The Night Land

Now we came presently out of that sad and dreary place that did go

inward of the great mountains, and which I have named the Upward Gorge;

and we to halt soon between the feet of the mountains, beyond the

mouth-part of the Gorge.

And Naani alway to look every way about her, and to breathe very quick,

and her eyes to be gone bright with wonder and the seeing of new things,

and the coming of freedom from so great a dread.

And she turned, now, and did look upward into the dark of the Gorge, and

to spy upon the great mouth thereof, and to be feared then, and must run

a greater way downward into the lightness of the Country of the Seas;

and to come once more to pause, and to look backward, and with an awe

and a relieved soul.

And so again to the wonder of the spreaded Country

and the great Sea; and did near to laugh and cry in the same moment,

with the amazement and gladness and great astonishment that did be upon

her.

And she to turn constant this way and that, and to be never ceased

of looking, and of deep breathings of the wide air; for never in that

life had she been in a broad place of light, as you shall have

perceived.

And we to feel, both, that there did be no more need to talk husht, as

we did alway in the gloom and narrow dark of the gorge. And surely she

to shout, as a child that doth try an echo; and her voice to go very

pretty into the distance, and to be lost afar off in that Country.

And lo! in a moment, an echo to come out of the dark mountains to our

backs; so that we lookt round very sudden; but whether the echo did be

truly an echo, or some strangeness, or some unnatural call to come

downward out of the gloom and horror of the Gorge, we did be all unsure;

and indeed must run downward a while more, until that we did be all

breathed, and to halt presently where we did feel to be utter free of

the Gorge and of the strangeness that did seem to our minds, in that

moment, to lie upward in the darkness of the great mountains.

And surely we did took about for a flat rock to be for our use, and we

came presently to a place nice to our purpose, that did be yet upward

over the Land; and we climbed up on to the rock and sat thereon to have

our food and drink.

And as we eat and drank, we did sit very close and happy; but yet to

have a wise looking about anigh to us, so that we be caught by no danger

of the Humpt Men, or by any other danger that might be.

And alway, the Maid did question, and did stare afar over the Country,

and to have a shining wonder and joy of the sea, and to be stirred in

all her being, so that she was pained with vague and sudden memories,

that did be as strange dreams, and all mixt with pleasure and pain. And,

indeed, she sudden to weeping, and to need that she be in mine arms,

until that she know herself once again; and so to her dear natural joy

and way.

And oft did Mine Own speak upon the clear wonder of the air, as it did

seem to her; and to me it did seem likewise, that had lived my life also

in a Dark Land, as you do know.

And she to break sudden from her rapture, and to set back her speech an

Eternity with vague words, and memories so olden and englamoured that

they did be as moonlight that once hath shone. And in a moment she to be

forward again into that far future time and speech, and all her being to

be close unto me, and oft in a solemn silence of the heart.

And the greatness of the sea to call unto her with an olden voice, and

to half waken her; and I with her to be thus half-wakened, yet had I

been not thus as I did come mine outward way; but truly I did stir to

the stirring of the Maid, and all mine olden thoughts that did be my

memory-dreams, to come afresh upon my spirit.

And so we two to sit there all shaken with dreamings that did concern

happenings of the olden world that did lie upward in that dreadful night

which made a mighty and deeply roof over that Country. And surely I am

dumb, in that I have no speech to make known to you all the troublings

and stirrings of our spirits that we did know in that moment.

And far off, by miles, beyond the feet of the mountain, where went the

shore of the sea, upon our left, there was a great mist and steam; and

this to be that mist and steam that I did come through on mine outward

way; and Naani to ask concerning it, and I to tell her so much as I

knew, and how that we must indeed come presently through it, upon our

journey.

And she to be in wonder of the volcanoes that did burn in the sea, and

in this place and that of the wide Country, and the height and grandness

to exalt her, and in the same time to give her a strange humbleness of

her mind; so that presently I did take her into mine arms, for I must

kiss her, because that she did be so utter a sweet maiden, and lovely

with interest and naturalness. And truly she to kiss me in turn; and to

make her questionings between her kissings; and this to be because she

did yearn for a greater knowing of the Country; but also, as I do half

to think, because she did be sweetly impudent unto me; and this to be of

her joy.

And presently, she to kiss me thrice very passionate and warm upon the

mouth; and immediately to take my shoulders, with her small hands, that

did seem so pretty upon my broadness and upon the metal of the armour.

And she to strive thus that she shake me to a speedier answering; and

she, all that while, to be full of a dear naughtiness, and to need that

she be kist very hard.

And I to answer her; but after mine own fashion which did be a word

between each kiss that I gave to her. And she very quick and naughty to

put her hand between our lips; and I then to kiss the palm, that did be

in my way, and did be very small and pretty. And she, when I had no

thought, to open her fingers very quick, and kiss me through between the

fingers, and immediately to shut the fingers, so that I did be stopt

from the same.

And afterward, I made her to stand upon the rock, and I set free her

hair over her shoulders; and I took then the boots from her, so that her

little feet did show bare and pretty. And she, at the first, half to

refuse me; but afterward to stand very dear and obedient that I should

have my way with her; and to be a little shy, and the more pretty

because of her sweet blushings.

And surely, when that I had her to my likings, I stept back a little

pace, and lookt at her. And she to look again at me, very quaint and

naughty; and then to turn her about, very grave; and to make pretend

that she did be a dummy figure. And, surely, when she did be come right

round, and to face me again, and had a very sedate look, she stretched

out her pretty foot, all in a moment, and put her pink toes sudden upon

my lips; and I to be so in surprise, that I had not wit to do aught, ere

she had them back swift from me. And she then to make one glad spring

into mine arms, and to want that she be hugged, and to be loved very

great. And I to laugh, all tender; for I loved her so utter, as you do

know; and I to tell her, as you sure likewise to have told your maid,

that I wanted a pocket sufficient, that I might have her therein alway

anigh to my heart; and this thing I to say to her, as a man that doth

love, shall say it; and you to know the way of it so well as I. And she

to laugh very mischievous, and to tell me that she should truly tickle

me, if that I carried her thatwise; aye and to pinch me, too. And I to

have no answer, save that I shake her, very gentle, but indeed she to

kiss me very naughty on the mouth, in the midst of my shaking; and

truly, what shall a man do with such an one.

And she then to want to be more sedate and to be set down upon the rock;

and she to make me to turn around, so that she should come at the pouch,

which did be upon my back.

And she gat thence the comb that was a fitment, and did comb her pretty

hair, and I to sit and talk with her, and to jest, with a heart that did

be so light as it had not been for a great while; for though I did dread

the Humpt Men and the monstrous animals of the Country of Seas, I had

not any abiding horror of aught that I had seen in that Country; for

there seemed a naturalness in all things, so that I did have no

loathing; neither any fear of an Evil Force.

And presently, when that the Maid had combed her hair, she to bind it

upon her head; but I to ask that she leave it upon her shoulders,

because that it did be so pretty; and she to smile at me, and to be

happy to my pleasuring.

Now we did be truly sedate, and to set our gear together; and I to put

the boots upon the Maid; and afterward we to begin again to journey

downward into the Country of the Seas.

And we went at a good pace; but not to bring us to any great weariness;

for it was mine intent that we rest for our slumber upon this side of

the place where did be the steam of the boilings, that was anigh to the

shore of the sea, as you shall mind.

And we at this time to be passing along the feet of the mountains, unto

the place of the steam; and to go thiswise for six good hours, and still

to be a great hour off that part; for we went not so fierce as did be

the speed of mine outward way, which was utter strong, as you do mind,

that have gone with me in all my journey.

And so, when we had walkt six hours, we did be gone something beyond the

eighteenth hour of that day's journeying; and to be very ready to our

slumber.

Now, presently we found a tall rock, very hard to climb, that had a flat

top so great as may be twice my length everyways; and this to be very

good to our purpose. And when we were come safe to the top, we to eat

and drink, and presently to sleep, and to have the cloak under us, as

did be the will of the Maid; for the Country did be utter warm and nice,

so that we had no occasion for covering.

And surely, we waked, both of us when that we had slept seven good

hours; and we sat upward, and lookt newly each at the other; and to be

as that we did each see the other anew in that good light, and to have a

fresh joy each in the look of the other. And she to come into mine arms,

and to kiss and to need that she be kist; and truly, we both to have our

need; but yet to be something the more hungry of the other, for the

having.

And Mine Own then to make our breakfast; and the water to fizz very

strong and surprising; and we to eat and drink, and to be utter happy

each with the other, and to talk on this thing and that, and the Maid to

look about, as we eat; and she to look afar off at the wonders and the

newness of the Country to her knowledge; but I to look near, lest there

be any danger that might be anigh.

And in a while, Mine Own to draw my gaze to the Mountains that the Gorge

came through. And, in verity, now that I did look in ease, I to see with

her how that they did be truly monstrous, even as a monstrous wall that

did go upward for ever until that they were gone out of the light of

that Country, into the dark night of the deathly Upper World, that did

be lost an eternity. And I to mind that I had some vague thoughts

thiswise, on the outward way; but now I to have ease, and the Maid to

speak with, and so to perceive odd matters the more. And I to tell you

this little thing, so that you shall perceive the way that restfulness

did be upon me, by compare with the Outward Going.

And, truly, we had no great speed with our talk and with our eating; but

in the end did make somewhat to hurry, because that we did be conscious

that we leaned to slackness. And indeed, we came down then pretty speedy

from the rock where we did sleep; and had forward to our way at a good

pace.

And when we had gone a while, we to begin to hear the far hissing of the

steam and the noise of the upward burstings of waters that did boil; and

the sound to be very strange; but I to have heard it before, as you do

know; so that it to trouble me the less than the Maid. And I to assure

her; and she to come nigh to me, and thiswise we to enter presently into

the steam.

And we went then for more than three hours; and I had the Maid to my

back, that I should be the first; and this I did, that she have no

danger to walk into a boiling pool in the mazingness of the steam, which

was everywhere. And I to be something guided in my path by the shore of

the sea which did be unto our left alway; only that we could see neither

the sea nor otherwise, except that we go so close that we near into the

water.

And, truly, the sea to seem to boil in parts, and there to be hot pools

in all places; so that who should say with ease whether we did go by one

of the great hot pools or by the true sea. And this, our constant

puzzle, shall be likewise to you; and you to perceive how that we did go

utter wary.

And about us from every part there did come the strange burstings and

shriekings and whistlings of the boil of the waters breaking upward from

the deep world. And odd whiles the sounds to be as of great monsters;

and the earth to shake under us; and other-whiles there to be a hush and

only the steam about us, and somewhere in the distance and uncertainness

a low piping of some steam cranny, very strange and lonesome-sounding.

And when it did be somewheres nigh upon the fourth hour, we came out of

the thick steam; and the pipings and the roarings to be to our rearward;

and soon the steam to be gone thin, as but a mist, and the noises to be

very far-seeming; and presently we to be come clear out into the air of

that Country.

And the Maid now to perceive the trees, which did be in great forests

unto our right hand, while that the shore of the sea did go alway upon

our left. And she to be utter in wonder of the trees; and to need that

she pluck branches, and smell of them and look at each leaf; and so to

be all stirred; for never in that life did she to have seen such a

matter as those great trees did be; but yet to be all stirred by vague

memories that did seem no more than dreams. And you to think but a

moment, and to perceive how the thing did be with her; and you to have

been likewise stirred, if that you did be so strangely waked in a corner

part of the heart; though but a little matter to wake you.

Now when the sixth hour did be full come, we made a halt in a wise

place, and had there our tablets and the water; and afterward, the Maid

bid me that I take her unto a warm pool that did be near by, and to ask

that I turn from her, but yet to be anigh for her Protector, as I did be

ever.

And so she to wash and to make herself happy with a sweet cleanness that

did be proper to her; and afterward, when she did be done, she to act

watch whilst I to mine; and to help me in all matters, that she was

able; and truly, I to be happy indeed that she did so have delight to

attend upon me and to treat me mother-wise; yet truly with her

maid-heart not all hid, as you have perceived, this time and that.

And surely thus did we go alway in these matters; and oft that I have

not space to have told; and oft that you shall remember, if that I do be

too full of other happenings to give heed to tell upon.

And afterward we to our journeying again; and to talk upon this thing

and that thing; and I to be watchful as we talked, and to tell the Maid

that she keep her eyes wary, but yet not to be of unease.

And when we did go thiswise for seven good hours, we were come nigh

opposed to the bright-burning fire-hill that did be offward in the sea,

and had made me a warm light in that time when I did sleep in the tree,

as you do remember. And truly, as I shall here mind you, we did be past

seven hours coming to this place, from the part where the steam did be;

yet had I gone that space upon the outward way at a speed that was

greater; but truly I might not set so great a pace to the Maid, save,

mayhap, odd whiles; and this thing I beg that you have alway in your

mind, and so to understand why that we did be oft long upon this part of

the journey and that, by compare with mine outward going.

And, in verity, I had set off our hour for food, because that I saw we

did come nigh to the place where the tree did be; and I to know that the

Maid should like to eat and drink anigh to that place, and to know that

I did sleep there.

And surely I took her to the tree, and when that I told her, she to beg

me that I indulge her and that we go upward to that branch where I did

sleep, and there to eat our tablets.

And I to be willing, and to enter into her wishing; for, indeed, there

was no danger in the climb, and I to go alway below her, so that I could

be surety for her safeness. And we came up to the great branch; and she

to make how we should sit, and I to have to show just where I did lie,

and she to look very close, and to see that my weight had surely marked

the hardness of the armour upon the bark; and she then to be upon that

branch alone, as she did eat and drink; and to look outward at the light

from the fire-hill, and to be very husht, and to think, and I not to

disturb her with speech.

And when she did be done, she gat from the branch, and kist the place

where I did lie; and lo! in a moment a thought came into her, and she

drew her knife, and cut out a piece of the bark, and put it into her

breast to be for a keepsake; and so to seem somewise contented.

And truly, I told her about the great beast, when we were come down

again to the earth; and she to cry out and to show me that there did be

yet the mark where the belly of the monstrous beast did brush upon the

earth, as it ran, and moreover the broken places of the foot-marks; and

she by this to see how great a beast it did be; but yet did it be a

little thing beside the Slug; only that it did be a thing of horn and

hardness of skin, as you have perceived.

And truly, I do mind how that the observings of the Maid did bring very

keen to me how that there had past but seventeen days since that I did

go onward from this place; and this to seem very strange and scarce

credible unto me; for I had thought it, somewise, as a great time; and

truly this to be because it was so marked by stress of the mind and

great happenings; and you to agree in this thing. But yet, also, we

shall truly mind that those times that I have called days, did hold oft

the hours of two days, and mayhap three, as you do remember. Now we

went onward then to our journeying; and I to make to carry the Maid, as

ever, after that she had walked twelve hours, though she did walk

thirteen hours this time as you have seen. And she to say that she go

now upon her own feet through the next six hours, and so to ease me from

the labour that did be needful to carry her.

But I to know how that she did be like to be all gone of her strength

thiswise, in but a day or two, and we to make the better speed, if that

I keep to my way, and to have her to walk twelve hours of every journey,

and afterward to come into mine arms; for, truly, she did be bred less

hardy than I, as you shall think from all that I have told concerning

the Peoples of the Lesser Pyramid; and moreover she was yet something

weakened, as I did think, by the dreadful month of her lonesomeness and

escapings, before that I was come to succour her.

And truly, as I did carry her, the Maid did make remark of her

wonderment concerning me, in that I did be so hard of my body and set in

the determination of my mind. And, in verity, I did be exceeding strong

and of great hardness of body; and mayhap my will did be somewhat this

way also, else do I think I had never borne to come unto Mine Own

through so much desolation. And I to smile very happy upon her; for I

did love that I was so strong, and very truly in delight that Mine Own

Maid did take gladness in this thing. And you to mind how you did be

also in the love-days; and so to have nice understanding of my

naturalness and human pride.

And surely the Maid did nestle unto me, as she did talk; even, somewise,

as a Child shall come nigh to the Mother, but yet also as a Maid doth

love to be nigh unto her Man, if that she doth truly love. And I to lift

her more nigh to my lips; but she to refuse to kiss me, and to be a

Sweet Impertinence that did lie in mine arms; yet when I did make to

lower her again to the way that had her easy to carry, she to slip her

pretty face very snug under my chin, and to kiss me there, after her own

fashion; and afterward to be willing that she be as usual into mine

arms.

Now, as I set the Maid again comfortable, it seemed to me that she was

something tender; and sudden it came to me that mayhap the armour to be

very hard and painful unto her; and I to ask this thing of her, in a

moment; and she to see that I would not be put off; and so to tell me.

And, truly, I was utter angered with myself; and somewise also with her,

in that she did not waken mine unthinkingness to this thing.

And I set her instant to the earth, and made her to bare her shoulders

to me; and truly they did be much bruised where that she had lain so oft

in mine arms, against the hardness of mine armour.

And I to be so angered that I near shook her, and she to see how I did

be, and that she did be nigh to be shaken, because that I was grown so

angry that she should let herself come to this foolish hurt, that yet I

did know was very dear unto her secret heart. And, in truth, she put up

her lips to me, very sudden, and with a strange naughtiness, that she

have her own way with me to tempt me from mine anger, that yet she did

half to like. And, in verity, I near slapt her then upon her pretty

shoulders, but that she ceased from her tempting of me; and instead she

turned her shoulders to me, even as a child, that I button her garment

for her.

And surely, when I had buttoned her garment, she came round unto me, and

closed her hand, so that it did be a little fist, even as I did love her

to do, because that it was so small beside my great hand.

And she slipt her shut hand into mine; and surely I let it stay within,

very quiet, and made not to close upon it, as I did wont. And the Maid

did move her hand around in mine, that she make me to take notice upon

her, and to grasp her little fist. Yet I did be very stern, for I was

truly angered; and neither did I put her hand from mine, nor made to

hold it; but only to let it bide; yet, truly, I to be something stirred

in the heart-part by her pretty ways.

And in a little while, she took her hand from out of mine, and did have

daring to be cold unto me. And mine anger then to be quaintly renewed,

and to think that she did well need to be whipt. And she made a naughty

and foolish impudence upon that which I said to her; so that presently I

did say that she did need such as should make her to heed her manners;

but yet, as you shall conceive, I to know inwardly all that time how

that even this true naughtiness did not stir me to proper anger; but

more that it made me masterful and to lack not that I make her to know

truly that I did be her Master; and in the same time to be strangely

touched in a very deep and secret place of my heart. And truly love doth

have strange actings upon the heart.

And the Maid to ask me in a very saucy fashion that did be intentioned

to anger me, what I did mean that she to need. And truly I said that she

did go the way to earn that she be flogged like any boy, and I to mean

actual all that I did say, which doth something amaze me now; but, as I

do know, I yet to be constant stirred inwardly by her beloved quaintness

that did be alway so dainty, even when that she did mean her naughtiness

to be truly to anger me.

And lo! when I told the Maid this thing, that she did well go to earn a

sharp reproof, she turned in a quick instant, and came close to me, all

tender and small and to need to be nigh to me. And she slipt both her

closed hands into the one of mine, and truly they did be little fists.

And because I could be no more stern with Mine Own, I put mine arm about

her, and she did nestle to me, so that all my being did want to be a

shield about her.

And she to hark very quiet and humble to my counsellings; and in the

end did be so strangely husht that I lookt down to where her pretty face

did be hid against mine armour, as she did love to do, when that I did

be those odd whiles a little stern with her. And I held her face away

from mine armour; and surely she did be smiling, very quiet and naughty;

so that I perceived that she did be good only for that time, and did be

like to show again this wrongful and impudent spirit. Yet I not then to

be in trouble of the future; but to hope only that I do wisely, if that

she show again this waywardness. And, truly, I to perceive now that I

did be very young; but, anywise, as you do know, I to act alway from the

natural telling of my heart.

And I shook Naani a little, for this naughty spirit which did not be

gone from her. For I perceived that my manhood had but stirred the woman

in her to that strange quick humbleness that had seemed to be a

quenching of her wayward unwisdom; and truly it had not been stilled,

but only sunken for a little moment in the uprising of her dear nature,

which had responded unto me.

And the Maid to look at me from under her lids, as I did shake her with

gentleness; and I to know that Mine Own did be a wondrous maiden, full

of all life and spirit, and to be held wisely and to be loosed wisely,

all as did be for the best to bring out the uttermost of her goodness

which did be in all her being, and to be very lovely; and to make me

feel as that I did be a giant that held a white flower very tender; but

I to feel also that I did be her Master. And this mayhap you to

understand, if that you look into your hearts.

And by all my telling, you to know that I did be very dainty with Mine

Own Maid that did be all of daintiness; but yet I to be masterful, as

did be my nature, and a very proper way it did be with the Maid, so that

she did be alway reasonable in the main; and this to come out of her

love, which did have pleasure to know that I did be Master unto her, all

in the same while that she did fight to show that I did be otherwise.

And truly, and in part by this same showing, you shall perceive that her

naughtiness to come likewise from her love, and the way that my nature

did work upon her.

Now I to shake the Maid very gentle, as I have said, and with much that

did be of play, but in the same wise there to be also somewhat of tender

reproof. And surely, that naughty maid to spring very light upon her

toes, and had kist me sudden and dainty upon the mouth, before that I

did wot.

And I to put mine arm about her, and to give her a little hug; and

immediately then to matters that did be practical; for I was eager to

have come across that stony part of the journey, that did be before us,

as you do know, before that we look for a place for our slumber. And

this eagerness of haste to be, because of the great bird things which I

had seen to go bounding over that waste, when that I was upon mine

outward way.

And, surely, after that I had thought a little moment, I bid the Maid

that she dress in her torn garments, so that these should be over the

top of the armour-suit, and thiswise to make a soft thickness upon the

top of the armour-suit, that should act for a cushion between mine

armour and her dear body.

But indeed, the Maid would nowise to do this thing; and I not to make

her, because that my heart perceived how it did be with her. And her

reasons to be someways mixt, as doth be proper in all humans, and the

more so when that it doth be a maid that hath reasons, as you to know,

if that you have ever held such dear perverseness in your arms.

And she, as I could know, to be strangely in love that her gentle body

be bruised by the hardness of mine armour; and if this might not be, she

to be not wishful that she wear her torn clothing upon her neat suit and

so to seem careless and to lack to be dainty in mine eyes; for, indeed,

she did be alway to wash herself and to make tidiness; and she to have a

way now that she did set the armour-suit upon her, that had it to seem

different, and she to have set a little sprig from the trees upon her

breast, and in her girdle, and so to seem the more of a maid; and surely

a man doth know and love these things; but not alway to have full

knowing how that they be done. And, indeed, you to be likewise with me

in this thing. And we all to think we know, but somewise to be just

a-lack when that it doth come to the proof.

And, in verity, the Maid to find a way that she be eased of the hardness

of the armour; and I to have come to the same thing in the same moment;

but truly I do think she had been able to think upon it a long while, if

that she had been so desired.

And truly, this was but that I fold the cloak very thick across mine

arms and breast, and to take her then into the little nest that did be

prepared.

And, surely, now that the Maid might no more have her secret wish that

she lie close against mine armour, she to be helpful, and to have the

cloak folded so in a very quick while; and so to be into mine arms

again; and we to be once more upon the journey, and she to nestle to me,

as that she did hunger to be nigh to me; and she to talk with me, odd

whiles, and odd whiles to be silent.

And once, I to think that she wept a little; and to know that she did be

like to think upon her father and her own Peoples; but she to have her

face turned to me, so that I could but guess upon this thing; and she

very soon to be husht again of this sorrow, and to lie content in mine

arms.

And once, when that I had carried her for three hours, she to ask me

that I kiss her; and truly I did kiss her, very gentle and with

reverence, because that my heart did understand the holiness that did be

in her heart in that moment.

And, surely, as I kist her, she to kiss me very tender; and I to know

that some olden memory did be like to stir in her. And in a moment, she

to take her lips from mine, where she had let them to nestle very light,

and did whisper mine olden love-name; and I then to look at her, and her

eyes to shine as the olden stars that did shine in the olden summers.

And I to be too shaken even that I kiss her. But she to put her arms

about my neck, and to look steadfast into mine eyes. And immediately,

after that she had lookt awhile, and I to have ceased from walking, she

to put her hands upon each side of my face, within the metal of mine

head-gear, where the guards did come down at the sides; and she to kiss

me very sober upon the lips; but yet to mean utter by that kiss. And I

not to return the kiss; for I saw that it did not be her need.

Now, in the beginning of the fourth hour, as I did go with the Maid, I

to see afar off one of the half-bird monsters, that I did see before

upon this place where there did be naught save great stones and boulders

for a great way that did be many miles.

And truly, I to hide very swift with the Maid, where two great boulders

did come together; and surely the bird-creature to go past at no great

way, and to go with a great bounding, that did be half of flight and

half of leaping, as that it did be too weighty in the body to make to

fly proper.

And, indeed, I to have a sudden memory how that there did be a picture

in some book that I did read in the Mighty Pyramid, where it did show

such a bird-thing as this; and to make remark in the book that these

things had been seen no more in the Night Land for a score thousand of

years, or more; and to be extinct, as we do say.

But, indeed, now I do think that they did be come downward to that warm

Country, a great while gone, and so to have new life and to breed

through a great age, and this way to have set a pattern unto the Humans.

And, in verity, it might be that in some age that did be far after that

time, the Humans to find some way to journey from the Pyramid, and to

build a new Refuge in that deep Country; and mayhap the Humans thiswise

to have a new space of life, after that all the Night Land did be dead

and lost in the bitter frost of Eternity. But this, indeed, to be no

more than an odd thought; for how might any great multitude pass the

Monsters; and I to ask that you take it for nothing of fact, but only as

of my suppositions; and thiswise to come back again to happenings.

Now, when the bird-thing did be gone a long way off, I to go forward

again with Mine Own, and to have a new care, and to look very swift and

frequent everyway.

And, truly, it did be as that the creatures did inhabit that part of the

Country; for in an hour after that, I to see a good score. And, I to

free the Diskos from my hip, and to have it ready in mine arms beside

the Maid; and so to journey.

And many times I to have to hide with Mine Own, and to crouch low among

the rocks and the boulders; and this way to escape free of all for a

great while.

Yet, when that the fifth hour did be nigh gone, I heard a noise sudden

to my back, as we did go over a clear space. And, in verity, there did

be one of the monsters that came upward over certain rocks that were to

my rearward; and surely it to have been stayed hid there, or resting,

and to have heard us or to have smelled us; but anywise then to have

knowledge of us, and to come with low and brutish heavy boundings, very

lumbersome, after us.

And I lookt everyway in a moment; but there was nowhere any shelter

anigh. And the Maid to leap sudden from mine arms, that I be free with

the Diskos; and I to look swift to her, and to see that she have her

knife ready in her hand, that she might chance to aid me. But surely I

might not fight in ease of mind, if that Mine Own did be needless in

danger; and I caught her very quick by the waist, and set her upon the

ground between my feet. And she to make half to refuse; but I to have no

time for explaining, and to be sharp that I have her safe; so that I

gave her a little shake that did sudden to make her feel the strength in

me; and she then to be instant quiet in my hands, and to let me that I

set her upon her face, and to cast the thick cloak above her; and in a

moment to be stood over her, and to set down the visor of mine

head-gear, lest that the bird-monster strike me in the face.

And surely, the bird-thing did be scarce an hundred good paces off; and

to make two lumbering and monstrous bounds, and to come at me.

Yet, truly, it made sudden a pause, because that the Diskos did roar and

send out fire, as I made it to spin; but in an instant the great thing

to come in at me upon the left side, and to strike me very hard with the

bill, that did be so long as mine arm, and had surely gone through my

body, if that I had been naked. And the bill of the monster rang upon

mine armour; and it smote me twice thiswise, so that I staggered very

sick and shaken. But in a moment, as it made to draw off, that it should

come the more hard upon me, I swung the Diskos very sure and quick, and

I smote the Bird-thing above the place where the great seeming-leathern

wing did join upon the right side, as it should be the shoulder of the

Bird-monster. And, in verity, the monster gave out a mighty squarking,

and went backward this way and that, and beat all about upon the stones,

and did strike with the great bill at the place where it did be hurt.

And I heeded that I end it swiftly; and I ran in upon it, and the

creature to strike at me with the great bill, very savage. But I jumpt

speedy to this side, and again to that, and so in a moment to have

chance to come in surely. And truly I split the skull of the

Bird-thing, so that it died very quick and was gone from pain.

And the Bird-creature lay all spread upon the stones and the rock of

that place; and surely it did be as that it were leathern, and made

somewise as a bat doth be of this age, in that it did have no feathers.

And, truly, it lookt mighty, where it did be spread; and indeed the body

to be full so big as the body of a young horse; and the bill to be very

deadly and sharp and cumbrous, as you to have guessed. And I to be all

and utter thankful that it did be there, dead, in the stead of mine own

body. And the thing yet to twitch and stir a little, as the life did go

from it.

And surely I was back then very speedy to the Maid, and she to be

kneeled upward to watch me. And I took her into mine arms, and lookt

well about; and made then forward again.

And about the middle part of the sixth hour of crossing that rocky land,

I saw that we did draw near unto the shallow river, that you shall mind

I came over, after that I had done with the olden flying ship. And in

all that time, since the Bird-monster to come after us, I had seen but

two more, and they a great way off, so that I guessed that I was come

beyond that part where they did go very frequent.

And I to wade over the river, and to carry Mine Own upon one arm, the

while that I did sound my way with the staff of the Diskos; and truly I

came across very easy, save that I did have to go around somewhat, where

that the river did seem to have a deep place.

And when that we had crost the river, it did be full one and twenty

hours since that we slumbered, as you shall know, if that you but count

a little; for you do mind that we spent a certain time within the tree,

as I have told; and this not to have been proper counted into the time

of our journeying.

And surely, the Maid to have been very quiet, since that I did show my

strength a little to her, when that I made her to lie, that she be safe

from the bill of the Bird-monster. But she not to be anywise in anger

upon me; but only, as I do think, that the woman in her did be something

fresh waked unto me; and she to be very content that she be quiet in

mine arms.

Now the place that we were come to, was much spread with boulders; but

yet to have the beginnings again of the forests, as you to remember; for

I to have made some small remark of the land in this part, upon mine

outward way. And we lookt about for a fire-hole, that I should dry my

lower garments; and truly, we had not past many in a great while; but we

to be in fortune, that we came soon upon a little fire-hill that did be

no more than so high as a man, and to have the rock all hot about; so

that this did be a good place to our purpose.

And I kist the Maid, and set her down out of mine arms; and when that I

had lookt well about, and seen that there did be naught to our sight to

give us to fear, the Maid to help me with mine armour; and afterward

with my garments, and to ease me all ways that she could think of with

helpfulness. And she set the garments of my lower parts to dry, and

whilst that they did be drying, she to make ready the water and the

tablets, and to have me to sit beside her, in my body-vest and gear, and

we to eat and drink very comfortable in the warm hollow that was

something anigh to the small fire-hill.

Now, truly, I did be very hungry that time, and indeed to be alway so,

for the tablets did be very unfilling to the belly, as you do well know

from my tellings. And when that I did be finished, I saw that the Maid

lookt at me somewise oddways, and sudden she to come into laughter, and

askt me whether that I did be very empty; and in the same moment there

to be a wondrous dear look within her eyes; so that I perceived that

there went a mother-note under her impudence.

And she to yearn, as I could know, that she have some way to feed me;

but truly there did be no way, for we thought not to make to slay aught

for our purpose, and we did be feared that we eat any root or plant,

lest that we be ill. And this to seem strange to my spirit of this our

age, but to be natural unto that; so that I do think I did be so long

bred from the primal obtaining of food, that I did be all lost to that

which should seem natural unto the peoples of this early age of the

world; though we truly to think that the world doth even now be old; and

this to have seemed a true thing unto every age that ever did live.

Now, beside that we did lack somewise to think serious that we slay

something to eat, in that the tablets did actually suffice to our

strength, I to believe that there did be some other reason that I do

forget, and mayhap never to have thought plain upon; but which to be set

within me as an instinct, as we do say; and this to mean, if that I try

to set it in other words, that the tablets did keep the body and the

spirit in such condition that the Forces of Evil did have the less power

to act upon us.

Yet, have I no remembering that I was taught in the preparation that I

eat naught, save the tablets; and this mayhap never to have been set

upon me; but to have been as a thing that doth never need to have been

told; even as you shall not tell a grown man in this Age that he shall

refrain from dung, and eat only wholesome matter.

And truly, I to hope that I have made this thing somewise clear unto

you; for, indeed, it doth be something hard to set out; for every Age

hath the subtleties peculiar to that Age; and these to be hard to the

understanding of other Ages, but yet to seem plain and utter natural,

even without thought, unto the Peoples of the Age.

And surely all this to be plain to you, and to be over-plain; for, in

verity, I tell to you, and over-tell, until that I should be weary; and

mayhap you to be the more so. And, indeed, I not to blame you; but only

to hope that your understanding, which doth mean also in general your

hearts, doth be with me all along my way. And, indeed, this my tale to

be not easy told.

And, in verity, I to be back now unto the Maid a-laugh upon me, and in

the same moment deeply loving and a-lack that she could not feed me, and

I to laugh with her, and to have understanding with her, as you to know;

and, indeed, I to have an heart that doth be made someways natural unto

understanding; so that even though I be dead when you read this, my

tale, you to feel that we be friends, and to know that could I meet with

you in pitiful trouble, I to have understanding and love to you, if that

you be not utter brutish; and even-so, I to be sorrowful that you should

be brutish, and to have understanding, in that I to know that by

developement you to become wise unto sweetness and charity, and in love

with all dear things, and kind pity of the rest. And thiswise you to be

in human sympathy with me, because that you do feel that I be honest

with you, and somewise even now to your elbow, as you read. And this to

be writ now, and you mayhap not to be born a great while yet; but in the

end to read and to have understanding with me, and to know how I did

love Mine Own. And so we to go forward again, the closer, in that we do

be the more knit in dear human sympathy.

And surely the Maid kist me very nice on the lips, and did promise again

how that she should make me a great meal when that we did come to our

Mighty Home; and, indeed, as she to say, she to join with me, and we

both to be naughty gluttons for that once. And, surely, I laughed gently

at the Maid, because that she should be so dainty a glutton; but for my

part, I to feel that I could eat an horse, as we do say in this Age.

And by that we had eat and drunk and talked awhile, and lookt oft about,

so that we know that no brutish thing came near, to our hurt, the Maid

to tell me that my garments did be dry; and she then to give me aid that

I dress very quick; and afterward she to help me with mine armour, the

which she did wipe after that we had eat and drunk; and she to have had

joy that she do this thing, and all things for me; and to have used a

part of her torn garments to this end.

And so, truly, I to be clothed and armed very speedy, and to feel eased

and the more sure in my mind; for in verity, I was alway in unease, when

that I did not be ready that I be able to meet any horrid Brute that

should be like to come upon us.

Now, when that I did be into mine armour again, the Maid to set the

scrip and the pouch upon me, and all the while I scarce to be loosed of

the Diskos, as ever. And we then to our way, which did be that we find a

place proper to our slumber.

And when that we did be gone all-ways, and no cave proper to our sight,

we found a great tree, that did be set off alone, and had a plenty of

branches; but none that did be near to the bottom-part.

And surely, I gave the Maid a lift, and held her up so far as mine arms

did go, so that she might stand upon the palms of my hands, and be

steady against the trunk of the tree; and she thiswise to have a hold

upon a branch, and so to go upward.

And, truly, when that she was safe, I loosed one of the straps from the

pouch and the scrip, and I cast this up to the Maid, and she set it

strong about the branch. And when I had caught the downward end, I went

upward very easy; and afterward took loose the strap; and this way we

did be something safe, as you shall see.

And we climbed upward then, and so came to a part of the tree where the

branches did be very thick together; and we made here a place for our

slumber, and the Maid set the cloak over the branches that did be so

close, and afterward we lay down; but first I set the strap about her

waist, and thence to a branch, and she to refuse sleep until that I be

likewise; so that we did be both very safe from any fall.

And she kist me, and we then to our slumber, and very weary; for it did

be two and twenty hours, by this, since that we had sleep.

Now we had eight hours in which we slept utter; and we both to awake, as

it did seem in the same moment; but truly, I to think that Mine Own did

be wakeful before that time; for, indeed, as she put her arms very

dainty about my neck, that she kiss me, I did have a quick and sudden

knowledge that I had been kist oft in my sleep, and this to have been

but a little while gone. And surely, it did seem to me that Mine Own did

have a sweet and contented Mischief inward of her eyes; but yet she to

be very sedate outward, and to kiss me loving and dear, and then we to

our breakfast, upon the cloak.

And afterward, I climbed to the topmost branches of the tree, and lookt

well over the Country all about; but there was no brutish thing to my

sight in any place, neither near nor far.

And I came down then to the Maid, and told her how that there was

quietness of life all about. And we had our gear together, and went

downward to the earth, and I to help Mine Own, and this way she to be

safe.

Now, as we went forward upon our journeying, I perceived that the Maid

had a wayward air; and truly, I thought that she did have her heart all

set toward naughtiness and mischief; and in the same moment that I was

in this belief, I did know in mine understanding that this did spring

from the workings of my nature upon the nature of Mine Own Maiden.

And Naani to walk, in the first, beside me, and to have no word for me,

because that she did be so filled with the stirrings of her naughtiness,

that did be in the same moment very sweet unto me, and yet to waken all

that did be masterful within me. And she to be that she did know, and

to delight, in her secret heart that she waken that which did be

masterful in me; but yet in the same moment to be strong determined that

she be not mastered by me. And surely this to seem contrarywise in the

words; but to be clear to the heart, if indeed you have ever been loved

by a dear maid of an high spirit.

And above all this, the Maid did be filled with a love for me, that did

beat and dance in all her being; and this in truth to overweigh all; but

yet from this same thing her dainty naughtiness to be born, because, as

I did say, my manhood to stir all her nature up-wise in sweet trouble

that did be half of rebellion, and half that she did ache that she be

close unto me in mine arms.

And, in verity, you to be with me in all these things, if that you have

had the love-days beside a dear and dainty maid, of an high and pure and

natural spirit; so that if you be old these days, even but the light

merriment of a passing maiden to bring a pain of wonderings and golden

memories upon your heart.

And presently, I saw that Mine Own put a little space between us, as the

naughtiness did work in her, as my heart to know; and she to be offward

from me a little. And she still to have no speech with me; but in a

little to begin that she sing in a low voice; and to have her pretty

body very upright and lithesome, and to go forward with a wondrous

dainty swing, so that my heart told me that she did all be stirred with

small thrillings of defiance unto me, and with thrillings of love; and

she to have the triumph of her Maidenhood and of her Womanhood, as it

were both to contend in her and to thrill upon her tongue, and to show

out the lilting and pretty warfare of her spirit that did go dancing and

dearly naughty in her breast.

And surely I went, very lifted in my heart, and astir; for it did be

wondrous to me that this lovely Maid did be so utter mine. And to see

but the way that she set her feet to the earth, and the way that she did

lift them sure and dainty; and the way that her body did be poised, and

the way of her head; and the way of her naughtiness and the sweetness

and the love that did be wrapt in with all, did make me want that I have

her in mine arms.

But yet, I not to do this, because that in the same time that she did so

stir me to love and admirings, she to set somewhat else in me at

variance, so that I did half to feel stern with her, for I perceived

that she had that naughtiness then within her, that she did be like to

have a real intent of impertinence unto me, so that she should be

naughtily outrageous, and to have no heed to my advisings, neither unto

my desires, unless that I set my hand upon her, to make her to obey.

And truly, you that have had dear maids, shall follow mine explainings;

but unto others, I know not whether they shall understand, until they

too have been possessed of One that shall set all their heart adrift,

even as this One that did be Mine Own.

And sudden, I to know that Naani did change from her low singing unto an

olden air that had surely not been heard in all that eternity. And in

verity, for a little while, I not to know why that it did so shake all

my heart; nor what it did be; nor whether that I had truly heard it

before, or only to think so.

And, surely, it did be as that the silence of the olden moonlit world

did steal all about me; and sudden, I to know that the Maid did sing an

olden love-song of the olden world, and to go halting a little as she

sang, because that the words did steal something odd-wise through the

far veils of her memory, even as a song doth come backward out of

dreams.

And I to feel all my blood to seem to tremble in my veins, and my throat

to be troubled, as with vague sobs that did be the ghosts of forgotten

tears. And the dim sorrow that had come so swift and strange upon me, to

be likewise steeped in golden mists of the love that I once did love;

and the glamour to be come all fresh upon me, and I to know in that

moment how much we do forget, even when that we do believe that we have

all memory and all sorrow within our hearts.

And I lookt unto the Maid, something dimly, because of the way that I

did be; and I perceived in a moment that Mine Own did weep as she

walked; but the less with pain than with the strange anguish of Memory,

that doth have in it Tenderness and Sorrow and Love and all that Hath

Been and all that Did Never Be, and all to make a Vale unto the Spirit,

where doth be both a dim greyness and a warm and everlasting light, and

an utter speechlessness, and the low and far music of forgotten songs,

that do come downward over the shadowy mountains that do be builded of

Years and Forgetfulness, and yet made to be seen with the light of that

our Memory, which doth cast so many husht shadows.

And surely, as I did say, the Maid did weep as she went; but not to be

cast down; but rather that she held her head upwise, as that she did

walk in a glory. And the song to come oft-broke, and oddly, and to set

her voice to little human quiverings, as her memory did shake her sweet

spirit unto tears afresh; and she to walk with her pretty head upheld

and as that she did go in a Triumph; and the tears to come down

strangely upon her face, and all her soul to be there, pure and

wondrous, and in the same time both troubled and glad.

And this thing to be very dear and amazing; and she to be as that she

not to know then that she sang; but as that she did be lost in her

thoughts, as we do say, and this to have come sudden upon her, out of

all her upliftedness of spirit, that had been like to make her very open

unto all subtile and subtle powers of thought and inward stirrings, as

you shall think.

And again the song to come full-remembered, and fresh, as that this

Eternity did be but the yesterday of that moment. And Mine Own to be

all in a sweet madness with those half-dreamed memories, and the wonder

and pain of all that no man hath ever said, and that shall be never

said; and of the utter lost years, and all that hath been lost, and all

forgotten greatness and splendour, and the dreadfulness of parting, and

the loveliness of beautiful things that do be hid in the abyss of the

years.

And it did be sudden to my quickened fancy, that there did be low echoes

all about us, of the voices of dear beautiful ones that have died; for

so did memory set a strange and lovely mystery about my spirit in that

moment, that I did be all shaken so much as Mine Own. And I to be as

that I drew my breath anigh to tears, and did be there with Naani amid

the quiet spareness of the trees and the rock of that part of the land;

but yet did be to see half dimly that I stood within a light, even as

the light that doth be the wonder of olden sunsets; and I to be, in the

same time, both that man and this man that now doth write; and to

have beside my spirit but one maid, that I did lack to know whether I

say to her Naani or Mirdath; for though the two that have been Mine Own

did be different-seeming to the eye, there to be but the spirit of one

maid beside me in that moment.

And surely, I did be there, all shaken unto the seeing of visions, as it

did seem; so that the Land about me to have grown half as that it did

lack that it be real unto my sight, because that I lookt inward unto

Lands that did be of Memory. And lo! in a moment this to go; and I to be

in that Country of the Seas, and to look newly unto Naani, and she to go

as I have told; and there to be the lonesome trees and the rocks in all

parts for a great way about.

And sudden, as I lookt at Mine Own, she to come round unto me, and she

held out her arms, and did gaze at me with such a love, as that she were

transfigured, and to need strangely that she be in mine arms; and

surely, I to an holy need that I have her unto me, because that, after

all, there did be no wonder so great as that wonder, that when all did

be said I did have Mine Own, after that all Eternity had nigh past.

And, in verity, we ran each to the other, and did be silent, because

that there was no speech of words by which we could say aught of all

that did be in our hearts. And truly you to be with me in understanding;

for you too, mayhap, to have suffered thiswise of dumbness; even if that

it hath not been so great. But yet to make you to know.

And presently, we grew quiet in the spirit; and Mine Own to come back

again to her joyousness, and to go beside by me, as we made forward.

And presently, Naani to begin that she look at me with dear impudences

again, that did be very sweet unto me; but yet to be like to lead unto

defyings.

And truly, by these things shall you know the spirit of Mine Own Maid;

and there to be none to me that ever did be like her. But, indeed, you

to think thatwise of the maid that you did love; and all the world to be

thinking each these thoughts of one dear maiden that doth be the one

maid in all the round world.

And this to be the lovely niceness of the human heart; and I not to have

any grumble thereat; but yet, surely, you shall say that this Maid that

did be Mine Own, did be very dear and lovely. And, in verity, I to show

my human heart in this thing; for you likewise to want that I think your

Maid to have been just so dear, and the more so. And indeed we ever to

be going these ways; and to have good comradeship of understanding,

because that we have all loved and suffered joy and had utter belief in

a dear One.

And surely a defyingness to come presently into the way that the Maid

did go, and she to walk a little offward from me; and truly I lookt at

her, both with love and yet with somewhat that did be to reprove her

gently, and all in the same moment that she to make my heart stirred

with her sweet naughtiness.

And she to look sudden at me; and to be that she half to intend to run

to kiss me; but also that she be minded in the same moment that she set

herself up impertinently against me. And, in verity, she made me to

harden my nature a little, as manhood doth make a man to do; and this

because of the rebellion that I knew to be in her; and she likewise to

know. But she hid her eyes, when that I shook my head, half with play

and half with earnest; and was then impudent unto me; and gone from that

in a moment to her pretty singing, and her naughty walking apart. But

she no more to sing an olden love-song.

Now, in a while, we past a basin of rock, in a place among the trees;

and there was a warm spring bubbling in the rock, and the basin to be

full of water, very warm and with some smelling of chemistry.

And the Maid told me that she would wash, and I to think it a good place

for that end. And when I had tasted the water, I found that it did seem

smooth and proper for our intent, as that there did be a verity of an

alkali in it.

And truly we washed, and after that I was done, the Maid bid me that I

turn my back; and I to do this, and she to mock me very naughty whilst

that I could not see her, and to seem very quiet; for indeed, I heard no

splashings of water, though I stood off from her a long while, and she

alway to say naughty things unto me, as that she did mind truly to have

me angered; for, indeed, she did have a plain intent that she mock at

me, and to ease not her wit. And surely, after that I had stood a great

while, I askt the Maid when that she did be like to be done; but she to

say that she was nowise ended of her toilets. And I knew very sudden

that she made foolishness upon me also in this matter; and I turned

upon her, and lo! she did be sitting upon a little rock, very sedate,

even as when she had bid me turn from her; and to have made no more

forward, but only to have been there at ease, that she keep me turned

away to please her naughty mood, and all the while have a double liberty

to have impudence upon me.

And, in verity, I did be a little angered; but scarce that I did know

it; for I did love her very great, and was stirred inwardly with her

dearness and that she did look just that-wise that I knew not whether I

to need to kiss her, or to shake her; and truly, how should I know; for

my heart did ache that I have her to mine arms; but my brain to say that

she did go over-far in the joke; and truly you to see that I did not be

unreasonable, neither to be lacking of grace; for indeed I do think that

I was swayed all-ways, because that I saw all the dear way that her

pretty nature did work; and to conceive of her mood and to understand

and be stirred; but yet to shape a little in my manhood unto hardening,

and in my judgement unto sternness.

Yet, truly, I scolded Mine Own with no more than a little jesting, and

did be nice and gentle with her, because she did be so dear, and I to

know just-wise her mood and the cause and working of it.

And I told her that I did love her, and that she hasten now and let us

again to the journey. But, indeed, she only to make a face at me, so

that I did be near like to shake her unto sedateness. And she then to be

both merry, and a rogue, as we do say, and to stop her ears and again to

sing very gleeful; and all so that she might not hear aught that I said.

And surely she lookt a very dainty Rebellious One.

And I went then straightway to her, and took her hands from her ears;

and I kist her pretty ears very gentle that I not to deafen her. And I

kist her lips as she did sing; and afterward shook her, that she be not

such a sweet Torment. But this to have no success that way; for she only

to put out her toes to be kist; for her foot-gear was off from her feet.

And, indeed, I laughed, even as I made to frown; and truly I kist her

pretty toes, and tried then to coax her to go forward something speedy

with her hair, and to be ready to the journey. But she only to sing, and

to refuse to be sedate.

And, in verity, in the end, I caught her up in mine arms, and had her

bundle in my hand, and so went off with her very sudden, with her hair

all loose upon me in a lovely and soft shining, and her feet bare as

they did be.

And this action I made, because that I was grown truly a little stern

with Mine Own; for, indeed, she did half to need that she be whipt unto

properness, as you shall think, that have seen how she did be thiswise

only because that her nature did be stirred strangely, and her Womanhood

and her Maidenhood to be all unto war, and in part to make a rebellion

against me that she did know glad to be her true Master; but yet she to

be thus, even though she did be so glad.

And this to act so that she did be in the same moment both sweet and

wise and yet to show a dainty foolishness and a true naughtiness that

did make me to feel somewhat of a real anger; but yet did have me to

know that all my being did be stirred by her; so that I did think with

one thought that she did be very foolish, and with another that she did

be lovely wayward.

Now, when that I took the Maid up so quick, and made off with her, she

to give a little gasp and to submit to me with a quick humbleness; but

immediately, she to regain her courage, and to be outraged of me. But,

indeed, I took no heed, only that I was like to shake her; and did know

also that her hair did be wondrous pretty upon mine armour. And she soon

to lie very quiet and easy in mine arms, and to be demure.

And I to have a half knowledge of somewhat amiss; but yet to have no

sureness, neither to think much upon this vague feeling.

And when that I had gone a good mile, she to put up her lips to be kist;

and I to kiss her very loving, for she was so dear. And she then to say,

very ordinary like, that I should do wisely now if that I went back for

her foot-gear, which truly I had lacked thought to notice, when that I

did pick up the Maid.

And I saw that she had known this thing all that while, and had made

that mile of carrying all a waste and a foolishness, because of the

naughty rebellion which did be in her. And lo! I set her instant to the

ground; and she gave out a little cry as she saw that I did be gone

somewise hard and stern with her.

And indeed I pulled a small branch from a tree that did be near, to be

for a switch as you shall whip a boy with; and I held her with my left

hand, and in verity I laid the switch thrice very sharp across her

pretty shoulders, that she know all that she did need to know. And she

seeming to be ceased in a moment from her perverseness, and did nestle

very quick unto me, that had whipt her; and did need that she be

wondrous nigh unto me. And, truly, how shall even a young man flog such

an one.

And the Maid to be very husht against mine armour, and to resist that I

look into her face that did be prest so anigh me. But presently, I used

a little and gentle force, and so to look into her face something

sudden. And truly, that One did be smiling very naughty and dainty to

herself; so that I perceived that I had not truly whipt her enough; but

yet I could harden my heart no more at that time; for, in verity, there

doth be a strange half-pain in the bosom, if that you have to flog a

maid that doth be utter thine, and this to the despite that there hath

been--as then--no properness of anger to have for an after

self-reproach.

And surely, I to have done this thing only of a stern intent and

steadfastness, that I steady Mine Own Maid unto wisdom; but yet to have

been helpt by a little anger, because of the thing that she had done.

Yet, alway, my love did be so strong, that mine anger never to have

aught of bitterness, as you shall have seen, and to understand.

And we went back then for the foot-gear of the Maid; and she to be very

husht in mine arms; but yet, as I perceived, not to be quiet, of an

humble little heart, but only of the chance that her nature did be

stirred that way for the while.

And truly, when we were gone back, the foot-gear did be there to the

side of the pool, and the Maid gat shod very speedy, and would have no

aid; and afterward did up her hair very tight upon her head, to have it

utter from my sight; and this to be for a perverseness; for she knew

that I did love to see it pretty upon her shoulders, or if that she must

do it, that she do it up very loose and nice; and truly you to know how

I mean; only that I have no skill of such matters; but yet a good taste

to admirings, if that the thing be aright.

And I to say nothing, as I looked at her; and she presently to make a

quick glance unto me, to see why I did say naught. And I shook my head,

smiling at her waywardness; but she to look away from me, and to seem to

be set to fresh naughtiness.

Now we went forward then upon our journey; and alway the Maid to walk

onward from me; but yet to have no other impudence, neither to sing.

And I to go kindly with her; but yet to think that she did lack somewhat

to know that I did be truly her Master; and I to wonder a little whether

she did know proper that my gentleness with her did be not of weakness,

but born of understanding and love, and the more proof that I did be fit

to possess and to guide her.

And truly this was the thought of a young man, yet lacking not of Reason

in the bottom part, though mayhap to be something clumsy-seeming unto

the mind of a maid; and to be very human to my years; and you to have

been likewise, if that you have tried all-ways with a dear One, and she

to be yet over-wilful, so that you to wonder whether she did truly know

how you did understand.

And surely a maid doth know much that doth be in the heart of a man, if

that she be true woman in her own secret heart. And oft she doth know

more of her man than her man doth wot of himself, and to go her own

diverse ways that she search out and bring forth and waken all that is

the inward being of the man that she doth love.

Yet, when that she have stirred you in the deeps that you scarce to

know, she to be all fearful, and in the same moment to have no fear; and

to be in rebellion, and in the same moment to be most strange humble.

And all to be born of love, and nature in action upon nature.

And more than this how shall I have learning of the heart to tell you;

for, in verity, there doth be much in these few lines, if that you know

to read. And surely you to know, or to learn; but if neither, then have

you gone short of joy and the true inwardness of life.

Now this way I did be, as I have told; and the Maid to be quietly

naughty in perverseness, as also I have set out; yet to have a strict

mind to her duties, and to go now wondrous sedate upon the journey; yet

alway apart. And likewise, when that the sixth hour did come, and we to

our halt, as ever, she to be very speedy and nice that the water and the

tablets be ready for me; but yet to have no word; neither to eat by me;

but again a little apart, and not to share the water, but to make a

brewing to herself, when that I had done.

And likewise, the Maid held not up her tablets to be kist, as alway; but

eat them, quiet and meditative, and with little nibblings, as that she

did ponder upon other matters, or mayhap to be not hungry.

And these things I saw, as we eat and drank in a silence; and I to look

at the Maid, somewise sad in the heart, and something stirred; and I to

say to myself wisely, yet as a young man, that she did not yet be taught

sufficient that I was her master. And this you to perceive.

And she never to seem to look at me; but to be quiet and demure, and to

have her eyelids something down upon her eyes.

Now, presently, as I thought upon the matter, I saw that I do well that

I take no heed of Mine Own; but to let her to come to a natural end of

this naughtiness, that did be, in the same time, both pretty and a

little foolish; so that in half I condemned it and in half I was

stirred; and alway I loved the Maid very dear, and had a good

understanding; and there to be also an interest in my heart at this new

side that she did be showing. And also, she to stir me odd whiles unto

masterfulness; and so you to know pretty well how it did be with me in

the matter.

Now, surely, I found this plan, that I attend not to the Maid, to have

something of success; for I knew presently that she did look upward at

me, slyly, from under her pretty eyelashes; and after, to be demure in a

moment; and this to go forward for a while; yet I to show no heed.

And in a while, I saw that she gave attention to her garments, in the

way of nattiness; and afterward, she took down her hair, and made it up

then very loose and pretty upon her head; so that she did be very

lovely, and to tempt mine eyes that they look alway at her. But, indeed,

I did make as that I had no heed that the Maid did shape her hair

different upon her head.

And she very soon then to speak, and to have the lesser gear together,

and to make that she attract me. But truly, I was very nice with her;

yet to keep her now a little off from me in the spirit; and so to teach

her that-wise, that she was somewhat of a dear naughty maid; but also,

as I do think, I was this way, because that in part I would tease her,

in great love of her prettiness and her makings up to me; and so maybe

even that I make her to be the more defying of me. And this to be as

that I also lacked somewhat of reason; for I did strangely that I think

that she need to be whipt, and in the same time that I go to make her

the more deserving of the same.

Yet, this to be the truth, as I know it; and surely to be the natural

waywardness of love. But yet, there did be also in the backward part of

my wisdom, an intent that I be wise and careful with Mine Own; and I

surely to have no full realisings that I did be like to set her further

unto perverseness than yet she did be.

Now, after that I had shown well that I lacked to heed the Maid, I found

that I did be looking oft at her; and she to be so dear and pretty, and

to be all husht, that truly I could not bear that I be longer silent to

her advancements.

And I ceased then from pretending, and would have had her into mine

arms; but she to be now in sweet dignity, and to keep me off with very

sober graces. And because of this, I to feel someway that I did be

someway in blame; and surely, now that I consider it, I can see that I

was something acted upon, even as had been the Maid; and so we two to

be; and a most human pair, as you to say; and somewhat both a-lack; but

indeed, we did be very wholesome, and in utter love each of the other;

and mayhap both then to perceive something of the sweet foolishness

within us that did be as yeast a-work in us; for I thought that Naani

did smile a little to herself. But, surely, this clear-seeing, to be but

for an odd time; and afterward we each again to earnestness in our way

with the other; but alway, even when we did make to show indifference,

we to be something troubled inwardly with sweet flashings of our

bewildered natures.

Now, though I have shown you that I to know that I did be not utter free

of this most strange and natural foolishness; yet you to perceive that I

tell this only that I have utter truth of all things that did happen;

for, in verity, because that I was something subtly touched this way at

whiles, yet was this no full excusing of the Maid; though, in the same

moment, you to perceive, that there did be only the half of me to think

that she did need to be excused; for, in truth, mine understanding went

alway, in the main, with the workings of her nature; and had a natural

sympathy with her dear whimsies; but also, as you to know, I to be

stirred constant in my manhood by her naughty defyings; and to be

troubled in my Natural Sense, when that her whimsies made her to act

that she be likely to come unto aught of harm.

And surely now you to see all the way of my heart, and to have

understanding in things that do follow. And alway you shall mind that I

did love her utter, and to crave alway that I be a shield unto her;

though truly, there doth be, mayhap, somewhat in me that doth act to

make me a little stern seeming in my love; but yet not oft so; as you do

know, that have gone with me in all my tellings.

Now, we went then upon our journey; and the Maid to be somewhat before

me, and offward to the side, upon my right; and to have no speech with

me, but to make a good pace, and to be very dear and graceful as she

went.

And now we did pass this thing of strangeness, and now that; and these I

did point out to her, and made some telling concerning the same, having

the memory of mine outward way, and how that I did see these things

then, when that I was all in suffering of so lonesome a doubt.

And she to hark alway very intent, and to move her head nice and

intelligent, to show that she heard me; and once I saw that she lookt

sudden at me with a dear light in her eyes; but this to be done in a

moment, and she to be again silent-seeming and in her new perversity of

dignity.

And surely she did seem so utter sweet in this new way of naughtiness;

but yet I did think, odd whiles, that I should like to shake her unto

dear humbleness and her usual way.

And in the twelfth hour, we made halt again, and had our food and our

drink; and the Maid to serve me very clever and quiet, as that I did be

her Lord, and she an husht slave. And I saw that she made a constant and

naughty mock upon me; and truly, as I did half think, she to need that

she be in care that I not treat her sternly, as shall a slave-master,

and to give her that which she did ask for so mute and impudent. But

alway she did stir me mightily to have her to mine arms, and to love her

very dear.

And presently, we did be again to our way; and to be yet silent; so that

I scarce knew whether to have patience with Mine Own, or whether that I

take her and speak seriously with her to cease this play, which did

begin a little to dispirit me somewhat strangely.

And in the end I went over to her, as we did walk, and I put mine arm

about her, and she to yield to me without word, and to hark very quiet

to my speech of reasoning and gentle sayings, and to hide whether she

did be stirred inwardly, or not; though, indeed, my spirit to know that

her spirit did never be afar off from mine in all deep matters; but only

this thing to be to the top, and to set somewhat between us that did be

both a sweetness and a trouble.

And alway, as I talked with the Maid, I saw that she did make naughtily

to act as that I did be a slave-master, and she but a chattel to me; for

she to be husht before me, and neither to yield her slender body willing

to mine arm, nor to resist me; but only to be still, as that she had no

saying in this matter; and as that I was like to beat her at my

pleasure, or to withhold my hand, all as might chance to be my desire.

And this I perceived was the shaping of her actions, so that all her

dumbness and her quiet obedience did be but a way to say this thing to

me; and all to have come from her love of me and that she did be shaken

in her nature by my manhood, and so to be but a new form of her

naughtiness, that did have this change when that I whipt her.

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

And I saw that she would not cease from this perverseness, but made a

dumb and naughty and hidden mock upon me, very dainty and constant, and

scarce to be truly perceived, save by the inward sense. And truly, I

grew something angered afresh, and to feel that she did need that she be

shaken so stern that she come unto the reality that I did be her man and

natural master; yet alway in love.

And surely I loosed her then, and went off a pace to her side; and we

again to go forward thiswise; yet she soon to have a greater distance

between us, which she made very quiet and natural; but, indeed, I saw

what she did.

Now, about the fourteenth hour of that journeying, I saw before us, in

the far distance, the rock upon which did be the olden flying ship, that

you shall remember. And presently, as we came more nigh, I lookt oft to

Mine Own; and I saw that she did be staring that way, and to be in

wonder; but yet to say naught to me.

And soon, as we came very close, I did want that I tell her about the

ship, and of mine adventuring there, and of the wonder of that olden

ship, set there through Eternity.

But in the first, I hesitated, as you shall think, because of her way;

but truly, my heart knew that her heart did be proper unto me; and,

moreover, I should be small in my nature, if that I let any pettiness

put a silence upon me; though, in verity, if that the Maid had not been

inwardly loving to me, I had been that I had told her no word; and this

to be very natural, whether it be of smallness or not.

And when that we were come beside the great uprising rock, I made halt,

and the Maid to halt with me; and I showed her how that the thing upon

the rock did be an olden flying ship from the Mighty Pyramid. And in the

first, she askt no questions; but did be quiet and but to show with

little noddings that she did be greatly interest.

And I to show to her how that this olden ship did be there mayhap an

hundred thousand years; and to have been there, as it did seem to us

(that were of that age) since the beginnings of the world; though, in

verity, our two spirits did know that the beginnings of That Age, did be

truly the ending of This, as you also to know.

And much I told Mine Own, and afterward concerning the two Humpt Men

that did come after me; and she alway to be silent, until that I spoke

of the fight; but then to come round upon me very swift, and with a dear

light in her eyes; and had askt, before she did wot, whether they did

hurt me.

And surely, this to have been the first thing of her olden sweet

naturalness that she did say for a great while, and I to be so in

delight, that I had her into mine arms, and kist her very loving, all

in a moment, and she to submit with a nice gladness, and to nestle unto

me, and all unwitting that she did be gone from her waywardness.

Yet, in verity, she did be a naughty Maid; for she minded in an instant

that she did forget her pose unto me; and lo, her lips did be no more to

search unto mine, but to be as that they did be kist only of my will,

and she to have no more live nestling unto me, but only to be quiet in

mine arms. And I lookt into her face, and her lids to be down somewhat

over her pretty eyes, and she did look very husht and demure; so that

truly, I knew not whether to shake her or again to kiss her.

But in the end I loost her, and made then that we go forward; yet,

indeed, she did rather stay awhile, to hark further concerning the olden

ship and of mine adventurings; but she did then to mind that she obey as

a slave shall obey; and truly, I did punish her, in that I told her no

more; but went forward at a good pace, and had some natural wonder how

that I deal with such a Maid, if that I spare to shake her.

And surely, I thought then again that I leave her be, and so to have her

presently again to her old and natural way.

Now, in a while, I lifted the Maid into mine arms, that I carry her, as

ever, through the last part of each journey, and so to have her never

over-tired for the morrow. And she for a moment to resist; but instantly

to give unto me, and to lie quiet in mine arms, as that she had no

saying in aught that did be done, but must alway obey. And, indeed, you

to see how dearly perverse she did be.

And I went on then through four hours from that time, and lookt oft upon

every side, and walkt quietly; for truly we were come now into a part of

the Country where I did feel that there might be near some of the Humpt

Men.

But I saw nowhere anything to put me in dread.

And alway as we journeyed, there did seem a great stillness in all the

Country near about; and afar off the low mutter of the Great Fire-Hills,

in this place and that, and a drowse as of life and warmth about us, and

everywhere the air very rich and plentiful.

And presently, when that we did be come down from that high place where

did be set the rock and the olden ship, we came in among the trees that

came very nigh to the shore for a great way; and oft as we did go, there

were clumpings of small fire-hills that did cast fire and noise; and oft

the roaring of monstrous springs a-boil; and then again the smell of the

woods about us, and oft still in odd places the low near sound of a

little fire-hill, that did burn, lonesome, in some clear space of the

woods, in this place and that; and afterward we to be gone onward again

into the dull low mutter that did be in all the air of that Country, and

that did but make a seeming of silence, because that it did be so far

and constant.

Now, about the eighteenth hour I to note that the noise of the Great

Fire-Hills grew more loud; and I saw presently over the trees, afar

upward in the great night and gloom that did lie above, those two mighty

Fire-Hills that I did feel to make the earth tremble, in that part, upon

mine outward way. And surely I have told something of this before; and

you to remember, if that you but think a little moment.

Now, it may appear strange that I speak thiswise of seeing the two Hills

of fire; as that I had perceived them sudden. But, indeed, I had been

long abled to see them both, yet to have had no attention to them,

because that they did be a great way off, and because they did be but

two Hills of fire, in a Country that did be plentiful with such.

And, truly, I not to have said aught about them, only that our path did

take us now by their feet, and I to see them, as it were, newly; and to

have nice ease of heart to perceive how that they did be a wonder unto

the spirit and the brain for all time.

For it did be as that the earth had a constant shaking within miles of

them, and that a monstrous force of nature did be in that place. But yet

there to be no desolation around, as you should think; but in all parts

a wondrous growing of trees and great plants in abundance.

And the trees to grow upward upon the shoulders of the mountain; and

there to be no falling of hot rocks and ash, as you to think; but all

very sweet and wholesome, as that the mighty valley made a chimney to

the mountain, and mayhap to others, so that their waste, if that they

had such, did go free. But, indeed, you shall take no heed of this

explaining, save as an odd thinking that hath come to me, and to be

without foundation. And there to be no surety of the reason to this;

only that there did be no falling of ash in that part, as I do know. Yet

in other parts of that Country the Fire-Hills did make new mountains of

the matter that did come from them; but this not to be alway so; and

there to seem to my knowledge no cause to order why this did not be

constant; save that my guessings to be right, or naught to be blown from

some. But, indeed, I to be sure only of that which did be plain to mine

eyes. And mayhap there to be no mystery in the thing; but a score of

natural explainings, if that I did know, or had patience to think long

enough upon such.

Now when that the eighteenth hour did be proper come, we to be anigh to

the great Hills, and there to seem nowise any danger of falling fire, so

that I sought about for a place for our slumber.

And I found a cave in the side of a big rock; and the cave was dry and

comfortable, and had the mouth about a score feet above the earth. And

when that I had climbed and lookt well into the cave, I gave the Maid an

help, and had her safe into that place; and she then to prepare the

tablets and the water, the while that I brought up a boulder from below,

to set very light balanced in the mouth of the cave. And this I meant

for a signal to fall, if that any creature should climb upward into the

cave, while that we did sleep. And surely, you to know this plan; for I

did it before, as you to have learned.

And the Maid sat near to me, and eat her tablets very quiet and with a

demure naughtiness; but yet to be also in wonder, and to gaze outward at

the Great Fire-Hills, and to be in awe, as I did know.

And I put my half-anger and my play from me, and told her of mine

outward journeying, and how I did go by these same mighty Fire-Hills,

that did seem as mighty torches to light me in my search, and to have

held a new strangeness and wonder over my path.

And she still to be silent, but yet to look at me twice or thrice with a

very dear and loving way; though she did hide her eyes in a moment, when

that she saw that I perceived her.

And soon the Maid spread the cloak for our sleep; and while that she did

this, I lookt well about for any creature that might be anigh; and I had

an especial thought unto the Humpt Men; but, indeed, there was naught

living, unto my sight, and nowhere did I see anything to put me in fear

for our lives.

And truly I had a great viewing from that place; for we did be in an

upward rock that stood in a high part, and the cave to be twenty good

feet aloft, as I have told; so that all made to set us in a lofty place.

And the cave to look toward the two Mountains that did rise upward no

more than twelve good miles off from us, as I do think; and the Country

between to be somewise as a mighty park; for it was spread much about

the feet of the Great Fire-Hills, and did be bare in this place and

that, as that rock did make the earth naked there, or the falling of

some later fire to have wrought thus. And between the bare parts, there

went strange and romantic woods, seen mistily, and in parts the gleaming

of waters, as that hot lakes did be half shown among the broken forests.

And presently the Land did go upward with a monstrous sweep, and was

then in great terraces in the height, and trees to grow very plentiful

upon the mountains, in sundry parts; and so those two Mighty Hills to go

upward to meet the everlasting night; and presently to show strange

uplands that did be seen very wondrous and queer in the light that did

glow from the vast glowing of the fire that did be a crown upon the

hills, that did seem in verity to be that they burned halfway between

that known world, and the lost olden world, that was mayhap two hundred

great miles above in the everlasting night and eternity of darkness.

And I lookt upward for awhile, and was much held by the mighty uplands

that did be on high; yet did lie utter far below the burning crests of

the Mountains, and showed vague and sombre and dreadful seeming, because

that they did be so lost upward, and to have the mystery of the red

shining and of the shadows upon them, and to seem to slope far under the

great fires, but yet to be a place where no life should ever come,

because that they did be so monstrous a way upward beyond the great

shoulders of the Hills, the which did be themselves a huge way up. And

truly, I should give you somewhat of the affecting of those grim and

unknown Uplands, if that I said they did seem to my fancy to be a place

where a sorrowful thing might wander lost forever. But why I to think

this thing, how shall I say; and do tell it to you, only because that it

doth seem to hold in the thought the grimness and utter desolation of

those high and lonesome lands.

And by this, I was done looking, and turned me about, and so did find

that Mine Own did stand silent, and waited that I come to my slumber.

And surely, I lookt at her; but she did have her lids something

downward, when that she saw me turn; and so in the end, I said naught,

but went to my sleep, and had the Diskos very handy, as ever, beside me.

And I then to know that Mine Own did lie down beside me, to my back, as

alway, and this to gladden me, as you shall think; for I perceived

afresh how thin did be the crust of her naughtiness; and I to be alway

stirred and touched in the heart by her loving naturalness, that did

need alway that she be near to me, save when she did play this

naughtiness upon me along the way.

And I saw that she had no mind to be perverse whilst that I did slumber;

but must now be nigh unto me, and quietly loving; though nowise truly

ceased from her naughty acting that I did be as an hard slave master,

because that I had whipt her; yet she to have somewhat a truce with me,

as my heart did know. But, indeed, she not to kiss me good-night upon

the mouth, in her dear usual and sober fashion.

And surely I did lie awhile, and pondered upon the Maid and upon all her

ways; and I perceived that she kist me not, only because that she did

not be able to break utter from her perverseness, that did come from the

stirring of her nature. And truly, I did love her, and was half minded

that I turn about to her, and take her a moment into mine arms; but yet

to abide from this, because that I was set that I wait awhile, and to

bring her to me thiswise, mayhaps.

And presently, I knew that the Maid kist mine armour, very quiet and

shy, because that she must kiss me; yet to be intent that I have no

knowledge of this pretty act. But, indeed, I did know in all my being,

and did be newly tender unto her; yet to say naught, and to wait.

And thus I knew presently that her breathing did go easy, so that I

perceived that she was all content and gone over unto slumber, somewise

as a little child that doth be weary, and doth sleep without care, and

with happy assurance.

And, in verity, did a man ever to have so sweet and gentle a maid, that

did be in the same time so troublous and perverse.

And I to lie yet awhile, and to note the constant tremble and shake of

the rock that did be under us; and this to be alway thus as I did lie,

and to be the more plain, because that I did be quiet in thought. And

this, as I conceived, did come from the earth-shaking that was made by

the inward fire of the world, the which did make a vague trouble in all

that part of the Land.

And then in a little, I was gone over into sleep, and waked not for

seven good hours; and then to hear the fizzing of the water, very brisk

and cheerful, and so to have mine eyes open in a moment, and to know by

my time-keeper or dial, that was somewhat like to a watch of this age,

that I had slumbered through seven good hours. But this to be learned

after that I had lookt to see whether Mine Own did be well, and whether

that the boulder did balance in the mouth-part of the cave.

And surely, there did be nothing in harm; for the boulder was there, as

I did put it; and the Maid a little off from me, and did make ready the

water and the tablets, that we eat before our journeying.

And I rose then, and in the same moment I did know that my mouth had

been kist whilst that I slept; and the knowing to come to me vague, as

that I had been kist in my dreams.

And I lookt over toward the Maid; but she to have her lids something

down upon her eyes, and to seem very demure; so that I saw her

naughtiness was come again upon her. Yet, truly, I could not bear that I

not to have her into mine arms; for, indeed, her perverseness did seem

as that she did the more tempt me unto her. And thus I came to her in a

moment; but she neither to resist me, nor to give herself unto me; but

only to be still in mine arms, and to do no more than submit very quiet.

And because of this, I loost her unkist, and was silent, and a little to

be angered, even whilst that my heart perceived the way of the working

of her heart. Yet truly I ached now that she come back to her dear

natural fashion.

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

likewise.

And afterward, I lookt well from the mouth of the cave; but did nowhere

see aught to put me in trouble for our safety, though, truly, as

presently I saw, there went an herd of strange creatures afar off in the

Northwestward part, which did be that way of the Country, beyond the

feet of the mountains, toward the In-Land.

Now, when that I was something assured of the safeness of the way, I gat

the Diskos to my hip, and the Maid to have the scrip and the pouch ready

to my back, and her bundle to her hand; and so all to be ready.

And I went downward from the cave, when that I was girt, and gave aid to

Mine Own; and so to be soon upon the journey.

And surely, as we went onward, and I to look about me with

different-seeing eyes from my looking on mine outward way, I to see how

wondrous this part of the Land did be; and how that it did be truly like

a great and wondrous park, that did be made of the skill and labour of

godlike things; and truly this to show my feeling, as I lookt all-ways.

And all that part did be bred of the inward forces of the world, and did

be burned clear in this place, and upheaved in that, and made to an hot

lake in another part; and odd whiles there to go a great steam fountain,

that did whistle a lonely song forever. And anon there to be a small

wood, and again a wood; and oft the quietness of great and strange

trees, that did stand alone. And here, and in that part, a little

fire-hill, that did be surely no greater than an house, and we to pass

seven of these in but three hours. And two to glow very steadfast, and

to make no vigour of burning; but the five others did burn very strong,

and sent out a smoke and ash, and made a small desolation all about

them; and of these five, there did be one that cast stones oft and

again, so that they went upward with a strange loud noise, and fell in

this place and that, all about, so that we came downward more nigh to

the shore, that we be a good way off.

And here, as I do mind, there was a strangeness, in that there did be

many trees that had stones set in the branches; and this to be plainly

the work of the little fire-hill; and I to think it but something new

come, else surely there had been no trees within all that space that it

did throw; but yet, mayhap, I am wrong in this; for all things did seem

that they grew very easy in that Country; and indeed this to be for

surprise to me, only that I saw it with mine own eyes, as we do say.

And alway as we did go, there were signs of inward life and forces; so

that we but to stand quiet to feel that the earth did tremble gently in

many parts.

And presently there sounded for a great while a low and dull booming

sound; and this we found to be from a place amid certain great rocks

toward the mountains; for there came thence a mighty up-spouting of

boiling water, that went so high as an hundred feet, and oft to be

thrice so high, and belched a great steam; and there went up in the jet

of the water, a great rock, that was so big as an house, and did dance

and play in the might of the water, as that it had been no more than a

thing very light and easy. And when that the water fell, as it did oft,

the rock to go downward with the dull booming that we did hear.

And I minded how that I had heard the booming upon mine outward way; but

had been then something more to the shore, so that it had been less

plain to mine ears, as you shall suppose; neither had it been then to my

sight, as now it did be to us because that we were come mayhap the half

of a mile more toward the In-Land of the Country.

And truly, we lookt awhile at this huge great fountain and up-boiling,

and came nearer unto it; but yet to be a large space off, because of

the way that it did throw out a spattering of small stones odd whiles.

And surely the thing did cough and roar in the deep earth, and anon to

gruntle gently and to sob and gurgle; and lo! to come forth in a moment

with a bellow, very hollow and strange, and the great rock to go

spinning upward, and all a-shine in the light from the volcanoes, and

was so round as a monstrous ball, and polished by the fret of the

waters, so that I saw it had surely danced in the great jet through a

weary time.

And anon the jet to cease and to go downward with a great soughing and

thundering of waters, and the dancing rock to fall downward from that

height which did show very huge, now that we did be come so near. And

the rock surely to fall backward into some deep pit, whence came the

waters, and as it fell, there was again the dull booming. But why the

rock brake not, I could not perceive, save that it did alway fall into a

boiling up of waters, and had no hurt from the rock of the place whence

it was come.

And the Maid and I both to have stood a while, that we stare at this

thing; for it did be more strange than I have made you to know; but now

I did make to our journey again, and did think the Maid followed; but

lo! in a moment, when that I lookt, she was to my back, and went toward

the great boiling fountain. Then I stopt very swift, and called to her;

but she did take no heed of me, and went onward very naughty, unto the

danger of the great boil of the Jet, and the constant flying out of the

stones, that you do know.

Now, even as I stood and lookt, the Maid drew nigh to the place where

the water did thunder; and the Jet in that moment to bellow, so that I

knew it came upward again. And I ran then after the Maid, and she to see

me, and began likewise to run from me toward the monstrous fountain; and

surely I did think that I had done well if that I had whipt or beat her

proper before this time; for truly it did be as that her naughtiness had

gone nigh unto somewhat that did be near to a wayward madness, so that

as I did perceive all her nature did surely work in her toward some deed

that should be for regret; and this to come, because that she did be

something pusht from her dear balance by her loving, and by the acting

of my manhood upon her, so that her nature both to be in rebellion

against me and to need me, and all in the same time. And this-way, she

to be in an inward turmoil, and to be ready foolishly that she put in

danger her beloved life, if only thereby she to make me something

adrift, and in the same moment to have some ease of her perverseness.

And, in verity, you to know all this, because that I have shown the

working of her heart to you before this time.

Now, I caught the Maid among the great rocks, which did stand all about;

and before her there did be a monstrous pit whence came the upbursting

of the water; and the water to go upward before our faces in a mighty

column, so that it did be as that a sea shot up on end, into a pillar of

living water, and went upward forever, as it did seem in that moment.

And how we should be saved, I knew not, for the water did be as that it

overhung us, and should come down upon us and smother us in one moment,

forever. And the roar was in our ears and shook all the air of that

place with sound, as of an harsh and dreadful thunder; and there was a

scalding of beaten water, as fine as an haze, all about us.

And I had the Maid in one instant into mine arms, and I ran very swift,

with a fierce running, that I have her away speedy, and so made forlorn

trial that I save her life. And lo! as I went from under that huge and

dreadful overhang of the great waters, there came downward from the

height a great stone that had been cast by the Jet, and it burst upon

the rock to my back, and certain of the flinders did strike and ring

upon mine armour, and made me to stagger as I ran. But I held the Maid

crowded safe against my breast, and she did not be hurt; and truly I was

yet able to run, and did save Mine Own, and brought her out from under

that grim Spouting.

And I put the Maid down then to her feet; and she not to know how near

that she had given us to death, neither of the way that the fragments

did strike me; for she laughed very naughty and gleeful. But truly I

laughed not; for my heart had been nigh husht with terror for her; so

that I did be yet sick in my spirit, and mayhap also something shaken by

the blows that I gat from the broken stone.

And, in verity, I to have meant that I flog her, very sharp, if that

there be no other way that I might bring her to reason; for, in surety,

as you to see, she to be acting so wild as a child, and so unreasoning

as only a Maid-in-love; and I to know that she did have to be brought

back from this way of spirit, even though I have to hurt her pretty

body, that I bring her again to her dear natural wiseness.

Yet, indeed, I could not whip her then, because that she did laugh so

joyous, though with a naughty heart, and did look so wondrous dainty, so

that even her defyings did but seem that which my heart desired. And

you, mayhap, to have been something likewise in the love-days. Yet I

pled and reasoned with her to be a wise maid; but, indeed, she only to

make a gleeful mock of all that I did say.

Now I went forward again, for I was not harmed by the stone, only that I

did be shaked, as you shall think. And the Maid to go offward from me,

and to sing, and did oft dance naughtily as she went. But truly, I did

be silent with her, for I was but human, and did lack that she come to

mine arms, and love me, because that I had pluckt her safe from that

place. And, indeed, this to be but a natural desiring; and you to have

understanding with me, and to know that you also to have this lack and

need, if that you to have done aught for love of your maid, and she to

deny you a word of loving tenderness.

Yet, in verity, I to be even then able to perceive with mine inward

senses, how that the Maid did have a wondrous up-pouring of love for me,

but yet did be so perverse, and the more so, mayhap, because that her

love did so urge her unto loving admittings that I did be her Man. And

she, maybe, to have meant that she be the more humble presently, but yet

to go naughtily awhile more, and not, indeed, to have had the power

within her at that time, to have come unto me, and cast off her

waywardness, and askt that she be in mine arms, as all my heart did

desire.

And so, as I have told, I went silently, and mayhap with a little

dullness, that did be part of anger and part of hurt and part of that

same strange love-foolishness from which the Maid did suffer. And truly,

this doth be very contrary-seeming, only that you have seen my heart;

and all indeed the more human, that it doth be so contrariwise to the

brain-reason; and all to be desired, else did a man be no better than an

ant or a weariful machine.

And this to be truth and wholesomeness as you shall perceive, if that

you look deep enough, and do modify Reason with heart-understanding;

for, in verity, how shall that which we call Reason, bring any to the

full and the great knowledge. And this doth be a power of holy things,

and doth be a child that is born of Love and Reason, and in the one to

hold the two, and to know all things is the gift of this power; so that

no man may walk truly that hath only the first, neither any man do utter

wise that hath only the second.

And surely, I to cease from these thoughts, and to my tellings; and you

to your harkings and dear sympathy.

Now, when the sixth hour did be come, we made a halt and eat and drank,

and afterward went onward again, and so came presently clear of the two

monstrous fire-hills; and their great noise to be presently to our rear,

and likewise that quiet country that did be round their feet, and did

seem so utter husht and strange and doubly so, because of the upward

noise of the mountains, and because of the slow and subtle earth-shaking

that did be so constant, and because of all those things that I have

told.

Now, when we had made halt, the Maid had done her hair very uncomely

upon her head, and had lookt slyly to see whether I did note; but truly,

I took no heed; so that in the end she had it again in a pretty fashion,

and did sing naughtily and with an heart of mischief, as she did shape

it loose and wondrous nice about her head.

And I still to have no word for her; neither to show that I did watch

her with love and somewise a quaint pleasure of her perverseness, even

whilst that I did strive by silence and an aloofness that I bring her to

my side, as she did be in the first days; for truly I did ache that she

be near unto me, and to cease from her waywardness that did put a

distance of spirit between us, as you to perceive.

And so we did go forward again, as I have told, and the Maid did strive

that she make me to give attention to her naughtiness, for she did walk

alway offward from me, and did sing aloud, and truly they did be songs

strange unto me, but yet to be of love, and much as the songs of this

Age; for, truly, there doth be but one song upon all the earth, and she

but to sing it in diverse ways.

And she did oft to make little glancing toward me, and did pout very

pretty; and in a moment come something toward me, as that she did be

humble, and would be forgiven; but all to be in a naughty mockery; so

that, in verity, I lookt not at her, save odd whiles; but did go forward

alway, and made as that I had no heed of her doings.

And surely this did presently to stir her to a new defying and to a

pretty anger; for she did sing other songs of impudence, that she did

fit very clever about me; and this way to have a constant impertinence.

And so we did go, and I never to speak with the Maid, but to wonder when

that she cease, or how long it should be ere that I did run swift to her

and have her into mine arms, that I shake her and kiss her, all as my

heart did desire.

And when that the twelfth hour did be come, we made halt again and eat

and drank; and the Maid to serve me very intent, and hand me the water,

the while that she went down upon her knee, as a slave; but when I would

have laughed gently at her mockings, and taken her into mine arms, she

went from me very sudden and cold, and was afterward silent and did sit

apart from me.

Now I also did be silent, and in the first because that I was a little

pained, and also because that I did be new touched with the

love-foolishness that did trouble Mine Own.

But afterward, I ceased from these feelings, and did be intent to

another matter; for it did seem to my spirit that there was some danger

anigh to us; and I had a thought of the Humpt Men, and lookt well about,

and did beckon the Maid to come nigh, because that the trees did be

plentiful thereabout, to hide any creature.

But Mine Own came not over to me, so that I loosed the Diskos from mine

hip, and went that I be nigh to her. And she made that she saw me not;

but did set the gear together, and had it presently a-ready for the

journey, the while that I did look all-ways among the trees; but indeed

I saw naught.

And when that I had the gear upon me, and the Maid her bundle, we went

forward again; and I to be very wary, and bid the Maid keep close to my

side; but indeed, she would not obey, and went offward among the trees,

so that I was all an-haunted with dread for her, and ran and caught her,

and talkt wisely with her; but indeed she did not hark to me; but did

run off in the moment that I loost her.

And I caught her again, and I took one of the straps from around the

Scrip and the Pouch, and set it about her pretty waist, and the end I

held in my hand, and so had her to obey me in this thing which did be

needful to her safety.

And the Maid to go with me very husht for two great hours, and I alway

to look well about. And in the end of that time, the Maid did begin to

sing impudently, and I did ask her that she be a quiet maid, lest that

she bring danger upon us; but she to be the more impudent.

And lo! as I did strive that I look all-ways, lest any harm did come

upon us, and in the same moment to reason Mine Own from her pretty

folly, she did grow very husht, so that I lookt round upon her in an

instant. And truly, she had cut the strap with her belt-knife, and did

run away very swift among the trees. And surely my heart did slow a

little in my breast, because that there did seem something a-move in the

dark of the shadows, where the trees did grow thick, and the Maid did

run that way in her foolishness and waywardness.

And I ran hard after the Maid, and did call her, not over-loud, lest I

bring somewhat upon her; but she to have no heed, and to run very light

and swift, so that I caught her not for the half of a minute, as it

might be; for she was gone ahead, and I did be a little cumbered with

mine armour.

And lo! when I caught her, I shook her, and pointed inward among the

trees, for it did seem even then to me that something moved there; but

she to struggle in my hand a moment, and afterward to be still, and to

ask with an insolence and a defiance whether that I did mean to flog my

chattel, the which she did call herself in her naughtiness.

And, in verity, ere I did know, she had twist from me, and did run with

a true wickedness straight toward that place where somewhat had seemed

to be a-move. And I ran then with all my strength, and with a fearful

and an anxious heart. And because I put all my strength to the matter, I

caught the Maid in a moment, ere she did be gone any way; and she again

to fight to be gone from me. But I took her into mine arms, very strong,

and I ran outward from that place where the trees made a darkness.

And surely, when I was come again to where the trees did be more spare,

I saw that I was come nigh to that river which I crost on the raft, as

you shall mind; and truly I did be glad, and to feel safe in a moment.

Yet I was firm now to my purpose; for I set the Maid to the earth upon

her feet, and kept my hold very sure upon her; for I did mean that I

whip her, before that her love-foolishness bring her needless unto

death.

And I took the belt from her pretty waist, for it did be but a light

strap, and I whipt her very sharp over her shoulders with the belt. And,

truly, she did make to nestle unto me in a moment, as that other time

when that I whipt her; but I stayed her from this, and I set the belt

thrice more across her shoulders, very sharp, so that she to learn

wisdom at once, and I to be free for ever of this need to pain her,

which did hurt me very strange.

And the Maid to stand very quiet, now that I did keep her from coming

unto me; and her head did be something bent, so that I knew not whether

I did mayhap have flogged her over-hard; for I did be something lacking

in knowledge whether that a maid be very easy hurt.

And I stooped and lookt into her face; and lo! she did be smiling

naughtily, and kist me in a moment very saucy upon the mouth, ere I did

be aware; and afterward, she laughed and made try to make a bitter mock

upon me, and askt when that I should be pleased to cease from whipping

my chattel; for that then she should run away immediately into the wood,

and to trust the Humpt Men that they protect her from me.

And surely, I lookt at her very grave; for I perceived that she did not

truly jest, but made to anger me, and did be half in a strange anger

herself, and something adrift; for she had not been whipt enough, but

only to stir her rebellion utterly. And I saw that if she be not set

right then, ere she leave my hand, she to be like to have some new

foolishness that should take her unto her death, even as she had come

overnear already, as you to know. And this to be because that her nature

did be stirred so that her natural wiseness was all overset, and she to

be that she do aught of unwisdom that should come to her, because of her

pretty love-foolishness, which did now be made the more strong, by

reason of the half-rising of her anger.

And this way, as I have known, I perceived that, for her dear sake, I

should not let my lovingness weaken me in that moment. And, in verity, I

shifted my hand and loosed the fastenings of her garment, so that her

pretty shoulders did be bared. And her face to change sudden, and she

lookt up at me an instant, with a little gasp; so that I knew she did be

all unbroken, as was mine intent; but she did not yet have learned

deeply in her heart, all that I was minded that she to learn; for even

in that moment, she made a sound that showed she did try to mock me; but

truly, she did not know in that instant whether to mock or to weep;

though she did try to suppose that she had yet an heart for mockery.

And I set the belt thrice across her pretty shoulders, where they did be

bared; and surely the blows did be very stern and sharp. And lo! in one

moment Mine Own broke into an utter weeping, so that I took her instant

into mine arms, and did hold her strong and gentle against mine armour.

And she to be as a child in mine arms, and did sob very strange and

bitter, as that she did be all undone in the heart.

And presently she did be quiet in mine arms; though I to feel how she

did yet tremble; and she did cling tight unto me, and her face to be

against mine armour.

And afterward, when that she had ceased to tremble, I kist her, and

surely her mouth did be very humble, and her lids to be downward, and

she to be something pale. And she then to be awhile more in mine arms,

very quiet; and so to come unto her dear self. And lo! presently, she to

want to kiss me of her own accord; and she put up her lips, very sweet

and as a loving maid, that I kiss her. And surely I kist her, with an

humble and a masterful love; and a strange pain to be about my heart, as

you shall suppose; but yet my heart and my reason both to approve mine

action; and the Maid to be but the more mine own, and to have come again

to her dear natural wisdom.

Yet, as you shall know, there to be for a long while a strange and mixed

pain, in my bosom, both dreadful and tender, because that I had been so

stern with Mine Own Maid; so that even while that my heart and my reason

did approve me, my heart to make somewhat of reproach. And this to have

been someways of foolishness; but yet human of our Nature, and an

wholesome trouble to the spirit, if that this troubling be not allowed

to shape our actions to any harmful weakness.

Now, in a while, the Maid did come to composedness, and to be very

gentle and sweetly natural. And she made presently that she would have

me to loose her; and afterward, she turned her back to me, even as a

dear child, that I fasten her garment again upon the shoulders. And she

did be both shy and glad, and humble, and in dainty pride of submission,

and utter Mine Own. And surely, as I did this thing for her, I perceived

that she lookt with a great shyness at the belt which did be yet in my

hand. And when that I had made an end of fastening her garment, she did

nestle unto me for a while, and afterward stood away and made shyly to

show me that I put her belt again about her pretty waist. And I saw that

she did be somewhat a-lack yet that she touch the belt, because that I

had whipt her with it.

And truly you to perceive how her heart did be in this matter; but if

you not to know, then how shall I to tell you; and do but bid you ask

your own maid; though, in verity, she to be like that she but laugh at

you, and leave you so wise as you be now; for the way of the heart of a

maid doth be most hid to the maid, and she but to know the desire, and

to lack the ending. But truly she doth know when that a man shall set

the truth of her heart before her.

Now, when I had buckled the belt very nice again about Mine Own, we went

backward a space, until that we found the bundle, which she had dropt,

when that she ran off from me. And I saw also the portion of the strap,

which she cut; and so all to be found.

And we went then at a good speed toward the river; for I was still

minded regarding the seeming of movement which there had been among the

trees; and very wishful that we have a raft made with haste, so that we

might come to the little island, where I did sleep before, upon the

outward way, as you shall remember. And I thought to have our slumber

again in that place, and to make that day's journeying something short,

because that the island was near, and a good and safe place for our

sleeping.

And I told the Maid concerning the island; and she to be in great

delight and interest, because that it did be one of those halts of mine

outward going, and did be all eager as a child, when that I said we

should truly have need of a raft to come to the island.

And we came downward to the shore of the river, and, indeed, there did

be those two same trees, that had been my raft, there upon the shore of

that place. And I showed these to Mine Own, and truly she did nigh to

weep upon them, because of her dear emotions and love, and did cut a

small branch therefrom, with her belt-knife, and put the branch where

she did put the piece of bark; and this to be for a remembrance and an

after-delight and pondering.

Now we lookt well in all parts, that we find some other small tree that

should be fallen; and the Maid did climb a rock that did be near, with a

flat top, so that she might search out around.

And presently she cried out to me that there did be a tree to our

purpose, and but an hundred paces away; and she to go with me to show

me, and to aid, if need be; but, indeed I carried the tree very easy,

and had it with the others; and afterward, we went about again for

branches, and these I cut from live trees, using the Diskos with care

and wiseness.

And with these branches to be for cross-pieces, and our belts and the

straps for binders, I set the trees together into a raft, and made it

pretty good for our need, and so that no monstrous thing in the river

should have chance to snap upward between the trees at my dear One.

And when the raft was done, I gat it to the water, and the Maid did lend

her strength; for the thing was heavy, as you shall think. And when this

was done, I pushed a sharp branch downward into the shore, and I hookt a

branch of the raft about this mooring, and so did be nigh ready for the

voyage.

But first I did need a pole to push the raft, and did wonder now where

the other did be gone, that I cut upon the outward way; for I had set

the pole with the two trees, as I did mind, having some vague thought

that mayhap I should live to come that way again.

And I had a little strange unease that the pole did be gone; but scarce

to know that I did be troubled, yet to set me to a new haste. And I bid

the Maid put the scrip and the pouch and her bundle secure upon the

raft; and in that time I lookt well about for a sapling tree that should

do my purpose. And I saw that there grew an odd one a little to the side

of the flat-topt rock that the Maid had lookt from; and whilst that I

cut it, the Maid did come to watch, and made pretty chatter in the time

that I trimmed the branches away.

And lo! whilst that I did be part divided in mine attention between her

dear talk and my work and an haste that did be born of that little

unease that was come upon me, my spirit to seem to be aware that there

came a danger anigh to us; and the Maid to have this same knowing; for

she ceased her speech, and lookt at me with somewhat of trouble. And lo!

in that moment, as I balanced the pole in my hands, there came the noise

of a sudden bounding to our backward part, where the trees did grow

something anigh.

And I turned, instant, and lookt; and behold! there did be upon us an

Humpt Man, very lumpish and mighty; and he stretched out his hands, and

ran at me. And I had no time to the Diskos, which did be upon the earth

to my feet; and I smote the Humpt Man with the point of the pole that

did be in my hands, and the point took him very strong and horrid in the

breast, and entered in, so that the Humpt Man gave out a strange

howling, that did be half seeming of an animal and half of an human. And

he clutched at the pole that did so hurt him, and I stoopt very swift

for the Diskos, and had it in a moment. And the Humpt Man tore the pole

out of his breast, and in the same instant I ript him from the head

downward, so that he did be nigh in two halves; for I had no mercy in

mine act, even though my heart did be something sorry.

Now, even as the man died, there did be a sound of running in the wood

before me; and lo! I turned very speedy to the Maid, and she was there

to my back, and had her belt-knife drawn in her hand; for she had it in

her bosom, where she had put it when that I took her belt for the raft.

And I caught the Maid about the waist with my left arm, and was come

with her to the top of the rock in two great houndings. And I set her

there upon the rock, and turned again to the way I came and swung the

Diskos free; for indeed, I had seen that there did come a number of the

Humpt Men among the trees.

And there came running from the wood, mayhaps a great score of the Humpt

Men; so that it did seem to me that we did be going to die; for how

should one stand against so many, and they so quick and strong, as you

shall mind.

Yet, in verity, I had no despair; but did be mixt in the heart with a

great fear for Mine Own, and a strange and exulting gladness that I

should do that day some deed for Mine Own Maid; and truly this to be the

pomp of love and the heart-cry of the barbarian, as you shall say. And

this maybe; but truly I did be proper human, and to make no excuse

because that I was natural; neither have I hid anywheres aught that I

did think and feel.

And whether that you approve or not, if that you condemn me, you to

condemn all Humanity, and to have vain words and vain regrettings; for

these things that be named for faults, do but be the complement of our

virtues, and if that you slay the first, you may chance to wither the

last; for now I speak of things as they be now, and as they did be then;

and nowise of lovely ideals that do live chief in the mind, and so much

in mine as any, as you to know, if that you have gone with me all along

my way.

And surely, I must cease from my thinkings, and go forward with my

telling; for the Humpt Men did come forward at a wondrous quick run, and

did swarm upward on to the rock, as that they did be panthers; and they

made no outcry; but came silent to the killing; and I saw that they did

be something smaller than he that I had but then slain. And, in verity,

I did be all knit in that moment with speed and cleverness; for I split

the heads of three, with but quick turns of my wrist, as I did wield the

Diskos. And I kicked the face of another, in the same time, with my

metal boot, so that he died; for there did be all my strength and all my

skill working then for our salvation.

Now all this to have been done in but a few beats of the heart, as I

might say; and these men to have been in the front of the attacking. Yet

there did be no space to have breath; for there leaped three more of the

Men upon the rock; and one smote me with a great piece of rock that he

carried, so that mine armour did seem as that it crackt, and I to be

driven backward upon the Maid; yet had slain one of the Humpt Men, even

in that moment.

And surely, my dear One caught me in her arms, behind, and steadied me,

so that I fell not; and I slew the Humpt Man with the rock, even in that

moment whilst Mine Own held me, as he came again to strike me. And I

then to be firm again upon my feet, and did spring at the third of the

Humpt Men; and surely there was no room that he should be able to avoid

me, even did that be his intent; and he came at me with a great leap.

And I stood strong, looking clearly to my work; and I swung the Diskos

with both my hands, and the blow took the Humpt Man in the middle part,

and split him, whilst that he did be yet leaping. And in that instant

there reached over the edge of the rock, two of the Humpt Men, and gat

me by the feet; so that I was pulled sudden to my back very hard and

bitter; and this to be done, even whilst that the body of the Humpt Man

did be yet in the air. And the body came forward over me, and did be

utter dead already, and fell down upon the rock beyond me, and rolled

horridly and went over the edge of the rock.

And I did be all shaken and something bemused by the hardness of my

fall; and the hands of the two Humpt Men pluckt me sharp to the edge of

the rock, the while that I did strike vaguely to wound them; but did

only chip the rock, and fortunate that I harmed not the weapon.

And lo! in the moment that they had been like to have me downward to

the earth into their midst, I to make a good stroke, for I cut the

shoulder of one very dreadful, so that he loosed me; and immediately, I

kicked very fierce with my freed foot, and surely I nigh crushed the

hand of that other with my metal boot; and he likewise to cease from

dragging upon me.

And immediately, I knew that Mine Own did be helping me that I get

instant to my feet again; for I was yet something dazed.

And there came then a rush of the Humpt Men up the rock; and truly it

did be a glad thing for our lives that they might come up only upon but

one side; for the other sides did be utter steep and smooth worn; and

this to have been unto our saving, as you shall think.

And I stood up to the rush of the Humpt Men, and did smite hard at them,

with a quick circling of the Diskos, so that the great weapon did glow

and roar. And they gave back from the blaze and the sound of the Diskos;

and surely then I ran in upon them, whilst that they did be something

bewildered; and I gat the foremost man full upon the head, so that he

did be dead before he did know what thing happened. Yet, in verity, this

did be a dread moment to me; for the Humpt Men leaped in at me upon

every side in an instant of time; and I did be struck upon my head-piece

and upon my back and breast with the stones that certain of them did

carry, so that I rockt as I stood, and did near to swoon, and mine

armour to be all dint and bent upon me, and I truly to seem that I had

come to the time of my dying.

And lo! in that moment of time, there did come to my dazed sense a low

and bitter cry of anguish from the Maid; and this to set all my life

aglow in me. And, in verity, there went a strange greyness of fury

before mine eyes, and I then to fight as I did never fight before; and I

did smite as it did seem forever. And the greyness did ease from mine

eyes, and the Maid did have her arms about me as I stood, and the dead

Men to lie heapt upon the rock, and Mine Own to steady me, for I did be

near slain and the blood did go from me, and mine armour was all broke

upon me by the smitings of the sharp stones.

And I lookt something slowly upon Mine Own; and she to know that I would

ask whether that she did be harmed anywise; and she to be very brave

with me, and to tell me that she did be well; and she to be all slain in

the heart, because that I did be so hurt; but truly I had fought a good

fight, and did lack only to know that she come to no harm. Now my wits

did come back into me very soon; but I did be utter weak, and scarce to

stand; so that I did mind only that I get Mine Own safe unto the raft,

and to put off then from the shore.

And I walkt slow to the edge of the rock, and lookt well about, that I

learn whether the Humpt Men did be all gone away; and the Maid did

steady me.

And lo! there came up in that instant the last of the Humpt Men, and

they were five and did creep very stealthy, that they have me in

surprise. And I loost from the Maid, for I saw that I must come upon

them whilst that I had any strength left in my body; and they now to

leap upward unto me, so that I gat the first upon the head, and he to go

backward dead; but truly I did be more weak than I knew; for I swayed

upon the edge of the rock, and sudden I went downward to the earth; and

did be there upon my knees, and my back to the rock.

And, in verity, the Humpt Men did come in upon me very swift; yet did

they give back from the Diskos, which I swung to and fro, so speedy as I

might, for my weakness, which did be so utter that I could nowise come

to my feet to stand.

And Mine Own came down swiftly from the rock, and ran past the Humpt

Men, and I to make that I shout to her to go to the raft; but truly I

had no voice in my body, and did be dumb and weak, and did know that I

should be gone forever from Mine Own in a little moment, and she to have

none to protect her, neither to know the way of our journey, save by

reason.

And behold! Mine Own did shout to the Humpt Men, and I perceived that

she made to draw them after her; for she ran to and fore and did shout

continually. But, indeed, the Humpt Men had no heed of her; but did make

alway to come at me; and surely, in that moment, one of the Humpt Men

reached me, and smote me so shrewd that sure he nigh crackt his

monstrous hand upon mine armour, and did drive me backward upon the

rock, and to make me bleed afresh, so that I was all in a daze and near

swooned away. And the Humpt Man caught at the Diskos; yet, in verity, he

loost it on the instant, for it did burn and shake him very sore; and

immediately, he smote me again, and so made to end me.

And lo! in that moment, the Maid ran right in among the Humpt Men, and

she struck the man that strove with me, and drove her belt-knife once

and again through his arm, very savage and determined. And surely, the

man turned upon her, and he caught her by her garments, and he ript her

two garments utter from her, so that they came away and she did be free.

And behold, mine utter despair for her did give me a new strength, so

that I shouted to her that she run instant to the raft; and I cut the

Humpt Man in twain, and did fall back then into a part swoon against the

rock. And lo! the Maid ran out from the Humpt Men; but they neither to

know whether that they follow her or that they come in upon me; and as

they did pause, she to call to them, and to try that she tempt them from

me toward the wood; for she had no thought of her life, but only that

she free me and save me; and I too weak even to have power to command

her to the raft; and she, truly, to have no heed to such command, even

did I thus to call again. And there I did be, half-gone out from this

life, and lookt at her with eyes that did scarce wot, save as in a

dream.

And lo! the Humpt Men ceased sudden that they heed her; and the three

that did be left came very sly unto me, and with slowness and cunning;

for they wotted not whether I did be dead, or but a-wait for them. And

the Maid perceived that they came not after her; and she let out a great

cry that did be distant-seeming in my dulled ears, and came back, naked,

and running very swift. And she ran by me as death should run, white and

silent and her face set unto despair, and her eyes utter intent. And she

struck her belt-knife into the shoulder of the near Humpt Man; and the

Man howled and turned, and she did leap to the side, and the Humpt Man

ran at her. But lo! she leaped again this way and that, and utter

silent, and so quick as a light doth seem to dance all ways in a moment.

And the two other Men did join with the first, that they catch her; and

behold! she went about, and did run right away among the trees, and the

three Men did come after her, running very lumbersome, yet with a great

speed.

And the Maid had the knife in her hand, and I knew that she did mean to

slay herself presently, when that she could run no more; and in that

moment it seemed that my heart burst; for that I should never more see

Mine Own Maid forever. And there came some power of movement into me,

and I came forward from the rock and fell over upon my face. And I gat

again to my knees, and began that I creep after the Maid, and I did

shout in whispers, for my voice had no more power to call. And the Maid

went from my sight among the trees, as a far white figure, that did run

very swift, and was presently lost utter to my sight; and the Humpt Men

did go after; yet even in my weakness, I perceived that two did go

something clumsy, as that they had been hurt in the fight; and they to

be the rearward of the chasing; but he that the Maid did cut with the

knife was to the fore, and did run very strong; and surely they were all

gone inward of the trees with a dreadful speed, and were lost from me.

And the world did become sudden an Emptyness and a great Horror, and

there was no sound in all the Earth, as it did seem. And I knew that I

was come to my feet, and did run toward the trees, and the Diskos did

trail from mine arm by the hold-buckle; and the ground did be as that it

moved and shifted under me, and I not to feel where I trod, but did only

peer desperate and lost among the trees; and, as I to know now, I heard

my voice calling strangely; and afterward there was a thundering in mine

ears, and I came downward upon my face.

And I did know presently that I was alive, and there to be some dreadful

terror at my heart; and surely I did remember and sickened and gat my

head from the ground. And I lookt among the trees; but there did be

nothing, and everywhere there did be a strange silence and a dimness of

unreal seemings. And I knew that Mine Own was gone from me, and had

surely died. And the earth did be all stained about me with my blood,

and I did be utter glad; for I to need death.

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

know.

And there was a little strength come into me, and I gat my head up

somewhat from the ground, and did peer among the trees; and my head did

be too heavy, and my face came against the earth once more. And because

that I could not hold up my head, I rolled my head a little, until that

my cheek did be to the ground, and I to look thiswise, so well as I

might; but there did be nothing; and afterward, I rolled my head again

to the other cheek, and so to stare very weak and desperate, and not

abled to look proper to my front. And lo! there went something among the

trees, and did show white in the gloom of the wood; and did come through

the trees. And I not to believe in the first that I did truly see aught;

and sudden I to know that I saw somewhat. And behold! my heart did bound

in me, so that all my body did waken; for I knew that Mine Own Maid did

run slow and staggering toward me, through the wood. And I did be now

upon my knees and upon my hands, and did begin again to creep and to

bleed; and did make little callings to Mine Own, that had no sounding.

And Mine Own drew nigh, and did rock and stagger, and did strike anon

against the trunks of the trees, as that she did be gone near blind with

her running. And in a moment she saw me, and that I did yet live and did

come unto her; and she made a strange and loving crying unto me, with a

great gladness and with an utter weakness.

And she came running, and was lost with faintness, and did sway this way

and that, stumbling; and she went sudden to the earth, and did be still.

And I crept onward so speedy as I might, and the earth to seem alway as

that it moved from my hands, and to slide; and this-seeming to be of my

weakness; for my hands and my knees went everyway, and my head to be

that it kept nodding forward very stupid to the earth.

And lo! as I came anigh unto the Maid, where she did lie so quiet, I saw

that something moved in the wood, and was running. And truly it did be

an Humpt Man, and came forward very silent and with a quick slyness, as

that he did track the Maid secretly; for he lookt alway to the earth.

And I perceived that he was that one of the Humpt Men which the Maid had

cut with the knife; for the blood did show upon the shoulder and the

breast; and this bleeding mayhap to have slowed the Man; so that Mine

Own did be like to have supposed she had come utter free; yet he to have

found her, by tracking, as I perceived.

And I strave to my feet, that I should come to the Maid, before the

Humpt Man; and surely I gat upright, and went with a strange running,

and did roll, and lo! I fell immediate, ere I was come to her. And the

Humpt Man to run also; and surely it did be a dreadful race; for I went

creeping and did be weak and as that I was of lead. And the Humpt Man

came very swift and brutish; but I came the first to Mine Own Maid. And

I rose up at the Humpt Man, upon my knees, and I swung the Diskos, and

the great weapon did roar in my hands, as that it did know and did live.

And the Humpt Man ran in upon me; but I smote him truly with the Diskos,

and he ran past me, all blundering, and fell and died upon his face, a

little way off.

And lo! my wounds had brake out into a great bleeding, and my head did

roll upon my shoulders. And I lookt down dull, yet with an utter great

love upon Mine Own; and there did be no proper wound upon her; but yet

was she all bruised and knockt and marked with the trees, and where she

did fall in her running. And she did be there, very still and dear, and

I to have brake my heart with love for her, but that I did be so dulled,

as I have told.

And I fought that I should be strong a little while more against my

weakness; and I strove that I set mine ear gently upon her breast, that

I should listen for her heart. But my head did go downward something

clumsy and heavy upon her; and I then to hearken, and surely she did

live and her heart did beat; though, in verity, mine ears did have at

first a thundering; but afterward a quietness in them, that made the

sounding of her pulsing to seem an utter long way off; and very faint it

did be. And surely, in that moment, even as I harked, I was gone over

into a deadness, and had no more knowing; neither to have even a

knowledge that I did be slipt from my senses. And, behold, the Maid did

lie swooning; and I to be there in my broken armour, and my head upon

the breast of Mine Own, and likewise to know naught; and about us the

quietness of that Country, and the far noise of the great Fire-Hills

that did sound through Eternity.