The Night Land - Page 93/100

Now I carried the Maid an hour downward of the Gorge, as I did say; and

I was then grown so weary that I near fell, as I walked, and stumbled

everywhile, because that I had lost somewhat of guiding in my feet, the

which did show mine utter alackness.

And I saw that I must come very swift to a place for slumber, or that I

did 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 surely

I 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 to

have 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 come

awake 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 of

mine outward journey, and truly I have a good power to know and remember

a way that I have gone.

And I saw that there was a great and ruddy

fire-hole anigh to me; and I was all sure that I had perceived certain

caves in the wall of the Gorge, near to that fire, as I past it on mine

upward 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 the

peril that beset her, and have her unto just such a place for her

slumber, on the way of our journey backward.

And surely I tell you this thing as a child in pleasure; for, truly, it

was a wondrous happy matter that my desiring should be like to have a

true ending; as, indeed, it did seem was truly to be, if that my memory

had set me aright.

And I went onward somewhat; and lo! I to be right, for the little caves

did be there, a little past the great fire-hole; and there were seven of

them in the left side of the great cliff of the Gorge; and one did be as

that it were very cozy and a place of sure safety, if that we could win

unto it.

And truly, as I did conceive, we had come safe from the Evil Forces of

that 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 the

Gorge, out of that Land; and so work our deaths, as we did sleep; if

that we have no sure place for our slumber. And, indeed, I had wished

that we were come a greater way downward of the Gorge, but this might

not be; for I was all adrift with weariness. And truly, if that we gat

upward to the top-most cave, there did be few Monsters that should have

power to come at us, ere we be warned of their coming. And afterward

they should be like to come upward against the Diskos; and this should

be indeed a thing difficult, as you shall conceive.

Now it did be needful that I wake the Maid, and I kist her, as she did

be in mine arms; and surely that dear One did kiss back again in her

sleep, 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 to

wakefulness, 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 then

to upbraid herself that she did over to slumber, the while that I did

labour with her carrying. And, in verity, I kist her again, as she did

stand making to steady herself, and looking so pretty with the sleep

that 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 with

something of a little dear abandon, that she did love me utter and

forever.

And afterward, I climbed to the topmost of the caves, and told Mine Own

the while that she walk up and down a little; so that she come to a full

awakedness; and this I was careful to, because that she should have a

need 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 did

make glad my heart. And there did be a warmth in the cave, as that there

went a fire somewhere through the rocks anigh. And the light from the

fire-hole did make a reflection inward, and so this did seem a place

safe, and fit to our slumbering.

And I came downward unto Naani, calling that the cave was very proper

for our use; and presently I gave her mine aid to the climbing, and so

we came in the end safe into the cave; and truly we did feel very safe

and happy.

Yet, before we did sleep, I set free the scrip and the pouch, and took

the straps and went downward again into the Gorge; and I gat a good

boulder, so heavy as I might carry, and strapt it to my back, and came

upward again to the cave, and the Maid very grave and anxious, lest that

I slip to my hurt. And when I was come to the cave again, I set the

boulder in the mouth of the cave, and did balance it so light upon the

edge, that a touch should send it rolling downward.

And by this devising, I conceived that any Beast or Monstrous thing that

should climb upward whilst that we slept, should be like to set the

rock adrift, and mayhaps the rock to work an harm to such, but the

chief 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 had

spread the cloak upon the rock, that we should sleep upon it; for truly

there did be no need that we have it now to our covering, because that

the cave did be so warm as I have told before.

And surely, there did be no cause either that I should have the cloak

for 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 the

Maid had made a couch that should be for the two of us, and did be so

sweet and natural, and to lie by me; but yet to preserve her sweet

modesty, and to do the thing with no thought, save that it was natural

to 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 this

thing.

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 sober

and loving; and she lay down then upon the cloak beside me; and truly we

had 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 the

water; and lo! when I lookt, the Maid was not beside me; but did make

ready our simple eating and drinking. And she laughed at me, very sweet

and tender, because that she loved me so, and did be so glad to have me

awake to her; and she came over to me, and kist me, very bright and

loving 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 a

while gone, and watched me, somewise motherlike, as I did sleep. But how

I knew this thing, I am not sure, save that my spirit did know, or that

her thoughts did have tongues unto mine.

And truly I needed that I be so loved, and all of you to say like with

me; and I put up mine arms to her, as I did yet lie; and she not to deny

me, but came into mine arms, and did snuggle there so sweet and happy

and gladly, and with so true a delight, that it did be plain how she did

love 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 to

take her very strong in mine arms, lest I hurt the dear Maid; and surely

the 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 mine

arms from her very ready, because that I did heed alway that she have

full sweet liberty of her dear Maidenhood; and I to be watchful

sufficient unto this end, yet always honest and wholesome and not

over-pondering even in this my care; and this proper intending you

shall ever perceive, if that your hearts do strive to hearken unto my

heart, which doth speak alway before you.

And the Maid went from me, over to where she had put the cup of the

water, and the tablets; and I to make to rise, that I look that the

boulder did be safe untouched in the mouth of the cave. But she called

unto me that I lie backward; for that she did mean gently to spoil me

that once; and that I have no heed to the boulder or whether there did

be any Monster or Beast anigh in the Gorge; for that the boulder did be

safe as I did balance it; and nowheres any Creature to sight in the

Gorge; for she had lookt oft, since waking, to this end.

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 tablets

over to me; for she gat them from the scrip before I had it to my

pillow, in that while when I had gone downward for the boulder. And

surely, 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 the

lips, 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 afterward

touched another to my lips, and had that to be for her own. And so we

eat and were very glad and happy, someways as children are happy, and

our hearts all at ease.

And presently, we eat each our second tablet, in the same wise as the

first. And truly I did be kist more than once. And afterward, we drank

each of the water.

And when we had made an end, Naani told me that I move to stand; and

surely I wondered; and I stood up, and lo! I near cried out with the

pains of my bruisings; for I was all gone stiff in my sleep, and as that

I 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 than

I had known.

And I perceived then that Naani had supposed that I should be thus

pained, and had given dear thought to the matter; and truly she had the

pot 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 my

garments; and surely I did be utter bruised in the body, by reason of

the violence of the Yellow Beast-Man. And the Maid had somewhat so

tender and sweet in her eyes as she looked upon the bruisings, that I

did be very happy and to glow with contentment.

And she had me to lie, and made me in comfort with the cloak, so loving

and 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 was

all refreshed. And in verity she was a lovely wise maid.

And as the Maid ministered unto me, I lay alway very restful, and

harked to the low sound of the muttering of the fire-hole that did be in

the bottom of the Gorge; and alway I did feel as an happy child that

doth be clothed in love and guided in wisdom.

And presently, when that the Maid had ended her dear care, she put by

the ointment, and gave me her hands very dainty, that she mean to aid me

to 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 wondrous

pleased and to feel new couraged; for I had been troubled that I should

be 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 and

ready, I lookt about for my garments. And lo, the Maid brought me my

spare 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, and

had an admiring and wonder, very sweet and honest, because that my arms

did be so great and hard with muscles.

And, indeed, I did be very strong, as you have perceived; for I did be

alway in affection of the Exercises that were taught in the Upbringing

of all the Peoples of the Mighty Pyramid; and by this explaining, you

shall understand that I was like to be strong; but indeed, I owed the

straightness and shaping of my body to the Mother that bore me. And

afterward, in all my life, had I taken pride of my body to be of health

and 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 did

be to deceive, if that I said otherwise. And in a moment, she dropt my

body-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 with

somewhat of humbleness that I was nowise good enough to hold her, for my

heart was young, and I loved her very dear and youthful. And she did lie

there very quiet and happy, a little; and surely I did find presently

that she kist the great muscling of my breast, very sweet and sly, where

her face did be press against it. And lo, in a moment, she came free of

mine arms, and gave me an aid with my garments, and afterward with mine

armour.

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 a

moment, and put her hands upward to my shoulders, and so stood her

eyelids 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, she

was to her knees before me, and did weep; and I down very swift to kneel

with her.

And I askt not why she wept; for I perceived that she did have joy and

glad happiness and sweet trouble of her man; and that she did be a true

woman, and one part of the woman did worship, so that she did be

strangely humble and nigh to be shy; and another did love, and need that

she be anigh to me; and a third to have a calm wisdom. And all did now

be a-tremble, together in her heart; and I knew that I did be truly an

hero to her, though but usual to all others. And my heart was wondrous

proud and wondrous humble, so that I was in the same moment upraised and

to feel dreadly unworthy. But I made no pretending to discredit myself

to her, but only did resolve that I win alway her dear respect; and I

did be natural and truthful of my manner and without foolish denial of

her sweet worship, for she was utter Mine Own, and it did be a pitiful

thing if that I seem otherwise than an hero unto her.

But of you I ask kind understanding, and to call me not a thing of

conceit because that I did understand; for truly I knew my faults, even

so well as you, that do know all of my going. And you to look backward

upon the love-days, and to mind how that your maid did ever to make you

great in manhood with her dear belief and uplooking; and so shall you

conceive 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 her

pretty eyes, and nestled to me a while, very husht and to need that she

be close. And I to have her gentle against mine armour, and to be in my

heart as that I did be her father and her lover in the one man, and

surely to be silent and joyful that I lived.

And presently I slipt her shoes from her little feet, with my right

hand, the while that she did rest within my left arm; and I condemned

myself that I had thought not more swift to this end; but indeed I had

thought upon it while that Naani rubbed me, and had intention thiswise;

but afterward forgat, as you shall understand, that have been with me

alway. And truly Mine Own did be hurt that I say aught to my blame; and

I 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; and

we gat together our gear. And afterward we came down from the cave, with

a great care, because that it did be so high up in the cliff of the

Gorge.

And afterward, we made downward of the Gorge, and had a good care to our

going, and so much of speed as we could make, that we come something off

from 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 eat

and drink; and afterward, I lookt again to the feet of the Maid. And I

bathed them in a great rock basin of warm water that did be anigh to the

place of our eating; and afterward I put the ointment about them very

thorough and gentle and for a good while; and so she had some ease and

comfort.

And afterward, we made onward again; but now we did go pretty easy; for

I had considered the notings of mine outward journey, and so did

perceive that we should be but six or seven hours off that part of the

Gorge, where did be the Slugs.

And I was minded that we rest and sleep, ere that we make through that

dire and dreadful place; for that we should be twelve great hours, and

more, to go through, and to have no rest or pause, until that we did be

safe outward again, as you shall think. And so did we need to be strong

and 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 the

Gorge where we were come, and she had beside a rest of the soul, in that

she had feeling that there did be no Evil Force to trouble us to our

destruction; and I bothered her not yet awhile with tellings of the

horrid place that we should to journey through in a while, as you do

know.

And so we did go, and alway with a good caution, lest that some Beast or

Creature should come upon us; and alway with the fire-holes before and

behind, and in the air of the Gorge the little whistlings of steam that

did 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 not

greatly, nor to our trouble. And alway the low muttering of the

fire-holes and pits, and the red lights, and the dancing of the shadows

when that we did go by a fire-pit where the fire did frisk and burn

lively. And upon either side, the grim walls of the Gorge going up

measureless 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 I

showed the Maid how that we should make a short journey that day, and

sleep, and so be ready to the horrid journey through the dark part of

the Gorge, where the Slugs did be.

And we made search then, that we have a safe place to our slumber; and

surely I perceived where we did be; for we came upon that same cave

where I did sleep after that I was come free of the Slugs; and that we

were come no farther, doth show how easy did be our present going, and

this you do know. And there did be the spring where I washed, and the

fire-hole anigh, and truly they were not like to be gone away, as you

shall say! Yet did we exclaim, very natural; for the Maid did be so deep

in interest of the matters of my coming, and to be at once that no other

place 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 the

cave with boulders, somewise as I did before, and so to have a defence

against any thing that should make to enter upon our sleep; or at the

least to be waked by the falling of the boulders.

Now Mine Own went inward of the little cave, which did be very light

from the fire-pit that was to the front; but before that she did go, I

made a swift search of the place, that there should be no creeping

thing; and truly it was sweet and free. And the Maid did be strangely

taken that she should come to the veritable place where once I did lie

on mine outward way; and truly I do understand, and so shall many that

do have these feelings about matters. And afterward, we went unto the

hot 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-things

anigh; and so I had the Maid to sit very comfortable on the side of the

pool, and I freed her shoes, and bathed her feet, and afterward rubbed

them very steady with the ointment; and so for a good time, and alway to

keep a looking out upon the Gorge.

And presently, when that I had taken a loving care of her pretty feet, I

tied the shoes again upon the Maid, and so back to the cave; and the two

of us to carry boulders, according to our strength. And when we had a

sufficient, we builded a rough and clumsy wall, after that we were gone

into the cave; and the wall rose nigh to fill the mouth of the cave, and

made us to be somewise in darkness, but yet to feel in safety. And I had

a good heed to make the chinks of the wall very close in the bottom, so

that no small creeping thing should come through unto us whilst that we

slept.

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 tablets

to her hand for our waking, that she might prepare our food, and mayhap

to wake a little before me, so that she have all ready to greet me from

my sleep. But, indeed, I said naught to show that I knew; for I saw that

this thing did give her a dear pleasure, and truly it was very sweet to

have her to these gentle duties, that did be to her so sure and quiet a

delight.

And Mine Own bade me that I lie; and she put the Diskos upon the outward

side of me, to mine hand; and with a dainty and fearful touch; for the

weapon did be very dreadful unto her thoughts; but yet a comforting

thing to abide for our defence. And afterward, she covered me with the

cloak, 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; and

surely it did seem to my spirit that she had an utter and dear content

in this arranging of our slumber, so that she did be all at peace in all

her being, because that she did be nigh unto me, that did be her Own

Love.

But, indeed, I could not sleep for a time; and surely, in a while, Mine

Own did nestle unto me in her sleep, so sweet and dear as a child, and

likewise as that it did be her right to be so anigh unto me; and I to be

that I should put mine arms about her, but indeed I moved not, neither

did I kiss her, as I did wish; for truly I should be very manly with

mine 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 eight

good hours, and did wake then to the hissing of the water, so that I

knew Mine Own was awake before me, as she had planned, and was making

ready that we eat.

And when she saw me move in the half-light, she gave out a little word

of joy, that I did be again to knowledge of her; and she came over, and

put her arms about my neck, and kist me very loving, thrice upon the

lips. And, in verity, it came to me in that moment that I had been kist

a while gone in my dreams, but scarce to know it; yet I perceived now

that Mine Own had taken a naughty advantaging of my slumber, that she

kiss me to her own pleasure; yet did the Maid say no word of her

naughtiness; 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 of

me.

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 the

mouth of the cave, and afterward lookt out; but there was no sight of

any horrid thing in the Gorge, save that one of the rat-things did

slumber, very gorged-seeming, upon the side of the little fire hole.

And afterwards, we eat and drank; and the Maid then to rub me, as

before; for I was greatly stiff on my waking, as you shall think; but

she came not into mine arms presently, as I did hope; but only kist my

shoulders, 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 must

come 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 very

quiet and passionate, that I should kiss her; and she kist me once, as

it 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 very

gentle 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 be

hid in her heart. And, indeed, she looked once at me in such wise, that

I grew near to a true humbleness of heart because of the honour and love

that did be in her eyes.

And surely, it is a very little thing to die for such an One as Mine Own

did 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 my

love. And truly this is but a natural desiring and human, and the cause

proper to the uplifting of manhood. And surely you shall all mind you of

such feelings in the past love-days, that I do pray should be never

past.

And when we had our gear together, I left it in the cave, and took Mine

Own over unto the hot pool that was anigh to the fire-pit; and she to

exclaim upon the rat-thing that did be yet a-slumber upon the side of

the fire-pit; and I to say that the thing did be no cause for fear, but

rather, indeed, a good friend, in that it was a devourer of snakes, as

you 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 kiss

them; 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 so

had them again into the shoes, and the Maid very quiet, after that I had

kist her feet that did be so dainty, but yet with a sweet naughtiness in

her way, as my heart perceived, though she did nothing, neither said

anything, to this end; and was truly very obedient, and orderly to all

my wishes.

And we went back then to the cave, and the Maid put the pot of the

ointment back into the pouch, and she buckled the pouch and the scrip

upon 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 her

clothing for her burden, and truly, I was ready that she should carry so

much; for we did be to act wisely, and she well able to carry so small a

thing, and I better to have my hands alway free to the Diskos and to the

needs of the way.

And we went downward of the Gorge at a strong speed, for there did be

somewise of fifteen hours good journey, ere that we come out upon the

far side of that place where the Monsters did be, and this did be three

hours to the upward beginning of that place, and twelve hours journey

then, in the least, that we should take to go through again into the

light of the Gorge below. And this I did reckon from my notings of mine

upward 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 overmuch

of 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 have

care of her; but only that she did fear harm for me; and yet to have

confidence that I should slay all hurtful things that should be like to

trouble 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 did

begin that it was heavy, and to have a seeming of fumes that stang

something upon the throat, odd whiles. And there were presently less of

the fire-holes, and soon, as we did go the more downward, the beginnings

of 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 downward

within the gloom; and to be as that we groped in a fog of distaste; and

to know not how we went with any surety; for oft there did be an utter

darkness about us; and awhile the shine of a dull-glowing fire-pit upon

our 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 halt

now and this time, and make to know how she did be; and surely she

whispered very brave to me through the dimness, and once did slip her

hand into mine, and I to take off mine armoured glove for a little

moment, that I hold her hand, and give her nice assurance. But, in

verity, there was terror in mine heart, that did be a terror far beyond

the trouble of mine upward way; and surely I was shaken newly with every

danger, 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 a

like 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 smelled

of the dread and horrid stink that you do wot of. And surely a great

fear 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 a

while, and surely the stink did grow, and to be very dreadful in the

nostrils, so that I felt Mine Own Maid to shake somewhat with the fear

and disgust that this thing did make in us. And presently the stinking

did ease somewhat from about us; but whether there had gone past us a

monster Slug, I have no sure knowing; for there did be no fire-pit anigh

to that place; so that there was a great darkness all about.

And surely there was a great slowness and wetness of the air, and dismal

drippings that made desolation in the silence; and the feel of strange

growths upon the boulders, as you do know, and oft an horrid slime and

dankness; and the stink to be everywhere, so that we knew a constant

disgust and fear. And alway the fumings of sulphur, that did seem, in

verity, 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; and

oft did we make pause and hark, and had a great care as we did go by the

dull fire-holes and fire-pits, that we should make no showing of

ourselves in the light.

And sudden, as we did go by a great pit that burned very deep and red, I

reached back and caught Mine Own by the arm, and I set her gaze unto

the right side of the Gorge, which was beyond the fire. And the Maid

went very still, as she did see the thing that was there; for in verity

it was utter monstrous, and did shine very wet-looking in the light of

the 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 to

move, 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, as

you shall think, to be a very natural fear.

And alway, as I do mind, it seemed to go blindly somewise, or to have

that 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 an

utter Monstrous Brute, so great as the black hull of a ship, and very

dreadful unto our hearts.

And we moved not for a while, save that I pulled Mine Own down into the

hiding of the boulders of that part; and she to put her hand very

anxious unto me; yet not to be comforted, as I did half to think, but to

persuade me, lest that I go to some adventuring that should set me in a

surer danger. And this I perceived in a little moment, and loved her for

her care.

But, indeed, I had no mind to aught, save that we come clear of that

place; and I watched the Monster, through places between the boulders;

and surely, in a little while, it swayed the great head very slow and

quiet unto the cliff that did make that side of the Gorge; and the Brute

set unto the Cliff, and began that it went upward with a strange moving

of 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 the

head-part did be upward in the darkness above, so that it did be from

our sight. But the monster body did be plain for a great way, and was

seeming clung to the cliff, and to come downward out of the dark, as

that it did be a great black ridge of soft and dreadful life upon the

face 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 the

tail did lift a little off the boulders, and curl somewise, and

afterward come down again upon the boulders, mayhap in this place and

mayhap in that place, as we did watch, all hid.

And it was as that our sense and our Spirits did assure us that the

thing had no wotting of us; but surely our fears did nigh to equal the

comfort of this sweet reason, and to make us think otherwise.

Yet, in a time, I made that we go forward together through the spaces

that did be among the boulders. And I went creeping, and the Maid to

follow likewise.

And oft I did pause, and made a watching upon the monster; but truly it

moved 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 be

clung unto the great cliff in the night.

And we went then for two great hours without adventure, save that once

the Maid touched me that we pause; for that something went by us where

we 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. And

caught I the Maid in the dark, and thrust her under the side of a

boulder; and I crouched then before her, with mine armour, that I should

protect her from any Brutish thing. And the Diskos in my hand, and

afterward an horrid time of waiting.

And the stink of that part of the Gorge grew very dreadful, so that it

did be as that we should not breathe, with the horror of the stink. And

there went past us some horrid and utter Monster, that made neither

sound nor anything, save that there seemed a strange noise that might be

the breathing of a great thing; but yet did be all uncertain, in that

the sides of the Gorge cast the sound this way and that, in an horrid

whispering of echoes; so that we did not know whether the sound be made

nigh to us, or afar upward in the eternity of the night, where I did

suppose the mountains to be joined over the Gorge in a monstrous roof in

that part.

And presently, the strange noisings died in the upward height, and all

about us; and the utter disgust of the stink went from us; so that we

knew that the Monster had gone past us, and did make downward through

the dark Gorge; and mayhap then to some lone and dreadful cavern of the

world, as I did think.

And, indeed, as I do mind, I had a sudden wonder at that time, and other

whiles, as it did chance, whether this way did be truly the olden way

that the Peoples of the Lesser Refuge did travel in the Olden Days. And

surely, as I did suppose, they had come some other way, or the Gorge to

be different and less dreadful in the far-off years. And this thing you

shall 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 that

Monster, in the darkness; but yet did we know by smell, and by all our

consciousness, 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, we

came by the mouth of that great cavern, upon our left; and you to

remember the same.

And I made pause in the darkness, and had the Maid very gentle by the

arm, that she should look with me. And I whispered how that I past this

place, to my right, upon mine upward way, and how that I did think

there to be a-plenty of monster caverns within the mountains that made

the sides of the Gorge, and that, mayhap, the Slug-Creatures had there

an home in such places, or came up, it might be, from some utter strange

deepness and mystery of the great world.

And the Maid did bide very close unto me, and silent, whilst that I

whispered; for the terror of the place did be on her, yet not to make

her lacking of courage, but yet to put a monstrous awe upon her and a

great and natural fear; and I likewise, as you do know.

And we stayed there, where we did be, a little moment, and looked

downward into the bowels of the monster cavern; and the shine of the

fire-hole beat over the cavern in the near part; but there did be an

utter mystery and deathly dark beyond the shining of the pit that did be

within, as you shall remember.

And, in verity, as we stayed but to glance, I perceived that there lay

humped things about the fire, and some to be black-seeming, and some to

have a seeming of whiteness, but with no sureness in the colour to mine

eyes.

And there came a moving in one of the humpt things, so that it did be as

that an hill did wake unto an horrid life. And immediately I knew that

the humps did be some utter monsters, mayhaps even the great Slugs,

a-slumber about the fire-pit that did burn in that strange deeply

cavern. And I saw that I did ill for our lives, that I should pause even

for 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 that

Monster, or whether that it had but waked by chance. And truly, I was

utter 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 the

Slug 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 that

time, and we to be scarce knowing of it. And alway, as we went, there

did be darkness for the most, and odd-whiles a vague murmuring of the

night far above, as it did seem; and presently the dull glare of a

fire-pit to shine out far off below us in the Gorge, and to seem very

dim and unreal unto us, by reason of the smokes and the fumes that made

a 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 the

dull muttering, and so we to know that the murmuring of the night did be

truly the far-off muttering of the fire-holes, and our eyes to guide our

hearing, and our reason to explain and knit the sounds; and so we to

pass by the fire-hole with a great quiet and caution and ever with

watchfulness, as you shall suppose. And afterward again into the dark;

and presently again the murmuring, to tell that we came unto another of

the fire-pits, that was yet afar off in the Gorge, and made dim echoes

in the night.

And alway we went very watchful, and in grim fear; but with

steadfastness and good intention to win forth out of that desolation and

horror, and having alway so great a speed as the darkness and the

dangers and the trouble of the way did allow.

And in this place I will make explanation why that I speak somewhiles of

fire-pits and otherwhiles of fire-holes; for the holes did be those

fires that burned nigh to the brim of the holes; but the pits were those

places where the fire was deeply in the earth. And this thing I give for

your enlightenment, even on a small matter; so that you shall have a

clear knowledge to abide with me all the way; and you to agree of this

for wisdom, and I to be pleased that you so agree.

And here also, I should tell that there did not come a muttering from

all of the fire-holes and the fire-pits; but mayhap from this one, and

mayhap not from that one, according to the way of the fire therein. And

this shall be plain unto you.

And so shall you see us go, and the smoke and the bitterness of the

sulphur to be all about us; and oddwhiles the murmuring of a far-off

pit, and oft the utter silence; and to pass this time a lonesome

fire-hole; and afterward the utter dark, or the half-gloom, all as might

chance, according to the nearness of the fires. And upward in the

everlasting night, the grim mountains to make a roof over us, as I did

suppose.

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 my

spirit did half to perceive, that there came after us through the night

some harmful thing, that did be surely no great way off, as I did feel

within me, and the Maid to have a likeways belief.

And, truly I thought at once upon that Brute that did wake downward in

the mighty Cavern, where did be the great inward fire-hole, as I have

told; but whether this did be true knowledge that we did be chased in

the dark by that thing, or whether there came after us some other

Monster, I could have no sureness; but only that we did be chased, and

of this I had assuredness.

And I set the Maid before me, that I have myself ready to the danger

that followed; and we made forward again then, so quick as we were

abled; and she went very wisely; for she had good wit and had noted the

ways of my leading.

And we went thus until the end of the seventh hour. And surely, in that

time, we heard the murmuring in the night which told of a fire-hole

somewise 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 of

the fire; and so presently to be anigh; and we to make forward with a

good speed, because that we feared utterly the thing that made quiet

chase of us through the night.

And oft I did look backward, and smelt the air, that I know whether it

did be a monster Slug-beast that chased us; but there did be no

worseness of the smell, to tell me aught.

And alway, I did be fretted in the heart, that we could make no greater

speed; but, indeed, as you shall perceive, our going did be but a slow

thing in the dark places, and even thus we had many a sore tumbling and

bruising.

And by this, we were come almost unto the fire-hole; and immediately, I

saw that I knew the place, for there went upward beside the fire, a

great 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 quick

to obey with her body. And we were both immediately hid downward among

the boulders. And this I did, because I minded how that there did be

many of the Monsters nigh to this same fire-hole, as I did go upon mine

upward 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, when

that we were come opposite unto the fire-hole, I saw that there did be

seven of the monster Slugs against the far side of the Gorge, and did be

all set upon their bellies against the cliff, and their horrid heads to

be hid in the upward dark, and their tails to lie very great and

soft-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 cliff

of the Gorge. And truly there did be three of the Brutish Things laid

upward there, and a fourth did be humped somewhat upon a great ledge

that 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, and

to make the heart sink, and fear to lie upon our hopefulness. But,

indeed, the Maid showed a good spirit, and I to have fierce determining

that we come free of that Gorge, and afterward, in time, unto our Mighty

Home.

And we made forward again, and did go creeping among the rocks and the

boulders; and so came presently past that place, and had not waked the

Monsters, if that indeed they did truly sleep.

And I made halt a moment upon the far border of the light from the

fire-hole, and I lookt backward up the Gorge, perchance that I should

see the thing that followed us. But, indeed, there came nothing out of

the dark of the upward Gorge, so that I knew that there did be some safe

space to our backs, which did be truly a comforting thing.

And here I should tell how that there was no great stinking in that

place 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 did

stench more great than others; but yet I to have no certainty in this

matter, as you do perceive. And, truly, this thing troubled me; for I

had been comforted that my nose should tell me when that the thing that

made chase of us should draw nigh in the darkness; and now, in verity, I

knew not what to have for assurance; for the awaredness of the spirit

was but a vague thing, and no more in such a matter, than a feeling as

of an inward warning.

And we went onward then for a great hour, and with an horrid unease upon

us; and thrice we did go by fire-pits in the darkness; and alway I made

pause upon the far side of the light, that I should look backward; but

did have no sight of aught; yet did my spirit or my fears warn me with

new fear, and a greater sense of nearness; and the Maid to confess also

to this thing.

Now, we saw not any of the Slugs for a long while, neither had there

been any about the three fire-holes; and the air of the Gorge was grown

something 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 with

anxiousness in a very dark place of the Gorge, there came unto us again

the smell that told to us that one of the Monsters did be anigh. And

surely we had both a great fear, in that we had belief that it did be a

sign that the thing that made chase, did draw near upon us. But yet did

I to use my Reason also, and to know that the stink might be from some

Monster that we were come nigh to in the darkness of that place; and I

whispered this unto the Maid, and she to say, very husht, that it might

be 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 that

we did be all bruised; but not to know it at that time, because that our

fear did be so keen. And oft we made a little pause and harkt; but there

did be only the dismal drip of water from on high; and presently the

murmur 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 should

have light to perceive our danger, and mayhap to win free. But to be in

that utter dark, was a thing to break the courage, and to breed belief

that 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 whether

there 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 hope

that we rush not blind into death; and alway to be chilled in the back

with the belief that the thing that made chase did be very close in that

utter dark, and to gain upon us.

And we knew not whether to make our belief to be the tellings of the

spirit or the utterings of our fears; and so shall you perceive our

plight; and we but to be able to make forward. And, in verity, the

dreadfulness 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 human

sympathy doth be with me.

And there came presently to our ears the far mutter of the fire-pit, so

that very soon the murmuring was lost to us in the night, and only the

slow mutter to be plain. And the dull looming of the fire shone afar

off, through the night and the smoke and fumings; and we to a great

speed, and to pant with fear; but yet with a freshness of hope again to

sweeten us.

And we came nigh to the fire-pit, and lo! the smell did be grown very

drear and foul; but there did be no Slug-Beast near the fire. And by

this, we perceived that we did be truly in an utter danger, in that the

Pursuer did be upon us, and the stinking to tell this to be truth, and

our spirits to have warned us very strong and proper.

And I stopt near to the fire-pit, which did be great, and very

red-glowing; and I lookt upward of the Gorge, into the night of the

Gorge that we did come from; but the Monster was not yet upon us to work

our death. And I lookt to the sides of the Gorge, and the Maid to have

the same thought that did be mine, that we climb the mountains that made

the 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 it

did seem that we should have a greater ease upon the side that we did

be.

And I askt the Maid whether that she did be prepared; and she to be very

white and wearied, and all besmirched with the dankness and growths upon

the boulders and the hidden pools of the Gorge and the dripping of the

waters; but yet did she be sound in her courage, and to show that she

had all belief and abiding in me, and her judgement likewise to be with

mine, in that her own Reason did approve.

And I took the bundle of her torn clothing from her, for it did be at

her girdle, and like to trouble her movings; but she to refuse, very

determined, in that I did be already over-burdened. And I to be firm in

my deciding, and to make her to yield the bundle, the which I hookt unto

the "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, and

strangely angered, and her anger mixt with hidden acknowledgement that I

did be her master, and half to be minded that she move not from where

she did stand, and part to be reasonable and fearful of the hidden

Beast; and in part also to thrill in her womanhood unto the man that did

be so masterful unto her. And all to pass in a little moment, and we to

be 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 have

constant looking to the task and to her safety, and alway to be bitter

anxious for our speed to be good, and to be anxious the more then, lest

that Mine Own should slip; for there did be an horrid wetness upon the

sides of the Gorge, as you shall have guessed, and horrid growths that

blotched the great rocks mightily, and made an utter slipperiness, if

that they did be trod upon; and we to have to come so clear of all such

matters, as we might, and yet to be speedy for our lives, and likewise

to lack no care and thought to the setting of our hands and of our feet

in places fitted to the lifting of our weight.

And truly you shall see that we went very desperate, and I to give word

to 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, could

scarce to keep from fearful peerings below, so that I learn speedy

whether the Pursuer did come yet into the light of the fire-hole,

beneath.

And presently, the Maid did gasp very weak and troubled with the

soreness of the climb; and I came higher, and set mine arm about her, as

we did be there upon the face of the cliff; and she stopt very still a

little 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, and

her lips did tremble unto mine; and her courage and strength to come

back into her, so that in a minute she did make once more to the

climbing.

And we came presently to a place where a great ledge did be, that jutted

out from the mighty cliff, and was surely a huge way above the Gorge

bottom. And the ledge sloped, and there were on the ledge, great stones

and boulders that did make lodgement there through eternity.

And I lookt very careful to our way, and saw that we did be in the path

of 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 down

with great thundering upon us, if that we but shook the place where it

did be.

And I caught the Maid very swift and gentle, and shaped our path unto

one side of that great rock, and did presently lose my fear, when that

we did come safe from under it.

And in a minute after, we were come upward upon the ledge, and a very

safe place it did seem, and surely as that no monster should be abled to

come upward upon us. And this I did try to make for comfort unto

ourselves; but that we both to know how that the great Slugs could lie

up against the sides of the Gorge, and surely it did be like that they

should be able to come upward clear of the Gorge, and so to the place

where 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 have

some 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 the

Maid in the same moment cried out that we should push the big rock down

upon the Slug that we believed to have chase of us, and indeed, the rock

to 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 the

deepness of the Gorge, unto the upward end of the fire-light; but there

came no thing yet unto our knowledge, only that the stinking did rise up

to us through that great distance.

And the fire-pit to seem now a very small burning, and to give no great

light up to us; and we neither to be abled to see very clear of the

Gorge bottom, in that the haze of the fumes and the smoke was in the air

of the Gorge, and made uncertainty; and we to be nowise proper free of

the smoke, even where we did be.

And we watched, very set with anxiousness and fearful expecting of the

monster; and did be both yet lost of breath, and the Maid that she made

her words something broken for a little while.

And lo! in a moment, Naani cried out very low and sharp that the thing

did come; and I to see a moving of somewhat, in the same instant, in the

Gorge that lay upon the upward side of the fire-pit.

And immediately I saw the great and monster head of the Beast come

forward into the shine from the pit; and the head did be of a blotched

white, and to have the eyes upon great stalks that came from the forward

part of the head; and the stalks to be set downward, so that the eyes

lookt upon the bottom parts of the Gorge. And surely this doth be very

horrid-seeming to the mind of this age, but yet to have a less

strangeness unto the two of us that had seen many horrid sights, as you

do know.

And as the Monster came forward the more into the light, I saw that the

great and utter mighty bulk did be all of that same whiteness, that did

be so set over with blotchings and a seeming of unhealth. But, truly the

colour 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 and

shining, for the most, as I have told; and this to be as I saw, and I

not to heed here that I try unto explainings in this place; else should

I 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 of

the eyes in among the boulders, as that it did search; swayed now this

way and now that way, from side to side of the Gorge, and alway it

pushed the stalks of the eyes inward among the boulders; and so to go

forward, searching. And truly it was very dreadful to see the thing make

search 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 of

the fumes and the smoke that did lie in the air of the Gorge, as I have

told, and made something vague the sight at this time and that; but yet

we did both see a strange thing; for when that the great white body did

be come half into the light, the Slug-Beast set out a big tongue among

the boulders, after that it did peer thereunder; and the tongue did be

very long, and white, and something thin-seeming; and the Monster lapped

inward in a moment a great snake from among the boulders, and the tongue

did hold upon the snake, as that there did be surely teeth or roughness

upon the tongue; but yet the distance to be too great for any surety of

the sight, as you do know; and moreover, there did be the uncertainty of

the haze within the air.

And the Slug took the snake inward, all as it did lash and wriggle, and

swallowed it in a moment; and, in verity, that snake did be a big and

horrid creature, else had it been not so plain to our sight; but it did

be as a worm unto the monster, and gone instant.

And immediately, the Slug-Beast went again to searching, and the head to

sway from this side unto that side of the Gorge; and by the wideness and

ease of this swaying shall you perceive the utter greatness of the

Beast.

And alway, as it did come downward of the Gorge, it thrust the stalks of

the eyes inward among the boulders, looking all ways; and oft the breath

did come from it, as a cloud; and the stink to rise up unto us, very

plain and an abomination. And again, we saw the Beast set the tongue in

among the boulders of the Gorge bottom; and it lickt forth a snake that

did seem so thick as a man in the body, and the snake to thrash in the

great 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 Mercy

over us, in that we did not die by such a serpent in some dark and

horrid place of the Gorge. But yet, as it is like to be, mayhap the

snakes did be only anigh to the fire-holes; yet doth it be anywise a

wondrous thing that we had come so free of them alway; and truly to

learn, was to be given a new terror.

Now the Monster was come fully into the shining of the fire-pit, and was

upon this side; and the fire to make a shining against the side of the

Slug, so that odd whiles I did perceive very plain the huge wrinklings

and musclings of the skin, as the Beast made onward. And alway it did

search, thrusting in the eye-stalks among the boulders.

And sudden, it made pause, and did begin that it brought all the mighty

body together, and humpt itself, and brought the head-part round unto

the bottom of the cliff that made this side of the Gorge. And it

gathered itself, and afterward did lengthen upward against the cliff,

and begin to climb. And lo! I saw that the Beast did scent of us, and

made to come upward to destroy us.

And as the mighty hill of the body did come into length against the

great 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 very

straight and monstrous and dreadful unto us, and did be as a white and

mildewed hill, that had an horrid life. And the stink to come up, so

that we did be like to lose our breath with the dreadfulness of it, as

you shall think.

And surely, for a moment, I looked unto the rocks upon the ledge, and

this way and that way, and upward unto the everlasting darkness that did

be above us, and again unto the great rock that did seem to quiver upon

the 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 in

the world that should slay so utter mighty a Monster.

And immediately, even as I did despair, I had run very swift unto the

great rock, and the Maid with me, both very strained and shaken with the

horror 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 rock

gave not from the place where it did be; so that I had a dreadful

despair; for I saw that it did be more secure than had seemed. And the

Maid lent her strength unto mine, and we heaved together, with sore

pantings, and little cries to guide our endeavours and because we could

not be contained in that moment.

And surely it seemed that the great rock moved, and lo! as we strove

together to the task, there came a vast and sudden grinding, and the

rock to cease from our shoulders, and to be gone from us, or scarce we

did wot of the happening. And the rock went over, and rushed downward

upon the Monster, and with mighty crashings, as it did grind and crush

the face of the cliff-side with a quick and constant thundering. And I

caught the Maid, as she did stagger upon that dire upward edge because

that she had set her strength so utter to the endeavour, and the rock to

be 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 upon

the falling of the Rock. And behold! the Great Rock smote the Monster in

the humpt part of the back, below of the head, and did enter into the

Monster, even as a bullet doth strike, and was gone instant from my

sight into the Vitals.

And there came a mighty sound of anguish from the Monster; and the

Monster did loosen from the cliff, and to crumple, as it did seem, and

sink backward. And a great steam of dread breathing to go upward from

the Beast, and a reek; and it made again the strange and horrid noise of

pain, 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 sounding

of the death-crying of the Beast. And the Gorge to be filled with dull

and dreadful echoings, as that an hundred Monsters died in this place

and that of the darkness in the Gorge, and all to be bred of the noise

of that mildewed hill a-dying.

And the echoes ceased not for a while, even after that the Monster did

be utter quiet; for truly they came presently from far upward and

downward of the Gorge, out of all the eternity of the night, and to be

as that they came backward very faint out of lonesome miles, and out of

the strange deepness of unknown caverns of the world. And so in the end

to silence; and the far bottom of the Gorge to be filled with a white

and horrid hill, very dreadful, and that did yet quiver to show the

slowness of Death. And alway a dreadful reek and stinking to fill all

the air, even unto the height, as of the grave.

And I stood upward in that far, high place, and held the Maid very

strong and tender; and she to have covered her ears from that dreadful

crying; and to be yet shaken with the greatness and horror of the dying

of the Monster, and the nearness that she did come unto falling, as you

have seen.

And presently she came less to tremble, and did weep very easeful, even

as a babe doth weep; and I, mayhap, to be not over-steady, as you shall

think; 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 very

soon to be eased of her trouble, and the shock to be something gone from

her. 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 great

and dangerous task; for, truly, we had come upward pretty easy in the

excess of our fear; but how we might go down, with our blood cool, I did

be all in doubt.

Yet, before that we did aught else, I led the Maid upward on to the safe

part of the ledge; and we sat there, very quiet and weary, and she did

be leaned against me. And we eat, each of us, two of the tablets, and I

to scold and coax Mine Own to this end, and she to obey and to be better

afterward, because that she had eat. And we drank some of the water, and

did rest a time longer.

And presently, our courage and strength was come back into us; and we

packt the scrip again, and the Maid set it fast to my back; and we went

then 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 that

we might shape our downward climbing to bring us a little below that

place where the dead Monster did be.

And I saw by mine own heart and by the paleness of the Maid, that we

should 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 I

bade Naani to follow. And we began then that we go downward; and, in

verity, we went downward for, mayhap, a great hour; and I gave help

alway 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 come

backward; for this is how I have found.

And we made rest thrice upon ledges of the cliff. And afterward came

downward again; and alway very slow and with exceeding heed where our

hands 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 did

be going to fall, because that she did be all gone into a sudden

weakness of the head in an instant. And she did be silent, even in that

moment, the which doth be marvellous unto me, and to give me a strong

pride of her, as you shall understand, if that ever you have loved. And

surely, 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 fierce

against the cliff; and this I did that she should feel how that she

could never fall; and immediately, her strength and her dear courage

came back into her; and I kist her, there against the mighty cliff; and

afterward she did have power again to come downward safe.

And presently we were come to the Gorge bottom, and maybe an hundred

paces down the Gorge from that place where did be the dead Monster, all

sunk 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, by

reason of the Slug; and signs of disgust, as you shall think; and the

great and mildewed body of the thing yet to settle and twitch, as I did

look, as it did come properly unto death in all that mighty bulk. And

everywhere, the skin of the Beast did be set into great wrinklings, and

horrid blotchings to be upon the improper whiteness thereof; and truly I

did be in haste that I turn the Maid away from that thing, and that we

haste 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 an

anguish of heart, because that I was newly aware that there did be such

great and dreadful serpents in that part of the Gorge, as you do also

know. And I was not over-feared for myself, but for the Maid that did

have no armour to protect her dear body. And because that I was so set

with this trouble, I took the Maid presently into mine arms, that I

carry her, and so to have her clear of aught that should lie among the

boulders.

And, in verity, Mine Own did show an anger very surprising and

determined; for I said not why I should carry her--fearing to give her a

greater unease--but only that she did be weary, and I very strong and

willing.

And, indeed, I could not bring her to reason, without I told her, which

was not mine intent; for she did refuse me to carry her; and said that

truly I had need of no added burden unto my labours.

And when she saw that I would not be moved by her reasonings, she made

to win upon me by her loving ways; but, indeed, I only kist her; and

went forward with her in mine arms. And she half naughty, that I did be

so heedless of her wishings, and somewise hurt also; and so to be silent

in mine arms; yet mayhap to be something stirred in her nature, that I

did be steadfast to mine intention, despite that her will did be

contrary.

And this I do believe to be truth, because that, afterward, I do think

that she lay there in mine arms, only as a woman that doth be in the

hands 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 end

of the dark part of the Gorge; and we to be outward of that mighty roof

of the mountains, as I do think it to have been; and the air to be free

of the stink of the Monsters, and the fire-holes to be very plenty, and

their smokings to go upward very proper; so that we had no more the

bitterness of their fumings in our throats.

And there did be a pretty good light, to go by the contrast of the past

hours; and I set Mine Own again to her feet, and made that she keep to

my rearward, so that if there did be any serpents to our path, they

should 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 did

sleep; for we had been a long while making that we come safe from the

Slug; and, indeed, we had come downward with a less speed than I did go

through upon mine upward way, as you shall mind; and this to be that

Mine Own did not have the hard strength that was in my body to the

enduring of great labour and stress; and this surely all to be plain

unto you that have been with me in all my journey. And, moreover, there

must be kept to mind the three hours that we had gone, ere we were come

proper into the dark part of the Gorge; and so all to be remembered unto

you; and also you to mind that we did be wakeful a time, ere that we set

forward upon that day's journeying.

And we did go almost in joyous-wise, because that we were come safe out

of that dreadful place; and surely, odd whiles I did feel the hands of

Mine Own Naughty One to be hookt very pretty and sly into the backward

part of my belt, as that she did make a pretending that she drive me

before her; and surely this doth be a strange thing to tell upon; for

there did be no knowledge of the olden horse in all the eternity of that

dark world; but yet, maybe, some dear olden memory-dream did set her

hands unconscious to this pretty work.

And, in verity, once I turned very sudden, and had her swift into mine

arms, as she did pretend to drive me; and she to laugh with a sweet and

joyous 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 tender

maid.

And we lookt alway now for a place that should be proper to our rest and

to our sleep; and when it did be close upon the end of the twentieth

hour of that journey, the Maid showed me a cave that was, mayhap, fifty

good feet upward in the right side of the Gorge.

And I lookt about, and saw that there did be two fire-holes anigh, and a

warm 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, we

did 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 any

comfort of our selves.

And I bade Naani to wait a little minute; and I lookt well up the Gorge

and well down the Gorge; and lo! there did be no thing to set me in

unease; and I told Mine Own that she keep a sharp and steadfast

watching, and not to heed me; and this I said, because I knew she did be

like otherwise to look at me and be over-anxious, as I go upward to the

cave; and, indeed, she to be better anyway in watch of the Gorge, and to

cry 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; and

truly it did be good for our purpose, and fresh-seeming and dry, and to

have 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; and

she to show her gladness, and to be looking upward at me, instead of the

way of the Gorge, as I set her; and truly she did be a dear and human

little Maid, and utter Mine; so that I did find a new joy in each small

lack of wisdom, and this just so much as that she had done a wondrous

proper thing. And truly, you shall say, there was some properness to her

heart, in that she could abide not but to watch me.

And I went quickly down to Mine Own; for there was alway an unease upon

me, 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 in

thought; and afterward showed me how that she did be all in a pitiful

disgust of the dirt and slime and the drippings of the Gorge, that did

be on her, and had made her garment utter wet and bemired, so that she

did 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, and

felt that it did be not over-hot, and afterward found the deepness, by

the handle of the Diskos, and this to be scarce of three feet, and the

water very clear to show me the bottom, so that it was surely a nice

and proper place to be for such a purpose as I did think. And I set some

of the water to my mouth, using my hand; and truly there did seem no

hurtful chemical in the water; and therefore was I eased that the Maid

should 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 the

arranging of things to be in mine own hands. And I went back unto the

Maid, 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 of

any Creature or Monster.

Now I saw that Naani was troubled, and feared that I did be going to

leave her, and yet did be paused a little in her words, to show me all

that she did wish.

And surely, I stoopt and kist her, as she did look so wistful in her

little puzzlement; and immediately I removed her trouble very natural,

and told that I should stand guard anigh to her, the while that she

bathed. And, truly she did be at ease on the moment, and mayhap

something surprised to know wherefore she had been something a-lack to

ask me. But, in truth, it did be very natural.

And I told her to be so quick as she might, which was a needless thing

to say, yet to start her; and she to go quietly to obey me; but first to

take the cloak out of the hold upon my shoulders, and to unfold it, and

so 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, I

did love that I be to stand guard to her in her dear maidenhood; and

she, 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 have

no thought of improper modesty but turned instant to the Maid. And in a

moment, I saw what did trouble her; for there came a serpent out of the

water; and the Maid to be all adrift with natural modesty, and with her

fear of the serpent. And I was come into the pool in a moment, in mine

armour, and did lift the Maid, naked and wet into mine arms, and had her

instant from the water, and upon the side of the pool; and there I wrapt

the cloak about her; and ran very quick and killed the serpent, as it

did go offwards among the boulders. And surely it did be so thick as

mine arm, and to have come from some hole that did be hid in the bottom

of the pool.

And I came back then to Mine Own, and took her into mine arms, and set

the cloak well about her; and she to cry and to tremble with the shock

and disturbance of the thing; but soon to be eased, and ready to laugh

with me.

And so she was come proper to her happiness again, and I very gentle

and joyous with her, for truly my heart had been sick that she had come

so nigh to that horrid danger.

And I eased the scrip from me, and opened it, and made her to take two

of the tablets, and she to refuse to eat, save I company her also; and

indeed I did be very willing, for truly my belly was alway empty. And

she to be very glad to eat, because she did be clean now, and to have no

more disgust of herself. And afterward, we drank some of the water. And

soon we did be finished, and she to ask for her girdle that I did give

her with the knife, as I have surely told. And she belted the cloak very

graceful about her; and lookt very dear and pretty with her little bare

feet; and her hair very lovely upon her shoulders, for she did wear

alway in the Gorge the lining of my head-piece, and so had her hair dry

and sweet.

And, in verity, I did mind now, how that she did look very beautiful in

her bath, as I had gone to succour her from the snake; and I to be

nicely wholesome in this remembering, because of my love, but yet to be

knowing that I was sweetly stirred to new things; and did not know

before that a maid lookt in the same moment so holy and so human. And

afterward, in odd whiles, I remembered; but never to think overmuch,

because that I did feel inwardly that I should be gently wise in such

things; and you to understand my heart in this, if that ever you have

loved.

And surely, the Maid brought me from my dreamings very sensible, in that

she had me to stand; and she was gone about me very swift and natty with

her pretty fingers, that she ease me of mine armour.

And afterward, she bade me to strip and wash, whilst that she keep watch

for me of the Gorge. And she took the Diskos, and leaned upon it, very

brave and proper; but yet, as I do think, with somewhat of roguishness

within her, very deep hid, and scarce known unto herself.

And I warned her to be very wise with the great weapon; for it did fit

only to fight in my hands, and did be like to cause harm to any that

should 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 the

thing, and half to feel that it did be friendly to her; and so to stand

guard for me; and truly to seem a very sweet and slender maid, despite

the bigness of the cloak; and the great weapon to seem more great in her

small hands; and to mind me how strong I did be. And surely you shall

think me in conceit; but truly I did be glad to be so strong; and a

proper 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 and

good human understanding.

Now I washt me, not by going down into the pool; for indeed I did not

wot whether there be any more snakes hid there in some other hole. And

the way I washt, was that I dipt my head-piece into the hot pool, and

poured 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 aided

mine 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; and

afterward I wrung the cloth again, and set it about my loins, and so to

be as proper as I might.

And I did call to the Maid that I was proper, and she to come then and

kiss me; and she gave back to me the Diskos, and set me that I stand

anigh to the nearer fire-hole, and so to be that I should guard her, and

in the same time be come free of the chill of the Gorge, which was not

great in that place.

And surely I did mean that I help her; but she would have no help in her

work that she did say to be her glad right; but bade me that I to mine

own work to be her dear protector, as she did call me. And I to lift

that Wilful One into mine arms, a moment, and to give her a very loving

hug, and for that time to have no fear that I harm her, because that I

was 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 kist

me the once with a little passion of love; and immediately to want to go

from me; so that I freed her in a moment, as was ever my way. And she

then to pause a small space off from me, and lookt at me with a light in

her eyes, and half to put out her arms that she be taken again into

mine; but so to cease, ere she yield to her heart; and turned from me

immediately to the task of the washing.

And she took first my body-vest, and washt it very quick and clever in

the pool, and afterward came over by me, and spread it upon the hot flat

rock anigh to the fire-hole.

And she got then my change body-vest from the bundle of her torn

garments, 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 own

garments, for so, as I do mind, the thought came to me very natural; but

she to say naught to lead me thus; yet to be a very honest and dear

Maid, and to have little secret ways of love, as I did perceive, that I

did not be told of.

And she washt the second body-vest, and set it to dry by the first; and

afterward did likewise with all my garments, and came then to the

washing of her own.

And lo! as she spread it also to the drying, there came to mine heart

that the Maid did have only this one rough and thick garment, that did

be the armour-suit, as I have told. And surely it did be dreadful that

she have the hardness of that strong knitted and fibrous garment to be

next to her dear body, and I to be in comfort with the softness of my

body-vest.

And I was all angered in a moment, that she had gone thiswise, while

that I had been gentled, as it might be. And I bade Naani take the

second vest to her own use when it did be dry. And she to look upward

from where she did turn the garments upon the hot rock; and to mean in

the first to deny me. But indeed she was quick to see that I did be

truly in anger; and mine anger to come because that I was hurt that this

did 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 that

she 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 mine

anger, because that I perceived all the unselfishness and delight of her

love that did be about this little matter, as you shall see, if you have

gone alway with me.

But mine anger yet to be something hard, because I did see that I have

need to watch the Maid, that she put not her dear body to pain, that I

might come unknowing to some little pleasuring or ease, as did be now as

I have shown. And truly it did be sweetly done in love; but to be

somewise lacking of judgement; and so shall you know somewhat of the way

that I did be angered, and to have understanding with me; but if you

have not, you shall think it to be naught, and that the Maid did need

only that she be kist, and to be shaken a little in playfulness, and

warned to heed that I did be earnest; and mayhap you to be somewise

right, 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 shake

Mine Own, and in the same moment to be utter tender unto her. And surely

this doth be all a contradiction, and the human heart to be a wayward

thing, 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 garment

for 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 be

alway in her heart, and to plan even in that moment some new and secret

service unto me, that should be for her quiet joy, and to be hid from

me, until that my wit should come upon it to uncover it. And in verity a

young man doth want that he whip his maid and kiss her, and all in the

one moment. And, indeed, he to have delight in both.

And she obeyed me that time, as alway when I did be earnest, without

more 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, and

had gotten soiled by the slime of the dark part of the Gorge. And she

put these to dry, and afterward washed mine armour and the scrip and the

pouch and the cloak-hold, and all such matters of our gear; and so to be

presently done.

And she was heedful then that she turned the garments upon the hot

rock; and afterward did attend to my bruisings. And when she did rest, I

lookt to her pretty feet, and rubbed them very gentle and constant with

the ointment; and surely they did be pretty well; but I to like that I

should tend them, and to have joy to feel their littleness within my

palms, and surely she did know how it did be with me; for presently she

took her feet inward under the cloak; and I, maybe, to look something

woeful; 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 gave

those to me that were mine, and bid me to turn my back and be drest very

speedy. And lo! in a little time, when I was nigh done, she came over

and stood before me, and was drest again in the armour-suit, and to look

very slender and dainty. And she lookt at me, so that I put out my

hands, that I kiss her; but she went from me, very proper, and brought

mine 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 her

waist, and she leaned her head against my breast, and put up her lips to

be kist, as that she did be a child maiden; yet when I kist her, she did

be a woman, and to kiss me very dear and loving, and to look at me then

from under her eye-lids; and sudden to make a dainty growling, and to

pretend 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 that

I 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 new

playfulness; and in the same moment to be stirred and waked anew that

she did be so lovely and graceful in mine arms, and to make her naughty

growling so pretty that I did be eager that she make it again; but she

to 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, as

ever; and she bade me that I guard her the while that she washt the

outward part of the cloak; for the inward did be clean, and the cloak

proof to water; but the outward part to be something needful of washing.

And surely, when this was made clean, it dried very quick, because that

the water went not into it; and whilst that it dried, I gave Mine Own an

aid upward unto the cave, and afterward I passed up the gear, and the

cloak when it did be dry; and so came upward also myself, and brought

with 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 do

know of; for I used it before, as I have told.

And truly we did be utter wearied, and the time to be something beyond

three and twenty hours, since last we had slumber. And the Maid had the

scrip and the pouch set to be for my pillow, and the bundle of her torn

garment to be for her own. And she to have me to my pillow, and to tuck

the cloak about me, and the Diskos to my hand; and afterward to kiss me

very sedate upon the lips, and then to come in under the cloak, with a

quiet and lovely happiness, as I did know; and to be gone to slumber

very content and sweet.

And I waked eight good hours after, with the fizzing of the water in

mine ears; and lo! Mine Own did be waked and to make ready our

breakfast; and I came upward upon mine elbow, to see whether that the

boulder 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 and

glad, and kist my lips very eager and loving. And surely, as she kist

me, I did feel that she had taken again a naughty advantaging of my

slumber, and had kist me as I did sleep; but truly I said no word of my

thoughts; for I did mind that I should wake sudden one time, and so to

catch her in this, and to call her then Mine Own, and that she did be a

rogue; and all as you shall know, that have loved.

And I scolded the Maid a little, in that she had not waked me; but I

said not that I would attend to the duties that she did heed to; for I

knew that she had joy of these things, in that she did love to do aught

that should be done unto me. And when I scolded her, she to make but a

little 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 from

the cave, and began again to journey. And we went eighteen hours that

day, and eat and drunk at every sixth hour, as ever.

And in the fourteenth hour, I perceived that I did be like to overtravel

the Maid, though I made alway to have a less speed than did be natural

unto me. And surely then, I took her up into mine arms; and she to

refuse, and to be troubled that I should so carry her; for she did think

that 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 she

be in mine arms, if but she be able to have assuredness that I come not

to weariness through her. And truly it did be a dear love task, and to

be set unto the needing of mine especial heart.

And I carried Mine Own then for four hours; and in the eighteenth hour

we were come to that part of the Gorge where did be the ledge where I

killed the spider, ere I slept, as you shall mayhap to mind. And here I

aided the Maid to climb, and we had the same ledge that night to be our

refuge; and did sleep very happy and unharmed, and alway with our

spirits 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 eighteenth

hour of each journeying; and this to be very dear unto me, and to give

me a new rejoicing that I did be strong and easy to carry Mine Own; and

she to lie in mine arms very content, when that she perceived how that I

did be so glad to go thiswise and that I had no weariness by the

carrying.

And thus I did rest her feet, and wore not her dear and slender body

overmuch with the vigour of my going; and was abled to make a very good

speed.

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 have

quaint nestlings unto me, and odd whiles to kiss me very dainty when

that I did be going thoughtful of the way. And surely never did there be

so dear a maid as Mine Own; so that I did go many a mile, and to be

scarce that I knew that I was gone any way, because of the stirrings of

my heart and the content of my spirit.

And oft as we did go, there were great scorpions in the path, and odd

whiles they to have no heed to go from my way; but to be so great as my

head, and very fat and lazy, so that surely I kickt a good number, from

my path, even as you shall kick a ball with the foot; and three I burst

in this way. And truly it did be well that I had on me mine armour, else

had they been like to sting me very quick unto death; for they were so

great.

And likewise, in this place and that, there were snakes; but none to

come anigh to me; and I to choose alway the open goings; for I did think

there to be many hid snakes and lesser monsters in the dark places

between the great boulders. And alway, when the Maid did walk, I to go

before, that I see clear her way, and this thing to be but a matter of

wiseness, as you shall think.

And odd whiles, as I did carry Mine Own, she to talk a little with me of

her memory-dreams of the olden days; and mayhap you to think it strange

that we said not overmuch on this wise; but the way of our journey to

have been so utter bitter, as you have seen; and we to be more of that

far age, than we did be of this present age; and this present life to

seem but a dream of Memory, and we to be set then with the realness of

that life. And this telling, indeed, to be a plain thing to your

understanding. Yet did we have a greater talk to these ends, when that

we were come free of the Gorge; but yet, oft there to be an odd saying

and a sweet memory, like to an olden and forgot fragrance of dreams, to

pass between Mine Own and me. And do you to set your sympathy of

understanding with me in this thing, and to know how holy these things

did be, and far off, and to hold memory, as a mist that doth shine with

golden 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 upon

the heart.

And once, as I did carry the Maid, I saw that she wept a little, very

husht unto herself; and I to say naught; for I saw that it did be a

natural sorrow for her father, and for the dead Peoples of the Lesser

Redoubt; that did be left for ever unto the desolation of Eternity. And

so, 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 did

not perceive; and then to nestle unto me; and so to be the more Mine

Own.

And about the middle part of the second day, we came past the cave where

I did sleep on the upward journey; and I to tell Naani, and she to look

upward 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 she

run 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 among

the boulders; but none to come anigh to us; yet did I keep the Diskos

very ready in my hand, as you shall think; and had mine eyes alway to

look upon every side, and mine ears to be wary; and to use my spirit

alway to mine aid.

And surely, as we did come lower in the Gorge, the Maid was all

a-wondered at the warmness that did grow, and something disturbed in the

first, by the new thickness, as it did seem, of the air. And she to

waste some of the water, because that it did fizz up so quick, even as

I, until that she was come used to this newness. And all this to be very

plain unto you.

And in the end of every journey, we slept eight good hours in a safe

place; and so to go onward again; and the Maid to grow very eager as I

did tell her this thing and that of the Country that we did come

downward unto.

And she askt me questions, time and oft, and much I told her, and she to

think upon it with a growing wonder and desire, even as a gladsome child

that hath never seen the sea, and doth be told that it shall presently

be there. And this to be but to shadow the way that Naani did be; for

truly 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 the

fire-holes and the fire-pits, and to see the flames leap upward in this

place and that, so that the mighty walls of the Gorge would show very

plain in an instant; and immediately to come the shadows again, and

afterward the leaping of the flames. And so did it be forever. And oft

the muttering of the fire-pits; and oft the utter quiet and the shadows.