gulliver of mars-第34章

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ort　flight　of　stairs　and　looked　out　of　a　front　window　to　see　if　there　were　a　chance　of　succouring　those　in　the　palace　square。　　But　it　was　all　hopeless　chaos　with　the　town　already　beginning　to　burn　and　not　a　show　of　fight　anywhere　which　I　could　join。

I　glared　out　on　that　infernal　tumult　for　a　moment　or　two　in　an　agony　of　impotent　rage；　then　turned　towards　the　harbour　and　saw　in　the　shine　of　the　burning　town　below　the　ancient　battlements　and　towers　of　Seth　begin　to　gleam　out；　like　a　splendid　frost　work　of　living　metal　clear…cut　against　the　smooth；　black　night　behind；　and　never　a　show　of　resistance　there　either。　　Ay；　and　by　this　time　Ar…hap's　men　were　battering　in　our　gates　with　a　big　beam；　and　somehow；　I　do　not　know　how　it　happened；　the　palace　itself　away　on　the　right；　where　the　dry…as…dust　library　lay；　was　also　beginning　to　burn。

It　was　hopeless　outside；　and　nothing　to　be　done　but　to　save　Heru；　so　down　I　went；　and；　with　the　slaves；　carried　her　away　from　the　hall　through　a　vestibule　or　two；　and　into　an　anteroom；　where　some　yellow…girt　individuals　were　al…　ready　engaged　in　the　suggestive　work　of　tying　up　pal…　ace　plate　in　bundles；　amongst　other　things；　alas！　the　great　gold　love…bowl　from　whichoh！　so　long　agoI　had　drawn　Heru's　marriage　billet。　　These　individuals　told　me　in　tremulous　accents　they　had　got　a　boat　on　a　secret　waterway　behind　the　palace　whence　flight　to　the　main　river　and　so；　far　away　inland；　to　another　smaller　but　more　peaceful　city　of　their　race　would　be　quite　practical；　and　joyfully　hearing　this　news；　I　handed　over　to　them　the　princess　while　I　went　to　look　for　Hath。

And　the　search　was　not　long。　　Dashing　into　the　banquet…hall；　still　littered　with　the　remains　of　a　feast；　and　looking　down　its　deserted　vistas；　there　at　the　farther　end；　on　his　throne；　clad　in　the　sombre　garments　he　affected；　chin　on　hand；　sedate　in　royal　melancholy；　listening　unmoved　to　the　sack　of　his　town　outside；　sat　the　prince　himself。　　Strange；　gloomy　man；　the　great　dead　intelligence　of　his　race　shining　in　his　face　as　weird　and　out　of　place　as　a　lonely　sea　beacon　fading　to　nothing　before　the　glow　of　sunrise；　never　had　he　appeared　so　mysterious　as　at　that　moment。　　Even　in　the　heat　of　excitement　I　stared　at　him　in　amazement；　wishing　in　a　hasty　thought　the　confusion　of　the　past　few　weeks　had　given　me　opportun…　ity　to　penetrate　the　recesses　of　his　mind；　and　therefrom　retell　you　things　better　worth　listening　to　than　all　the　incident　of　my　adventures。　　But　now　there　was　no　time　to　think；　scarce　time　to　act。

〃Hath！〃　I　cried；　rushing　over　to　him；　〃wake　up；　your　majesty。　　The　Thither　men　are　outside；　killing　and　burning！〃

〃I　know　it。〃

〃And　the　palace　is　on　fire。　　You　can　smell　the　reek　even　here。〃

〃Yes。〃

〃Then　what　are　you　going　to　do？〃

〃Nothing。〃

〃My　word；　that　is　a　fine　proposition　for　a　prince！　　If　you　care　nothing　for　town　or　palace　perhaps　you　will　bestir　yourself　for　Princess　Heru。〃

A　faint　glimmer　of　interest　rose　upon　the　alabaster　calm　of　his　face　at　that　name；　but　it　faded　instantly；　and　he　said　quietly；

〃The　slaves　will　save　her。　　She　will　live。　　I　looked　into　the　book　of　her　fate　yesterday。　　She　will　escape；　and　forget；　and　sit　at　another　marriage　feast；　and　be　a　mother；　and　give　the　people　yet　one　more　prince　to　keep　the　faint　glimmer　of　our　ancestry　alive。　　I　am　content。〃

〃But；　d…　it；　man；　I　am　not！　　I　take　a　deal　more　in…　terest　in　the　young　lady　than　you　seem　to；　and　have　scoured　half　this　precious　planet　of　yours　on　her　account；　and　will　be　hanged　if　I　sit　idly　twiddling　my　thumbs　while　her　pretty　skin　is　in　danger。〃　　But　Hath　was　lost　in　contempla…　tion　of　his　shoe…strings。

〃Come；　sir；〃　I　said；　shaking　his　majesty　by　the　shoulder；　〃don't　be　down　on　your　luck。　　There　has　been　some　rivalry　between　us；　but　never　mind　about　that　just　now。　　The　prin…　cess　wants　you。　　I　am　going　to　save　both　her　and　you；　you　must　come　with　her。〃

〃No。〃

〃But　you　SHALL　come。〃

〃No！〃

By　this　time　the　palace　was　blazing　like　a　bonfire　and　the　uproar　outside　was　terrible。　　What　was　I　to　do？　　As　I　hesitated　the　arras　at　the　further　end　of　the　hall　was　swept　aside；　a　disordered　mob　of　slaves　bearing　bundles　and　drag…　ging　Heru　with　them　rushing　down　to　the　door　near　us。　As　Heru　was　carried　swiftly　by　she　stretched　her　milk…white　arms　towards　the　prince　and　turned　her　face；　lovely　as　a　convolvulus　flower　even　in　its　pallor；　upon　him。

It　was　a　heart…moving　appeal　from　a　woman　with　the　heart　of　a　child；　and　Hath　rose　to　his　feet　while　for　a　mo…　ment　there　shone　a　look　of　responsible　manhood　in　his　eyes。　But　it　faded　quickly；　he　bowed　slowly　as　though　he　had　received　an　address　of　condolence　on　the　condition　of　his　empire；　and　the　next　moment　the　frightened　slaves；　stumbling　under　their　burdens；　had　swept　poor　Heru　through　the　doorway。

I　glanced　savagely　round　at　the　curling　smoke　overhead；　the　red　tendrils　of　fire　climbing　up　a　distant　wall；　and　there　on　a　table　by　us　was　a　half…finished　flask　of　the　lovely　tinted　wine　of　forgetfulness。　　If　Hath　would　not　come　sober　perhaps　he　might　come　drunk。

〃Here；〃　I　cried；　〃drink　to　tomorrow；　your　majesty；　a　sov…　ereign　toast　in　all　ages；　and　better　luck　next　time　with　these　hairy　gentlemen　battering　at　your　majesty's　doors；〃　and　splashing　out　a　goblet　full　of　the　stuff　I　handed　it　to　him。

He　took　it　and　looked　rather　lovingly　into　the　limpid　pool；　then　deliberately　poured　it　on　the　step　in　front　of　him；　and　throwing　the　cup　away　said　pleasantly；

〃Not　tonight；　good　comrade；　tonight　I　drink　a　deeper　draught　of　oblivion　than　that；and　here　come　my　cup…　bearers。〃

Even　while　he　spoke　the　palace　gates　had　given　way；　there　was　a　horrible　medley　of　shrieks　and　cries；　a　quick　sound　of　running　feet；　then　again　the　arras　lifted　and　in　poured　a　horde　of　Ar…hap's　men…at…arms。　　The　moment　they　caught　sight　of　us　about　a　dozen　of　them；　armed　with　bows；　drew　the　thick　hide　strings　to　their　ears　and　down　the　hall　came　a　ravening　flight　of　shafts。　　One　went　through　my　cap；　two　stuck　quivering　in　the　throne；　and　one；　winged　with　owl　feather；　caught　black　Hath　full　in　the　bosom。

He　had　stood　out　boldly　at　the　first　coming　of　that　onset；　arms　crossed　on　breast；　chin　up；　and　looking　more　of　a　gentleman　than　I　had　ever　seen　him　look　before；　and　now；　stricken；　he　smiled　gravely；　then　without　flinching；　and　still　eyeing　his　enemies　with　gentle　calm；　his　knees　un…　locked；　his　frame　trembled；　then　down　he　went　headlong；　his　red　blood　running　forth　in　rivulets　amongst　the　wine　of　oblivion　he　had　just　poured　out。

There　was　no　time　for　sentiment。　　I　shrugged　my　shoulders；　and　turning　on　my　heels；　with　the　woodmen　close　after　me；　sprang　through　the　near　doorway。　　Where　was　Heru？　　I　flew　down　the　corridor　by　which　it　seemed　she　had　re…　treated；　and　then；　hesitating　a　moment　where　it　divided　in　two；　took　the　left　one。　　This　to　my　chagrin　presently　began　to　trend　upwards；　whereas　I　knew　Heru　was　making　for　the　river　down　below。

But　it　was　impossible　to　go　back；　and　whenever　I　stopped　in　those　deserted　passages　I　could　hear　the　wolflike　patter　of　men's　feet　upon　my　trail。　　On　again　into　the　stony　laby…　rinths　of　the　old　palace；　ever　upwards；　in　spite　of　my　desire　to　go　down；　until　at　last；　the　pursuers　off　the　track　for　a　moment；　I　came　to　a　north　window　in　the　palace　wall；　and；　hot　and　breathless；　stayed　to　look　out。

All　was　peace　here；　the　sky　a　lovely　lavender；　a　promise　of　coming　morning　in　it；　and　a　gold…spangled　curtain　of　stars　out　yonder　on　the　horizon。　　Not　a　soul　moved。　　Below　appeared　a　sheer　drop　of　a　hundred　feet　into　a　moat　wind…　ing　through　thickets　of　heavy…scented　convolvulus　flowers　to　the　waterways　beyond。　　And　as　I　looked　a　skiff　with　half　a　dozen　rowers　came　swiftly　out　of　the　darkness　of　the　wall　and　passed　like　a　shadow　amongst　the　thickets。　　In　the　prow　was　all　Hath's　wedding　plate；　and　in　the　stern；　a　faint　vision　of　unconscious　loveliness；　lay　Heru！

Before　I　could　lift　a　finger　or　call　out；　even　if　I　had　had　a　mind　to　do　so；　the　shadow　had　gone　round　a　bend；　and　a　shout　within　the　palace　told　me　I　was　sighted　again。

On　once　more；　hotly　pursued；　until　the　last　corridor　ended　in　two　doors　leading　into　a　half…lit　gallery　with　open　win…　dows　at　the　further　end。　　There　was　a　wilderness　of　lumber　down　the　sides　of　the　great　garret；　and　now　I　come　to　think　of　it　more　calmly　I　imagine　it　was　Hath's　Lost　Property　Office；　the　vast　receptacle　where　his　slaves　deposited　everything　lazy　Martians　forgot　or　left　about　in　their　daily　life。　　At　that　moment　it　only　represented　a　last　refuge；　and　into　it　I　dashed；　swung　the　doors　to　and　fastened　them　just　as　the　foremost　of　Ar…hap's　men　hurled　themselves　upon　the　barrier　from　outside。

There　I　was　like　a　rat　in　a　trap；　and　like　a　rat　I　made　up　my　mind　to　fight　savagely　to　the　end；　without　for　a　mo…　ment　deceiving　myself　as　to　what　that　end　must　be。　　Even　up　there　the　horrible　roar　of　destruction　was　plainly　audible　as　the　barbarians　sacked　and　burned　the　ancient　town；　and　I　was　glad　from　the　bottom　of　my　heart　my　poor　little　princess　was　safely　out　of　it。　　Nor　did　I　bear　her　or　hers　the　least　resentment　for　making　off　while　there　was　yet　time　and　leaving　me　to　my　fateanything　else　would　have　been　contrary　to　Martian　nature。　　Doubtless　she　would　get　away；　as　Hath　had　said；　and　elsewhere　drop　a　few　pearly　tears　and　then　over　her　sugar…candy　and　lotus…eating　forget　with　happy　completenessmost　blessed　gift！　　And　meanwhile　the　foresaid　barbarians　were　battering　on　my　doors；　while　over　their　heads　choking　smoke　was　pouring　in　in　ever…increas…　ing　volumes。

In　burst　the　first　panel；　then　another；　and　I　could　see　through　the　gaps　a　medley　of　tossing　weapons　and　wild　faces　without。　　Short　shrift　for　me　if　they　came　through；　so　in　the　obstinacy　of　desperation　I　set　to　work　to　pile　old　furniture　and　dry　goods　against　the　barricade。　　And　as　they　yelled　and　hammered　outside　I　screamed　back　defiance　from　within；　sweating；　tugging；　and　hauling　with　the　strength　of　ten　men；　piling　up　the　old　Martian　lumber　against　the　opening　till；　so　fierce　was　the　attack　outside；　little　was　left　of　the　original　doorway　and　nothing　between　me　and　the　beseigers　but　a　rampart　of　broken　woodwork　half　seen　in　a　smother　of　smoke　and　flames。

Still　they　came　on；　thrusting　spears　and　javelins　through　every　crevice　and　my　strength　began　to　go。　　I　threw　two　tables　into　a　gap；　and　brained　a　besieger　with　a　sweet…　meat…seller's　block　and　smothered　another；　and　overturned　a　great　chest　against　my　barricade；　but　what　was　the　purpose　of　it　all？　　They　were　fifty　to　one　and　my　rampart　quaked　before　them。　　The　smoke　was　stifling；　and　the　pains　of　dis…　solution　in　my　heart。　　They　burst　in　and　clambered　up　the　rampart　like　black　ants。　　I　looked　round　for　still　one　more　thing　to　hurl　into　the　breach。　　My　eyes　lit　on　a　roll　of　carpet：　I　seized　it　by　one　corner　meaning　to　drag　it　to　the　door…　way；　and　it　came　undone　at　a　touch。

That　strange；　that　incredible　pattern！　　Where　in　all　the　vicissitudes　of　a　chequered　career　had　I　seen　such　a　one　before？　　I　stared　at　it　in　amazement　under　the　very　spears　of　the　woodmen　in　the　red　glare　of　Hath's　burning　palace。　　Then　all　on　a　sudden　it　burst　upon　me　that　IT　WAS　THE　ACCURSED　RUG；　the　very　one　which　in　response　to　a　careless　wish　had　swept　me　out　o