The Night Land - Page 87/100

Now, as I went towards the North and West, I steered me warily for a

great while, that I come safe of that Great Watcher of the North-West.

And as I made forward, I put thought to all matters which must concern

me; so far as I had imagining to see. And first I did consider the speed

that I should keep; and found presently that I did well to be moderate;

for that I had before me a great and mighty journey; and indeed, who

might speak knowingly of the end thereof?

And another matter, I did arrange; for I would make the times of my

goings forward, and the times of mine eatings and sleepings all to a

wise and regular fashion; that, thereby, I might go a great way, with

the less harm to my body; so that I should be strong when the need did

come for my strength. And I made in the end that I should eat and drink,

at every sixth hour, and at the eighteenth hour sleep me until the

twenty-fourth.

And by this means did I eat thrice in that time, and have six hours of

sleep. And this seemed very good to me, and I did strive always to

manage thus in all my great journeying in the Night Land. Yet, as may be

supposed, there were times oft and many when I must watch without

ceasing, and leave my slumber unto the future; for the Land was full of

grim and dreadful Perils.

And, as doth be human, I brake my rule straightway in the beginning; for

I ceased not to walk for one-and-twenty hours, hiding and creeping, as

the need did be in those places that were like to show me unto the

Watcher; and when I did think upon food, it did sicken me; so that I

would eat by and by, as I made it within my thoughts.

But when one-and-twenty hours had gone, I grew very weary and something

faint; and was forced that I look about for some place where I might

have rest. And, in a little while, I did see, away off, a small

fire-hole, the like of which I had passed odd times even so early. And I

made to come nigh to that part; for there would be warmth from the

chill of the Night Land, and mayhaps a place dry and convenient to my

slumber.

And when I came anigh, I saw that it was a cheerful place, as it might

be said, amid so much gloom; for the hole was but a few paces wide, and

full of a dull, glowing fire, that did bubble somewhat, and throw off a

small sulphur-smoke. And I sat me down, at no great way, and did place

the Diskos on the rock to my hand.

And I moved not, awhile; but was aweary, so that I had not the courage

to eat, neither to drink; but must turn me and look back to the Mighty

Pyramid; and, in truth, though I had come a very good space, yet was I

so anigh to it, that I was both cheered and put out of heart; for it did

seem close upon me, by reason of its greatness, so that I, who had

journeyed a hard and weariful way, was shaken with the greatness of the

task that was upon me.

Yet was this but one side of my heart; for it was good to feel the

nearness of my Mighty Home; and I knew that there did countless millions

make watch upon me, as I sat; yet did I make no sign; for it is not meet

to make a constant farewell; but to GO. Yet was it very strange to be

thus near, and to show such behaviour as were proper to one afar from

all humanity. But so it was that I ordered my ways; for it did seem

proper to me; yet was I happy to know that the dear Master Monstruwacan

must, time and oft, have spied upon me through the Great Spy-Glass; and

mayhaps did watch me in that moment.

And it grew in me that I did act weakly to hold off from mine Vittles,

and showed foolishness before my kind friend afar; and I did ope my

scrip, and take therefrom three tablets, the which I chewed and did eat;

for this was a strong food, treated that it had but small bulk. Yet were

they not filling to the belly; and I made that I would drink well, that

I might feel that something was therein.

And to this end, I shook from a strong and especial tube, a dust; and I

caught the dust within a little cup; and the air did make an action upon

that dust, as it were of chemistry; and the dust did boil and make a

fizzing in the cup, and rose up and filled it with a liquid that was of

simple water; yet very strange to see come that way; but ordinary after

a time.

And in this way, as might be seen, had I such food and drink in but a

little scrip, that might keep life within me for a great time. Yet was

it a way of discomfort, and lacking to the mouth and to the belly; but a

sufficient thing unto the need of the body, and good matter for a

thankful heart, in that dark and hungry Land.

Now, when I had eaten, I did go over in their order, those things which

I did carry; for there was, beside the Diskos and that scrip of food, a

pouch that did contain matters various. And these, I did look into; and

afterward did take out a small compass that I had been give by the

Master Monstruwacan, so that I might find of its workings without the

Great Redoubt; and, he had said unto me, that it might be that I should

pass far off into the Night Land, and lose the Mighty Pyramid amid so

great a Country and so plentiful a Darkness. Then, perchance, if that

ancient principle did still lurk within the machine, though turned no

more to the North, but unto the Pyramid, then should it guide my feet

Homeward out of the Everlasting Night, and thus have once more that

ancient use which, as I do know, is common unto this age.

And this was a very cunning thing to have with me, if but it held

service to the Earth-Current, and a rare thing, which the Master

Monstruwacan did make with his own hands and much skill and pains, from

an olden one that had place within the Great Museum, and concerning

which I have told somewhat, before this place.

And I set the thing upon the ground; but it had no certain way with it;

but did spin and waver constantly, and this I made to consider, and

remembered that I was yet above that part where, afar in the earth did

spread the greatness of the Underground Fields; and I was, haply, but a

little way off from the "Crack"; though a mighty way above.

And it pleasured me to wonder whether the dear Master Monstruwacan did

behold how that I made test with the compass; for the light was good

from the fire-hole; and the Great Spy-Glass had a great strength. Yet,

had I no certainty; for, as I did know, from much watchings, there was

no surety in the searching of the Land, by the Glass; for there was oft

plainness where you did think surely none should see, and anon a

dullness where might be thought that the sight went gaily. And this may

be plain to all; for the wavering of the lights from the strange fires

was not to be accounted to rule; but made a light here, and a darkness

there, and then did change about, oddly. Moreover, there were smokes and

mists that did come upwards from the earth, in this place and in that;

and had somewhiles a greatness; but oft were small, and did lurk low,

and had no power but to confuse the sight.

And, presently, I did put by the compass in my pouch, and made to

compose myself unto sleep. But here would I now set down how that, in

the end, after I had gone many days' journeyings outward from the Mighty

Pyramid, I did indeed find it to draw the Northward part of the needle

unto it; and this was a comfort and a pleasure to my spirit; moreover,

if ever I did get back, as I did think, it would be a matter for great

interest unto the Master Monstruwacan; yet, in verity, were there other

matters that should hold him more; for he was right human, as all should

know.

And, moreover, concerning this same compass, I did find a fresh thing;

for, after a yet greater time, as I shall set out in a due place, if I

do but remember, which doubt is ever my fear to fret me, I came a

mighty way from the Redoubt, and, lo! fearing that I might indeed lose

that, My Great Home, in the Darkness of the World, I did pull out that

strange wonder of the needle, that I might have comfort by its homeward

pointing. And I did discover a new power in the night; for the machine

did point no more directwards unto the Great Redoubt; but was a point

unto the Westwards; so that I had knowledge that some Great Power afar

in the Darkness of the World did sway upon it; and I had a childlike

wonder that this might be, in truth, that same Power of the North, of

which the books, and my Memory-Dreams did tell. And, indeed, no doubt

should there be upon this matter; yet who might not have doubt in that

time, that they should perceive after an eternity, that ancient

Northward Force swaying that small servant unto an olden obedience. And

it was, as it were, a revealing unto me, how that to know within the

brain is one matter; but to have knowledge within the heart is another;

for I had always known concerning this Northward Force; but yet had not

known with the true meaning of Knowledge.

And yet one other matter there was to cause doubt, at that moment of

this new knowing; for it came to me that maybe the power of that Lesser

Redoubt did begin to act upon the machine, even as the Earth-Current of

the Great Pyramid did hold yet a strong drawing upon the needle; and

were this so, then did I not surely begin to stand anigh unto my

Journey's end; for that less power of the Lesser Redoubt could have no

impudence to pull, save that I had come to a closeness with it.

Yet, in truth, as I do now have knowledge, it was the North that drew;

and I do seem to make a great telling about this little matter; but how

else shall I show to you mine inward mind, and the lack of knowledge and

likewise the peculiar knowings that did go to the making of that time,

and the Peoples thereof, which is but to say the same thing twice over.

And now, as I did say, I made to compose myself for sleep; and to this

end, I took a cloak-matter which did cross my shoulder and hip, and

wrapt it about me, and lay down there in the darkness of the Night, by

that strange fire-hole.

And I lay the Diskos beside me, within the cloak; for it was, indeed, my

companion and friend in bitter need; so that I had pleasure to feel the

strange thing anigh to me. And as I did lie there, in those moments that

do drowse the Soul, as it were that they do proceed as breath out of the

mouth of Sleep, I had a half-knowing that the aether did surge about me;

and I doubt not but that there had watched my every doing, many of the

Millions, and had been humanly stirred, at my commending of my spirit

unto sleep; and thus did shake the aether of the world about me, with

their unity of sympathy.

And, mayhaps, I had some little knowing of this thing, as I did pass,

drowsy, into slumber; and it is surely like that I slept the better for

it. Moreover, I was wondrous tired and worn, and thus did sleep very

strong and heavy; yet I mind me that my last dim thinkings were upon

that sweet maid I did go to find. And in slumber did I have speech with

her in dreams, and a strange happiness about me, and all seeming to be

touched by fairy-light, and freed from the sorrow of life.

And it was from a sweet and lovely sleeping, such as this, that I was

waked suddenly by a great and mighty sound; and I came instant to a

possessing of my senses; and I knew that the mighty Voice of the

Home-Call did go howling across the Night. And, swift and silent, I slid

the cloak from about me, and took the haft of that wondrous Diskos into

mine hand.

And I did look towards the Pyramid, quickly, for a message; for I had a

sure knowledge that there had a great Need arisen, and that some Terror

came towards me out of the Dark; else they had never waked all the Night

Land to a knowing that an human was abroad out of the Mighty Refuge.

And even as I did peer towards the Great Redoubt, I could not abide to

keep my gaze entire that way; but did take a large and fearful look all

about me; yet could make to see nothing; and so did stare, eager and

anxious, afar into the upper blackness of the Night, where did shine

that Final Light of the Tower of Observation; and the same while

crouched, and holding the Diskos, and making to glance across my

shoulders, and to watch for the message, and all in the same moment.

And then, afar upwards in the prodigious height, I did see the great,

and bright and quick darting flashes of a strange green fire, and did

know that they spelled to me in the Set-Speech a swift warning that a

grey monster, that was a Great Grey Man, had made scent of me in the

dark, and was even in that moment of time, crawling towards me through

the low moss-bushes that lay off beyond the fire-hole to my back. And

the message was sharp; and bade me to leap into the bushes unto my left;

and to hide there; so that I might chance to take the thing to an

advantage.

And, as may be thought, they had scarce flashed the tale unto me; but I

was gone in among the shadows of a clump of the moss-bush that did grow

anigh; and I sweat with a strange terror, and a cold and excited shaking

of the heart; yet was my spirit set strong to conquer.

And lo! as I did crouch there, hidden, I saw something come very quiet

out of the bushes that did grow beyond the fire-hole; and it was great,

and crept, and was noways coloured but by greyness in all its parts. And

the glare from the fire-hole did seem to trouble it; so that it looked,

laying its head to the ground, and spying along the earth, in a strange

and Brutish fashion; that it might oversee the glare of the fire-hole.

Yet, I doubt that it saw beyond the fire with plainness; for, in a

moment, it crept swift in among the bushes again, and came out towards

the edge of the fire-hole in another place; and this it did thrice unto

my left, and thrice unto my right; and every time did lay its head to

the earth, and spy along; and did hunch its shoulders, and thrust

forward the jaw horridly and turn the neck, as a very nasty beast might

go, wanton.

Now, as you may think, this manner of the Beast-Man did shake my courage

mightily; for I did think each time that it did go inward among the

moss-bushes, that it had made discovery of me, and would make to take me

in the back, from out of the dark of the bushes; and this was an

uncomfortable thing to consider, as others might think also, had any

been there in the bush with me. And then, in truth, did that same swift

sense of mine Hearing, prove helpful to my saving; for, behold, the

thing did go back into the moss-bushes, after that last coming out; and

did seem to make as it had made a failing to discover me, and had no

further intent, save to return unto the Night; and I had this thought

truly in mine heart, and for maybe a minute; and then, lo! within my

soul a voice did speak plain, and did warn me that the thing did make a

great compass among the moss-bushes about the fire-hole, having made

discovery of me; and it did go warily to take me in the back, from the

other side.

Now, when I heard this voice speak within my spirit, I had knowledge

that the dear Master Monstruwacan made watch from the Tower of

Observation, and did send the speech with his brain-elements, having in

mind that I had the Night-Hearing. And I trusted the speech; for in the

same moment of time there did beat all about me in the Night the solemn

throb of the Master-Word, as that it had been added with speed, to give

instant assurance. And I leapt quick from that clump of the moss-bush,

unto another, and crouched, and made a watch all about me; and kept the

ears of my spirit open, knowing that the Master Monstruwacan did also

watch all, for me.

And, suddenly, I saw a little moving of a bush that grew to the back of

those bushes in which I had been hid; and there came out of the bush

that moved, a great grey hand, and moved the moss of the clump where I

had been, as it were that something peered out of the moving bush. And

there followed the great grey head of the Grey Man, and the head went

into the clump of the moss-bush where I had been.

And I knew that I must strike now; and I leapt, and smote with the

Diskos; and the thing fell upon its side, and the great grey legs came

out of the hither bushes, and twitched and drew upwards; but the head

remained in the bush where I had been hid. And I stood away from the

thing whilst it died; and in mine hand the Diskos did spin and send

forth fire; as it were that it did live, and did know that it had slain

a great and horrid monster.

And presently the Grey Man was dead; and I went away from those bushes,

unto the far side of the fire-hole. And I stood with the Diskos held

high and spinning and sending out fire, that they within the Mighty

Pyramid might know that I had slain the Beast-Man; for it might be that

it lay too much in the shadow for them to look upon.

But the Master Monstruwacan spoke not again to me; for, indeed, it was

not meet to do so, except it might save me from a sure danger; for, as

you may know from my past tellings, there were Powers of the Night Land

that did hearken unto such matters; and it was like enough that there

had been overmuch done, even thus, for my further safety. Yet the thing

could not be helped.

And now that I was a little calmed, and eased from my fear, I could know

that all that the aether of the night was disturbed by the gladness of

the millions within the Great Redoubt; so that it was plain how great a

multitude had given note unto the fight; and their hearts to beat in

sweet sympathy and natural fear; so that I did feel companied and

befriended; though, as it may be thought, something shaken yet about the

heart.

Now, in a little time, I did gather unto me my wits and had myself to

order; and I looked to see how the hours did go, and I found that I had

surely slumbered through ten hours. And I reproached myself; for,

indeed, I had slept oversound by reason of my having lacked a regular

way and time, as I had with a proper wisdom made to be my rule. And I

resolved that I would obey the wit of my Reason in all the future time,

and make to eat and rest in due season, as you will wot that I did

before intend.

Then, with a self-reproachful heart, I went around the small fire-hole,

and caught up my cloak and other matters. And I turned me towards the

Mighty Pyramid, and did look once upwards along all the great slope,

where it did go measureless into the far blackness of the Everlasting

Night; and I made no salutation; for I had so resolved, as you will

know; moreover, I desired not to call forth any unneedful disturbance of

the aether of the world, which indeed must be, did I make to stir the

emotions of the Millions.

And I turned me then away, and went off into the night, going swift and

cautious, and bearing the Diskos cunningly and almost, as it were, with

a love for that strange and wondrous weapon that had so befriended me,

and slain the foul Grey Man with one stroke. And I had feeling that it

did know me, and had a comradeship for me; and I doubt none will

understand this; save, it might be, they of the olden days that did

carry one strong sword always. Yet was the Diskos more than the sword;

for it did in truth seem to live with the fire and the flame of the

Earth-Current that did beat within it.

And it was well acknowledged within the Great Redoubt, that none might

touch the Diskos of another; for that the thing went crustily, as it

might be said, in the hands of a stranger; and if any made foolishness

of this knowledge, and did persist much to such an handling, or making

to use, the same would presently act clumsy with the weapon, and come to

an hurt; and this was a sure thing, and had been known maybe an hundred

thousand years; or perchance a greater time.

And by this it doth seem wise to believe that there did grow always an

affinity between the nature of the man--which doth, as ever, include the

woman--and the Diskos that he did use in his Practice; and because of

this known thing, and that the place would elsewise be lumbered with

olden weapons of those that did die, it was a Law and Usage that there

was placed with the Dead, the Diskos of the Dead, there upon The Last

Road in the Country Of Silence, and was thus made to give back unto the

Earth-Current, the power that did lie in it. And this doth seem to a

careless thinker, as it were that I told once again those olden customs

of the Ancient Folk; but this is otherwise, and had a sound reason to

it; yet, if you do so believe, I doubt not but that a right human

sentiment was something at the bottom, which is proper; for it is meet

that Love should mate with Wisdom to mother Comfort in our sorrows; and

it is a warm thing to do aught for our dead; and none may say nay to

this.

Now, as I did go onwards into the Night Land, looking ever to this

shadow and to that, it may be conceived how my heart would stir with

swift fear, at this and that; and that my body would oft quiver to leap

aside; and as swift discover that naught assailed.

And so did I go forward, and always with imaginings and wonders

concerning what manner of uncouth Being or Brute might come out of the

darknesses all about. Yet, in all that time, there was a certain

proudness of the heart, that I did come safe out of the power of the

Grey Man, and did surely slay him. But, truly, it were well that the

praise be considered, and not overmuch given unto me; for I had died as

I slept, but that they of the Great Redoubt, had made a watch over me,

and waked me unto my saving.

Now, presently, as I walked, I grew something faint, and had knowledge

that I did foolishly; for, indeed, I should have eat after my fight; yet

may I be forgiven for this forgetting, in that I had been much shaked

and put about.

And I sat me down in a little clear place among the bushes, and did eat

three of the tablets, and did once more shake forth the dust that did

turn in the air to a natural water by a proper and natural chemistry of

these matters. And after I had eat, I sat a little while, and did think,

and did look upwards at the great slope of the Pyramid in the night; and

all the time did I listen with mine ears and with my spirit; and kept

the Diskos across my knees, and looked this way and that, very frequent;

but nothing came anigh.

And so I rose presently, and went onwards, and walked for six hours

towards the North and the West. And I made much to the West, for a

little, that I might come clear of the North-West Watcher. Yet, after a

space, I made to do foolishly; for I changed my mind about, and kept

something more towards the North, so that I should have a surer sight of

that Monster.

And this was, in truth, a rash and naughty thing to consider; for if I

were but seen, then should that grim Brute make a signal unto the Evil

Powers, and I be met swiftly with destruction. But surely the heart is a

strange and wayward thing, and given to quick fears, and immediately

unto great and uncountable rashnesses. And so I did go forward unwisely

to the Northward of a safe and proper going; and it may be that an

influence was upon me, and drew me thatwards; but who shall say.

Now, a great time I walked, and made a halt upon every sixth hour, and

did eat and drink, and look a little unto the monstrous towering of the

Great Redoubt; and afterwards make strong mine heart, and go forward

again. And always I did go warily, and chiefly among the low moss-bush;

but sometimes out upon stony ground, and oft across places where sulphur

did puff somewhat from the ground in a low smoke, very strong in the

nostrils and not liked inwardly.

And as I made onwards, I looked always to my right and to my left, and

anon to the rear; yet made a constant observation of the Mighty Watcher,

that I did begin to draw nigh unto. And oft did I stoop to crawl, and my

hands did bleed somewhat; but after I was troubled so, I put on the

great gloves that made complete the grey armour, and so was shod proper

to such journeying.

And, presently, when eighteen hours did have passed since that my sudden

awakening to the peril of the Grey Man, I did search about for a place

to slumber; for I would keep wisely unto my ruling, and go not over long

lacking of sleep; and by this planning I should be the less like to

sleep oversound, and so should set my spirit to listen whilst I did

sleep; and by so much as my spirit should serve me with faith, should I

have safety. And this thing is plain, and wants not more to the saying

thereof.

And I came presently unto a sudden place where the land did go downwards

brokenly, as that it had been burst a great while gone by the inward

fires; and I looked downwards over the edge of that place, and went

round about it, and did see presently a ledge upon the far side, that

was difficult to come upon; yet a place of some little safety to any

that might go down to it; for it was awkward to see, and did any monster

seek to come at me, I should have chance of warning; and might go

downwards a greater way in time to my salvation.

And by this determination, I abode; and came down to that place with

labour; but was cheerful of heart that I had found so sure a shelter.

And I eat my three tablets, and drank the water that I did get from the

powder. And so made to compose my body to sleep. Yet, at this time, a

thought did come to me, and I made calculation afresh; and laughed

somewhat at that my poor counting; for, indeed, I had thought to eat but

thrice in the twenty and four hours; yet by my arranging, I was made,

indeed, to eat four times, as you shall see immediately by a little

thought. And this thing came more strong upon my spirit than any might

think; for I did eat overmuch for the lasting of the food; though, in

verity, it was but little to my belly; as you must all think, and have

sympathy for my discomfort.

And I considered a little, and had determined that I should afterwards

in my journeying, eat but two of the tablets to my meal; and this was a

wise thought, and like much wisdom, a discomposing thing. But so it was,

and I set it down that you may know the arranging of my ways at that

time.

Now, in all this while of meditation, I had been setting my cloak about

me, and was fast set to my sleeping; for I had walked a weary way. And I

lay me down upon my left side, with my back to the rock, which did

overhang me something above; so that I was contented to feel hid from

things that might pass by in the Night. And I had the cloak about me,

and the Diskos close against my breast, within the cloak, and my head

upon my pouch and upon my scrip.

And as I lay thus a moment easeful, I could see that so mighty was the

uprising of the Great Pyramid that it was not hid from me even thus, but

did stand upward into the night, and did shine, and was plain to be seen

above the further edge of that deep place where I did lie.

And I fell upon sleep, looking upward at that Final Light, where, as

might be, the Master Monstruwacan did bend the Great Spy-Glass upon my

lonesomeness, as I lay there upon the ledge.

And this was a thought of sweet comfort upon which to slumber; the which

I did; but my spirit lay wakeful within my breast, and did listen

through the night; and harked for all evil matters and things that did

make to come anigh. But also my spirit did whisper unto Naani as I went

into sleep; and so passed I into dreams.

Now, it may be thought that I did act with a strange valiance, in that I

composed my body so properly to slumber, and with but a little trouble

of the heart concerning the coming of monsters. And in truth this hath

seemed somewhat so to me, thinking since that time; but I do but set the

thing that is truth; and make not to labour to an illusion of truth; and

so must tell much that doth seem improper to the Reality. Yet must all

bear with me, and have understanding of the hardness of setting forth

with true seeming the honesty of Truth, which, in verity, is better

served oft times by timely and cunning lies. And so shall you understand

this matter so well as I.

And presently my spirit waked me there in the half dark of the Night

Land; and I looked swift about me, and upwards, and saw nothing to

fear. Then did I peer at my dial; and made to discover that I had slept

full over six quiet hours; and by this I knew the reason of mine

awaking; for it was so great impressed upon me by mine inward sense and

being. And this you shall understand, someways, who have thought, ere

sleep, to wake to a certain time of the morning; and by understanding

shall you believe and give me all your kind harking and human sympathy.

And I made to have a smartness of going, which is ever hard to the newly

waked; and I eat two tablets, the while my belly did cry out for an

wholesome and proper filling; but I drank some of the water, and so did

ease somewhat of my hunger.

Then did I wind my cloak to its shape, and put upon me my gear, which

was the scrip and the pouch, and the Diskos to my hip; and I clomb out

from that place of rest. Yet, before I did come rightly up into the

open, I peered about, and made some surety that no evil Brute was anigh.

And then I gat me out, and stood upon my feet, and looked for a little

upwards at the mighty slope of the Great Redoubt, which did seem yet

very nigh unto me, by reason of it being so monstrous in bigness.

And I wondered whether in that moment the Master Monstruwacan did look

down upon me, with the Great Spy-Glass. And afterwards I turned away

swiftly, and went on into the Night Land; for it did always make me

shaken with lonesomeness to look upon my Great Home. And so I did go

forward with a strong and uncaring stride; but grew presently to

quietness, and to have back the proper caution of my going. Yet had I

not gone all foolishly, for I had taken the Diskos from my hip, ere

this; so that I possessed it handily.

Now there is one matter which shall seem but a small and natural

occurring unto you; yet was strong upon me in that time; and this thing

was that I did begin now to see the Night Land from the new outlooking

of my distance from the Mighty Pyramid. And it was as that a man of this

day did go from the earth to travel among the stars, and lo! should he

not find them to shift upon his vision; so that the Great Bear and this

and that shaping of the star clusterings, should make a new order, as he

did wander onwards; and so should he find that there was naught that was

truly fixed, as he did before then think; but all to alter according

unto the place whence the looking! And this thing shall be plain unto

you, though no thought be put to the matter; for it is of an evident

verity that doth need not argument to expound. And so shall you have

memory of me, there a-wander among those strange shapings and wonders of

that grim Land, the which I had never but supposed to seem but as my

memory did retain them, from the lookings of all my life within the

Great Redoubt. And so it was; and ever there did this thing and that

open out to a new view, and the Night Land take to itself a constant new

aspect to mine eyes which had never until that time had but the one

fixed vision of the same.

And you shall understand with me how that when, about the fourteenth

hour of that day's travel, I did draw very nigh unto the monstrous

Watcher of the North-West, it did seem so utter strange from this fresh

aspect that I had been like to think that I did see a new Monster. For,

in truth, when I did come at last to creep to within a mile of it, among

the low moss-bushes, I was confounded that the mighty chin did come

forward towards the Great Redoubt, even as the upward part of a vast

cliff, which the sea doth make hollow about the bottom; for it did hang

out into the air above the glare of the fire from the Red Pit, as it had

been a thing of Rock, all scored and be-weathered, and dull red and

seeming burned and blasted by reason of the bloody shine that beat

upward from the deep of the Red Pit.

And by the way in which I do tell upon it, you shall know that I did

surely view it something from the side at this immediate time; for, in

truth, it was then that I did draw the nearer; and, moreover, I was the

more astonished at this viewing, than I had been to the front; for it

was so utter strange, and shapen so different from the Brute that did

hang in my memory.

And a great time I did lie there upon my belly; and shaken by a fear of

the Beast; yet emboldened, as you may conceive, by having come to the

side; and being hopeful in my heart that I was very secure within so

great a shadow and the thick sheltering of the moss-bushes.

And surely it was that I did creep more nigh, the while that I did look;

for presently I had a very plain seeing of the Great Monster; and did

know where I had gotten to, and thereby did acknowledge unto myself that

this was an utter foolishness; and like, for all that any might say, to

lead unto destruction. Yet, as all must know, there was the first fear,

and the ceasing of this fear, as I did wot that I was so little a thing

to heed out there in the shadows. And presently a gaining of courage,

and the prick of my Being that did crave to see clear this exceeding

Wonder. And so was I come close, more or less, having gone far upon my

hands and knees; yet sometimes to pause; but afterwards on again.

Now by this nearness, I was the more truly able to perceive how that the

Bulk of the Watcher did rise up into the Night, like a Hill; and the

colour was mostly black, save and indeed where it did face to the red

shine of the Pit; and concerning this I have done telling.

And so did I lie there, and stare a great while, parting a small hole in

the moss-bushes that I might spy through the same. And the thing was

squat there, and might have root within the earth, so it did seem to

mine imaginings, as I did stare with a dumb wonder. And there were

monstrous warts upon the thing, and indents and a mighty ruggedness and

lumpings; as it were that it did be pimpled with great boulders that

were inbred within that monstrous hide. And where the shine from the

Pit of Red Fire did strike upon these, they did stand out into the

darkness away from the skin, as you of this Age shall see mountains of

the moon catch a bright fire from the Sun, and show plain upon the night

of the moon.

Now, as I have set down, I did lie there and look a great while; and it

came presently to me that there was unease within the Mighty Pyramid,

among the Millions; for I did feel the aether of the world to be

disturbed by their distress; and so had a knowing that they had a

cunning wareness concerning the place where I did hide among the

moss-bushes.

And the thrilling in the night did bring a wisdom into my head; for, in

verity, as I have said, this was a foolish matter that I was upon. And I

gat a thought that the Watcher might have an awaredness of the trouble

of the Multitudes; and, indeed, for all that I did know, it had a full

knowledge of all my wandering; though concerning this, I did think

otherwise truly in my heart; as is a most human and proper way to make

comfortable the spirit, where Doubt can have no ease from Reason.

And I made that I would go backwards to a good distance from the

Watcher, and go forward again upon my journeying, if but that I come

safe from so unwise an adventuring. And as I did begin to return, it was

to me as that all my senses were newly awake; for I had a sudden knowing

that I was within the atmosphere, should I not call it, of the Monster.

And I gat an abrupt and horrid shaking of the spirit; for I did feel in

verity that my soul had come too anigh; and that the Beast had a sure

knowledge concerning me; yet did make to my destruction with no haste;

but after that way and fashion that did seem proper unto it.

And this feeling you shall understand the better, maybe, when I do tell

that it was to me as that the air all about me was full of a quiet and

steadfast life and keen intelligence that I did believe to come forth

from the Watcher on every side; so that I did feel as one already within

the gaze of some Great and Evil Power.

Yet, though I had a great terror upon me, I made no foolish haste; but

commanded my soul to courage, and put a guard upon my way of going, and

so made a very quiet journey for maybe two full miles; and afterwards

did allow myself something more of haste; for I was now grown easier in

my spirit; and felt apart from the spirit of the Great Watcher.

And after a longer while, I did leave that hill of watchfulness to my

rear; and was gone onward into the night; yet, as may be known, with a

vague unease and trouble to my heart, and a swift and frequent turning

to learn surely that no Evil Thing came after me. For, as you may know,

I could nowise have forgetting, concerning that great quiet Life which

did seem to be living in all the air around that Mighty Bulk. For it had

been all about me in the night, as I have told, and I to feel that I had

been surely discovered! And thus shall you know how shaken was my

spirit, in verity.

Now, presently, at the eighteenth hour of that day's travel, I ceased

from my journeying, that I might eat and drink; and I did sit a little

while, and looked back upon the strange and monstrous thing which I had

come beyond. And the great humped back and vast shoulders of the

Watching-Thing rose up into the night, black and cumbrous against the

red shine of the Pit. And thus, as you shall think, had that Brute

looked always unto the Mighty Pyramid, through Eternity, and did cease

not from watching, and was steadfast and silent and alone; and none did

understand.

And after I had eat, and drunk some of the water, I went onward for a

full matter of six hours more; being minded to have no sleep until I had

put a great way between me and the Watcher. And in this part of my

journey did I come to The Place Where The Silent Ones Kill, as it was

named in the Maps. And I observed a very wondrous caution, and went away

from it a little, unto the North, where I did see at a distance the

shinings of fire-holes; the which did promise me warmth through my

slumber.

And here you must know that the Place Where The Silent Ones Kill was an

utter bare place, where all did seem of rock, and no bush did seem to

grow thereon; so that a man might not come to any hiding; though, in

truth, there might be some hole here or there; yet was none shown in any

map within the Pyramid; neither did there seem to be any such to me, as

I did creep there among the moss-bushes to the Northward of the Place,

and look constant and fearful towards it; so that I should see quickly

whether any Silent One did move across all the grey quiet of that rocky

plain.

And concerning this same Place Where The Silent Ones Kill, it were well

to make an explanation how that there was always a little and

far-spreaded light over all that lonesomeness; and the light was

something grey-seeming; as it were that a lichen might grow upon the

rocks, and send out a little uncomfortable glowing, even as certain

matters do in these times, if you do but know the place and the time to

seek them. Yet was the light exceeding weak, and very cold and dismal,

and did seem truly to show naught with a sureness; so that it did appear

to the eye, if one did look fixedly, that there were shadows that did

move here or there, as it were of silent beings; and none might know, in

truth, whether this shaping of the greyness was to the clouding of the

Reason, or that the eye did see of Reality. Yet, if one did look with

the Great Spy-Glass, then might there be some surety and plainness; and

likewise was it so, if one did have come sufficient anigh to that

uncomfortable Place, even as I then did be. And so you shall conceive

how that I did slide very quiet from bush unto bush; for I had alway in

all my life had a very dread fear of this place; and oft did I peer out

into the dim grey light of the lonesome plain unto my left; and would

think sometimes to perceive the shapes of the Silent Ones stood vague

and watchful; yet, on the instant, to see nothing.

And thus I did go onward, and came presently to a part where the grey

plain did stretch out a bareness into the Night Land to my front; so

that my way ended, unless I did make a long passing round about.

And I sat there among the moss-bushes, and did consider, and lookt out

cunningly through a spy-hole of the bush in which I did sit. And I

perceived that the part of the plain which did jut bareness into the

Land before me had no greatness of size; but might be passed swiftly in

but a little running. And this thing should save me a wearisome going

round; so that I made to consider it with a serious mind; and all the

time did I search the bare greyness before me, and saw presently that it

was surely empty.

And I made to adventure myself across, running very swift until I had

come to the far side. And lo! as I did go to rise up out of the bush,

mine eyes were opened, as it were, and I saw that there was something

amid the constant greyness; and I fell quickly into the bush; and did

sweat very chill; but yet did haste to look.

And I saw now that there were, in truth, matters that did show vague

upon that part of the plain that was before me. And I did peer very

constant and anxious, and, behold, I saw that there was facing me, a

great line of quiet and lofty figures, shrouded unto their feet; and

they moved not, neither made they any sound; but stood there amid the

greyness, and did seem to make an unending watch upon me; so that my

heart went unto weakness, and I did feel that there was no power of the

moss-bushes to hide me; for, in verity, they that stood so silent were

certain of the Silent Ones; and I was very nigh to the Place of

Destruction.

Now, I moved not for a time; but was made stiff by the greatness of my

fear. Yet I was presently aware that the Silent Ones came not towards

me; but stood quiet; as that they did mind not to slay me, if but I did

keep from that Place.

And there grew therefrom a little courage into mine heart, and I obeyed

my spirit, and took an hold of my strength and went slowly backward in

the bushes. And presently I was come a long way off. Yet troubled and

disturbed, and very strict to my going.

And I made a great circling about that place where the plain of the

Silent Ones did come outward; and so did gain to the North-West; and was

thence something the happier in my heart; and went easily, and oft upon

my feet; yet making a strong watching to every side.

And so I came at the last to a time when I had walked through

four-and-twenty weariful hours; and was eager that I should come to a

safe place for my sleep; yet did lack a happy belief of safety, in that

I had come twice anigh to so grim trouble; and unsure I was that I did

not be secretly pursued in the night. And this you shall believe to be a

very desperate feeling; and a plight to make the heart sick, and to long

with a great longing for the safety of that mine Home. Yet had I put

myself to the task; and truly I did never cease to the sorrowful

remembering of that utter despair that had sounded to me plain in the

last calling of mine own love, out of all the mystery of the night. And

but to think upon this was to grow strong in the spirit; yet to have a

fresh anxiousness that I did the more surely keep my life within me, and

so come to that maid's salvation.

Now, as you shall mind, I had spied the shine of certain fire-holes

somewhat to the Northward, and had thought to make thereabouts a place

for my sleep; for, in truth, there was a bitterness of cold in all the

air of night that did surround me; and I was warmed nigh to a slow

happiness, by thinking upon a fire to lie beside; and small wonder, as

you shall say.

And I made presently a strong walking unto that place where did glow in

the night the shine of the fire-holes, as I did well judge them to be;

and so was like to have come over-swiftly upon my death, as you shall

presently see; for, as I came anigh to the first, I perceived that the

light came upward out of a great hollow among the moss-bushes, and that

the fire-hole burned somewhere in the deep of the hollow; so that I did

but look upon the shine thereof.

Yet very eager was I to come to that warmth; and I made more of haste

than care, as I did hint; and so came very swift to the top of the

hollow; yet was still hidden by the kindness of the moss-bushes.

And as I made to thrust forward out of the bushes, that I might look and

go downward into the hollow, there rose up to me the sound of a very

large voice, and deep and husky. And the voice was a dreadful voice that

did speak as that it said ordinary things, and in a fashion so monstrous

as that it were that a house did speak, and, in verity, this is a

strange thing to say; yet shall it have the truth of my feelings and

terror in that moment.

And I drew back swiftly from discovering myself; and was then all feared

to move, or to make to go more backward, lest that I should give

knowledge that I was come anigh. And likewise did I shiver lest that I

was even then perceived. And so shall you have something of the utter

fear that did shake me. And I abode there, very quiet, and moved not for

a very great space; but did sweat and shake; for there was a monstrous

horridness in the voice that did speak.

And as I crouched there within the moss-bushes, there came again the

large voice, and it was answered by a second voice; and thereupon there

arose, as it did seem, the speech of Men that must have the bigness of

elephants, and that did have no kindness in all their thoughts; but were

utter monstrous. And the speech was slow, and it rose up out of the

hollow, brutish and hoarse and mighty. And I would that I could make you

to hear it, and that you could but borrow mine ears for a little moment,

and forthwith be shaken with that utter horror and an afraidness, even

as was I.

Now, presently, there was a very long quiet, and I ceased at last a

little from mine over-fear; and later I did calm somewhat; so that I

made to shift my position, which was grown very uneasy.

And there was still no sound from the hollow. Wherefore, having a little

boldness and much curiousness, and these despite my great fearfulness, I

put forth mine hand, very cautious, and did move the mossbush a little

from my face. And I went forward upon the earth, and did lie upon my

belly; and was by this so close upon the edge of that place, that I was

abled to look downwards.

And you shall know that I peered down into that great hollow, and did

see a very strange and horrid sight; for, in truth, there was a large

fire-hole in the centre of that place, and all about the sides there

were great holes into the slopes of the hollow, and there were great men

laid in the holes, so that I might see a great head that did show out to

my sight here, from one of those holes, and would seem to be that of a

monstrous man heavy with sleep. And there I would see but the buttocks

of another, as that he did curl himself inward to his brutish

slumbering. And so was it all about; and to my memory there were maybe a

score of these holes; yet had I not time to the counting, as you shall

see. For, after that I had made but a glance, as it were, at these

sleeping and utter monstrous men, I perceived that there sat beyond the

fire-hole, three great men, and they were each greater than elephants,

and covered a large part with a stiff and horrid hair, that did be of a

reddish seeming. And there were upon them great segs and warts, as that

their skin had been hides that had never known covering. And there was

between them the body of a mighty hound, so big as an horse, that they

did skin; and I judged that this beast was one of those fearsome brutes

which we did call the Night Hounds.

Yet, as I should set down, they did nothing in that time in which I

lookt at them; but did sit each with a sharp and monstrous bloody stone

in his fist, and did look to the ground, as that they heeded not the

earth or the food that they did prepare; but did listen to some outward

sound. And you shall know that this brought to me a very swift and

sudden terror; for I perceived now the why of their long silence; for,

in verity, they had an unease upon them, being subtly aware that one was

anigh, even as are the brute beasts in this manner and kind, as all do

know.

And I made to draw back, and win unto safety, if indeed this thing were

to be done. And as I moved me, it may be that I shook a little earth

into the hollow; for there was, indeed, a little sifting of dry dust

below me, as I did wot, being very keen to hear, by reason of my fright.

And immediately did those three monstrous men look upward, and did seem

to me to stare into mine eyes, as I did lie there hid amid the

moss-bushes. And I was so put in fear that I did clumsily, and sent

another siftering of dust downward, as I did strive to go backward swift

and quiet from the edge. And all the time I did look through the bushes

very fixedly into the eyes of the giants; and lo, their eyes did shine

red and green, like to the eyes of animals. And there rose up a roar

from them that did nigh slay my soul with the horridness of the noise.

And at that roaring, all the giants that did lie in the holes did awake,

and began to come outward into the hollow.

Now, I was surely lost, and given over to destruction; for they had

possessed me immediately, but that in that moment, as I went backward,

the earth gave behind me, and I fell into a hole among the moss-bushes

to my back, and I made first to come out very hurried, and all choked

with a dust of sand and ash; but in a moment I was sane to know that I

had come to a sudden hiding-place; and I lay very still and strove

neither to cough nor to breathe. And well for me, I came to so close a

hiding; for there were all about me the sounds of monstrous footsteps,

running, that seemed to shake the ground; though maybe this to be an

imagining bred of my fear.

And shoutings of great voices there were; and the thudding of huge feet

all about; and the noises of the bushes rustling; but presently the

search drew away to the Southward. And I perceived that there had surely

fought for me some power of good fortune. And I came up out of the hole,

very cautious, and shaken and a moment weak with the beating of my

heart; yet with a lovely thankfulness for my salvation. And I gat me

about, and went swift through the moss-bushes to the North and West for

three hours, and ceased not to run upon my hands and knees. And by that

time was I come a great way, and did have a surety in my heart of

present safety.

And I ceased to run, and lay quiet; for, in truth, I did near swoon away

with the hardness of my travel. And indeed as you shall know, I had

slept not for seven-and-twenty hours, and had scarce ceased to labour in

all that time. Moreover, I had eat not, neither drunk, for nine hours;

and so shall you conceive that I was truly a-weary.

And, presently I did slumber there as I lay, and all abroad to any

monstrous thing that should come along. Yet did I wake unharmed, and

found by my dial there had gone by a full ten hours, the while that I

did lie there and sleep unwotting. And I was sore perished with the cold

of the Night; for I had not the warmth of my cloak about me, and my

belly was very empty.

And I stood me up, and did peer about for any dread matter, but all

seemed proper, and I began to stamp my feet against the earth, as that

I would drive it from me, and this I do say as a whimsy, and I swung

mine arms, as often you shall do in the cold days; and so I was

presently something warmed. And I dismantled my cloak, and wrapped it

about me, and did feel that the Diskos was safe to my hip.

Then did I sit me down, and did glow a little with relish, in that I

should now eat four of the tablets; for, indeed, these were my proper

due, by reason of my shiftless fasting ere I came so wotless to my

slumbering. And the memory of that eating doth live with me now, so that

I could near to smile; for the eagerness of mine inwards was proper and

human; yet were even four tablets but a little matter to so great an

emptyness; and I drank a double portion of the water, that I might make

less the void. And this thing was seemly; for, indeed, there were two

portions due unto me.

And when I had eat and drunk, I did fold the cloak once more to shape

across my shoulder, as I did carry it; and afterwards I took the Diskos

into my hand, and went forward again to the North and West.

Yet, as you shall know, I did pause a little in the beginning, and peer

to every side for any close danger; and then did look more abroad of

that place; but could nowhere see any matter to have me to immediate

fear. And afterwards, I looked a little while at the monstrous humped

back of the Watcher of the North-West; and it did grow to me how

steadfast that thing did look toward the Mighty Pyramid; and this set me

to new hatred and horror of the Monster, as you shall conceive and

believe.

And presently, I looked beyond the Watcher, unto the vast Mountain of

the Great Redoubt; and I was still seeming close upon it; yet, in truth,

gone a long and weariful distance. But this you shall understand was by

the greatness and utter height and bulk of that shining Mountain of

Life.

And strange and wonderful it was to me to think that even in that one

moment, it might be that the dear Master Monstruwacan did look upon my

face, through the Great Spy-Glass. And I should not seem utter far to

him, by reason of the power of the big Glass. But to me, as I did look

upward through the Night, unto that far and utmost light in the upper

blackness of the everlasting gloom, it did seem doubly to me that I was

afar off and lost forever from mine Home. And this thinking did breed in

me such a great and lonesome feeling, and a weakness of the heart and

spirit, that forthwith I took my courage close unto me, and did turn

away quickly; and went onward to the North and West, as I have told.

Now I walked for twelve hours, and in that time, did eat and drink

twice; and made onward again very steadfast, and happy that all did go

so quiet with me; so that it was as if I had at last come to a part of

the Land that was given over to quietness, and lacking of monsters.

Yet, in truth was I come to a worse place than any, maybe; for as I went

forward, striding very strong, and making a good speed, I did hear

presently a little noise upward in the night, and someways unto my left,

that had seeming as that it were a strange low sound that did come down

to me out of an hidden doorway above; for, indeed, though the sound did

come from very nigh, as it did seem no more than a score feet above my

head, yet was it a noise that did come out of a great and mighty

distance, and out of a Foreign Place. And I did know the Sound; though

never, as you may suppose, could I have heard it in all my life. Yet had

I read in one of the Records, and again in a second and a third, how

that certain of all they that had adventured from the Pyramid into the

Night Land to seek for knowledge, had chanced to hear a queer and

improper noise above them in the Night; and the noise had been strange,

and did come from but a little way upward in the darkness; yet was also

from a great and monstrous distance; and did seem to moan and hum

quietly, and to have a different sounding from all noises of earth. And

in the Records it was set forth that these were those same Doorways In

The Night, which were told of in an ancient and half-doubted Tale of the

World, that was much in favour of the children of the Pyramid, and not

disdained by certain of our wiser men, and had been thus through all the

latter ages.

And I did seem to know the sound upon the moment; for my heart grew

swift to understand. And it was a very dread uncomfortable sound; and

you shall know how it did seem, if you will conceive of a strange noise

that doth happen far away in the Country, and the same noise to seem to

come to you through an opened door near by. And this is but a poor way

to put it; yet how shall I make the thing more known to you? So that I

must even trust unto your wit and true sympathy that you shall conceive

of the fullness of my meaning.

Now, in all the Histories of those that had adventured into the Night

Land, there were but three sure Records that did concern this Sound; and

each did tell of a Great Horror; and of them that did hear the Sound

there had died the most part, out in the Night Land. And the Records did

make always that they had come upon Destruction, and not simply unto

Death; but were destroyed by a strange and Invisible Evil Power from the

Night.

And of those that came alive unto the Pyramid, they had all one strange

tale to tell, how that there were secret and horrid Doorways In The

Night. Yet how this thing could be plain to them, who may know truly;

save it be that the eyes of their spirits did behold that which was hid

to the eyes of the flesh.

And there was afterwards writ a proper and careful treatise, and did set

out that there did be ruptures of the Aether, the which did constitute

doorways, as those more fanciful ones did name them; and through these

shatterings, which might be likened unto openings--there being no better

word to their naming--there did come into this Particular Condition Of

Life, those Monstrous Forces Of Evil, that did dominate the Night, and

which many did hold surely to have been given this improper entrance

through the foolish and unwise wisdom of those olden men of learning,

that did meddle overfar with matters that did reach in the end beyond

their understanding. And this thing have I told before, and it doth seem

proper unto my belief; for it is always thus, and I have that same taint

within me, as must all that have the zest of life.

Now, by this that I have set down swiftly, to make a little clear the

sure horridness of this Sound, you shall know, even with me, the great

horror that did come immediately upon my Spirit; and I did know that my

Search was surely like to have an end in that moment; and I bared mine

arm, for my teeth, where the Capsule did lie below the skin; and so was

ready to an instant Death, if that Destruction did come upon me. And in

the same moment, I did fall silent, inward among the moss-bushes, and

did begin to creep very quiet toward the right; for, as you will mind, I

had heard the Sound over beyond my left. And all that time, as I did

creep, there was a great sickness upon me, and it did seem that my mouth

had weakened unto water; so that I could scarce hold my teeth tightly

from unseemly clitterings.

And I crept always very silent, and did often stare quick and painful

over my shoulder, upwards, and this way and that; but did never see

anything; neither could I hear now the Sound.

And I went thiswise for a great hour, and was like to faint through the

effort of my care and the soreness of my going. But upon the end of that

long while, I grew something easier in the Spirit, and did perceive that

I was saved from the Destruction that I had come so dreadful anigh. And

this thing, it may be, was because that I did chance to hear it, whilst

yet it was beyond, and before I did come right unto it, to pass below.

Yet may I be wrong in this thought, and do but make a guessing. But, as

I shall here explain; after that time, I kept mine ears newly keen unto

hearing; and did chide my Spirit, for that it had not taken account of

that Sound a great while earlier. Yet, as I did presently conceive, the

spirit had no power to hear that thing; which was very strange; but

truly so.

Now, because that I went with a very wary hearing, I heard the Sound

once a far way off before me, and I hid upon the moment, and went

backward, and after a while, did judge myself to have come unto safety;

and so it was, in verity, for I heard no more that time. And so did I

come presently unto the eighteenth hour, and did eat and drink, and made

me a place of slumber in a little hollow of a rock that stood upward out

of the moss-bushes. And I slept for six hours, and afterwards waked,

and was come to no harm.

And after I had eat and drunk again, I did look outward over the Night

Land, and with particularness to that part that I did travel in, as it

might be called, the yesterday. And I did observe it to be a very bleak

and desolate Country, and not given over to fire, or other warmth, nor

to sulphur-vapours; but to be very quiet, and with but a little light in

all its breadth. And I could conceive that it was no place for anything

of life to desire; but rather to avoid; and that Country did seem to be

yet all about me; for I was by no means come clear from it at that time;

though, Northward, there was a glimmer, as of fire-holes; and beyond

those, the strange shining of the Plain of Blue Fire. And, after that I

had thought awhile, I did believe that I should meet no Monster of

Natural Life in all that Country of Desolation, until I did draw nigh,

once more unto fire. And I conceived that this Sound from out of the

invisible Doorways might yet trouble me; but whether the quietness of

that part was because all of natural life did fear the Sound, or because

that there was neither fire nor warmth, I do not say, having no knowing

in this matter; but may yet believe that it was to be laid to both

causes; and this doth seem of common reason, as you shall agree.

And when I had looked a while unto the Mighty Pyramid, which was now

truly a great way off; for I had walked so many weary hours; I turned me

once more to my journeying. And here let me observe that I had gone very

far; yet not so distant, as might be thought; for, oft, I did go less

than one mile in an hour or maybe two hours, having to be of great

caution, and oft to hide, and to go upon my belly, or to crawl, all as

might be. And, further, as you may have perceived, I made not a straight

forwardness; but did strike this way and that way, being very intent to

escape the Monsters and Evil Forces that were all about.

Now, because that I believed that I travelled in a Place where was

surely to be discovered those strange Doorways within the Night, I made

an especial care of my going; and did stop oft that I might listen, and

watch, and keep a very strict ward in all the Night about me. Yet, as

you shall see, this served not to prevent me from going forward into the

fearfulness of that which did haunt all the void; for, sudden, as I went

carefully, I heard a faint humming noise come downward from the night a

little unto my rear; and the humming noise did grow more plain, as that

a door were opened slowly above, and did let out that Sound ever more

loud. And surely, after I did hear that, I could not doubt that a door

were opened upward there; for the noise did grow in such wise as you

shall hear a distant sound come through, when a door truly is oped; for,

if the noise had been made just in that place, it had seemed to come

from there; but this Sound, though it did come through there, was as

that it did come outward from some far lost and foreign Eternity. And

this I do struggle always to make plain; and you shall not blame me that

I think overmuch upon it; for, in truth there was an horror so wondrous

and drear about it, that I can forget not; but do strive always that

others should know with me that peculiar woe and terror that did haunt

the night.

Now, as you will see, I had in truth gone past the place where the

Doorway in the Night did open; yet had come to no harm; but rather it

did seem that it opened by chance, unwotting that I was anigh; or it may

be that my quiet passing did disturb an Evil Power, so that it did even

come to listen, or to make search. And all this doth pass through my

brain, as I do write, and it doth seem to me that my thoughts are but

the thoughts of a little child, before so great a mystery; and that I

touch not even the edge and fringe of the truth with my thinkings, and

so do cease upon them; and will but go forward so plain as I may with my

telling. Now, as you may truly believe, when I heard that Sound, and did

understand that I had, in verity, come past beneath that Place, I did

surely sicken to an utter weakness of body and heart, though it was but

for a moment; and then was I swift hid within the close shelter of the

low and thick moss-bushes.

And I shook in all my being, and crept, shaking, upon my hands and

knees, and did near totter to my face thrice, so weak gone was I in that

moment of terror; and I did have a wickedness of forgetting in that

time; for I bared not mine arm, to have the Capsule to a readiness for

my death, if that did need to be; and this was an abominable

foolishness, and I do shake now when I think upon it; for Death is but a

little matter by the side of Destruction; though, in truth, dreadful

enough for all. Yet, as it did chance, no harm came to me, and I gat

away, as that some wondrous power did cast a viewless cloak about me,

that I might be utter hid; and oft have I wondered whether this was

truly so; but have no knowing.

And, presently, I ceased from fleeing, and had some calmness, and did

eat and drink; and so came to the comfort of a firm spirit, the which

had been sore troubled, above all understanded causes, by that horrid

sounding upward in the Night. And after that I had eat and drunk, I did

rest a little; but afterward, went onward to the Northward, going

towards that place where the fire-holes did glimmer, the same being by

this time no great way off.

Then, as I did come anigh, I thought to hear once again the Sound in the

night, and I stopt very swift, and hid into the moss-bushes, and did

listen; but did hear naught; and so was hopeful that fancy did play upon

me. Yet, because of this matter, I went upon my hands and knees for a

good way; and so came at last nigh unto the shine of one of those

fire-holes, the which I did see for so long.

Now, as you shall suppose, I went very cautious through the bushes, unto

that red-shining fire; being careful, both that I did attract not any

Evil Force that might listen in the Night, and because that there might

be some Monster nigh to the fire-hole. But, presently, when I was come

so that I could peer through the bushes, I did see a little fire-hole

set in a small hollow, and there did no thing seem to lurk anigh; and

the sight of that warmth did cheer me; for it was long since I did have

the comfort of such a matter.

And when I had lain hid awhile, that I might watch all about, I saw the

place to be safe and quiet; and I went out from the moss-bushes, and sat

down a space from the fire, which did fill the pit in which it did lift

and bubble. And the noise that it sent out was strange and slow, and it

did seem to gruntle gently unto itself in that lonesome hollow, as that

it had made a long and quiet grumbling there, through Eternity. And oft

was it still, and made no sound; and again would give an odd bubbling in

the quietness, and send off, as it did seem, a little smoke of sulphur,

and afterward fall once more upon a quiet.

And so I did sit there very hushed and restful, and the loneliness did

lie all about me, and the red shine of the fire-hole did glow soft in

the hollow; and I was glad to be quiet, for my heart was weary.

And there was to my back a little rock that did jut upward so high as a

man; and the rock was warm and pleasant to lean upon, and moreover did

seem to guard me from behind. And there I ate and drunk, and kept very

still; and so was presently rested. And this I did need, as you have

perceived; for I was gone sudden weary of the heart, as I did say; and

this might be because that I did never cease to have Destruction over me

to companion my way, though as you will mind, I had been no more than

twelve hours afoot, since my last sleeping. Yet I doubt not you do

understand.

And presently my heart grew strong again within me, and I had a warmth

in my Spirit; and I got up from the earth, and stretched out mine arms;

and I saw that my gear was safe upon me, and afterward did grip the

Diskos, as it were newly.

Then I went away from the fire-hole, and climbed the far slope of the

hollow, and went Northward. And there were before me many of the

fire-holes; for I did perceive them to shine in the Night for a great

way; as it did seem that they were a path of red shinings that led me

onward to the North-West of the light of the Plain of Blue Fire.

Now, I had a believing that I had come out of the Country where did lurk

those horrid Doorways in the Night; and I went not with so utter a

weight upon my heart; and did feel that naught should come now upon the

back of my neck, which had been an odd and troublesome fancy whilst that

I did creep through that Country of Gloom. Yet, as you shall know, I

went with no foolish confidence; but with a great caution, and mine

hearing keen to hark, and a care to my steps, and did ever watch around

me as I journeyed.

And because that I went forward in this proper and sedate manner, I had

great cause for a thankful heart, as you may perceive; for I had come

after a long way to another of those hollows where did burn one of the

fire-holes; and I made a pause upon the edge of the hollow in which it

did lie, and looked downward, keeping guarded within the moss-bushes,

where they grew anigh to the top thereof. But there was no living thing

there to be seen, and I went downward, so that I should warm my body at

the fire. And lo! as I stood upon this side of the fire-hole, and turned

myself about, I looked presently more keenly to the other side; for the

yellowness of the earth did seem a little strange in one place. But I

could see with no plainness, because that there arose a glare from the

fire against mine eyes; and I went round, that I should look the better;

yet with no fear or thought of Evil in my heart. And, truly! when I was

come upon that far side of the fire-hole, lo! there was spread out in

the yellow sand of that place, a Curious Thing; and I went more nigh,

and stooped to look upon it; and behold it moved, and the sand all about

did move for a great space; so that I gave back very swift, and swung

upward with the Diskos.

And, strangely, I heard the sand to stir at my back, and I looked round

very quick, and the sand rose upward in parts, and sifted back, and

there came to my sight odd things that did move and curl about.

And immediately, before I knew which way to go, I knew that the sand did

shift under my feet, and did work and heave, so that I was tottered, and

was shaken also in the heart; for I knew not what to think in that

instant. Then did I perceive that I was all surrounded, and I ran swift

upon the heaving sand, unto the edge of the fire-hole, and I turned

there, and looked quickly; for I did not know what this new Terror

should be.

And I saw that a Yellow Thing did hump upward from out of the sand, as

it had been a low hillock that did live, and the sand shed downward from

it, and it did gather to itself strange and horrid arms from the sand

all about it. And it stretched two of the arms unto me; but I smote with

the Diskos, and I smote thrice; and afterward they did wriggle upon the

sand. But this was not the end, as I did hope; for the Yellow Thing

arose, and ran at me, as it might be that you should see a spider run.

And I did leap backward, this way and that; but the monster had a great

swiftness; so that I did seem surely lost.

Then made I a strong and instant resolve; for I perceived that I had no

hope to slay this thing; save that I should come at it in the body. And

I put everything to the chance, and made not to escape any more; but ran

straight in among the legs; and there were great hairs like to spines

upon the legs, and these had pricked me to the death, but that the

armour saved me.

Now, I had done this thing with a wondrous quickness; so that I was

under the mighty arching of the legs before the Yellow Thing did wot of

my intent. And the body was bristled with the great hairs, and poison

did seem to come from them, and to ooze from them strangely in great and

shining drops. And the Monster heaved itself up to one side, that it

might bring certain of the legs inward to grasp me; yet in that moment

did I smite utter fierce with the Diskos--thrusting. And the Diskos did

spin, and hum, and roar, and sent out a wondrous blaze of flame, as that

it had been a devouring Death; and it sundered the body of the Yellow

Thing, and did seem as that it screamed to rage amid the entrails

thereof; so wondrous was the fury and energy of that trusted Weapon.

And I was covered with the muck of the thing; and the claws upon the

legs seized me, so that the grey armour did bend and crack to the might

thereof, and I grew sick unto death with the pain within; but smote with

the shining Diskos, using my left hand weakly; for my right was gript

dreadful fast to my body. And lo! I was sudden free, and a great blow

did knock me far across the hollow, so that I was like to have fallen

into the fire-hole; but fell instead upon the edge, and came backward

unto safety.

And I turned me about, and the Yellow Thing did throw the sand all ways,

as it did die; but had lost power to come upon me. And for my part, I

lay weak upon the earth, and was no more able to fight; nor could I do

more than breathe for a great while; but yet came presently to health,

and made to examine my hurts.

Then I saw there was no great wound anywhere upon me; but only an utter

bruising; and I found upon my right leg that there was a sharp and hairy

claw clipt about it; but the armour had saved me from harm of the horrid

thing; so that I did but kick it free with my left foot, and thence into

the fire-hole.

Now, by this time, that Monstrous Creature was dead; but I held off from

it, and went upon the other side of the fire; for I was yet surely in

horror of it. And I sat for a time, and did think upon all matters that

did concern me; and I saw that I should have not comfort of heart, until

I was washed clean from the taint of the Monster.

And I gat me up wearily to go forth into the Night again, that I should

make a search for a hot spring, of which I had come past many. And I had

oft found them to be nigh unto the fire-holes; so that I was trustful

that I should see one ere long. And lo! there was a little hollow just

beyond, and scarce a hundred paces off; and in the hollow, there did

shine three small fire-holes, and there was a steaming puddle, as did

seem, beyond the third of the holes.

Now, before I adventured downward into this place, I went all about the

topmost edge, and made a search of the moss-bushes about; but found

naught that should scare me. And afterward, I went all across the

hollow; but did find no monstrous thing hid anywheres. Yet, there was

that in the place that discouraged me, and did keep me from stripping

mine armour, so that I should bathe in the hot puddle; for I stept upon

a small serpent, and the same did lap about my leg; but could do me no

hurt, for the armour, which was a very blessed protection. And I freed

myself from it with the handle of the Diskos.

And because that I could not go naked to my cleansing, I tried first the

hotness of the water, which was not over great, and afterward did take

off the scrip and the pouch, and the cloak, and laid them with the

Diskos upon the edge of the warm puddle.

Then I stept into the water, and was immediately gone downward a great

way; for, truly it was no puddle as I had supposed; but a deep well, as

you might call it, of hot and sulphury water. And this doth show how a

man may act foolishly, even when he doth believe that he hath a great

caution; and surely it is borne in upon me afresh that none should trust

over freely unto unproven matters, the which shall you heartily agree

with; but yet do as foolishly, according to your lights and characters.

And so shall you laugh not over hardly upon me.

Now I had gone over the head, and, surely I do not know what deepness

was there. Yet, as you shall think, I stayed not to consider upon this

matter; but made to climb out, and much shaken with my splutterings and

the smartings of mine eyes; for, truly, the water was strong with

sulphur matters. Yet, very cleansing was it, as I did presently see; for

there was no more any taint or horridness upon mine armour, or the flesh

of my face or hands. And I took the Diskos, and washed it clean, also;

and then the cloak, and afterward the scrip and the pouch, and the bands

of the same.

And after I had done this, I was minded to dry myself by the little

fire-holes; but when I was come there, lo! maybe a score small serpents

were about those places; and I was strongly pleased that I should keep

away. Yet that I must warm and dry me in that desolate and bitter Night

Land, you shall agree. And to this end, I put the scrip and the pouch

upon me, and afterwards took the Diskos readily into my hand, and ran

quietly unto the hollow where I did fight with the Yellow Thing. And the

cloak I bore in my left hand.

Now, when I was gat there, I was truly glad to think that there were no

serpents in that place; and because that I had slain the Monster of the

Place, how should it be that any harm might come unto me; for truly, was

it not like that a Creature of such Might should keep all that Hollow

unto itself, and slay any that did come therein, and thereby preserve

that place from all other horror; though, surely, until it did die and

cease to Be, there had been no call for any greater abomination.

Now, all this did go through my brain, as I did sit to dry mine armour

and my body and my gear, upon that side of the fire-hole which was away

from the slain Monster. And I made presently to think that this would

be a sure and proper refuge wherein to sleep; for, truly, it must have

gotten a place where none other Creature should be like to come to work

me harm. And it must be that you do all see with me in this matter, and

commend me that I thought with properness.

And so did I resolve that I put my disgust within my pocket, as we do

say, and stay safe and quiet within that Hollow. And this thing I did

surely, and did eat and drink; and presently I went over to the dead

Monster, and made very sure that it was truly slain; which indeed it

was. And after that I had seen to this matter, I returned unto the

fire-hole, and made a comfortable place in the sand, for my rest; for I

was well dry by this.

And I wrapped the cloak about me, and took the Diskos to my breast, for

a sure Companion, as it had truly proved in my need. And I could think

almost that it did nestle unto me, as that it knew and loved me; but

this thing can be no more than a fancy; and I do but set it down as

such, and that it doth show my feeling and mind at that time.

Then, ere I did compose myself to slumber, I looked about me, upward to

the edges of the Hollow, and I perceived that I was lost to the sight of

the Mighty Pyramid; for I was come so far off that it looked not down

from so wondrous a height, as you shall perceive; and moreover, the

Hollow was something deep.

And afterward, as I lay my head back upon the scrip and the pouch, which

were to me my pillow, I went to think a little upon Naani, as alway I

did in my constant journeying; yet, presently, I strove sometimes that I

put her from my mind, that I should sleep; for a bitter sorrow and

anxiousness was oft upon me when that I did think upon her; and this you

may know; for truly I knew not what terror was come to her, afar in the

silence of the Night. And did I think overmuch, I should feel that I

could have no calmness needful to sleep; but to need to walk for ever

until I died, which could not be long; and so should I make a

foolishness of mine anxious journeying to do her true service and to

save her from Destruction, if such did truly threaten.

And I was soon gone over to sleep, and waked not for seven hours, being

much wearied by the fight and the soreness of my body, the which did put

me into a great pain as I did rise upward from my slumber. But this was

presently something less, and I eat two of the tablets and drank some of

the water, and afterward did put my gear upon me, and went forward into

the Night, having the Diskos in my hand. And my heart was glad that I

had come safe through the time of my sleep.

Now I walked six hours, and did stop a little to eat and drink, and went

on again. And it was in this second Third of the day that I saw afar to

my right, two strange and wondrous men, and they did shine, as they had

been made of a pale mist. And they came anigh, going very swift, and did

seem as that they were maybe forty feet high, yet having no thickness;

and I hid downward into the moss-bushes. And they past me, so quiet as a

cloud of this day might go, and did appear to be, if I did guess, but an

hundred fathoms off; yet was this no sure thing; for their position had

no more surety than shall a rainbow have in this age. And so they were

gone onward into the Night, and did seem to come out of the North. And

they did appear not to wot of me; and whether they were harmful, I know

not, for they harmed not me.

And I lay there in the moss-bushes, until they were well gone away; and

I had belief that they must be those same mist-men that were told of in

certain of the olden Records; but were never seen anigh to the Pyramid;

though I had thought, odd times, to see men, as of mist, through the

Great Spy-Glass, when I was within the Tower of Observation. But they

were always a mighty way off; and some would say it was but a bright

vapour that did move; yet would others be in doubt, and so is it ever in

such matters.

And here let me take chance to say how that it is a hard thing to speak

of such happenings to men of this age, and to make the truth proper unto

them; and because of this, oft am I tempted to say no word upon many

things that I did see; yet must I tell my tale, or suffer from the

weight of it within me. And so shall you hark to me and give me your

sympathy and human understanding. And concerning these mist-men, I have

wondered oft whether they were the visible shape of some of those many

Forces that were abroad in the Night Land; for they did truly seem to me

as that a thing of Strange Life were half shown to my human eyes; yet I

do not know, and am but telling of my natural thoughts and ponderings.

Now, as I did say, those mist-men were never seen nigh unto the Pyramid,

and were, as I did hint, always so far off that they were half given

over to the fables of the olden days, in the beliefs of the Peoples of

the Mighty Redoubt; and set about with an halo of unrealness, for none

within the Great Pyramid had ever beheld them with surety.

And because that now I saw them anigh to me, it was borne in afresh upon

my spirit how greatly I had wandered away, and how that I stood afar in

the lonesomeness of that Land of Night; as it had been that a man of

this Age did wander amid the stars, and perceive a great comet to go by

him very close; for then he should know in his heart how that he was far

off in the Void. And this I do say to you, that you may know somewhat of

the emotions of my heart in that moment.

Yet, presently I shook free of my melancholy and lonesomeness and rose

up out of the moss-bushes, and went onward. And, as ever, I thought much

upon the Maid that I did search for; yet strove to think quietly

concerning her state; else should I have turned to running, and wrecked

my body before that I had gone any great way.

And that day, I passed seven large fire-holes, and two that were small;

and always I came softly unto them; for there were oft living things

about the warmth. And at the sixth fire-hole, I did see that which I did

think to be a great man, that did sit to the fire, with monstrous knees

drawn upward unto his chin. And the nose was great and bent downward;

and the eyes very large, and did shine with the light from the

fire-hole, and moved, watching, always this way and that, so that the

white parts did show, now this side and now that. But it was not

properly a man.

And I went away very quiet from that place, and looked oft backward,

until that I was sure of safety; for it was a very horrid Monster, and

had that place to be for a Lair, as I did judge from the smell thereof.

And when the eighteenth hour was come, I looked about for a safe place

to my sleep; and I kept away now from the fire-holes; for I did always

find the more life there. Yet, when I came to my rest, I was lacking of

warmth, by reason of this care; and could scarce sleep at all, because

that I was so cold. Yet managed something of slumber after a while; but

woke very stiff, and was glad to beat my hands and bestir myself that I

should come to some warmth of life.

And after that I had eat and drunk, I put my gear upon me, and took the

Diskos in my hand, and went forward again upon my journey. And here I

should tell that I was come soon unto the North-West border of the Plain

of Blue Fire. And presently, I was but a little way off from it, and did

go direct to the North; so that the Plain was always upon my right.

Now this Plain was a strange and fearsome place, as you shall see; for

it was as that a blue void did rise upward from the earth in all the

country of that Plain. For, surely, the Plain did not lumber with flame;

but was hid with a strange and inburning light, as of a shining

atmosphere of a cold blue colour. And it did throw no sure light upon

the Night Land, as had seemed proper; but was a very dreadful, cold

shining, as of a luminous and blue void. And the moss-bushes grew nigh

to the edge of the plain, and did show to me black and strange against

that horrid gloom of light.

And you shall know that I could not see into the plain; for it was as

that the cold blue light was a void that swallowed all within it; and

gave no power to the eye that aught should be perceived. And it stood

between me and the Mighty Pyramid, and I could nowise see across. And I

know not whether I do make all this matter clear unto you; for surely it

is no easy task.

And presently I had gone very quiet upon my hands and knees through the

moss-bushes; and I came near upon the edge of the Plain, and hid there

in a clump of the moss-bush, and peered forth and harked. And I heard

constant voices that did call to one another across the Plain; as it

were that strange peoples of Spirits did wander within that blue

Shining, and did make a calling one to the other, and were all hid and

held apart. And surely I could see naught, and did judge, as I have

writ, that they likewise went blindly. And truly is this a strange

matter to set out; and easy to think on with doubt. Yet as I did see, so

have I told; for, in verity, there were surely hidden Peoples of Spirits

scattered and lost afar upon that improper Plain.

And you shall judge that I kept safe hid; for whether this might have

any natural explaining, or whether it was a matter that did go utter

beyond knowledge of man, I did not know; for surely in that strange

Land, it did like to be an Horrid Danger in any case; and whether of

some Monstrous Creatures, or of the Evil Forces of the Land, I did

wisely to be away.

And for two days I did make a safe coasting of the Plain of Blue Fire;

and did keep well off, maybe two great miles, among the moss-bushes. And

I made a very good speed through the darkness. And at the eighteenth

hour of each journey, I made a place for my slumber; and the first I did

manage under a thick bush; but the second was high upon the ledge of a

rock that grew upward in the night amid the bushes. And, save that I was

bitter cold there did no harm come to me. And in all that time of

journeying, I had no sight of the Mighty Pyramid; for the blind shining

of the Plain of Blue Fire was ever between.

Now there had been certain little matters in my journey beside the Plain

of Blue Fire, which I have not set down; for they were of no account,

and do but repeat much that I have told before. And, indeed, there was

naught in that part of my journey, save that I did pass nineteen great

fire-holes, and four small; and did observe no life beside any, save

about one of the great holes that there was no hollow around, and here I

did happen to see some strange and ugly creatures so big as my head,

that did have a look of the scorpion of this Age; but proportioned more

squat and thick. Yet, though they were naught to remark upon in that

Land, they had been but woeful bedmates to any man; as you may think.

And you shall know how it gave a rest to my spirit, that I did go so

long with no trouble of the Monsters of the Night, or the Evil Forces

thereof. And I grew bolder to my journeying, and made ever a greater

speed of going; and it was like that I took presently a less heed for my

safety, which was a wrong and foolish state. Yet there came no harm unto

me, in all that part of my travel.

Then, it was in the sixteenth hour of the third day of my journey beside

the Plain, that I did come out beyond the end of it, and had fresh sight

of the Mighty Pyramid, afar in the night upon my Right. And I stopt

there in a bare place among the moss-bushes, and did in a weak moment

hold up the Diskos, so that I make a salute unto the Pyramid, Mine Home;

for truly was I so utter glad to behold it once more.

And in a little while was I aware that there was a disturbance of the

aether of the world all about me; so that it did seem that there had

been one at the Great Spy-Glass to watch for my coming into their sight

from behind the shining of the Plain of Blue Fire.

And it was like that news had gone downward through the Cities of the

Great Redoubt; so that they did print the word of it in the Hour-Slips;

and by this there would be many great Millions thinking upon me, and a

rushing unto the Embrasures, that they might spy out at me. Yet I doubt

that any glass might perceive me surely at so great a space, save the

power of the Great Spy-Glass in the Tower of Observation. But the

Emotion of the Millions to reach to me.

And you shall know that it did seem homely and sweet unto me to hear all

about me the shaking of the aether of the world, and to be ware that so

many did think humanly upon me, and had prayers unto my safety.

And it was a strange thing to stand so utter far off in the Night, and

to look back to that Everlasting Hill of Light, that was grown something

small by the distance, and to have surety that I was lookt upon through

the Great Spy-Glass, maybe by the kindly eye of my dear friend the

Master Monstruwacan, and so keenly that he could, it might be, make

almost to guess the look within mine eyes, as I did gaze backward unto

that Mine Home.

Yet, though this dear and homely sympathy was a sweet and companionable

thing to my heart, it came swift to my thought that I was in a sore

danger, if that they ceased not quickly to think so onely upon me; for

surely was I not come over-near unto that dreadful House of Silence;

and well might so much Emotion of the Millions tell unto the Horrid

Power that dwelt within, how that I was even anigh. And so shall you see

the mixt feelings that came upon me everyway.

Yet, as it did chance, the aether was quieted in a little; for it did

need unity of the Millions (being that they were untrained to their

spiritual powers) to stir the aether. And so was I more easy of mind,

and went forward again upon my way.

Now, as it did chance, at the eighteenth hour, I was come to a place

where I heard a noise of water; and I went to my left, that I might come

upon it; and there boiled a hot fountain that went up out of the rock of

that place. And the water rose upward in a column, and was, maybe, so

thick as my body; and it fell unto the North, for the water came not up

straightly, but did shoot out from the earth unto that way. And I saw

the thing plain; for there were many fire-holes all about, as you shall

have wotted from my telling; and so was there a certain and constant

light in that part of the Land.

And I followed the water that ran from the fountain, and tried it with

mine hand; but found it to burn; and so did go further beside it; for

presently it should be no hotter than I did need. And it went onward,

winding among the moss-bushes, and sent up a constant steam, that hung

about it; and the steam made a red cloud about the way that it did go;

for the lights from the fire-holes made a shining upon it; and so was it

a wondrous pretty sight.

Now, presently, I tried the stream again, and found it to be nicely

warm; and I sat upon a little rock, and took off my foot-gear, that I

might bathe my feet, which were gone something tender; moreover, I did

ache to have the sweetness of water about me. And I made that I should

bathe my feet, and afterwards find a place among the moss-bushes, and so

eat and drink, and have my slumber.

Then, as I did sit there beside that warm stream, with my feet dabbled

therein, I heard sudden, afar off, the voice of a mighty Night-Hound,

baying in the night. And the sound came from the North-West of the Plain

of Blue Fire. And there was afterward a quiet; and you shall see me

sitting there upon the rock by the side of that smoking river, and the

steam all about me, and my feet within the lovely warmth of the water;

and I very still and frozen with a sudden fear; for, it did seem to me,

in an instant, that the Night-Hound might surely be upon the track of my

goings.

And after that there had passed a little time, the while that I did

listen very keen, lo! there burst out in the night, as it did seem

scarce a mile off, the monstrous deep baying of the giant Hound. And I

knew surely that the Brute did track me, and a sick and utter horror did

fall upon me; so that I could scarce get my foot-gear upon me, once

more. Yet, in truth, I was not long to the matter, and was to my feet,

and did hold the Diskos ready; and very desperate I was to the heart;

for it is ever a fearsome thing to be put in chase, and the worse an

hundred times when there is a sure knowledge that a deathly Monster doth

be the pursuer.

Now, I did stand there but a moment it did seem, to make an anxious

considering how that I might best assure me some chance to live through

this swift coming Danger. And then did I think upon the stream, to use

it, and I leapt quick therein, and did run very strong down the middle

part, which was nowheres so much as thigh-deep, and oft not above mine

ankles. And as I did run, there came again the bellow of that dire

Brute, following, and was now, as mine ears did say, scarce the half of

a mile to my rear.

And I did run but the stronger, for the dread of the sound; and so,

maybe, for a little minute; and after that time, I stopt from mine heavy

running, and went very wary, that I made no loud splashing; for by now

the Monster-Brute should be something anigh to that place where I did

enter the stream. And I looked round, with a constant looking; but did

see no surely visible thing; though my fear did shape me an Hound from

every shadow of the moss-bushes about me.

Then, in a moment, I did hear the Great Beast; for it bayed but a

little way up the stream, as that it had overshot the place where the

scent did end. And immediately, I sank swiftly into the water, which was

there so deep as my knee, and turned upon my belly. And the water surged

over my shoulders; for I kept my head above. And so I did look eager and

fearful through the steam into the shadows and the half-darkness,

towards where I did think to see the Night-Hound.

And in a moment I saw it coming; and it was a little vague, by reason of

the smoke of the river; yet did seem black and monstrous in the gloom,

and great as a mighty horse. And it went past me at a vast and

lumbersome gallop; but I did not see it in that moment; for I dived my

head down unto the rock of the river bottom, and held downward, until

that I was like to burst for sore longing of breath.

Then I put upward my head, and took swift and deep breathings, and lookt

about me, very cautious and fearful, as you can know. And I heard the

Night-Hound casting round among the moss-bushes, and it did send up a

wild and awesome baying; and I heard the bushes brake and smash beneath

it, as it did run to and hither. And afterward there was a quiet; yet I

moved not; but stayed there, very low in the water, and did have a

thankful heart that it was warm and easy to persist in; for I had surely

died of a frozen heart, if that it had been cold; for, by this time, you

do know even with me, how bitter was the chill of the Land.

Now, I had been awhile lain thus upon my belly, and heard no sound from

the monstrous Hound. Yet, I ceased not to be full of an horrid unease,

concerning the Great Beast; for I did better to know what it did, than

to have no knowing. And, sudden, I heard the sound of it, running very

swiftly and coming nigh; and it passed me, and did go up the stream; and

there was surely a quick stupor upon me; for I ducked not my head under

the water; but stayed very still; which as it did chance, was maybe not

such an utter foolishness; for my head did seem in that half-gloom to

be, mayhap, no more than a little rock in the water, and I made no move

to tell of life; yet should the Hound have smelled me; and that it

failed in this matter, doth be a puzzle to me.

And as the great Night-Hound past me, it tore the earth and the bushes,

with the exceeding strength that it put forth to run, and clods of the

earth and stones of bigness were cast this way and that by the feet of

the Hound, running. And so shall you have a little knowledge of the

strength of that Beast.

And the Hound ran on into the distance, and presently, I heard it baying

in the Night. Then I rose, and went onward, down the warm stream, and

made a strong walking, yet keeping alway to the water; and oft did stop

a little that I should listen; and always I heard the Night-Hound a

great way off in the night, baying, and seeming that it did surely run

to and fro, searching.

Now, I journeyed thus for twelve hours, and the baying of the Hound

making search, did never cease. And I kept always to the water, as I

did say, that I should leave no scent unto the Hound. And by that twelve

weary hours had gone, I found that I was come anigh unto the House of

Silence. And this put me in great trouble; as you may perceive; for

surely had mine whole effort been to the end that I should avoid that

House, by a great way. Yet had the Hound driven me thus a-near.

Now I saw that the small river did go onward, and did make a breach

across the Road Where The Silent Ones Walk; and I determined in my heart

that I should leave the water, which was now grown nigh to a bitter

cold, in that it was so long upon the face of the Land. Yet chiefly did

I mind to leave the water, that I should come no more anigh unto that

House of Silence; for the water did go that way. And I stood awhile, and

did listen for the baying of the Hound; but could hear it no more; and

did have a surety within me that it was indeed gone from searching for

me.

Then I came out of the water, and went forward, stooping and creeping,

among the moss-bushes, going outward to the Westward of North, so that I

should go away so quickly as I might from the nearness of the House.

Yet, lo! I was gone upon my hands and knees no more than an hundred

fathoms, when I did find the moss-bushes to cease to the Westward, for a

great way, and there to be a great bareness of rock, which, in truth,

was much shown thereabout. And I dared not to go outward upon that naked

Land; for then I had not been hid by the moss-bushes; but had stood

plain there for all things of the Night to behold; and moreover, though

I could nowise have a sure knowledge concerning this matter, yet did I

hope within me that I should make a sure hiding from the Power of the

House of Silence, did I but go very low among the bushes. But, indeed,

it was like enough that naught could give me hiding; yet should I lose

no chance unto my safety.

And because of this, I went backward among the bushes, and ceased to

escape out unto the Westward. And I found presently, that the

moss-bushes made but a narrow growth in that path, and grew only for a

while by the side of the Great Road; so that I was surely fain to keep

nigh to the Road, that I have the covering of the bushes.

And, in a while, I found the Road Where The Silent Ones Walk, to bend

inward at the North of the House of Silence; so that it came right

horridly close unto the House; for here the hill on which the House did

stand, was very abrupt and fell steeply unto the Road. And so was that

Dreadful House stood up there above me in the Silence, as that it did

seem to brood there upon the Land. And this side did seem truly as the

other; and equal lone and dreadful. And the House was monstrous and

huge, and full of quiet lights; and it was truly as that there had been

no Sound ever in that House through Eternity; but yet was it as that the

heart did think each moment to see quiet and shrouded figures within,

and yet never were they seen; and this I do but set down that I bring

all home unto your hearts also, as that you crouched there with me in

those low moss-bushes, there beside the Great Road, and did look upward

unto that Monstrous House of Everlasting Silence, and did feel the

utterness of silence to hang about it in the night; and to know in your

spirits the quiet threat that lived silent there within.

And so shall you have mind of me, hid there among the bushes, and sodden

and cold; and yet, as you will perceive, so held in my spirit by an

utter terror and loathing and solemn wonder and awe of that Mighty House

of Quietness loomed above me in the Night, that I wotted not of the

misery of my body, because that my spirit was put so greatly in dread

and terror for the life of my Being.

And also you shall have before you, how that I knew in all my body and

soul, that I stood anigh to that Place where but a little while gone

there had passed inward so dreadful to an everlasting Silence and Horrid

Mystery those poor Youths.

And after that you have minded you of this, you shall consider how that

the memory of all my life held dread thoughts of the monstrousness of

that House; and now was I anigh unto it. And it did seem to my soul that

the very Night about it, held an anguish of quiet terror. And always my

mind did come back to the sheer matter that I was so anigh. And this

thing I do say unto you once and again; for truly, as you do see, it

hath imprinted itself deep into my spirit. Yet shall I now cease from

saying further in this manner; for, surely, you shall never know all

that was in mine heart; and if I cease not, I do but be like to weary

you.

And so did I hide and creep, and oft pause to a time of shaking quiet;

and afterward gather something of new courage, and go onward; and peer

upward at that monstrous House, stood above me in the night. Yet, as it

did come about, I came presently clear of that horrid place; for the

Road came round again unto the North, and I began that I made a better

way through the moss-bushes; but never that I grew to much speed; for I

had oft to go about, that I should miss a naked part here, and another

there; for truly there was an abundance and bareness of rock, so that

the bushes grew not so thick as I could wish.

And in the space of five hours was I clear of that House; and did have a

greater ease about my heart; but yet was not free to come to food nor to

slumber, the both of which I did sorely need; for I had slept neither

eat for a weariful time, as you do know. But first I must go further off

from the House, and afterwards come to some fire-hole, that I should dry

myself and get warmth again into my body, which was bitter cold.

And now that I had come unto the Northward of the House of Silence,

there came to me a great Wonder, which bred in me a mighty Hope and

Gladness. For as I did go among the bushes, there broke sudden all

around me in the aether, the low and solemn beat of the Master-Word. And

the throb of the Word was utter weak; so that one moment I did say unto

myself that I heard, and in a moment that I did not; yet had I no proper

doubt in my heart.

And I reasoned with myself, and with a great shaking of excitement and

expectation upon me, that the Master-Word came not from the Great

Pyramid, which should have power to send it as a Great Force across the

everlasting Night; whilst that this that throbbed about me was faint and

scarce to be known even unto the keenness of the Night-Hearing, which

was mine.

And, immediately, as I crouched low there, and thrilled with the hope

that was bred in me, lo! there seemed to come the far faint voice of

Naani, calling with a little voice within my spirit. And I thought the

cry to have an utterness of supplication within it; so that I grew

desperate to up and go to running; yet did curb such foolishness, and

stayed very hushed, to listen.

But I heard no more; yet was shaken continually with the Joy and Hope

which this calling did breed in me, for truly did it seem now that I was

right that I did determine to go unto the North; for sure was I now that

the Lesser Redoubt lay that way in the Night. And it did seem plain unto

me, that the House of Silence had put a barrier between; and had power

to withhold so weak a calling. And now had I come beyond the Barrier.

And I did perceive in my heart how that Naani had called off, maybe in

the sadness of Despair; yet had the weak crying of her brain-elements

been held from me by the horrid power of the house; and surely, as I did

think, it was well named; for it did make a silence.

And so shall you stay with me in your hearts, and take to ourselves

something of the new Gladness that held all my being; for it did seem

truly that my bitter task and adventuring should not in the end be

offered to Uselessness; and that I did truly draw unto that far place in

the Everlasting Night, where mine own Maid did cry for me, that I should

succour her.

And ever as I went, did I hark; but there was no more the low eating of

the Master-Word in the Night; not at that time.

And presently, I spied outward to the West, as it did seem a good mile

off in the night, the shining of a fire-hole; and I began to plan that I

should come unto that place, and have warmth and dryness, and food and

slumber. And, in verity, so set was I to the need of these matters that

if there did be a Monstrous Thing nigh to the fire--as was so oft the

case--then would I give battle unto it; for neither my Joy nor my

labours did serve to put warmth into my body; and I must surely come

anigh to fire, or die.

Then, as I kneeled upward among the moss-bushes, and made to lay a true

course unto the fire-hole, I perceived that there came a Being along

the Road unto my right; and I went low into the bushes, and moved not;

for truly I had seen that there drew nigh one of the Silent Ones.

And I made a little place that should let me to see; and I spied out,

with an utter caution; and lo! the Being came on very quiet, and with no

hurry. And in a time, it went by me on the road, and did take no heed to

me; yet did I feel that it had knowledge that I stoopt there among the

moss-bushes. And it made no sound as it went; and was a Dreadful thing;

yet, it did seem unto my heart, as that it had no trouble of Wanton

Malice to work needless Destruction to any. And this, I crave strangely

that you to understand; for it was so to me that I had a quiet and great

respect for that thing; and did feel no hatred; yet was very dreadly in

fear of it. And it was Huge in size, and was shrouded unto its feet, and

seemed, maybe ten feet high. Yet, presently, it was gone onward down the

Road, and I was no more troubled by it.

Then did I make no waste of time; but set off unto the fire-hole; and

kept so much to shelter as I might; but was oft made to run over baked

places, ere that I should come to more of the bushes.

And I came presently nigh unto the fire-hole, and made a pause, and

crept unto it, with a great care. And I found it to be in the bottom of

a deep hollow of the rock of that part. And the rock was clear looking

of all living matters, the which did make me to be glad. And I went

round about the top of the hollow, carrying the Diskos very handily; but

there was nowhere any living thing; and I feared not to go downward into

the deep hollow, and so unto the fire-hole, which lay in the bottom, as

you have perceived.

And when I was come there, I made a close search of the rock, and found

it was very sweet and warm; and there were no serpents, neither any

stinging creatures; so that a certain comfort came upon my spirit.

Then stript I off mine armour and gear, and afterward all my garments,

so that I stood naked there in the hollow. Yet was that place almost so

warm as some mild oven, and I had no fear to suffer from the cold of the

Night Land; but was uneasy lest that any monstrous thing should be anigh

to come to take me so unawares.

Now I wrung the garments, and spread them upon the rock near unto the

fire-hole, where it was hot; and I did rub my body very brisk with my

hands, so that I glowed into health and had no fear of a stiffness.

And afterward, I did look to my food and drink, and to the matters in

the pouch; but there had no harm come to any, by reason of the tightness

of the scrip and the pouch, that had kept off the water. And I eat and

drank, there as I stood waiting for the garments to come to dryness; and

I walked about a little, as I eat; for I was restless to be into mine

armour swiftly. And now I did turn this garment upward of the dry side,

and now that; but did find them to steam, so that I turned them many

times before they were proper.

Yet, in truth, they dried in but a little while, and I gat me into them

very swift, and into the armour; and I felt the strength and courage of

my spirit to come back into me, which had gone outward somewhat when I

did stand there so naked. And this feeling you shall all have

understanding of; and know that you would have felt that way, likewise,

had you but stood there in that Land in so unhappy a plight.

And when I had come into mine armour, I put my gear upon me, and took

the Diskos into my hand, and did climb out of the hollow; for I would

find a more secure place to my slumber, and did not dare to sleep in

that place; for it was beyond seven and thirty hours since that I did

have sleep; though as I do see by my count, I have made it to seem but

as five and thirty; yet was a part consumed in diverse matters that I

have not set down. And you shall mind how bitter had been my labour and

weariness in all that time; and I did know of a surety that sleep must

come heavily upon me; so that I was sorely in need that I should search

out a safe place; for I should not be lightly waked, until that I had

slept away the tiredness of my heart, and the weariful achings from my

body. And, indeed, I should mind you how that I was not yet come perfect

from the bruising which I had gotten from the fight with the Yellow

Thing.

And presently, when I had searched but a little while, I did find that a

rock stood upward from a great clumping of the moss-bushes unto my left;

and I went over to the rock, and made a search about it. And I found

that there was a hole into the bottom part of the rock, and I thrust the

Diskos into the hole, and made the blade to spin a little, so that it

sent out a light; but there was no thing in the hole, and it did seem a

dry and safe place for my sleep.

Then I turned me about, and went into the hole with my feet that way;

and I found that it was so deep into the rock as the length of two men,

and just so wide as I could lie in it without having it to pinch me. And

there I made my bed in the hole, and went swift unto my sleep, and

scarce had but a moment even to think upon Naani; and by this thing

shall you know how utter was my weariness.

Now I waked of a sudden, and was very clear and refreshed. And I crept

to the mouth of the hole, and lookt out; but there was all a quietness

round about, and nothing to threaten.

And I found that I had slept ten hours; so that I made a haste to eat

and drink, that I should go forward swiftly upon my journey. And at that

time, as in the time when I did eat, naked, in the hollow, by the

fire-hole, I eat four of the tablets; and this you shall understand to

be rightly due unto me, in that I had gone so long fasting in that my

great journeying to come safe from the Hound, and to come past the House

of Silence. And this shall seem but a little thing to you; yet was it a

wondrous important matter unto me, that had gone so long with an empty

belly, and was never satisfied. And neither should any be, that had eat

so little as I did eat, and made to fill their belly always with a drink

of water. Yet, I doubt not but that it did keep my soul sweet and

wholesome and no useful thing to the Powers of Evil of the Land.

And when I had made an end of so great a gorging, and had ceased to be

drunken with water, I gat my gear upon me, and took the Diskos into mine

hand, and so went forth once more towards the North.

And presently, I was nigh unto the Road again; for it did curve

something Westward a space beyond. And I was sore tempted to go upon the

Road; for the ground was rough and the moss-bushes did catch my feet.

Yet did I stay among the bushes, though the Road was true and smooth, by

compare. And by this telling, you will perceive that I walked once more

upright, and had given over to crawl between the bushes. And, in truth,

this was so; for the Land did seem very quiet in all that part; and I

had less of fear, now that I stood beyond the horrid unease of the House

of Silence.

Now, after that I had journeyed twelve hours, I saw that I was come upon

the commencement of a great and mighty slope, as that the world did

slope downward always towards the North. And I went on again, after that

I had eat and drunk, as I did likewise before this at the sixth hour of

that day's journey.

And presently, I perceived the Road to cease; and surely this did

confound me; as that a man of this age had come to a part where the

world did end; for you shall know that the Road was that which had

seemed to go on for ever; and you shall mind the way of my life up till

that time, and so shall you the better conceive of my bewilderment, and

as it were a feeling of great strangeness unto one that was overprest,

as you would believe, with strange matters.

Yet, truly, was this all as the little book of metal had told unto me;

and so should I have been something prepared; yet are we ever thus

needing eye-proof; and perhaps it is more proper that it be so.

Yet, you shall perceive me adrift somewhat as to direction; for I had

steered before this time so that I should come to the North of the House

of Silence; and afterward had shaped my way by the Road. But now was I

adrift, as it might be set down, in the wilderness.

And so did I stand and consider, and presently did look unto the far

Pyramid, which was now a great way off in the night, and had seemed but

small by that which I knew it to be. And lo! as I did look, I perceived

that I could but see the high upper-point of the light of the Great

Pyramid, where did shine the Last Light; and I was confounded afresh;

yet in a moment I saw that the greatness of the slope did account for

this. But here I should tell to you that the slope was nowise steep; but

did seem as that it should never cease. And mayhaps this is clear unto

you.

And I perceived surely that the time was come when I should make an

utter parting from the Great Redoubt; and the thought came very heavy

upon me. And in the same time I knew that the aether was stirred by the

emotions of the Millions; so that I had knowledge they watched me with

the Great Spy-Glass, and did send word down unto the Hour-Slips; and by

this did the Millions know, and have a great thinking upon me in that

moment.

And you shall perceive how utter lost and lonesome I did feel. And it

was at that time that I did test the compass, to comfort me, as I did

tell before this, and feared I must sure forget, when I did come to the

proper place; yet have I minded me, as I did desire.

And I saw now that the Night Land that I did wot of, was hid from me by

the slope. And I turned and looked down the slope; and surely all before

me was utter wildness of a dark desolation; for it did seem to go

nowhither but into an everlasting night. And there was no fire down

there, neither light of any kind; but only Darkness and, as I did feel,

Eternity. And downward into that Blackness did the great slope seem to

go for ever.

Now, as I did stand there, looking downward into the Dark, and often

backward unto the shining of the Final Light, and put to a horrid

desolateness, behold! there came the low beating of the Master-Word in

the Night. And it did appear as that it had been sent to give me courage

and strength in that moment; and did seem unto my fancy that surely it

did come upward unto me from out of the mighty blackness into which the

Great Slope ran. Yet could this have been but a belief; for the aether

doth have no regard unto direction to show you whence the spiritual

sound doth come; and this did my knowledge and Reason know full well.

And I made that I would send back the Master-Word, sending it with my

brain-elements, and so give news unto Naani how that I did struggle to

come unto her. Yet did I have caution in time; for in verity, had I sent

the Master-Word, then had the Evil Forces of the Land wotted that I was

out; and mayhaps had come swift unto my Destruction; and so did I

contain my spirit and desire, and made to do wisely.

Yet was I put in courage by the low beat of the Master-Word; and did

listen very keen, that some message should follow; but there came none,

neither did the weak throb of the Word come about me again, at that

time. And because that I was now grown more to my natural state, and did

feel that I should indeed find the Maid, I looked once more unto the

Great Pyramid, long and eager and with a solemn heart; yet with no sign

or salutation, as I was before determined. And afterward, I turned and

went downward into the dark.