第8章

Thiscavernwepursuedfortwentyminutesormore;itbeing，sofarasIcouldformajudgment——owingtoitsnumeroustwistsandturnsnoeasytask——aboutaquarterofamilelong。 Atlast，however，wehaltedatitsfartherend，andwhileIwasstilltryingtopiercethegloomagreatgustofaircametearingdownit，andextinguishedboththelamps。 Ayeshacalledtous，andwecreptuptoher，forshewasalittleinfront，andwererewardedwithaviewthatwaspositivelyappallinginitsgloomandgrandeur。Beforeuswasamightychasmintheblackrock，jaggedandtornandsplinteredthroughitinafar-pastagebysomeawfulconvulsionofnature，asthoughithadbeencleftbystrokeuponstrokeofthelightning。Thischasm，whichwasboundedbyaprecipiceonthehither，andpresumably，thoughwecouldnotseeit，onthefarthersidealso，mayhavemeasuredanywidthacross，butfromitsdarknessIdonotthinkthatitcanhavebeenverybroad。Itwasimpossibletomakeoutmuchofitsoutline，orhowfaritran，forthesimplereasonthatthepointwherewewerestandingwassofarfromtheuppersurfaceofthecliff，atleastfifteenhundredortwothousandfeet，thatonlyaverydimlightstruggleddowntousfromabove。Themouthofthecavernthatwehadbeenfollowinggaveontoamostcuriousandtremendousspurofrock，whichjuttedoutinmid-airintothegulfbeforeusforadistanceofsomefiftyyards，comingtoasharppointatitstermination，andresemblingnothingthatIcanthinkofsomuchasthespuruponthelegofacockinshape。Thishugespurwasattachedonlytotheparentprecipiceatitsbase，whichwas，ofcourse，enormous，justasthecock’sspurisattachedtoitsleg。Otherwiseitwasutterlyunsupported。 “Herewemustpass，“saidAyesha。“Becarefullestgiddinessovercomeyou，orthewindsweepyouintothegulfbeneath，forofatruthithathnobottom;“and，withoutgivingusanyfurthertimetogetscared，shestartedwalkingalongthespur，leavingustofollowherasbestwemight。Iwasnexttoher，thencameJob，painfullydragginghisplank，whileLeobroughtuptherear。Itwasawonderfulsighttoseethisintrepidwomanglidingfearlesslyalongthatdreadfulplace。Formypart，whenIhadgonebutaveryfewyards，whatbetweenthepressureoftheairandtheawfulsenseoftheconsequencesthataslipwouldentail，Ifounditnecessarytogodownonmyhandsandkneesandcrawl，andsodidtheothertwo。 ButAyeshanevercondescendedtothis。Onshewent，leaningherbodyagainstthegustsofwind，andneverseemingtoloseherheadorherbalance。 Inafewminuteswehadcrossedsometwentypacesofthisawfulbridge，whichgotnarrowerateverystep，andthenallofasuddenagreatgustcametearingalongthegorge。IsawAyeshaleanherselfagainstit，butthestrongdraughtgotunderherdarkcloak，andtoreitfromher，andawayitwentdownthewindflappinglikeawoundedbird。Itwasdreadfultoseeitgotillitwaslostintheblackness。Iclungtothesaddleofrockandlookedround，whilethegreatspurvibratedwithahummingsoundbeneathus，likealivingthing。Thesightwasatrulyawesomeone。Therewewerepoisedinthegloombetweenearthandheaven。 Beneathuswerehundredsuponhundredsoffeetofemptinessthatgraduallygrewdarker，tillatlastitwasabsolutelyblack，andatwhatdepthitendedismorethanIcanguess。Abovewerespaceuponspaceofgiddyair，andfar，farawayalineofbluesky。Anddownthisvastgulfuponwhichwewerepinnacledthegreatdraughtdashedandroared，drivingcloudsandmistywreathsofvaporbeforeit，tillwewerenearlyblindedandutterlyconfused。 ThewholepositionwassotremendousandsoabsolutelyunearthlythatIbelieveitactuallylulledoursenseofterror，buttothishourIoftenseeitinmydreams，andwakeupcoveredwithcoldperspirationatitsmerefantasy。 “On！on！”criedthewhiteformbeforeus，fornowthecloakhadgone_i_She_i_wasrobedinwhite，andlookedmorelikeaspiritridingdownthegalethanawoman;“On，oryewillfallandbedashedtopieces。 Keepyoureyesfixedupontheground，andcloselyhugtherock。” Weobeyedher，andcreptpainfullyalongthequiveringpath，againstwhichthewindshriekedandwailedasitshookit，causingittomurmurlikeavasttuning- fork。Onwewent，Idonotknowforhowlong，onlygazingroundnowandagain，whenitwasabsolutelynecessary，untilatlastwesawthatwewereontheverytipofthespur，aslabofrocklittlelargerthananordinarytable，andthatthrobbedandjumpedlikeanyover-enginedsteamer。Therewelayonourstomachs，clingingtotheground，andlookedaboutus，whileAyeshastoodleaningoutagainstthewind，downwhichherlonghairstreamed，and，absolutelyheedlessofthehideousdepththatyawnedbeneath，pointedbeforeher。Thenwesawwhythenarrowplank，whichJobandIhadpainfullydraggedalongbetweenus，hadbeenprovided。Beforeuswasanemptyspace，ontheothersideofwhichwassomething，asyetwecouldnotseewhat，forhereeitherowingtotheshadowoftheoppositecliff，orfromsomeothercause-thegloomwasthatofnight。 “Wemustwaitawhile，“calledAyesha;“soontherewillbelight。” AtthemomentIcouldnotimaginewhatshemeant。Howcouldmorelightthantherewasevercometothisdreadfulspot？WhileIwasstilldebatinginmymind，suddenly，likeagreatswordofflame，abeamfromthesettingsunpiercedtheStygiangloom，andsmoteuponthepointofrockwhereonwelayilluminingAyesha’slovelyformwithanunearthlysplendor。IonlywishthatIcoulddescribethewildandmarvellousbeautyofthatswordoffire，laidacrossthedarknessandrushingmist-wreathsofthegulf。HowitgotthereI donottothismomentknow，butIpresumethattherewassomecleftorholeintheopposingcliff，throughwhichit。piercedwhenthesettingorbwasinadirectlinetherewith。AllIsayis，thattheeffectwasthemostwonderfulthatIeversaw。Rightthroughtheheartofthedarknessthatflamingswordwasstabbed，andwhereitlaytherewasthemostsurpassinglyvividlight，sovividthatevenatadistanceonecouldseethegrainoftherock，while，outsideofit——yes，withinafewinchesofitskeenedge——wasnaughtbutclusteringshadows。 Andnow，bythisrayoflight，forwhich_i_She_i_ hadbeenwaiting，andtimedourarrivaltomeet，knowingthatatthisseasonforthousandsofyearsithadalwaysstruckthusatsunset，wesawwhatwasbeforeus。Withinelevenortwelvefeetoftheverytipofthetongue-likerockwhereonwestoodtherearose，presumablyfromthefarbottomofthegulf，asugarloaf-shapedcone，ofwhichthesummitwasexactlyoppositetous。Buthadtherebeenasummitonlyitwouldnothavehelpedusmuch，forthenearestpointofitscircumferencewassomefortyfeetfromwherewewere。Onthelipofthissummit，however，whichwascircularandhollow，restedatremendousflatstone，somethinglikeaglacierstone——perhapsitwasone，forallIknowtothecontrary——andtheendofthisstoneapproachedtowithintwelvefeetorsoofus。Thishugeboulderwasnothingmoreorlessthanagiganticrocking-stone，accuratelybalancedupontheedgeoftheconeorminiaturecrater，likeahalfcrownontherimofawineglass;for，inthefiercelightthatplayeduponitandus，wecouldseeitoscillatinginthegustsofwind。 “Quick！”saidAyesha;“theplank——wemustcrosswhilethelightendures;presentlyitwillbegone。” “Oh，Lord，sir！”groanedJob，“surelyshedon’tmeanustowalkacrossthatthereplaceonthattherething，“asinobediencetomydirectionhepushedthelongboardtowardsme。 “That’sit，Job，“Ihalloaed，inghastlymerriment，thoughtheideaofwalkingtheplankwasnopleasantertomethantohim。 IpushedtheboardontoAyesha，whodeftlyranitacrossthegulfsothatoneendofitrestedontherocking-stone，theotherremainingontheextremityofthetremblingspur。Then，placingherfootuponittopreventitfrombeingblownaway，sheturnedtome。 “SincelastIwashere，OHolly，“shecalled，“thesupportofthemovingstonehathlessenedsomewhat，sothatIamnotsureifitwillbearourweightandfallornot。ThereforewillIcrossfirst，becausenoharmwillcomeuntome，“and，withoutfurtherado，shetrodlightlybutfirmlyacrossthefrailbridge，andinanothersecondwasstandingsafeupontheheavingstone。 “Itissafe，“shecalled。“See，holdthoutheplank！I willstandonthefarthersideofthestonesothatitmaynotoverbalancewithyourgreaterweights。Nowcome，OHolly，forpresentlythelightwillfailus。” Istruggledtomyknees，andifeverIfeltsickinmylifeIfeltsickthen，andIamnotashamedtosaythatIhesitatedandhungback。 “Surelythouartnotafraid，“calledthisstrangecreatureinalullofthegale，fromwhereshestood，poisedlikeabirdonthehighestpointoftherockingstone。“MakethenwayforKallikrates。” Thissettledme;itisbettertofalldownaprecipiceanddiethantobelaughedatbysuchawoman;soI clinchedmyteeth，andinanotherinstantIwasonthathorrible，narrow，bendingplank，withbottomlessspacebeneathandaroundme。Ihavealwayshatedagreatheight，butneverbeforedidIrealizethefullhorrorsofwhichsuchapositioniscapable。Oh，thesickeningsensationofthatyieldingboardrestingonthetwomovingsupports。Igrewdizzy，andthoughtthatImustfall;myspinecrept;itseemedtomethatIwasfalling，andmydelightatfindingmyselfsprawlinguponthatstone，whichroseandfellbeneathmelikeaboatinaswell，cannotbeexpressedinwords。AllIknowisthatbriefly，butearnestlyenough，IthankedProvidenceforpreservingmesofar。 ThencameLeo’sturn，and，thoughhelookedratherqueer，hecameacrosslikearope-dancer。Ayeshastretchedoutherhandtoclasphisown，andIheardhersay，“Bravelydone，mylove——bravelydone！TheoldGreekspiritlivesintheeyet！” AndnowonlypoorJobremainedonthefarthersideofthegulf。Hecreptuptotheplank，andyelledout，“I can’tdoit，sir。Ishallfallintothatbeastlyplace。” “Youmust，“Iremembersayingwithinappropriatefacetiousness——“youmust，Job，it’saseasyascatchingflies。”IsupposethatIsaidittosatisfymyconscience，becausealthoughtheexpressionconveysawonderfulideaoffacility，asamatteroffactI knownomoredifficultoperationinthewholeworldthancatchingflies——thatis，inwarmweather，unless，indeed，itiscatchingmosquitoes。 “Ican’t，sir——Ican’t，indeed。 “Letthemancome，orlethimstopandperishthere。 See，thelightisdying！Inamomentitwillbegone！” saidAyesha。 Ilooked。_i_She_i_wasright。Thesunwaspassingbelowtheleveloftheholeorcleftintheprecipicethroughwhichtherayreachedus。 “Ifyoustopthere，Job，youwilldiealone，“I called;“thelightisgoing。” “Come，beaman，Job，“roaredLeo;“it’squiteeasy。” Thusadjured，themiserableJob，withamostawfulyell，precipitatedhimselffacedownwardsontheplank——hedidnotdare，smallblametohim，totrytowalkit，andcommencedtodrawhimselfacrossinlittlejerks，hispoorlegshangingdownoneithersideintothenothingnessbeneath。 Hisviolentjerksatthefrailboardmadethegreatstone，whichwasonlybalancedonafewinchesofrock，oscillateinamostsickeningmanner，and，tomakemattersworse，whenhewashalf-wayacrosstheflyingrayofluridlightsuddenlywentout，justasthoughalamphadbeenextinguishedinacurtainedroom，leavingthewholehowlingwildernessofairblackwithdarkness。 “Comeon，Job，forGod’ssake！”Ishouted，inanagonyoffear，whilethestone，gatheringmotionwitheveryswing，rockedsoviolentlythatitwasdifficulttohangontoit。Itwasatrulyawfulposition。 “Lordhavemercyonme！”criedpoorJobfromthedarkness。“Oh，theplank’sslipping！”andIheardaviolentstruggle，andthoughtthathewasgone。 Butatthatmomenthisoutstretchedhand，claspinginagonyattheair，metmyown，andIhauled——ah，howI didhaul，puttingoutallthestrengththatithaspleasedProvidencetogivemeinsuchabundance——and，tomyjoy，inanotherminuteJobwasgaspingontherockbesideme。Buttheplank！Ifeltitslip，andhearditknockagainstaprojectingknobofrock，anditwasgone。 “Greatheavens！”Iexclaimed。“Howarewegoingtogetback？” “Idon’t。know，“answeredLeo，outofthegloom。 “’Sufficienttothedayistheevilthereof’。Iamthankfulenoughtobehere。” ButAyeshamerelycalledtometotakeherhandandcreepafterher。 CHAPTERXXV—— THESPIRITOFLIFE IDIDasIwasbid，andinfearandtremblingfeltmyselfguidedovertheedgeofthestone。Isprawledmylegsout，butcouldtouchnothing。 “Iamgoingtofall！”Igasped。 “Nay，letthyselfgo，andtrusttome，“answeredAyesha。 Now，ifthepositionisconsidered，itwillbeeasilyunderstoodthatthiswasagreaterdemanduponmyconfidencethanwasjustifiedbymyknowledgeofAyesha’scharacter。ForallIknewshemightbeintheveryactofconsigningmetoahorribledoom。Butinlifewesometimeshavetolayourfaithuponstrangealtars，andsoitwasnow。 “Letthyselfgot“shecried，and，havingnochoice，I did。 Ifeltmyselfslideapaceortwodowntheslopingsurfaceoftherock，andthenpassintotheair，andthethoughtflashedthroughmybrainthatIwaslost。 Butno！Inanotherinstantmyfeetstruckagainstarockyfloor，andIfeltthatIwasstandingonsomethingsolid，andoutofreachofthewind，whichI couldhearsingingawayoverhead。AsIstoodtherethankingHeavenforthesesmallmercies，therewasaslipandascuffle，anddowncameLeoalongsideofme。 “Hullo，oldfellow！”hecalledout，“areyouthere？ Thisisgettinginteresting，isitnot？” Justthen，withaterrificyell，Jobarrivedrightonthetopofus，knockingusbothdown。BythetimethatwehadstruggledtoourfeetagainAyeshawasstandingamongus，andbiddinguslightthelamps，whichfortunatelyremaineduninjured，asalsodidthesparejarofoil。 IgotoutmyboxofBryantandMay’swaxmatches，andtheystruckasmerrilythere，inthatawfulplace，astheycouldhavedoneinaLondondrawing-room。 Inacoupleofminutesboththelampswerealight;andacuriousscenetheyrevealed。Wewerehuddledtogetherinarockychamber，sometenfeetsquare，andscaredenoughwelooked;thatis，exceptAyesha，whowasstandingcalmlywithherarmsfolded，andwaitingforthelampstoburnup。Thechamberappearedtobepartlynatural，andpartlyhollowedoutofthetopofthecone。Theroofofthenaturalpartwasformedoftheswingingstone，andthatofthebackpartofthechamber，whichslopeddownward，washewnfromtheliverock。Fortherest，theplacewaswarmanddry——aperfecthavenofrestcomparedtothegiddypinnacleabove，andthequiveringspurthatshotouttomeetitinmid-air。 “So！”said_i_She_i_，“safelyhavewecome，thoughonceIfearedthattherockingstonewouldfallwithyou，andprecipitateyouintothebottomlessdepthsbeneath，forIdobelievethatthecleftgoethdowntotheverywomboftheworld。Therockwhereonthestonerestethhathcrumbledbeneaththeswingingweight。Andnowthathe，“noddingtowardsJob，whowassittingonthefloor，feeblywipinghisforeheadwitharedcottonpocket-handkerchief，“whomtheyrightlycallthe’Pig’forasapigishestupid，hathletfalltheplank，itwillnotbeeasytoreturnacrossthegulf，andtothatendmustImakeaplan。Butnowrestawhile，andlookuponthisplace。Whatthinkyethatitis？” “Weknownot，“Ianswered。 “Wouldstthoubelieve，OHolly，thatonceamandidchoosethisairynestforadailyhabitation，anddidhereendureformanyyears;leavingitonlybutonedayineverytwelvetoseekfoodandwaterandoilthatthepeoplebrought，morethanhecouldcarry，andlaidasanofferinginthemouthofthetunnelthroughwhichwepassedhither？” Welookedupwonderingly。andshecontinued—— “Yetsoitwas。Therewasaman——Noot，henamedhimself——who，thoughhelivedinthelatterdays，hadofthewisdomofthesonsofKo^r。Ahermitwashe，andaphilosopher，andskilledinthesecretsofNature，andheitwaswhodiscoveredtheFirethatI shallshowyou，whichisNature’sbloodandlife，andalsothathewhobathedtherein，andbreathedthereof，shouldlivewhileNaturelives。Butlikeuntothee，O Holly，thisman，Noot，wouldnotturnhisknowledgetoaccount。’Ill，’hesaid，’wasitformantolive，formanwasborntodie。’Thereforedidhetellhissecrettonone，andthereforedidhecomeandlivehere，wheretheseekerafterLifemustpass，andwasreveredoftheAmahaggerofthedayasholy，andahermit。AndwhenfirstIcametothiscountry——knowestthouhowI came，Kallikrates？AnothertimewillItellthee，itisastrangetale——Iheardofthisphilosopher，andwaitedforhimwhenhecametofetchhisfood，andreturnedwithhimhither，thoughgreatlydidIfeartotreadthegulf。ThendidIbeguilehimwithmybeautyandmywit，andflatterhimwithmytongue，sothatheledmedownandshowedmetheFire，andtoldmethesecretsoftheFire，buthewouldnotsuffermetosteptherein，and，fearinglestheshouldslayme，I refrained，knowingthatthemanwasveryold，andsoonwoulddie。AndIreturned，havinglearnedfromhimallthatheknewofthewonderfulSpiritoftheWorld，andthatwasmuch，themanwaswiseandveryancient，andbypurityandabstinence，andthecontemplationsofhisinnocentmind，hadwornthintheveilbetweenthatwhichweseeandthegreatinvisibletruths，thewhisperofwhosewingsattimeswehearastheysweepthroughthegrossairoftheworld。Then——itwasbutaveryfewdaysafter，Imetthee，myKallikrates，whohadstwanderedhitherwiththebeautifulEgyptianAmenartas，andIlearnedtoloveforthefirstandlasttime，onceandforever，sothatitenteredintomymindtocomehitherwiththee，andreceivethegiftofLifefortheeandme。Thereforecamewe，withthatEgyptianwhowouldnotbeleftbehind，and，behold，wefoundtheoldmanNootlyingbutnewlydead。Therehelay，andhiswhitebeardcoveredhimlikeagarment，“ andshepointedtoaspotnearwhereIwassitting; “butsurelyhehathlongsincecrumbledintodust，andthewindhathbornehisasheshence。” HereIputoutmyhandandfeltinthedust，andpresentlymyfingerstouchedsomething。Itwasahumantooth，veryyellow，butsound。IhelditupandshowedittoAyesha，wholaughed。 “Yes，“shesaid，“itishiswithoutadoubt。BeholdwhatremainethofNootandthewisdomofNoot——onelittletooth！Andyetthatmanhadalllifeathiscommand，andforhisconsciencesakewouldhavenoneofit。Well，helaytherenewlydead，andwedescendedwhitherIshallleadyou，andthen，gatheringupallmycourage，andcourtingdeaththatImightperchancewinsogloriousacrownoflife，Isteppedintotheflames，andbehold！lifesuchasyecanneverknowuntilyefeelitalso，flowedintome，andIcameforthundying，andlovelybeyondimagining。ThendidI stretchoutminearmstothee，Kallikrates，andbidtheetakethineimmortalbride，andbehold，asI spoke，thou，blindedbymybeauty，didstturnfrommeandthrowthinearmsabouttheneckofAmenartas。Andthenagreatfuryfilledme，andmadememad，andI seizedthejavelinthatthoudidstbear，andstabbedthee，sothatthere，atmyveryfeet，inthePlaceofLife，thoudidstgroanandgodownintodeath。IknewnotthenthatIhadstrengthtoslaywithmineeyesandbythepowerofmywill，thereforeinmymadnessslewIwiththejavelin。 “Andwhenthouwastdead，ah！Iwept，becauseIwasundyingandthouwastdead。IweptthereinthePlaceofLife，sothathadIbeenmortalanymoremyhearthadsurelybroken。Andshe，theswartEgyptian——shecursedmebyhergods。ByOsirisdidshecurseme，andbyIsis，byNephthysandbyHekt，bySekhet，thelion- headed，andbySet，callingdownevilonme，evilandeverlastingdesolation。Ah！Icanseeherdarkfacenowloweringo’ermelikeastorm，butshecouldnothurtme，andI——IknownotifIcouldhurther。Ididnottry;itwasnaughttomethen;sotogetherweboretheehence。AndafterwardsIsenther——theEgyptian—— awaythroughtheswamps，anditseemsthatshelivedtobearasonandtowritethetalethatshouldleadthee，herhusband，backtome，herrivalandthymurderess。 “Suchisthetale，mylove，andnowisthehourathandthatshallsetacrownuponit。Likeallthingsontheearth，itiscompoundedofevilandgood——moreofevilthanofgood，perchance;andwritinlettersofblood。Itisthetruth;naughthaveIhiddenfromthee，Kallikrates。Andnowonethingbeforethefinalmomentofthytrial。WegodownintothepresenceofDeath，forLifeandDeathareveryneartogether，and—— whoknoweth？——thatmighthappenwhichshouldseparateusforanotherspaceofwaiting。Iambutawoman，andnoprophetess，andIcannotreadthefuture。ButthisIknow——forIlearneditfromthelipsofthewisemanNoot——thatmylifeisbutprolongedandmademorebright。Icannotliveforaye。Therefore，beforewego，tellme，OKallikrates，that，ofatruththoudostforgiveme，anddostlovemefromthyheart。See，Kallikrates：muchevilhaveIdone——perchanceitwasevilbuttwonightsgonetostrikethatgirlwholovedtheecoldindeath——butshedisobeyedmeandangeredme，prophesyingmisfortunetome，andIsmote。Becarefulwhenpowercomestotheealso，lestthoutooshouldstsmiteinthineangerorthyjealousy，forunconquerablestrengthisasoreweaponinthehandsoferringman。Yea，Ihavesinned——outofthebitternessbornofagreatlovehaveIsinned——butyetdoIknowthegoodfromtheevil，norismyheartaltogetherhardened。Thylove，OKallikrates，shallbethegateofmyredemption，evenasaforetimemypassionwasthepathdownwhichIrantoevil。Fordeeploveunsatisfiedisthehellofnobleheartsandaportionfortheaccursed，butlovethatismirroredbackmoreperfectfromthesoulofourdesireddothfashionwingstoliftusaboveourselves，andmakeuswhatwemightbe。Therefore，Kallikrates，takemebythehand，andliftmyveilwithnomorefearthanthoughIweresomepeasantgirl，andnotthewisestandmostbeauteouswomaninthiswideworld，andlookmeintheeyes，andtellmethatthoudostforgivemewithallthineheart，andthatwithallthineheartthoudostworshipme。” _i_She_i_paused，andthestrangetendernessinhervoiceseemedtohoverrounduslikeamemory。Iknowthatthesoundofitmovedmemoreeventhanherwords，itwassoveryhuman——soverywomanly。Leo，too，wasstrangelytouched。Hithertohehadbeenfascinatedagainsthisbetterjudgment，somethingasabirdisfascinatedbyasnake，butnowIthinkthatallthispassedaway，andherealizedthathereallylovedthisstrangeandgloriouscreature，as，alas！I lovedheralso。Atanyrate，Isawhiseyesfillwithtears，andhesteppedswiftlytoherandundidthegauzyveil，andthentookherbythehand，and，gazingintoherdeepeyes，saidaloud，“Ayesha，Ilovetheewithallmyheart，andsofarasforgivenessispossibleIforgivetheethedeathofUstane。Fortherest，itisbetweentheeandthyMaker;Iknownaughtofit。IonlyknowthatIlovetheeasIneverlovedbefore，andthatIwillcleavetotheetotheend。” “Now，“answeredAyesha，withproudhumility——“nowwhenmylorddothspeakthusroyallyandgivewithsofreeahand，itcannotbecomemetolagbehindinwords，andbebeggaredofmygenerosity。Behold！”andshetookhishandandplacedituponhershapelyhead，andthenbentherselfslowlydowntillonekneeforaninstanttouchedtheground——“Behold！intokenofsubmissiondoIbowmetomylord！Behold！”andshekissedhimonthelips，“intokenofmywifelylovedoIkissmylord。Behold！”andshelaidherhanduponhisheart，“bythesinIsinned，bymylonelycenturiesofwaitingwherewithitwaswipedout，bythegreatlovewherewithIlove，andbytheSpirit—— theEternalThingthatdothbegetalllife，fromwhomitebbs，towhomitdothreturnagain——Iswear： “Iswear，eveninthisfirstmostholyhourofcompletedwomanhood，thatIwillabandonEvilandcherishGood。IswearthatIwillbeeverguidedbythyvoiceinthestraightestpathofDuty。IswearthatIwilleschewAmbition，andthroughallmylengthofendlessdayssetWisdomovermeasaguidingstartoleadmeuntoTruthandaknowledgeoftheRight。I swearalsothatIwillhonorandwillcherishthee，Kallikrates，whohastbeensweptbythewaveoftimebackintomyarms，ay，tilltheveryend，comeitsoonorlate。Iswear——nay，Iwillswearnomore，forwhatarewords？YetshaltthoulearnthatAyeshahathnofalsetongue。 “SoIhavesworn，andthou，myHolly，artwitnesstomyoath。Here，too，arewewed，myhusband，withthegloomforbridalcanopy——wedtilltheendofallthings;heredowewriteourmarriagevowsupontherushingwindswhichshallbearthemuptoheaven，androundandcontinuallyroundthisrollingworld。 “AndforabridalgiftIcrowntheewithmybeauty’sstarrycrown，andenduringlife，andwisdomwithoutmeasure，andwealththatnonecancount。Behold！thegreatonesoftheearthshallcreepaboutthyfeet，andtheirfairwomenshallcoveruptheireyesbecauseoftheshininggloryofthycountenance，andtheirwiseonesshallbeabasedbeforethee。Thoushaltreadtheheartsofmenasanopenwriting，andhitherandthithershaltthouleadthemasthypleasurelisteth。 LikethatoldSphinxofEgyptshaltthousitaloftfromagetoage，andevershalltheycrytotheetosolvetheriddleofthygreatnessthatdothnotpassaway，andevershaltthoumockthemwiththysilence！ “Behold！oncemoreIkissthee，andbythatkissI givetotheedominionoverseaandearth，overthepeasantinhishovel，overthemonarchinhispalacehalls，andcitiescrownedwithtowers，andthosewhobreathetherein。Whate’erthesunshakesouthisspears，andthelonesomewatersmirrorupthemoon，whate’erstormsroll，andheaven’spaintedbowsarchinthesky——fromthepureNorthcladinsnows，acrossthemiddlespacesoftheworld，towheretheamorousSouth，lyinglikeabrideuponherbluecouchofseas，breathesinsighsmadesweetwiththeodorofmyrtles—— thereshallthypowerpassandthydominionfindahome。Norsickness，noricy-fingeredfear，norsorrow，andpalewasteofformandmindhoveringevero’erhumanity，shallsomuchasshadowtheewiththeshadowoftheirwings。Asagodshaltthoube，holdinggoodandevilinthehollowofthyhand，andI，evenI，I humblemyselfbeforethee。SuchisthepowerofLove，andsuchisthebridalgiftIgiveuntothee，Kallikrates，belovedofRa，myLordandLordofAll。 “Andnowitisdone，and，comestorm，comeshine，comegood，comeevil，comelife，comedeath，itnever，nevercanbeundone。For，ofatruth，thatwhichis，is，andbeingdone，isdoneforaye，andcannotbealtered。Ihavesaid——Letushence，thatallthingsmaybeaccomplishedintheirorder;“and，takingoneofthelamps，sheadvancedtowardstheendofthechamberthatwasroofedinbytheswayingstone，whereshehalted。 Wefollowedher，andperceivedthatinthewalloftheconetherewasastair，or，tobemoreaccurate，thatsomeprojectingknobsofrockhadbeensoshapedastoformagoodimitationofastair。DownthisAyeshabegantoclimb，springingfromsteptostep，likeachamois，andafterherwefollowedwithlessgrace。 Whenwehaddescendedsomefifteenorsixteenstepswefoundthattheyendedinatremendousrockyslope，runningfirstoutwardandtheninward——liketheslopeofaninvertedcone，ortunnel。Theslopewasverysteep，andoftenprecipitous，butitwasnowhereimpassable，andbythelightofthelampswewentdownitwithnogreatdifficulty，thoughitwasgloomyworkenoughtravellingonthus，nooneofusknewwhither，intothedeadheartofavolcano。Aswewent，however，ItooktheprecautionofnotingourrouteaswellasI could;andthiswasnotdifficult，owingtotheextraordinaryandmostfantasticshapeoftherocksthatwerestrewnabout，manyofwhich，inthatdimlight，lookedmorelikethegrimfacescarvenuponmediaevalgargoylesthanordinaryboulders。 Foralongperiodwetravelledonthus，halfanhourI shouldsay，till，afterwehaddescendedformanyhundredsoffeet，Iperceivedthatwewerereachingthepointoftheinvertedcone。Inanotherminutewewerethere，andfoundthatattheveryapexofthefunnelwasapassage，solowandnarrowthatwehadtostoopaswecreptalongitinIndianfile。Aftersomefiftyyardsofthiscreeping，thepassagesuddenlywidenedintoacave，sohugethatwecouldseeneithertheroofnorthesides。Weonlyknewthatitwasacavebytheechoofourtreadandtheperfectquietoftheheavyair。Onwewentformanyminutesinabsoluteawedsilence，likelostsoulsinthedepthsofHades，Ayesha’swhiteandghostlikeformflittinginfrontofus，tilloncemorethecavernendedinapassagewhichopenedintoasecondcavernmuchsmallerthanthefirst。Indeed，wecouldclearlymakeoutthearchandstonybanksofthissecondcave，and，fromtheirrentandjaggedappearance，discoveredthat，likethefirstlongpassagedownwhichwehadpassedthroughthecliffbeforewereachedthequiveringspur，ithadtoallappearancebeentorninthebowelsoftherockbytheterrificforceofsomeexplosivegas。Atlengththiscaveendedinathirdpassage，throughwhichgleamedafaintglowoflight。 IheardAyeshagiveasighofreliefasthislightdawneduponus。 “Itiswell，“shesaid;“preparetoentertheverywomboftheEarth，whereinshedothconceivetheLifethatyeseebroughtforthinmanandbeast——ay，andineverytreeandflower。” Swiftlyshespedalong，andafterherwestumbledasbestwemight，ourheartsfilledlikeacupwithmingleddreadandcuriosity。Whatwereweabouttosee？Wepasseddownthetunnel;strongerandstrongerthelightbeamed，reachingusingreatflashesliketheraysfromalighthouse，asonebyonetheyarethrownwideuponthedarknessofthewaters。Norwasthisall，forwiththeflashescameasoul-shakingsoundlikethatofthunderandofcrashingtrees。Nowwewerethroughit，and——oh，heavens！ Westoodinathirdcavern，somefiftyfeetinlengthbyperhapsasgreataheight，andthirtywide。Itwascarpetedwithfinewhitesand，anditswallshadbeenwornsmoothbytheactionofIknownotwhat。Thecavernwasnotdarkliketheothers，itwasfilledwithasoftglowofrose-coloredlight，morebeautifultolookonthananythingthatcanbeconceived。Butatfirstwesawnoflashes，andheardnomoreofthethunderoussound。Presently，however，aswestoodinamaze，gazingatthewonderfulsight，andwonderingwhencetherosyradianceflowed，adreadandbeautifulthinghappened。Acrossthefarendofthecavern，withagrindingandcrashingnoise——anoisesodreadfulandawe-inspiringthatwealltrembled，andJobactuallysanktohisknees——thereflamedoutanawfulcloudorpillaroffire，likearainbowmany-colored，andlikethelightningbright。Foraspace，perhapsfortyseconds，itflamedandroaredthus，turningslowlyroundandround，andthenbydegreestheterriblenoiseceased，andwiththefireitpassedaway——Iknownotwhere——leavingbehinditthesamerosyglowthatwehadfirstseen。 “Drawnear，drawnear！”criedAyesha，withavoiceofthrillingexultation。“BeholdtheveryFountainandHeartofLifeasitbeatsinthebosomofthegreatworld。Beholdthesubstancefromwhichallthingsdrawtheirenergy，thebrightSpiritoftheGlobe，withoutwhichitcannotlive，butmustgrowcoldanddeadasthedeadmoon。Drawnear，andwashyouinthelivingflames，andtaketheirvirtueintoyourpoorframesinallitsvirginstrength——notasitnowfeeblyglowswithinyourbosoms，filteredtheretothroughallthefinestrainersofathousandintermediatelives，butasitishereintheveryfountandseatofearthlyBeing。” Wefollowedherthroughtherosyglowuptotheheadofthecave，tillatlastwestoodbeforethespotwherethegreatpulsebeatandthegreatflamepassed。 Andaswewentwebecamesensibleofawildandsplendidexhilaration，ofaglorioussenseofsuchafierceintensityofLifethatthemostbuoyantmomentsofourstrengthseemedflatandtameandfeeblebesideit。Itwasthemereeffluviumoftheflame，thesubtleetherthatitcastoffasitpassed，workingonus，andmakingusfeelstrongasgiantsandswiftaseagles。Wereachedtheheadofthecave，andgazedateachotherinthegloriousglow，andlaughedaloud—— evenJoblaughed，andhehadnotlaughedforaweek—— inthelightnessofourheartsandthedivineintoxicationofourbrains。IknowthatIfeltasthoughallthevariedgeniusofwhichthehumanintellectiscapablehaddescendeduponme。IcouldhavespokeninblankverseofShakespearianbeauty，allsortsofgreatideasflashedthroughmymind;itwasasthoughthebondsofmyfleshhadbeenloosened，andleftthespiritfreetosoartotheempyreanofitsnativepower。Thesensationsthatpouredinuponmeareindescribable。Iseemedtolivemorekeenly，toreachtoahigherjoy，andsipthegobletofasubtlerthoughtthaneverithadbeenmylottodobefore。I wasanotherandmostglorifiedself，andalltheavenuesofthePossiblewereforaspacelaidopentothefootstepsoftheReal。Then，suddenly，whileI rejoicedinthissplendidvigorofanew-foundself，fromfar，farawaytherecameadreadfulmutteringnoise，thatgrewandgrewtoacrashandaroar，whichcombinedinitselfallthatisterribleandyetsplendidinthepossibilitiesofsound。Neareritcame，andneareryet，tillitwascloseuponus，rollingdownlikeallthethunder-wheelsofheavenbehindthehorsesofthelightning。Onitcame，andwithitcamethegloriousblindingcloudofmany- coloredlight，andstoodbeforeusforaspace，turning，asitseemedtous，slowlyroundandround，andthen，accompaniedbyitsattendantpompofsound，passedawayIknownotwhither。 Soastonishingwasthewondroussightthatoneandallofus，save_i_She_i_，whostoodupandstretchedherhandstowardsthefire，sankdownbeforeit，andhidourfacesinthesand。 Whenitwasgone，Ayeshaspoke。“Now，Kallikrates，“ shesaid，“themightymomentisathand。Whenthegreatflamecomesagainthoumuststandinit。Firstthrowasidethygarments，foritwillburnthem，thoughtheeitwillnothurt。Thoumuststandintheflamewhilethysenseswillendure，andwhenitembracestheesuckthefiredownintothyveryheart，andletitleapandplayaroundthyeverypart，sothatthoulosenomoietyofitsvirtue。Hearestthoume，Kallikrates？” “Ihearthee，Ayesha，“answeredLeo，“but，ofatruth—— Iamnocoward——butIdoubtmeofthatragingflame。 HowknowIthatitwillnotutterlydestroyme，sothatIlosemyselfandlosetheealso？NeverthelesswillIdoit，“headded。 Ayeshathoughtforaminute，andthensaid，“Itisnotwonderfulthatthoushouldstdoubt。Tellme，Kallikrates，ifthouseestmestandintheflameandcomeforthunharmed，wiltthouenteralso？’ “Yes，“heanswered，“Iwillenter，evenifitslayme。 IhavesaidthatIwillenternow。” “AndthatwillIalso，“Icried。 “What，myHolly！”shelaughedaloud;“methoughtthatthouwouldstnaughtoflengthofdays。Why，howisthis？” “Nay，Iknownot，“Ianswered，“butthereisthatinmyheartthatcallethtometotasteoftheflame，andlive。” “Itiswell，“shesaid。“Thouartnotaltogetherlostinfolly。Seenow;Iwillforthesecondtimebathemeinthislivingbath。FainwouldIaddtomybeautyandmylengthofdaysifthatbepossible。Ifitbenotpossible，attheleastitcannotharmme。 “Also，“shecontinued，afteramomentarypause，“isthereanotherandadeepercausewhyIwouldonceagaindipmeintheflame。WhenfirstItastedofitsvirtuefullwasmyheartofpassionandofhatredofthatEgyptianAmenartas，andtherefore，despitemystrivingstoberidthereof，havepassionandhatredbeenstampeduponmysoulfromthatsadhourtothis。 Butnowitisotherwise。Nowismymoodahappymood，andfilledamIwiththepurestpartofthought，andsowouldIeverbe。Therefore，Kallikrates，willI oncemorewashandmakemepureandclean，andyetmorefitforthee。Thereforealso，whenthoudostinturnstandinthefire，emptyallthyheartofevil，andletsweetcontentmentholdthebalanceofthymind。Shakeloosethyspirit’swings，andtakethystandupontheuttervergeofholycontemplation;ay，dreamuponthymother’skiss，andturntheetowardsthevisionofthehighestgoodthathatheversweptonsilverwingsacrossthesilenceofthydreams。Forfromthegermofwhatthouartinthatdreadmomentshallgrowthefruitofwhatthoushaltbeforallunreckonedtime。 “Nowpreparethee，prepare！evenasthoughthylasthourwereathand，andthouwastabouttocrosstothelandofshadows，andnotthroughthegatesofgloryintotherealmsofLifemadebeautiful。Prepare，I say！” CHAPTERXXVI—— WHATWESAW THENcameafewmoments’pause，duringwhichAyeshaseemedtobegatheringupherstrengthforthefierytrial，whileweclungtoeachother，andwaitedinuttersilence。 Atlast，fromfar，faraway，camethefirstmurmurofsound，thatgrewandgrewtillitbegantocrashandbellowinthedistance。Assheheardit，Ayeshaswiftlythrewoffhergauzywrapping，loosenedthegoldensnakefromherkirtle，andthen，shakingherlovelyhairaboutherlikeagarment，beneathitscoverslippedthekirtleoffandreplacedthesnakybeltaroundherandoutsidethemassesoffallinghair。ThereshestoodbeforeusasEvemighthavestoodbeforeAdam，cladinnothingbutherabundantlocks，heldroundherbythegoldenband;andnowordsofminecantellhowsweetshelooked——andyethowdivine。Nearerandnearercamethethunderwheelsoffire，andastheycameshepushedoneivoryarmthroughthedarkmassesofherhairandflungitroundLeo’sneck。 “Oh，mylove，mylove！”shemurmured，“wiltthoueverknowhowIhavelovedthee？”andshekissedhimontheforehead，andthenwentandstoodinthepathwayoftheflameofLife。 Therewas，Iremember，tomymindsomethingverytouchingaboutherwordsandthatembraceupontheforehead。Itwaslikeamother’skiss，andseemedtoconveyabenedictionwithit。 Oncamethecrashing，rollingnoise，andthesoundthereofwasasthesoundofaforestbeingsweptflatbyamightywind，andthentossedupbyitlikesomuchgrass，andthundereddownamountain-side。Nearerandneareritcame;nowflashesoflight，forerunnersoftherevolvingpillarofflame，werepassinglikearrowsthroughtherosyair;andnowtheedgeofthepillaritselfappeared。Ayeshaturnedtowardsit，andstretchedoutherarmstogreetit。Onitcameveryslowly，andlappedherroundwithflame。Isawthefirerunupherform。Isawherliftitwithbothhandsasthoughitwerewater，andpouritoverherhead。Ievensawheropenhermouthanddrawitdownintoherlungs，andadreadandwonderfulsightitwas。 Thenshepaused，andstretchedoutherarms，andstoodtherequitestill，withaheavenlysmileuponherface，asthoughsheweretheverySpiritoftheFlame。 Themysteriousfireplayedupanddownherdarkandrollinglocks，twiningandtwistingitselfthroughandaroundthemlikethreadsofgoldenlace;itgleameduponherivorybreastandshoulder，fromwhichthehairhadslippedaside;itslidalongherpillaredthroatanddelicatefeatures，andseemedtofindahomeinthegloriouseyesthatshoneandshone，morebrightlyeventhanthespiritualessence。 Oh，howbeautifulshelookedthereintheflame！Noangeloutofheavencouldhavewornagreaterloveliness。Evennowmyheartfaintsbeforetherecollectionofit，asshestoodandsmiledatourawedfaces，andIwouldgivehalfmyremainingtimeuponthisearthtoseeheroncelikethatagain。 Butsuddenly——moresuddenlythanIcandescribe——akindofchangecameoverherface，achangewhichI couldnotdefineorexplainonpaper，butnonethelessachange。Thesmilevanished，andinitsplacetherecameadry，hardlook;theroundedfaceseemedtogrowpinched，asthoughsomegreatanxietywereleavingitsimpressuponit。Thegloriouseyes，too，losttheirlight，and，asIthought，theformitsperfectshapeanderectness。 Irubbedmyeyes，thinkingthatIwasthevictimofsomehallucination，orthattherefractionfromtheintenselightproducedanopticaldelusion;and，asI didso，theflamingpillarslowlytwistedandthunderedoffwhithersoeveritpassestointhebowelsofthegreatearth，leavingAyeshastandingwhereithadbeen。 Assoonasitwasgone，shesteppedforwardtoLeo’sside——itseemedtomethattherewasnospringinherstepandstretchedoutherhandtolayitonhisshoulder。Igazedatherarm。Wherewasitswonderfulroundnessandbeauty？Itwasgettingthinandangular。 Andherface——byHeaven！——_i_herfacewasgrowingoldbeforemyeyes！_i_IsupposethatLeosawitalso——certainlyherecoiledasteportwo。 “Whatisit，myKallikrates？”shesaid，andhervoice—— whatwasthematterwiththosedeepandthrillingnotes？Theywerequitehighandcracked。 “Why，whatisit——whatisit？”shesaid，confusedly。 “Ifeeldazed。Surelythequalityofthefirehathnotaltered。CantheprincipleofLifealter？Tellme，Kallikrates，isthereaughtwrongwithmyeyes？Iseenotclear，“andsheputherhandtoherheadandtouchedherhair——andoh，_i_horrorofhorrors！_i_ itallfelluponthefloor。 “Oh，_i_look！——look！——look！_i_“shriekedJob，inashrillfalsettoofterror，hiseyesnearlydroppingoutofhishead，andfoamuponhislips。“_i_Look！—— look！——look！_i_she’sshrivellingup！she’sturningintoamonkey;“anddownhefellupontheground，foamingandgnashinginafit。 Trueenough——IfaintevenasIwriteitinthelivingpresenceofthatterriblerecollection——shewasshrivellingup;thegoldensnakethathadencircledhergraciousformslippedoverherhipsandtotheground;smallerandsmallershegrew;herskinchangedcolor，andinplaceoftheperfectwhitenessofitslustreitturneddirtybrownandyellow，likeanoldpieceofwitheredparchment。_i_She_i_feltatherhead：thedelicatehandwasnothingbutaclawnow，ahumantalonlikethatofabadlypreservedEgyptianmummy，andthensheseemedtorealizewhatkindofchangewaspassingoverher，andsheshrieked——ah，sheshrieked！——sherolleduponthefloorandshrieked！ Smallershegrew，andsmalleryet，tillshewasnolargerthanababoon。Nowtheskinwaspuckeredintoamillionwrinkles，andontheshapelessfacewasthestampofunutterableage。Ineversawanythinglikeit;nobodyeversawanythinglikethefrightfulagethatwasgravenonthatfearfulcountenance，nobiggernowthanthatofatwomonths’child，thoughtheskullremainedthesamesize，ornearlyso，andletallmenpraytoGodtheynevermay，iftheywishtokeeptheirreason。 Atlastshelaystill，oronlyfeeblymoving。_i_She_i_，whobuttwominutesbeforehadgazeduponustheloveliest，noblest，mostsplendidwomantheworldhaseverseen，shelaystillbeforeus，nearthemassesofherowndarkhair，nolargerthanabigmonkey，andhideous——ah，toohideousforwords。Andyet，thinkofthis——atthatverymomentIthoughtofit——itwasthesamewoman！ _i_She_i_wasdying：wesawit，andthankedGod—— forwhileshelivedshecouldfeel，andwhatmustshehavefelt？_i_She_i_raisedherselfuponherbonyhands，andblindlygazedaroundher，swayingherheadslowlyfromsidetoside，asatortoisedoes。_i_She_i_couldnotsee，forherwhitisheyeswerecoveredwithahornyfilm。Oh，thehorriblepathosofthesight！Butshecouldstillspeak。 “Kallikrates，“shesaid，inhusky，tremblingnotes。 “Forgetmenot，Kallikrates。Havepityonmyshame;I shallcomeagain，andshalloncemorebebeautiful，I swearit——itistrue！_i_Oh——h——h——_i_“andshefelluponherface，andwasstill。 OntheveryspotwheremorethantwentycenturiesbeforeshehadslainKallikratesthepriest，sheherselffelldownanddied。 Overcomewiththeextremityofhorror，wetoofellonthesandyfloorofthatdreadplace，andswoonedaway。 Iknownothowlongweremainedthus。Manyhours，I suppose。WhenatlastIopenedmyeyes，theothertwowerestilloutstretcheduponthefloor。Therosylightyetbeamedlikeacelestialdawn，andthethunder- wheelsoftheSpiritofLifeyetrolledupontheiraccustomedtrack，forasIawokethegreatpillarwaspassingaway。There，too，laythehideouslittlemonkeyframe，coveredwithcrinkledyellowparchment，thatoncehadbeentheglorious_i_She_i_。Alas！itwasnohideousdream——itwasanawfulandunparalleledfact！ Whathadhappenedtobringthisshockingchangeabout？ Hadthenatureofthelife-givingFirechanged！Didit，perhaps，fromtimetotimesendforthanessenceofDeathinsteadofanessenceofLife？Orwasitthattheframeoncechargedwithitsmarvellousvirtuecouldbearnomore，sothatweretheprocessrepeated—— itmatterednotatwhatlapseoftime——thetwoimpregnationsneutralizedeachother，andleftthebodyonwhichtheyactedasitwasbeforeitevercameintocontactwiththeveryessenceoflife？This，andthisalone，wouldaccountforthesuddenandterribleagingofAyesha，asthewholelengthofhertwothousandyearstookeffectuponher。Ihavenottheslightestdoubtmyselfbutthattheframenowlyingbeforemewasjustwhattheframeofawomanwouldbebyanyextraordinarymeanslifecouldpreservedinhertillatlengthshediedattheageoftwo-and-twentycenturies。 Butwhocantellwhathadhappened？Therewasthefact。OftensincethatawfulhourIhavereflectedthatitrequiresnogreatstretchofimaginationtoseethefingerofProvidenceinthematter。 Ayeshalockedupinherlivingtomb，waitingfromagetoageforthecomingofherlover，workedbutasmallchangeintheorderoftheWorld。ButAyeshastrongandhappyinherlove，clothedinimmortalyouthandgodlikebeauty，andthewisdomofthecenturies，wouldhaverevolutionizedsociety，andevenperchancehavechangedthedestinyofmankind。ThussheopposedherselfagainsttheeternalLaw，and，strongthoughshewas，byitwassweptbacktonothingness——sweptbackwithshameandhideousmockery！ ForsomeminutesIlayfaintlyturningtheseterrorsoverinmymind，whilemyphysicalstrengthcamebacktome，whichitquicklydidinthatbuoyantatmosphere。ThenIbethoughtmeoftheothers，andstaggeredtomyfeet，toseeifIcouldarousethem。 ButfirstItookupAyesha’skirtleandthegauzyscarfwithwhichshehadbeenwonttohideherdazzlinglovelinessfromtheeyesofmen，and，avertingmyheadsothatImightnotlookuponit，coveredupthatdreadfulrelicofthegloriousdead，thatshockingepitomeofhumanbeautyandhumanlife。 Ididthishurriedly，fearinglestLeoshouldrecover，andseeitagain。 Then，steppingovertheperfumedmassesofdarkhairthatlayIuponthesand，IstoopeddownbyJob，whowaslyinguponhisface，andturnedhimover。AsIdidsohisarmfellbackinawaythatIdidnotlike，andwhichsentachillthroughme，andIglancedsharplyathim。Onelookwasenough。Ouroldandfaithfulservantwasdead。Hisnerves，alreadyshatteredbyallhehadseenandundergone，hadutterlybrokendownbeneaththislastdiresight，andhehaddiedofterror，orinafitbroughtonbyterror。Onehadonlytolookathisfacetoseeit。 Itwasanotherblow;butperhapsitmayhelppeopletounderstandhowoverwhelminglyawfulwastheexperiencethroughwhichwehadpassed——wedidn’tfeelitmuchatthetime。Itseemedquitenaturalthatthepooroldfellowshouldbedead。WhenLeocametohimself，whichhedidwithagroanandtremblingofthelimbsabouttenminutesafterwards，andItoldhimthatjobwasdead，hemerelysaid，“Oh！”And，mindyou，thiswasfromnoheartlessness，forheandJobweremuchattachedtoeachother;andheoftentalksofhimnowwiththedeepestregretandaffection。Itwasonlythathisnerveswouldbearnomore。Aharpcangiveoutbutacertainquantityofsound，howeverheavilyitissmitten。 Well，IsetmyselftorecoveringLeo，who，tomyinfiniterelief，Ifoundwasnotdead，butonlyfainting，andintheendIsucceeded，asIhavesaid，andhesatup;andthenIsawanotherdreadfulthing。 Whenweenteredthatawfulplacehiscurlinghairhadbeenoftheruddiestgold，nowitwasturninggray，andbythetimewegainedtheouterairitwassnowwhite。Besides，helookedtwentyyearsolder。 “Whatistobedone，oldfellow？”hesaid，inahollow，deadsortofvoice，whenhismindhadclearedalittle，andarecollectionofwhathadhappenedforceditselfuponit。 “Tryandgetout，Isuppose，“Ianswered;“thatis，unlessyouwouldliketogointhere，“andIpointedtothecolumnoffirethatwasoncemorerollingby。 “IwouldgoinifIweresurethatitwouldkillme，“ hesaid，withalittlelaugh。“Itwasmycursedhesitationthatdidthis。IfIhadnotbeendoubtfulshemightneverhavetriedtoshowmetheroad。ButI amnotsure。Thefiremighthavetheoppositeeffectuponme。Itmightmakemeimmortal;and，oldfellow，I havenotthepatiencetowaitacoupleofthousandyearsforhertocomebackagainasshedidforme。I hadratherdiewhenmyhourcomes——andIshouldfancythatitisn’tfaroffeither——andgomywaystolookforher。Doyougoinifyoulike。” ButImerelyshookmyhead;myexcitementwasasdeadasditch-water，andmydistastefortheprolongationofmymortalspanhadcomebackuponmemorestronglythanever。Besides，weneitherofusknewwhattheeffectsofthefiremightbe。Theresultupon_i_She_i_hadnotbeenofanencouragingnature，andoftheexactcausesthatproducedthatresultwewere，ofcourse，ignorant。 “Well，myboy，“Isaid，“wecannotstopheretillwegothewayofthosetwo，“andIpointedtothelittleheapunderthewhitegarmentandtothestiffeningcorpseofpoorJob。“Ifwearegoingwehadbettergo。 But，bytheway，Iexpectthatthelampshaveburnedout，“andItookoneupandlookedatit，andsureenoughithad。 “Thereissomemoreoilinthevase，“saidLeo，indifferently——“ifitisnotbroken，atleast。” Iexaminedthevesselinquestion——itwasintact。WithatremblinghandIfilledthelamps——luckilytherewasstillsomeofthelinenwickunburned。ThenIlitthemwithoneofourwaxmatches。WhileIdidsoweheardthepillaroffireapproachingoncemoreasitwentonitsnever-endingjourney，if，indeed，itwasthesamepillarthatpassedandrepassedinacircle。 “Let’sseeitcomeoncemore，“saidLeo;“weshallneverlookuponitslikeagaininthisworld。” Itseemedabitofidlecuriosity，butsomehowI sharedit，andwesowaitedtill，turningslowlyrounduponitsownaxis，ithadflamedandthunderedby;andIrememberwonderingforhowmanythousandsofyearsthissamephenomenonhadbeentakingplaceinthebowelsoftheearth，andforhowmanymorethousandsitwouldcontinuetotakeplace。Iwonderedalsoifanymortaleyeswouldeveragainmarkitspassage，oranymortalearsbethrilledandfascinatedbytheswellingvolumeofitsmajesticsound。Idonotthinkthattheywill。Ibelievethatwearethelasthumanbeingswhowilleverseethatunearthlysight。 Presentlyithadgone，andwetooturnedtogo。 ButbeforewedidsoweeachtookJob’scoldhandinoursandshookit。Itwasaratherghastlyceremony，butitwastheonlymeansinourpowerofshowingourrespecttothefaithfuldeadandofcelebratinghisobsequies。Theheapbeneaththewhitegarmentwedidnotuncover。Wehadnowishtolookuponthatterriblesightagain。Butwewenttothepileofripplinghairthathadfallenfromherintheagonyofthathideouschangewhichwasworsethanathousandnaturaldeaths，andeachofusdrewfromitashininglock，andtheselockswestillhave，thesolemementothatislefttousofAyeshaasweknewherinthefulnessofhergraceandglory。Leopressedtheperfumedhairtohislips。 “_i_She_i_calledtomenottoforgether，“hesaid，hoarsely，“andsworethatweshouldmeetagain。 ByHeaven！Ineverwillforgether。HereIswearthat，ifwelivetogetoutofthis，Iwillnotforallmydayshaveanythingtosaytoanotherlivingwoman，andthatwhereverIgoIwillwaitforherasfaithfullyasshewaitedforme。” “Yes，“Ithoughttomyself，“ifshecomesbackasbeautifulasweknewher。Butsupposingshecamebacklikethat！” Well，andthenwewent。Wewent，andleftthosetwointhepresenceoftheverywellandspringofLife，butgatheredtothecoldcompanyofDeath。Howlonelytheylookedastheylaythere，andhowill-assorted！Thatlittleheaphadbeenfortwothousandyearsthewisest，loveliest，proudestcreature——Icanhardlycallherwoman——inthewholeuniverse。_i_She_i_hadbeenwicked，too，inherway;but，oh！suchisthefrailtyofthehumanheart，herwickednesshadnotdetractedfromhercharm。Indeed，Iambynomeanscertainthatitdidnotaddtoit。Itwas，afterall，ofagrandorder;therewasnothingmeanorsmallaboutAyesha。 AndpoorJob，too！Hispresentimenthadcometrue，andtherewasanendofhim。Well，hehasastrangeburialplace——noNorfolkhindeverhadastranger，oreverwill——anditissomethingtolieinthesamesepulchrewiththepoorremainsoftheimperial_i_She_i_。 Welookedourlastuponthemandtheindescribablerosyglowinwhichtheylay，andthenwithheartsfartooheavyforwordsweleftthem，andcreptthencebroken-downmen——sobrokendownthatweevenrenouncedthechanceofpracticallyimmortallife，becauseallthatmadelifevaluablehadgonefromus，andwekneweventhenthattoprolongourdaysindefinitelywouldonlybetoprolongoursufferings。Forwefelt——yes，bothofus——that，havingoncelookedAyeshaintheeyes，wecouldnotforgetherforeverandeverwhilememoryandidentityremained。Webothlovedhernowandforalways;shewasstampedandcarvenonourhears，andnootherwomanorinterestcouldeverrazethatsplendiddie。AndI——thereliesthesting——Ihadandhavenorighttothinkthusofher。Asshetoldme，Iwasnaughttoher，andnevershallbethroughtheunfathomeddepthofTime，unless，indeed，conditionsalter，andadaycomesatlastwhentwomenmayloveonewoman，andallthreebehappyinthefact。Itistheonlyhopeofmybroken-heartedness，andaratherfaintone。BeyonditIhavenothing。I havepaiddownthisheavyprice，allthatIamworthhereandhereafter，andthatismysolereward。WithLeoitisdifferent，andoftenandoftenIbitterlyenvyhim。hishappylot，forif_i_She_i_wasright，andherwisdomandknowledgedidnotfailheratthelast，which，arguingfromtheprecedentofherowncase，Ithinkmostunlikely，hehassomefuturetolookforwardto。ButIhavenone，andyet——markthefollyandtheweaknessofthehumanheart，andlethimwhoiswiselearnwisdomfromit——yetIwouldnothaveitotherwise。ImeanthatIamcontenttogivewhatI havegivenandmustalwaysgive，andtakeinpaymentthosecrumbsthatfallfrommymistress’stable，thememoryofafewkindwords，thehopeonedayinthefarundreamedfutureofasweetsmileortwoofrecognition，alittlegentlefriendship，andalittleshowofthanksformydevotiontoher——andLeo。 Ifthatdoesnotconstitutetruelove，Idonotknowwhatdoes，andallIhavetosayisthatitisaverybadstateofmindforamanonthewrongsideofmiddleagetofallinto。 CHAPTERXXVII—— WELEAP WEpassedthroughthecaveswithouttrouble，butwhenwecametotheslopeoftheinvertedconetwodifficultiesstaredusintheface。Thefirstofthesewasthelaboriousnatureoftheascent，andthenexttheextremedifficultyoffindingourway。Indeed，haditnotbeenforthementalnotesthatIhadfortunatelytakenoftheshapeofvariousrocks，etc。Iamsurethatwenevershouldhavemanageditatall，buthavewanderedaboutinthedreadfulwombofthevolcano——forIsupposeitmustoncehavebeensomethingofthesort——untilwediedofexhaustionanddespair。Asitwaswewentwrongseveraltimes，andoncenearlyfellintoahugecrackorcrevasse。Itwasterribleworkcreepingaboutinthedensegloomandawfulstillnessfrombouldertoboulder，andexaminingitbythefeeblelightofthelampstoseeifIcouldrecognizeitsshape。Werarelyspoke，ourheartsweretooheavyforspeech，wesimplystumbledaboutfallingsometimesandcuttingourselves，inaratherdoggedsortofway。Thefactwasthatourspiritswereutterlycrushed，andwedidnotgreatlycarewhathappenedtous。Onlywefeltboundtotryandsaveourliveswhilewecould，and，indeed，anaturalinstinctpromptedustoit。Soforsomethreeorfourhours，I shouldthink——Icannottellexactlyhowlong，forwehadnowatchleftthatwouldgo——weblunderedon。 Duringthelasttwohourswewerecompletelylost，andIbegantofearthatwehadgotintothefunnelofsomesubsidiarycone，whenatlastIsuddenlyrecognizedaverylargerockwhichwehadpassedindescendingbutalittlewayfromthetop。ItisamarvelthatIshouldhaverecognizedit，and，indeed，wehadalreadypasseditgoingatrightanglestotheproperpath，whensomethingaboutitstruckme，andI turnedbackandexamineditinanidlesortofway，and，asithappened，thisprovedoursalvation。 Afterthiswegainedtherockynaturalstairwithoutmuchfurthertrouble，andinduecoursefoundourselvesbackinthelittlechamberwherethebenightedNoothadlivedanddied，Butnow——afreshterrorstaredusintheface。Itwillberememberedthat，owingtoJob’sfearandawkwardness，theplankuponwhichwehadcrossedfromthehugespurtotherocking-stonehadbeenwhirledoffintothetremendousgulfbelow。 Howwerewetocrosswithouttheplank？ Therewasonlyoneanswer——wemusttryand_i_jump_i_it，orelsestoptheretillwestarved。Thedistanceinitselfwasnotsoverygreat，betweenelevenandtwelvefeetIshouldthink，andIhaveseenLeojumpovertwentywhenhewasayoungfellowatcollege;but，then，thinkoftheconditions。Twoweary，worn-outmen，oneofthemonthewrongsideofforty，arocking-stonetotakeofffrom，atremblingpointofrocksomefewfeetacrosstolandupon，andabottomlessgulftobeclearedinaraginggale！Itwasbadenough，Godknows，butwhenIpointedoutthesethingstoLeo，heputthewholematterinanutshellbyreplyingthat，mercilessasthechoicewas，wemustchoosebetweenthecertaintyofalingeringdeathinthechamberandtheriskofaswiftoneintheair。Ofcourse，therewasnoarguingagainstthis，butonethingwasclear，wecouldnotattemptthatleapinthedark;theonlythingtodowastowaitfortherayoflightwhichpiercedthroughthegulfatsunset。Howneartoorhowfarfromsunsetwemightbe，neitherofushadthefaintestnotion;allwedidknowwas，thatwhenatlastthelightcameitwouldnotenduremorethanacoupleofminutesattheoutside，sothatwemustbepreparedtomeetit。Accordingly，wemadeupourmindstocreepontothetopoftherocking-stoneandliethereinreadiness。Wewerethemoreeasilyreconciledtothiscoursebythefactthatourlampswereoncemorenearlyexhausted——indeed，onehadgoneoutbodilyandtheotherwasjumpingupanddownastheflameofalampdoeswhentheoilisdone。So，bytheaidofitsdyinglight，wehastenedtocrawloutofthelittlechamberandclamberupthesideofthegreatstone。 Aswedidsothelightwentout。Thedifferenceinourpositionwasasufficientlyremarkableone。Below，inthelittlechamber，wehadonlyheardtheroaringofthegaleoverhead——here，lyingonourfacesontheswingingstone，wewereexposedtoitsfullforceandfury，asthegreatdraughtdrewfirstfromthisdirectionandthenfromthat，howlingagainstthemightyprecipiceandthroughtherockycliffsliketenthousanddespairingsouls。WelaytherehourafterhourinterrorandmiseryofmindsodeepthatIwillnotattempttodescribeit，andlistenedtothewildstorm-voicesofthatTartarus，as，settothedeepundertoneofthespuropposite，againstwhichthewindhummedlikesomeawfulharp，theycalledtoeachotherfromprecipicetoprecipice。Nonightmaredreamedbyman，nowildinventionoftheromancer，caneverequalthelivinghorrorofthatplace，andtheweirdcryingofthosevoicesofthenight，asweclunglikeshipwreckedmarinerstoaraft，andtossedontheblack，unfathomedwildernessofair。Fortunatelythetemperaturewasnotalowone;indeed，thewindwaswarm，orweshouldhaveperished。Soweclungandlistened，andwhilewewerestretchedoutupontherockathinghappenedwhichwassocuriousandsuggestiveinitself，thoughdoubtlessamerecoincidence，that，ifanything，itaddedto，ratherthandeductedfrom，theburdenonournerves。 ItwillberememberedthatwhenAyeshawasstandingonthespur，beforewecrossedtothestone，thewindtorehercloakfromher，andwhirleditawayintothedarknessofthegulf，wecouldnotseewhither。Well—— Ihardlyliketotellthestory;itissostrange。Aswelaythereupontherocking-stone，thisverycloakcamefloatingoutoftheblackspace，likeamemoryfromthedead，andfellonLeo——sothatitcoveredhimnearlyfromheadtofoot：Wecouldnotatfirstmakeoutwhatitwas，butsoondiscoveredbyitsfeel，andthenpoorLeo，forthefirsttime，gaveway，andI heardhimsobbingthereuponthestone。Nodoubtthecloakhadbeencaughtuponsomepinnacleofthecliff，andwasthenceblownhitherbyachancegust;butstill，itwasamostcuriousandtouchingincident。 Shortlyafterthis，suddenly，withouttheslightestpreviouswarning，thegreatredknifeoflightcamestabbingthedarknessthroughandthrough——strucktheswayingstoneonwhichwewere，andresteditssharppointuponthespuropposite。 “Nowforit，“saidLeo，“nowornever。” Weroseandstretchedourselves，andlookedatthecloud-wreathsstainedthecolorofbloodbythatredrayastheytorethroughthesickeningdepthsbeneath; andthenattheemptyspacebetweentheswayingstoneandthequiveringrock，and，inourhearts，despaired，andpreparedfordeath。Surelywecouldnotclearit—— desperatethoughwewere。 “Whoistogofirst？”saidI。 “Doyou，oldfellow，“answeredLeo。“Iwillsitupontheothersideofthestonetosteadyit。Youmusttakeasmuchrunasyoucan，andjumphigh;andGodhavemercyonus，sayI。” Iacquiescedwithanod，andthenIdidathingIhadneverdonesinceLeowasalittleboy。Iturnedandputmyarmroundhim，andkissedhimontheforehead。 ItsoundsratherFrench，butasafactIwastakingmylastfarewellofamanwhomIcouldnothavelovedmoreifhehadbeenmyownsontwiceover。 “Good-bye，myboy，“Isaid，“Ihopethatweshallmeetagain，whereveritisthatwegoto。” ThefactwasIdidnotexpecttoliveanothertwominutes。 NextIretreatedtothefarsideoftherock，andwaitedtilloneofthechoppinggustsofwindgotbehindme，andthen，commendingmysoultoGod，Iranthelengthofthehugestone，somethreeorfourandthirtyfeet，andsprangwildlyoutintothedizzyair。 Oh！thesickeningterrorsthatIfeltasIlaunchedmyselfatthatlittlepointofrock，andthehorriblesenseofdespairthatshotthroughmybrainasI realizedthatIhad_i_jumpedshort_i_。Butsoitwas，myfeetnevertouchedthepoint，theywentdownintospace，onlymyhandsandbodycameincontactwithit。Igrippedatitwithayell，butonehandslipped，andIswungrightround，holdingbytheother，sothatIfacedthestonefromwhichIhadsprung。WildlyIstretchedupwithmylefthand，andthistimemanagedtograspahobofrock，andthereI hunginthefierceredlight，withthousandsoffeetofemptyairbeneathme。Myhandswereholdingtoeithersideoftheunderpartofthespur，sothatitspointwastouchingmyhead。Therefore，evenifIcouldhavefoundthestrength，Icouldnotpullmyselfup。 ThemostthatIcoulddowouldbetohangforaboutaminute，andthendropdown，downintothebottomlesspit。Ifanymancanimagineamorehideousposition，lethimspeak！AllIknowisthatthetortureofthathalf-minutenearlyturnedmybrain。 IheardLeogiveacry，andthensuddenlysawhiminmid-airspringingupandoutlikeachamois。Itwasasplendidleapthathetookundertheinfluenceofhisterroranddespair，clearingthehorriblegulfasthoughitwerenothing，and，landingwellontotherockypoint，hethrewhimselfuponhisface，topreventhispitchingoffintothedepths。Ifeltthespurabovemeshakebeneaththeshockofhisimpact，andasitdidsoIsawthehugerocking-stone，thathadbeenviolentlydepressedbyhimashesprang，flybackwhenrelievedofhisweighttill，forthefirsttimeduringallthesecenturies，itgotbeyonditsbalance，andfellwithamostawfulcrashrightintotherockychamberwhichhadonceservedthephilosopherNootforahermitage，asIhavenodoubtforeverhermeticallysealingthepassagethatleadstothePlaceofLifewithsomehundredsoftonsofrock。 Allthishappenedinasecond，andcuriouslyenough，notwithstandingmyterribleposition，Inoteditinvoluntarily，asitwere。Ievenrememberthinkingthatnohumanbeingwouldgodownthatdreadpathagain。 NextinstantIfeltLeoseizemebytherightwristwithbothhands。Bylyingflatonthepointofrockhecouldjustreachme。 “Youmustletgoandswingyourselfclear，“hesaid，inacalmandcollectedvoice，“andthenIwilltryandpullyouup，orwewillbothgotogether。Areyouready？” BywayofanswerIletgo，firstwithmylefthandandthenwiththeright，andswayedoutasaconsequenceclearoftheovershadowingrock，myweighthanginguponLeo’sarms。Itwasadreadfulmoment。Hewasaverypowerfulman，Iknew，butwouldhisstrengthbeequaltoliftingmeuptillIcouldgetaholdonthetopofthespur，whenowingtohispositionhehadsolittlepurchase？ ForafewsecondsIswungtoandfro，whilehegatheredhimselffortheeffort，andthenIheardhissinewscrackingaboveme，andfeltmyselfliftedupasthoughIwerealittlechild，tillIgotmyleftarmaroundtherock，andmychestwasrestingonit。Therestwaseasy;intwoorthreemoresecondsIwasup，andwewerelyingpantingsidebyside，tremblinglikeleaves，andwiththecoldperspirationofterrorpouringfromourskins。 Andthen，asbefore，thelightwentoutlikealamp。 Forsomehalf-hourwelaythuswithoutspeakingaword，andthenatlengthbegantocreepalongthegreatspurasbestwemightinthedensegloom。Aswedrewtowardsthefaceofthecliff，however，fromwhichthespursprangoutlikeaspikefromawall，thelightincreased，thoughonlyaverylittle，foritwasnightoverhead。Afterthatthegustsofwinddecreased，andwegotalongratherbetter，andatlastreachedthemouthofthefirstcaveortunnel。Butnowafreshtroublestaredusintheface：ouroilwasgone，andthelampswere，nodoubt，crushedtopowderbeneaththefallenrocking-stone。Wewereevenwithoutadropofwatertostayourthirst，forwehaddrunkthelastinthechamberofNoot。Howwerewetoseetomakeourwaythroughthislastboulder-strewntunnel？ Clearlyallthatwecoulddowastotrusttooursenseoffeeling，andattemptthepassageinthedark;soinwecrept，fearingthatifwedelayedtodosoourexhaustionwouldovercomeus，andweshouldprobablyliedownanddiewherewewere。 Oh，thehorrorsofthatlasttunnel！Theplacewasstrewnwithrocks，andwefelloverthem，andknockedourselvesupagainstthemtillwewerebleedingfromascoreofwounds。Ouronlyguidewasthesideofthecavern，whichwekepttouching，andsobewildereddidwegrowinthedarknessthatwewereseveraltimesseizedwiththeterrifyingthoughtthatwehadturned，andweretravellingthewrongway。Onwewent，feebly，andstillmorefeebly，forhourafterhour，stoppingeveryfewminutestorest，forourstrengthwasspent。 Oncewefellasleep，and，Ithink，musthavesleptforsomehours，for，whenwewoke，ourlimbswerequitestiff，andthebloodfromourblowsandscratcheshadcaked，andwashardanddryuponourskin。Thenwedraggedourselvesonagain，tillatlast，whendespairwasenteringintoourhears，weoncemoresawthelightofday，andfoundourselvesoutsidethetunnelintherockyfoldontheoutersurfaceofthecliffthat，itwillberemembered，ledintoit。 Itwasearlymorning——thatwecouldtellbythefeelofthesweetairandthelookoftheblessedsky，whichwehadneverhopedtoseeagain。Itwas，sonearasweknew，anhouraftersunsetwhenweenteredthetunnel，soitfollowedthatithadtakenustheentirenighttocrawlthroughthatdreadfulplace。 “Onemoreeffort，Leo，“Igasped，“andweshallreachtheslopewhereBillaliis，ifhehasn’tgone。Come，don’tgiveway，“forhehadcasthimselfuponhisface。Hegotup，and，leaningoneachother，wegotdownthatfiftyfeetorsoofcliff——somehow，Ihavenottheleastnotionhow。Ionlyrememberthatwefoundourselveslyinginaheapatthebottom，andthenoncemorebegantodragourselvesalongonourhandsandkneestowardsthegrovewhere_i_She_i_ hadtoldBillalitowaitherrearrival，forwecouldnotwalkanotherfoot。Wehadnotgonefiftyyardsinthisfashionwhensuddenlyoneofthemutesemergedfromsometreesonourleft，throughwhich，Ipresume，hehadbeentakingamorningstroll，andcamerunninguptoseewhatsortofstrangeanimalswewere。Hestaredandstared，andthenhelduphishandsinhorror，andnearlyfelltotheground。Next，hestartedoffashardashecouldforthegrove，sometwohundredyardsaway。Nowonderthathewashorrifiedatourappearance，forwemusthavebeenashockingsight。Tobegin，Leo，withhisgoldencurlsturnedasnowywhite，hisclothesnearlyrentfromhisbody，hiswornfaceandhishandsamassofbruises，cuts，andblood-encrustedfilth，wasasufficientlyalarmingspectacle，ashepainfullydraggedhimselfalongtheground，andIhavenodoubtthatIwaslittlebettertolookon。IknowthattwodaysafterwardswhenIlookedatmyfaceinsomewaterI scarcelyrecognizedmyself。Ihaveneverbeenfamousforbeauty，buttherewassomethingbesidesuglinessstampeduponmyfeaturesthatIhavenevergotridofuntilthisday，somethingresemblingthatwildlookwithwhichastartledpersonwakesfromdeepsleepmorethananythingelsethatIcanthinkof。Andreallyitisnottobewonderedat。WhatIdowonderatisthatweescapedatallwithourreason。 Presently，tomyintenserelief，IsawoldBillalihurryingtowardsus，andeventhenIcouldscarcelyhelpsmilingattheexpressionofconsternationonhisdignifiedcountenance。 “Oh，myBaboon;myBaboon！”hecried，“mydearson，isitindeedtheeandtheLion？Why，hismanethatwasripeascorniswhitelikethesnow。Whencecomeye？ andwhereisthePigandwheretoo_i_She_i_-who- must-be-obeyed？” “Dead，bothdead，“Ianswered;“butasknoquestions; helpus，andgiveusfoodandwater，orwetooshalldiebeforethineeyes。Seestthounotthatourtonguesareblackforwantofwater？Howcanwetalkthen？” “Dead！”hegasped。“impossible。_i_She_i_whoneverdies——dead，howcanitbe？”andthen，perceiving，I think，thathisfacewasbeingwatchedbythemuteswhohadcomerunningup，hecheckedhimself，andmotionedtothemtocarryustothecamp，whichtheydid。 Fortunatelywhenwearrivedsomebrothwasboilingonthefire，andwiththisBillalifedus，forweweretooweaktofeedourselves，thereby，Ifirmlybelieve，savingusfromdeathbyexhaustion。Thenhebadethemuteswashthebloodandgrimefromuswithwetcloths，andafterthatwewerelaiddownuponpilesofaromaticgrass，andinstantlyfellintothedeadsleepofabsoluteexhaustionofmindandbody。 CHAPTERXXVIII—— OVERTHEMOUNTAIN THEnextthingIrecollectisafeelingofthemostdreadfulstiffness，andasortofvagueideapassingthroughmyhalf-awakenedbrainthatIwasacarpetthathadjustbeenbeaten。Iopenedmyeyes，andthefirstthingtheyfellonwasthevenerablecountenanceofouroldfriendBillali，whowasseatedbythesideoftheimprovisedbeduponwhichIwassleeping，andthoughtfullystrokinghislongbeard。Thesightofhimatoncebroughtbacktomymindarecollectionofallthatwehadrecentlypassedthrough，whichwasaccentuatedbythevisionofpoorLeolyingoppositetome，hisfaceknockedalmosttoajelly，andhisbeautifulcrownofcurlsturnedfromyellowtowhite，andIshutmyeyesagainandgroaned。 “Thouhastsleptlong，myBaboon，“saidoldBillali。 “Howlong，myfather？”Iasked。 “Aroundofthesunandaroundofthemoon，adayandanighthastthouslept，andtheLionalso。See，hesleepethyet。” “Blessedissleep，“Ianswered，“foritswallowsuprecollection。” “Tellme，“hesaid，“whathathbefallenye，andwhatisthisstrangestoryofthedeathofherwhodiethnot。Bethinkthee，myson：ifthisbetrue，thenisthydangerandthedangeroftheLionverygreat——nay，almostisthepotredwherewithyeshallbepotted，andthestomachsofthosewhoshalleatyearealreadyhungryforthefeast。KnowestthounotthattheseAmahagger，mychildren，thesedwellersinthecaves，hateye？Theyhateyeasstrangers，theyhateyemorebecauseoftheirbrethrenwhom_i_She_i_puttothetormentforyoursake。Assuredly，ifoncetheylearnthatthereisnaughttofearfromHiya，fromtheterrible_i_One-who-must-be-obeyed_i_，theywillslayyebythepot。Butletmehearthytale，mypoorBaboon。” Thusadjured，Isettoworkandtoldhim——noteverything，indeed，forIdidnotthinkitdesirabletodoso，butsufficientformypurpose，whichwastomakehimunderstandthat_i_She_i_wasreallynomore，havingfallenintosomefire，and，asIputit—— fortherealthingwouldhavebeenincomprehensibletohim——beenburnedup。Ialsotoldhimsomeofthehorrorswehadundergoneineffectingourescape，andtheseproducedagreatimpressiononhim。ButI clearlysawthathedidnotbelieveinthereportofAyesha’sdeath。Hebelieved，indeed，thatwethoughtthatshewasdead，buthisexplanationwasthatithadsuitedhertodisappearforawhile。Once，hesaid，inhisfather’stime，shehaddonesofortwelveyears，andtherewasatraditioninthecountrythatmanycenturiesbacknoonehadseenherforawholegeneration，whenshesuddenlyreappeared，anddestroyedawomanwhohadassumedthepositionofqueen。Isaidnothingtothis，butonlyshookmyheadsadly。Alas！IknewtoowellthatAyeshawouldappearnomore，or，atanyrate，thatBillaliwouldseeheragain。 “Andnow，“concludedBillali，“whatwouldstthoudo，myBaboon？” “Nay，“Isaid，“Iknownot，myfather。Canwenotescapefromthiscountry？” Heshookhishead。“Itisverydifficult。ByKo^ryecannotpass，foryewouldbeseen，andassoonasthosefierceonesfoundthatyewerealone，well，“andhesmiledsignificantly，andmadeamovementasthoughhewereplacingahatonhishead。“ButthereisawayoverthecliffwhereofIoncespaketothee，wheretheydrivethecattleouttopasture。Thenbeyondthepasturesarethreedaysjourneythroughthemarshes，andafterthatIknownot，butIhaveheardthatsevendays’journeyfromthenceisamightyriver，whichflowethtotheblackwater。Ifyecouldcomethither，perchanceyemightescape，buthowcanyecomethither？” “Billali，“Isaid，“once，thouknowest，Ididsavethylife。Nowpaybackthedebt，myfather，andsavememineandmyfriend’s，theLion’s。Itshallbeapleasantthingfortheetothinkofwhenthinehourcomes，andsomethingtosetinthescaleagainsttheevildoingofthydays，ifperchancethouhastdoneanyevil。Also，ifthouberight，andif_i_She_i_ dothbuthideherself，surelywhenshecomesagainsheshallrewardthee。” “MysontheBaboon，“answeredtheoldman，“thinknotthatIhaveanungratefulheart。WelldoIrememberhowthoudidstrescuemewhenthosedogsstoodbytoseemedrown。MeasureformeasurewillIgivethee，andifthoucanstbesaved，surelyIwillsavethee。 listen：bydawnto-morrowbeprepared，forlittersshallbeheretobearyeawayacrossthemountains，andthroughthemarshesbeyond。ThiswillIdo，sayingthatitisthewordof_i_She_i_thatitbedone，andhewhoobeyethnotthewordof_i_She_i_foodisheforthehyenas。Thenwhenyehavecrossedthemarshes，yemuststrikewithyourownhands，sothatperchance，ifgoodfortunegowithyou，yemaylivetocometothatblackwaterwhereofyetoldme。Andnow，see，theLionwakes，andyemusteatthefoodIhavemadereadyforyou。” Leo’scondition，whenoncehewasfairlyaroused，provednottobesobadasmighthavebeenexpectedfromhisappearance，andwebothofusmanagedtoeataheartymeal，which，indeed，weneededsadlyenough。 Afterthiswelimpeddowntothespringandbathed，andthencamebackandsleptagaintillevening，whenweoncemoreateenoughforfive。Billaliwasawayallthatday，nodoubtmakingarrangementsaboutlittersandbearers，forwewereawakenedinthemiddleofthenightbythearrivalofaconsiderablenumberofmeninthelittlecamp。 Atdawntheoldmanhimselfappeared，andtoldusthathehad，byusing_i_She_i_’sdreadedname，thoughwithsomedifficulty，succeededingettingthenecessarymenandtwoguidestoconductusacrosstheswamps，andthatheurgedustostartatonce，atthesametimeannouncinghisintentionofaccompanyingussoastoprotectusagainsttreachery。Iwasmuchtouchedbythisactofkindnessonthepartofthatwilyoldbarbariantowardstwoutterlydefencelessstrangers。Athree——orinhiscase，forhewouldhavetoreturn，six——days’journeythroughthosedeadlyswampswasnolightundertakingforamanofhisage，butheconsentedtodoitcheerfullyinordertopromoteoursafety。ItshowsthatevenamongthosedreadfulAmahagger——whoarecertainly，withtheirgloomandtheirdevilishandferociousrites，byfarthemostterriblesavagesthatIeverheardof——therearepeoplewithkindlyhearts。Ofcourseself-interestmayhavehadsomethingtodowithit。Hemayhavethoughtthat_i_She_i_wouldsuddenlyreappearanddemandanaccountofusathishands，butstill，allowingforalldeductions，itwasagreatdealmorethanwecouldexpectunderthecircumstances，andI canonlysaythatIshall，foraslongasIlive，cherishamostaffectionateremembranceofmynominalparent，oldBillali。 Accordingly，afterswallowingsomefood，westartedinthelitters，feeling，sofarasourbodieswent，wonderfullylikeouroldselvesafterourlongrestandsleep。Imustleavetheconditionofourmindstotheimagination。 Thencameaterriblepullupthecliff。Sometimestheascentwasnatural，moreoftenitwasazigzagroadwaycut，nodoubt，inthefirstinstancebytheoldinhabitantsofKo^r。TheAmahaggersaytheydrivetheirsparecattleoveritonceayeartopastureoutside;allIknowisthatthosecattlemustbeuncommonlyactiveontheirfeet。Ofcoursethelitterswereuselesshere，sowehadtowalk。 Bymidday，however，wereachedthegreatflattopofthatmightywailofrock，andgrandenoughtheviewwasfromit，withtheplainofKo^r，inthecentreofwhichwecouldclearlymakeoutthepillaredruinsoftheTempleofTruthtotheoneside，andtheboundlessandmelancholymarshontheother。Thiswallofrock，whichhadnodoubtonceformedthelipofthecrater，wasaboutamileandahalfthick，andstillcoveredwithclinker。Nothinggrewthere，andtheonlythingtorelieveoureyeswereoccasionalpoolsofrain- water(forrainhadlatelyfallen)wherevertherewasalittlehollow。Overtheflatcrestofthismightyrampartwewent，andthencamethedescent，which，ifnotsodifficultamatterasthegettingup，wasstillsufficientlybreak-neck，andtookustillsunset。Thatnight，however，wecampedinsafetyuponthemightyslopesthatroiledawaytothemarshbeneath。 Onthefollowingmorning，abouteleveno’clock，beganourdrearyjourneyacrossthoseawfulseasofswampswhichIhavealreadydescribed。 Forthreewholedays，throughstenchandmire，andtheall-prevailingflavoroffever，didourbearersstrugglealong，tillatlengthwecametoopen，roilingground，quiteuncultivatedandmostlytreeless，butcoveredwithgameofallsorts，whichliesbeyondthatmostdesolate，andwithoutguides，utterlyimpracticable，district。Andhereonthefollowingmorningwebadefarewell，notwithoutsomeregret，tooldBillali，whostrokedhiswhitebeardandsolemnlyblessedus。 “Farewell，mysontheBaboon，“hesaid，“andfarewelltotheetoo，OLion。Icandonomoretohelpyou。Butifeveryecometoyourcountry，beadvised，andventurenomoreintolandsthatyeknownot，lestyecomebacknomore，butleaveyourwhitebonestomarkthelimitofyourjourneyings。Farewelloncemore; oftenshallIthinkofyou，norwiltthouforgetme，myBaboon，forthoughthyfaceisuglythyheartistrue。”Andthenheturnedandwent，andwithhimwentthetallandsullen-lookingbearers，andthatwasthelastthatwesawoftheAmahagger。Wewatchedthemwindingawaywiththeemptylitterslikeaprocessionbearingdeadmenfromabattle，tillthemistsfromthemarshgatheredroundthemandhidthem，andthen，leftutterlydesolateinthevastwilderness，weturnedandgazedaroundusandateachother。 ThreeweeksorsobeforefourmenhadenteredthemarshesofKo^r，andnowtwoofusweredead，andtheothertwohadgonethroughadventuresandexperiencessostrangeandterriblethatDeathhimselfhathnotamorefearfulcountenance。Threeweeks——andonlythreeweeks！Trulytimeshouldbemeasuredbyevents，andnotbythelapseofhours。Itseemedlikethirtyyearssincewesawthelastofourwhaleboat。 “WemuststrikeoutfortheZambesi，Leo，“Isaid，“butGodknowsifweshallevergetthere。” Leonodded。Hehadbecomeverysilentoflate，andwestartedwithnothingbuttheclotheswestoodin，acompass，ourrevolversandexpressrifles，andabouttwohundredroundsofammunition，andsoendedthehistoryofourvisittotheancientruinsofmightyandimperialKo^r。 Asfortheadventuresthatsubsequentlybefellus，strangeandvariedastheywere，Ihave，afterdeliberation，determinednottorecordthemhere。InthesepagesIhaveonlytriedtogiveashortandclearaccountofanoccurrencewhichIbelievetobeunprecedented，andthisIhavedone，notwithaviewtoimmediatepublication，butmerelytoputonpaperwhiletheyareyetfreshinourmemoriesthedetailsofourjourneyanditsresult，whichwill，Ibelieve，proveinterestingtotheworldifeverwedeterminetomakethempublic。This，asatpresentadvised，wedonotintendshouldbedoneduringourjointlives。 Fortherest，itisofnopublicinterest，resemblingasitdoestheexperienceofmorethanoneCentralAfricantraveller。Sufficeittosay，thatwedid，afterincrediblehardshipsandprivations，reachtheZambesi，whichprovedtobeaboutahundredandseventymilessouthofwhereBillalileftus。Therewewereforsixmonthsimprisonedbyasavagetribe，whobelievedustobesupernaturalbeings，chieflyonaccountofLeo’syouthfulfaceandsnow-whitehair。 Fromthesepeopleweultimatelyescaped，and，crossingtheZambesi，wanderedoffsouthward，where，whenonthepointofstarvation，weweresufficientlyfortunatetofallinwithahalf-castePortugueseelephant-hunterwhohadfollowedatroopofelephantsfartherinlandthanhehadeverbeenbefore。Thismantreatedusmosthospitably，andultimatelythroughhisassistancewe，afterinnumerablesufferingsandadventures，reachedDelagoaBay，morethaneighteenmonthsfromthetimewhenweemergedfromthemarshesofKo^r，andtheverynextdaymanagedtocatchoneofthesteamboatsthatrunroundtheCapetoEngland。Ourjourneyhomewasaprosperousone，andwesetourfootonthequayatSouthamptonexactlytwoyearsfromthedateofourdepartureuponourwildandseeminglyridiculousquest，andInowwritetheselastwordswithLeoleaningovermyshoulderinmyoldroominmycollege，theverysameintowhich，sometwo-and-twentyyearsago，mypoorfriendVinceycamestumblingonthememorablenightofhisdeath，bearingtheironchestwithhim。 Andthatistheendofthishistorysofarasitconcernsscienceandtheoutsideworld。WhatitsendwillbeasregardsLeoandmyselfismorethanIcanguessat。Butwefeelthatitisnotreachedyet。A storythatbeganmorethantwothousandyearsagomaystretchalongwayintothedimanddistantfuture。 IsLeoreallyareincarnationoftheancientKallikratesofwhomtheinscriptiontells？OrwasAyeshadeceivedbysomestrangehereditaryresemblance？Thereadermustformhisownopiniononthisasonmanyothermatters。Ihavemine，whichisthatshemadenosuchmistake。 OftenIsitaloneatnight，staringwith，theeyesofthemindintotheblacknessofunborntime，andwonderinginwhatshapeandformthegreatdramawillbefinallydeveloped，andwherethesceneofitsnextactwillbelaid。Andwhenthatfinaldevelopmentultimatelyoccurs，asIhavenodoubtitmustandwilloccur，inobediencetoafatethatneverswervesandapurposethatcannotbealtered，whatwillbethepartplayedthereinbythatbeautifulEgyptianAmenartas，theprincessoftheroyalraceofthePharaohs，fortheloveofwhomthePriestKallikratesbrokehisvowstoIsis，and，pursuedbytheinexorablevengeanceoftheoutragedgoddess，fleddownthecoastofLibyatomeethisdoomatKo^r？ TheEnd