilecomehere，andyoumightalmostthinktheyhadneverlefttheirnativeshores。"
　　"Theymusthavemadegreatstridesthislasttwentyyears，then。WhenlastIwassenttoEgypttoreport，theblackswereclearlymastersoftheland，andourpeoplelivedthereonlyonsufferance。Theirpyramidswerepuny，andtheircitiesnothingmorethanforts。"
　　"Oh，"shesaidmockingly，"theyaremereexilesstill，buttheyremembertheirmanners。Mypoorfaceseemedtopleasethem，atleasttheyallwentintorapturesoverit。Andfortenpleasantwords，oneofthemcutoffhisownrighthand。Wemadethebargain，myEgyptiangallantandI，andthehandliesdriedonsomeshelfinmyapartmentto—dayasapleasantmemento。"
　　Buthere，byaluckychanceforme，anincidentoccurredwhichsavedmefromfurtherbaiting。Therebelsoutsidethewallswereconductingtheirday’sattackwithvigourandsomeintelligence。
　　Morethanonceduringourprocessionthelightermissilesfromtheirwarengineshadsungupthroughtheair，andsplitagainstabuilding，andthrownsplinterswhichwoundedthosewhothrongedthestreets。Stilltherehadbeennothingtorufflethenervesofanyoneatallusedtothehapsofwarfare，orinanywaytohinderourcourtship。Butpresently，itseems，theystoppedhurlingstonesfromtheirwarengines，andtooktoloadingthemwithcarcasesofwoodlinedwiththethrowingfire。
　　Now，againststonebuildingsthesedidlittleharm，saveonlythattheyscorchedhorriblyanypoorwretchthatwaswithinsplashofthemwhentheyburst;butwhentheyfellupontherudewoodenboothsandrushsheltersofthepoorerfolk，theysetthemablazeinstantly。Therewasnoputtingoutthesefires。
　　ThesethingsalsowouldhavegiventoeitherPhoreniceormyselflittleenoughofconcern，astheyarethetrivialandcommonincidentsofeverysiege;butthemammothonwhichwerodehadnotbeensoproperlyschooled。Whenthefirstbluewhiffofsmokecametousdownthewindingsofthestreet，thehugeredbeasthoisteditstrunk，andbegantoswayitsheaduneasily。Whenthesmokedriftsgrewmoredense，andhereandthereatongueofflameshowedpalebeneaththesunshine，itstoppedabruptlyandbegantotrumpet。
　　Theguardswholedit，tuggedmanfullyatthechainswhichhungfromthejaggedmetalcollarrounditsneck，sothatthespikesrandeepintoitsflesh，andremindeditkeenlyofitsbondage。Butthebeast’sterroratthefire，whichwasnativetoitsconstitution，masteredallitsnew—boughthabitsofobedience。
　　Fromtimeunknownmenhavehuntedthemammothinthesavageground，andthemammothhashuntedmen;andthemenhavealwaysusedfireasashield，andmammothshavelearnedtodreadfireasthemostdangerousofallenemies。
　　Phorenice’sbrowbegantodarkenasthegreatbeastgrewmorerestive，andsheshookherredcurlsviciously。"Someoneshallloseaheadforthisblundering，"saidshe。"Iorderedtohavethisbeasttrainedtostandindifferenttodrums，shouting，arrows，stones，andfire，andthetrainersassuredmethatallwasdone，andbroughtexamples。"
　　Islippedmygirdle。"Here，"Isaid，"quick。Letmeloweryoutotheground。"
　　Sheturnedonmewithagleam。"Areyouafraidformyneck，then，Deucalion？"
　　"IhavenomindtobebereavedbeforeIhavetastedmyweddedlife。"
　　"Pish！Thereislittleenoughofdanger。Iwillstayandrideitout。Iamnotoneofyournervouswomen，sir。Butgoyou，ifyouplease。"
　　"Thereislittleenoughchanceofthatnow。"
　　Bloodflowedfromthemammoth’sneckwherethespikesofthecollartoreit，andwitheachdrop，sodidthetamenessseemtooozeoutfromitalso。Withwildsquealsandtrumpetingsitturnedandchargedviciouslydownthewayithadcome，scatteringlikestrawsthespearmenwhotriedtostopit，andmowingagreatswaththroughthecrowdwithitsmonstrousprogress。Manymusthavebeentroddenunderfoot，manykilledbyitsmurderoustrunk，butonlytheircriescametous。Thegoldencastle，withitscanopyofroyalsnakes，wasswayedandtossed，sothatwetwooccupantshadmuchadonottobeshotofflikestonesfromacatapult。ButI
　　tookabracewithmyfeetagainstthefront，andonearmaroundapillar，andclappedthesparearmroundPhorenice，soastooffermyselftoherasacushion。
　　Shelaytherecontentedlyenough，withherlovelyfacejustbeneathmychin，andthefaintscentofherhaircomingintomewitheverybreathItook;andthemammothchargedmadlyonthroughthenarrowstreets。Wehadoutstrippedthetaintofsmoke，andtheoriginalcauseoffear，butthebeastseemedtohaveforgotteneverythinginitsmadpanic。Itheldfuriouslyonwithenormousstrides，carryingitstrunkaloft，anddeafeninguswithitsscreamsandtrumpetings。Weleftbehindusquicklyallthosewhohadtrodinthatglitteringpageant，andwewerecarriedhelplesslyonthroughthewardsofthecity。
　　Thebeastwasutterlybeyondallcontrol。Sogreatwasitspacethattherewasnoalternativebuttotryandclingontothecastle。Uptherewewerebeyonditsreach。Tohaveleaptoff，evenifwehadavoidedhavingbrainsdashedoutorlimbssmashedbythefall，wouldhavebeentoputourselvesatonceatafrightfuldisadvantage。Themammothwouldhavescentedusimmediately，andturned（asisthecustomofthesebeasts），andweshouldhavebeentrampledintoapulpinadozenseconds。
　　ThethoughtcametomethatherewastheHighGod’sanswertoPhorenice’ssacrilege。ThemammothwasappointedtocarryoutTheirvengeancebydashinghertopieces，andI，theirpriest，wastobehumanwitnessthatjusticehadbeendone。Butnodirectrevelationhadbeengivenmeonthismatter，andsoItooknoinitiative，buthungontotheswayingcastle，andheldtheEmpressagainstbruisesinmyarms。
　　Therewasnoguidingthebrute:initsinsanityofmadnessitdoubledmanytimesuponitscourse，thewindingsofthestreetsconfusingit。Butbydegreesweleftthelargepalacesandpyramidsbehind，andgotamongstthequartersofartisans，whereweaversandsmithsgapedatusfromtheirdoorsaswethunderedpast。Andthenwecameuponthemerchants’quarterswheremenliveovertheirstorehousesthatdotrafficwiththepeopleoverseas，andthendownanopenspacethereglitteredbeforeusamirrorofwater。
　　"Nowhere，"thoughtI，"thismadbeastwillcometosuddenstop，andaslikeasnotwillswerveroundsharplyandchargebackagaintowardstheheartofthecity。"AndIbracedmyselftowithstandtheshock，andtookfreshgripuponthewomanwholayagainstmybreast。Butwithlouderscreamsandwildertrumpetingsthemammothheldstraighton，andpresentlycametotheharbour’sedge，andsentthespraysparklinginsheetsamongstthesunshineasitwentwithitsclumsygaitintothewater。
　　Butatthispointthepacewasveryquicklyslackened。Thegreatsewers，whichsciencedevisedforthehealthofthecityintheoldKing’stime，vomittheirdrainingsintothispartoftheharbour，andthesolidmatterwhichtheycarryisquicklydepositedasanimpalpablesludge。Intothisthehugebeastbegantosinkdeeperanddeeperbeforeitcouldhaltinitsrush，andwhenwithfrightenedbellowingsithadcometoastop，itwasboggedirretrievably。Madlyitstruggled，wildlyitscreamedandtrumpeted。Theharbour—waterandtheslimewerechurnedintoonestinkingcompost，andthegoldencastleinwhichweclunglurchedsowildlythatweweretornfromitandshotfarawayintothewater。
　　Stillthere，ofcourse，weweresafe，andIwaspleasedenoughtoberidofthebumpings。