Contents：
　　TheRedOneTheHussyLikeArgusoftheAncientTimesThePrincessSTORY：THEREDONE
　　THEREitwas！Theabruptliberationofsound！Ashetimeditwithhiswatch，Bassettlikenedittothetrumpofanarchangel。Wallsofcities，hemeditated，mightwellfalldownbeforesovastandcompellingasummons。Forthethousandthtimevainlyhetriedtoanalysethetone-qualityofthatenormouspealthatdominatedthelandfarintothestrong-holdsofthesurroundingtribes。Themountaingorgewhichwasitssourcerangtotherisingtideofituntilitbrimmedoverandfloodedearthandskyandair。Withthewantonnessofasickman’sfancy，helikenedittothemightycryofsomeTitanoftheElderWorldvexedwithmiseryorwrath。
　　Higherandhigheritarose，challenginganddemandinginsuchprofoundsofvolumethatitseemedintendedforearsbeyondthenarrowconfinesofthesolarsystem。Therewasinit，too，theclamourofprotestinthattherewerenoearstohearandcomprehenditsutterance-
　　Suchthesickman’sfancy。Stillhestrovetoanalysethesound。
　　Sonorousasthunderwasit，mellowasagoldenbell，thinandsweetasathrummedtautcordofsilver-no;itwasnoneofthese，norablendofthese。Therewerenowordsnorsemblancesinhisvocabularyandexperiencewithwhichtodescribethetotalityofthatsound。
　　Timepassed。Minutesmergedintoquartersofhours，andquartersofhoursintohalf-hours，andstillthesoundpersisted，everchangingfromitsinitialvocalimpulseyetneverreceivingfreshimpulse-fading，dimming，dyingasenormouslyasithadsprungintobeing。Itbecameaconfusionoftroubledmutteringsandbabblingsandcolossalwhisperings。Slowlyitwithdrew，sobbysob，intowhatevergreatbosomhadbirthedit，untilitwhimpereddeadlywhispersofwrathandasequallyseductivewhispersofdelight，strivingstilltobeheard，toconveysomecosmicsecret，someunderstandingofinfiniteimportandvalue。Itdwindledtoaghostofsoundthathadlostitsmenaceandpromise，andbecameathingthatpulsedoninthesickman’sconsciousnessforminutesafterithadceased。Whenhecouldhearitnolonger，Bassettglancedathiswatch。Anhourhadelapsederethatarchangel’strumphadsubsidedintotonalnothingness。
　　Wasthis，then，HISdarktower？-Bassettpondered，rememberinghisBrowningandgazingathisskeleton-likeandfever-wastedhands。
　　Andthefancymadehimsmile-ofChildeRolandbearingaslug-horntohislipswithanarmasfeebleashiswas。Wasitmonths，oryears，heaskedhimself，sincehefirstheardthatmysteriouscallonthebeachatRingmanu？Tosavehimselfhecouldnottell。Thelongsicknesshadbeenmostlong。Inconsciouscountoftimeheknewofmonths，manyofthem;buthehadnowayofestimatingthelongintervalsofdeliriumandstupor。AndhowfaredCaptainBatemanoftheblackbirderNARI？hewondered;andhadCaptainBateman’sdrunkenmatediedofdeliriumtremensyet？
　　Fromwhichvainspeculations，BassettturnedidlytoreviewallthathadoccurredsincethatdayonthebeachofRingmanuwhenhefirstheardthesoundandplungedintothejungleafterit。Sagawahadprotested。Hecouldseehimyet，hisqueerlittlemonkeyishfaceeloquentwithfear，hisbackburdenedwithspecimencases，inhishandsBassett’sbutterflynetandnaturalist’sshot-gun，ashequavered，inBeche-de-merEnglish："Mefellatoomuchfrightalongbush。Badfellaboy，toomuchstop’malongbush。"
　　Bassettsmiledsadlyattherecollection。ThelittleNewHanoverboyhadbeenfrightened，buthadprovedfaithful，followinghimwithouthesitancyintothebushinthequestafterthesourceofthewonderfulsound。Nofire-hollowedtree-trunk，that，throbbingwarthroughthejungledepths，hadbeenBassett’sconclusion。
　　Erroneoushadbeenhisnextconclusion，namely，thatthesourceorcausecouldnotbemoredistantthananhour’swalk，andthathewouldeasilybebackbymid-afternoontobepickedupbytheNARI’S
　　whale-boat。
　　"Thatbigfellanoisenogood，allthesamedevil-devil，"Sagawahadadjudged。AndSagawahadbeenright。Hadhenothadhisheadhackedoffwithintheday？Bassettshuddered。WithoutdoubtSagawahadbeeneatenaswellbythe"badfellaboystoomuch"thatstoppedalongthebush。Hecouldseehim，ashehadlastseenhim，strippedoftheshot-gunandallthenaturalist’sgearofhismaster，lyingonthenarrowtrailwherehehadbeendecapitatedbarelythemomentbefore。Yes，withinaminutethethinghadhappened。Withinaminute，lookingback，Bassetthadseenhimtrudgingpatientlyalongunderhisburdens。ThenBassett’sowntroublehadcomeuponhim。Helookedatthecruellyhealedstumpsofthefirstandsecondfingersofhislefthand，thenrubbedthemsoftlyintotheindentationinthebackofhisskull。Quickashadbeentheflashofthelonghandledtomahawk，hehadbeenquickenoughtoduckawayhisheadandpartiallytodeflectthestrokewithhisup-flunghand。Twofingersandahastyscalp-woundhadbeenthepricehepaidforhislife。Withonebarrelofhisten-
　　gaugeshot-gunhehadblownthelifeoutofthebushmanwhohadsonearlygothim;withtheotherbarrelhehadpepperedthebushmenbendingoverSagawa，andhadthepleasureofknowingthatthemajorportionofthechargehadgoneintotheonewholeapedawaywithSagawa’shead。Everythinghadoccurredinaflash。Onlyhimself，theslainbushman，andwhatremainedofSagawa，wereinthenarrow，wild-pigrunofapath。Fromthedarkjungleoneithersidecamenorustleofmovementorsoundoflife。Andhehadsuffereddistinctanddreadfulshock。Forthefirsttimeinhislifehehadkilledahumanbeing，andheknewnauseaashecontemplatedthemessofhishandiwork。
　　Thenhadbegunthechase。Heretreatedupthepig-runbeforehishunters，whowerebetweenhimandthebeach。Howmanytherewere，hecouldnotguess。Theremighthavebeenone，orahundred，foraughthesawofthem。Thatsomeofthemtooktothetreesandtravelledalongthroughthejungleroofhewascertain;butatthemostheneverglimpsedmorethananoccasionalflittingofshadows。
　　Nobow-stringstwangedthathecouldhear;buteverylittlewhile，whencedischargedheknewnot，tinyarrowswhisperedpasthimorstrucktree-bolesandflutteredtothegroundbesidehim。Theywerebone-tippedandfeathershafted，andthefeathers，tornfromthebreastsofhumming-birds，iridescedlikejewels。
　　Once-andnow，afterthelonglapseoftime，hechuckledgleefullyattherecollection-hehaddetectedashadowabovehimthatcametoinstantrestasheturnedhisgazeupward。Hecouldmakeoutnothing，but，decidingtochanceit，hadfiredatitaheavychargeofnumberfiveshot。Squallinglikeaninfuriatedcat，theshadowcrasheddownthroughtree-fernsandorchidsandthuddedupontheearthathisfeet，and，stillsquallingitsrageandpain，hadsunkitshumanteethintotheankleofhisstouttrampingboot。He，ontheotherhand，wasnotidle，andwithhisfreefoothaddonewhatreducedthesquallingtosilence。SoinuredtosavageryhasBassettsincebecome，thathechuckledagainwiththegleeoftherecollection。
　　Whatanighthadfollowed！Smallwonderthathehadaccumulatedsuchavirulenceandvarietyoffevers，hethought，asherecalledthatsleeplessnightoftorment，whenthethrobofhiswoundswasasnothingcomparedwiththemyriadstingsofthemosquitoes。
　　Therehadbeennoescapingthem，andhehadnotdaredtolightafire。Theyhadliterallypumpedhisbodyfullofpoison，sothat，withthecomingofday，eyesswollenalmostshut，hehadstumbledblindlyon，notcaringmuchwhenhisheadshouldbehackedoffandhiscarcassstartedonthewayofSagawa’stothecookingfire。
　　Twenty-fourhourshadmadeawreckofhim-ofmindaswellasbody。Hehadscarcelyretainedhiswitsatall，somaddenedwashebythetremendousinoculationofpoisonhehadreceived。Severaltimeshefiredhisshot-gunwitheffectintotheshadowsthatdoggedhim。Stingingdayinsectsandgnatsaddedtohistorment，whilehisbloodywoundsattractedhostsofloathsomefliesthatclungsluggishlytohisfleshandhadtobebrushedoffandcrushedoff。
　　Once，inthatday，heheardagainthewonderfulsound，seeminglymoredistant，butrisingimperiouslyabovethenearerwar-drumsinthebush。Righttherewaswherehehadmadehismistake。Thinkingthathehadpassedbeyonditandthat，therefore，itwasbetweenhimandthebeachofRingmanu，hehadworkedbacktowarditwheninrealityhewaspenetratingdeeperanddeeperintothemysteriousheartoftheunexploredisland。Thatnight，crawlinginamongthetwistedrootsofabanyantree，hehadsleptfromexhaustionwhilethemosquitoeshadhadtheirwillofhim。
　　Followeddaysandnightsthatwerevagueasnightmaresinhismemory。Oneclearvisionherememberedwasofsuddenlyfindinghimselfinthemidstofabushvillageandwatchingtheoldmenandchildrenfleeingintothejungle。Allhadfledbutone。Fromcloseathandandabovehim，awhimperingasofsomeanimalinpainandterrorhadstartledhim。Andlookinguphehadseenher-agirl，oryoungwomanrather，suspendedbyonearminthecookingsun。Perhapsfordaysshehadsohung。Herswollen，protrudingtonguespokeasmuch。Stillalive，shegazedathimwitheyesofterror。Pasthelp，hedecided，ashenotedtheswellingsofherlegswhichadvertisedthatthejointshadbeencrushedandthegreatbonesbroken。Heresolvedtoshoother，andtherethevisionterminated。Hecouldnotrememberwhetherhehadornot，anymorethancouldherememberhowhechancedtobeinthatvillage，orhowhesucceededingettingawayfromit。
　　Manypictures，unrelated，cameandwentinBassett’smindashereviewedthatperiodofhisterriblewanderings。Herememberedinvadinganothervillageofadozenhousesanddrivingallbeforehimwithhisshot-gunsave，foroneoldman，toofeebletoflee，whospatathimandwhinedandsnarledashedugopenaground-ovenandfromamidthehotstonesdraggedfortharoastedpigthatsteameditsessencedeliciouslythroughitsgreen-leafwrappings。
　　Itwasatthisplacethatawantonnessofsavageryhadseizeduponhim。Havingfeasted，readytodepartwithahind-quarterofthepiginhishand，hedeliberatelyfiredthegrassthatchofahousewithhisburningglass。
　　ButseareddeepestofallinBassett’sbrain，wasthedankandnoisomejungle。Itactuallystankwithevil，anditwasalwaystwilight。Rarelydidashaftofsunlightpenetrateitsmattedroofahundredfeetoverhead。Andbeneaththatroofwasanaerialoozeofvegetation，amonstrous，parasiticdrippingofdecadentlife-
　　formsthatrootedindeathandlivedondeath。Andthroughallthishedrifted，everpursuedbytheflittingshadowsoftheanthropophagi，themselvesghostsofevilthatdarednotfacehiminbattlebutthatknewthat，soonorlate，theywouldfeedonhim。
　　Bassettrememberedthatatthetime，inlucidmoments，hehadlikenedhimselftoawoundedbullpursuedbyplains’coyotestoocowardlytobattlewithhimforthemeatofhim，yetcertainoftheinevitableendofhimwhentheywouldbefullgorged。Asthebull’shornsandstampinghoofskeptoffthecoyotes，sohisshot-
　　gunkeptofftheseSolomonIslanders，thesetwilightshadesofbushmenoftheislandofGuadalcanal。
　　Camethedayofthegrasslands。Abruptly，asifclovenbytheswordofGodinthehandofGod，thejungleterminated。Theedgeofit，perpendicularandasblackastheinfamyofit，wasahundredfeetupanddown。And，beginningattheedgeofit，grewthegrass-sweet，soft，tender，pasturegrassthatwouldhavedelightedtheeyesandbeastsofanyhusbandmanandthatextended，onandon，forleaguesandleaguesofvelvetverdure，tothebackboneofthegreatisland，thetoweringmountainrangeflungupbysomeancientearth-cataclysm，serratedandgulliedbutnotyeterasedbytheerosivetropicrains。Butthegrass！Hehadcrawledintoitadozenyards，buriedhisfaceinit，smelledit，andbrokendowninafitofinvoluntaryweeping。
　　And，whilehewept，thewonderfulsoundhadpealedforth-ifbyPEAL，hehadoftenthoughtsince，anadequatedescriptioncouldbegivenoftheenunciationofsovastasoundmeltingsweet。Sweetitwas，asnosoundeverheard。Vastitwas，ofsomightyaresonancethatitmighthaveproceededfromsomebrazen-throatedmonster。Andyetitcalledtohimacrossthatleagues-widesavannah，andwaslikeabenedictiontohislong-suffering，painrackedspirit。
　　Herememberedhowhelaythereinthegrass，wet-cheekedbutnolongersobbing，listeningtothesoundandwonderingthathehadbeenabletohearitonthebeachofRingmanu。Somefreakofairpressuresandaircurrents，hereflected，hadmadeitpossibleforthesoundtocarrysofar。Suchconditionsmightnothappenagaininathousanddaysortenthousanddays，buttheonedayithadhappenedhadbeenthedayhelandedfromtheNARIforseveralhours’collecting。Especiallyhadhebeeninquestofthefamedjunglebutterfly，afootacrossfromwing-tiptowing-tip，asvelvet-duskyoflackofcolouraswasthegloomoftheroof，ofsuchloftyarborealhabitsthatitresortedonlytothejungleroofandcouldbebroughtdownonlybyadoseofshot。ItwasforthispurposethatSagawahadcarriedtheten-gaugeshot-gun。
　　Twodaysandnightshehadspentcrawlingacrossthatbeltofgrassland。Hehadsufferedmuch，butpursuithadceasedatthejungle-
　　edge。Andhewouldhavediedofthirsthadnotaheavythunderstormrevivedhimonthesecondday。
　　AndthenhadcomeBalatta。Inthefirstshade，wherethesavannahyieldedtothedensemountainjungle，hehadcollapsedtodie。Atfirstshehadsquealedwithdelightatsightofhishelplessness，andwasforbeatinghisbrainoutwithastoutforestbranch。
　　Perhapsitwashisveryutterhelplessnessthathadappealedtoher，andperhapsitwasherhumancuriositythatmadeherrefrain。
　　Atanyrate，shehadrefrained，forheopenedhiseyesagainundertheimpendingblow，andsawherstudyinghimintently。Whatespeciallystruckherabouthimwerehisblueeyesandwhiteskin。
　　Coollyshehadsquattedonherhams，spatonhisarm，andwithherfinger-tipsscrubbedawaythedirtofdaysandnightsofmuckandjunglethatsulliedthepristinewhitenessofhisskin。
　　Andeverythingaboutherhadstruckhimespecially，althoughtherewasnothingconventionalaboutheratall。Helaughedweaklyattherecollection，forshehadbeenasinnocentofgarbasEvebeforethefig-leafadventure。Squatandleanatthesametime，asymmetricallylimbed，string-muscledasifwithlengthsofcordage，dirt-cakedfrominfancysaveforcasualshowers，shewasasunbeautifulaprototypeofwomanashe，withascientist’seye，hadevergazedupon。Herbreastsadvertisedattheonetimehermaturityandyouth;and，ifbynothingelse，hersexwasadvertisedbytheonearticleoffinerywithwhichshewasadorned，namelyapig’stail，thrustthoughaholeinherleftear-lobe。Solatelyhadthetailbeensevered，thatitsrawendstilloozedbloodthatdrieduponhershoulderlikesomuchcandle-droppings。Andherface！Atwistedandwizenedcomplexofapishfeatures，perforatedbyupturned，sky-open，Mongoliannostrils，byamouththatsaggedfromahugeupper-lipandfadedprecipitatelyintoaretreatingchin，bypeeringquerulouseyesthatblinkedasblinktheeyesofdenizensofmonkey-cages。
　　Noteventhewatershebroughthiminaforest-leaf，andtheancientandhalf-putridchunkofroastpig，couldredeemintheslightestthegrotesquehideousnessofher。Whenhehadeatenweaklyforaspace，heclosedhiseyesinordernottoseeher，althoughagainandagainshepokedthemopentopeerattheblueofthem。Thenhadcomethesound。Nearer，muchnearer，heknewittobe;andheknewequallywell，despitethewearywayhehadcome，thatitwasstillmanyhoursdistant。Theeffectofitonherhadbeenstartling。Shecringedunderit，withavertedface，moaningandchatteringwithfear。Butafterithadliveditsfulllifeofanhour，heclosedhiseyesandfellasleepwithBalattabrushingthefliesfromhim。
　　Whenheawokeitwasnight，andshewasgone。Buthewasawareofrenewedstrength，and，bythentoothoroughlyinoculatedbythemosquitopoisontosufferfurtherinflammation，heclosedhiseyesandsleptanunbrokenstretchtillsun-up。AlittlelaterBalattahadreturned，bringingwithherahalf-dozenwomenwho，unbeautifulastheywere，werepatentlynotsounbeautifulasshe。Sheevidencedbyherconductthatsheconsideredhimherfind，herproperty，andtheprideshetookinshowinghimoffwouldhavebeenludicroushadhissituationnotbeensodesperate。
　　Later，afterwhathadbeentohimaterriblejourneyofmiles，whenhecollapsedinfrontofthedevil-devilhouseintheshadowofthebreadfruittree，shehadshownverylivelyideasonthematterofretainingpossessionofhim。Ngurn，whomBassettwastoknowafterwardasthedevil-devildoctor，priest，ormedicinemanofthevillage，hadwantedhishead。Othersofthegrinningandchatteringmonkey-men，allasstarkofclothesandbestialofappearanceasBalatta，hadwantedhisbodyfortheroastingoven。
　　Atthattimehehadnotunderstoodtheirlanguage，ifbyLANGUAGE
　　mightbedignifiedtheuncouthsoundstheymadetorepresentideas。
　　ButBassetthadthoroughlyunderstoodthematterofdebate，especiallywhenthemenpressedandproddedandfeltofthefleshofhimasifheweresomuchcommodityinabutcher’sstall。
　　Balattahadbeenlosingthedebaterapidly，whentheaccidenthappened。Oneofthemen，curiouslyexaminingBassett’sshot-gun，managedtocockandpullatrigger。Therecoilofthebuttintothepitoftheman’sstomachhadnotbeenthemostsanguinaryresult，forthechargeofshot，atadistanceofayard，hadblowntheheadofoneofthedebatersintonothingness。
　　EvenBalattajoinedtheothersinflight，and，eretheyreturned，hissensesalreadyreelingfromtheoncomingfever-attack，Bassetthadregainedpossessionofthegun。Whereupon，althoughhisteethchatteredwiththeagueandhisswimmingeyescouldscarcelysee，heheldontohisfadingconsciousnessuntilhecouldintimidatethebushmenwiththesimplemagicsofcompass，watch，burningglass，andmatches。Atthelast，withdueemphasis，ofsolemnityandawfulness，hehadkilledayoungpigwithhisshot-gunandpromptlyfainted。
　　Bassettflexedhisarm-musclesinquestofwhatpossiblestrengthmightresideinsuchweakness，anddraggedhimselfslowlyandtotteringlytohisfeet。Hewasshockinglyemaciated;yet，duringthevariousconvalescencesofthemanymonthsofhislongsickness，hehadneverregainedquitethesamedegreeofstrengthasthistime。Whathefearedwasanotherrelapsesuchashehadalreadyfrequentlyexperienced。Withoutdrugs，withoutevenquinine，hehadmanagedsofartolivethroughacombinationofthemostperniciousandmostmalignantofmalarialandblack-waterfevers。
　　Butcouldhecontinuetoendure？Suchwashiseverlastingquery。
　　For，likethegenuinescientisthewas，hewouldnotbecontenttodieuntilhehadsolvedthesecretofthesound。
　　Supportedbyastaff，hestaggeredthefewstepstothedevil-devilhousewheredeathandNgurnreignedingloom。Almostasinfamouslydarkandevil-stinkingasthejunglewasthedevil-devilhouse-inBassett’sopinion。Yetthereinwasusuallytobefoundhisfavouritecronyandgossip，Ngurn，alwayswillingforayarnoradiscussion，thewhilehesatintheashesofdeathandinaslowsmokeshrewdlyrevolvedcuringhumanheadssuspendedfromtherafters。For，throughthemonths’intervalofconsciousnessofhislongsickness，BassetthadmasteredthepsychologicalsimplicitiesandlingualdifficultiesofthelanguageofthetribeofNgurnandBalattaandVngngn-thelattertheaddle-headedyoungchiefwhowasruledbyNgurn，andwho，whisperedintriguehadit，wasthesonofNgurn。
　　"WilltheRedOnespeakto-day？"Bassettasked，bythistimesoaccustomedtotheoldman’sgruesomeoccupationastotakeevenaninterestintheprogressofthesmoke-curing。
　　WiththeeyeofanexpertNgurnexaminedtheparticularheadhewasatworkupon。
　　"ItwillbetendaysbeforeIcansay’finish，’"hesaid。"Neverhasanymanfixedheadslikethese。"
　　Bassettsmiledinwardlyattheoldfellow’sreluctancetotalkwithhimoftheRedOne。Ithadalwaysbeenso。Never，byanychance，hadNgurnoranyothermemberoftheweirdtribedivulgedtheslightesthintofanyphysicalcharacteristicoftheRedOne。
　　PhysicaltheRedOnemustbe，toemitthewonderfulsound，andthoughitwascalledtheRedOne，Bassettcouldnotbesurethatredrepresentedthecolourofit。Redenoughwerethedeedsandpowersofit，fromwhatabstractclueshehadgleaned。Notalone，hadNgurninformedhim，wastheRedOnemorebestialpowerfulthantheneighbourtribalgods，everathirstfortheredbloodoflivinghumansacrifices，buttheneighbourgodsthemselvesweresacrificedandtormentedbeforehim。Hewasthegodofadozenalliedvillagessimilartothisone，whichwasthecentralandcommandingvillageofthefederation。ByvirtueoftheRedOnemanyalienvillageshadbeendevastatedandevenwipedout，theprisonerssacrificedtotheRedOne。Thiswastrueto-day，anditextendedbackintooldhistorycarrieddownbywordofmouththroughthegenerations。Whenhe，Ngurn，hadbeenayoungman，thetribesbeyondthegrasslandshadmadeawarraid。Inthecounterraid，Ngurnandhisfightingfolkhadmademanyprisoners。OfchildrenaloneoverfivescorelivinghadbeenbledwhitebeforetheRedOne，andmany，manymoremenandwomen。
　　TheThundererwasanotherofNgurn’snamesforthemysteriousdeity。AlsoattimeswashecalledTheLoudShouter，TheGod-
　　Voiced，TheBird-Throated，TheOnewiththeThroatSweetastheThroatoftheHoney-Bird，TheSunSinger，andTheStar-Born。
　　WhyTheStar-Born？InvainBassettinterrogatedNgurn。Accordingtothatolddevil-devildoctor，theRedOnehadalwaysbeen，justwherehewasatpresent，foreversingingandthunderinghiswillovermen。ButNgurn’sfather，wrappedindecayinggrass-mattingandhangingeventhenovertheirheadsamongthesmokyraftersofthedevil-devilhouse，hadheldotherwise。ThatdepartedwiseonehadbelievedthattheRedOnecamefromoutofthestarrynight，elsewhy-sohisargumenthadrun-hadtheoldandforgottenonespassedhisnamedownastheStar-Born？Bassettcouldnotbutrecognizesomethingcogentinsuchargument。ButNgurnaffirmedthelongyearsofhislonglife，whereinhehadgazeduponmanystarrynights，yetneverhadhefoundastarongrasslandorinjungledepth-andhehadlookedforthem。True，hehadbeheldshootingstars（thisinreplytoBassett’scontention）;butlikewisehadhebeheldthephosphorescenceoffungoidgrowthsandrottenmeatandfirefliesondarknights，andtheflamesofwood-
　　firesandofblazingcandle-nuts;yetwhatwereflameandblazeandglowwhentheyhadflamedandblazedandglowed？Answer：
　　memories，memoriesonly，ofthingswhichhadceasedtobe，likememoriesofmatingsaccomplished，offeastsforgotten，ofdesiresthatweretheghostsofdesires，flaring，flaming，burning，yetunrealizedinachievementofeasementandsatisfaction。Wherewastheappetiteofyesterday？theroastedfleshofthewildpigthehunter’sarrowfailedtoslay？themaid，unwedanddeaderetheyoungmanknewher？
　　Amemorywasnotastar，wasNgurn’scontention。Howcouldamemorybeastar？Further，afterallhislonglifehestillobservedthestarrynight-skyunaltered。Neverhadhenotedtheabsenceofasinglestarfromitsaccustomedplace。Besides，starswerefire，andtheRedOnewasnotfire-whichlastinvoluntarybetrayaltoldBassettnothing。
　　"WilltheRedOnespeakto-morrow？"hequeried。
　　Ngurnshruggedhisshouldersaswhoshouldsay。
　　"Andthedayafter？-andthedayafterthat？"Bassettpersisted。
　　"Iwouldliketohavethecuringofyourhead，"Ngurnchangedthesubject。"Itisdifferentfromanyotherhead。Nodevil-devilhasaheadlikeit。Besides，Iwouldcureitwell。Iwouldtakemonthsandmonths。Themoonswouldcomeandthemoonswouldgo，andthesmokewouldbeveryslow，andIshouldmyselfgatherthematerialsforthecuringsmoke。Theskinwouldnotwrinkle。Itwouldbeassmoothasyourskinnow。"
　　Hestoodup，andfromthedimrafters，grimedwiththesmokingofcountlessheads，wheredaywasnomorethanagloom，tookdownamatting-wrappedparcelandbegantoopenit。
　　"Itisaheadlikeyours，"hesaid，"butitispoorlycured。"
　　Bassetthadprickeduphisearsatthesuggestionthatitwasawhiteman’shead;forhehadlongsincecometoacceptthatthesejungle-dwellers，inthemidmostcentreofthegreatisland，hadneverhadintercoursewithwhitemen。Certainlyhehadfoundthemwithoutthealmostuniversalbeche-de-merEnglishofthewestSouthPacific。Norhadtheyknowledgeoftobacco，norofgunpowder。
　　Theirfewpreciousknives，madefromlengthsofhoop-iron，andtheirfewandmoreprecioustomahawksfromcheaptradehatchets，hehadsurmisedtheyhadcapturedinwarfromthebushmenofthejunglebeyondthegrasslands，andthatthey，inturn，hadsimilarlygainedthemfromthesalt-watermenwhofringedthecoralbeachesoftheshoreandhadcontactwiththeoccasionalwhitemen。
　　"Thefolkintheoutbeyonddonotknowhowtocureheads，"oldNgurnexplained，ashedrewforthfromthefilthymattingandplacedinBassett’shandsanindubitablewhiteman’shead。
　　Ancientitwasbeyondquestion;whiteitwasastheblondhairattested。HecouldhaveswornitoncebelongedtoanEnglishman，andtoanEnglishmanoflongbeforebytokenoftheheavygoldcircletsstillthreadedinthewitheredear-lobes。
　　"Nowyourhead……"thedevil-devildoctorbeganonhisfavouritetopic。
　　"I’lltellyouwhat，"Bassettinterrupted，struckbyanewidea。
　　"WhenIdieI’llletyouhavemyheadtocure，if，first，youtakemetolookupontheRedOne。"
　　"Iwillhaveyourheadanywaywhenyouaredead，"Ngurnrejectedtheproposition。Headded，withthebrutalfranknessofthesavage："Besides，youhavenotlongtolive。Youarealmostadeadmannow。Youwillgrowlessstrong。InnotmanymonthsI
　　shallhaveyouhereturningandturninginthesmoke。Itispleasant，throughthelongafternoons，toturntheheadofoneyouhaveknownaswellasIknowyou。AndIshalltalktoyouandtellyouthemanysecretsyouwanttoknow。Whichwillnotmatter，foryouwillbedead。"
　　"Ngurn，"Bassettthreatenedinsuddenanger。"YouknowtheBabyThunderintheIronthatismine。"（Thiswasinreferencetohisall-potentandall-awfulshotgun。）"Icankillyouanytime，andthenyouwillnotgetmyhead。"
　　"Justthesame，willVngngn，orsomeoneelseofmyfolkgetit，"
　　Ngurncomplacentlyassuredhim。"Andjustthesamewillitturnhereintheandturndevil-devilhouseinthesmoke。ThequickeryouslaymewithyourBabyThunder，thequickerwillyourheadturninthesmoke。"
　　AndBassettknewhewasbeateninthediscussion。
　　WhatwastheRedOne？-Bassettaskedhimselfathousandtimesinthesucceedingweek，whileheseemedtogrowstronger。Whatwasthesourceofthewonderfulsound？WhatwasthisSunSinger，thisStar-BornOne，thismysteriousdeity，asbestial-conductedastheblackandkinky-headedandmonkey-likehumanbeastswhoworshippedit，andwhosesilver-sweet，bull-mouthedsingingandcommandinghehadheardatthetaboodistanceforsolong？
　　Ngurnhadhefailedtobribewiththeinevitablecuringofhisheadwhenhewasdead。Vngngn，imbecileandchiefthathewas，wastooimbecilic，toomuchundertheswayofNgurn，tobeconsidered。
　　RemainedBalatta，who，fromthetimeshefoundhimandpokedhisblueeyesopentorecrudescenceofhergrotesquefemalehideousness，hadcontinuedhisadorer。Womanshewas，andhehadlongknownthattheonlywaytowinfromhertreasonofhertribewasthroughthewoman’sheartofher。
　　Bassettwasafastidiousman。HehadneverrecoveredfromtheinitialhorrorcausedbyBalatta’sfemaleawfulness。BackinEngland，evenatbestthecharmofwoman，tohim，hadneverbeenrobust。Yetnow，resolutely，asonlyamancandowhoiscapableofmartyringhimselfforthecauseofscience，heproceededtoviolateallthefinenessanddelicacyofhisnaturebymakinglovetotheunthinkablydisgustingbushwoman。
　　Heshuddered，butwithavertedfacehidhisgrimacesandswallowedhisgorgeasheputhisarmaroundherdirt-crustedshouldersandfeltthecontactofherrancidoilyandkinkyhairwithhisneckandchin。Buthenearlyscreamedwhenshesuccumbedtothatcaresssoattheveryfirstofthecourtshipandmowedandgibberedandsquealedlittle，queer，pig-likegurglynoisesofdelight。Itwastoomuch。Andthenexthedidinthesingularcourtshipwastotakeherdowntothestreamandgiveheravigorousscrubbing。
　　Fromthenonhedevotedhimselftoherlikeatrueswainasfrequentlyandforaslongatatimeashiswillcouldoverridehisrepugnance。Butmarriage，whichsheardentlysuggested，withdueobservanceoftribalcustom，hebalkedat。Fortunately，taboorulewasstronginthetribe。Thus，Ngurncouldnevertouchbone，orflesh，orhideofcrocodile。Thishadbeenordainedathisbirth。
　　Vngngnwasdeniedeverthetouchofwoman。Suchpollution，diditchancetooccur，couldbepurgedonlybythedeathoftheoffendingfemale。Ithadhappenedonce，sinceBassett’sarrival，whenagirlofnine，runninginplay，stumbledandfellagainstthesacredchief。Andthegirl-childwasseennomore。Inwhispers，BalattatoldBassettthatshehadbeenthreedaysandnightsindyingbeforetheRedOne。AsforBalatta，thebreadfruitwastabootoher。ForwhichBassettwasthankful。Thetaboomighthavebeenwater。
　　Forhimself，hefabricatedaspecialtaboo。Onlycouldhemarry，heexplained，whentheSouthernCrossrodehighestinthesky。
　　Knowinghisastronomy，hethusgainedareprieveofnearlyninemonths;andhewasconfidentthatwithinthattimehewouldeitherbedeadorescapedtothecoastwithfullknowledgeoftheRedOneandofthesourceoftheRedOne’swonderfulvoice。AtfirsthehadfanciedtheRedOnetobesomecolossalstatue，likeMemnon，renderedvocalundercertaintemperatureconditionsofsunlight。
　　Butwhen，afterawarraid，abatchofprisonerswasbroughtinandthesacrificemadeatnight，inthemidstofrain，whenthesuncouldplaynopart，theRedOnehadbeenmorevocalthanusual，Bassettdiscardedthathypothesis。
　　IncompanywithBalatta，sometimeswithmenandpartiesofwomen，thefreedomofthejunglewashisforthreequadrantsofthecompass。Butthefourthquadrant，whichcontainedtheRedOne’sabidingplace，wastaboo。HemademorethoroughlovetoBalatta-
　　alsosawtoitthatshescrubbedherselfmorefrequently。Eternalfemaleshewas，capableofanytreasonforthesakeoflove。And，thoughthesightofherwasprovocativeofnauseaandthecontactofherprovocativeofdespair，althoughhecouldnotescapeherawfulnessinhisdream-hauntednightmaresofher，heneverthelesswasawareofthecosmicverityofsexthatanimatedherandthatmadeherownlifeoflessvaluethanthehappinessofherloverwithwhomshehopedtomate。JulietorBalatta？Wherewastheintrinsicdifference？Thesoftandtenderproductofultra-
　　civilization，orherbestialprototypeofahundredthousandyearsbeforeher？-therewasnodifference。
　　Bassettwasascientistfirst，ahumanistafterward。Inthejungle-heartofGuadalcanalheputtheaffairtothetest，asinthelaboratoryhewouldhaveputtothetestanychemicalreaction。
　　Heincreasedhisfeignedardourforthebushwoman，atthesametimeincreasingtheimperiousnessofhiswillofdesireoverhertobeledtolookupontheRedOnefacetoface。Itwastheoldstory，herecognized，thatthewomanmustpay，anditoccurredwhenthetwoofthem，oneday，werecatchingtheunclassifiedandunnamedlittleblackfish，aninchlong，half-eelandhalf-scaled，rotundwithsalmon-goldenroe，thatfrequentedthefreshwater，andthatwereesteemed，rawandwhole，freshorputrid，aperfectdelicacy。
　　Proneinthemuckofthedecayingjungle-floor，Balattathrewherself，clutchinghisankleswithherhandskissinghisfeetandmakingslubberynoisesthatchilledhisbackboneupanddownagain。
　　Shebeggedhimtokillherratherthanexactthisultimatelove-
　　payment。ShetoldhimofthepenaltyofbreakingthetaboooftheRedOne-aweekoftorture，living，thedetailsofwhichsheyammeredoutfromherfaceinthemireuntilherealizedthathewasyetatyroinknowledgeofthefrightfulnessthehumanwascapableofwreakingonthehuman。
　　YetdidBassettinsistonhavinghisman’swillsatisfied，atthewoman’srisk，thathemightsolvethemysteryoftheRedOne’ssinging，thoughsheshoulddielongandhorriblyandscreaming。
　　AndBalatta，beingmerewoman，yielded。Sheledhimintotheforbiddenquadrant。Anabruptmountain，shoulderinginfromthenorthtomeetasimilarintrusionfromthesouth，tormentedthestreaminwhichtheyhadfishedintoadeepandgloomygorge。
　　Afteramilealongthegorge，thewayplungedsharplyupwarduntiltheycrossedasaddleofrawlimestonewhichattractedhisgeologist’seye。Stillclimbing，althoughhepausedoftenfromsheerphysicalweakness，theyscaledforest-cladheightsuntiltheyemergedonanakedmesaortableland。Bassettrecognizedthestuffofitscompositionasblackvolcanicsand，andknewthatapocketmagnetcouldhavecapturedafullloadofthesharplyangulargrainshetrodupon。
　　AndthenholdingBalattabythehandandleadingheronward，hecametoit-atremendouspit，obviouslyartificial，intheheartoftheplateau。Oldhistory，theSouthSeasSailingDirections，scoresofremembereddataandconnotationsswiftandfurious，surgedthroughhisbrain。ItwasMendanawhohaddiscoveredtheislandsandnamedthemSolomon’s，believingthathehadfoundthatmonarch’sfabledmines。Theyhadlaughedattheoldnavigator’schild-likecredulity;andyetherestoodhimself，Bassett，ontherimofanexcavationforalltheworldlikethediamondpitsofSouthAfrica。
　　Butnodiamondthisthathegazeddownupon。Ratherwasitapearl，withthedepthofiridescenceofapearl;butofasizeallpearlsofearthandtime，weldedintoone，couldnothavetotalled;
　　andofacolourundreamedofinanypearl，orofanythingelse，forthatmatter，foritwasthecolouroftheRedOne。AndtheRedOnehimselfBassettknewittobeontheinstant。Aperfectsphere，fulltwohundredfeetindiameter，thetopofitwasahundredfeetbelowtheleveloftherim。Helikenedthecolourqualityofittolacquer。Indeed，hetookittobesomesortoflacquer，appliedbyman，butalacquertoomarvellouslyclevertohavebeenmanufacturedbythebush-folk。Brighterthanbrightcherry-red，itsrichnessofcolourwasasifitwereredbuildeduponred。Itglowedandiridescedinthesunlightasifgleamingupfromunderlayunderunderlayofred。
　　InvainBalattastrovetodissuadehimfromdescending。Shethrewherselfinthedirt;but，whenhecontinueddownthetrailthatspiralledthepit-wall，shefollowed，cringingandwhimperingherterror。Thattheredspherehadbeendugoutasapreciousthing，waspatent。Consideringthepaucityofmembersofthefederatedtwelvevillagesandtheirprimitivetoolsandmethods，Bassettknewthatthetoilofamyriadgenerationscouldscarcelyhavemadethatenormousexcavation。
　　Hefoundthepitbottomcarpetedwithhumanbones，amongwhich，batteredanddefaced，layvillagegodsofwoodandstone。Some，coveredwithobscenetotemicfiguresanddesigns，werecarvedfromsolidtreetrunksfortyorfiftyfeetinlength。Henotedtheabsenceofthesharkandturtlegods，socommonamongtheshorevillages，andwasamazedattheconstantrecurrenceofthehelmetmotive。WhatdidthesejunglesavagesofthedarkheartofGuadalcanalknowofhelmets？HadMendana’smen-at-armswornhelmetsandpenetratedherecenturiesbefore？Andifnot，thenwhencehadthebush-folkcaughtthemotive？
　　Advancingoverthelitterofgodsandbones，Balattawhimperingathisheels，BassettenteredtheshadowoftheRedOneandpassedonunderitsgiganticoverhanguntilhetoucheditwithhisfinger-
　　tips。Nolacquerthat。Norwasthesurfacesmoothasitshouldhavebeeninthecaseoflacquer。Onthecontrary，itwascorrugatedandpitted，withhereandtherepatchesthatshowedsignsofheatandfusing。Also，thesubstanceofitwasmetal，thoughunlikeanymetal，orcombinationofmetals，hehadeverknown。Asforthecolouritself，hedecidedittobenoapplication。Itwastheintrinsiccolourofthemetalitself。
　　Hemovedhisfinger-tips，whichuptothathadmerelyrested，alongthesurface，andfeltthewholegiganticspherequickenandliveandrespond。Itwasincredible！Solightatouchonsovastamass！Yetdiditquiverunderthefinger-tipcaressinrhythmicvibrationsthatbecamewhisperingsandrustlingsandmutteringsofsound-butofsoundsodifferent;soelusivelythinthatitwasshimmeringlysibilant;somellowthatitwasmaddeningsweet，pipinglikeanelfinhorn，whichlastwasjustwhatBassettdecidedwouldbelikeapealfromsomebellofthegodsreachingearthwardfromacrossspace。
　　HelookedatBalattawithswiftquestioning;butthevoiceoftheRedOnehehadevokedhadflungherfacedownwardandmoaningamongthebones。Hereturnedtocontemplationoftheprodigy。Hollowitwas，andofnometalknownonearth，washisconclusion。Itwasright-namedbytheonesofold-timeastheStar-Born。Onlyfromthestarscouldithavecome，andnothingofchancewasit。Itwasacreationofartificeandmind。Suchperfectionofform，suchhollownessthatitcertainlypossessed，couldnotbetheresultofmerefortuitousness。Achildofintelligences，remoteandunguessable，workingcorporallyinmetals，itindubitablywas。Hestaredatitinamaze，hisbrainaracingwild-fireofhypothesestoaccountforthisfar-journeyerwhohadadventuredthenightofspace，threadedthestars，andnowrosebeforehimandabovehim，exhumedbypatientanthropophagi，pittedandlacqueredbyitsfierybathintwoatmospheres。
　　Butwasthecolouralacquerofheatuponsomefamiliarmetal？Orwasitanintrinsicqualityofthemetalitself？Hethrustintheblue-pointofhispocket-knifetotesttheconstitutionofthestuff。Instantlytheentiresphereburstintoamightywhispering，sharpwithprotest，almosttwanginggoldenly，ifawhispercouldpossiblybeconsideredtotwang，risinghigher，sinkingdeeper，thetwoextremesoftheregistryofsoundthreateningtocompletethecircleandcoalesceintothebull-mouthedthunderinghehadsooftenheardbeyondthetaboodistance。
　　Forgetfulofsafety，ofhisownlifeitself，entrancedbythewonderoftheunthinkableandunguessablething，heraisedhisknifetostrikeheavilyfromalongstroke，butwaspreventedbyBalatta。Sheuprearedonherownkneesinanagonyofterror，claspinghiskneesandsupplicatinghimtodesist。Intheintensityofherdesiretoimpresshim，sheputherforearmbetweenherteethandsankthemtothebone。
　　Hescarcelyobservedheract，althoughheyieldedautomaticallytohisgentlerinstinctsandwithheldtheknife-hack。Tohim，humanlifehaddwarfedtomicroscopicproportionsbeforethiscolossalportentofhigherlifefromwithinthedistancesofthesiderealuniverse。Ashadshebeenadog，hekickedtheuglylittlebushwomantoherfeetandcompelledhertostartwithhimonanencirclementofthebase。Partwayaround，heencounteredhorrors。
　　Even，amongtheothers，didherecognizethesun-shrivelledremnantofthenine-yearsgirlwhohadaccidentallybrokenChiefVngngn’spersonalitytaboo。And，amongwhatwasleftofthesethathadpassed，heencounteredwhatwasleftofonewhohadnotyetpassed。
　　Trulyhadthebush-folknamedthemselvesintothenameoftheRedOne，seeinginhimtheirownimagewhichtheystrovetoplacateandpleasewithsuchredofferings。
　　Fartheraround，alwaystreadingthebonesandimagesofhumansandgodsthatconstitutedthefloorofthisancientcharnel-houseofsacrifice，hecameuponthedevicebywhichtheRedOnewasmadetosendhiscallsingingthunderinglyacrossthejungle-beltsandgrass-landstothefarbeachofRingmanu。SimpleandprimitivewasitaswastheRedOne’sconsummateartifice。Agreatking-post，halfahundredfeetinlength，seasonedbycenturiesofsuperstitiouscare，carvenintodynastiesofgods，eachsuperimposed，eachhelmeted，eachseatedintheopenmouthofacrocodile，wasslungbyropes，twistedofclimbingvegetableparasites，fromtheapexofatripodofthreegreatforesttrunks，themselvescarvedintogrinningandgrotesqueadumbrationsofman’smodernconceptsofartandgod。Fromthestrikerking-post，weresuspendedropesofclimberstowhichmencouldapplytheirstrengthanddirection。Likeabatteringram，thisking-postcouldbedrivenend-onwardagainstthemightyred-iridescentsphere。
　　HerewaswhereNgurnofficiatedandfunctionedreligiouslyforhimselfandthetwelvetribesunderhim。Bassettlaughedaloud，almostwithmadness，atthethoughtofthiswonderfulmessenger，wingedwithintelligenceacrossspace，tofallintoabushmanstrongholdandbeworshippedbyape-like，man-eatingandhead-
　　huntingsavages。ItwasasifGod’sWorldhadfallenintothemuckmireoftheabyssunderlyingthebottomofhell;asifJehovah’sCommandmentshadbeenpresentedoncarvedstonetothemonkeysofthemonkeycageattheZoo;asiftheSermonontheMounthadbeenpreachedinaroaringbedlamoflunatics。
　　Theslowweekspassed。Thenights，byelection，Bassettspentontheashenfloorofthedevil-devilhouse，beneaththeever-
　　swinging，slow-curingheads。Hisreasonforthiswasthatitwastabootothelessersexofwoman，andtherefore，arefugeforhimfromBalatta，whogrewmorepersecutinglyandperilouslyloverlyastheSouthernCrossrodehigherintheskyandmarkedtheimminenceofhernuptials。HisdaysBassettspentinahammockswungundertheshadeofthegreatbreadfruittreebeforethedevil-devilhouse。Therewerebreaksinthisprogramme，when，inthecomasofhisdevastatingfever-attacks，helayfordaysandnightsinthehouseofheads。Everhestruggledtocombatthefever，tolive，tocontinuetolive，togrowstrongandstrongeragainstthedaywhenhewouldbestrongenoughtodarethegrass-landsandthebeltedjunglebeyond，andwintothebeach，andtosomelabour-recruiting，black-birdingketchorschooner，andontocivilizationandthemenofcivilization，towhomhecouldgivenewsofthemessagefromotherworldsthatlay，darklyworshippedbybeastmen，intheblackheartofGuadalcanal’smidmostcentre。
　　Ontheothernights，lyinglateunderthebreadfruittree，Bassettspentlonghourswatchingtheslowsettingofthewesternstarsbeyondtheblackwallofjunglewhereithadbeenthrustbackbytheclearingforthevillage。Possessedofmorethanacursoryknowledgeofastronomy，hetookasickman’spleasureinspeculatingastothedwellersontheunseenworldsofthoseincrediblyremotesuns，tohauntwhosehousesoflight，lifecameforth，ashyvisitant，fromtheraylesscryptsofmatter。Hecouldnomoreapprehendlimitstotimethanboundstospace。Nosubversiveradiumspeculationshadshakenhissteadyscientificfaithintheconservationofenergyandtheindestructibilityofmatter。Alwaysandforevermusttherehavebeenstars。Andsurely，inthatcosmicferment，allmustbecomparativelyalike，comparativelyofthesamesubstance，orsubstances，saveforthefreaksoftheferment。Allmustobey，orcompose，thesamelawsthatranwithoutinfractionthroughtheentireexperienceofman。
　　Therefore，hearguedandagreed，mustworldsandlifebeappanagestoallthesunsastheywereappanagestotheparticularofhisownsolarsystem。
　　Evenashelayhere，underthebreadfruittree，anintelligencethatstaredacrossthestarrygulfs，somustalltheuniversebeexposedtotheceaselessscrutinyofinnumerableeyes，likehis，thoughgrantedlydifferent，withbehindthem，bythesametoken，intelligencesthatquestionedandsoughtthemeaningandtheconstructionofthewhole。Soreasoning，hefelthissoulgoforthinkinshipwiththataugustcompany，thatmultitudewhosegazewasforeveruponthearrasofinfinity。
　　Whowerethey，whatwerethey，thosefardistantandsuperioroneswhohadbridgedtheskywiththeirgigantic，red-iridescent，heaven-singingmessage？Surely，andlongsince，hadthey，too，trodthepathonwhichmanhadsorecently，bythecalendarofthecosmos，sethisfeet。Andtobeabletosendamessageacrossthepitofspace，surelytheyhadreachedthoseheightstowhichman，intearsandtravailandbloodysweat，indarknessandconfusionofmanycounsels，wassoslowlystruggling。Andwhatweretheyontheirheights？HadtheywonBrotherhood？Orhadtheylearnedthatthelawofloveimposedthepenaltyofweaknessanddecay？Wasstrife，life？Wastheruleofalltheuniversethepitilessruleofnaturalselection？And，andmostimmediatelyandpoignantly，weretheirfarconclusions，theirlong-wonwisdoms，shuteventheninthehuge，metallicheartoftheRedOne，waitingforthefirstearth-mantoread？Ofonethinghewascertain：Nodropofreddewshakenfromthelion-maneofsomesunintorment，wasthesoundingsphere。Itwasofdesign，notchance，anditcontainedthespeechandwisdomofthestars。
　　Whatenginesandelementsandmasteredforces，whatloreandmysteriesanddestiny-controls，mightbethere！Undoubtedly，sincesomuchcouldbeenclosedinsolittleathingasthefoundationstoneofapublicbuilding，thisenormoussphereshouldcontainvasthistories，profoundsofresearchachievedbeyondman’swildestguesses，lawsandformulaethat，easilymastered，wouldmakeman’slifeonearth，individualandcollective，springupfromitspresentmiretoinconceivableheightsofpurityandpower。ItwasTime’sgreatestgifttoblindfold，insatiable，andsky-aspiringman。Andtohim，Bassett，hadbeenvouchsafedthelordlyfortunetobethefirsttoreceivethismessagefromman’sinterstellarkin！
　　Nowhiteman，muchlessnooutlandmanoftheotherbush-tribes，hadgazedupontheRedOneandlived。SuchthelawexpoundedbyNgurntoBassett。Therewassuchathingasbloodbrotherhood。
　　Bassett，inreturn，hadoftenarguedinthepast。ButNgurnhadstatedsolemnlyno。EventhebloodbrotherhoodwasoutsidethefavouroftheRedOne。OnlyamanbornwithinthetribecouldlookupontheRedOneandlive。Butnow，hisguiltysecretknownonlytoBalatta，whosefearofimmolationbeforetheRedOnefast-sealedherlips，thesituationwasdifferent。Whathehadtodowastorecoverfromtheabominablefeversthatweakenedhim，andgaintocivilization。Thenwouldheleadanexpeditionback，and，althoughtheentirepopulationofGuadalcanalhedestroyed，extractfromtheheartoftheRedOnethemessageoftheworldfromotherworlds。
　　ButBassett’srelapsesgrewmorefrequent，hisbriefconvalescenceslessandlessvigorous，hisperiodsofcomalonger，untilhecametoknow，beyondthelastpromptingsoftheoptimisminherentinsotremendousaconstitutionashisown，thathewouldneverlivetocrossthegrasslands，perforatetheperilouscoastjungle，andreachthesea。HefadedastheSouthernCrossrosehigherinthesky，tillevenBalattaknewthathewouldbedeaderethenuptialdatedeterminedbyhistaboo。NgurnmadepilgrimagepersonallyandgatheredthesmokematerialsforthecuringofBassett’shead，andtohimmadeproudannouncementandexhibitionoftheartisticperfectnessofhisintentionwhenBassettshouldbedead。Asforhimself，Bassettwasnotshocked。Toolongandtoodeeplyhadlifeebbeddowninhimtobitehimwithfearofitsimpendingextinction。Hecontinuedtopersist，alternatingperiodsofunconsciousnesswithperiodsofsemi-consciousness，dreamyandunreal，inwhichheidlywonderedwhetherhehadevertrulybeheldtheRedOneorwhetheritwasanightmarefancyofdelirium。
　　Camethedaywhenallmistsandcob-websdissolved，whenhefoundhisbrainclearasabell，andtookjustappraisementofhisbody’sweakness。Neitherhandnorfootcouldhelift。Solittlecontrolofhisbodydidhehave，thathewasscarcelyawareofpossessingone。Lightlyindeedhisfleshsatuponhissoul，andhissoul，initsbriefnessofclarity，knewbyitsveryclaritythattheblackofcessationwasnear。Heknewtheendwasclose;knewthatinalltruthhehadwithhiseyesbeheldtheRedOne，themessengerbetweentheworlds;knewthathewouldneverlivetocarrythatmessagetotheworld-thatmessage，foraughttothecontrary，whichmightalreadyhavewaitedman’shearingintheheartofGuadalcanalfortenthousandyears。AndBassettstirredwithresolve，callingNgurntohim，outundertheshadeofthebreadfruittree，andwiththeolddevil-devildoctordiscussingthetermsandarrangementsofhislastlifeeffort，hisfinaladventureinthequickoftheflesh。
　　"Iknowthelaw，ONgurn，"heconcludedthematter。"WhosoisnotofthefolkmaynotlookupontheRedOneandlive。Ishallnotliveanyway。YouryoungmenshallcarrymebeforethefaceoftheRedOne，andIshalllookuponhim，andhearhisvoice，andthereupondie，underyourhand，ONgurn。Thuswillthethreethingsbesatisfied：thelaw，mydesire，andyourquickerpossessionofmyheadforwhichallyourpreparationswait。"
　　TowhichNgurnconsented，adding：
　　"Itisbetterso。Asickmanwhocannotgetwellisfoolishtoliveonforsolittleawhile。Alsoisitbetterforthelivingthatheshouldgo。Youhavebeenmuchinthewayoflate。Notbutwhatitwasgoodformetotalktosuchawiseone。Butformoonsofdayswehaveheldlittletalk。Instead，youhavetakenuproominthehouseofheads，makingnoiseslikeadyingpig，ortalkingmuchandloudlyinyourownlanguagewhichIdonotunderstand。
　　Thishasbeenaconfusiontome，forIliketothinkonthegreatthingsofthelightanddarkasIturntheheadsinthesmoke。
　　Yourmuchnoisehasthusbeenadisturbancetothelong-learningandhatchingofthefinalwisdomthatwillbeminebeforeIdie。
　　Asforyou，uponwhomthedarkhasalreadybrooded，itiswellthatyoudienow。AndIpromiseyou，inthelongdaystocomewhenI
　　turnyourheadinthesmoke，nomanofthetribeshallcomeintodisturbus。AndIwilltellyoumanysecrets，forIamanoldmanandverywise，andIshallbeaddingwisdomtowisdomasIturnyourheadinthesmoke。"
　　Soalitterwasmade，and，borneontheshouldersofhalfadozenofthemen，Bassettdepartedonthelastlittleadventurethatwastocapthetotaladventure，forhim，ofliving。Withabodyofwhichhewasscarcelyaware，foreventhepainhadbeenexhaustedoutofit，andwithabrightclearbrainthataccommodatedhimtoaquietecstasyofsheerlucidnessofthought，helaybackonthelurchinglitterandwatchedthefadingofthepassingworld，beholdingforthelasttimethebreadfruittreebeforethedevil-
　　devilhouse，thedimdaybeneaththemattedjungleroof，thegloomygorgebetweentheshoulderingmountains，thesaddleofrawlimestone，andthemesaofblackvolcanicsand。
　　Downthespiralpathofthepittheyborehim，encirclingthesheening，glowingRedOnethatseemedeverimminenttoiridescefromcolourandlightintosweetsingingandthunder。Andoverbonesandlogsofimmolatedmenandgodstheyborehim，pastthehorrorsofotherimmolatedonesthatyetlived，tothethree-king-
　　posttripodandthehugeking-poststriker。
　　HereBassett，helpedbyNgurnandBalatta，weaklysatup，swayingweaklyfromthehips，andwithclear，unfaltering，all-seeingeyesgazedupontheRedOne。
　　"Once，ONgurn，"hesaid，nottakinghiseyesfromthesheening，vibratingsurfacewhereonandwhereinalltheshadesofcherry-redplayedunceasingly，evera-quivertochangeintosound，tobecomesilkenrustlings，silverywhisperings，goldenthrummingsofcords，velvetpipingsofelfland，mellowdistancesofthunderings。
　　"Iwait，"Ngurnpromptedafteralongpause，thelong-handledtomahawkunassuminglyreadyinhishand。
　　"Once，ONgurn，"Bassettrepeated，"lettheRedOnespeaksothatI
　　mayseeitspeakaswellashearit。Thenstrike，thus，whenI
　　raisemyhand;for，whenIraisemyhand，Ishalldropmyheadforwardandmakeplaceforthestrokeatthebaseofmyneck。But，ONgurn，I，whoamabouttopassoutofthelightofdayforever，wouldliketopasswiththewonder-voiceoftheRedOnesinginggreatlyinmyears。"
　　"AndIpromiseyouthatneverwillaheadbesowellcuredasyours，"Ngurnassuredhim，atthesametimesignallingthetribesmentomanthepropellingropessuspendedfromtheking-poststriker。"Yourheadshallbemygreatestpieceofworkinthecuringofheads。"
　　Bassettsmiledquietlytotheoldone’sconceit，asthegreatcarvedlog，drawnbackthroughtwo-scorefeetofspace，wasreleased。Thenextmomenthewaslostinecstasyattheabruptandthunderousliberationofsound。Butsuchthunder！Mellowitwaswithpreciousnessofallsoundingmetals。Archangelsspokeinit;
　　itwasmagnificentlybeautifulbeforeallothersounds;itwasinvestedwiththeintelligenceofsupermenofplanetsofothersuns;itwasthevoiceofGod，seducingandcommandingtobeheard。
　　And-theeverlastingmiracleofthatinterstellarmetal！Bassett，withhisowneyes，sawcolourandcolourstransformintosoundtillthewholevisiblesurfaceofthevastspherewasa-crawlandtitillantandvaporouswithwhathecouldnottellwascolourorwassound。Inthatmomenttheintersticesofmatterwerehis，andtheinterfusingsandintermatingtransfusingsofmatterandforce。
　　Timepassed。AtthelastBassettwasbroughtbackfromhisecstasybyanimpatientmovementofNgurn。Hehadquiteforgottentheolddevil-devilone。AquickflashoffancybroughtahuskychuckleintoBassett’sthroat。Hisshot-gunlaybesidehiminthelitter。
　　Allhehadtodo，muzzletohead，wastopressthetriggerandblowhisheadintonothingness。
　　Butwhycheathim？wasBassett’snextthought。Head-hunting，cannibalbeastofahumanthatwasasmuchapeashuman，neverthelessOldNgurnhad，accordingtohislights，playedsquarerthansquare。Ngurnwasinhimselfaforerunnerofethicsandcontract，ofconsideration，andgentlenessinman。No，Bassettdecided;itwouldbeaghastlypityandanactofdishonourtocheattheoldfellowatthelast。HisheadwasNgurn’s，andNgurn’sheadtocureitwouldbe。
　　AndBassett，raisinghishandinsignal，bendingforwardhisheadasagreedsoastoexposecleanlythearticulationtohistautspinalcord，forgotBalatta，whowasmerelyawoman，awomanmerelyandonlyandundesired。Heknew，withoutseeing，whentherazor-
　　edgedhatchetroseintheairbehindhim。Andforthatinstant，eretheend，therefelluponBassetttheshadowsoftheUnknown，asenseofimpendingmarveloftherendingofwallsbeforetheimaginable。Almost，whenheknewtheblowhadstartedandjusteretheedgeofsteelbitthefleshandnervesitseemedthathegazedupontheserenefaceoftheMedusa，Truth-And，simultaneouswiththebiteofthesteelontheonrushofthedark，inaflashinginstantoffancy，hesawthevisionofhisheadturningslowly，alwaysturning，inthedevil-devilhousebesidethebreadfruittree。
　　Waikiki，Honolulu，MAY22，1916。
　　STORY：THEHUSSY
　　THEREaresomestoriesthathavetobetrue-thesortthatcannotbefabricatedbyareadyfiction-reckoner。Andbythesametokentherearesomemenwithstoriestotellwhocannotbedoubted。
　　SuchamanwasJulianJones。AlthoughIdoubtiftheaveragereaderofthiswillbelievethestoryJulianJonestoldme。
　　NeverthelessIbelieveit。SothoroughlyamIconvincedofitsveritythatIamwilling，nay，eager，toinvestcapitalintheenterpriseandembarkpersonallyontheadventuretoafarland。
　　ItwasintheAustralianBuildingatthePanamaPacificExpositionthatImethim。IwasstandingbeforeanexhibitoffacsimilesoftherecordnuggetswhichhadbeendiscoveredinthegoldfieldsoftheAntipodes。Knobbed，misshapenandmassive，itwasasdifficulttobelievethattheywerenotrealgoldasitwastobelievetheaccompanyingstatisticsoftheirweightsandvalues。
　　"That’swhatthosekangaroo-hunterscallanugget，"boomedovermyshoulderdirectlyatthelargestofthespecimens。
　　IturnedandlookedupintothedimblueeyesofJulianJones。I
　　lookedup，forhestoodsomethinglikesixfeetfourinchesinheight。Hishair，awispy，sandyyellow，seemedasdimmedandfadedashiseyes。Itmayhavebeenthesunwhichhadwashedouthiscolouring;atleasthisfaceboretheevidenceofaprodigiousandardentsun-burnwhichhadlongsincefadedtoyellow。AshiseyesturnedfromtheexhibitandfocussedonmineInotedaqueerlookinthemasofonewhovainlytriestorecallsomefactofsupremeimportance。
　　"What’sthematterwithitasanugget？"Idemanded。
　　Theremote，indwellingexpressionwentoutofhiseyesasheboomed"Why，itssize。"
　　"Itdoesseemlarge，"Iadmitted。"Butthere’snodoubtit’sauthentic。TheAustralianGovernmentwouldscarcelydare-"
　　"Large！"heinterrupted，withasniffandasneer。
　　"Largesteverdiscovered-"Istartedon。
　　"Everdiscovered！"Hisdimeyessmoulderedhotlyasheproceeded。
　　"Doyouthinkthateverylumpofgoldeverdiscoveredhasgotintothenewspapersandencyclopedias？"
　　"Well，"Irepliedjudicially，"ifthere’sonethathasn’t，Idon’tseehowwe’retoknowaboutit。Ifareallybignugget，ornugget-
　　finder，electstoblushunseen-"
　　"Butitdidn’t，"hebrokeinquickly。"Isawitwithmyowneyes，and，besides，I’mtootannedtoblushanyway。I’marailroadmanandI’vebeeninthetropicsalot。Why，Iusedtobethecolourofmahogany-realoldmahogany，andhavebeentakenforablue-
　　eyedSpaniardmorethanonce-"
　　Itwasmyturntointerrupt，andIdid。
　　"Wasthatnuggetbiggerthanthoseinthere，Mr-er-？"
　　"Jones，JulianJonesismyname。"
　　Hedugintoaninnerpocketandproducedanenvelopeaddressedtosuchaperson，careofGeneralDelivery，SanFrancisco;andI，inturn，presentedhimwithmycard。
　　"Pleasedtoknowyou，sir，"hesaid，extendinghishand，hisvoiceboomingasifaccustomedtoloudnoisesorwidespaces。"OfcourseI’veheardofyou，seenyourpictureinthepapers，andallthat，and，thoughIsayitthatshouldn’t，IwanttosaythatIdidn’tcarearapaboutthosearticlesyouwroteonMexico。You’rewrong，allwrong。YoumakethemistakeofallGringosinthinkingaMexicanisawhiteman。Heain’t。Noneofthemain’t-Greasers，Spiggoties，Latin-Americansandalltherestofthecattle。Why，sir，theydon’tthinklikewethink，orreason，oract。Eventheirmultiplicationtableisdifferent。Youthinkseventimessevenisforty-nine;butnotthem。Theyworkitoutdifferent。Andwhiteisn’twhitetothem，either。Letmegiveyouanexample。Buyingcoffeeretailforhouse-keepinginone-poundorten-poundlots-"
　　"Howbigwasthatnuggetyoureferredto？"Iqueriedfirmly。"Asbigasthebiggestofthose？"
　　"Bigger，"hesaidquietly。"Biggerthanthewholeblamedexhibitofthemputtogether，andthensome。"Hepausedandregardedmewithasteadfastgaze。"Idon’tseenoreasonwhyIshouldn’tgointothematterwithyou。You’vegotareputationamanoughttobeabletotrust，andI’vereadyou’vedonesometallskylarkingyourselfinout-of-the-wayplaces。I’vebeenbrowsingaroundwithaneyeopenforsomeonetogoinwithmeontheproposition。"
　　"Youcantrustme，"Isaid。