The Night Land

The Night Land Page 13

by William Hope Hodgson

  XIII

  HOMEWARD BY THE SHORE

  Now we came presently out of that sad and dreary place that did goinward of the great mountains, and which I have named the Upward Gorge;and we to halt soon between the feet of the mountains, beyond themouth-part of the Gorge.

  And Naani alway to look every way about her, and to breathe very quick,and her eyes to be gone bright with wonder and the seeing of new things,and the coming of freedom from so great a dread.

  And she turned, now, and did look upward into the dark of the Gorge, andto spy upon the great mouth thereof, and to be feared then, and must runa greater way downward into the lightness of the Country of the Seas;and to come once more to pause, and to look backward, and with an aweand a relieved soul; and so again to the wonder of the spreaded Countryand the great Sea; and did near to laugh and cry in the same moment,with the amazement and gladness and great astonishment that did be uponher. And she to turn constant this way and that, and to be never ceasedof looking, and of deep breathings of the wide air; for never in thatlife had she been in a broad place of light, as you shall haveperceived.

  And we to feel, both, that there did be no more need to talk husht, aswe did alway in the gloom and narrow dark of the gorge. And surely sheto shout, as a child that doth try an echo; and her voice to go verypretty into the distance, and to be lost afar off in that Country.

  And lo! in a moment, an echo to come out of the dark mountains to ourbacks; so that we lookt round very sudden; but whether the echo did betruly an echo, or some strangeness, or some unnatural call to comedownward out of the gloom and horror of the Gorge, we did be all unsure;and indeed must run downward a while more, until that we did be allbreathed, and to halt presently where we did feel to be utter free ofthe Gorge and of the strangeness that did seem to our minds, in thatmoment, to lie upward in the darkness of the great mountains.

  And surely we did took about for a flat rock to be for our use, and wecame presently to a place nice to our purpose, that did be yet upwardover the Land; and we climbed up on to the rock and sat thereon to haveour food and drink.

  And as we eat and drank, we did sit very close and happy; but yet tohave a wise looking about anigh to us, so that we be caught by no dangerof the Humpt Men, or by any other danger that might be.

  And alway, the Maid did question, and did stare afar over the Country,and to have a shining wonder and joy of the sea, and to be stirred inall her being, so that she was pained with vague and sudden memories,that did be as strange dreams, and all mixt with pleasure and pain. And,indeed, she sudden to weeping, and to need that she be in mine arms,until that she know herself once again; and so to her dear natural joyand way.

  And oft did Mine Own speak upon the clear wonder of the air, as it didseem to her; and to me it did seem likewise, that had lived my life alsoin a Dark Land, as you do know.

  And she to break sudden from her rapture, and to set back her speech anEternity with vague words, and memories so olden and englamoured thatthey did be as moonlight that once hath shone. And in a moment she to beforward again into that far future time and speech, and all her being tobe close unto me, and oft in a solemn silence of the heart.

  And the greatness of the sea to call unto her with an olden voice, andto half waken her; and I with her to be thus half-wakened, yet had Ibeen not thus as I did come mine outward way; but truly I did stir tothe stirring of the Maid, and all mine olden thoughts that did be mymemory-dreams, to come afresh upon my spirit.

  And so we two to sit there all shaken with dreamings that did concernhappenings of the olden world that did lie upward in that dreadful nightwhich made a mighty and deeply roof over that Country. And surely I amdumb, in that I have no speech to make known to you all the troublingsand stirrings of our spirits that we did know in that moment.

  And far off, by miles, beyond the feet of the mountain, where went theshore of the sea, upon our left, there was a great mist and steam; andthis to be that mist and steam that I did come through on mine outwardway; and Naani to ask concerning it, and I to tell her so much as Iknew, and how that we must indeed come presently through it, upon ourjourney.

  And she to be in wonder of the volcanoes that did burn in the sea, andin this place and that of the wide Country, and the height and grandnessto exalt her, and in the same time to give her a strange humbleness ofher mind; so that presently I did take her into mine arms, for I mustkiss her, because that she did be so utter a sweet maiden, and lovelywith interest and naturalness. And truly she to kiss me in turn; and tomake her questionings between her kissings; and this to be because shedid yearn for a greater knowing of the Country; but also, as I do halfto think, because she did be sweetly impudent unto me; and this to be ofher joy.

  And presently, she to kiss me thrice very passionate and warm upon themouth; and immediately to take my shoulders, with her small hands, thatdid seem so pretty upon my broadness and upon the metal of the armour.And she to strive thus that she shake me to a speedier answering; andshe, all that while, to be full of a dear naughtiness, and to need thatshe be kist very hard.

  And I to answer her; but after mine own fashion which did be a wordbetween each kiss that I gave to her. And she very quick and naughty toput her hand between our lips; and I then to kiss the palm, that did bein my way, and did be very small and pretty. And she, when I had nothought, to open her fingers very quick, and kiss me through between thefingers, and immediately to shut the fingers, so that I did be stoptfrom the same.

  And afterward, I made her to stand upon the rock, and I set free herhair over her shoulders; and I took then the boots from her, so that herlittle feet did show bare and pretty. And she, at the first, half torefuse me; but afterward to stand very dear and obedient that I shouldhave my way with her; and to be a little shy, and the more prettybecause of her sweet blushings.

  And surely, when that I had her to my likings, I stept back a littlepace, and lookt at her. And she to look again at me, very quaint andnaughty; and then to turn her about, very grave; and to make pretendthat she did be a dummy figure. And, surely, when she did be come rightround, and to face me again, and had a very sedate look, she stretchedout her pretty foot, all in a moment, and put her pink toes sudden uponmy lips; and I to be so in surprise, that I had not wit to do aught, ereshe had them back swift from me. And she then to make one glad springinto mine arms, and to want that she be hugged, and to be loved verygreat. And I to laugh, all tender; for I loved her so utter, as you doknow; and I to tell her, as you sure likewise to have told your maid,that I wanted a pocket sufficient, that I might have her therein alwayanigh to my heart; and this thing I to say to her, as a man that dothlove, shall say it; and you to know the way of it so well as I. And sheto laugh very mischievous, and to tell me that she should truly tickleme, if that I carried her thatwise; aye and to pinch me, too. And I tohave no answer, save that I shake her, very gentle, but indeed she tokiss me very naughty on the mouth, in the midst of my shaking; andtruly, what shall a man do with such an one.

  And she then to want to be more sedate and to be set down upon the rock;and she to make me to turn around, so that she should come at the pouch,which did be upon my back.

  And she gat thence the comb that was a fitment, and did comb her prettyhair, and I to sit and talk with her, and to jest, with a heart that didbe so light as it had not been for a great while; for though I did dreadthe Humpt Men and the monstrous animals of the Country of Seas, I hadnot any abiding horror of aught that I had seen in that Country; forthere seemed a naturalness in all things, so that I did have noloathing; neither any fear of an Evil Force.

  And presently, when that the Maid had combed her hair, she to bind itupon her head; but I to ask that she leave it upon her shoulders,because that it did be so pretty; and she to smile at me, and to behappy to my pleasuring.

  Now we did be truly sedate, and to set our gear together; and I to putthe boots upon the Maid; and afterward we to begin again to journeydownward into the Country of the Seas.

  And we went at a
good pace; but not to bring us to any great weariness;for it was mine intent that we rest for our slumber upon this side ofthe place where did be the steam of the boilings, that was anigh to theshore of the sea, as you shall mind.

  And we at this time to be passing along the feet of the mountains, untothe place of the steam; and to go thiswise for six good hours, and stillto be a great hour off that part; for we went not so fierce as did bethe speed of mine outward way, which was utter strong, as you do mind,that have gone with me in all my journey.

  And so, when we had walkt six hours, we did be gone something beyond theeighteenth hour of that day's journeying; and to be very ready to ourslumber.

  Now, presently we found a tall rock, very hard to climb, that had a flattop so great as may be twice my length everyways; and this to be verygood to our purpose. And when we were come safe to the top, we to eatand drink, and presently to sleep, and to have the cloak under us, asdid be the will of the Maid; for the Country did be utter warm and nice,so that we had no occasion for covering.

  And surely, we waked, both of us when that we had slept seven goodhours; and we sat upward, and lookt newly each at the other; and to beas that we did each see the other anew in that good light, and to have afresh joy each in the look of the other. And she to come into mine arms,and to kiss and to need that she be kist; and truly, we both to have ourneed; but yet to be something the more hungry of the other, for thehaving.

  And Mine Own then to make our breakfast; and the water to fizz verystrong and surprising; and we to eat and drink, and to be utter happyeach with the other, and to talk on this thing and that, and the Maid tolook about, as we eat; and she to look afar off at the wonders and thenewness of the Country to her knowledge; but I to look near, lest therebe any danger that might be anigh.

  And in a while, Mine Own to draw my gaze to the Mountains that the Gorgecame through. And, in verity, now that I did look in ease, I to see withher how that they did be truly monstrous, even as a monstrous wall thatdid go upward for ever until that they were gone out of the light ofthat Country, into the dark night of the deathly Upper World, that didbe lost an eternity. And I to mind that I had some vague thoughtsthiswise, on the outward way; but now I to have ease, and the Maid tospeak with, and so to perceive odd matters the more. And I to tell youthis little thing, so that you shall perceive the way that restfulnessdid be upon me, by compare with the Outward Going.

  And, truly, we had no great speed with our talk and with our eating; butin the end did make somewhat to hurry, because that we did be consciousthat we leaned to slackness. And indeed, we came down then pretty speedyfrom the rock where we did sleep; and had forward to our way at a goodpace.

  And when we had gone a while, we to begin to hear the far hissing of thesteam and the noise of the upward burstings of waters that did boil; andthe sound to be very strange; but I to have heard it before, as you doknow; so that it to trouble me the less than the Maid. And I to assureher; and she to come nigh to me, and thiswise we to enter presently intothe steam.

  And we went then for more than three hours; and I had the Maid to myback, that I should be the first; and this I did, that she have nodanger to walk into a boiling pool in the mazingness of the steam, whichwas everywhere. And I to be something guided in my path by the shore ofthe sea which did be unto our left alway; only that we could see neitherthe sea nor otherwise, except that we go so close that we near into thewater.

  And, truly, the sea to seem to boil in parts, and there to be hot poolsin all places; so that who should say with ease whether we did go by oneof the great hot pools or by the true sea. And this, our constantpuzzle, shall be likewise to you; and you to perceive how that we did goutter wary.

  And about us from every part there did come the strange burstings andshriekings and whistlings of the boil of the waters breaking upward fromthe deep world. And odd whiles the sounds to be as of great monsters;and the earth to shake under us; and other-whiles there to be a hush andonly the steam about us, and somewhere in the distance and uncertainnessa low piping of some steam cranny, very strange and lonesome-sounding.

  And when it did be somewheres nigh upon the fourth hour, we came out ofthe thick steam; and the pipings and the roarings to be to our rearward;and soon the steam to be gone thin, as but a mist, and the noises to bevery far-seeming; and presently we to be come clear out into the air ofthat Country.

  And the Maid now to perceive the trees, which did be in great forestsunto our right hand, while that the shore of the sea did go alway uponour left. And she to be utter in wonder of the trees; and to need thatshe pluck branches, and smell of them and look at each leaf; and so tobe all stirred; for never in that life did she to have seen such amatter as those great trees did be; but yet to be all stirred by vaguememories that did seem no more than dreams. And you to think but amoment, and to perceive how the thing did be with her; and you to havebeen likewise stirred, if that you did be so strangely waked in a cornerpart of the heart; though but a little matter to wake you.

  Now when the sixth hour did be full come, we made a halt in a wiseplace, and had there our tablets and the water; and afterward, the Maidbid me that I take her unto a warm pool that did be near by, and to askthat I turn from her, but yet to be anigh for her Protector, as I did beever.

  And so she to wash and to make herself happy with a sweet cleanness thatdid be proper to her; and afterward, when she did be done, she to actwatch whilst I to mine; and to help me in all matters, that she wasable; and truly, I to be happy indeed that she did so have delight toattend upon me and to treat me mother-wise; yet truly with hermaid-heart not all hid, as you have perceived, this time and that.

  And surely thus did we go alway in these matters; and oft that I havenot space to have told; and oft that you shall remember, if that I do betoo full of other happenings to give heed to tell upon.

  And afterward we to our journeying again; and to talk upon this thingand that thing; and I to be watchful as we talked, and to tell the Maidthat she keep her eyes wary, but yet not to be of unease.

  And when we did go thiswise for seven good hours, we were come nighopposed to the bright-burning fire-hill that did be offward in the sea,and had made me a warm light in that time when I did sleep in the tree,as you do remember. And truly, as I shall here mind you, we did be pastseven hours coming to this place, from the part where the steam did be;yet had I gone that space upon the outward way at a speed that wasgreater; but truly I might not set so great a pace to the Maid, save,mayhap, odd whiles; and this thing I beg that you have alway in yourmind, and so to understand why that we did be oft long upon this part ofthe journey and that, by compare with mine outward going.

  And, in verity, I had set off our hour for food, because that I saw wedid come nigh to the place where the tree did be; and I to know that theMaid should like to eat and drink anigh to that place, and to know thatI did sleep there.

  And surely I took her to the tree, and when that I told her, she to begme that I indulge her and that we go upward to that branch where I didsleep, and there to eat our tablets.

  And I to be willing, and to enter into her wishing; for, indeed, therewas no danger in the climb, and I to go alway below her, so that I couldbe surety for her safeness. And we came up to the great branch; and sheto make how we should sit, and I to have to show just where I did lie,and she to look very close, and to see that my weight had surely markedthe hardness of the armour upon the bark; and she then to be upon thatbranch alone, as she did eat and drink; and to look outward at the lightfrom the fire-hill, and to be very husht, and to think, and I not todisturb her with speech.

  And when she did be done, she gat from the branch, and kist the placewhere I did lie; and lo! in a moment a thought came into her, and shedrew her knife, and cut out a piece of the bark, and put it into herbreast to be for a keepsake; and so to seem somewise contented.

  And truly, I told her about the great beast, when we were come downagain to the earth; and she to cry out and to show me that there did beyet the mark whe
re the belly of the monstrous beast did brush upon theearth, as it ran, and moreover the broken places of the foot-marks; andshe by this to see how great a beast it did be; but yet did it be alittle thing beside the Slug; only that it did be a thing of horn andhardness of skin, as you have perceived.

  And truly, I do mind how that the observings of the Maid did bring verykeen to me how that there had past but seventeen days since that I didgo onward from this place; and this to seem very strange and scarcecredible unto me; for I had thought it, somewise, as a great time; andtruly this to be because it was so marked by stress of the mind andgreat happenings; and you to agree in this thing. But yet, also, weshall truly mind that those times that I have called days, did hold oftthe hours of two days, and mayhap three, as you do remember. Now wewent onward then to our journeying; and I to make to carry the Maid, asever, after that she had walked twelve hours, though she did walkthirteen hours this time as you have seen. And she to say that she gonow upon her own feet through the next six hours, and so to ease me fromthe labour that did be needful to carry her.

  But I to know how that she did be like to be all gone of her strengththiswise, in but a day or two, and we to make the better speed, if thatI keep to my way, and to have her to walk twelve hours of every journey,and afterward to come into mine arms; for, truly, she did be bred lesshardy than I, as you shall think from all that I have told concerningthe Peoples of the Lesser Pyramid; and moreover she was yet somethingweakened, as I did think, by the dreadful month of her lonesomeness andescapings, before that I was come to succour her.

  And truly, as I did carry her, the Maid did make remark of herwonderment concerning me, in that I did be so hard of my body and set inthe determination of my mind. And, in verity, I did be exceeding strongand of great hardness of body; and mayhap my will did be somewhat thisway also, else do I think I had never borne to come unto Mine Ownthrough so much desolation. And I to smile very happy upon her; for Idid love that I was so strong, and very truly in delight that Mine OwnMaid did take gladness in this thing. And you to mind how you did bealso in the love-days; and so to have nice understanding of mynaturalness and human pride.

  And surely the Maid did nestle unto me, as she did talk; even, somewise,as a Child shall come nigh to the Mother, but yet also as a Maid dothlove to be nigh unto her Man, if that she doth truly love. And I to lifther more nigh to my lips; but she to refuse to kiss me, and to be aSweet Impertinence that did lie in mine arms; yet when I did make tolower her again to the way that had her easy to carry, she to slip herpretty face very snug under my chin, and to kiss me there, after her ownfashion; and afterward to be willing that she be as usual into minearms.

  Now, as I set the Maid again comfortable, it seemed to me that she wassomething tender; and sudden it came to me that mayhap the armour to bevery hard and painful unto her; and I to ask this thing of her, in amoment; and she to see that I would not be put off; and so to tell me.And, truly, I was utter angered with myself; and somewise also with her,in that she did not waken mine unthinkingness to this thing.

  And I set her instant to the earth, and made her to bare her shouldersto me; and truly they did be much bruised where that she had lain so oftin mine arms, against the hardness of mine armour.

  And I to be so angered that I near shook her, and she to see how I didbe, and that she did be nigh to be shaken, because that I was grown soangry that she should let herself come to this foolish hurt, that yet Idid know was very dear unto her secret heart. And, in truth, she put upher lips to me, very sudden, and with a strange naughtiness, that shehave her own way with me to tempt me from mine anger, that yet she didhalf to like. And, in verity, I near slapt her then upon her prettyshoulders, but that she ceased from her tempting of me; and instead sheturned her shoulders to me, even as a child, that I button her garmentfor her.

  And surely, when I had buttoned her garment, she came round unto me, andclosed her hand, so that it did be a little fist, even as I did love herto do, because that it was so small beside my great hand.

  And she slipt her shut hand into mine; and surely I let it stay within,very quiet, and made not to close upon it, as I did wont. And the Maiddid move her hand around in mine, that she make me to take notice uponher, and to grasp her little fist. Yet I did be very stern, for I wastruly angered; and neither did I put her hand from mine, nor made tohold it; but only to let it bide; yet, truly, I to be something stirredin the heart-part by her pretty ways.

  And in a little while, she took her hand from out of mine, and did havedaring to be cold unto me. And mine anger then to be quaintly renewed,and to think that she did well need to be whipt. And she made a naughtyand foolish impudence upon that which I said to her; so that presently Idid say that she did need such as should make her to heed her manners;but yet, as you shall conceive, I to know inwardly all that time howthat even this true naughtiness did not stir me to proper anger; butmore that it made me masterful and to lack not that I make her to knowtruly that I did be her Master; and in the same time to be strangelytouched in a very deep and secret place of my heart. And truly love dothhave strange actings upon the heart.

  And the Maid to ask me in a very saucy fashion that did be intentionedto anger me, what I did mean that she to need. And truly I said that shedid go the way to earn that she be flogged like any boy, and I to meanactual all that I did say, which doth something amaze me now; but, as Ido know, I yet to be constant stirred inwardly by her beloved quaintnessthat did be alway so dainty, even when that she did mean her naughtinessto be truly to anger me.

  And lo! when I told the Maid this thing, that she did well go to earn asharp reproof, she turned in a quick instant, and came close to me, alltender and small and to need to be nigh to me. And she slipt both herclosed hands into the one of mine, and truly they did be little fists.And because I could be no more stern with Mine Own, I put mine arm abouther, and she did nestle to me, so that all my being did want to be ashield about her.

  And she to hark very quiet and humble to my counsellings; and in theend did be so strangely husht that I lookt down to where her pretty facedid be hid against mine armour, as she did love to do, when that I didbe those odd whiles a little stern with her. And I held her face awayfrom mine armour; and surely she did be smiling, very quiet and naughty;so that I perceived that she did be good only for that time, and did belike to show again this wrongful and impudent spirit. Yet I not then tobe in trouble of the future; but to hope only that I do wisely, if thatshe show again this waywardness. And, truly, I to perceive now that Idid be very young; but, anywise, as you do know, I to act alway from thenatural telling of my heart.

  And I shook Naani a little, for this naughty spirit which did not begone from her. For I perceived that my manhood had but stirred the womanin her to that strange quick humbleness that had seemed to be aquenching of her wayward unwisdom; and truly it had not been stilled,but only sunken for a little moment in the uprising of her dear nature,which had responded unto me.

  And the Maid to look at me from under her lids, as I did shake her withgentleness; and I to know that Mine Own did be a wondrous maiden, fullof all life and spirit, and to be held wisely and to be loosed wisely,all as did be for the best to bring out the uttermost of her goodnesswhich did be in all her being, and to be very lovely; and to make mefeel as that I did be a giant that held a white flower very tender; butI to feel also that I did be her Master. And this mayhap you tounderstand, if that you look into your hearts.

  And by all my telling, you to know that I did be very dainty with MineOwn Maid that did be all of daintiness; but yet I to be masterful, asdid be my nature, and a very proper way it did be with the Maid, so thatshe did be alway reasonable in the main; and this to come out of herlove, which did have pleasure to know that I did be Master unto her, allin the same while that she did fight to show that I did be otherwise.And truly, and in part by this same showing, you shall perceive that hernaughtiness to come likewise from her love, and the way that my naturedid work upon her.

  Now I to shake
the Maid very gentle, as I have said, and with much thatdid be of play, but in the same wise there to be also somewhat of tenderreproof. And surely, that naughty maid to spring very light upon hertoes, and had kist me sudden and dainty upon the mouth, before that Idid wot.

  And I to put mine arm about her, and to give her a little hug; andimmediately then to matters that did be practical; for I was eager tohave come across that stony part of the journey, that did be before us,as you do know, before that we look for a place for our slumber. Andthis eagerness of haste to be, because of the great bird things which Ihad seen to go bounding over that waste, when that I was upon mineoutward way.

  And, surely, after that I had thought a little moment, I bid the Maidthat she dress in her torn garments, so that these should be over thetop of the armour-suit, and thiswise to make a soft thickness upon thetop of the armour-suit, that should act for a cushion between minearmour and her dear body.

  But indeed, the Maid would nowise to do this thing; and I not to makeher, because that my heart perceived how it did be with her. And herreasons to be someways mixt, as doth be proper in all humans, and themore so when that it doth be a maid that hath reasons, as you to know,if that you have ever held such dear perverseness in your arms.

  And she, as I could know, to be strangely in love that her gentle bodybe bruised by the hardness of mine armour; and if this might not be, sheto be not wishful that she wear her torn clothing upon her neat suit andso to seem careless and to lack to be dainty in mine eyes; for, indeed,she did be alway to wash herself and to make tidiness; and she to have away now that she did set the armour-suit upon her, that had it to seemdifferent, and she to have set a little sprig from the trees upon herbreast, and in her girdle, and so to seem the more of a maid; and surelya man doth know and love these things; but not alway to have fullknowing how that they be done. And, indeed, you to be likewise with mein this thing. And we all to think we know, but somewise to be justa-lack when that it doth come to the proof.

  And, in verity, the Maid to find a way that she be eased of the hardnessof the armour; and I to have come to the same thing in the same moment;but truly I do think she had been able to think upon it a long while, ifthat she had been so desired.

  And truly, this was but that I fold the cloak very thick across minearms and breast, and to take her then into the little nest that did beprepared.

  And, surely, now that the Maid might no more have her secret wish thatshe lie close against mine armour, she to be helpful, and to have thecloak folded so in a very quick while; and so to be into mine armsagain; and we to be once more upon the journey, and she to nestle to me,as that she did hunger to be nigh to me; and she to talk with me, oddwhiles, and odd whiles to be silent.

  And once, I to think that she wept a little; and to know that she did belike to think upon her father and her own Peoples; but she to have herface turned to me, so that I could but guess upon this thing; and shevery soon to be husht again of this sorrow, and to lie content in minearms.

  And once, when that I had carried her for three hours, she to ask methat I kiss her; and truly I did kiss her, very gentle and withreverence, because that my heart did understand the holiness that did bein her heart in that moment.

  And, surely, as I kist her, she to kiss me very tender; and I to knowthat some olden memory did be like to stir in her. And in a moment, sheto take her lips from mine, where she had let them to nestle very light,and did whisper mine olden love-name; and I then to look at her, and hereyes to shine as the olden stars that did shine in the olden summers.

  And I to be too shaken even that I kiss her. But she to put her armsabout my neck, and to look steadfast into mine eyes. And immediately,after that she had lookt awhile, and I to have ceased from walking, sheto put her hands upon each side of my face, within the metal of minehead-gear, where the guards did come down at the sides; and she to kissme very sober upon the lips; but yet to mean utter by that kiss. And Inot to return the kiss; for I saw that it did not be her need.

  Now, in the beginning of the fourth hour, as I did go with the Maid, Ito see afar off one of the half-bird monsters, that I did see beforeupon this place where there did be naught save great stones and bouldersfor a great way that did be many miles.

  And truly, I to hide very swift with the Maid, where two great bouldersdid come together; and surely the bird-creature to go past at no greatway, and to go with a great bounding, that did be half of flight andhalf of leaping, as that it did be too weighty in the body to make tofly proper.

  And, indeed, I to have a sudden memory how that there did be a picturein some book that I did read in the Mighty Pyramid, where it did showsuch a bird-thing as this; and to make remark in the book that thesethings had been seen no more in the Night Land for a score thousand ofyears, or more; and to be extinct, as we do say.

  But, indeed, now I do think that they did be come downward to that warmCountry, a great while gone, and so to have new life and to breedthrough a great age, and this way to have set a pattern unto the Humans.And, in verity, it might be that in some age that did be far after thattime, the Humans to find some way to journey from the Pyramid, and tobuild a new Refuge in that deep Country; and mayhap the Humans thiswiseto have a new space of life, after that all the Night Land did be deadand lost in the bitter frost of Eternity. But this, indeed, to be nomore than an odd thought; for how might any great multitude pass theMonsters; and I to ask that you take it for nothing of fact, but only asof my suppositions; and thiswise to come back again to happenings.

  Now, when the bird-thing did be gone a long way off, I to go forwardagain with Mine Own, and to have a new care, and to look very swift andfrequent everyway.

  And, truly, it did be as that the creatures did inhabit that part of theCountry; for in an hour after that, I to see a good score. And, I tofree the Diskos from my hip, and to have it ready in mine arms besidethe Maid; and so to journey.

  And many times I to have to hide with Mine Own, and to crouch low amongthe rocks and the boulders; and this way to escape free of all for agreat while.

  Yet, when that the fifth hour did be nigh gone, I heard a noise suddento my back, as we did go over a clear space. And, in verity, there didbe one of the monsters that came upward over certain rocks that were tomy rearward; and surely it to have been stayed hid there, or resting,and to have heard us or to have smelled us; but anywise then to haveknowledge of us, and to come with low and brutish heavy boundings, verylumbersome, after us.

  And I lookt everyway in a moment; but there was nowhere any shelteranigh. And the Maid to leap sudden from mine arms, that I be free withthe Diskos; and I to look swift to her, and to see that she have herknife ready in her hand, that she might chance to aid me. But surely Imight not fight in ease of mind, if that Mine Own did be needless indanger; and I caught her very quick by the waist, and set her upon theground between my feet. And she to make half to refuse; but I to have notime for explaining, and to be sharp that I have her safe; so that Igave her a little shake that did sudden to make her feel the strength inme; and she then to be instant quiet in my hands, and to let me that Iset her upon her face, and to cast the thick cloak above her; and in amoment to be stood over her, and to set down the visor of minehead-gear, lest that the bird-monster strike me in the face.

  And surely, the bird-thing did be scarce an hundred good paces off; andto make two lumbering and monstrous bounds, and to come at me.

  Yet, truly, it made sudden a pause, because that the Diskos did roar andsend out fire, as I made it to spin; but in an instant the great thingto come in at me upon the left side, and to strike me very hard with thebill, that did be so long as mine arm, and had surely gone through mybody, if that I had been naked. And the bill of the monster rang uponmine armour; and it smote me twice thiswise, so that I staggered verysick and shaken. But in a moment, as it made to draw off, that it shouldcome the more hard upon me, I swung the Diskos very sure and quick, andI smote the Bird-thing above the place where the great seeming-leathernwing did join upon the ri
ght side, as it should be the shoulder of theBird-monster. And, in verity, the monster gave out a mighty squarking,and went backward this way and that, and beat all about upon the stones,and did strike with the great bill at the place where it did be hurt.And I heeded that I end it swiftly; and I ran in upon it, and thecreature to strike at me with the great bill, very savage. But I jumptspeedy to this side, and again to that, and so in a moment to havechance to come in surely. And truly I split the skull of theBird-thing, so that it died very quick and was gone from pain.

  And the Bird-creature lay all spread upon the stones and the rock ofthat place; and surely it did be as that it were leathern, and madesomewise as a bat doth be of this age, in that it did have no feathers.

  And, truly, it lookt mighty, where it did be spread; and indeed the bodyto be full so big as the body of a young horse; and the bill to be verydeadly and sharp and cumbrous, as you to have guessed. And I to be alland utter thankful that it did be there, dead, in the stead of mine ownbody. And the thing yet to twitch and stir a little, as the life did gofrom it.

  And surely I was back then very speedy to the Maid, and she to bekneeled upward to watch me. And I took her into mine arms, and looktwell about; and made then forward again.

  And about the middle part of the sixth hour of crossing that rocky land,I saw that we did draw near unto the shallow river, that you shall mindI came over, after that I had done with the olden flying ship. And inall that time, since the Bird-monster to come after us, I had seen buttwo more, and they a great way off, so that I guessed that I was comebeyond that part where they did go very frequent.

  And I to wade over the river, and to carry Mine Own upon one arm, thewhile that I did sound my way with the staff of the Diskos; and truly Icame across very easy, save that I did have to go around somewhat, wherethat the river did seem to have a deep place.

  And when that we had crost the river, it did be full one and twentyhours since that we slumbered, as you shall know, if that you but counta little; for you do mind that we spent a certain time within the tree,as I have told; and this not to have been proper counted into the timeof our journeying.

  And surely, the Maid to have been very quiet, since that I did show mystrength a little to her, when that I made her to lie, that she be safefrom the bill of the Bird-monster. But she not to be anywise in angerupon me; but only, as I do think, that the woman in her did be somethingfresh waked unto me; and she to be very content that she be quiet inmine arms.

  Now the place that we were come to, was much spread with boulders; butyet to have the beginnings again of the forests, as you to remember; forI to have made some small remark of the land in this part, upon mineoutward way. And we lookt about for a fire-hole, that I should dry mylower garments; and truly, we had not past many in a great while; but weto be in fortune, that we came soon upon a little fire-hill that did beno more than so high as a man, and to have the rock all hot about; sothat this did be a good place to our purpose.

  And I kist the Maid, and set her down out of mine arms; and when that Ihad lookt well about, and seen that there did be naught to our sight togive us to fear, the Maid to help me with mine armour; and afterwardwith my garments, and to ease me all ways that she could think of withhelpfulness. And she set the garments of my lower parts to dry, andwhilst that they did be drying, she to make ready the water and thetablets, and to have me to sit beside her, in my body-vest and gear, andwe to eat and drink very comfortable in the warm hollow that wassomething anigh to the small fire-hill.

  Now, truly, I did be very hungry that time, and indeed to be alway so,for the tablets did be very unfilling to the belly, as you do well knowfrom my tellings. And when that I did be finished, I saw that the Maidlookt at me somewise oddways, and sudden she to come into laughter, andaskt me whether that I did be very empty; and in the same moment thereto be a wondrous dear look within her eyes; so that I perceived thatthere went a mother-note under her impudence.

  And she to yearn, as I could know, that she have some way to feed me;but truly there did be no way, for we thought not to make to slay aughtfor our purpose, and we did be feared that we eat any root or plant,lest that we be ill. And this to seem strange to my spirit of this ourage, but to be natural unto that; so that I do think I did be so longbred from the primal obtaining of food, that I did be all lost to thatwhich should seem natural unto the peoples of this early age of theworld; though we truly to think that the world doth even now be old; andthis to have seemed a true thing unto every age that ever did live.

  Now, beside that we did lack somewise to think serious that we slaysomething to eat, in that the tablets did actually suffice to ourstrength, I to believe that there did be some other reason that I doforget, and mayhap never to have thought plain upon; but which to be setwithin me as an instinct, as we do say; and this to mean, if that I tryto set it in other words, that the tablets did keep the body and thespirit in such condition that the Forces of Evil did have the less powerto act upon us.

  Yet, have I no remembering that I was taught in the preparation that Ieat naught, save the tablets; and this mayhap never to have been setupon me; but to have been as a thing that doth never need to have beentold; even as you shall not tell a grown man in this Age that he shallrefrain from dung, and eat only wholesome matter.

  And truly, I to hope that I have made this thing somewise clear untoyou; for, indeed, it doth be something hard to set out; for every Agehath the subtleties peculiar to that Age; and these to be hard to theunderstanding of other Ages, but yet to seem plain and utter natural,even without thought, unto the Peoples of the Age.

  And surely all this to be plain to you, and to be over-plain; for, inverity, I tell to you, and over-tell, until that I should be weary; andmayhap you to be the more so. And, indeed, I not to blame you; but onlyto hope that your understanding, which doth mean also in general yourhearts, doth be with me all along my way. And, indeed, this my tale tobe not easy told.

  And, in verity, I to be back now unto the Maid a-laugh upon me, and inthe same moment deeply loving and a-lack that she could not feed me, andI to laugh with her, and to have understanding with her, as you to know;and, indeed, I to have an heart that doth be made someways natural untounderstanding; so that even though I be dead when you read this, mytale, you to feel that we be friends, and to know that could I meet withyou in pitiful trouble, I to have understanding and love to you, if thatyou be not utter brutish; and even-so, I to be sorrowful that you shouldbe brutish, and to have understanding, in that I to know that bydevelopement you to become wise unto sweetness and charity, and in lovewith all dear things, and kind pity of the rest. And thiswise you to bein human sympathy with me, because that you do feel that I be honestwith you, and somewise even now to your elbow, as you read. And this tobe writ now, and you mayhap not to be born a great while yet; but in theend to read and to have understanding with me, and to know how I didlove Mine Own. And so we to go forward again, the closer, in that we dobe the more knit in dear human sympathy.

  And surely the Maid kist me very nice on the lips, and did promise againhow that she should make me a great meal when that we did come to ourMighty Home; and, indeed, as she to say, she to join with me, and weboth to be naughty gluttons for that once. And, surely, I laughed gentlyat the Maid, because that she should be so dainty a glutton; but for mypart, I to feel that I could eat an horse, as we do say in this Age.

  And by that we had eat and drunk and talked awhile, and lookt oft about,so that we know that no brutish thing came near, to our hurt, the Maidto tell me that my garments did be dry; and she then to give me aid thatI dress very quick; and afterward she to help me with mine armour, thewhich she did wipe after that we had eat and drunk; and she to have hadjoy that she do this thing, and all things for me; and to have used apart of her torn garments to this end.

  And so, truly, I to be clothed and armed very speedy, and to feel easedand the more sure in my mind; for in verity, I was alway in unease, whenthat I did not be ready that I be able to meet any horrid Brute th
atshould be like to come upon us.

  Now, when that I did be into mine armour again, the Maid to set thescrip and the pouch upon me, and all the while I scarce to be loosed ofthe Diskos, as ever. And we then to our way, which did be that we find aplace proper to our slumber.

  And when that we did be gone all-ways, and no cave proper to our sight,we found a great tree, that did be set off alone, and had a plenty ofbranches; but none that did be near to the bottom-part.

  And surely, I gave the Maid a lift, and held her up so far as mine armsdid go, so that she might stand upon the palms of my hands, and besteady against the trunk of the tree; and she thiswise to have a holdupon a branch, and so to go upward.

  And, truly, when that she was safe, I loosed one of the straps from thepouch and the scrip, and I cast this up to the Maid, and she set itstrong about the branch. And when I had caught the downward end, I wentupward very easy; and afterward took loose the strap; and this way wedid be something safe, as you shall see.

  And we climbed upward then, and so came to a part of the tree where thebranches did be very thick together; and we made here a place for ourslumber, and the Maid set the cloak over the branches that did be soclose, and afterward we lay down; but first I set the strap about herwaist, and thence to a branch, and she to refuse sleep until that I belikewise; so that we did be both very safe from any fall.

  And she kist me, and we then to our slumber, and very weary; for it didbe two and twenty hours, by this, since that we had sleep.

  Now we had eight hours in which we slept utter; and we both to awake, asit did seem in the same moment; but truly, I to think that Mine Own didbe wakeful before that time; for, indeed, as she put her arms verydainty about my neck, that she kiss me, I did have a quick and suddenknowledge that I had been kist oft in my sleep, and this to have beenbut a little while gone. And surely, it did seem to me that Mine Own didhave a sweet and contented Mischief inward of her eyes; but yet she tobe very sedate outward, and to kiss me loving and dear, and then we toour breakfast, upon the cloak.

  And afterward, I climbed to the topmost branches of the tree, and looktwell over the Country all about; but there was no brutish thing to mysight in any place, neither near nor far.

  And I came down then to the Maid, and told her how that there wasquietness of life all about. And we had our gear together, and wentdownward to the earth, and I to help Mine Own, and this way she to besafe.

  Now, as we went forward upon our journeying, I perceived that the Maidhad a wayward air; and truly, I thought that she did have her heart allset toward naughtiness and mischief; and in the same moment that I wasin this belief, I did know in mine understanding that this did springfrom the workings of my nature upon the nature of Mine Own Maiden.

  And Naani to walk, in the first, beside me, and to have no word for me,because that she did be so filled with the stirrings of her naughtiness,that did be in the same moment very sweet unto me, and yet to waken allthat did be masterful within me. And she to be that she did know, andto delight, in her secret heart that she waken that which did bemasterful in me; but yet in the same moment to be strong determined thatshe be not mastered by me. And surely this to seem contrarywise in thewords; but to be clear to the heart, if indeed you have ever been lovedby a dear maid of an high spirit.

  And above all this, the Maid did be filled with a love for me, that didbeat and dance in all her being; and this in truth to overweigh all; butyet from this same thing her dainty naughtiness to be born, because, asI did say, my manhood to stir all her nature up-wise in sweet troublethat did be half of rebellion, and half that she did ache that she beclose unto me in mine arms.

  And, in verity, you to be with me in all these things, if that you havehad the love-days beside a dear and dainty maid, of an high and pure andnatural spirit; so that if you be old these days, even but the lightmerriment of a passing maiden to bring a pain of wonderings and goldenmemories upon your heart.

  And presently, I saw that Mine Own put a little space between us, as thenaughtiness did work in her, as my heart to know; and she to be offwardfrom me a little. And she still to have no speech with me; but in alittle to begin that she sing in a low voice; and to have her prettybody very upright and lithesome, and to go forward with a wondrousdainty swing, so that my heart told me that she did all be stirred withsmall thrillings of defiance unto me, and with thrillings of love; andshe to have the triumph of her Maidenhood and of her Womanhood, as itwere both to contend in her and to thrill upon her tongue, and to showout the lilting and pretty warfare of her spirit that did go dancing anddearly naughty in her breast.

  And surely I went, very lifted in my heart, and astir; for it did bewondrous to me that this lovely Maid did be so utter mine. And to seebut the way that she set her feet to the earth, and the way that she didlift them sure and dainty; and the way that her body did be poised, andthe way of her head; and the way of her naughtiness and the sweetnessand the love that did be wrapt in with all, did make me want that I haveher in mine arms.

  But yet, I not to do this, because that in the same time that she did sostir me to love and admirings, she to set somewhat else in me atvariance, so that I did half to feel stern with her, for I perceivedthat she had that naughtiness then within her, that she did be like tohave a real intent of impertinence unto me, so that she should benaughtily outrageous, and to have no heed to my advisings, neither untomy desires, unless that I set my hand upon her, to _make_ her to obey.

  And truly, you that have had dear maids, shall follow mine explainings;but unto others, I know not whether they shall understand, until theytoo have been possessed of One that shall set all their heart adrift,even as this One that did be Mine Own.

  And sudden, I to know that Naani did change from her low singing unto anolden air that had surely not been heard in all that eternity. And inverity, for a little while, I not to know why that it did so shake allmy heart; nor what it did be; nor whether that I had truly heard itbefore, or only to think so.

  And, surely, it did be as that the silence of the olden moonlit worlddid steal all about me; and sudden, I to know that the Maid did sing anolden love-song of the olden world, and to go halting a little as shesang, because that the words did steal something odd-wise through thefar veils of her memory, even as a song doth come backward out ofdreams.

  And I to feel all my blood to seem to tremble in my veins, and my throatto be troubled, as with vague sobs that did be the ghosts of forgottentears. And the dim sorrow that had come so swift and strange upon me, tobe likewise steeped in golden mists of the love that I once did love;and the glamour to be come all fresh upon me, and I to know in thatmoment how much we do forget, even when that we do believe that we haveall memory and all sorrow within our hearts.

  And I lookt unto the Maid, something dimly, because of the way that Idid be; and I perceived in a moment that Mine Own did weep as shewalked; but the less with pain than with the strange anguish of Memory,that doth have in it Tenderness and Sorrow and Love and all that HathBeen and all that Did Never Be, and all to make a Vale unto the Spirit,where doth be both a dim greyness and a warm and everlasting light, andan utter speechlessness, and the low and far music of forgotten songs,that do come downward over the shadowy mountains that do be builded ofYears and Forgetfulness, and yet made to be seen with the light of thatour Memory, which doth cast so many husht shadows.

  And surely, as I did say, the Maid did weep as she went; but not to becast down; but rather that she held her head upwise, as that she didwalk in a glory. And the song to come oft-broke, and oddly, and to sether voice to little human quiverings, as her memory did shake her sweetspirit unto tears afresh; and she to walk with her pretty head upheldand as that she did go in a Triumph; and the tears to come downstrangely upon her face, and all her soul to be there, pure andwondrous, and in the same time both troubled and glad.

  And this thing to be very dear and amazing; and she to be as that shenot to know then that she sang; but as that she did be lost in herthoughts, as we do say, and thi
s to have come sudden upon her, out ofall her upliftedness of spirit, that had been like to make her very openunto all subtile and subtle powers of thought and inward stirrings, asyou shall think.

  And again the song to come full-remembered, and fresh, as that thisEternity did be but the yesterday of that moment. And Mine Own to beall in a sweet madness with those half-dreamed memories, and the wonderand pain of all that no man hath ever said, and that shall be neversaid; and of the utter lost years, and all that hath been lost, and allforgotten greatness and splendour, and the dreadfulness of parting, andthe loveliness of beautiful things that do be hid in the abyss of theyears.

  And it did be sudden to my quickened fancy, that there did be low echoesall about us, of the voices of dear beautiful ones that have died; forso did memory set a strange and lovely mystery about my spirit in thatmoment, that I did be all shaken so much as Mine Own. And I to be asthat I drew my breath anigh to tears, and did be there with Naani amidthe quiet spareness of the trees and the rock of that part of the land;but yet did be to see half dimly that I stood within a light, even asthe light that doth be the wonder of olden sunsets; and I to be, in thesame time, both _that_ man and _this_ man that now doth write; and tohave beside my spirit but one maid, that I did lack to know whether Isay to her Naani or Mirdath; for though the two that have been Mine Owndid be different-seeming to the eye, there to be but the spirit of onemaid beside me in that moment.

  And surely, I did be there, all shaken unto the seeing of visions, as itdid seem; so that the Land about me to have grown half as that it didlack that it be real unto my sight, because that I lookt inward untoLands that did be of Memory. And lo! in a moment this to go; and I to bein that Country of the Seas, and to look newly unto Naani, and she to goas I have told; and there to be the lonesome trees and the rocks in allparts for a great way about.

  And sudden, as I lookt at Mine Own, she to come round unto me, and sheheld out her arms, and did gaze at me with such a love, as that she weretransfigured, and to need strangely that she be in mine arms; andsurely, I to an holy need that I have her unto me, because that, afterall, there did be no wonder so great as that wonder, that when all didbe said I did have Mine Own, after that all Eternity had nigh past.

  And, in verity, we ran each to the other, and did be silent, becausethat there was no speech of words by which we could say aught of allthat did be in our hearts. And truly you to be with me in understanding;for you too, mayhap, to have suffered thiswise of dumbness; even if thatit hath not been so great. But yet to make you to know.

  And presently, we grew quiet in the spirit; and Mine Own to come backagain to her joyousness, and to go beside by me, as we made forward.

  And presently, Naani to begin that she look at me with dear impudencesagain, that did be very sweet unto me; but yet to be like to lead untodefyings.

  And truly, by these things shall you know the spirit of Mine Own Maid;and there to be none to me that ever did be like her. But, indeed, youto think thatwise of the maid that you did love; and all the world to bethinking each these thoughts of one dear maiden that doth be the onemaid in all the round world.

  And this to be the lovely niceness of the human heart; and I not to haveany grumble thereat; but yet, surely, you shall say that this Maid thatdid be Mine Own, did be very dear and lovely. And, in verity, I to showmy human heart in this thing; for you likewise to want that I think yourMaid to have been just so dear, and the more so. And indeed we ever tobe going these ways; and to have good comradeship of understanding,because that we have all loved and suffered joy and had utter belief ina dear One.

  And surely a defyingness to come presently into the way that the Maiddid go, and she to walk a little offward from me; and truly I lookt ather, both with love and yet with somewhat that did be to reprove hergently, and all in the same moment that she to make my heart stirredwith her sweet naughtiness.

  And she to look sudden at me; and to be that she half to intend to runto kiss me; but also that she be minded in the same moment that she setherself up impertinently against me. And, in verity, she made me toharden my nature a little, as manhood doth make a man to do; and thisbecause of the rebellion that I knew to be in her; and she likewise toknow. But she hid her eyes, when that I shook my head, half with playand half with earnest; and was then impudent unto me; and gone from thatin a moment to her pretty singing, and her naughty walking apart. Butshe no more to sing an olden love-song.

  Now, in a while, we past a basin of rock, in a place among the trees;and there was a warm spring bubbling in the rock, and the basin to befull of water, very warm and with some smelling of chemistry.

  And the Maid told me that she would wash, and I to think it a good placefor that end. And when I had tasted the water, I found that it did seemsmooth and proper for our intent, as that there did be a verity of analkali in it.

  And truly we washed, and after that I was done, the Maid bid me that Iturn my back; and I to do this, and she to mock me very naughty whilstthat I could not see her, and to seem very quiet; for indeed, I heard nosplashings of water, though I stood off from her a long while, and shealway to say naughty things unto me, as that she did mind truly to haveme angered; for, indeed, she did have a plain intent that she mock atme, and to ease not her wit. And surely, after that I had stood a greatwhile, I askt the Maid when that she did be like to be done; but she tosay that she was nowise ended of her toilets. And I knew very suddenthat she made foolishness upon me also in this matter; and I turnedupon her, and lo! she did be sitting upon a little rock, very sedate,even as when she had bid me turn from her; and to have made no moreforward, but only to have been there at ease, that she keep me turnedaway to please her naughty mood, and all the while have a double libertyto have impudence upon me.

  And, in verity, I did be a little angered; but scarce that I did knowit; for I did love her very great, and was stirred inwardly with herdearness and that she did look just that-wise that I knew not whether Ito need to kiss her, or to shake her; and truly, how should I know; formy heart did ache that I have her to mine arms; but my brain to say thatshe did go over-far in the joke; and truly you to see that I did not beunreasonable, neither to be lacking of grace; for indeed I do think thatI was swayed all-ways, because that I saw all the dear way that herpretty nature did work; and to conceive of her mood and to understandand be stirred; but yet to shape a little in my manhood unto hardening,and in my judgement unto sternness.

  Yet, truly, I scolded Mine Own with no more than a little jesting, anddid be nice and gentle with her, because she did be so dear, and I toknow just-wise her mood and the cause and working of it.

  And I told her that I did love her, and that she hasten now and let usagain to the journey. But, indeed, she only to make a face at me, sothat I did be near like to shake her unto sedateness. And she then to beboth merry, and a rogue, as we do say, and to stop her ears and again tosing very gleeful; and all so that she might not hear aught that I said.And surely she lookt a very dainty Rebellious One.

  And I went then straightway to her, and took her hands from her ears;and I kist her pretty ears very gentle that I not to deafen her. And Ikist her lips as she did sing; and afterward shook her, that she be notsuch a sweet Torment. But this to have no success that way; for she onlyto put out her toes to be kist; for her foot-gear was off from her feet.And, indeed, I laughed, even as I made to frown; and truly I kist herpretty toes, and tried then to coax her to go forward something speedywith her hair, and to be ready to the journey. But she only to sing, andto refuse to be sedate.

  And, in verity, in the end, I caught her up in mine arms, and had herbundle in my hand, and so went off with her very sudden, with her hairall loose upon me in a lovely and soft shining, and her feet bare asthey did be.

  And this action I made, because that I was grown truly a little sternwith Mine Own; for, indeed, she did half to need that she be whipt untoproperness, as you shall think, that have seen how she did be thiswiseonly because that her nature did be stirred strangely, and her Woman
hoodand her Maidenhood to be all unto war, and in part to make a rebellionagainst me that she did know glad to be her true Master; but yet she tobe thus, even though she did be so glad.

  And this to act so that she did be in the same moment both sweet andwise and yet to show a dainty foolishness and a true naughtiness thatdid make me to feel somewhat of a real anger; but yet did have me toknow that all my being did be stirred by her; so that I did think withone thought that she did be very foolish, and with another that she didbe lovely wayward.

  Now, when that I took the Maid up so quick, and made off with her, sheto give a little gasp and to submit to me with a quick humbleness; butimmediately, she to regain her courage, and to be outraged of me. But,indeed, I took no heed, only that I was like to shake her; and did knowalso that her hair did be wondrous pretty upon mine armour. And she soonto lie very quiet and easy in mine arms, and to be demure.

  And I to have a half knowledge of somewhat amiss; but yet to have nosureness, neither to think much upon this vague feeling.

  And when that I had gone a good mile, she to put up her lips to be kist;and I to kiss her very loving, for she was so dear. And she then to say,very ordinary like, that I should do wisely now if that I went back forher foot-gear, which truly I had lacked thought to notice, when that Idid pick up the Maid.

  And I saw that she had known this thing all that while, and had madethat mile of carrying all a waste and a foolishness, because of thenaughty rebellion which did be in her. And lo! I set her instant to theground; and she gave out a little cry as she saw that I did be gonesomewise hard and stern with her.

  And indeed I pulled a small branch from a tree that did be near, to befor a switch as you shall whip a boy with; and I held her with my lefthand, and in verity I laid the switch thrice very sharp across herpretty shoulders, that she know all that she did need to know. And sheseeming to be ceased in a moment from her perverseness, and did nestlevery quick unto me, that had whipt her; and did need that she bewondrous nigh unto me. And, truly, how shall even a young man flog suchan one.

  And the Maid to be very husht against mine armour, and to resist that Ilook into her face that did be prest so anigh me. But presently, I useda little and gentle force, and so to look into her face somethingsudden. And truly, that One did be smiling very naughty and dainty toherself; so that I perceived that I had not truly whipt her enough; butyet I could harden my heart no more at that time; for, in verity, theredoth be a strange half-pain in the bosom, if that you have to flog amaid that doth be utter thine, and this to the despite that there hathbeen--as then--no properness of anger to have for an afterself-reproach.

  And surely, I to have done this thing only of a stern intent andsteadfastness, that I steady Mine Own Maid unto wisdom; but yet to havebeen helpt by a little anger, because of the thing that she had done.Yet, alway, my love did be so strong, that mine anger never to haveaught of bitterness, as you shall have seen, and to understand.

  And we went back then for the foot-gear of the Maid; and she to be veryhusht in mine arms; but yet, as I perceived, not to be quiet, of anhumble little heart, but only of the chance that her nature did bestirred that way for the while.

  And truly, when we were gone back, the foot-gear did be there to theside of the pool, and the Maid gat shod very speedy, and would have noaid; and afterward did up her hair very tight upon her head, to have itutter from my sight; and this to be for a perverseness; for she knewthat I did love to see it pretty upon her shoulders, or if that she mustdo it, that she do it up very loose and nice; and truly you to know howI mean; only that I have no skill of such matters; but yet a good tasteto admirings, if that the thing be aright.

  And I to say nothing, as I looked at her; and she presently to make aquick glance unto me, to see why I did say naught. And I shook my head,smiling at her waywardness; but she to look away from me, and to seem tobe set to fresh naughtiness.

  Now we went forward then upon our journey; and alway the Maid to walkonward from me; but yet to have no other impudence, neither to sing.

  And I to go kindly with her; but yet to think that she did lack somewhatto know that I did be truly her Master; and I to wonder a little whethershe did know proper that my gentleness with her did be not of weakness,but born of understanding and love, and the more proof that I did be fitto possess and to guide her.

  And truly this was the thought of a young man, yet lacking not of Reasonin the bottom part, though mayhap to be something clumsy-seeming untothe mind of a maid; and to be very human to my years; and you to havebeen likewise, if that you have tried all-ways with a dear One, and sheto be yet over-wilful, so that you to wonder whether she did truly knowhow you did understand.

  And surely a maid doth know much that doth be in the heart of a man, ifthat she be true woman in her own secret heart. And oft she doth knowmore of her man than her man doth wot of himself, and to go her owndiverse ways that she search out and bring forth and waken all that isthe inward being of the man that she doth love.

  Yet, when that she have stirred you in the deeps that you scarce toknow, she to be all fearful, and in the same moment to have no fear; andto be in rebellion, and in the same moment to be most strange humble.And all to be born of love, and nature in action upon nature.

  And more than this how shall I have learning of the heart to tell you;for, in verity, there doth be much in these few lines, if that you knowto read. And surely you to know, or to learn; but if neither, then haveyou gone short of joy and the true inwardness of life.

  Now this way I did be, as I have told; and the Maid to be quietlynaughty in perverseness, as also I have set out; yet to have a strictmind to her duties, and to go now wondrous sedate upon the journey; yetalway apart. And likewise, when that the sixth hour did come, and we toour halt, as ever, she to be very speedy and nice that the water and thetablets be ready for me; but yet to have no word; neither to eat by me;but again a little apart, and not to share the water, but to make abrewing to herself, when that I had done.

  And likewise, the Maid held not up her tablets to be kist, as alway; buteat them, quiet and meditative, and with little nibblings, as that shedid ponder upon other matters, or mayhap to be not hungry.

  And these things I saw, as we eat and drank in a silence; and I to lookat the Maid, somewise sad in the heart, and something stirred; and I tosay to myself wisely, yet as a young man, that she did not yet be taughtsufficient that I was her master. And this you to perceive.

  And she never to seem to look at me; but to be quiet and demure, and tohave her eyelids something down upon her eyes.

  Now, presently, as I thought upon the matter, I saw that I do well thatI take no heed of Mine Own; but to let her to come to a natural end ofthis naughtiness, that did be, in the same time, both pretty and alittle foolish; so that in half I condemned it and in half I wasstirred; and alway I loved the Maid very dear, and had a goodunderstanding; and there to be also an interest in my heart at this newside that she did be showing. And also, she to stir me odd whiles untomasterfulness; and so you to know pretty well how it did be with me inthe matter.

  Now, surely, I found this plan, that I attend not to the Maid, to havesomething of success; for I knew presently that she did look upward atme, slyly, from under her pretty eyelashes; and after, to be demure in amoment; and this to go forward for a while; yet I to show no heed.

  And in a while, I saw that she gave attention to her garments, in theway of nattiness; and afterward, she took down her hair, and made it upthen very loose and pretty upon her head; so that she did be verylovely, and to tempt mine eyes that they look alway at her. But, indeed,I did make as that I had no heed that the Maid did shape her hairdifferent upon her head.

  And she very soon then to speak, and to have the lesser gear together,and to make that she attract me. But truly, I was very nice with her;yet to keep her now a little off from me in the spirit; and so to teachher that-wise, that she was somewhat of a dear naughty maid; but also,as I do think, I was this way, because that in part I would tease
her,in great love of her prettiness and her makings up to me; and so maybeeven that I make her to be the more defying of me. And this to be asthat I also lacked somewhat of reason; for I did strangely that I thinkthat she need to be whipt, and in the same time that I go to make herthe more deserving of the same.

  Yet, this to be the truth, as I know it; and surely to be the naturalwaywardness of love. But yet, there did be also in the backward part ofmy wisdom, an intent that I be wise and careful with Mine Own; and Isurely to have no full realisings that I did be like to set her furtherunto perverseness than yet she did be.

  Now, after that I had shown well that I lacked to heed the Maid, I foundthat I did be looking oft at her; and she to be so dear and pretty, andto be all husht, that truly I could not bear that I be longer silent toher advancements.

  And I ceased then from pretending, and would have had her into minearms; but she to be now in sweet dignity, and to keep me off with verysober graces. And because of this, I to feel someway that I did besomeway in blame; and surely, now that I consider it, I can see that Iwas something acted upon, even as had been the Maid; and so we two tobe; and a most human pair, as you to say; and somewhat both a-lack; butindeed, we did be very wholesome, and in utter love each of the other;and mayhap both then to perceive something of the sweet foolishnesswithin us that did be as yeast a-work in us; for I thought that Naanidid smile a little to herself. But, surely, this clear-seeing, to be butfor an odd time; and afterward we each again to earnestness in our waywith the other; but alway, even when we did make to show indifference,we to be something troubled inwardly with sweet flashings of ourbewildered natures.

  Now, though I have shown you that I to know that I did be not utter freeof this most strange and natural foolishness; yet you to perceive that Itell this only that I have utter truth of all things that did happen;for, in verity, because that I was something subtly touched this way atwhiles, yet was this no full excusing of the Maid; though, in the samemoment, you to perceive, that there did be only the half of me to thinkthat she did need to be excused; for, in truth, mine understanding wentalway, in the main, with the workings of her nature; and had a naturalsympathy with her dear whimsies; but also, as you to know, I to bestirred constant in my manhood by her naughty defyings; and to betroubled in my Natural Sense, when that her whimsies made her to actthat she be likely to come unto aught of harm.

  And surely now you to see all the way of my heart, and to haveunderstanding in things that do follow. And alway you shall mind that Idid love her utter, and to crave alway that I be a shield unto her;though truly, there doth be, mayhap, somewhat in me that doth act tomake me a little stern seeming in my love; but yet not oft so; as you doknow, that have gone with me in all my tellings.

  Now, we went then upon our journey; and the Maid to be somewhat beforeme, and offward to the side, upon my right; and to have no speech withme, but to make a good pace, and to be very dear and graceful as shewent.

  And now we did pass this thing of strangeness, and now that; and these Idid point out to her, and made some telling concerning the same, havingthe memory of mine outward way, and how that I did see these thingsthen, when that I was all in suffering of so lonesome a doubt.

  And she to hark alway very intent, and to move her head nice andintelligent, to show that she heard me; and once I saw that she looktsudden at me with a dear light in her eyes; but this to be done in amoment, and she to be again silent-seeming and in her new perversity ofdignity.

  And surely she did seem so utter sweet in this new way of naughtiness;but yet I did think, odd whiles, that I should like to shake her untodear humbleness and her usual way.

  And in the twelfth hour, we made halt again, and had our food and ourdrink; and the Maid to serve me very clever and quiet, as that I did beher Lord, and she an husht slave. And I saw that she made a constant andnaughty mock upon me; and truly, as I did half think, she to need thatshe be in care that I not treat her sternly, as shall a slave-master,and to give her that which she did ask for so mute and impudent. Butalway she did stir me mightily to have her to mine arms, and to love hervery dear.

  And presently, we did be again to our way; and to be yet silent; so thatI scarce knew whether to have patience with Mine Own, or whether that Itake her and speak seriously with her to cease this play, which didbegin a little to dispirit me somewhat strangely.

  And in the end I went over to her, as we did walk, and I put mine armabout her, and she to yield to me without word, and to hark very quietto my speech of reasoning and gentle sayings, and to hide whether shedid be stirred inwardly, or not; though, indeed, my spirit to know thather spirit did never be afar off from mine in all deep matters; but onlythis thing to be to the top, and to set somewhat between us that did beboth a sweetness and a trouble.

  And alway, as I talked with the Maid, I saw that she did make naughtilyto act as that I did be a slave-master, and she but a chattel to me; forshe to be husht before me, and neither to yield her slender body willingto mine arm, nor to resist me; but only to be still, as that she had nosaying in this matter; and as that I was like to beat her at mypleasure, or to withhold my hand, all as might chance to be my desire.And this I perceived was the shaping of her actions, so that all herdumbness and her quiet obedience did be but a way to say this thing tome; and all to have come from her love of me and that she did be shakenin her nature by my manhood, and so to be but a new form of hernaughtiness, that did have this change when that I whipt her.

  And all this, you to perceive, that have gone with me.

  And I saw that she would not cease from this perverseness, but made adumb and naughty and hidden mock upon me, very dainty and constant, andscarce to be truly perceived, save by the inward sense. And truly, Igrew something angered afresh, and to feel that she did need that she beshaken so stern that she come unto the reality that I did be her man andnatural master; yet alway in love.

  And surely I loosed her then, and went off a pace to her side; and weagain to go forward thiswise; yet she soon to have a greater distancebetween us, which she made very quiet and natural; but, indeed, I sawwhat she did.

  Now, about the fourteenth hour of that journeying, I saw before us, inthe far distance, the rock upon which did be the olden flying ship, thatyou shall remember. And presently, as we came more nigh, I lookt oft toMine Own; and I saw that she did be staring that way, and to be inwonder; but yet to say naught to me.

  And soon, as we came very close, I did want that I tell her about theship, and of mine adventuring there, and of the wonder of that oldenship, set there through Eternity.

  But in the first, I hesitated, as you shall think, because of her way;but truly, my heart knew that her heart did be proper unto me; and,moreover, I should be small in my nature, if that I let any pettinessput a silence upon me; though, in verity, if that the Maid had not beeninwardly loving to me, I had been that I had told her no word; and thisto be very natural, whether it be of smallness or not.

  And when that we were come beside the great uprising rock, I made halt,and the Maid to halt with me; and I showed her how that the thing uponthe rock did be an olden flying ship from the Mighty Pyramid. And in thefirst, she askt no questions; but did be quiet and but to show withlittle noddings that she did be greatly interest.

  And I to show to her how that this olden ship did be there mayhap anhundred thousand years; and to have been there, as it did seem to us(that were of that age) since the beginnings of the world; though, inverity, our two spirits did know that the beginnings of That Age, did betruly the ending of This, as you also to know.

  And much I told Mine Own, and afterward concerning the two Humpt Menthat did come after me; and she alway to be silent, until that I spokeof the fight; but then to come round upon me very swift, and with a dearlight in her eyes; and had askt, before she did wot, whether they didhurt me.

  And surely, this to have been the first thing of her olden sweetnaturalness that she did say for a great while, and I to be so indelight, that I had her into mine arms, and kis
t her very loving, allin a moment, and she to submit with a nice gladness, and to nestle untome, and all unwitting that she did be gone from her waywardness.

  Yet, in verity, she did be a naughty Maid; for she minded in an instantthat she did forget her pose unto me; and lo, her lips did be no more tosearch unto mine, but to be as that they did be kist only of my will,and she to have no more live nestling unto me, but only to be quiet inmine arms. And I lookt into her face, and her lids to be down somewhatover her pretty eyes, and she did look very husht and demure; so thattruly, I knew not whether to shake her or again to kiss her.

  But in the end I loost her, and made then that we go forward; yet,indeed, she did rather stay awhile, to hark further concerning the oldenship and of mine adventurings; but she did then to mind that she obey asa slave shall obey; and truly, I did punish her, in that I told her nomore; but went forward at a good pace, and had some natural wonder howthat I deal with such a Maid, if that I spare to shake her.

  And surely, I thought then again that I leave her be, and so to have herpresently again to her old and natural way.

  Now, in a while, I lifted the Maid into mine arms, that I carry her, asever, through the last part of each journey, and so to have her neverover-tired for the morrow. And she for a moment to resist; but instantlyto give unto me, and to lie quiet in mine arms, as that she had nosaying in aught that did be done, but must alway obey. And, indeed, youto see how dearly perverse she did be.

  And I went on then through four hours from that time, and lookt oft uponevery side, and walkt quietly; for truly we were come now into a part ofthe Country where I did feel that there might be near some of the HumptMen.

  But I saw nowhere anything to put me in dread.

  And alway as we journeyed, there did seem a great stillness in all theCountry near about; and afar off the low mutter of the Great Fire-Hills,in this place and that, and a drowse as of life and warmth about us, andeverywhere the air very rich and plentiful.

  And presently, when that we did be come down from that high place wheredid be set the rock and the olden ship, we came in among the trees thatcame very nigh to the shore for a great way; and oft as we did go, therewere clumpings of small fire-hills that did cast fire and noise; and oftthe roaring of monstrous springs a-boil; and then again the smell of thewoods about us, and oft still in odd places the low near sound of alittle fire-hill, that did burn, lonesome, in some clear space of thewoods, in this place and that; and afterward we to be gone onward againinto the dull low mutter that did be in all the air of that Country, andthat did but make a seeming of silence, because that it did be so farand constant.

  Now, about the eighteenth hour I to note that the noise of the GreatFire-Hills grew more loud; and I saw presently over the trees, afarupward in the great night and gloom that did lie above, those two mightyFire-Hills that I did feel to make the earth tremble, in that part, uponmine outward way. And surely I have told something of this before; andyou to remember, if that you but think a little moment.

  Now, it may appear strange that I speak thiswise of seeing the two Hillsof fire; as that I had perceived them sudden. But, indeed, I had beenlong abled to see them both, yet to have had no attention to them,because that they did be a great way off, and because they did be buttwo Hills of fire, in a Country that did be plentiful with such.

  And, truly, I not to have said aught about them, only that our path didtake us now by their feet, and I to see them, as it were, newly; and tohave nice ease of heart to perceive how that they did be a wonder untothe spirit and the brain for all time.

  For it did be as that the earth had a constant shaking within miles ofthem, and that a monstrous force of nature did be in that place. But yetthere to be no desolation around, as you should think; but in all partsa wondrous growing of trees and great plants in abundance.

  And the trees to grow upward upon the shoulders of the mountain; andthere to be no falling of hot rocks and ash, as you to think; but allvery sweet and wholesome, as that the mighty valley made a chimney tothe mountain, and mayhap to others, so that their waste, if that theyhad such, did go free. But, indeed, you shall take no heed of thisexplaining, save as an odd thinking that hath come to me, and to bewithout foundation. And there to be no surety of the reason to this;only that there did be no falling of ash in that part, as I do know. Yetin other parts of that Country the Fire-Hills did make new mountains ofthe matter that did come from them; but this not to be alway so; andthere to seem to my knowledge no cause to order why this did not beconstant; save that my guessings to be right, or naught to be blown fromsome. But, indeed, I to be sure only of that which did be plain to mineeyes. And mayhap there to be no mystery in the thing; but a score ofnatural explainings, if that I did know, or had patience to think longenough upon such.

  Now when that the eighteenth hour did be proper come, we to be anigh tothe great Hills, and there to seem nowise any danger of falling fire, sothat I sought about for a place for our slumber.

  And I found a cave in the side of a big rock; and the cave was dry andcomfortable, and had the mouth about a score feet above the earth. Andwhen that I had climbed and lookt well into the cave, I gave the Maid anhelp, and had her safe into that place; and she then to prepare thetablets and the water, the while that I brought up a boulder from below,to set very light balanced in the mouth of the cave. And this I meantfor a signal to fall, if that any creature should climb upward into thecave, while that we did sleep. And surely, you to know this plan; for Idid it before, as you to have learned.

  And the Maid sat near to me, and eat her tablets very quiet and with ademure naughtiness; but yet to be also in wonder, and to gaze outward atthe Great Fire-Hills, and to be in awe, as I did know.

  And I put my half-anger and my play from me, and told her of mineoutward journeying, and how I did go by these same mighty Fire-Hills,that did seem as mighty torches to light me in my search, and to haveheld a new strangeness and wonder over my path.

  And she still to be silent, but yet to look at me twice or thrice with avery dear and loving way; though she did hide her eyes in a moment, whenthat she saw that I perceived her.

  And soon the Maid spread the cloak for our sleep; and while that she didthis, I lookt well about for any creature that might be anigh; and I hadan especial thought unto the Humpt Men; but, indeed, there was naughtliving, unto my sight, and nowhere did I see anything to put me in fearfor our lives.

  And truly I had a great viewing from that place; for we did be in anupward rock that stood in a high part, and the cave to be twenty goodfeet aloft, as I have told; so that all made to set us in a lofty place.

  And the cave to look toward the two Mountains that did rise upward nomore than twelve good miles off from us, as I do think; and the Countrybetween to be somewise as a mighty park; for it was spread much aboutthe feet of the Great Fire-Hills, and did be bare in this place andthat, as that rock did make the earth naked there, or the falling ofsome later fire to have wrought thus. And between the bare parts, therewent strange and romantic woods, seen mistily, and in parts the gleamingof waters, as that hot lakes did be half shown among the broken forests.

  And presently the Land did go upward with a monstrous sweep, and wasthen in great terraces in the height, and trees to grow very plentifulupon the mountains, in sundry parts; and so those two Mighty Hills to goupward to meet the everlasting night; and presently to show strangeuplands that did be seen very wondrous and queer in the light that didglow from the vast glowing of the fire that did be a crown upon thehills, that did seem in verity to be that they burned halfway betweenthat known world, and the lost olden world, that was mayhap two hundredgreat miles above in the everlasting night and eternity of darkness.

  And I lookt upward for awhile, and was much held by the mighty uplandsthat did be on high; yet did lie utter far below the burning crests ofthe Mountains, and showed vague and sombre and dreadful seeming, becausethat they did be so lost upward, and to have the mystery of the redshining and of the shadows upon them, and to seem t
o slope far under thegreat fires, but yet to be a place where no life should ever come,because that they did be so monstrous a way upward beyond the greatshoulders of the Hills, the which did be themselves a huge way up. Andtruly, I should give you somewhat of the affecting of those grim andunknown Uplands, if that I said they did seem to my fancy to be a placewhere a sorrowful thing might wander lost forever. But why I to thinkthis thing, how shall I say; and do tell it to you, only because that itdoth seem to hold in the thought the grimness and utter desolation ofthose high and lonesome lands.

  And by this, I was done looking, and turned me about, and so did findthat Mine Own did stand silent, and waited that I come to my slumber.And surely, I lookt at her; but she did have her lids somethingdownward, when that she saw me turn; and so in the end, I said naught,but went to my sleep, and had the Diskos very handy, as ever, beside me.

  And I then to know that Mine Own did lie down beside me, to my back, asalway, and this to gladden me, as you shall think; for I perceivedafresh how thin did be the crust of her naughtiness; and I to be alwaystirred and touched in the heart by her loving naturalness, that didneed alway that she be near to me, save when she did play thisnaughtiness upon me along the way.

  And I saw that she had no mind to be perverse whilst that I did slumber;but must now be nigh unto me, and quietly loving; though nowise trulyceased from her naughty acting that I did be as an hard slave master,because that I had whipt her; yet she to have somewhat a truce with me,as my heart did know. But, indeed, she not to kiss me good-night uponthe mouth, in her dear usual and sober fashion.

  And surely I did lie awhile, and pondered upon the Maid and upon all herways; and I perceived that she kist me not, only because that she didnot be able to break utter from her perverseness, that did come from thestirring of her nature. And truly, I did love her, and was half mindedthat I turn about to her, and take her a moment into mine arms; but yetto abide from this, because that I was set that I wait awhile, and tobring her to me thiswise, mayhaps.

  And presently, I knew that the Maid kist mine armour, very quiet andshy, because that she must kiss me; yet to be intent that I have noknowledge of this pretty act. But, indeed, I did know in all my being,and did be newly tender unto her; yet to say naught, and to wait.

  And thus I knew presently that her breathing did go easy, so that Iperceived that she was all content and gone over unto slumber, somewiseas a little child that doth be weary, and doth sleep without care, andwith happy assurance.

  And, in verity, did a man ever to have so sweet and gentle a maid, thatdid be in the same time so troublous and perverse.

  And I to lie yet awhile, and to note the constant tremble and shake ofthe rock that did be under us; and this to be alway thus as I did lie,and to be the more plain, because that I did be quiet in thought. Andthis, as I conceived, did come from the earth-shaking that was made bythe inward fire of the world, the which did make a vague trouble in allthat part of the Land.

  And then in a little, I was gone over into sleep, and waked not forseven good hours; and then to hear the fizzing of the water, very briskand cheerful, and so to have mine eyes open in a moment, and to know bymy time-keeper or dial, that was somewhat like to a watch of this age,that I had slumbered through seven good hours. But this to be learnedafter that I had lookt to see whether Mine Own did be well, and whetherthat the boulder did balance in the mouth-part of the cave.

  And surely, there did be nothing in harm; for the boulder was there, asI did put it; and the Maid a little off from me, and did make ready thewater and the tablets, that we eat before our journeying.

  And I rose then, and in the same moment I did know that my mouth hadbeen kist whilst that I slept; and the knowing to come to me vague, asthat I had been kist in my dreams.

  And I lookt over toward the Maid; but she to have her lids somethingdown upon her eyes, and to seem very demure; so that I saw hernaughtiness was come again upon her. Yet, truly, I could not bear that Inot to have her into mine arms; for, indeed, her perverseness did seemas that she did the more tempt me unto her. And thus I came to her in amoment; but she neither to resist me, nor to give herself unto me; butonly to be still in mine arms, and to do no more than submit very quiet.

  And because of this, I loost her unkist, and was silent, and a little tobe angered, even whilst that my heart perceived the way of the workingof her heart. Yet truly I ached now that she come back to her dearnatural fashion.

  And I eat my tablets and drank some of the water; and the Maid to dolikewise.

  And afterward, I lookt well from the mouth of the cave; but did nowheresee aught to put me in trouble for our safety, though, truly, aspresently I saw, there went an herd of strange creatures afar off in theNorthwestward part, which did be that way of the Country, beyond thefeet of the mountains, toward the In-Land.

  Now, when that I was something assured of the safeness of the way, I gatthe Diskos to my hip, and the Maid to have the scrip and the pouch readyto my back, and her bundle to her hand; and so all to be ready.

  And I went downward from the cave, when that I was girt, and gave aid toMine Own; and so to be soon upon the journey.

  And surely, as we went onward, and I to look about me withdifferent-seeing eyes from my looking on mine outward way, I to see howwondrous this part of the Land did be; and how that it did be truly likea great and wondrous park, that did be made of the skill and labour ofgodlike things; and truly this to show my feeling, as I lookt all-ways.And all that part did be bred of the inward forces of the world, and didbe burned clear in this place, and upheaved in that, and made to an hotlake in another part; and odd whiles there to go a great steam fountain,that did whistle a lonely song forever. And anon there to be a smallwood, and again a wood; and oft the quietness of great and strangetrees, that did stand alone. And here, and in that part, a littlefire-hill, that did be surely no greater than an house, and we to passseven of these in but three hours. And two to glow very steadfast, andto make no vigour of burning; but the five others did burn very strong,and sent out a smoke and ash, and made a small desolation all aboutthem; and of these five, there did be one that cast stones oft andagain, so that they went upward with a strange loud noise, and fell inthis place and that, all about, so that we came downward more nigh tothe shore, that we be a good way off.

  And here, as I do mind, there was a strangeness, in that there did bemany trees that had stones set in the branches; and this to be plainlythe work of the little fire-hill; and I to think it but something newcome, else surely there had been no trees within all that space that itdid throw; but yet, mayhap, I am wrong in this; for all things did seemthat they grew very easy in that Country; and indeed this to be forsurprise to me, only that I saw it with mine own eyes, as we do say.

  And alway as we did go, there were signs of inward life and forces; sothat we but to stand quiet to feel that the earth did tremble gently inmany parts.

  And presently there sounded for a great while a low and dull boomingsound; and this we found to be from a place amid certain great rockstoward the mountains; for there came thence a mighty up-spouting ofboiling water, that went so high as an hundred feet, and oft to bethrice so high, and belched a great steam; and there went up in the jetof the water, a great rock, that was so big as an house, and did danceand play in the might of the water, as that it had been no more than athing very light and easy. And when that the water fell, as it did oft,the rock to go downward with the dull booming that we did hear.

  And I minded how that I had heard the booming upon mine outward way; buthad been then something more to the shore, so that it had been lessplain to mine ears, as you shall suppose; neither had it been then to mysight, as now it did be to us because that we were come mayhap the halfof a mile more toward the In-Land of the Country.

  And truly, we lookt awhile at this huge great fountain and up-boiling,and came nearer unto it; but yet to be a large space off, because ofthe way that it did throw out a spattering of small stones odd whiles.And surely the thing did cough and
roar in the deep earth, and anon togruntle gently and to sob and gurgle; and lo! to come forth in a momentwith a bellow, very hollow and strange, and the great rock to gospinning upward, and all a-shine in the light from the volcanoes, andwas so round as a monstrous ball, and polished by the fret of thewaters, so that I saw it had surely danced in the great jet through aweary time.

  And anon the jet to cease and to go downward with a great soughing andthundering of waters, and the dancing rock to fall downward from thatheight which did show very huge, now that we did be come so near. Andthe rock surely to fall backward into some deep pit, whence came thewaters, and as it fell, there was again the dull booming. But why therock brake not, I could not perceive, save that it did alway fall into aboiling up of waters, and had no hurt from the rock of the place whenceit was come.

  And the Maid and I both to have stood a while, that we stare at thisthing; for it did be more strange than I have made you to know; but nowI did make to our journey again, and did think the Maid followed; butlo! in a moment, when that I lookt, she was to my back, and went towardthe great boiling fountain. Then I stopt very swift, and called to her;but she did take no heed of me, and went onward very naughty, unto thedanger of the great boil of the Jet, and the constant flying out of thestones, that you do know.

  Now, even as I stood and lookt, the Maid drew nigh to the place wherethe water did thunder; and the Jet in that moment to bellow, so that Iknew it came upward again. And I ran then after the Maid, and she to seeme, and began likewise to run from me toward the monstrous fountain; andsurely I did think that I had done well if that I had whipt or beat herproper before this time; for truly it did be as that her naughtiness hadgone nigh unto somewhat that did be near to a wayward madness, so thatas I did perceive all her nature did surely work in her toward some deedthat should be for regret; and this to come, because that she did besomething pusht from her dear balance by her loving, and by the actingof my manhood upon her, so that her nature both to be in rebellionagainst me and to need me, and all in the same time. And this-way, sheto be in an inward turmoil, and to be ready foolishly that she put indanger her beloved life, if only thereby she to make me somethingadrift, and in the same moment to have some ease of her perverseness.And, in verity, you to know all this, because that I have shown theworking of her heart to you before this time.

  Now, I caught the Maid among the great rocks, which did stand all about;and before her there did be a monstrous pit whence came the upburstingof the water; and the water to go upward before our faces in a mightycolumn, so that it did be as that a sea shot up on end, into a pillar ofliving water, and went upward forever, as it did seem in that moment.And how we should be saved, I knew not, for the water did be as that itoverhung us, and should come down upon us and smother us in one moment,forever. And the roar was in our ears and shook all the air of thatplace with sound, as of an harsh and dreadful thunder; and there was ascalding of beaten water, as fine as an haze, all about us.

  And I had the Maid in one instant into mine arms, and I ran very swift,with a fierce running, that I have her away speedy, and so made forlorntrial that I save her life. And lo! as I went from under that huge anddreadful overhang of the great waters, there came downward from theheight a great stone that had been cast by the Jet, and it burst uponthe rock to my back, and certain of the flinders did strike and ringupon mine armour, and made me to stagger as I ran. But I held the Maidcrowded safe against my breast, and she did not be hurt; and truly I wasyet able to run, and did save Mine Own, and brought her out from underthat grim Spouting.

  And I put the Maid down then to her feet; and she not to know how nearthat she had given us to death, neither of the way that the fragmentsdid strike me; for she laughed very naughty and gleeful. But truly Ilaughed not; for my heart had been nigh husht with terror for her; sothat I did be yet sick in my spirit, and mayhap also something shaken bythe blows that I gat from the broken stone.

  And, in verity, I to have meant that I flog her, very sharp, if thatthere be no other way that I might bring her to reason; for, in surety,as you to see, she to be acting so wild as a child, and so unreasoningas only a Maid-in-love; and I to know that she did have to be broughtback from this way of spirit, even though I have to hurt her prettybody, that I bring her again to her dear natural wiseness.

  Yet, indeed, I could not whip her then, because that she did laugh sojoyous, though with a naughty heart, and did look so wondrous dainty, sothat even her defyings did but seem that which my heart desired. Andyou, mayhap, to have been something likewise in the love-days. Yet Ipled and reasoned with her to be a wise maid; but, indeed, she only tomake a gleeful mock of all that I did say.

  Now I went forward again, for I was not harmed by the stone, only that Idid be shaked, as you shall think. And the Maid to go offward from me,and to sing, and did oft dance naughtily as she went. But truly, I didbe silent with her, for I was but human, and did lack that she come tomine arms, and love me, because that I had pluckt her safe from thatplace. And, indeed, this to be but a natural desiring; and you to haveunderstanding with me, and to know that you also to have this lack andneed, if that you to have done aught for love of your maid, and she todeny you a word of loving tenderness.

  Yet, in verity, I to be even then able to perceive with mine inwardsenses, how that the Maid did have a wondrous up-pouring of love for me,but yet did be so perverse, and the more so, mayhap, because that herlove did so urge her unto loving admittings that I did be her Man. Andshe, maybe, to have meant that she be the more humble presently, but yetto go naughtily awhile more, and not, indeed, to have had the powerwithin her at that time, to have come unto me, and cast off herwaywardness, and askt that she be in mine arms, as all my heart diddesire.

  And so, as I have told, I went silently, and mayhap with a littledullness, that did be part of anger and part of hurt and part of thatsame strange love-foolishness from which the Maid did suffer. And truly,this doth be very contrary-seeming, only that you have seen my heart;and all indeed the more human, that it doth be so contrariwise to thebrain-reason; and all to be desired, else did a man be no better than anant or a weariful machine.

  And this to be truth and wholesomeness as you shall perceive, if thatyou look deep enough, and do modify Reason with heart-understanding;for, in verity, how shall that which we call Reason, bring any to thefull and the great knowledge. And this doth be a power of holy things,and doth be a child that is born of Love and Reason, and in the one tohold the two, and to know all things is the gift of this power; so thatno man may walk truly that hath only the first, neither any man do utterwise that hath only the second.

  And surely, I to cease from these thoughts, and to my tellings; and youto your harkings and dear sympathy.

  Now, when the sixth hour did be come, we made a halt and eat and drank,and afterward went onward again, and so came presently clear of the twomonstrous fire-hills; and their great noise to be presently to our rear,and likewise that quiet country that did be round their feet, and didseem so utter husht and strange and doubly so, because of the upwardnoise of the mountains, and because of the slow and subtle earth-shakingthat did be so constant, and because of all those things that I havetold.

  Now, when we had made halt, the Maid had done her hair very uncomelyupon her head, and had lookt slyly to see whether I did note; but truly,I took no heed; so that in the end she had it again in a pretty fashion,and did sing naughtily and with an heart of mischief, as she did shapeit loose and wondrous nice about her head.

  And I still to have no word for her; neither to show that I did watchher with love and somewise a quaint pleasure of her perverseness, evenwhilst that I did strive by silence and an aloofness that I bring her tomy side, as she did be in the first days; for truly I did ache that shebe near unto me, and to cease from her waywardness that did put adistance of spirit between us, as you to perceive.

  And so we did go forward again, as I have told, and the Maid did strivethat she make me to give attention to her naughtiness, for she did walkalway
offward from me, and did sing aloud, and truly they did be songsstrange unto me, but yet to be of love, and much as the songs of thisAge; for, truly, there doth be but one song upon all the earth, and shebut to sing it in diverse ways.

  And she did oft to make little glancing toward me, and did pout verypretty; and in a moment come something toward me, as that she did behumble, and would be forgiven; but all to be in a naughty mockery; sothat, in verity, I lookt not at her, save odd whiles; but did go forwardalway, and made as that I had no heed of her doings.

  And surely this did presently to stir her to a new defying and to apretty anger; for she did sing other songs of impudence, that she didfit very clever about me; and this way to have a constant impertinence.

  And so we did go, and I never to speak with the Maid, but to wonder whenthat she cease, or how long it should be ere that I did run swift to herand have her into mine arms, that I shake her and kiss her, all as myheart did desire.

  And when that the twelfth hour did be come, we made halt again and eatand drank; and the Maid to serve me very intent, and hand me the water,the while that she went down upon her knee, as a slave; but when I wouldhave laughed gently at her mockings, and taken her into mine arms, shewent from me very sudden and cold, and was afterward silent and did sitapart from me.

  Now I also did be silent, and in the first because that I was a littlepained, and also because that I did be new touched with thelove-foolishness that did trouble Mine Own.

  But afterward, I ceased from these feelings, and did be intent toanother matter; for it did seem to my spirit that there was some dangeranigh to us; and I had a thought of the Humpt Men, and lookt well about,and did beckon the Maid to come nigh, because that the trees did beplentiful thereabout, to hide any creature.

  But Mine Own came not over to me, so that I loosed the Diskos from minehip, and went that I be nigh to her. And she made that she saw me not;but did set the gear together, and had it presently a-ready for thejourney, the while that I did look all-ways among the trees; but indeedI saw naught.

  And when that I had the gear upon me, and the Maid her bundle, we wentforward again; and I to be very wary, and bid the Maid keep close to myside; but indeed, she would not obey, and went offward among the trees,so that I was all an-haunted with dread for her, and ran and caught her,and talkt wisely with her; but indeed she did not hark to me; but didrun off in the moment that I loost her.

  And I caught her again, and I took one of the straps from around theScrip and the Pouch, and set it about her pretty waist, and the end Iheld in my hand, and so had her to obey me in this thing which did beneedful to her safety.

  And the Maid to go with me very husht for two great hours, and I alwayto look well about. And in the end of that time, the Maid did begin tosing impudently, and I did ask her that she be a quiet maid, lest thatshe bring danger upon us; but she to be the more impudent.

  And lo! as I did strive that I look all-ways, lest any harm did comeupon us, and in the same moment to reason Mine Own from her prettyfolly, she did grow very husht, so that I lookt round upon her in aninstant. And truly, she had cut the strap with her belt-knife, and didrun away very swift among the trees. And surely my heart did slow alittle in my breast, because that there did seem something a-move in thedark of the shadows, where the trees did grow thick, and the Maid didrun that way in her foolishness and waywardness.

  And I ran hard after the Maid, and did call her, not over-loud, lest Ibring somewhat upon her; but she to have no heed, and to run very lightand swift, so that I caught her not for the half of a minute, as itmight be; for she was gone ahead, and I did be a little cumbered withmine armour.

  And lo! when I caught her, I shook her, and pointed inward among thetrees, for it did seem even then to me that something moved there; butshe to struggle in my hand a moment, and afterward to be still, and toask with an insolence and a defiance whether that I did mean to flog mychattel, the which she did call herself in her naughtiness.

  And, in verity, ere I did know, she had twist from me, and did run witha true wickedness straight toward that place where somewhat had seemedto be a-move. And I ran then with all my strength, and with a fearfuland an anxious heart. And because I put all my strength to the matter, Icaught the Maid in a moment, ere she did be gone any way; and she againto fight to be gone from me. But I took her into mine arms, very strong,and I ran outward from that place where the trees made a darkness.

  And surely, when I was come again to where the trees did be more spare,I saw that I was come nigh to that river which I crost on the raft, asyou shall mind; and truly I did be glad, and to feel safe in a moment.Yet I was firm now to my purpose; for I set the Maid to the earth uponher feet, and kept my hold very sure upon her; for I did mean that Iwhip her, before that her love-foolishness bring her needless untodeath.

  And I took the belt from her pretty waist, for it did be but a lightstrap, and I whipt her very sharp over her shoulders with the belt. And,truly, she did make to nestle unto me in a moment, as that other timewhen that I whipt her; but I stayed her from this, and I set the beltthrice more across her shoulders, very sharp, so that she to learnwisdom at once, and I to be free for ever of this need to pain her,which did hurt me very strange.

  And the Maid to stand very quiet, now that I did keep her from comingunto me; and her head did be something bent, so that I knew not whetherI did mayhap have flogged her over-hard; for I did be something lackingin knowledge whether that a maid be very easy hurt.

  And I stooped and lookt into her face; and lo! she did be smilingnaughtily, and kist me in a moment very saucy upon the mouth, ere I didbe aware; and afterward, she laughed and made try to make a bitter mockupon me, and askt when that I should be pleased to cease from whippingmy chattel; for that then she should run away immediately into the wood,and to trust the Humpt Men that they protect her from me.

  And surely, I lookt at her very grave; for I perceived that she did nottruly jest, but made to anger me, and did be half in a strange angerherself, and something adrift; for she had not been whipt enough, butonly to stir her rebellion utterly. And I saw that if she be not setright then, ere she leave my hand, she to be like to have some newfoolishness that should take her unto her death, even as she had comeovernear already, as you to know. And this to be because that her naturedid be stirred so that her natural wiseness was all overset, and she tobe that she do aught of unwisdom that should come to her, because of herpretty love-foolishness, which did now be made the more strong, byreason of the half-rising of her anger.

  And this way, as I have known, I perceived that, for her dear sake, Ishould not let my lovingness weaken me in that moment. And, in verity, Ishifted my hand and loosed the fastenings of her garment, so that herpretty shoulders did be bared. And her face to change sudden, and shelookt up at me an instant, with a little gasp; so that I knew she did beall unbroken, as was mine intent; but she did not yet have learneddeeply in her heart, all that I was minded that she to learn; for evenin that moment, she made a sound that showed she did try to mock me; buttruly, she did not know in that instant whether to mock or to weep;though she did try to suppose that she had yet an heart for mockery.

  And I set the belt thrice across her pretty shoulders, where they did bebared; and surely the blows did be very stern and sharp. And lo! in onemoment Mine Own broke into an utter weeping, so that I took her instantinto mine arms, and did hold her strong and gentle against mine armour.And she to be as a child in mine arms, and did sob very strange andbitter, as that she did be all undone in the heart.

  And presently she did be quiet in mine arms; though I to feel how shedid yet tremble; and she did cling tight unto me, and her face to beagainst mine armour.

  And afterward, when that she had ceased to tremble, I kist her, andsurely her mouth did be very humble, and her lids to be downward, andshe to be something pale. And she then to be awhile more in mine arms,very quiet; and so to come unto her dear self. And lo! presently, she towant to kiss me of her own accord; and she put up her lips,
very sweetand as a loving maid, that I kiss her. And surely I kist her, with anhumble and a masterful love; and a strange pain to be about my heart, asyou shall suppose; but yet my heart and my reason both to approve mineaction; and the Maid to be but the more mine own, and to have come againto her dear natural wisdom.

  Yet, as you shall know, there to be for a long while a strange and mixedpain, in my bosom, both dreadful and tender, because that I had been sostern with Mine Own Maid; so that even while that my heart and my reasondid approve me, my heart to make somewhat of reproach. And this to havebeen someways of foolishness; but yet human of our Nature, and anwholesome trouble to the spirit, if that this troubling be not allowedto shape our actions to any harmful weakness.

  Now, in a while, the Maid did come to composedness, and to be verygentle and sweetly natural. And she made presently that she would haveme to loose her; and afterward, she turned her back to me, even as adear child, that I fasten her garment again upon the shoulders. And shedid be both shy and glad, and humble, and in dainty pride of submission,and utter Mine Own. And surely, as I did this thing for her, I perceivedthat she lookt with a great shyness at the belt which did be yet in myhand. And when that I had made an end of fastening her garment, she didnestle unto me for a while, and afterward stood away and made shyly toshow me that I put her belt again about her pretty waist. And I saw thatshe did be somewhat a-lack yet that she touch the belt, because that Ihad whipt her with it.

  And truly you to perceive how her heart did be in this matter; but ifyou not to know, then how shall I to tell you; and do but bid you askyour own maid; though, in verity, she to be like that she but laugh atyou, and leave you so wise as you be now; for the way of the heart of amaid doth be most hid to the maid, and she but to know the desire, andto lack the ending. But truly she doth know when that a man shall setthe truth of her heart before her.

  Now, when I had buckled the belt very nice again about Mine Own, we wentbackward a space, until that we found the bundle, which she had dropt,when that she ran off from me. And I saw also the portion of the strap,which she cut; and so all to be found.

  And we went then at a good speed toward the river; for I was stillminded regarding the seeming of movement which there had been among thetrees; and very wishful that we have a raft made with haste, so that wemight come to the little island, where I did sleep before, upon theoutward way, as you shall remember. And I thought to have our slumberagain in that place, and to make that day's journeying something short,because that the island was near, and a good and safe place for oursleeping.

  And I told the Maid concerning the island; and she to be in greatdelight and interest, because that it did be one of those halts of mineoutward going, and did be all eager as a child, when that I said weshould truly have need of a raft to come to the island.

  And we came downward to the shore of the river, and, indeed, there didbe those two same trees, that had been my raft, there upon the shore ofthat place. And I showed these to Mine Own, and truly she did nigh toweep upon them, because of her dear emotions and love, and did cut asmall branch therefrom, with her belt-knife, and put the branch whereshe did put the piece of bark; and this to be for a remembrance and anafter-delight and pondering.

  Now we lookt well in all parts, that we find some other small tree thatshould be fallen; and the Maid did climb a rock that did be near, with aflat top, so that she might search out around.

  And presently she cried out to me that there did be a tree to ourpurpose, and but an hundred paces away; and she to go with me to showme, and to aid, if need be; but, indeed I carried the tree very easy,and had it with the others; and afterward, we went about again forbranches, and these I cut from live trees, using the Diskos with careand wiseness.

  And with these branches to be for cross-pieces, and our belts and thestraps for binders, I set the trees together into a raft, and made itpretty good for our need, and so that no monstrous thing in the rivershould have chance to snap upward between the trees at my dear One.

  And when the raft was done, I gat it to the water, and the Maid did lendher strength; for the thing was heavy, as you shall think. And when thiswas done, I pushed a sharp branch downward into the shore, and I hookt abranch of the raft about this mooring, and so did be nigh ready for thevoyage.

  But first I did need a pole to push the raft, and did wonder now wherethe other did be gone, that I cut upon the outward way; for I had setthe pole with the two trees, as I did mind, having some vague thoughtthat mayhap I should live to come that way again.

  And I had a little strange unease that the pole did be gone; but scarceto know that I did be troubled, yet to set me to a new haste. And I bidthe Maid put the scrip and the pouch and her bundle secure upon theraft; and in that time I lookt well about for a sapling tree that shoulddo my purpose. And I saw that there grew an odd one a little to the sideof the flat-topt rock that the Maid had lookt from; and whilst that Icut it, the Maid did come to watch, and made pretty chatter in the timethat I trimmed the branches away.

  And lo! whilst that I did be part divided in mine attention between herdear talk and my work and an haste that did be born of that littleunease that was come upon me, my spirit to seem to be aware that therecame a danger anigh to us; and the Maid to have this same knowing; forshe ceased her speech, and lookt at me with somewhat of trouble. And lo!in that moment, as I balanced the pole in my hands, there came the noiseof a sudden bounding to our backward part, where the trees did growsomething anigh.

  And I turned, instant, and lookt; and behold! there did be upon us anHumpt Man, very lumpish and mighty; and he stretched out his hands, andran at me. And I had no time to the Diskos, which did be upon the earthto my feet; and I smote the Humpt Man with the point of the pole thatdid be in my hands, and the point took him very strong and horrid in thebreast, and entered in, so that the Humpt Man gave out a strangehowling, that did be half seeming of an animal and half of an human. Andhe clutched at the pole that did so hurt him, and I stoopt very swiftfor the Diskos, and had it in a moment. And the Humpt Man tore the poleout of his breast, and in the same instant I ript him from the headdownward, so that he did be nigh in two halves; for I had no mercy inmine act, even though my heart did be something sorry.

  Now, even as the man died, there did be a sound of running in the woodbefore me; and lo! I turned very speedy to the Maid, and she was thereto my back, and had her belt-knife drawn in her hand; for she had it inher bosom, where she had put it when that I took her belt for the raft.

  And I caught the Maid about the waist with my left arm, and was comewith her to the top of the rock in two great houndings. And I set herthere upon the rock, and turned again to the way I came and swung theDiskos free; for indeed, I had seen that there did come a number of theHumpt Men among the trees.

  And there came running from the wood, mayhaps a great score of the HumptMen; so that it did seem to me that we did be going to die; for howshould one stand against so many, and they so quick and strong, as youshall mind.

  Yet, in verity, I had no despair; but did be mixt in the heart with agreat fear for Mine Own, and a strange and exulting gladness that Ishould do that day some deed for Mine Own Maid; and truly this to be thepomp of love and the heart-cry of the barbarian, as you shall say. Andthis maybe; but truly I did be proper human, and to make no excusebecause that I was natural; neither have I hid anywheres aught that Idid think and feel.

  And whether that you approve or not, if that you condemn me, you tocondemn all Humanity, and to have vain words and vain regrettings; forthese things that be named for faults, do but be the complement of ourvirtues, and if that you slay the first, you may chance to wither thelast; for now I speak of things as they be now, and as they did be then;and nowise of lovely ideals that do live chief in the mind, and so muchin mine as any, as you to know, if that you have gone with me all alongmy way.

  And surely, I must cease from my thinkings, and go forward with mytelling; for the Humpt Men did come forward at a wondrous quick run, anddid swarm upward o
n to the rock, as that they did be panthers; and theymade no outcry; but came silent to the killing; and I saw that they didbe something smaller than he that I had but then slain. And, in verity,I did be all knit in that moment with speed and cleverness; for I splitthe heads of three, with but quick turns of my wrist, as I did wield theDiskos. And I kicked the face of another, in the same time, with mymetal boot, so that he died; for there did be all my strength and all myskill working then for our salvation.

  Now all this to have been done in but a few beats of the heart, as Imight say; and these men to have been in the front of the attacking. Yetthere did be no space to have breath; for there leaped three more of theMen upon the rock; and one smote me with a great piece of rock that hecarried, so that mine armour did seem as that it crackt, and I to bedriven backward upon the Maid; yet had slain one of the Humpt Men, evenin that moment.

  And surely, my dear One caught me in her arms, behind, and steadied me,so that I fell not; and I slew the Humpt Man with the rock, even in thatmoment whilst Mine Own held me, as he came again to strike me. And Ithen to be firm again upon my feet, and did spring at the third of theHumpt Men; and surely there was no room that he should be able to avoidme, even did that be his intent; and he came at me with a great leap.And I stood strong, looking clearly to my work; and I swung the Diskoswith both my hands, and the blow took the Humpt Man in the middle part,and split him, whilst that he did be yet leaping. And in that instantthere reached over the edge of the rock, two of the Humpt Men, and gatme by the feet; so that I was pulled sudden to my back very hard andbitter; and this to be done, even whilst that the body of the Humpt Mandid be yet in the air. And the body came forward over me, and did beutter dead already, and fell down upon the rock beyond me, and rolledhorridly and went over the edge of the rock.

  And I did be all shaken and something bemused by the hardness of myfall; and the hands of the two Humpt Men pluckt me sharp to the edge ofthe rock, the while that I did strike vaguely to wound them; but didonly chip the rock, and fortunate that I harmed not the weapon.

  And lo! in the moment that they had been like to have me downward tothe earth into their midst, I to make a good stroke, for I cut theshoulder of one very dreadful, so that he loosed me; and immediately, Ikicked very fierce with my freed foot, and surely I nigh crushed thehand of that other with my metal boot; and he likewise to cease fromdragging upon me.

  And immediately, I knew that Mine Own did be helping me that I getinstant to my feet again; for I was yet something dazed.

  And there came then a rush of the Humpt Men up the rock; and truly itdid be a glad thing for our lives that they might come up only upon butone side; for the other sides did be utter steep and smooth worn; andthis to have been unto our saving, as you shall think.

  And I stood up to the rush of the Humpt Men, and did smite hard at them,with a quick circling of the Diskos, so that the great weapon did glowand roar. And they gave back from the blaze and the sound of the Diskos;and surely then I ran in upon them, whilst that they did be somethingbewildered; and I gat the foremost man full upon the head, so that hedid be dead before he did know what thing happened. Yet, in verity, thisdid be a dread moment to me; for the Humpt Men leaped in at me uponevery side in an instant of time; and I did be struck upon my head-pieceand upon my back and breast with the stones that certain of them didcarry, so that I rockt as I stood, and did near to swoon, and minearmour to be all dint and bent upon me, and I truly to seem that I hadcome to the time of my dying.

  And lo! in that moment of time, there did come to my dazed sense a lowand bitter cry of anguish from the Maid; and this to set all my lifeaglow in me. And, in verity, there went a strange greyness of furybefore mine eyes, and I then to fight as I did never fight before; and Idid smite as it did seem forever. And the greyness did ease from mineeyes, and the Maid did have her arms about me as I stood, and the deadMen to lie heapt upon the rock, and Mine Own to steady me, for I did benear slain and the blood did go from me, and mine armour was all brokeupon me by the smitings of the sharp stones.

  And I lookt something slowly upon Mine Own; and she to know that I wouldask whether that she did be harmed anywise; and she to be very bravewith me, and to tell me that she did be well; and she to be all slain inthe heart, because that I did be so hurt; but truly I had fought a goodfight, and did lack only to know that she come to no harm. Now my witsdid come back into me very soon; but I did be utter weak, and scarce tostand; so that I did mind only that I get Mine Own safe unto the raft,and to put off then from the shore.

  And I walkt slow to the edge of the rock, and lookt well about, that Ilearn whether the Humpt Men did be all gone away; and the Maid didsteady me.

  And lo! there came up in that instant the last of the Humpt Men, andthey were five and did creep very stealthy, that they have me insurprise. And I loost from the Maid, for I saw that I must come uponthem whilst that I had any strength left in my body; and they now toleap upward unto me, so that I gat the first upon the head, and he to gobackward dead; but truly I did be more weak than I knew; for I swayedupon the edge of the rock, and sudden I went downward to the earth; anddid be there upon my knees, and my back to the rock.

  And, in verity, the Humpt Men did come in upon me very swift; yet didthey give back from the Diskos, which I swung to and fro, so speedy as Imight, for my weakness, which did be so utter that I could nowise cometo my feet to stand.

  And Mine Own came down swiftly from the rock, and ran past the HumptMen, and I to make that I shout to her to go to the raft; but truly Ihad no voice in my body, and did be dumb and weak, and did know that Ishould be gone forever from Mine Own in a little moment, and she to havenone to protect her, neither to know the way of our journey, save byreason.

  And behold! Mine Own did shout to the Humpt Men, and I perceived thatshe made to draw them after her; for she ran to and fore and did shoutcontinually. But, indeed, the Humpt Men had no heed of her; but did makealway to come at me; and surely, in that moment, one of the Humpt Menreached me, and smote me so shrewd that sure he nigh crackt hismonstrous hand upon mine armour, and did drive me backward upon therock, and to make me bleed afresh, so that I was all in a daze and nearswooned away. And the Humpt Man caught at the Diskos; yet, in verity, heloost it on the instant, for it did burn and shake him very sore; andimmediately, he smote me again, and so made to end me.

  And lo! in that moment, the Maid ran right in among the Humpt Men, andshe struck the man that strove with me, and drove her belt-knife onceand again through his arm, very savage and determined. And surely, theman turned upon her, and he caught her by her garments, and he ript hertwo garments utter from her, so that they came away and she did be free.And behold, mine utter despair for her did give me a new strength, sothat I shouted to her that she run instant to the raft; and I cut theHumpt Man in twain, and did fall back then into a part swoon against therock. And lo! the Maid ran out from the Humpt Men; but they neither toknow whether that they follow her or that they come in upon me; and asthey did pause, she to call to them, and to try that she tempt them fromme toward the wood; for she had no thought of her life, but only thatshe free me and save me; and I too weak even to have power to commandher to the raft; and she, truly, to have no heed to such command, evendid I thus to call again. And there I did be, half-gone out from thislife, and lookt at her with eyes that did scarce wot, save as in adream.

  And lo! the Humpt Men ceased sudden that they heed her; and the threethat did be left came very sly unto me, and with slowness and cunning;for they wotted not whether I did be dead, or but a-wait for them. Andthe Maid perceived that they came not after her; and she let out a greatcry that did be distant-seeming in my dulled ears, and came back, naked,and running very swift. And she ran by me as death should run, white andsilent and her face set unto despair, and her eyes utter intent. And shestruck her belt-knife into the shoulder of the near Humpt Man; and theMan howled and turned, and she did leap to the side, and the Humpt Manran at her. But lo! she leaped again this way and that, and uttersilent,
and so quick as a light doth seem to dance all ways in a moment.And the two other Men did join with the first, that they catch her; andbehold! she went about, and did run right away among the trees, and thethree Men did come after her, running very lumbersome, yet with a greatspeed.

  And the Maid had the knife in her hand, and I knew that she did mean toslay herself presently, when that she could run no more; and in thatmoment it seemed that my heart burst; for that I should never more seeMine Own Maid forever. And there came some power of movement into me,and I came forward from the rock and fell over upon my face. And I gatagain to my knees, and began that I creep after the Maid, and I didshout in whispers, for my voice had no more power to call. And the Maidwent from my sight among the trees, as a far white figure, that did runvery swift, and was presently lost utter to my sight; and the Humpt Mendid go after; yet even in my weakness, I perceived that two did gosomething clumsy, as that they had been hurt in the fight; and they tobe the rearward of the chasing; but he that the Maid did cut with theknife was to the fore, and did run very strong; and surely they were allgone inward of the trees with a dreadful speed, and were lost from me.And the world did become sudden an Emptyness and a great Horror, andthere was no sound in all the Earth, as it did seem. And I knew that Iwas come to my feet, and did run toward the trees, and the Diskos didtrail from mine arm by the hold-buckle; and the ground did be as that itmoved and shifted under me, and I not to feel where I trod, but did onlypeer desperate and lost among the trees; and, as I to know now, I heardmy voice calling strangely; and afterward there was a thundering in mineears, and I came downward upon my face.

  And I did know presently that I was alive, and there to be some dreadfulterror at my heart; and surely I did remember and sickened and gat myhead from the ground. And I lookt among the trees; but there did benothing, and everywhere there did be a strange silence and a dimness ofunreal seemings. And I knew that Mine Own was gone from me, and hadsurely died. And the earth did be all stained about me with my blood,and I did be utter glad; for I to need death.

  And I swooned again and was lost to my pain; but did live presently toknow.

  And there was a little strength come into me, and I gat my head upsomewhat from the ground, and did peer among the trees; and my head didbe too heavy, and my face came against the earth once more. And becausethat I could not hold up my head, I rolled my head a little, until thatmy cheek did be to the ground, and I to look thiswise, so well as Imight; but there did be nothing; and afterward, I rolled my head againto the other cheek, and so to stare very weak and desperate, and notabled to look proper to my front. And lo! there went something among thetrees, and did show white in the gloom of the wood; and did come throughthe trees. And I not to believe in the first that I did truly see aught;and sudden I to know that I saw somewhat. And behold! my heart did boundin me, so that all my body did waken; for I knew that Mine Own Maid didrun slow and staggering toward me, through the wood. And I did be nowupon my knees and upon my hands, and did begin again to creep and tobleed; and did make little callings to Mine Own, that had no sounding.

  And Mine Own drew nigh, and did rock and stagger, and did strike anonagainst the trunks of the trees, as that she did be gone near blind withher running. And in a moment she saw me, and that I did yet live and didcome unto her; and she made a strange and loving crying unto me, with agreat gladness and with an utter weakness.

  And she came running, and was lost with faintness, and did sway this wayand that, stumbling; and she went sudden to the earth, and did be still.

  And I crept onward so speedy as I might, and the earth to seem alway asthat it moved from my hands, and to slide; and this-seeming to be of myweakness; for my hands and my knees went everyway, and my head to bethat it kept nodding forward very stupid to the earth.

  And lo! as I came anigh unto the Maid, where she did lie so quiet, I sawthat something moved in the wood, and was running. And truly it did bean Humpt Man, and came forward very silent and with a quick slyness, asthat he did track the Maid secretly; for he lookt alway to the earth.And I perceived that he was that one of the Humpt Men which the Maid hadcut with the knife; for the blood did show upon the shoulder and thebreast; and this bleeding mayhap to have slowed the Man; so that MineOwn did be like to have supposed she had come utter free; yet he to havefound her, by tracking, as I perceived.

  And I strave to my feet, that I should come to the Maid, before theHumpt Man; and surely I gat upright, and went with a strange running,and did roll, and lo! I fell immediate, ere I was come to her. And theHumpt Man to run also; and surely it did be a dreadful race; for I wentcreeping and did be weak and as that I was of lead. And the Humpt Mancame very swift and brutish; but I came the first to Mine Own Maid. AndI rose up at the Humpt Man, upon my knees, and I swung the Diskos, andthe great weapon did roar in my hands, as that it did know and did live.And the Humpt Man ran in upon me; but I smote him truly with the Diskos,and he ran past me, all blundering, and fell and died upon his face, alittle way off.

  And lo! my wounds had brake out into a great bleeding, and my head didroll upon my shoulders. And I lookt down dull, yet with an utter greatlove upon Mine Own; and there did be no proper wound upon her; but yetwas she all bruised and knockt and marked with the trees, and where shedid fall in her running. And she did be there, very still and dear, andI to have brake my heart with love for her, but that I did be so dulled,as I have told.

  And I fought that I should be strong a little while more against myweakness; and I strove that I set mine ear gently upon her breast, thatI should listen for her heart. But my head did go downward somethingclumsy and heavy upon her; and I then to hearken, and surely she didlive and her heart did beat; though, in verity, mine ears did have atfirst a thundering; but afterward a quietness in them, that made thesounding of her pulsing to seem an utter long way off; and very faint itdid be. And surely, in that moment, even as I harked, I was gone overinto a deadness, and had no more knowing; neither to have even aknowledge that I did be slipt from my senses. And, behold, the Maid didlie swooning; and I to be there in my broken armour, and my head uponthe breast of Mine Own, and likewise to know naught; and about us thequietness of that Country, and the far noise of the great Fire-Hillsthat did sound through Eternity.

 

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