Phorenicelaughedassheswam。"Youhandleyourselflikeasoreman，Deucalion。Ioweyousomethingforlendingmethecushionofyourbody。Bymyface！There’smoreofthegallantaboutyouwhenitcomestothetestthanonewouldguesstohearyoutalk。Howdidyouliketheride，sir？Iwarrantitcametoyouasanewexperience。"
　　"I’dlieferhavewalked。"
　　"Pish，man！You’llneverbeacourtier。Youshouldhaveswornthatwithmeinyourarmsyoucouldhavewishedthebumpinghadgoneonforever。Ho，theboatthere！Holdyourarrows。
　　Deucalion，hailmethosefoolsinthatboat。Tellthemthat，iftheyhurtsomuchasahairofmymammoth，I’llkillthemallbytorture。He’llexhausthimselfdirectly，andwhenhisflurry’sdonewe’llleavehimwhereheistoconsiderhisevilwaysforadayorso，andthenhaulhimoutwithwindlasses，andtamehimafresh。Pho！IcouldnotfeelmyselftobePhorenice，ifIhadnofine，red，shaggymammothtotakemeoutformyrides。"
　　Theboatwasaten—slavegalleywhichwaschurningupfromthefarthersideoftheharbourashardaswell—pliedwhipscouldmakeoarsdriveher，butatthesoundofmyshoutsthesoldiersonherforedeckstoppedtheirarrowshots，andthesteersmanswervedheroffonanewcoursetopickusup。Tillthenwehadbeenswimmingleisurelyacrossanangleoftheharbour，soastoavoidlandingwherethesewersoutpoured;butwestoppednow，treadingthewater，andwerehelpedoverthesidebymostrespectfulhands。
　　Thegalleybelongedtothecaptainoftheport，amincingfigureofamariner，whosehighestappetiteinlifewastolickthefeetofthegreat，andhebegantofawnandprostratehimselfatonce，andtowishthathiseyeshadbeenblindedbeforehesawtheEmpressinsuchdeadlyperil。
　　"Theperilmaypass，"saidshe。"It’snothingmortalthatwilleverkillme。ButIhavespoiledmyprettyclothes，andshedajewelortwo，andthat’sannoyingenoughasyousay，goodman。"
　　ThesillyfellowrepeatedawishthathemightbeblindedbeforetheEmpresswaseverputtosuchdiscomfortagain。
　　Butitseemedshecouldbecloyedwithflattery。"Ifyouaretiredofyoureyes，"saidshe，"letmetellyouthatyouhavegonethewaytohavethempluckedoutfromtheirsockets。Killmymammoth，wouldyou，becausehehasshownhimselfatriflefrolicsome？Youandyoursortwantmoreeducation，myman。I
　　shallhavetoteachyouthatport—captainsandsuchsmallcreaturesareveryeasytocomeby，andverysmallvaluewhengot，butthatmymammothismine——mine，doyouunderstand？——thepropertyofGoddessPhorenice，andassuchissacred。"
　　Theport—captainabasedhimselfbeforeher。"Iamanignorantfellow，"saidhe，"andheavenwasrobbedofitsbrightestornamentwhenPhorenicecamedowntoAtlantis。Butifreparationispermittedme，Ihavetwoprisonersinthecabinoftheboatherewhoshallbesacrificedtothemammothforthwith。Doubtlessitwouldpleasehimtomakesportwiththem，andspilloutthelastleesofhisrageupontheirbodies。"
　　"Prisonersyou’vegot，haveyou？Howtaken？"
　　"Undercoveroflastnighttheyweretryingtopassinbetweenthetwofortswhichguardtheharbourmouth。Buttheirboatfouledthechain，andbythelightofthetorchesthesentriesspiedthem。
　　Theywerecaughtwithropes，andputinadungeon。Thereisanordernottoabuseprisonersbeforetheyhavebeenbroughtbeforeajudgment？"
　　"Itwasmyorder。Didtheseprisonersoffertobuytheirliveswithnews？"
　　"Themanhasnotspoken。Indeed，Ithinkhegothisdeath—woundinbeingtaken。Thewomanfoughtlikeacatalso，sotheysaidinthefort，butshewascaughtwithouthurt。Shesaysshehasgotnothingthatwouldbeofusetotell。Shesaysshehastiredoflivinglikeasavageoutsidethecity，andmoreoverthat，inside，thereisamanforwhosenearnessshecravesmostmightily。"
　　"Tut！"saidPhorenice。"Isthisaromancewehaveswumto？
　　Youseewhataffectionatecreatureswewomenare，Deucalion。"——Thegalleywasbroughtupagainsttheroyalquayandmadefasttoitsgoldenrings。IhandedtheEmpressashore，butsheturnedagainandfacedtheboat，hergarmentsstillyieldingupaslenderdripofwater。——"Produceyourwomanprisoner，mastercaptain，andletusseewhethersheisarunawaywife，oralovesickgirlmadafterhersweetheart。ThenIwilldeliverjudgmentonher，andaslikeasnotwillsurpriseyouallwithmyclemency。Iaminamoodfortenderromanceto—day。"
　　Theport—captainwentintothelittlehutchofacabinwithawhiteface。ItwasplainthatPhorenice’spleasantriesscaredhim。
　　"Themanappearstobedead，YourMajesty。Iseethathiswounds——"
　　"Bringoutthewoman，youfool。Iaskedforher。Keepyourcarrionwhereitis。"
　　Isawthefellowstoopforhisknifetocutalashing，andpresentlywhoshouldhebringouttothedaylightbutthegirlI
　　hadsavedfromthecave—tigersinthecircus，andwhohadsostrangelydrawnmetoherduringthehoursthatwehadspentafterwardsincompanionship。Itwasclear，too，thattheEmpressrecognisedheralso。Indeed，shemadenosecretaboutthematter，addressingherbyname，andmockinglymakinginquiriesaboutthemenageoftherebels，andthesuccessoftheprisoner’samours。
　　"Thisgoodport—captaintellsmethatyoumadeamostvaliantattempttoreturn，Nais，andforanexcuseyoutoldthatitwasyourloveforsomemaninthecityherewhichdrewyou。Come，now，wearewillingtooverlookmuchofyourfaults，ifyouwillgiveusareasonablechance。Pointmeoutyourman，andifheisaproperfellow，Iwillseethathewedsyouhonestly。Yes，andIwilldomoreforyou，Nais，sincethisdaybringsmetoahusband。Seeingthatallyourestateisconfiscateasapenaltyforyourlaterebellion，Iwillchargemyselfwithyourdowry，andgiveitbacktoyou。Socome，namemetheman。"
　　Thegirllookedatherwithasullenbrow。"Ispokealie，"
　　shesaid;"thereisnoman。"
　　Itriedmyselftogiveheradvocacy。"Theladydoubtlessspokewhatcametoherlips。Whenawomanisinthegripofarudesoldiery，anyexcusewhichcansaveherforthemomentmustserve。
　　Formyself，Ishouldthinkitlikeenoughthatshewouldconfesstohavingcomebacktoheroldallegiance，ifshewereasked。"
　　"Sir，"saidtheEmpress，"keepyourpeace。Anyinterestyoumayshowinthismatterwillgofartooffendme。YouhavespokenofNaisinyournarrativebefore，andalthoughyourtonguewasshrewdandyoudidnotsaymuch，IamawomanandIcouldreadbetweenthelines。Nowregard，myrebel，Ihavenowishtobeundulyharduponyou，thoughonceyouweremyfan—girl，andsoyourrunningawaytotheseill—kemptmalcontents，whobeattheirheadsagainstmycitywalls，isallthemorenaughty。Butyoumustmeetmehalfway。Youmustgiveanexcuseforleniency。Pointmeoutthemanyouwouldwed，andheshallbeyourhusbandto—morrow。"
　　"Thereisnoman。"
　　"Thennamemeoneatrandom。Why，myprettyNais，nottenmonthsagotherewereascorewhowouldhaveleapedatthechanceofhavingyouforawife。Dropyourcoyness，girl，andnamemeoneofthose。IwarrantyouthatIwillbeyourambassadressandwillputthemattertohimwithsuchdelicacythathewillnotmakeyoublushbyrefusal。"
　　Theprisonermoistenedherlips。"Iamamaiden，andIhaveamaiden’smodesty。Iwilldieasyouchoose，butIwillnotdothisindecency。"
　　"Well，Iamamaidentoo，andthoughbecauseIamEmpressalso，questionsofStatehavetostandbeforequestionsofmyprivatemodesty，Icanhaveasympathyforyours——althoughintruthitdidnotobtrudeundulywhenyouweremyfan—girl，Nais。No，cometothinkofit，youlikedatenderglanceandaprettyphraseaswellasanywhenyouwerefan—girl。Youhavegrownwildandshy，amongstthesesavagerebels，butIwillnotpunishyouforthat。
　　"Letmecallyourfavouritestomemorynow。TherewasTarca，ofcourse，butTarcahadadifferencewiththatill—dressedfatherofyours，andwearsaleprosyonhalfhisfaceinsteadofthatbeardheusedtotrimsofinely。AndthenthereisTatho，butTathoisawayoverseas。Eron，too，youlikedonce，butbelostanarminfightingt’otherday，andIwouldnotmarryyoutolessthanawholeman。Ah，bymyface！Ihaveit，thedaintyexquisite，Rota！Heisthehusband！HowwellIrememberthewayheusedtodressinachangeofgarbeachdaytocatchyourproudfancy，girl。
　　Well，youshallhaveRota。Heshallleadyoutowifebeforethishourto—morrow。"
　　Againtheprisonermoistenedherlips。"IwillnothaveRota，andsparemetheothers。Iknowwhyyoumockme，Phorenice。"
　　"Thentherearethreeofusherewhoshareoneknowledge。"——Sheturnedhereyesuponme。Gods！whoeversawthelikeofPhorenice’seyes，andwhoeversawthemlitwithsuchfireasburnedwithinthemthen？——"Mylord，youaremarryingmeforpolicy;Iammarryingyouforpolicy，andforanotherreasonwhichhasgrownstrongeroflate，andwhichyoumayguessat。Doyouwishstilltocarryoutthematch？"
　　IlookedonceatNais，andthenIlookedsteadilybacktoPhorenice。ThecommandgivenbythemouthofZaemonfromtheHighCounciloftheSacredMountainhadtooutweighallelse，andI
　　answeredthatsuchwasmydesire。
　　"Then，"saidshe，gloweringatmewithhereyes，"youshallbuildmeuptheprettybodyofNaisbeneathathroneofgraniteasaweddinggift。Andyoushalldoittoowithyourownproperhands，myDeucalion，whilstIwatchyourdevotion。"
　　AndtoNaissheturnedwithacruelsmile。"Youliedtome，mygirl，andyouspoketruthtothesoldiersintheharbourforts。
　　Thereisamanhereinthecityyoucameafter，andheistheonemanyoumaynothave。Becauseyouknowmewell，andmymethodsverythoroughly，yourloveforhimmustbeverydeep，oryouwouldnothavecome。Andso，beinghere，youshallbeputbeyondmischief’sreach。Iamnotoneofthosewhoseeluxuryinfosteringrivals。
　　"YoucameforattentionatthehandsofDeucalion。Bymyface！
　　youshallhaveit。Iwillwatchmyselfwhilsthebuildsyouupliving。"
　　11。ANAFFAIRWITHTHE
　　BARBAROUSFISHERS
　　SothismightyEmpresschosetobejealousofamerewomanprisoner！
　　Nowmymindhasbeentrainedtoworkwithasoldierlyquicknessinthesemomentsofstress，andIdecidedonmypropercourseontheinstantthewordshadleftherlips。IwassacrificingmyselfforAtlantisbyorderoftheHighCouncilofthePriests，and，ifneedful，Naismustbesacrificedalso，althoughinthesameflashaschemecametomeforsavingher。
　　SoIbowedgravelybeforetheEmpress，andsaidI，"Inthis，andinallotherthingswhereamerehumanhandispotent，Iwillcarryoutyourwishes，Phorenice。"Andsheonherpartpattedmyarm，andfreshwavesoffeelingwelledupfromthedepthsofherwondrouseyes。SurelytheGodswonforherhalfherschemesandhalfherbattleswhentheygavePhorenicehershape，andhervoice，andthematterswhichlaywithintheoutlinesofherface。
　　Bythistimethemerchants，andtheotherdwellersadjacenttothispartoftheharbour，wheretheroyalquaystands，hadcomedown，offeringchangesofraiment，andhousestoretireinto。
　　Phorenicewasallgraciousness，andthoughitwaslittleenoughI
　　caredformerewetnessofmycoat，stillthatpartoftheharbourintowhichwehadbeenthrownbythemammothwasnotoversavoury，andIwasgladenoughtofollowherexample。Formyself，IsaidnofurtherwordtoNais，andrefrainedevenfromgivingheraglanceoffarewell。ButasmallsoplikethiswasnomealforPhorenice，andshegavetheport—captainstrictordersfortheguardingofhisprisonerbeforeshelefthim。
　　AtthehouseintowhichIwasusheredtheygavemeabath，andIeasedmyhostoftheplainestgarmentinhisstore，andhewaspleasedenoughatgettingoffsocheaply。ButIhadanhourtospendoutsideonthepavementlisteningtothedistantdinofbombardmentbeforePhorenicecameouttomeagain，andIcouldnothelpfeelingsomegrimamusementatthefaceofthemerchantwhofollowed。Thefellowwasclearlyruined。Hehadastoreofjewelsandgaudsofthemostcostlykind，whichwereonlyinfractionhisown，seeingthathehadboughtthem（asthecustomis）inpartnershipwithothermerchants。ThesehadpleasedPhorenice’seye，andsoshehadtakenallanddisposedthemonherperson。
　　"Aretheynotpretty？"saidshe，showingthemtome。"Seehowtheyflashunderthesun。Iamquitegladnow，Deucalion，thatthemammothgaveusthatfuriousrideandthatspill，sinceithasbroughtmesuchabonnypresent。Youmaytellthefellowherethatsomedaywhenhehasearnedsomemore，Iwillcomeandbehisguestagain。Ah！Theyhavebroughtuslitters，Isee。Well，sendoneawayanddoyoushareminewithme，sir。Wemustplayatbeingloversto—day，evenifloveisamatterwhichwillcometousbothwithmorecertaintyto—morrow。No;donotordermorebearers。Myownslaveswillcarryushandilyenough。Iamgladyouarenotoneofyourgross，overfedmen，Deucalion。Iamsmallandslimmyself，andIdonotwanttobehusbandedbyamanwhowillovershadowme。"
　　"Backtotheroyalpyramid？"Iasked。
　　"No，nortothewalls。IneitherwishtofightnortositasEmpressto—day，sir。AsIhavetoldyoubefore，itismywhimtobePhorenice，themaiden，forafewhours，andifsomeoneIwotofwouldwoomenow，asothermaidensarewooed，Ishouldesteemitaluxury。Bidtheslavescarryusroundtheharbour’srim，andgivewordtothesestarersthat，iftheyfollow，IwillcalldownfireuponthemasIdiduponthesacrifice。"
　　Now，Ihadseensomethingoftheunrulinessofthestreetsmyself，andIhadgatheredahintalsofromtheofficeratthegateoftheroyalpyramidthatnightofPhorenice’swelcomingbanquet。
　　ButaswhatevertherewasinthemattermustbecommonknowledgetotheEmpress，Ididnotbringittohermemorythen。SoIdismissedtheguardwhichhadcomeup，anddroveawaywithafewsharpwordsthethrongofgapingsightseerswhoalways，sillycreatures，mustneedscometostareattheirbetters;andthenIsatinthelitterintheplacewhereIwasinvited，andthebearersputtheirheadstothepole。
　　Theyswungawaywithusalongthewidepavementwhichrunsbetweenthehousesofthemerchantsandthemarinerfolkandthedimplingwatersoftheharbour，andIthoughtsomewhatsadlyofthefewshipsthatfloatedonthatsplendidbasinnow，andofthefewevidencesofbusinessthatshowedthemselvesonthequays。Timewaswhentheshipswereberthedsoclosethatmanyhadtowaitintheestuaryoutsidethewalls，andmemorialshadbeensenttotheKingthattheportshouldbedoubledinsizetoholdtheglutoftrade。Andthat，too，intheolddaysofoarandsail，whenmachinesdrawingpowerfromourLordtheSunwerebutrarelyusedtohelpavesselspeedilyalonghercourse。
　　TheEgyptvoyageandareturnwasamatterofayearthen，asagainstabraceofmonthsnow，andofthreeshipsthatsetout，oneatleastcouldbereckoneduponsuccumbingtothedangersofthewidewatersandtheterriblebeaststhathauntthem。Butinthoseolddaystraderoaredwithlustylife，andwasevergrowingwiderandmoreheavy。YourmerchantthenwasaportlymanandgavegenerouslytotheGods。Butnowalltheworldseemedtobeinarms，andmoreovertradewasvulgar。Yourmerchant，ifhewasamanofsubstance，forgothismerchandise，sworethatchafferingwasmoreindelicatethanblasphemyandcurledhisbeardafterthenewfashion，andbecameacourtier。Wherehisfatherhadspentanxiousdayswithcargotallyandship—master，thesonwastedhoursindirectingsewingmenastheyadornedacoat，andnightsinvapouringatabanquet。
　　Ofthesmallermerchantswhohadnosubstancelaidby，taxesandtheconstantbickeringsofwarhadwellnighgroundthemintostarvation。Besides，withthecountryinconstantuproar，therewerefewmarketsleftformostmerchandise，norwasthereaughtmadenowwhichcouldbecarriedabroad。Ifyourweaverispressedasafire—tubemanhedoesnotmakecloth，andifyourfarmerisplayingatrebellion，hedoesnotbuyslavestotillhisfields。
　　Indeed，theytoldmethatamonthbeforemyreturn，asfineacargoofslaveshadbeenbroughtintoharbourasevercameoutofEurope，andtherewasnothingforitbuttosetthemashoreacrosstheestuary，andleavethemfreetostarveorliveinthewildgroundthereastheychose。TherewasnomaninallAtlantiswhowouldholdsomuchasonemoreslaveasagift。
　　ButthoughIwasgrievedatthisfallingaway，allschemesforremedywouldbeforafterwards。Itwouldonlymakeillworsetospeakofitaswerodetogetherinthelitter。IwasgrowingtoknowPhorenice’smoodsenoughforthat。Still，Ithinkthatshetoohadstudiedmine，anddidherbesttointerestmebetweenherburstsoftrifling。Wewentouttowherethewesternmostharbourwalljoinstheland，andtherethepantingbearerssetusdown。
　　Sheledmeintoalittlehouseofstonewhichstoodbyitself，builtoutonapromontorywherethereisaconstantrunoftide，andwhenwehadbeengivenadmittance，aftermuchunbarring，sheshowedmehernewgoldcollectors。
　　InthedryknowledgetaughtinthecollegesandgrovesoftheSacredMountainithadbeenacommonfacttousthatthemetalgoldwaspresentinadissolvedstateinallseawater，butofplansfordraggingitforthintoyellowhardness，nonehadeverbeendiscussed。Butherethisfield—rearedupstartofanEmpresshadstumbleduponthetrickasthoughithadbeenwritteninabook。
　　ShepattedmyarmlaughinglyasIstaredcuriouslyroundtheplace。"ItellallothersinAtlantisthatonlytheGodshavethissecret，"saidshe，"andthatTheygaveittomeasoneofthemselves。ButIamnoGoddesstoyou，amI，Deucalion？And，bymyface！Ihavenootherexplanationofhowthisplanwasinvented。We’llsupposeImusthavedreamedit。Look！Thesea—watersluicesinthroughthatculvert，andpassesovertheseroughmetalplatessetinthefloor，andthenflowsoutagainyonderinitsnaturalcourse。Youseetheyellowmetalcaughtintheridgesoftheplates？Thatisgold。Andmyfellowsheremeltitwithfireintobars，andtakeittomysmith’sinthecity。Thetidesvaryconstantly，asyoupriestsknowwell，asthequietmoondrawsthem，anditdoesnottakemuchfiguringtoknowhowmuchoftheseapassesthroughtheseculvertsinamonthandhowmuchgoldtoagrainshouldbecaughtintheplates。Myfellowshereatfirstthoughttocheatme，butItowedtwooftheminthewateroncebehindagalleytillthecannibalfishatethem，andsincethentheothershavegivenmecreditfor——forwhatdoyouthink？"
　　"Moredivinity。"
　　"Isupposeitisthat。ButIamlettingyouseehowitisdone。Justhavetheheadtoworkoutalittlesum，andseewhataneffectcanbegained。YouwillbeaGodyetyourself，Deucalion，withthesesillyAtlanteans，ifonlyyouwilluseyourwitandcleverness。"
　　Wasshelaughingatme？Wassheinearnest？Icouldnottell。Sometimesshepointedoutthathersuccessandtriumphsweremerelytherewardofthoughtandbrilliancy，andnextmomentshegavemesomeimpossibleexplanationandleftmetodeducethatshemustbemorethanmortalorthethingcouldneverhavebeenfound。
　　Ingoodtruth，thislittlewomanwithhersupplemindandhersupplebodymystifiedmemoreandmorethelongerIstayedbyherside;andmoreandmoredespairingdidIgrowthatAtlantiscouldeverberestoredbymyagencytopeaceandtheancientGods，evenafterIhadcarriedoutthecommandsoftheHighCouncil，andtakenhertowife。
　　Onlyoneplanseemedhumanlypossible，andthatwastocurbherfurthermischievousnessbydeathandthenleavethewretchedcountrynaturallytorecover。Itwasjustadagger—stroke，andthethingwasdone。Yettheveryideaofthisrevoltedme，andwhenthedesperatethoughtcametomymind（whichitdideverandanon），Ihuggedtomyselftheanswerthatifitwerefittingtodothisthing，theHighGodsinTheirinfinitewisdomwouldsurelyhaveputdefinitecommandsuponmeforitscarryingout。
　　Yet，suchwasthefascinationofPhorenice，thatwhenpresentlywelefthergoldcollectors，andstumbledintosuchperil，thatalittlewithholdingofmyhandwouldhavegainedherapassagetothenetherGods，Ifoundmyselffightingwhenshecalleduponme，asseldomIhavefoughtbefore。Andthough，ofcourse，someblameforthismustbelaiduponthatlustofbattlewhichthrillseventhecoldestofuswhenblowsbegintowhistleandwar—criesstarttoring，thereisnodoubtalsothatthepleasureofprotectingPhorenice，andthedistasteforseeingherpulleddownbythoserude，uncouthfishersputspecialnerveandvehemenceintomyblows。
　　ThecauseofthematterwastheunrestandtheprevalencytostreetviolencewhichIhavespokenofabove，andthedesperatepovertyofthecommonpeople，whichledthemtotakeanyriskifitshowedthemachanceofwinningthewherewithaltopurchaseameal。
　　Wehadoncemoremountedthelitter，andoncemorethebearers，withtheirheadsbeneaththepole，boreusonattheiraccustomedswingingtrot。Phorenicewastellingmeabouthernewsuppliesofgold。Shehadmadefreshsumptuarylaws，itappeared。
　　"Intheolddays，"saidshe，"whenyellowgoldwastediouslydredgedupgrainbygrainfromrivergravelsinthedangerouslands，aquillfullwouldcostarichman’ssavings，andsononebutthosewhosehighstationfittedthemtobesoadornedcouldweargoldenornaments。Butwhenthesea—watergavemegoldherebythedoublehandfuladay，Ifoundthatthepriceoftheseriverhoardsdecreased，andoneday——couldyoucreditit？——acommonfellow，whowasoneofmysmiths，cametomewearingacollarofyellowgoldonhisowncommonneck。Well，Ihadthatneckdivided，aspaymentforhispresumption;andasIpromisedtorepeatthedivisionpromptlyonallotheroffenders，thatspecialspeciesofforwardnessseemstobecheckedforthetime。Therearemanyexasperations，Deucalion，ingoverningthesecommonpeople。"
　　Shehadotherthingstosayuponthematter，butatthispointIsawtwoclumsyboatsoffisherspaddlingtousfromovertheripples，andatthesametimeamongstthenarrowlaneswhichledbetweenthehousesontheothersideofus，savage—facedmenwerebeginningtorunafterthelitterinthreateningclusters。
　　"Withpermission，"Isaid，"Iwillstepoutoftheconveyanceandscatterthisrabble。"
　　"Oh，thepeoplealwaysclusterroundme。Pooruglysouls，theyseemtotakeastrangedelightincomingtostareatmyprettylooks。Butscatterthem。IhavesaidIdidnotwishtobefollowed。Iamtakingholidaynow，Deucalion，amInot，whilstyoulearntowoome？"
　　Isteppedtotheground。Theroughfishersintheboatswerebeginningtoshouttothosewhododgedamongstthehousestoseetoitthatwedidnotescape，andthenumberswhohemmedusinontheshoresidewereincreasingeverymoment。Theprospectwasunpleasantenough。Wehadcomeoutbeyondthemerchants’quarters，andwerelevelwiththosesmallhutsofmudandgrasswhichthefishingpopulationdeemsufficientforshelter，andwhichhasalwaysbeenaspotwhereturbulencemightbeexpected。Indeed，eveninthosedaysofpeaceandgoodgovernmentintheoldKing’stime，thispartofthecityhadrarelybeenwithoutitsweeklyriot。
　　Thelifeofthefishermanisthemosthardthatanyhumantoilershavetoendure。Violencefromthewindandwaves，andpeltingfromfirestonesoutoftheskyaretheirdailyportion;thegreatbeaststhatdwellintheseashuntthemwithsavagepersistence，anditisararedaywhenatleastsomeoneofthefishers’guildfailstocomehometoanswerthetally。
　　Moreover，themannerwhichprevailsofcatchingfishisnotwithoutitsrisks。
　　Toeachmanthereisalargesea—fowltakenasanestling，andtrainedtothework。Aringofbronzeisrounditsnecktopreventitsswallowingthespoilforwhichitdives，andforeachfishittakesandfliesbackwithtotheboat，theheadandtailandinwardsaregiventoitforareward，theringbeingremovedwhilstitmakesthemeal。
　　Thebirdsarefaithful，oncetheyhavegotatraining，andareseldomknowntodeserttheirowners;but，althoughthefisherstreatthemmorekindlythantheydotheirwives，orchildrenoftheirownbegetting，thelifeofthebirdsisprecariouslikethatoftheirmasters。Thelargerbeastsandfishoftheseapreyonthemastheypreyonthesmallerfish，andsowhatevercaremaybelavisheduponthem，theyaremostliabletosuddencuttingoff。
　　Andhereisanotherthingthatmakesthelifeofthefishermostprecarious:ifhisfishingbirdbeslain，andthesecondwhichhehasintrainingalsocomebyillfortune，heisleftsuddenlybereftofallutensilsoflivelihood，and（foraughthisguild—fellowscare）hemaygostarve。ForthesefishersholdthattheGodsofthesearegulatetheircraft，andthatifoneisnotpleasingtoThemTheyrobhimofhisbirds;afterwhichitwouldbeimpioustohaveanytruckordealingwithsuchafellow;andaccordinglyheislefttostarveorrobashechooses。
　　Allofwhichcircumstancestendtomakethefishersrude，desperatemen，whohavebeenforcedintothetradebecauseallothercallingshaverejectedthem。Theyarefellows，moreover，whowillspendthegainsofamonthonanight’sdebauch，forfearthatthemorrowwillrobthemoflifeandthechanceofspending;and，moreover，itistheironepointofhonourtobecurbedinnodesirebyanordinaryfearofconsequences。Aswillappear。
　　Iwentquicklytowardsthelargestknotofthesepeople，whowereskulkingbehindthehouses，leavingthelitterhaltedinthepathbehindme，andIbadethemsharplyenoughtodisperse。"Foranemployment，"Iadded，"putyourhousesinorder，andcleanthefishoffalfromthelanesbetweenthem。To—morrowIwillcomeroundheretoinspect，andputthisquarterintoabetterorder。
　　Butforto—daytheEmpress（whosenamebeadored）wishesforaprivacy，soceaseyourstaring。"
　　"Thengiveusmoney，"saidashrillvoicefromamongstthehuts。
　　"Iwillsendyouatorchinanhour’stime，"Isaidgrimly，"andrigyouagallows，ifyougivememoreannoyance。Toyourkennels，you！"
　　Ithinktheywouldhaveobeyedthevoiceofauthorityiftheyhadbeenlefttothemselves。Therewasaquickstiramongstthem。
　　Thosethatstoodinthesunlightinstinctivelyslippedintotheshadow，andmanydodgedintothehousesandcoweredindarkcornersoutofsight。Butthemeninthetwohide—coveredfisher—boatsthatwerepaddlingup，calledthembackwithboisterouscries。
　　Isignedtothelitter—bearerstomoveonquicklyalongtheirroad。Therewasneedofdisciplinehere，andIwasmindedtodealitoutmyselfwithafirmhand。IjudgedthatIcouldpreventthemfollowingtheEmpress，butifshestillremainedasaglitteringbaitforthemtorob，andIhadtoprotectheralso，itmightbethatmyworkwouldnotbedonesoeffectively。
　　ButitseemsIwaspresumptuousingivinganorderwhichdealtwiththepersonofPhorenice。Shebadethebearersstandwheretheywere，andsteppedout，anddrewherweaponsfrombeneaththecushions。Shecametowardsmestrappingaswordontoherhip，andcarryingawell—dintedtargetofgoldonherleftforearm。"Anunfairtrick，"criesshe，laughing。"Ifyouwillkeepafighttoyourselfnow，Deucalion，wherewillyourgreedinesscarryyouwhenIamyourshrinking，wistfullittlewife？Arethesefoolstrulygoingtostandupagainstus？"
　　Iwasnotcovetingafight，butitseemedasiftherewouldbenoavoidanceofitnow。TherobeandtheglitteringgaudsofwhichPhorenicehadrecentlydespoiledthemerchant，drewtheeyesofthesepeoplewithkeenattraction。Thefishersintheboatspaddledintothesurfwhichedgedthebeach，andleapedoversideandleftthefrailbasket—workstructurestobespewedupsoundorsmashed，aschanceordered。Andfromthehouses，andfromthefilthylanesbetweenthem，pouredouthordesofothers，womenmixedwiththemen，gatheringroundusthreateningly。
　　"Haveacare，"shoutedoneontheoutskirtsofthecrowd。
　　"Shecalleddownfireforthesacrificeonceto—day，andshecanburnupothershereifshechooses。"
　　"Somuchthemoreforthosethatareleft，"retortedanother。
　　"Shecannotburnall。"