The Night Land

by William Hope Hodgson

  XII

  DOWNWARD OF THE GORGE

  Now I carried the Maid an hour downward of the Gorge, as I did say; andI was then grown so weary that I near fell, as I walked, and stumbledeverywhile, because that I had lost somewhat of guiding in my feet, thewhich did show mine utter alackness.

  And I saw that I must come very swift to a place for slumber, or that Idid be like to fall headlong with the Maid; for I nigh slept as I walkt.

  And I began that I give attention to the sides of the Gorge; and surelyI had gone that hour all in a dream; for I was fresh-waked, as it were,in that I did give my will to perceive aught; and when I did come tohave power to attend, I knew that I had gone, even as a sleep-walker;for the Gorge did seem a fresh matter unto me, and as that I had comeawake sudden to find myself a-walk in that strange and narrow place.

  And presently, I saw somewhat where I did be; for I minded the memory ofmine outward journey, and truly I have a good power to know and remembera way that I have gone. And I saw that there was a great and ruddyfire-hole anigh to me; and I was all sure that I had perceived certaincaves in the wall of the Gorge, near to that fire, as I past it on mineupward way; and I had been given a mighty longing of heart at that time,that it be given to me that I should bring safe Mine Own out of theperil that beset her, and have her unto just such a place for herslumber, on the way of our journey backward.

  And surely I tell you this thing as a child in pleasure; for, truly, itwas a wondrous happy matter that my desiring should be like to have atrue ending; as, indeed, it did seem was truly to be, if that my memoryhad set me aright.

  And I went onward somewhat; and lo! I to be right, for the little cavesdid be there, a little past the great fire-hole; and there were seven ofthem in the left side of the great cliff of the Gorge; and one did be asthat it were very cozy and a place of sure safety, if that we could winunto it.

  And truly, as I did conceive, we had come safe from the Evil Forces ofthat Land; but yet did I mind that there was no surety in this thing;and neither did I know but that some Monster should come downward of theGorge, out of that Land; and so work our deaths, as we did sleep; ifthat we have no sure place for our slumber. And, indeed, I had wishedthat we were come a greater way downward of the Gorge, but this mightnot be; for I was all adrift with weariness. And truly, if that we gatupward to the top-most cave, there did be few Monsters that should havepower to come at us, ere we be warned of their coming. And afterwardthey should be like to come upward against the Diskos; and this shouldbe indeed a thing difficult, as you shall conceive.

  Now it did be needful that I wake the Maid, and I kist her, as she didbe in mine arms; and surely that dear One did kiss back again in hersleep, and was yet asleep. And truly I did love her with all my being;and I kist her again, and shook her very gentle, and so had her towakefulness, and told how we did be come to a place fit for our slumber.

  And she to look about, very sleepy, as I set her to her feet; and thento upbraid herself that she did over to slumber, the while that I didlabour with her carrying. And, in verity, I kist her again, as she didstand making to steady herself, and looking so pretty with the sleepthat did lie yet in her eyes. And she to kiss me very dear and all mine;and even then scarce proper come to wakefulness; and did say withsomething of a little dear abandon, that she did love me utter andforever.

  And afterward, I climbed to the topmost of the caves, and told Mine Ownthe while that she walk up and down a little; so that she come to a fullawakedness; and this I was careful to, because that she should have aneed of all her powers that she come safe upward unto the cave.

  And when I was come to the cave, lo! it did be so sweet and dry, as didmake glad my heart. And there did be a warmth in the cave, as that therewent a fire somewhere through the rocks anigh. And the light from thefire-hole did make a reflection inward, and so this did seem a placesafe, and fit to our slumbering.

  And I came downward unto Naani, calling that the cave was very properfor our use; and presently I gave her mine aid to the climbing, and sowe came in the end safe into the cave; and truly we did feel very safeand happy.

  Yet, before we did sleep, I set free the scrip and the pouch, and tookthe straps and went downward again into the Gorge; and I gat a goodboulder, so heavy as I might carry, and strapt it to my back, and cameupward again to the cave, and the Maid very grave and anxious, lest thatI slip to my hurt. And when I was come to the cave again, I set theboulder in the mouth of the cave, and did balance it so light upon theedge, that a touch should send it rolling downward.

  And by this devising, I conceived that any Beast or Monstrous thing thatshould climb upward whilst that we slept, should be like to set therock adrift, and mayhaps the rock to work an harm to such, but thechief end to be that I should be swiftly waked by the noise.

  And then I did turn that we go to our slumber; and lo! the Maid hadspread the cloak upon the rock, that we should sleep upon it; for trulythere did be no need that we have it now to our covering, because thatthe cave did be so warm as I have told before.

  And surely, there did be no cause either that I should have the cloakfor a bed; for how should I perceive any softness from the cloak,through all the sternness of mine armour; but yet did I see that theMaid had made a couch that should be for the two of us, and did be sosweet and natural, and to lie by me; but yet to preserve her sweetmodesty, and to do the thing with no thought, save that it was naturalto our hearts; and that she did long alway to be anigh to me; but yet,mayhaps, scarce full conscious that her heart did prompt her in thisthing.

  And, in verity, I loved her very dear.

  And surely, Naani showed me the where that I should lie upon my side;and when I had obeyed, she kneeled, and kist me on the lips, very soberand loving; and she lay down then upon the cloak beside me; and truly wehad both gone to sleep in one little minute, as I do think.

  Now I did be waked twelve great hours after, by the fizzing of thewater; and lo! when I lookt, the Maid was not beside me; but did makeready our simple eating and drinking. And she laughed at me, very sweetand tender, because that she loved me so, and did be so glad to have meawake to her; and she came over to me, and kist me, very bright andloving upon the lips.

  And after that she had kist me, she kneeled beside me, and lookt at me,very dear and tender; so that I knew in a moment that she had waked awhile gone, and watched me, somewise motherlike, as I did sleep. But howI knew this thing, I am not sure, save that my spirit did know, or thather thoughts did have tongues unto mine.

  And truly I needed that I be so loved, and all of you to say like withme; and I put up mine arms to her, as I did yet lie; and she not to denyme, but came into mine arms, and did snuggle there so sweet and happyand gladly, and with so true a delight, that it did be plain how she didlove in all her body and spirit to be anigh to me, as I to her. Yet,truly, as you do mind, the armour did be upon me; so that I feared totake her very strong in mine arms, lest I hurt the dear Maid; and surelythe armour did be a stern matter for her to nestle unto; but yet,mayhaps, did the sternness something please her womanheart, and yet,again, mayhaps to lack.

  And presently, she made that she would go from me, and I loosed minearms from her very ready, because that I did heed alway that she havefull sweet liberty of her dear Maidenhood; and I to be watchfulsufficient unto this end, yet always honest and wholesome and notover-pondering even in this my care; and this proper intending youshall ever perceive, if that your hearts do strive to hearken unto myheart, which doth speak alway before you.

  And the Maid went from me, over to where she had put the cup of thewater, and the tablets; and I to make to rise, that I look that theboulder did be safe untouched in the mouth of the cave. But she calledunto me that I lie backward; for that she did mean gently to spoil methat once; and that I have no heed to the boulder or whether there didbe any Monster or Beast anigh in the Gorge; for that the boulder did besafe as I did balance it; and nowheres any Creature to sight in theGorge; for she had lookt oft, since waking, to this end.<
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  And truly I obeyed, and lay back, and did like that I should be spoilt,as we do say. And Naani brought the cup of the water, and the tabletsover to me; for she gat them from the scrip before I had it to mypillow, in that while when I had gone downward for the boulder. Andsurely, even when she brought the cup, she would not have me to rise;but took my head upon her knees, and kist me once very dainty on thelips, and I very happy to be so loved, and wishful no otherwise.

  And she took a tablet and kist it and gave it to me; and afterwardtouched another to my lips, and had that to be for her own. And so weeat and were very glad and happy, someways as children are happy, andour hearts all at ease.

  And presently, we eat each our second tablet, in the same wise as thefirst. And truly I did be kist more than once. And afterward, we drankeach of the water.

  And when we had made an end, Naani told me that I move to stand; andsurely I wondered; and I stood up, and lo! I near cried out with thepains of my bruisings; for I was all gone stiff in my sleep, and as thatI did be more sore than ever; and this to be because I had fought again,as you do know, and surely had been hurt more by the Four-Armed Man thanI had known.

  And I perceived then that Naani had supposed that I should be thuspained, and had given dear thought to the matter; and truly she had thepot of the ointment, ready, if that I did be very bad, that she rub me.

  And she gave me aid with mine armour, and afterward eased me with mygarments; and surely I did be utter bruised in the body, by reason ofthe violence of the Yellow Beast-Man. And the Maid had somewhat sotender and sweet in her eyes as she looked upon the bruisings, that Idid be very happy and to glow with contentment.

  And she had me to lie, and made me in comfort with the cloak, so lovingand grave, so that I was as a child that doth be cared of by his mother.And she did rub me very skilful and gentle for a great hour, until I wasall refreshed. And in verity she was a lovely wise maid.

  And as the Maid ministered unto me, I lay alway very restful, andharked to the low sound of the muttering of the fire-hole that did be inthe bottom of the Gorge; and alway I did feel as an happy child thatdoth be clothed in love and guided in wisdom.

  And presently, when that the Maid had ended her dear care, she put bythe ointment, and gave me her hands very dainty, that she mean to aid meto rise; and surely when I was come again to my feet, I was all eased,and to have movement with no great pain; and truly this made me wondrouspleased and to feel new couraged; for I had been troubled that I shouldbe so helpless, in that I did be the Protector of Mine Own.

  And when I had tried my limbs, and found them to be in command andready, I lookt about for my garments. And lo, the Maid brought me myspare body-vest, from the Pouch, and had it upon her arm, to give to me.But surely she denied me a moment, of the vest, and stood before me, andhad an admiring and wonder, very sweet and honest, because that my armsdid be so great and hard with muscles.

  And, indeed, I did be very strong, as you have perceived; for I did bealway in affection of the Exercises that were taught in the Upbringingof all the Peoples of the Mighty Pyramid; and by this explaining, youshall understand that I was like to be strong; but indeed, I owed thestraightness and shaping of my body to the Mother that bore me. Andafterward, in all my life, had I taken pride of my body to be of healthand to have strength; and surely this is a matter very fit for pride;and to be told bravely and with honesty.

  And the admiring of the Maid was very sweet to me; and, in verity, I didbe to deceive, if that I said otherwise. And in a moment, she dropt mybody-vest, and put out her hands to me that I take her into mine arms.

  And I took the Maid into mine arms with a great gladness and withsomewhat of humbleness that I was nowise good enough to hold her, for myheart was young, and I loved her very dear and youthful. And she did liethere very quiet and happy, a little; and surely I did find presentlythat she kist the great muscling of my breast, very sweet and sly, whereher face did be press against it. And lo, in a moment, she came free ofmine arms, and gave me an aid with my garments, and afterward with minearmour.

  And when that this was done, she stood off from me; and she lookt at me,half shy and half of sweetness and naughtiness. And she came then in amoment, and put her hands upward to my shoulders, and so stood hereyelids something down over her eyes; and did steal a little look up,this time and that. And lo! in a sudden moment, before I did wot, shewas to her knees before me, and did weep; and I down very swift to kneelwith her.

  And I askt not why she wept; for I perceived that she did have joy andglad happiness and sweet trouble of her man; and that she did be a truewoman, and one part of the woman did worship, so that she did bestrangely humble and nigh to be shy; and another did love, and need thatshe be anigh to me; and a third to have a calm wisdom. And all did nowbe a-tremble, together in her heart; and I knew that I did be truly anhero to her, though but usual to all others. And my heart was wondrousproud and wondrous humble, so that I was in the same moment upraised andto feel dreadly unworthy. But I made no pretending to discredit myselfto her, but only did resolve that I win alway her dear respect; and Idid be natural and truthful of my manner and without foolish denial ofher sweet worship, for she was utter Mine Own, and it did be a pitifulthing if that I seem otherwise than an hero unto her.

  But of you I ask kind understanding, and to call me not a thing ofconceit because that I did understand; for truly I knew my faults, evenso well as you, that do know all of my going. And you to look backwardupon the love-days, and to mind how that your maid did ever to make yougreat in manhood with her dear belief and uplooking; and so shall youconceive of all my feelings; for we do be all so human in this matter,and to meet on a dear natural ground, as you will say.

  And, truly, in a little time, Mine Own did be steadied, and wiped herpretty eyes, and nestled to me a while, very husht and to need that shebe close. And I to have her gentle against mine armour, and to be in myheart as that I did be her father and her lover in the one man, andsurely to be silent and joyful that I lived.

  And presently I slipt her shoes from her little feet, with my righthand, the while that she did rest within my left arm; and I condemnedmyself that I had thought not more swift to this end; but indeed I hadthought upon it while that Naani rubbed me, and had intention thiswise;but afterward forgat, as you shall understand, that have been with mealway. And truly Mine Own did be hurt that I say aught to my blame; andI to cease, but yet to feel reproached by my heart.

  And when I had lookt to the Maid's feet, I tied on her shoes again; andwe gat together our gear. And afterward we came down from the cave, witha great care, because that it did be so high up in the cliff of theGorge.

  And afterward, we made downward of the Gorge, and had a good care to ourgoing, and so much of speed as we could make, that we come something offfrom the Dark Land of the Lesser Redoubt, so quick as we might.

  And in six hours we had gone very well, and we stopt then that we eatand drink; and afterward, I lookt again to the feet of the Maid. And Ibathed them in a great rock basin of warm water that did be anigh to theplace of our eating; and afterward I put the ointment about them verythorough and gentle and for a good while; and so she had some ease andcomfort.

  And afterward, we made onward again; but now we did go pretty easy; forI had considered the notings of mine outward journey, and so didperceive that we should be but six or seven hours off that part of theGorge, where did be the Slugs.

  And I was minded that we rest and sleep, ere that we make through thatdire and dreadful place; for that we should be twelve great hours, andmore, to go through, and to have no rest or pause, until that we did besafe outward again, as you shall think. And so did we need to be strongand well rested, and this to be wise also for the feet of the Maid.

  Now surely the Maid did be in delight of the fires of that part of theGorge where we were come, and she had beside a rest of the soul, in thatshe had feeling that there did be no Evil Force to trouble us to ourdestruction; and I bothered her not yet awhile with tellings o
f thehorrid place that we should to journey through in a while, as you doknow.

  And so we did go, and alway with a good caution, lest that some Beast orCreature should come upon us; and alway with the fire-holes before andbehind, and in the air of the Gorge the little whistlings of steam thatdid spirt out in this place and that; and a good warmth in many parts,by reason of the fires; and odd whiles a smelling of sulphur; but notgreatly, nor to our trouble. And alway the low muttering of thefire-holes and pits, and the red lights, and the dancing of the shadowswhen that we did go by a fire-pit where the fire did frisk and burnlively. And upon either side, the grim walls of the Gorge going upmeasureless into the night.

  And so we were gone presently, pretty comfortable, for six good hours,since last that we eat; and we made halt, and eat and drank; and Ishowed the Maid how that we should make a short journey that day, andsleep, and so be ready to the horrid journey through the dark part ofthe Gorge, where the Slugs did be.

  And we made search then, that we have a safe place to our slumber; andsurely I perceived where we did be; for we came upon that same cavewhere I did sleep after that I was come free of the Slugs; and that wewere come no farther, doth show how easy did be our present going, andthis you do know. And there did be the spring where I washed, and thefire-hole anigh, and truly they were not like to be gone away, as youshall say! Yet did we exclaim, very natural; for the Maid did be so deepin interest of the matters of my coming, and to be at once that no otherplace should serve for our rest and slumber.

  And, indeed, this was a natural thing, and the place so good as any,save that I did wish it had been upward unto a high place of the Gorge,as you shall understand. But yet might we block the mouth-part of thecave with boulders, somewise as I did before, and so to have a defenceagainst any thing that should make to enter upon our sleep; or at theleast to be waked by the falling of the boulders.

  Now Mine Own went inward of the little cave, which did be very lightfrom the fire-pit that was to the front; but before that she did go, Imade a swift search of the place, that there should be no creepingthing; and truly it was sweet and free. And the Maid did be strangelytaken that she should come to the veritable place where once I did lieon mine outward way; and truly I do understand, and so shall many thatdo have these feelings about matters. And afterward, we went unto thehot spring that was in the hollow of the rock, anigh to the fire-pit.And I saw that there did be no snakes, neither any of the rat-thingsanigh; and so I had the Maid to sit very comfortable on the side of thepool, and I freed her shoes, and bathed her feet, and afterward rubbedthem very steady with the ointment; and so for a good time, and alway tokeep a looking out upon the Gorge.

  And presently, when that I had taken a loving care of her pretty feet, Itied the shoes again upon the Maid, and so back to the cave; and the twoof us to carry boulders, according to our strength. And when we had asufficient, we builded a rough and clumsy wall, after that we were goneinto the cave; and the wall rose nigh to fill the mouth of the cave, andmade us to be somewise in darkness, but yet to feel in safety. And I hada good heed to make the chinks of the wall very close in the bottom, sothat no small creeping thing should come through unto us whilst that weslept.

  And afterward, Naani set the scrip and the pouch to be for my pillow;but had the bundle of her torn garments to be for her own purpose.

  And I perceived that she had the water-powder and a pack of the tabletsto her hand for our waking, that she might prepare our food, and mayhapto wake a little before me, so that she have all ready to greet me frommy sleep. But, indeed, I said naught to show that I knew; for I saw thatthis thing did give her a dear pleasure, and truly it was very sweet tohave her to these gentle duties, that did be to her so sure and quiet adelight.

  And Mine Own bade me that I lie; and she put the Diskos upon the outwardside of me, to mine hand; and with a dainty and fearful touch; for theweapon did be very dreadful unto her thoughts; but yet a comfortingthing to abide for our defence. And afterward, she covered me with thecloak, and kist me very sedate upon the lips; and then to her own side,and to come very nice and happy under the cloak, and so to her rest.

  And presently she did sleep, as I perceived by her breathings; andsurely it did seem to my spirit that she had an utter and dear contentin this arranging of our slumber, so that she did be all at peace in allher being, because that she did be nigh unto me, that did be her OwnLove.

  But, indeed, I could not sleep for a time; and surely, in a while, MineOwn did nestle unto me in her sleep, so sweet and dear as a child, andlikewise as that it did be her right to be so anigh unto me; and I to bethat I should put mine arms about her, but indeed I moved not, neitherdid I kiss her, as I did wish; for truly I should be very manly withmine own maid that did be so trustful and utter mine in her sleep.

  And presently I was over unto slumber also, and stirred not for eightgood hours, and did wake then to the hissing of the water, so that Iknew Mine Own was awake before me, as she had planned, and was makingready that we eat.

  And when she saw me move in the half-light, she gave out a little wordof joy, that I did be again to knowledge of her; and she came over, andput her arms about my neck, and kist me very loving, thrice upon thelips. And, in verity, it came to me in that moment that I had been kista while gone in my dreams, but scarce to know it; yet I perceived nowthat Mine Own had taken a naughty advantaging of my slumber, that shekiss me to her own pleasure; yet did the Maid say no word of hernaughtiness; and I to be likewise; but to resolve that I waken, mayhaps,on the next time, and so catch her in her sweet and secret delight ofme.

  And, truly, this doth sound quaint; but to be true.

  And I rose, and took down the half of the wall that did be across themouth of the cave, and afterward lookt out; but there was no sight ofany horrid thing in the Gorge, save that one of the rat-things didslumber, very gorged-seeming, upon the side of the little fire hole.

  And afterwards, we eat and drank; and the Maid then to rub me, asbefore; for I was greatly stiff on my waking, as you shall think; butshe came not into mine arms presently, as I did hope; but only kist myshoulders, when that she had finished, and so bid me to dress.

  Yet, after that I was drest, and had mine armour full upon me, she mustcome unto me, and she slipt her two small hands into the one of mine,and so stood by me, very silent. And sudden she put up her lips veryquiet and passionate, that I should kiss her; and she kist me once, asit did be as that her spirit kist mine, and all her being came unto me;and she gave me but that one kiss, and afterward slipt her hands verygentle from mine, and made to the gathering of our gear.

  But truly, I that loved her so great, knew that a tumult of love did behid in her heart. And, indeed, she looked once at me in such wise, thatI grew near to a true humbleness of heart because of the honour and lovethat did be in her eyes.

  And surely, it is a very little thing to die for such an One as Mine Owndid be. And by this saying, shall you perceive my heart in that moment,and that I did pant, as it were, that I do some deed of love to show mylove. And truly this is but a natural desiring and human, and the causeproper to the uplifting of manhood. And surely you shall all mind you ofsuch feelings in the past love-days, that I do pray should be neverpast.

  And when we had our gear together, I left it in the cave, and took MineOwn over unto the hot pool that was anigh to the fire-pit; and she toexclaim upon the rat-thing that did be yet a-slumber upon the side ofthe fire-pit; and I to say that the thing did be no cause for fear, butrather, indeed, a good friend, in that it was a devourer of snakes, asyou shall mind.

  And while that we talked, I bathed the little feet of Naani; and surely,as I dried them upon my pocket-cloth, I was taken that I should kissthem; and surely I kist them, and they did be very shapely and dainty,and all eased of travel by the care that I did take to this end.

  And afterward I rubbed them with the ointment for a good while, and sohad them again into the shoes, and the Maid very quiet, after that I hadkist her feet that did be so dainty, but
yet with a sweet naughtiness inher way, as my heart perceived, though she did nothing, neither saidanything, to this end; and was truly very obedient, and orderly to allmy wishes.

  And we went back then to the cave, and the Maid put the pot of theointment back into the pouch, and she buckled the pouch and the scripupon me; and the Diskos I had upon my hip; for I went nowise anywhere,without it, as you shall suppose. And she had the little bundle of herclothing for her burden, and truly, I was ready that she should carry somuch; for we did be to act wisely, and she well able to carry so small athing, and I better to have my hands alway free to the Diskos and to theneeds of the way.

  And we went downward of the Gorge at a strong speed, for there did besomewise of fifteen hours good journey, ere that we come out upon thefar side of that place where the Monsters did be, and this did be threehours to the upward beginning of that place, and twelve hours journeythen, in the least, that we should take to go through again into thelight of the Gorge below. And this I did reckon from my notings of mineupward journey, as you do know.

  And I made all clear to the Maid, of the thing that did be before us,and made not to hide the danger and horror, but yet to make not overmuchof the same. And she to walk close beside me, very sweet and trustful,and to say that she feared naught, so that I should be there to havecare of her; but only that she did fear harm for me; and yet to haveconfidence that I should slay all hurtful things that should be like totrouble us. And, truly, I did kiss her for her dear belief and love.

  Now, in the middle part of the third hour, the air of the Gorge didbegin that it was heavy, and to have a seeming of fumes that stangsomething upon the throat, odd whiles. And there were presently less ofthe fire-holes, and soon, as we did go the more downward, the beginningsof a great gloom, and to have smoke therein that made us to feel husky.

  And in the end of the fourth hour, we were come truly far downwardwithin the gloom; and to be as that we groped in a fog of distaste; andto know not how we went with any surety; for oft there did be an utterdarkness about us; and awhile the shine of a dull-glowing fire-pit uponour sight, that did show us the gloom and dread of that place.

  And we went alway very husht, and the Maid to my back; but I did haltnow and this time, and make to know how she did be; and surely shewhispered very brave to me through the dimness, and once did slip herhand into mine, and I to take off mine armoured glove for a littlemoment, that I hold her hand, and give her nice assurance. But, inverity, there was terror in mine heart, that did be a terror far beyondthe trouble of mine upward way; and surely I was shaken newly with everydanger, lest that I should lose Mine Own, or she to come to any hurt.And, indeed, you shall perceive how I did be; for so should you be in alike case, and, in truth, it doth be an utter anxiousness and suffering.

  Now when we had been two hours in the dark part of the Gorge, I smelledof the dread and horrid stink that you do wot of. And surely a greatfear came upon me; for I perceived that we did come among the Monsters,or that one came anigh to us.

  And I whispered unto the Maid that she halt; and we stood very husht awhile, and surely the stink did grow, and to be very dreadful in thenostrils, so that I felt Mine Own Maid to shake somewhat with the fearand disgust that this thing did make in us. And presently the stinkingdid ease somewhat from about us; but whether there had gone past us amonster Slug, I have no sure knowing; for there did be no fire-pit anighto that place; so that there was a great darkness all about.

  And surely there was a great slowness and wetness of the air, and dismaldrippings that made desolation in the silence; and the feel of strangegrowths upon the boulders, as you do know, and oft an horrid slime anddankness; and the stink to be everywhere, so that we knew a constantdisgust and fear. And alway the fumings of sulphur, that did seem, inverity, to beat down upon us, utter heavy and sore upon our lungs.

  And so went we onward amid the smell that did be as of dead things; andoft did we make pause and hark, and had a great care as we did go by thedull fire-holes and fire-pits, that we should make no showing ofourselves in the light.

  And sudden, as we did go by a great pit that burned very deep and red, Ireached back and caught Mine Own by the arm, and I set her gaze untothe right side of the Gorge, which was beyond the fire. And the Maidwent very still, as she did see the thing that was there; for in verityit was utter monstrous, and did shine very wet-looking in the light ofthe fire. And truly it moved a little with the head, this way and that,stretching through the dark and the shadows, as you shall see a slug tomove, and with no speed or sound, and nowise seeming heedful of aught.But yet did I fear that it smelled us, if this might be; and this, asyou shall think, to be a very natural fear.

  And alway, as I do mind, it seemed to go blindly somewise, or to havethat slow and strange moving that doth make one to think of a blindness;but whether it did be truly blind, how shall I say; only that it was anutter Monstrous Brute, so great as the black hull of a ship, and verydreadful unto our hearts.

  And we moved not for a while, save that I pulled Mine Own down into thehiding of the boulders of that part; and she to put her hand veryanxious unto me; yet not to be comforted, as I did half to think, but topersuade me, lest that I go to some adventuring that should set me in asurer danger. And this I perceived in a little moment, and loved her forher care.

  But, indeed, I had no mind to aught, save that we come clear of thatplace; and I watched the Monster, through places between the boulders;and surely, in a little while, it swayed the great head very slow andquiet unto the cliff that did make that side of the Gorge; and the Bruteset unto the Cliff, and began that it went upward with a strange movingof muscles that did go wavewise under the wet and horrid-gleaming hide.

  And so, in a little time, it was gone quiet against the cliff, and thehead-part did be upward in the darkness above, so that it did be fromour sight. But the monster body did be plain for a great way, and wasseeming clung to the cliff, and to come downward out of the dark, asthat it did be a great black ridge of soft and dreadful life upon theface of the cliff; and the tail was something less bulked, and to taper,and did trail outward into the Gorge upon the boulders.

  And surely the thing did seem as that it slept, but that odd whiles thetail did lift a little off the boulders, and curl somewise, andafterward come down again upon the boulders, mayhap in this place andmayhap in that place, as we did watch, all hid.

  And it was as that our sense and our Spirits did assure us that thething had no wotting of us; but surely our fears did nigh to equal thecomfort of this sweet reason, and to make us think otherwise.

  Yet, in a time, I made that we go forward together through the spacesthat did be among the boulders. And I went creeping, and the Maid tofollow likewise.

  And oft I did pause, and made a watching upon the monster; but truly itmoved not, save as I have told; and I kept a great heed upon the Maid,that she follow alway close unto my feet.

  And in the end we came safe from that place where the monster did beclung unto the great cliff in the night.

  And we went then for two great hours without adventure, save that oncethe Maid touched me that we pause; for that something went by us wherewe did be in an utter dark place of the Gorge, and no fire-hole anigh.

  And I knew that the thing did be near, even as the Maid toucht me. Andcaught I the Maid in the dark, and thrust her under the side of aboulder; and I crouched then before her, with mine armour, that I shouldprotect her from any Brutish thing. And the Diskos in my hand, andafterward an horrid time of waiting.

  And the stink of that part of the Gorge grew very dreadful, so that itdid be as that we should not breathe, with the horror of the stink. Andthere went past us some horrid and utter Monster, that made neithersound nor anything, save that there seemed a strange noise that might bethe breathing of a great thing; but yet did be all uncertain, in thatthe sides of the Gorge cast the sound this way and that, in an horridwhispering of echoes; so that we did not know whether the sound be madenigh to us, or afar upward in the eternity of
the night, where I didsuppose the mountains to be joined over the Gorge in a monstrous roof inthat part.

  And presently, the strange noisings died in the upward height, and allabout us; and the utter disgust of the stink went from us; so that weknew that the Monster had gone past us, and did make downward throughthe dark Gorge; and mayhap then to some lone and dreadful cavern of theworld, as I did think.

  And, indeed, as I do mind, I had a sudden wonder at that time, and otherwhiles, as it did chance, whether this way did be truly the olden waythat the Peoples of the Lesser Refuge did travel in the Olden Days. Andsurely, as I did suppose, they had come some other way, or the Gorge tobe different and less dreadful in the far-off years. And this thing youshall agree with me to be a reasonable thinking.

  And after that the Monster had gone a good while we went onward again,and with a great caution; and dreading alway lest that we come upon thatMonster, in the darkness; but yet did we know by smell, and by all ourconsciousness, whether that we came nigh unto one of the monster Slugs.

  Then, in the end of the fifth hour in the dark part of the Gorge, wecame by the mouth of that great cavern, upon our left; and you toremember the same.

  And I made pause in the darkness, and had the Maid very gentle by thearm, that she should look with me. And I whispered how that I past thisplace, to my right, upon mine upward way, and how that I did thinkthere to be a-plenty of monster caverns within the mountains that madethe sides of the Gorge, and that, mayhap, the Slug-Creatures had therean home in such places, or came up, it might be, from some utter strangedeepness and mystery of the great world.

  And the Maid did bide very close unto me, and silent, whilst that Iwhispered; for the terror of the place did be on her, yet not to makeher lacking of courage, but yet to put a monstrous awe upon her and agreat and natural fear; and I likewise, as you do know.

  And we stayed there, where we did be, a little moment, and lookeddownward into the bowels of the monster cavern; and the shine of thefire-hole beat over the cavern in the near part; but there did be anutter mystery and deathly dark beyond the shining of the pit that did bewithin, as you shall remember.

  And, in verity, as we stayed but to glance, I perceived that there layhumped things about the fire, and some to be black-seeming, and some tohave a seeming of whiteness, but with no sureness in the colour to mineeyes.

  And there came a moving in one of the humpt things, so that it did be asthat an hill did wake unto an horrid life. And immediately I knew thatthe humps did be some utter monsters, mayhaps even the great Slugs,a-slumber about the fire-pit that did burn in that strange deeplycavern. And I saw that I did ill for our lives, that I should pause evenfor a little moment to such staring.

  And immediately I whispered to Mine Own that we go with all our speed;for, indeed, I knew not whether that our nearness had waked thatMonster, or whether that it had but waked by chance. And truly, I wasutter eager that we be gone from that place, so swift as we might.

  And we went on then through all of the sixth hour that we did be in theSlug part of the Gorge, as I named it unto myself. And in all that hour,there did nothing harmful come anigh; only, as I did know presently,there came an unease upon our spirits, but yet to be very little at thattime, and we to be scarce knowing of it. And alway, as we went, theredid be darkness for the most, and odd-whiles a vague murmuring of thenight far above, as it did seem; and presently the dull glare of afire-pit to shine out far off below us in the Gorge, and to seem verydim and unreal unto us, by reason of the smokes and the fumes that madea haze and a distaste in the Gorge.

  And presently, the murmuring of the night to grow somewhat, and,afterward, the sound of the muttering of the fire-pit to come unto us;and the murmuring to die unto our ears that did be hearing now only thedull muttering, and so we to know that the murmuring of the night did betruly the far-off muttering of the fire-holes, and our eyes to guide ourhearing, and our reason to explain and knit the sounds; and so we topass by the fire-hole with a great quiet and caution and ever withwatchfulness, as you shall suppose. And afterward again into the dark;and presently again the murmuring, to tell that we came unto another ofthe fire-pits, that was yet afar off in the Gorge, and made dim echoesin the night.

  And alway we went very watchful, and in grim fear; but withsteadfastness and good intention to win forth out of that desolation andhorror, and having alway so great a speed as the darkness and thedangers and the trouble of the way did allow.

  And in this place I will make explanation why that I speak somewhiles offire-pits and otherwhiles of fire-holes; for the holes did be thosefires that burned nigh to the brim of the holes; but the pits were thoseplaces where the fire was deeply in the earth. And this thing I give foryour enlightenment, even on a small matter; so that you shall have aclear knowledge to abide with me all the way; and you to agree of thisfor wisdom, and I to be pleased that you so agree.

  And here also, I should tell that there did not come a muttering fromall of the fire-holes and the fire-pits; but mayhap from this one, andmayhap not from that one, according to the way of the fire therein. Andthis shall be plain unto you.

  And so shall you see us go, and the smoke and the bitterness of thesulphur to be all about us; and oddwhiles the murmuring of a far-offpit, and oft the utter silence; and to pass this time a lonesomefire-hole; and afterward the utter dark, or the half-gloom, all as mightchance, according to the nearness of the fires. And upward in theeverlasting night, the grim mountains to make a roof over us, as I didsuppose.

  And all this while did the unease, of which I have told, make upon us;so that, presently, Mine Own whispered unto me the thing that already myspirit did half to perceive, that there came after us through the nightsome harmful thing, that did be surely no great way off, as I did feelwithin me, and the Maid to have a likeways belief.

  And, truly I thought at once upon that Brute that did wake downward inthe mighty Cavern, where did be the great inward fire-hole, as I havetold; but whether this did be true knowledge that we did be chased inthe dark by that thing, or whether there came after us some otherMonster, I could have no sureness; but only that we did be chased, andof this I had assuredness.

  And I set the Maid before me, that I have myself ready to the dangerthat followed; and we made forward again then, so quick as we wereabled; and she went very wisely; for she had good wit and had noted theways of my leading.

  And we went thus until the end of the seventh hour. And surely, in thattime, we heard the murmuring in the night which told of a fire-holesomewise before us; and soon to have the red glare plain to our eyes,and the noise of the murmuring to die away into the nearer mutter ofthe fire; and so presently to be anigh; and we to make forward with agood speed, because that we feared utterly the thing that made quietchase of us through the night.

  And oft I did look backward, and smelt the air, that I know whether itdid be a monster Slug-beast that chased us; but there did be noworseness of the smell, to tell me aught.

  And alway, I did be fretted in the heart, that we could make no greaterspeed; but, indeed, as you shall perceive, our going did be but a slowthing in the dark places, and even thus we had many a sore tumbling andbruising.

  And by this, we were come almost unto the fire-hole; and immediately, Isaw that I knew the place, for there went upward beside the fire, agreat jaggedness of rock, that I had seen upon mine upward way.

  And surely, I caught the Maid in an instant, and bent her, and she quickto obey with her body. And we were both immediately hid downward amongthe boulders. And this I did, because I minded how that there did bemany of the Monsters nigh to this same fire-hole, as I did go upon mineupward way.

  And we went forward then with an utter care; but yet to keep onward,because that there did be somewhat in chase of us. And, in verity, whenthat we were come opposite unto the fire-hole, I saw that there did beseven of the monster Slugs against the far side of the Gorge, and did beall set upon their bellies against the cliff, and their horrid heads tobe hid in the upward dark, a
nd their tails to lie very great andsoft-seeming in the bottom of the gorge, upon the boulders.

  And, lo! the Maid toucht me, and she drew me to look upon the near cliffof the Gorge. And truly there did be three of the Brutish Things laidupward there, and a fourth did be humped somewhat upon a great ledgethat did be upward of the Gorge, and just to be plain to our eyes.

  And surely, it was as that we did be all surround by such Monsters, andto make the heart sink, and fear to lie upon our hopefulness. But,indeed, the Maid showed a good spirit, and I to have fierce determiningthat we come free of that Gorge, and afterward, in time, unto our MightyHome.

  And we made forward again, and did go creeping among the rocks and theboulders; and so came presently past that place, and had not waked theMonsters, if that indeed they did truly sleep.

  And I made halt a moment upon the far border of the light from thefire-hole, and I lookt backward up the Gorge, perchance that I shouldsee the thing that followed us. But, indeed, there came nothing out ofthe dark of the upward Gorge, so that I knew that there did be some safespace to our backs, which did be truly a comforting thing.

  And here I should tell how that there was no great stinking in thatplace where did be so many of the Slug-beasts, and this to puzzle me;and in the end to make me think that some of those horrid things didstench more great than others; but yet I to have no certainty in thismatter, as you do perceive. And, truly, this thing troubled me; for Ihad been comforted that my nose should tell me when that the thing thatmade chase of us should draw nigh in the darkness; and now, in verity, Iknew not what to have for assurance; for the awaredness of the spiritwas but a vague thing, and no more in such a matter, than a feeling asof an inward warning.

  And we went onward then for a great hour, and with an horrid unease uponus; and thrice we did go by fire-pits in the darkness; and alway I madepause upon the far side of the light, that I should look backward; butdid have no sight of aught; yet did my spirit or my fears warn me withnew fear, and a greater sense of nearness; and the Maid to confess alsoto this thing.

  Now, we saw not any of the Slugs for a long while, neither had therebeen any about the three fire-holes; and the air of the Gorge was grownsomething sweet and free somewhat of the stench of dead-seeming things;but yet to be very bitter with fumings and smoke and sulphur stinks.

  And lo! in the middle of the tenth hour, as we did go, painful and withanxiousness in a very dark place of the Gorge, there came unto us againthe smell that told to us that one of the Monsters did be anigh. Andsurely we had both a great fear, in that we had belief that it did be asign that the thing that made chase, did draw near upon us. But yet didI to use my Reason also, and to know that the stink might be from someMonster that we were come nigh to in the darkness of that place; and Iwhispered this unto the Maid, and she to say, very husht, that it mightbe so; but to have no belief; and I to be likewise, as you do see.

  And we pusht forward at a new speed, and had many bitter falls, so thatwe did be all bruised; but not to know it at that time, because that ourfear did be so keen. And oft we made a little pause and harkt; but theredid be only the dismal drip of water from on high; and presently themurmur of the night, that told that we drew near unto a new firepit.

  And surely this was a great easement to our spirits, in that we shouldhave light to perceive our danger, and mayhap to win free. But to be inthat utter dark, was a thing to break the courage, and to breed beliefthat we did be utter helpless, and all wrapt in horror and despair.

  And the stink grew ever, as we made forward; so that I knew not whetherthere did be great Monsters beside the fire-pit that was to our front,as I have told, or whether it made plain the advancing of the Pursuer.And we only to be able to make our best speed, and to be weary with hopethat we rush not blind into death; and alway to be chilled in the backwith the belief that the thing that made chase did be very close in thatutter dark, and to gain upon us.

  And we knew not whether to make our belief to be the tellings of thespirit or the utterings of our fears; and so shall you perceive ourplight; and we but to be able to make forward. And, in verity, thedreadfulness of that time doth shake me now to think upon, and you also,if that you have gotten my tellings to your hearts, so that your humansympathy doth be with me.

  And there came presently to our ears the far mutter of the fire-pit, sothat very soon the murmuring was lost to us in the night, and only theslow mutter to be plain. And the dull looming of the fire shone afaroff, through the night and the smoke and fumings; and we to a greatspeed, and to pant with fear; but yet with a freshness of hope again tosweeten us.

  And we came nigh to the fire-pit, and lo! the smell did be grown verydrear and foul; but there did be no Slug-Beast near the fire. And bythis, we perceived that we did be truly in an utter danger, in that thePursuer did be upon us, and the stinking to tell this to be truth, andour spirits to have warned us very strong and proper.

  And I stopt near to the fire-pit, which did be great, and veryred-glowing; and I lookt upward of the Gorge, into the night of theGorge that we did come from; but the Monster was not yet upon us to workour death. And I lookt to the sides of the Gorge, and the Maid to havethe same thought that did be mine, that we climb the mountains that madethe sides of the Gorge.

  And I lookt very keen first to this side, and then did run overward,that I look more close upon the other; and afterward back again; for itdid seem that we should have a greater ease upon the side that we didbe.

  And I askt the Maid whether that she did be prepared; and she to be verywhite and wearied, and all besmirched with the dankness and growths uponthe boulders and the hidden pools of the Gorge and the dripping of thewaters; but yet did she be sound in her courage, and to show that shehad all belief and abiding in me, and her judgement likewise to be withmine, in that her own Reason did approve.

  And I took the bundle of her torn clothing from her, for it did be ather girdle, and like to trouble her movings; but she to refuse, verydetermined, in that I did be already over-burdened. And I to be firm inmy deciding, and to make her to yield the bundle, the which I hookt untothe "hold" of the Diskos, where it did be to mine hip.

  And the Maid to be there, a little figure, and white in the face, andstrangely angered, and her anger mixt with hidden acknowledgement that Idid be her master, and half to be minded that she move not from whereshe did stand, and part to be reasonable and fearful of the hiddenBeast; and in part also to thrill in her womanhood unto the man that didbe so masterful unto her. And all to pass in a little moment, and we tobe to the Gorge side, and busied very eager to the climb.

  And the Maid to be first, as I did heed, and I to follow, and haveconstant looking to the task and to her safety, and alway to be bitteranxious for our speed to be good, and to be anxious the more then, lestthat Mine Own should slip; for there did be an horrid wetness upon thesides of the Gorge, as you shall have guessed, and horrid growths thatblotched the great rocks mightily, and made an utter slipperiness, ifthat they did be trod upon; and we to have to come so clear of all suchmatters, as we might, and yet to be speedy for our lives, and likewiseto lack no care and thought to the setting of our hands and of our feetin places fitted to the lifting of our weight.

  And truly you shall see that we went very desperate, and I to give wordto the Maid that she look not downward, the which I was urgent upon,lest that she come giddy in the heart. But I, as you shall think, couldscarce to keep from fearful peerings below, so that I learn speedywhether the Pursuer did come yet into the light of the fire-hole,beneath.

  And presently, the Maid did gasp very weak and troubled with thesoreness of the climb; and I came higher, and set mine arm about her, aswe did be there upon the face of the cliff; and she stopt very still alittle while, and an ease did come to her, and an assurance of safety.And surely, I kist her there where we did be in that upward place, andher lips did tremble unto mine; and her courage and strength to comeback into her, so that in a minute she did make once more to theclimbing.

  And we ca
me presently to a place where a great ledge did be, that juttedout from the mighty cliff, and was surely a huge way above the Gorgebottom. And the ledge sloped, and there were on the ledge, great stonesand boulders that did make lodgement there through eternity.

  And I lookt very careful to our way, and saw that we did be in the pathof a mighty rock that was over-nigh unto the edge of the shelf-place,and did put fear upon me, in that it seemed that it should come downwith great thundering upon us, if that we but shook the place where itdid be.

  And I caught the Maid very swift and gentle, and shaped our path untoone side of that great rock, and did presently lose my fear, when thatwe did come safe from under it.

  And in a minute after, we were come upward upon the ledge, and a verysafe place it did seem, and surely as that no monster should be abled tocome upward upon us. And this I did try to make for comfort untoourselves; but that we both to know how that the great Slugs could lieup against the sides of the Gorge, and surely it did be like that theyshould be able to come upward clear of the Gorge, and so to the placewhere we made to have safety. And I had no thought to deny this thing,when that it was clear to my brain; but set rather that we should havesome way to fight the Monster, if that we did be discovered.

  And I thought in a moment upon the stones that did be about; and theMaid in the same moment cried out that we should push the big rock downupon the Slug that we believed to have chase of us, and indeed, the rockto be a great weapon, if we could but stir it, as you shall think.

  And alway, as we talked, very hushed, we lookt downward into thedeepness of the Gorge, unto the upward end of the fire-light; but therecame no thing yet unto our knowledge, only that the stinking did rise upto us through that great distance.

  And the fire-pit to seem now a very small burning, and to give no greatlight up to us; and we neither to be abled to see very clear of theGorge bottom, in that the haze of the fumes and the smoke was in the airof the Gorge, and made uncertainty; and we to be nowise proper free ofthe smoke, even where we did be.

  And we watched, very set with anxiousness and fearful expecting of themonster; and did be both yet lost of breath, and the Maid that she madeher words something broken for a little while.

  And lo! in a moment, Naani cried out very low and sharp that the thingdid come; and I to see a moving of somewhat, in the same instant, in theGorge that lay upon the upward side of the fire-pit.

  And immediately I saw the great and monster head of the Beast comeforward into the shine from the pit; and the head did be of a blotchedwhite, and to have the eyes upon great stalks that came from the forwardpart of the head; and the stalks to be set downward, so that the eyeslookt upon the bottom parts of the Gorge. And surely this doth be veryhorrid-seeming to the mind of this age, but yet to have a lessstrangeness unto the two of us that had seen many horrid sights, as youdo know.

  And as the Monster came forward the more into the light, I saw that thegreat and utter mighty bulk did be all of that same whiteness, that didbe so set over with blotchings and a seeming of unhealth. But, truly thecolour was proper to a creature that did abide in so great a darkness,as you shall say, yet had those Slugs that we did see, been black andshining, for the most, as I have told; and this to be as I saw, and Inot to heed here that I try unto explainings in this place; else shouldI be never eased of my task, as you do see.

  And the Monster Slug came onward, and as it did go, it set the stalks ofthe eyes in among the boulders, as that it did search; swayed now thisway and now that way, from side to side of the Gorge, and alway itpushed the stalks of the eyes inward among the boulders; and so to goforward, searching. And truly it was very dreadful to see the thing makesearch for us, and to go so steadfast to so dread a purpose.

  And, indeed, I saw it not so plain as might be, because of the haze ofthe fumes and the smoke that did lie in the air of the Gorge, as I havetold, and made something vague the sight at this time and that; but yetwe did both see a strange thing; for when that the great white body didbe come half into the light, the Slug-Beast set out a big tongue amongthe boulders, after that it did peer thereunder; and the tongue did bevery long, and white, and something thin-seeming; and the Monster lappedinward in a moment a great snake from among the boulders, and the tonguedid hold upon the snake, as that there did be surely teeth or roughnessupon the tongue; but yet the distance to be too great for any surety ofthe sight, as you do know; and moreover, there did be the uncertainty ofthe haze within the air.

  And the Slug took the snake inward, all as it did lash and wriggle, andswallowed it in a moment; and, in verity, that snake did be a big andhorrid creature, else had it been not so plain to our sight; but it didbe as a worm unto the monster, and gone instant.

  And immediately, the Slug-Beast went again to searching, and the head tosway from this side unto that side of the Gorge; and by the wideness andease of this swaying shall you perceive the utter greatness of theBeast.

  And alway, as it did come downward of the Gorge, it thrust the stalks ofthe eyes inward among the boulders, looking all ways; and oft the breathdid come from it, as a cloud; and the stink to rise up unto us, veryplain and an abomination. And again, we saw the Beast set the tongue inamong the boulders of the Gorge bottom; and it lickt forth a snake thatdid seem so thick as a man in the body, and the snake to thrash in thegreat white tongue, and to be immediately drawn inward, and gone utter.

  And surely, as the thought did stir in me, there did be a great Mercyover us, in that we did not die by such a serpent in some dark andhorrid place of the Gorge. But yet, as it is like to be, mayhap thesnakes did be only anigh to the fire-holes; yet doth it be anywise awondrous thing that we had come so free of them alway; and truly tolearn, was to be given a new terror.

  Now the Monster was come fully into the shining of the fire-pit, and wasupon this side; and the fire to make a shining against the side of theSlug, so that odd whiles I did perceive very plain the huge wrinklingsand musclings of the skin, as the Beast made onward. And alway it didsearch, thrusting in the eye-stalks among the boulders.

  And sudden, it made pause, and did begin that it brought all the mightybody together, and humpt itself, and brought the head-part round untothe bottom of the cliff that made this side of the Gorge. And itgathered itself, and afterward did lengthen upward against the cliff,and begin to climb. And lo! I saw that the Beast did scent of us, andmade to come upward to destroy us.

  And as the mighty hill of the body did come into length against thegreat cliff-side, the Beast set the eye-stalks into this cave and that,as it did go, and into all crannies; and so lengthened upward verystraight and monstrous and dreadful unto us, and did be as a white andmildewed hill, that had an horrid life. And the stink to come up, sothat we did be like to lose our breath with the dreadfulness of it, asyou shall think.

  And surely, for a moment, I looked unto the rocks upon the ledge, andthis way and that way, and upward unto the everlasting darkness that didbe above us, and again unto the great rock that did seem to quiver uponthe edge, as I have told. And I was grown utter desperate in a moment;for, truly, it did seem in that instant that there did be no power inthe world that should slay so utter mighty a Monster.

  And immediately, even as I did despair, I had run very swift unto thegreat rock, and the Maid with me, both very strained and shaken with thehorror of the thing that did make upward unto us so sure and intent.

  And I set my strength unto the rock, and heaved; but indeed the rockgave not from the place where it did be; so that I had a dreadfuldespair; for I saw that it did be more secure than had seemed. And theMaid lent her strength unto mine, and we heaved together, with sorepantings, and little cries to guide our endeavours and because we couldnot be contained in that moment.

  And surely it seemed that the great rock moved, and lo! as we strovetogether to the task, there came a vast and sudden grinding, and therock to cease from our shoulders, and to be gone from us, or scarce wedid wot of the happening. And the rock went over, and rushed downwardupon the Monster
, and with mighty crashings, as it did grind and crushthe face of the cliff-side with a quick and constant thundering. And Icaught the Maid, as she did stagger upon that dire upward edge becausethat she had set her strength so utter to the endeavour, and the rock tobe gone so sudden, as you do see, and she to be like to follow after.And she clung unto me, and I to hold her very safe as I lookt down uponthe falling of the Rock. And behold! the Great Rock smote the Monster inthe humpt part of the back, below of the head, and did enter into theMonster, even as a bullet doth strike, and was gone instant from mysight into the Vitals.

  And there came a mighty sound of anguish from the Monster; and theMonster did loosen from the cliff, and to crumple, as it did seem, andsink backward. And a great steam of dread breathing to go upward fromthe Beast, and a reek; and it made again the strange and horrid noise ofpain, and the Gorge to be yet full of the echoes of the Rock thundering,and with the noise of the rock there was now mingled the horrid soundingof the death-crying of the Beast. And the Gorge to be filled with dulland dreadful echoings, as that an hundred Monsters died in this placeand that of the darkness in the Gorge, and all to be bred of the noiseof that mildewed hill a-dying.

  And the echoes ceased not for a while, even after that the Monster didbe utter quiet; for truly they came presently from far upward anddownward of the Gorge, out of all the eternity of the night, and to beas that they came backward very faint out of lonesome miles, and out ofthe strange deepness of unknown caverns of the world. And so in the endto silence; and the far bottom of the Gorge to be filled with a whiteand horrid hill, very dreadful, and that did yet quiver to show theslowness of Death. And alway a dreadful reek and stinking to fill allthe air, even unto the height, as of the grave.

  And I stood upward in that far, high place, and held the Maid verystrong and tender; and she to have covered her ears from that dreadfulcrying; and to be yet shaken with the greatness and horror of the dyingof the Monster, and the nearness that she did come unto falling, as youhave seen.

  And presently she came less to tremble, and did weep very easeful, evenas a babe doth weep; and I, mayhap, to be not over-steady, as you shallthink; but yet to have a great gladness set in my heart, and a triumph,and an utter grace of thankfulness.

  And I held Mine Own, very tender and sure, as I did say; and she verysoon to be eased of her trouble, and the shock to be something gone fromher. And she lookt up at me, and slipt her arms upward about my neck,and pulled me downward unto her, that she might kiss me.

  And we to talk then, of the going down; and surely this did seem a greatand dangerous task; for, truly, we had come upward pretty easy in theexcess of our fear; but how we might go down, with our blood cool, I didbe all in doubt.

  Yet, before that we did aught else, I led the Maid upward on to the safepart of the ledge; and we sat there, very quiet and weary, and she didbe leaned against me. And we eat, each of us, two of the tablets, and Ito scold and coax Mine Own to this end, and she to obey and to be betterafterward, because that she had eat. And we drank some of the water, anddid rest a time longer.

  And presently, our courage and strength was come back into us; and wepackt the scrip again, and the Maid set it fast to my back; and we wentthen to the edge of the shelf, and lookt downward, this way and that;and surely, there did be no way to go, save the way we came; only thatwe might shape our downward climbing to bring us a little below thatplace where the dead Monster did be.

  And I saw by mine own heart and by the paleness of the Maid, that weshould do well that we consider the thing no more; but make to the task.

  And I went immediately over the edge of the shelf, upon my belly, and Ibade Naani to follow. And we began then that we go downward; and, inverity, we went downward for, mayhap, a great hour; and I gave helpalway unto Mine Own, as I could; and she to come after me very brave,and made that she hold back her fear, and come downward of that cliff,that did be oft like to a mighty wall. And surely, even as we came down,I marvelled how we did ever go upward, even though fear did aid us; but,indeed, I do think it doth be easier to climb safely, than to comebackward; for this is how I have found.

  And we made rest thrice upon ledges of the cliff. And afterward camedownward again; and alway very slow and with exceeding heed where ourhands and our feet did go, that we slip not suddenly to our death.

  And once, as I did see, the Maid was lost of all her strength, and didbe going to fall, because that she did be all gone into a suddenweakness of the head in an instant. And she did be silent, even in thatmoment, the which doth be marvellous unto me, and to give me a strongpride of her, as you shall understand, if that ever you have loved. Andsurely, I came upward, in a moment, that little space that was between,and had mine arm about Mine Own very swift, and held her hard and fierceagainst the cliff; and this I did that she should feel how that shecould never fall; and immediately, her strength and her dear couragecame back into her; and I kist her, there against the mighty cliff; andafterward she did have power again to come downward safe.

  And presently we were come to the Gorge bottom, and maybe an hundredpaces down the Gorge from that place where did be the dead Monster, allsunk into an ugly and horrid heap, so great as a small hill.

  And a dreadful stinking did hang in all that part of the Gorge, byreason of the Slug; and signs of disgust, as you shall think; and thegreat and mildewed body of the thing yet to settle and twitch, as I didlook, as it did come properly unto death in all that mighty bulk. Andeverywhere, the skin of the Beast did be set into great wrinklings, andhorrid blotchings to be upon the improper whiteness thereof; and truly Idid be in haste that I turn the Maid away from that thing, and that wehaste downward of the Gorge.

  And we went then for two good hours, and alway I did hearten the Maid,and she to go very husht and trustful by me; but truly I did be in ananguish of heart, because that I was newly aware that there did be suchgreat and dreadful serpents in that part of the Gorge, as you do alsoknow. And I was not over-feared for myself, but for the Maid that didhave no armour to protect her dear body. And because that I was so setwith this trouble, I took the Maid presently into mine arms, that Icarry her, and so to have her clear of aught that should lie among theboulders.

  And, in verity, Mine Own did show an anger very surprising anddetermined; for I said not why I should carry her--fearing to give her agreater unease--but only that she did be weary, and I very strong andwilling.

  And, indeed, I could not bring her to reason, without I told her, whichwas not mine intent; for she did refuse me to carry her; and said thattruly I had need of no added burden unto my labours.

  And when she saw that I would not be moved by her reasonings, she madeto win upon me by her loving ways; but, indeed, I only kist her; andwent forward with her in mine arms. And she half naughty, that I did beso heedless of her wishings, and somewise hurt also; and so to be silentin mine arms; yet mayhap to be something stirred in her nature, that Idid be steadfast to mine intention, despite that her will did becontrary.

  And this I do believe to be truth, because that, afterward, I do thinkthat she lay there in mine arms, only as a woman that doth be in thehands of her Master that hath all her love.

  And in thiswise we went forward.

  And in the end of the two hours that we did go, there was come the endof the dark part of the Gorge; and we to be outward of that mighty roofof the mountains, as I do think it to have been; and the air to be freeof the stink of the Monsters, and the fire-holes to be very plenty, andtheir smokings to go upward very proper; so that we had no more thebitterness of their fumings in our throats.

  And there did be a pretty good light, to go by the contrast of the pasthours; and I set Mine Own again to her feet, and made that she keep tomy rearward, so that if there did be any serpents to our path, theyshould come first under my feet, and thiswise to work no harm to me,because of mine armour, neither to Naani, Mine Own Maid.

  Now by this time, it was somewhat of nineteen great hours since we didsleep; for we had been a long while making that
we come safe from theSlug; and, indeed, we had come downward with a less speed than I did gothrough upon mine upward way, as you shall mind; and this to be thatMine Own did not have the hard strength that was in my body to theenduring of great labour and stress; and this surely all to be plainunto you that have been with me in all my journey. And, moreover, theremust be kept to mind the three hours that we had gone, ere we were comeproper into the dark part of the Gorge; and so all to be remembered untoyou; and also you to mind that we did be wakeful a time, ere that we setforward upon that day's journeying.

  And we did go almost in joyous-wise, because that we were come safe outof that dreadful place; and surely, odd whiles I did feel the hands ofMine Own Naughty One to be hookt very pretty and sly into the backwardpart of my belt, as that she did make a pretending that she drive mebefore her; and surely this doth be a strange thing to tell upon; forthere did be no knowledge of the olden horse in all the eternity of thatdark world; but yet, maybe, some dear olden memory-dream did set herhands unconscious to this pretty work.

  And, in verity, once I turned very sudden, and had her swift into minearms, as she did pretend to drive me; and she to laugh with a sweet andjoyous gurgle against mine armour; and I to heed that I hurt her not,because I did be like an iron man that should put arms about a tendermaid.

  And we lookt alway now for a place that should be proper to our rest andto our sleep; and when it did be close upon the end of the twentiethhour of that journey, the Maid showed me a cave that was, mayhap, fiftygood feet upward in the right side of the Gorge.

  And I lookt about, and saw that there did be two fire-holes anigh, and awarm spring to make a basin of water, that did lie between the fires;and all very well set to our need, as I did perceive; for, indeed, wedid be utter besmirched with the filth of the Slug part of the Gorge,and to need that we be nice and fitly washed, before that we have anycomfort of our selves.

  And I bade Naani to wait a little minute; and I lookt well up the Gorgeand well down the Gorge; and lo! there did be no thing to set me inunease; and I told Mine Own that she keep a sharp and steadfastwatching, and not to heed me; and this I said, because I knew she did belike otherwise to look at me and be over-anxious, as I go upward to thecave; and, indeed, she to be better anyway in watch of the Gorge, and tocry out to me, if that anything came anigh, whilst that I went upward.

  And I made upward to the cave; and was come there pretty quick; andtruly it did be good for our purpose, and fresh-seeming and dry, and tohave no holes that I could see for the hiding of creeping things.

  And I called down gently to the Maid that the cave did be proper; andshe to show her gladness, and to be looking upward at me, instead of theway of the Gorge, as I set her; and truly she did be a dear and humanlittle Maid, and utter Mine; so that I did find a new joy in each smalllack of wisdom, and this just so much as that she had done a wondrousproper thing. And truly, you shall say, there was some properness to herheart, in that she could abide not but to watch me.

  And I went quickly down to Mine Own; for there was alway an unease uponme, save when I did be nigh to her, in chance of trouble.

  And when I was come down to her, the Maid did be seeming a little inthought; and afterward showed me how that she did be all in a pitifuldisgust of the dirt and slime and the drippings of the Gorge, that didbe on her, and had made her garment utter wet and bemired, so that shedid feel that her very body was a repulse unto her.

  And I saw how it did be with Naani; and I went to the warm pool, andfelt that it did be not over-hot, and afterward found the deepness, bythe handle of the Diskos, and this to be scarce of three feet, and thewater very clear to show me the bottom, so that it was surely a niceand proper place to be for such a purpose as I did think. And I set someof the water to my mouth, using my hand; and truly there did seem nohurtful chemical in the water; and therefore was I eased that the Maidshould have the desire that I did see to be in her mind.

  And I saw that I should be helpful to Mine Own, if that I make thearranging of things to be in mine own hands. And I went back unto theMaid, and told her that the pool was very nice to be for a bath-place;and that she to haste to wash herself, whilst the Gorge did be free ofany Creature or Monster.

  Now I saw that Naani was troubled, and feared that I did be going toleave her, and yet did be paused a little in her words, to show me allthat she did wish.

  And surely, I stoopt and kist her, as she did look so wistful in herlittle puzzlement; and immediately I removed her trouble very natural,and told that I should stand guard anigh to her, the while that shebathed. And, truly she did be at ease on the moment, and mayhapsomething surprised to know wherefore she had been something a-lack toask me. But, in truth, it did be very natural.

  And I told her to be so quick as she might, which was a needless thingto say, yet to start her; and she to go quietly to obey me; but first totake the cloak out of the hold upon my shoulders, and to unfold it, andso to the pool. And I to stand with my back thatwards, and to lean,ready, upon the Diskos.

  And presently she did be in the water, as I knew; and I to be her man,very sure and gentle to her and sedate. And truly, as you shall think, Idid love that I be to stand guard to her in her dear maidenhood; andshe, after that she was cheered and warmed by the delight of the water,to sing very low and happy to herself, where she did be to my back.

  And, sudden, the singing to cease, and the Maid screamed; and I to haveno thought of improper modesty but turned instant to the Maid. And in amoment, I saw what did trouble her; for there came a serpent out of thewater; and the Maid to be all adrift with natural modesty, and with herfear of the serpent. And I was come into the pool in a moment, in minearmour, and did lift the Maid, naked and wet into mine arms, and had herinstant from the water, and upon the side of the pool; and there I wraptthe cloak about her; and ran very quick and killed the serpent, as itdid go offwards among the boulders. And surely it did be so thick asmine arm, and to have come from some hole that did be hid in the bottomof the pool.

  And I came back then to Mine Own, and took her into mine arms, and setthe cloak well about her; and she to cry and to tremble with the shockand disturbance of the thing; but soon to be eased, and ready to laughwith me.

  And so she was come proper to her happiness again, and I very gentleand joyous with her, for truly my heart had been sick that she had comeso nigh to that horrid danger.

  And I eased the scrip from me, and opened it, and made her to take twoof the tablets, and she to refuse to eat, save I company her also; andindeed I did be very willing, for truly my belly was alway empty. Andshe to be very glad to eat, because she did be clean now, and to have nomore disgust of herself. And afterward, we drank some of the water. Andsoon we did be finished, and she to ask for her girdle that I did giveher with the knife, as I have surely told. And she belted the cloak verygraceful about her; and lookt very dear and pretty with her little barefeet; and her hair very lovely upon her shoulders, for she did wearalway in the Gorge the lining of my head-piece, and so had her hair dryand sweet.

  And, in verity, I did mind now, how that she did look very beautiful inher bath, as I had gone to succour her from the snake; and I to benicely wholesome in this remembering, because of my love, but yet to beknowing that I was sweetly stirred to new things; and did not knowbefore that a maid lookt in the same moment so holy and so human. Andafterward, in odd whiles, I remembered; but never to think overmuch,because that I did feel inwardly that I should be gently wise in suchthings; and you to understand my heart in this, if that ever you haveloved.

  And surely, the Maid brought me from my dreamings very sensible, in thatshe had me to stand; and she was gone about me very swift and natty withher pretty fingers, that she ease me of mine armour.

  And afterward, she bade me to strip and wash, whilst that she keep watchfor me of the Gorge. And she took the Diskos, and leaned upon it, verybrave and proper; but yet, as I do think, with somewhat of roguishnesswithin her, very deep hid, and scarce known unto herself.

 
; And I warned her to be very wise with the great weapon; for it did fitonly to fight in my hands, and did be like to cause harm to any thatshould meddle with it or make to use it, save me.

  And Naani to nod that she did hear me, and to be half in fear of thething, and half to feel that it did be friendly to her; and so to standguard for me; and truly to seem a very sweet and slender maid, despitethe bigness of the cloak; and the great weapon to seem more great in hersmall hands; and to mind me how strong I did be. And surely you shallthink me in conceit; but truly I did be glad to be so strong; and aproper thing for pride, if that there be no scorn for others therein.And you to agree with me in this thing, or to be lacking of sympathy andgood human understanding.

  Now I washt me, not by going down into the pool; for indeed I did notwot whether there be any more snakes hid there in some other hole. Andthe way I washt, was that I dipt my head-piece into the hot pool, andpoured the water over me, and rubbed my body very strong with my hands;and there to be, surely, some certain chemical in the water that aidedmine efforts; for the water went very smooth under my hands.

  And when I was done, I washt my pocket-cloth very speedy in the pool,and wrung it, and did then wipe my body so dry as I should; andafterward I wrung the cloth again, and set it about my loins, and so tobe as proper as I might.

  And I did call to the Maid that I was proper, and she to come then andkiss me; and she gave back to me the Diskos, and set me that I standanigh to the nearer fire-hole, and so to be that I should guard her, andin the same time be come free of the chill of the Gorge, which was notgreat in that place.

  And surely I did mean that I help her; but she would have no help in herwork that she did say to be her glad right; but bade me that I to mineown work to be her dear protector, as she did call me. And I to liftthat Wilful One into mine arms, a moment, and to give her a very lovinghug, and for that time to have no fear that I harm her, because that Iwas freed of the hardness of the armour about me, as you do know.

  And surely she to feel very dear and pretty in mine arms, and she kistme the once with a little passion of love; and immediately to want to gofrom me; so that I freed her in a moment, as was ever my way. And shethen to pause a small space off from me, and lookt at me with a light inher eyes, and half to put out her arms that she be taken again intomine; but so to cease, ere she yield to her heart; and turned from meimmediately to the task of the washing.

  And she took first my body-vest, and washt it very quick and clever inthe pool, and afterward came over by me, and spread it upon the hot flatrock anigh to the fire-hole.

  And she got then my change body-vest from the bundle of her torngarments, where she did put it to be washt on opportunity, even as now;and mayhap to like that it should lie in her bundle with her owngarments, for so, as I do mind, the thought came to me very natural; butshe to say naught to lead me thus; yet to be a very honest and dearMaid, and to have little secret ways of love, as I did perceive, that Idid not be told of.

  And she washt the second body-vest, and set it to dry by the first; andafterward did likewise with all my garments, and came then to thewashing of her own.

  And lo! as she spread it also to the drying, there came to mine heartthat the Maid did have only this one rough and thick garment, that didbe the armour-suit, as I have told. And surely it did be dreadful thatshe have the hardness of that strong knitted and fibrous garment to benext to her dear body, and I to be in comfort with the softness of mybody-vest.

  And I was all angered in a moment, that she had gone thiswise, whilethat I had been gentled, as it might be. And I bade Naani take thesecond vest to her own use when it did be dry. And she to look upwardfrom where she did turn the garments upon the hot rock; and to mean inthe first to deny me. But indeed she was quick to see that I did betruly in anger; and mine anger to come because that I was hurt that thisdid be, and because that I was shamed that she had gone so rough-clad,the while that I had no thought to the matter. And moreover because thatshe had known her lack, and did not tell me of the thing.

  But yet I did have a great tenderness in the backward part of mineanger, because that I perceived all the unselfishness and delight of herlove that did be about this little matter, as you shall see, if you havegone alway with me.

  But mine anger yet to be something hard, because I did see that I haveneed to watch the Maid, that she put not her dear body to pain, that Imight come unknowing to some little pleasuring or ease, as did be now asI have shown. And truly it did be sweetly done in love; but to besomewise lacking of judgement; and so shall you know somewhat of the waythat I did be angered, and to have understanding with me; but if youhave not, you shall think it to be naught, and that the Maid did needonly that she be kist, and to be shaken a little in playfulness, andwarned to heed that I did be earnest; and mayhap you to be somewiseright, and not to guess far off from the inward deepness of my heart.But yet it doth be verity that I was truly angered, and fit to shakeMine Own, and in the same moment to be utter tender unto her. And surelythis doth be all a contradiction, and the human heart to be a waywardthing, whether it doth be of a man or of a woman.

  And Naani, as I do think, to have loved the chafe of that rough garmentfor love's sake, and to go very humble and loving, as I lookt at her;but in verity to be never gone from the sweet naughtiness that did bealway in her heart, and to plan even in that moment some new and secretservice unto me, that should be for her quiet joy, and to be hid fromme, until that my wit should come upon it to uncover it. And in verity ayoung man doth want that he whip his maid and kiss her, and all in theone moment. And, indeed, he to have delight in both.

  And she obeyed me that time, as alway when I did be earnest, withoutmore word. And surely that Naughty One did know how I loved her.

  And the Maid washt then her torn garments that did be in the bundle, andhad gotten soiled by the slime of the dark part of the Gorge. And sheput these to dry, and afterward washed mine armour and the scrip and thepouch and the cloak-hold, and all such matters of our gear; and so to bepresently done.

  And she was heedful then that she turned the garments upon the hotrock; and afterward did attend to my bruisings. And when she did rest, Ilookt to her pretty feet, and rubbed them very gentle and constant withthe ointment; and surely they did be pretty well; but I to _like_ that Ishould tend them, and to have joy to feel their littleness within mypalms, and surely she did know how it did be with me; for presently shetook her feet inward under the cloak; and I, maybe, to look somethingwoeful; for she put one out presently, when that I did the least expect,and slipt it very cosy into my hand; and surely I kist her naughty toes;and she then to be very sedate.

  Now, presently, when Naani found the garments to be proper dry, she gavethose to me that were mine, and bid me to turn my back and be drest veryspeedy. And lo! in a little time, when I was nigh done, she came overand stood before me, and was drest again in the armour-suit, and to lookvery slender and dainty. And she lookt at me, so that I put out myhands, that I kiss her; but she went from me, very proper, and broughtmine armour, and gave me help with it, and alway very grave and quiet;but yet to have naughtiness underneath, as I did believe.

  And when I was full armed, she took my hand, and set mine arm about herwaist, and she leaned her head against my breast, and put up her lips tobe kist, as that she did be a child maiden; yet when I kist her, she didbe a woman, and to kiss me very dear and loving, and to look at me thenfrom under her eye-lids; and sudden to make a dainty growling, and topretend that she did be a fierce thing that should be like to eat me;and I to be utter feared, as you shall think, and to be scarce able thatI kiss Mine Own Pretty Fierce One, because that I did laugh so hearty,and to be so taken with a surprise that the Maid did show this newplayfulness; and in the same moment to be stirred and waked anew thatshe did be so lovely and graceful in mine arms, and to make her naughtygrowling so pretty that I did be eager that she make it again; but sheto do this playing only as her mood did stir her.

  And she made then that she would go from
me, and I to loose her, asever; and she bade me that I guard her the while that she washt theoutward part of the cloak; for the inward did be clean, and the cloakproof to water; but the outward part to be something needful of washing.

  And surely, when this was made clean, it dried very quick, because thatthe water went not into it; and whilst that it dried, I gave Mine Own anaid upward unto the cave, and afterward I passed up the gear, and thecloak when it did be dry; and so came upward also myself, and broughtwith me a boulder, that I balanced very light in the mouth of the cave,so that it should fall, if that anything toucht it; and this plan you doknow of; for I used it before, as I have told.

  And truly we did be utter wearied, and the time to be something beyondthree and twenty hours, since last we had slumber. And the Maid had thescrip and the pouch set to be for my pillow, and the bundle of her torngarment to be for her own. And she to have me to my pillow, and to tuckthe cloak about me, and the Diskos to my hand; and afterward to kiss mevery sedate upon the lips, and then to come in under the cloak, with aquiet and lovely happiness, as I did know; and to be gone to slumbervery content and sweet.

  And I waked eight good hours after, with the fizzing of the water inmine ears; and lo! Mine Own did be waked and to make ready ourbreakfast; and I came upward upon mine elbow, to see whether that theboulder did be unmoved; and indeed it was not touched.

  And Mine Own saw that I was come awake; and she ran to me, very dear andglad, and kist my lips very eager and loving. And surely, as she kistme, I did feel that she had taken again a naughty advantaging of myslumber, and had kist me as I did sleep; but truly I said no word of mythoughts; for I did mind that I should wake sudden one time, and so tocatch her in this, and to call her then Mine Own, and that she did be arogue; and all as you shall know, that have loved.

  And I scolded the Maid a little, in that she had not waked me; but Isaid not that I would attend to the duties that she did heed to; for Iknew that she had joy of these things, in that she did love to do aughtthat should be done unto me. And when I scolded her, she to make but alittle mouth at me, as we do say, and to put her tablets to my lips,that I kiss them, and she to kiss mine; and so to our breakfast.

  And when we were done, we gat together our gear, and went downward fromthe cave, and began again to journey. And we went eighteen hours thatday, and eat and drunk at every sixth hour, as ever.

  And in the fourteenth hour, I perceived that I did be like to overtravelthe Maid, though I made alway to have a less speed than did be naturalunto me. And surely then, I took her up into mine arms; and she torefuse, and to be troubled that I should so carry her; for she did thinkthat I was like to be wearied by the task.

  And I to take no heed to her pretestings; but to laugh gently with her,and to carry her, even as a babe in mine arms; and she to love that shebe in mine arms, if but she be able to have assuredness that I come notto weariness through her. And truly it did be a dear love task, and tobe set unto the needing of mine especial heart.

  And I carried Mine Own then for four hours; and in the eighteenth hourwe were come to that part of the Gorge where did be the ledge where Ikilled the spider, ere I slept, as you shall mayhap to mind. And here Iaided the Maid to climb, and we had the same ledge that night to be ourrefuge; and did sleep very happy and unharmed, and alway with ourspirits set to warn us, if that harm did make to come nigh to us.

  And we went then through three days of eighteen hours' journey each;and alway I did carry Mine Own, from the twelfth unto the eighteenthhour of each journeying; and this to be very dear unto me, and to giveme a new rejoicing that I did be strong and easy to carry Mine Own; andshe to lie in mine arms very content, when that she perceived how that Idid be so glad to go thiswise and that I had no weariness by thecarrying.

  And thus I did rest her feet, and wore not her dear and slender bodyovermuch with the vigour of my going; and was abled to make a very goodspeed.

  And Mine Own, this time and that, to make sayings of impudence unto me,and to hide her naughty lips, when that I should kiss them; and to havequaint nestlings unto me, and odd whiles to kiss me very dainty whenthat I did be going thoughtful of the way. And surely never did there beso dear a maid as Mine Own; so that I did go many a mile, and to bescarce that I knew that I was gone any way, because of the stirrings ofmy heart and the content of my spirit.

  And oft as we did go, there were great scorpions in the path, and oddwhiles they to have no heed to go from my way; but to be so great as myhead, and very fat and lazy, so that surely I kickt a good number, frommy path, even as you shall kick a ball with the foot; and three I burstin this way. And truly it did be well that I had on me mine armour, elsehad they been like to sting me very quick unto death; for they were sogreat.

  And likewise, in this place and that, there were snakes; but none tocome anigh to me; and I to choose alway the open goings; for I did thinkthere to be many hid snakes and lesser monsters in the dark placesbetween the great boulders. And alway, when the Maid did walk, I to gobefore, that I see clear her way, and this thing to be but a matter ofwiseness, as you shall think.

  And odd whiles, as I did carry Mine Own, she to talk a little with me ofher memory-dreams of the olden days; and mayhap you to think it strangethat we said not overmuch on this wise; but the way of our journey tohave been so utter bitter, as you have seen; and we to be more of thatfar age, than we did be of this present age; and this present life toseem but a dream of Memory, and we to be set then with the realness ofthat life. And this telling, indeed, to be a plain thing to yourunderstanding. Yet did we have a greater talk to these ends, when thatwe were come free of the Gorge; but yet, oft there to be an odd sayingand a sweet memory, like to an olden and forgot fragrance of dreams, topass between Mine Own and me. And do you to set your sympathy ofunderstanding with me in this thing, and to know how holy these thingsdid be, and far off, and to hold memory, as a mist that doth shine withgolden lights, that did make an holy pain upon the eyes of the spirit,even as a quiet dawn of this day doth set a pleasure of vague pain uponthe heart.

  And once, as I did carry the Maid, I saw that she wept a little, veryhusht unto herself; and I to say naught; for I saw that it did be anatural sorrow for her father, and for the dead Peoples of the LesserRedoubt; that did be left for ever unto the desolation of Eternity. Andso, because I did be wise to leave her be, she to be eased presently,and to wipe her eyes, quiet and secret, and mayhap to think that I didnot perceive; and then to nestle unto me; and so to be the more MineOwn.

  And about the middle part of the second day, we came past the cave whereI did sleep on the upward journey; and I to tell Naani, and she to lookupward to the cave, and to wish that she might come a moment into it;only that it did be twenty good feet upward, and I to desire that sherun no risk of her dear life, when that there did be no need.

  And so to go onward; and odd whiles to see strange things a-lurk amongthe boulders; but none to come anigh to us; yet did I keep the Diskosvery ready in my hand, as you shall think; and had mine eyes alway tolook upon every side, and mine ears to be wary; and to use my spiritalway to mine aid.

  And surely, as we did come lower in the Gorge, the Maid was alla-wondered at the warmness that did grow, and something disturbed in thefirst, by the new thickness, as it did seem, of the air. And she towaste some of the water, because that it did fizz up so quick, even asI, until that she was come used to this newness. And all this to be veryplain unto you.

  And in the end of every journey, we slept eight good hours in a safeplace; and so to go onward again; and the Maid to grow very eager as Idid tell her this thing and that of the Country that we did comedownward unto.

  And she askt me questions, time and oft, and much I told her, and she tothink upon it with a growing wonder and desire, even as a gladsome childthat hath never seen the sea, and doth be told that it shall presentlybe there. And this to be but to shadow the way that Naani did be; fortruly she did be a very live and eager maid, in all things.

  And we to be still within the
Gorge, and to go constant by thefire-holes and the fire-pits, and to see the flames leap upward in thisplace and that, so that the mighty walls of the Gorge would show veryplain in an instant; and immediately to come the shadows again, andafterward the leaping of the flames. And so did it be forever. And oftthe muttering of the fire-pits; and oft the utter quiet and the shadows.

  And this time and that there did be a snake to go by us, and thescuttling of the monster scorpions; and mayhap a moving in the shadowsof the great boulders, that did tell me there went maybe some peculiarmonster in that place; so that I did be very wary, and to have theDiskos alway ready.

  And when the fourth day was come, I showed the Maid, in the sixth hour,the ledge that did be my first sleeping place, when that I was enteredinto the Gorge.

  Now presently, in the eleventh hour, after that we had gone five hoursin a gloom, there did show afar off a shining; and I caught the Maid,and I pointed; and she also to perceive that it did be surely theshining of the light of that great Country that I did tell upon.

  And immediately we did begin to run downward, and with sore stumblingsin this place and that; but not to halt us; for we did be so mad as twochildren for the gladsome light.

  And we came down presently in the twelfth hour of that journey into thewarm light and wonder of the Country of the Seas.