Nightmare！Imagination！No，thesepalebeforethatscenewhichitwasgiventoourhumaneyestowitness。
　　Andallthewhile，bending，bowingtowardsus——awayfromus——
　　makingobeisancetothepathinfrontasthoughingreeting，tothepathbehindasthoughinfarewell；instinctwithahorriblelife，withahideousandgiganticgrace，thattitanicTerrorwhirledonwardstothemarkoffate。
　　Atthemomentnothingcouldpersuademethatitwasnotaliveanddidnotknowitsawfulmission。Visionsflashedacrossmymind。Ithoughtofthepeoplesoftheworldsleepingintheirbeds，orgoingabouttheirbusiness，orengagedevenintheworkofwar。Ithoughtoftheshipsupontheseassteamingsteadilytowardstheirfar—offports。ThenIthoughtofwhatpresentlymighthappentothem，ofthetremorsfollowedbyconvulsions，ofthesuddencrashingdownofcities，suchaswehadseeninthepictureYvashowedusintheTemple，oftheinflowofthewatersofthedeeppiledupinmightywaves，ofthewoeanddesolationasoftheendoftheworld，andofthequiet，followingdeath。SoIthoughtandinmyheartprayedtothegreatArch—ArchitectoftheUniversetostretchoutHisArmtoavertthisfearsomeruinofHishandiwork。
　　Oroglared，histhinfingerstightenedtheirgripupontherod，hishairandlongbeardseemedtobristlewithfuriousanddelightedexcitement。Thepurple—fringedrimoftheMonsterhadlongovershadowedthewhitedpatchofrock；itsgrindingfootwasscarcetenyardsaway。OromademoresignstoYvawho，beneaththeshelterofhershield，againbentdownanddidsomethingthatIcouldnotsee。Then，asthoughherpartwereplayed，sherose，drewthegreyhoodofhercloakallaboutherfacesothathereyesaloneremainedvisible，tookonesteptowardsmeandinthebrokenEnglishwehadtaughther，calledintomyear。
　　"Humphrey，Godyoubless！Humphrey，wemeetsoon。Forgetnotme！"
　　ShesteppedbackagainbeforeIcouldattempttoanswer，andnextinstantwithahideous，concentratedeffort，Orobendinghimselfdouble，thrustupontherod，asIcouldseefromhisopenmouth，shoutingwhilehethrust。
　　Atthesamemoment，withaswiftspring，Yvaleaptimmediatelyinfrontofthelensorwindow，sothatthemetallicshieldwithwhichshecoveredherselfpressedagainstitssubstance。
　　SimultaneouslyOroflunguphisarmsasthoughinhorror。
　　Toolate！Theshutterfellandfrombehindittheresprangoutarushoflivingflame。ItstruckonYva’sshieldandexpandedtorightandleft。Theinsulatedshieldandgarmentsthatsheworeseemedtoresistit。Forafractionoftimeshestoodtherelikeaglowingangel，wrappedinfire。
　　Thenshewassweptoutwardsandupwardsandatalittledistancedissolvedlikeaghostandvanishedfromoursight。
　　Yvawasashes！Yvawasgone！Thesacrificewasconsummated！
　　Andnotinvain！Notinvain！Onherpoorbreastshehadreceivedthefullblastofthathellishlightningflash。Yetwhilstdestroying，itturnedawayfromher，seekingthefreepathsoftheair。Soitcameaboutthatitsobstructedstrengthstruckthefootofthetravellinggyroscope，diffusedanddidnotsufficetothrustitthatonenecessaryinchonwhichdependedthefateofhalftheworld，ormissingitaltogether，passedawayoneitherside。Evensothehuge，gleamingmountainrockedandtrembled。Once，twice，thrice，itboweditselftowardsusasthoughinmajestichomagetogreatnesspassedaway。Forasecond，too，itscoursewaschecked，andatthechecktheearthquakedandtrembled。Yes，thentheworldshook，andtheblueglobesoffirewentout，whileIwasthrowntotheground。
　　Whentheyreturnedagain，theflamingmonsterwasoncemoresailingmajesticallyuponitswayanddowntheaccustomedleft—handpath！
　　Indeedthesacrificewasnotinvain。Theworldshook——butYvahadsavedtheworld！
　　ChapterXXVI
　　TommyIlaystillawhile，onmybackasIhadfallen，andbeneaththeshield—likedefencewhichYvahadgiventome。
　　Notwithstandingthefire—resisting，metalisedstuffofwhichitwasmade，Inotedthatitwastwistedandalmostburntthrough。
　　Doubtlessthestored—upelectricityorearthmagnetism，orwhateveritmayhavebeenthathadleaptoutofthathole，beingdiffusedbytheresistancewithwhichitwasmet，hadgrazedmewithitsouteredge，andhaditnotbeenfortheshieldandcloak，Ialsoshouldhavebeenburnedup。Iwished，oh！howI
　　wishedthatithadbeenso。Then，bynowallmusthavefinishedandIshouldhaveknownthetruthastowhatawaitsusbeyondthechange：sleep，ordreams，orperchancethefullestlife。AlsoI
　　shouldnothavelearnedalone。
　　Lyingtherethus，idly，asthoughinahalf—sleep，IfeltTommylickingmyface，andthrowingmyarmaboutthepoorlittlefrightenedbeast，Iwatchedthegreatworld—balanceasitretreatedonitseternaljourney。Atonetimeitsvastprojectingrimhadovershadowedusandalmostseemedtotouchthecliffofrockagainstwhichweleant。Irememberthattheeffectofthatshiningarchathousandfeetorsoaboveourheadswaswonderful。
　　Itremindedmeofacanopyofblackestthundercloudssupporteduponaframeworkofwheelingrainbows，whilebeneathitallthechildrenofthedevilshoutedtogetherinjoy。InotedthiseffectonlyafewsecondsbeforeYvaspoketomeandleaptintothepathoftheflash。
　　Now，however，itwasfaraway，amereflamingwheelthatbecamegraduallysmaller，anditsSatanicvoicesweregrowingfaint。AsIhavesaid，Iwatcheditsdisappearanceidly，reflectingthatI
　　shouldneverlookuponitslikeagain；alsothatitwassomethingwellworthgoingforthtosee。ThenIbecameawarethatthehumming，howlingdinhaddecreasedsufficientlytoenablemetohearhumanvoiceswithouteffort。BastinwasaddressingBickley——
　　likemyselftheywerebothupontheground。
　　"Hertranslation，asyoumayhavenoticed，Bickley，ifyouwerenottoofrightened，wasreallyveryremarkable。Nodoubtitwillhaveremindedyou，asitdidme，ofthatofElijah。ShehadexactlytheappearanceofapersongoinguptoHeaveninavehicleoffire。Thedestinationwascertainlythesame，andeventhecloaksheworeaddedafamiliartouchandincreasedthesimilarity。"
　　"Atanyrateitdidnotfalluponyou，"answeredBickleywithsomethinglikeasob，inavoiceofmingledaweandexasperation。
　　"Forgoodness’sake！Bastin，stopyourBiblicalparallelsandletusadore，yes，letusadorethedivinestcreaturethattheearthhasborne！"
　　NeverhaveIlovedBickleymorethanwhenIheardhimutterthosewords。
　　"’Divinest’isalargeterm，Bickley，andonetowhichI
　　hesitatetosubscribe，rememberingasIdocertainoftheprophetsandtheEarlyFatherswithalltheirfaults，notofcoursetomentiontheApostles。But——"herehepaused，forsuddenlyallthreeofusbecameawareofOro。
　　Healsohasbeenthrowntothegroundbythestrengthoftheprisonedforceswhichhegatheredandloosedupontheirunholyerrand，but，asIrejoicedtoobserve，hadsufferedfromthemmuchmorethanourselves。Doubtlessthiswasowingtothefactthathehadsprungforwardinalastwildefforttosavehisdaughter，ortopreventherfrominterferingwithhisexperiment，Iknownotwhich。Asaresulthisrightcheekwasmuchscorched，hisrightarmwaswitheredandhelpless，andhismagnificentbeardwashalfburntoffhim。Further，veryevidentlyhewassufferingfromsevereshock，forherockeduponhisfeetandshooklikeanaspenleaf。Allthis，however，didnotinterferewiththelivelinessofhisgriefandrage。
　　Therehestood，atoweringshape，likealightning—smittenstatue，andcursedus，especiallyBastin。
　　"Mydaughterhasgone！"hecried，"burnedupbythefierypowerthatismyservant。Nothingremainsofherbutdust，and，Priest，thisisyourdoing。Youpoisonedherheartwithyourchildishdoctrinesofmercyandsacrifice，andtherest，sothatshethrewherselfintothepathoftheflashtosavesomemiserableracesthatshehadneverevenknown。"
　　Hepausedexhausted，whereonBastinansweredhimwithspirit：
　　"Yes，Oro，shebeingaholywoman，hasgonewhereyouwillneverfollowher。Alsoitisyourownfaultsinceyoushouldhavelistenedtoherentreatiesinsteadofboxingherearslikethebruteyouare。"
　　"Mydaughterisgone，"wentonOro，recoveringhisstrength，"andmygreatdesignsareruined。Yetonlyforawhile，"headded，"fortheworld—balancewillreturnagain，ifnottilllongafteryourlife—spansaredone。"
　　"Ifyoudon’tdoctoryourself，LordOro，"saidBickley，alsorising，"Imaytellyouasonewhounderstandssuchthings，thatmostlikelyitwillbeafteryourlife—spanisdonealso。Althoughtheireffectmaybedelayed，severeshocksfromburnsandover—
　　excitementareapttoprovefataltotheaged。"
　　Orosnarledathim；nootherworddescribesit。
　　"Andthereareotherthings，Physician，"hesaid，"whichareapttoprovefataltotheyoung。Atleastnowyouwillnolongerdenymypower。"
　　"Iamnotsosure，"answeredBickley，"sinceitseemsthatthereisagreaterPower，namelythatofawoman’sloveandsacrifice。"
　　"Andagreaterstill，"interruptedBastin，"Whichputthoseideasintoherhead。"
　　"Asforyou，Humphrey，"wentonOro，"Irejoicetothinkthatyouatleasthavelosttwothingsthatmandesiresaboveallotherthings——thewomanyousoughtandthefuturekingshipoftheworld。"
　　Istoodupandfacedhim。
　　"ThefirstIhavegained，althoughhow，youdonotunderstand，Oro，"Ianswered。"Andofthesecond，seeingthatitwouldhavecomethroughyou，onyourconditions，Iamindeedgladtoberid。
　　Iwishnopowerthatspringsfrommurder，andnogiftsfromonewhoansweredhisdaughter’sprayerwithblows。"
　　Foramomentheseemedremorseful。
　　"Shevexedmewithherfoolishness，"hesaid。Thenhisrageblazedupagain：
　　"Anditwasyouwhotaughtittoher，"hewenton。"Youareguilty，allthreeofyou，andthereforeIamleftwithnonetoservemeinmyage；thereforealsomymightyschemesareoverthrown。"
　　"Also，Oro，ifyouspeaktruth，thereforehalftheworldissaved，"Iaddedquietly，"andonehasleftitofwhomitwasunworthy。"
　　"Youthinkthatthesecivilisationsofyours，asyouarepleasedtocallthem，aresaved，doyou？"hesneered。"Yet，evenifBickleywererightandIshoulddieandbecomepowerless，I
　　tellyouthattheyarealreadydamned。Ihavestudiedtheminyourbooksandseenthemwithmyeyes，andIsaythattheyarerottenbeforeevertheyareripe，andthattheirendshallbetheendoftheSonsofWisdom，todieforlackofincrease。ThatiswhyIwouldhavesavedtheEast，becauseinitalonethereisincrease，andthencealonecanrisethegreatlastraceofmanwhichIwouldhavegiventoyourchildrenforanheritage。
　　Moreover，thinknotthatyouWesternershavedonewithwars。I
　　tellyouthattheyarebutbegunandthattheswordshalleatyouup，andwhattheswordsparesclassshallsnatchfromclassinthestruggleforsupremacyandease。"
　　ThushespokewithextraordinaryandconcentratedbitternessthatIconfesswouldhavefrightenedme，hadIbeencapableoffear，whichatthemomentIwasnot。Whoisafraidwhenhehaslostall？
　　NorwasBastinalarmed，ifforotherreasons。
　　"Ithinkitrighttotellyou，Oro，"hesaid，"thattheonlyfutureyouneedtroubleaboutisyourown。GodAlmightywilllookafterthewesterncivilisationsinwhateverwayHemaythinkbest，asyoumayrememberHedidjustnow。OnlyIamsureyouwon’tbeheretoseehowitisdone。"
　　AgainfuryblazedinOro’seyes。
　　"AtleastIwilllookafteryou，youhalf—breddogs，whoyapoutill—omenedpropheciesofdeathintomyface。Sincethethreeofyoulovedmydaughterwhomyoubroughttoherdoom，andwerebyherbeloved，ifdifferently，Ithinkitbestthatyoushouldfollowonherroad。How？Thatisthequestion？ShallIleaveyoutostarveinthesegreatcaves？——Nay，looknottowardstheroadofescapewhichdoubtlessshepointedouttoyou，for，asHumphreyknows，IcantravelswiftlyandIwillmakesurethatyoufinditblocked。OrshallI——"andheglancedupwardsatthegreatglobesofwanderingfire，asthoughhepurposedtosummonthemtobeourdeath，asdoubtlesshecouldhavedone。
　　"Idonotcarewhatyoudo，"Iansweredwearily。"OnlyIwouldbegyoutostrikequickly。YetformyfriendsIamsorry，sinceitwasIwholedthemonthisquest，andforyou，too，Tommy，"I
　　added，lookingatthepoorlittlehound。"Youwerefoolish，Tommy，"Iwenton，"whenyouscentedoutthatoldtyrantinhiscoffin，atleastforourownsake。"
　　Indeedthedogwasterriblyscared。Hewhinedcontinuallyandfromtimetotimeranalittlewayandthenreturnedtous，suggestingthatweshouldgofromthishorror—hauntedspot。
　　Lastly，asthoughheunderstoodthatitwasOrowhokeptusthere，hewenttohimandjumpingup，lickedhishandinabeseechingfashion。
　　Thesuper—manlookedatthedogandashelookedtheragewentoutofhisfaceandwasreplacedbysomethingresemblingpity。
　　"Idonotwishthebeasttodie，"hemutteredtohimselfinlowreflectivetones，asthoughhethoughtaloud，"forofthemallitalonelikedanddidnotfearme。Imighttakeitwithmebutstillitwouldperishofgriefinthelonelinessofthecaves。Moreover，sheloveditwhomIshallseenomore；yes，Yva——"ashespokethenamehisvoicebrokealittle。"YetifI
　　sufferthemtoescapetheywilltellmystorytotheworldandmakemealaughingstock。Well，iftheydo，whatdoesitmatter？
　　NoneofthoseWesternfoolswouldbelieveit；thinkingthattheyknewall；likeBickleytheywouldmockandsaythattheyweremad，orliars。"
　　AgainTommylickedhishand，butmoreconfidently，asthoughinstincttoldhimsomethingofwhatwaspassinginOro’smind。I
　　watchedwithanidlewonder，marvellingwhetheritwerepossiblethatthismercilessbeingwouldafterallspareusforthesakeofthedog。
　　So，strangetosay，itcameabout，forsuddenlyOrolookedupandsaid：
　　"Getyougone，andquickly，beforemymoodchanges。Thehoundhassavedyou。ForitssakeIgiveyouyourlives，whootherwiseshouldcertainlyhavedied。Shewhohasgonepointedouttoyou，Idoubtnot，aroadthatrunstotheupperair。Ithinkthatitisstillopen。Indeed，"headded，closinghiseyesforamoment，"Iseethatitisstillopen，iflonganddifficult。Followit，andshouldyouwinthrough，takeyourboatandsailawayasswiftlyasyoucan。WhetheryoudieorliveIcarenothing，butmyhandswillbecleanofyourblood，althoughyoursarestainedwithYva’s。Begone！andmycursegowithyou。"
　　Withoutwaitingforfurtherwordswewenttofetchourlanterns，water—bottlesandbagoffoodwhichwehadlaiddownatalittledistance。AsweapproachedthemIlookedupandsawOrostandingsomewayoff。Thelightfromoneoftheblueglobesoffirewhichpassedcloseabovehishead，shoneuponhimandmadehimghastly。Moreover，itseemedtomeasthoughapproachingdeathhadwrittenitsnameuponhismalevolentcountenance。
　　Iturnedmyheadaway，forabouthisaspectinthosesinistersurroundingstherewassomethinghorrible，somethingmenacingandrepellenttomanandofhimIwishedtoseenomore。NorindeeddidI，forwhenIglancedinthatdirectionagainOrowasgone。I
　　supposethathehadretreatedintotheshadowswherenolightplayed。
　　Wegatheredupourgear，andwhiletheotherswererelightingthelanterns，IwalkedafewpacesforwardtothespotwhereYvahadbeendissolvedinthedevouringfire。Somethingcaughtmyeyeupontherockyfloor。Ipickeditup。Itwasthering，orrathertheremainsoftheringthatIhadgivenheronthatnightwhenwedeclaredourloveamidsttheruinsbythecraterlake。Shehadneverwornitonherhandbutforherownreasons，asshetoldme，suspendedituponherbreastbeneathherrobe。ItwasanancientringthatIhadboughtinEgypt，fashionedofgoldinwhichwassetaveryhardbasaltorotherblackstone。Onthiswasengravedtheankorloopedcross，whichwastheEgyptiansymbolofLife，androunditasnake，thesymbolofEternity。Thegoldwasforthemostpartmelted，butthestone，beingsohardandprotectedbytheshieldandasbestoscloak，forsuchI
　　supposeitwas，hadresistedthefuryoftheflash。Onlynowitwaswhiteinsteadofblack，likeaburntonyxthathadknownthefuneralpyre。Indeed，perhapsitwasanonyx。Ikisseditandhiditaway，foritseemedtometoconveyagreetingandwithitapromise。
　　Thenwestarted，averysadanddejectedtrio。Leavingwithashudderthatvastplacewherethebluelightsplayedeternally，wecametotheshaftupanddownwhichthetravellingstonepursueditsendlesspath，andsawitarriveanddepartagain。
　　"Iwonderhedidnotsendusthatway，"saidBickley，pointingtoit。
　　"IamsureIamverygladitneveroccurredtohim，"answeredBastin，"forIamcertainthatwecouldnothavemadethejourneyagainwithoutourguide，Yva。"
　　Ilookedathimandheceased。SomehowIcouldnotbear，asyet，tohearherbelovednamespokenbyotherlips。
　　Thenweenteredthepassagethatshepointedouttous，andbeganamostterriblejourneywhich，sofaraswecouldjudge，forwelostanyexactcountoftime，tookusaboutsixtyhours。
　　Theroad，itistrue，wassmoothandunblocked，buttheascentwasfearfullysteepandslippery；somuchsothatoftenwewereobligedtopulleachotherupitandliedowntorest。
　　Haditnotbeenforthoselarge，felt—coveredbottlesofLife—
　　water，Iamsureweshouldneverhavewonthrough。Butthismarvelouselixir，drunkalittleatatime，alwaysre—
　　invigoratedusandgaveusstrengthtopushon。Alsowehadsomefood，andfortunatelyourspareoilheldout，forthedarknessinthattunnelwascomplete。Tommybecamesoexhaustedthatatlengthwemustcarryhimbyturns。Hewouldhavediedhaditnotbeenforthewater；indeedIthoughtthathewasgoingtodie。
　　Afterourlastrestandashortsleep，however，heseemedtobegintorecover，andgenerallytherewassomethinginhismannerwhichsuggestedtousthatheknewhimselftobenotfarfromthesurfaceoftheearthtowardswhichwehadcrawledupwardsforthousandsuponthousandsoffeet，fortunatelywithoutmeetingwithanyzoneofheatwhichwasnotbearable。
　　Wewereright，forwhenwehadstaggeredforwardalittlefurther，suddenlyTommyranaheadofusandvanished。Thenweheardhimbarkingbutwherewecouldnotsee，sincethetunnelappearedtotakeaturnandcontinue，butthistimeonadownwardcourse，whilethesoundofthebarkscamefromourright。Wesearchedwiththelanternswhichwerenowbeginningtodieandfoundalittleholealmostfilledwithfallenpiecesofrock。Wescoopedtheseawaywithourhands，makinganaperturelargeenoughtocreepthrough。Afewmoreyardsandwesawlight，theblessedlightofthemoon，andinitstoodTommybarkinghoarsely。Nextweheardthesoundofthesea。Westruggledondesperatelyandpresentlypushedourwaythroughbushesandvegetationontoasteepdeclivity。Downthiswerolledandscrambled，tofindourselvesatlastlyinguponasandybeach，whilstaboveusthefullmoonshoneintheheavens。
　　Here，withaprayerofthankfulness，weflungourselvesdownandslept。
　　IfithadnotbeenforTommyandwehadgonefurtheralongthetunnel，whichIhavelittledoubtstretchedonbeneaththesea，where，Iwonder，shouldwehavesleptthatnight？
　　Whenwewokethesunwasshininghighintheheavens。Evidentlytherehadbeenraintowardsthedawn，thoughaswewerelyingbeneaththeshelterofsomebroad—leavedtree，fromitwehadsufferedlittleinconvenience。Oh！howbeautiful，afteroursojourninthoseunholycaves，werethesunandtheseaandthesweetairandtheraindropshangingontheleaves。
　　Wedidnotwakeofourselves；indeedifwehadbeenleftaloneIamsurethatweshouldhaveslepttheclockround，forwewereterriblyexhausted。WhatwokeuswasthechatterofacrowdofOrofenanswhoweregatheredatadistancefromthetreeandengagedinstaringatusinafrightenedway，alsothebarksofTommywhoobjectedtotheirintrusion。AmongthepeopleI
　　recognisedouroldfriendthechiefMaramabyhisfeathercloak，andsittingup，beckonedtohimtoapproach。Afteragooddealofhesitationhecame，walkingdelicatelylikeAgag，andstoppingfromtimetotimetostudyus，asthoughhewerenotsurethatwewerereal。
　　"Whatfrightensyou，Marama？"Iaskedhim。
　　"Youfrightenus，OFriend—from—the—Sea。WhencedidyouandtheHealerandtheBellowercomeandwhydoyourfaceslooklikethoseofghostsandwhyisthelittleblackbeastsolarge—eyedandsothin？Overthelakeweknowyoudidnotcome，forwehavewatcheddayandnight；moreoverthereisnocanoeupontheshore。
　　Alsoitwouldnothavebeenpossible。"
　　"Whynot？"Iaskedidly。
　　"Comeandsee，"heanswered。
　　Risingstifflyweemergedfrombeneaththetreeandperceivedthatwewereatthefootofthecliffagainstwhichtheremainsoftheyachthadbeenbornebythegreattempest。Indeedthereitwaswithinacoupleofhundredyardsofus。
　　FollowingMaramaweclimbedtheslopingpathwhichranupthecliffandascendedaknollwhencewecouldseethelakeandtheconeofthevolcanoinitscentre。Atleastweusedtobeabletoseethiscone，butnow，atanyratewiththenakedeye，wecouldmakeoutnothing，exceptasmallbrownspotinthemidstofthewatersofthelake。
　　"ThemountainwhichroseupmanyfeetinthatstormwhichbroughtyoutoOrofena，Friend—from—the—Sea，hasnowsunktillonlytheverytopofitistobeseen，"saidMaramasolemnly。
　　"EventheRockofOfferingshasvanishedbeneaththewater，andwithitthehousethatwebuiltforyou。"
　　"Yes，"Isaid，affectingnosurprise。"Butwhendidthathappen？"
　　"Fivenightsagotheworldshook，Friend—from—the—Sea，andwhenthesunrosewesawthatthemouthofthecavewhichappearedonthedayofyourcoming，hadvanished，andthattheholymountainitselfhadsunkdeep，sothatnowonlythecrestofitisleftabovethewater。"
　　"Suchthingshappen，"Irepliedcarelessly。
　　"Yes，Friend—from—the—Sea。Likemanyothermarvelstheyhappenwhereyouandyourcompanionsare。Thereforewebegyouwhocanariseoutoftheearthlikespirits，toleaveusatoncebeforeourislandandallofuswhodwellthereonaredrownedbeneaththeocean。Leaveusbeforewekillyou，ifindeedyoubemen，ordieatyourhandsif，aswethink，youbeevilspiritswhocanthrowupmountainsanddragthemdown，andcreategodsthatslay，andmoveaboutinthebowelsoftheworld。"
　　"Thatisourintention，forourbusinesshereisdone，"I
　　answeredcalmly。"Comenowandhelpustodepart。Butfirstbringusfood。Bringitinplenty，forwemustvictualourboat。"
　　Maramabowedandissuedthenecessaryorders。Indeedfoodsufficientforourimmediateneedswasalreadythereasanoffering，andofitweatewiththankfulness。
　　Thenweboardedtheshipandexaminedthelifeboat。Thankstoourprecautionsitwasstillinveryfairorderandonlyneededsomelittlecaulkingwhichwedidwithgrassfibreandpitchfromthestores。AfterthiswiththehelpoftheOrofenanswhoworkedhardintheirdesperatedesiretoberidofus，wedrewtheboatintothesea，andprovisionedherwithstoresfromtheship，andwithanamplesupplyofwater。Everythingbeingreadyatlast，wewaitedfortheeveningwindwhichalwaysblewoffshore，tostart。Asitwasnotdueforhalfanhourormore，Iwalkedbacktothetreeunderwhichwehadsleptandtriedtofindtheholewhencewehademergedfromthetunnelontothefaceofthecliff。
　　Myhurriedsearchproveduseless。Thedeclivityofthecliffwascoveredwithtropicalgrowth，andtheheavyrainhadwashedawayeverytraceofourdescent，andverylikelyfilledtheholeitselfwithearth。Atanyrate，ofitIcoulddiscovernothing。
　　ThenasthebreezebegantoblowIreturnedtotheboatandherebadeadieutoMarama，whogavemehisfeathercloakasafarewellgift。
　　"Good—bye，Friend—from—the—Sea，"hesaidtome。"Wearegladtohaveseenyouandthankyouformanythings。Butwedonotwishtoseeyouanymore。"
　　"Good—bye，Marama，"Ianswered。"Whatyousay，weecho。Atleastyouhavenownogreatlumpuponyourneckandwehaveridyouofyourwizards。ButbewareofthegodOrowhodwellsinthemountain，forifyouangerhimhewillsinkyourislandbeneaththesea。"