The Night Land

And there passed now a day and a night; and in all that time there

ceased not great multitudes to peer forth into the Night Land at the

Youths. For it was known concerning the Influence, and all felt that the

Youths did draw nigh very speedy to their fate; and much talk there was;

and many things said, and much foolish speech, and kind intent; but no

courage to go forth to make further attempt to rescue; which, in truth,

calls not for great astonishment, as I have surely writ or oft thought.

And in this place let me set down that the Land was, as it might be

said, waked, and unquiet, and a sense of things passing in the night,

and of horrid watchfulness; and there were, at this time and at that,

low roars that went across the Land. And if I have not told the same

before this time, it must be set to count against me and my telling;

for, indeed, I should have writ it down before this place. Yet is the

difficulty of my task great; and all must bear with me, and entreat for

me that I have courage, so that I may come at last to strength and

wisdom to tell all that I did see.

Now, in the space of this day and night, it was known that the Youths

had not slept, neither had they eaten, save once, as they who had the

watch through the Great Spy-Glass did affirm. But they to hasten alway

at a woeful speed towards the North, along that Great Dismal Road, so

that presently they must cease, or slay themselves with their endeavour.

And all this did give surety to our fears that they were under a spell

from that horrid House afar in the Land; and we had an assurance that

this thing was. For, presently, there came a Monstruwacan to the Master

Monstruwacan to report that there had come sudden a mighty Influence

into the Land; and in the same moment, as it might be, I spied through

the Great Spy-Glass, and did see those Youths break swiftly from the

Road Where The Silent Ones Walk, and begin to run very swift that they

might come quickly to the House of Silence.

Then did the Master Monstruwacan hesitate not; but did send the

Home-Call across the world, aye, even to those poor doomed ones that

hastened, unknowing, to the terror which did compel them. And

immediately upon the sound, the Master did send a message to the natural

eye, in set language, and made warning that they suffered themselves to

be drawn to their destruction by a Force that came from within the House

of Silence. And he besought them to put forth the strength of their spirits, and do

battle for their souls; and if they could in no wise compass a victory

over that which drew them onwards, to slay themselves quickly, ere

they went into that House to the horror of utter destruction.