gulliver of mars-第33章

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〃No；　I　won't。　　Your　ugly　faces　would　frighten　all　the　fish　out　of　the　sea。〃

〃And　yours；　you　old　chunk　of　dried　mahogany；　is　meant　to　attract　them　no　doubt。〃

〃Let's　tie　him　to　a　post　and　go　fishing　in　his　boat　ourselves；〃　some　one　suggested。　　Meanwhile　two　of　them　began　rocking　the　cobble　violently　from　side　to　side。　　This　was　awful；　and　every　moment　I　expected　the　net　and　the　sail　which　our　friend　had　thrown　down　unceremoniously　upon　us　would　roll　off。

〃Oh；　stop　that；〃　said　the　Martian；　who　was　no　doubt　quite　as　well　aware　of　the　danger　as　we　were。　　〃The　tide's　full；　the　shoals　are　in　the　baystop　your　nonsense；　and　help　me　launch　like　good　fellows。〃

〃Well；　take　two　of　us；　then。　　We　will　sit　on　this　heap　of　nets　as　quiet　as　mice；　and　stand　you　a　drink　when　we　get　back。〃

〃No；　not　one　of　you；〃　quoth　the　plucky　fellow；　〃and　here's　my　staff　in　my　hand；　and　if　you　don't　leave　my　gear　alone　I　will　crack　some　of　your　ugly　heads。〃

〃That's　a　pity；〃　I　thought　to　myself；　〃for　if　they　take　to　fighting　it　will　be　six　to　onelong　odds　against　our　chances。〃　　There　was　indeed　a　scuffle；　and　then　a　yell　of　pain；　as　though　a　soldier　had　been　hit　across　the　knuckles；　but　in　a　minute　the　best　disposed　called　out；　〃Oh；　cease　your　fun；　boys；　and　let　the　fellow　get　off　if　he　wants　to。　You　know　the　fleet　will　be　down　directly；　and　Ar…hap　has　promised　something　worth　having　to　the　man　who　can　find　that　lost　bit　of　crackling　of　his。　　It's　my　opinion　she's　in　the　town；　and　I　for　one　would　rather　look　for　her　than　go　haddock　fishing　any　day。〃

〃Right　you　are；　mates；〃　said　our　friend　with　visible　relief。　〃And；　what's　more；　if　you　help　me　launch　this　boat　and　then　go　to　my　missus　and　tell　her　what　you've　done；　she'll　understand；　and　give　you　the　biggest　pumpkinful　of　beer　in　the　place。　　Ah；　she　will　understand；　and　bless　your　soft　hearts　and　heads　while　you　drink　itshe's　a　cute　one　is　my　missus。〃

〃And　aren't　you　afraid　to　leave　her　with　us？〃

〃Not　I；　my　daisy；　unless　it　were　that　a　sight　of　your　pretty　face　might　give　her　hysterics。　　Now　lend　a　hand；　your　accursed　chatter　has　already　cost　me　half　an　hour　of　the　best　fishing　time。〃

〃In　with　you；　old　buck！〃　shouted　the　soldiers；　I　felt　the　fisherman　step　in；　as　a　matter　of　fact　he　stepped　in　on　to　my　toes；　a　dozen　hands　were　on　the　gunwales：　six　soldier　yells　resounded；　it　seemed；　in　my　very　ears：　there　was　the　grit　and　rush　of　pebbles　under　the　keel：　a　sudden　lurch　up　of　the　bows；　which　brought　the　fairy　lady's　honey…　scented　lips　to　mine；　and　then　the　gentle　lapping　of　deep　blue　waters　underneath　us！

There　is　little　more　to　be　said　of　that　voyage。　　We　pulled　until　out　of　sight　of　the　town；　then　hoisted　sail；　and；　with　a　fair　wind；　held　upon　one　tack　until　we　made　an　island　where　there　was　a　small　colony　of　Hither　folk。

Here　our　friend　turned　back。　　I　gave　him　another　gold　button　from　my　coat；　and　the　princess　a　kiss　upon　either　cheek；　which　he　seemed　to　like　even　more　than　the　button。　It　was　small　payment；　but　the　best　we　had。　　Doubtless　he　got　safely　home；　and　I　can　but　hope　that　Providence　somehow　or　other　paid　him　and　his　wife　for　a　good　deed　bravely　done。

Those　islanders　in　turn　lent　us　another　boat；　with　a　guide；　who　had　business　in　the　Hither　capital；　and　on　the　evening　of　the　second　day；　the　direct　route　being　very　short　in　com…　parison；　we　were　under　the　crumbling　marble　walls　of　Seth。




CHAPTER　XX

It　was　like　turning　into　a　hothouse　from　a　keen　winter　walk；　our　arrival　at　the　beautiful　but　nerveless　city　after　my　life　amongst　the　woodmen。

As　for　the　people；　they　were　delighted　to　have　their　princess　back；　but　with　the　delight　of　children；　fawning　about　her；　singing；　clapping　hands；　yet　asking　no　questions　as　to　where　she　had　been；　showing　no　appreciation　of　our　adventuresa　serious　offence　in　my　eyesand；　perhaps　most　important　of　all；　no　understanding　of　what　I　may　call　the　political　bearings　of　Heru's　restoration；　and　how　far　their　arch　enemies　beyond　the　sea　might　be　inclined　to　attempt　her　recovery。

They　were　just　delighted　to　have　the　princess　back；　and　that　was　the　end　of　it。　　Theirs　was　the　joy　of　a　vast　nursery　let　loose。　　Flower　processions　were　organised；　garlands　woven　by　the　mile；　a　general　order　issued　that　the　nation　might　stay　up　for　an　hour　after　bedtime；　and　in　the　vortex　of　that　gentle　rejoicing　Heru　was　taken　from　me；　and　I　saw　her　no　more；　till　there　happened　the　wildest　scene　of　all　you　have　shared　with　me　so　patiently。

Overlooked；　unthanked；　I　turned　sulky；　and　when　this　mood；　one　I　can　never　maintain　for　long；　wore　off；　I　threw　myself　into　the　dissipation　about　me　with　angry　zeal。　　I　am　frankly　ashamed　of　the　confession；　but　I　was　〃a　sailor　ashore；〃　and　can　only　claim　the　indulgences　proper　to　the　situation。　　I　laughed；　danced；　drank；　through　the　night；　I　drank　deep　of　a　dozen　rosy　ways　to　forgetfulness；　till　my　mind　was　a　great　confusion；　full　of　flitting　pictures　of　love…　liness；　till　life　itself　was　an　illusive　pantomime；　and　my　will　but　thistle…down　on　the　folly　of　the　moment。　　I　drank　with　those　gentle　roisterers　all　through　their　starlit　night；　and　if　we　stopped　when　morning　came　it　was　more　from　weariness　than　virtue。　　Then　the　yellow…robed　slaves　gave　us　the　wine　of　recoveryalas！　my　faithful　An　was　not　amongst　them　and　all　through　the　day　we　lay　about　in　sodden　happiness。

Towards　nightfall　I　was　myself　again；　not　unfortunately　with　the　headache　well　earned；　but　sufficiently　remorseful　to　be　in　a　vein　to　make　good　resolutions　for　the　future。

In　this　mood　I　mingled　with　a　happy　crowd；　all　purpose…　less　and　cheerful　as　usual；　but　before　long　began　to　feel　the　influence　of　one　of　those　drifts；　a　universal　turning　in　one　direction；　as　seaweed　turns　when　the　tide　changes；　so　char…　acteristic　of　Martian　society。　　It　was　dusk；　a　lovely　soft　velvet　dusk；　but　not　dark　yet；　and　I　said　to　a　yellow…robed　fairy　at　my　side：

〃Whither　away；　comrade？　　It　is　not　eight　bells　yet。　　Surely　we　are　not　going　to　be　put　to　bed　so　early　as　this？〃

〃No；〃　said　that　smiling　individual；　〃it　is　the　princess。　We　are　going　to　listen　to　Princess　Heru　in　the　palace　square。　　She　reads　the　globe　on　the　terrace　again　tonight；　to　see　if　omens　are　propitious　for　her　marriage。　　She　MUST　marry；　and　you　know　the　ceremony　has　been　unavoidably　postponed　so　far。〃

〃Unavoidably　postponed？〃　　Yes；　Heaven　wotted　I　was　aware　of　the　fact。　　And　was　Heru　going　to　marry　black　Hath　in　such　a　hurry？　　And　after　all　I　had　done　for　her？　It　was　scarcely　decent；　and　I　tried　to　rouse　myself　to　rage　over　it；　but　somehow　the　seductive　Martian　contentment　with　any　fate　was　getting　into　my　veins。　　I　was　not　yet　altogether　sunk　in　their　slothful　acceptance　of　the　inevitable；　but　there　was　not　the　slightest　doubt　the　hot　red　blood　in　me　was　turn…　ing　to　vapid　stuff　such　as　did　duty　for　the　article　in　their　veins。　　I　mustered　up　a　half…hearted　frown　at　this　unwelcome　intelligence；　turning　with　it　on　my　face　towards　the　slave　girl；　but　she　had　slipped　away　into　the　throng；　so　the　frown　evaporated；　and　shrugging　my　shoulders　I　said　to　myself；　〃What　does　it　matter？　　There　are　twenty　others　will　do　as　well　for　me。　　If　not　one；　why　then　obviously　an…　other；　'tis　the　only　rational　way　to　think；　and　at　all　events　there　is　the　magic　globe。　　That　may　tell　us　something。〃　　And　slipping　my　arm　round　the　waist　of　the　first　disengaged　girlwe　were　not　then；　mind　you；　in　Atlantic　CityI　kissed　her　dimpling　cheek　unreproached；　and　gaily　followed　in　the　drift　of　humanity；　trending　with　a　low　hum　of　pleasure　towards　the　great　white　terraces　under　the　palace　porch。

How　well　I　knew　them！　　It　was　just　such　an　evening　Heru　had　consulted　Fate　in　the　same　place　once　before；　how　much　had　happened　since　then！　　But　there　was　little　time　or　in…　clination　to　think　of　those　things　now。　　The　whole　phantom　city's　population　had　drifted　to　one　common　centre。　　The　crumbling　seaward　ramparts　were　all　deserted；　no　soldier　watch　was　kept　to　note　if　angry　woodmen　came　from　over　seas；　a　soft　wind　blew　in　from　off　the　brine；　but　told　no　tales；　the　streets　were　empty；　and；　when　as　we　waited　far　away　in　the　southern　sky　the　earth　planet　presently　got　up；　by　its　light　Heru；　herself　again；　came　tripping　down　the　steps　to　read　her　fate。

They　had　placed　another　magic　globe　under　a　shroud　on　a　tripod　for　her。　　It　stood　within　the　charmed　circle　upon　the　terrace；　and　I　was　close　by；　although　the　princess　did　not　see　me。

Again　that　weird；　fantastic　dance　commenced；　the　princess　working　herself　up　from　the　drowsiest　undulations　to　a　hur…　ricane　of　emotion。　　Then　she　stopped　close　by　the　orb；　and　seized　the　corner　of　the　web　covering　it。　　We　saw　the　globe　begin　to　beam　with　veiled　magnificence　at　her　touch。

Not　an　eye　wavered；　not　a　thought　wandered　from　her　in　all　that　silent　multitude。　　It　was　a　moment　of　the　keenest　suspense；　and　just　when　it　was　at　its　height　there　came　a　strange　sound　of　hurrying　feet　behind　the　outermost　crowd；　a　murmur　such　as　a　great　pack　of　wolves　might　make　rushing　through　snow；　while　a　soft　long　wail　went　up　from　the　darkness。

Whether　Heru　understood　it　or　not　I　cannot　say；　but　she　hesitated　a　moment；　then　swept　the　cloth　from　the　orb　of　her　fate。

And　as　its　ghostly；　self…emitting　light　beamed　up　in　the　darkness　with　weird　brilliancy；　there　by　it；　in　gold　and　furs　and　war　panoply；　huge；　fierce；　and　lowering；　stoodAR…HAP　HIMSELF！

Ay；　and　behind　him；　towering　over　the　crouching　Mar…　tians；　blocking　every　outlet　and　street；　were　scores　and　hundreds　of　his　men。　　Never　was　surprise　so　utter；　ambush　more　complete。　　Even　I　was　transfixed　with　astonishment；　staring　with　open…mouthed　horror　at　the　splendid　figure　of　the　barbarian　king　as　he　stood　aglitter　in　the　ruddy　light；　scowling　defiance　at　the　throng　around　him。　　So　silently　had　he　come　on　his　errand　of　vengeance　it　was　difficult　to　be…　lieve　he　was　a　reality；　and　not　some　clever　piece　of　stageplay；　some　vision　conjured　up　by　Martian　necromancy。

But　he　was　good　reality。　　In　a　minute　comedy　turned　to　tragedy。　　Ar…hap　gave　a　sign　with　his　hand；　whereon　all　his　men　set　up　a　terrible　warcry；　the　like　of　which　Seth　had　not　heard　for　very　long；　and　as　far　as　I　could　make　out　in　the　half　light　began　hacking　and　hewing　my　luckless　friends　with　all　their　might。　　Meanwhile　the　king　made　at　Heru；　feeling　sure　of　her　this　time；　and　doubtless　intending　to　make　her　taste　his　vengeance　to　the　dregs；　and　seeing　her　handled　like　that；　and　hearing　her　plaintive　cries；　wrath　took　the　place　of　stupid　surprise　in　me。　　I　was　on　my　feet　in　a　second；　across　the　intervening　space；　and　with　all　my　force　gave　the　king　a　blow　upon　the　jaw　which　sent　even　him　staggering　backwards。　　Before　I　could　close　again；　so　swift　was　the　sequence　of　events　in　those　flying　minutes；　a　wild　mob　of　people；　victims　and　executioners　in　one　disordered　throng；　was　between　us。　　How　the　king　fared　I　know　not；　nor　stopped　to　ask；　but　half　dragging；　half　carrying　Heru　through　the　shrieking　mob；　got　her　up　the　palace　steps　and　in　at　the　great　doors；　which　a　couple　of　yellow…clad　slaves；　more　frightened　of　the　barbarians　than　thoughtful　of　the　crowd　without；　promptly　clapped　to；　and　shot　the　bolts。　　Thus　we　were　safe　for　a　moment；　and　putting　the　princess　on　a　couch；　I　ran　up　a　short　flight　of　stai