Weallthoughthardjustthen。Ithadnotseemedwisetoobjecttogoingwiththem，evenifwecouldhave;ouronechancewasfriendliness——acivilizedattitudeonbothsides。
　　Butonceinsidethatbuilding，therewasnoknowingwhatthesedeterminedladiesmightdotous。Evenapeacefuldetentionwasnottoourminds，andwhenwenameditimprisonmentitlookedevenworse。
　　Sowemadeastand，tryingtomakeclearthatwepreferredtheopencountry。Oneofthemcameforwardwithasketchofourflier，askingbysignsifweweretheaerialvisitorstheyhadseen。
　　Thisweadmitted。
　　Theypointedtoitagain，andtotheoutlyingcountry，indifferentdirections——butwepretendedwedidnotknowwhereitwas，andintruthwewerenotquitesureandgavearatherwildindicationofitswhereabouts。
　　Againtheymotionedustoadvance，standingsopackedaboutthedoorthatthereremainedbuttheonestraightpathopen。Allaroundusandbehindtheyweremassedsolidly——therewassimplynothingtodobutgoforward——orfight。
　　Weheldaconsultation。
　　"Ineverfoughtwithwomeninmylife，"saidTerry，greatlyperturbed，"butI’mnotgoinginthere。I’mnotgoingtobe——
　　herdedin——asifwewereinacattlechute。"
　　"Wecan’tfightthem，ofcourse，"Jeffurged。"They’reallwomen，inspiteoftheirnondescriptclothes;nicewomen，too;
　　goodstrongsensiblefaces。Iguesswe’llhavetogoin。"
　　"Wemaynevergetout，ifwedo，"Itoldthem。"Strongandsensible，yes;butI’mnotsosureaboutthegood。Lookatthosefaces！"
　　Theyhadstoodatease，waitingwhileweconferredtogether，butneverrelaxingtheircloseattention。
　　Theirattitudewasnottherigiddisciplineofsoldiers;therewasnosenseofcompulsionaboutthem。Terry’stermofa"vigilancecommittee"washighlydescriptive。Theyhadjusttheaspectofsturdyburghers，gatheredhastilytomeetsomecommonneedorperil，allmovedbypreciselythesamefeelings，tothesameend。
　　Never，anywherebefore，hadIseenwomenofpreciselythisquality。
　　Fishwivesandmarketwomenmightshowsimilarstrength，butitwascoarseandheavy。Theseweremerelyathletic——lightandpowerful。Collegeprofessors，teachers，writers——manywomenshowedsimilarintelligencebutoftenworeastrainednervouslook，whilethesewereascalmascows，foralltheirevidentintellect。
　　Weobservedprettycloselyjustthen，forallofusfeltthatitwasacrucialmoment。
　　Theleadergavesomewordofcommandandbeckoneduson，andthesurroundingmassmovedastepnearer。
　　"We’vegottodecidequick，"saidTerry。
　　"Ivotetogoin，"Jeffurged。Butweweretwotooneagainsthimandheloyallystoodbyus。Wemadeonemoreefforttobeletgo，urgent，butnotimploring。Invain。
　　"Nowforarush，boys！"Terrysaid。"Andifwecan’tbreak’em，I’llshootintheair。"
　　ThenwefoundourselvesmuchinthepositionofthesuffragettetryingtogettotheParliamentbuildingsthroughatriplecordonofLondonpolice。
　　Thesolidityofthosewomenwassomethingamazing。Terrysoonfoundthatitwasuseless，torehimselflooseforamoment，pulledhisrevolver，andfiredupward。Astheycaughtatit，hefiredagain——weheardacry——。
　　Instantlyeachofuswasseizedbyfivewomen，eachholdingarmorlegorhead;wewereliftedlikechildren，straddlinghelplesschildren，andborneonward，wrigglingindeed，butmostineffectually。
　　Wewereborneinside，strugglingmanfully，butheldsecuremostwomanfully，inspiteofourbestendeavors。
　　Socarriedandsoheld，wecameintoahighinnerhall，grayandbare，andwerebroughtbeforeamajesticgray—hairedwomanwhoseemedtoholdajudicialposition。
　　Therewassometalk，notmuch，amongthem，andthensuddenlytherefelluponeachofusatonceafirmhandholdingawettedclothbeforemouthandnose——anorderofswimmingsweetness——anesthesia。
　　CHAPTER3
　　APeculiarImprisonmentFromaslumberasdeepasdeath，asrefreshingasthatofahealthychild，Islowlyawakened。
　　Itwaslikerisingup，up，upthroughadeepwarmocean，nearerandnearertofulllightandstirringair。Orlikethereturntoconsciousnessafterconcussionofthebrain。Iwasoncethrownfromahorsewhileonavisittoawildmountainouscountryquitenewtome，andIcanclearlyrememberthementalexperienceofcomingbacktolife，throughliftingveilsofdream。WhenIfirstdimlyheardthevoicesofthoseaboutme，andsawtheshiningsnowpeaksofthatmightyrange，Iassumedthatthistoowouldpass，andIshouldpresentlyfindmyselfinmyownhome。
　　Thatwaspreciselytheexperienceofthisawakening：recedingwavesofhalf—caughtswirlingvision，memoriesofhome，thesteamer，theboat，theairship，theforest——atlastallsinkingawayoneafteranother，tillmyeyeswerewideopen，mybrainclear，andIrealizedwhathadhappened。
　　Themostprominentsensationwasofabsolutephysicalcomfort。
　　Iwaslyinginaperfectbed：long，broad，smooth;firmlysoftandlevel;withthefinestlinen，somewarmlightquiltofblanket，andacounterpanethatwasajoytotheeye。Thesheetturneddownsomefifteeninches，yetIcouldstretchmyfeetatthefootofthebedfreebutwarmlycovered。
　　Ifeltaslightandcleanasawhitefeather。Ittookmesometimetoconscientiouslylocatemyarmsandlegs，tofeelthevividsenseofliferadiatefromthewakeningcentertotheextremities。
　　Abigroom，highandwide，withmanyloftywindowswhoseclosedblindsletthroughsoftgreen—litair;abeautifulroom，inproportion，incolor，insmoothsimplicity;ascentofblossominggardensoutside。
　　Ilayperfectlystill，quitehappy，quiteconscious，andyetnotactivelyrealizingwhathadhappenedtillIheardTerry。
　　"Gosh！"waswhathesaid。
　　Iturnedmyhead。Therewerethreebedsinthischamber，andplentyofroomforthem。
　　Terrywassittingup，lookingabouthim，alertasever。Hisremark，thoughnotloud，rousedJeffalso。Weallsatup。
　　Terryswunghislegsoutofbed，stoodup，stretchedhimselfmightily。Hewasinalongnightrobe，asortofseamlessgarment，undoubtedlycomfortable——weallfoundourselvessocovered。
　　Shoeswerebesideeachbed，alsoquitecomfortableandgoodlookingthoughbynomeanslikeourown。
　　Welookedforourclothes——theywerenotthere，noranythingofallthevariedcontentsofourpockets。
　　Adoorstoodsomewhatajar;itopenedintoamostattractivebathroom，copiouslyprovidedwithtowels，soap，mirrors，andallsuchconvenientcomforts，withindeedourtoothbrushesandcombs，ournotebooks，andthankgoodness，ourwatches——butnoclothes。
　　Thenwemadeasearchofthebigroomagainandfoundalargeairycloset，holdingplentyofclothing，butnotours。
　　"Acouncilofwar！"demandedTerry。"Comeonbacktobed——thebed’sallrightanyhow。Nowthen，myscientificfriend，letusconsiderourcasedispassionately。"
　　Hemeantme，butJeffseemedmostimpressed。
　　"Theyhaven’thurtusintheleast！"hesaid。"Theycouldhavekilledus——or——oranything——andIneverfeltbetterinmylife。"
　　"Thatarguesthattheyareallwomen，"Isuggested，"andhighlycivilized。Youknowyouhitoneinthelastscrimmage——
　　Iheardhersingout——andwekickedawfully。"
　　Terrywasgrinningatus。"Soyourealizewhattheseladieshavedonetous？"hepleasantlyinquired。"Theyhavetakenawayallourpossessions，allourclothes——everystitch。Wehavebeenstrippedandwashedandputtobedlikesomanyyearlingbabies——bythesehighlycivilizedwomen。"
　　Jeffactuallyblushed。Hehadapoeticimagination。Terryhadimaginationenough，ofadifferentkind。SohadI，alsodifferent。
　　IalwaysflatteredmyselfIhadthescientificimagination，which，incidentally，Iconsideredthehighestsort。Onehasarighttoacertainamountofegotismiffoundedonfact——andkepttoone’sself——Ithink。
　　"Nousekicking，boys，"Isaid。"They’vegotus，andapparentlythey’reperfectlyharmless。Itremainsforustocookupsomeplanofescapelikeanyotherbottledheroes。Meanwhilewe’vegottoputontheseclothes——Hobson’schoice。"
　　Thegarmentsweresimpleintheextreme，andabsolutelycomfortable，physically，thoughofcourseweallfeltlikesupesinthetheater。Therewasaone—piececottonundergarment，thinandsoft，thatreachedoverthekneesandshoulders，somethingliketheone—piecepajamassomefellowswear，andakindofhalf—hose，thatcameuptojustunderthekneeandstayedthere——hadelastictopsoftheirown，andcoveredtheedgesofthefirst。
　　Thentherewasathickervarietyofunionsuit，alotoftheminthecloset，ofvaryingweightsandsomewhatsturdiermaterial——evidentlytheywoulddoatapinchwithnothingfurther。Thenthereweretunics，knee—length，andsomelongrobes。Needlesstosay，wetooktunics。
　　Webathedanddressedquitecheerfully。
　　"Nothalfbad，"saidTerry，surveyinghimselfinalongmirror。
　　Hishairwassomewhatlongerthanwhenweleftthelastbarber，andthehatsprovidedweremuchlikethoseseenontheprinceinthefairytale，lackingtheplume。
　　Thecostumewassimilartothatwhichwehadseenonallthewomen，thoughsomeofthem，thoseworkinginthefields，glimpsedbyourglasseswhenwefirstflewover，woreonlythefirsttwo。
　　Isettledmyshouldersandstretchedmyarms，remarking：
　　"Theyhaveworkedoutamightysensibledress，I’llsaythatforthem。"Withwhichweallagreed。
　　"Nowthen，"Terryproclaimed，"we’vehadafinelongsleep——we’vehadagoodbath——we’reclothedandinourrightminds，thoughfeelinglikealotofneuters。Doyouthinkthesehighlycivilizedladiesaregoingtogiveusanybreakfast？"
　　"Ofcoursetheywill，"Jeffassertedconfidently。"Iftheyhadmeanttokillus，theywouldhavedoneitbefore。Ibelievewearegoingtobetreatedasguests。"
　　"Hailedasdeliverers，Ithink，"saidTerry。
　　"Studiedascuriosities，"Itoldthem。"Butanyhow，wewantfood。
　　Sonowforasortie！"
　　Asortiewasnotsoeasy。
　　Thebathroomonlyopenedintoourchamber，andthathadbutoneoutlet，abigheavydoor，whichwasfastened。
　　Welistened。
　　"There’ssomeoneoutside，"Jeffsuggested。"Let’sknock。"
　　Soweknocked，whereuponthedooropened。
　　Outsidewasanotherlargeroom，furnishedwithagreattableatoneend，longbenchesorcouchesagainstthewall，somesmallertablesandchairs。Alltheseweresolid，strong，simpleinstructure，andcomfortableinuse——also，incidentally，beautiful。
　　Thisroomwasoccupiedbyanumberofwomen，eighteentobeexact，someofwhomwedistinctlyrecalled。
　　Terryheavedadisappointedsigh。"TheColonels！"IheardhimwhispertoJeff。
　　Jeff，however，advancedandbowedinhisbestmanner;sodidweall，andweweresalutedcivillybythetall—standingwomen。
　　Wehadnoneedtomakepatheticpantomimeofhunger;thesmallertableswerealreadylaidwithfood，andweweregravelyinvitedtobeseated。Thetablesweresetfortwo;eachofusfoundourselvesplacedvis—a—viswithoneofourhosts，andeachtablehadfiveotherstalwartsnearby，unobtrusivelywatching。Wehadplentyoftimetogettiredofthosewomen！
　　Thebreakfastwasnotprofuse，butsufficientinamountandexcellentinquality。Wewerealltoogoodtravelerstoobjecttonovelty，andthisrepastwithitsnewbutdeliciousfruit，itsdishoflargerich—flavorednuts，anditshighlysatisfactorylittlecakeswasmostagreeable。Therewaswatertodrink，andahotbeverageofamostpleasingquality，somepreparationlikecocoa。
　　Andthenandthere，willy—nilly，beforewehadsatisfiedourappetites，oureducationbegan。
　　Byeachofourplateslayalittlebook，arealprintedbook，thoughdifferentfromoursbothinpaperandbinding，aswell，ofcourse，asintype。Weexaminedthemcuriously。
　　"ShadesofSauveur！"mutteredTerry。"We’retolearnthelanguage！"
　　Wewereindeedtolearnthelanguage，andnotonlythat，buttoteachourown。Therewereblankbookswithparallelcolumns，neatlyruled，evidentlypreparedfortheoccasion，andinthese，asfastaswelearnedandwrotedownthenameofanything，wewereurgedtowriteourownnameforitbyitsside。
　　Thebookwehadtostudywasevidentlyaschoolbook，oneinwhichchildrenlearnedtoread，andwejudgedfromthis，andfromtheirfrequentconsultationastomethods，thattheyhadhadnopreviousexperienceintheartofteachingforeignerstheirlanguage，oroflearninganyother。
　　Ontheotherhand，whattheylackedinexperience，theymadeupforingenius。Suchsubtleunderstanding，suchinstantrecognitionofourdifficulties，andreadinesstomeetthem，wereaconstantsurprisetous。
　　Ofcourse，wewerewillingtomeetthemhalfway。Itwaswhollytoouradvantagetobeabletounderstandandspeakwiththem，andastorefusingtoteachthem——whyshouldwe？Lateronwedidtryopenrebellion，butonlyonce。
　　Thatfirstmealwaspleasantenough，eachofusquietlystudyinghiscompanion，Jeffwithsincereadmiration，Terrywiththathighlytechnicallookofhis，asofapastmaster——likealiontamer，aserpentcharmer，orsomesuchprofessional。Imyselfwasintenselyinterested。
　　Itwasevidentthatthosesetsoffiveweretheretocheckanyoutbreakonourpart。Wehadnoweapons，andifwedidtrytodoanydamage，withachair，say，whyfivetoonewastoomanyforus，eveniftheywerewomen;thatwehadfoundouttooursorrow。Itwasnotpleasant，havingthemalwaysaround，butwesoongotusedtoit。
　　"It’sbetterthanbeingphysicallyrestrainedourselves，"
　　Jeffphilosophicallysuggestedwhenwewerealone。"They’vegivenusaroom——withnogreatpossibilityofescape——andpersonalliberty——heavilychaperoned。It’sbetterthanwe’dhavebeenlikelytogetinaman—country。"
　　"Man—Country！Doyoureallybelievetherearenomenhere，youinnocent？Don’tyouknowtheremustbe？"demandedTerry。
　　"Ye——es，"Jeffagreed。"Ofcourse——andyet——"
　　"Andyet——what！Come，youobduratesentimentalist——whatareyouthinkingabout？"
　　"Theymayhavesomepeculiardivisionoflaborwe’veneverheardof，"Isuggested。"Themenmayliveinseparatetowns，ortheymayhavesubduedthem——somehow——andkeepthemshutup。
　　Buttheremustbesome。"
　　"Thatlastsuggestionofyoursisaniceone，Van，"
　　Terryprotested。"Sameasthey’vegotussubduedandshutup！
　　youmakemeshiver。"
　　"Well，figureitoutforyourself，anywayyouplease。Wesawplentyofkids，thefirstday，andwe’veseenthosegirls——"
　　"Realgirls！"Terryagreed，inimmenserelief。"Gladyoumentioned’em。Ideclare，ifIthoughttherewasnothinginthecountrybutthosegrenadiersI’djumpoutthewindow。"
　　"Speakingofwindows，"Isuggested，"let’sexamineours。"
　　Welookedoutofallthewindows。Theblindsopenedeasilyenough，andtherewerenobars，buttheprospectwasnotreassuring。
　　Thiswasnotthepink—walledtownwehadsorashlyenteredthedaybefore。Ourchamberwashighup，inaprojectingwingofasortofcastle，builtoutonasteepspurofrock。Immediatelybelowusweregardens，fruitfulandfragrant，buttheirhighwallsfollowedtheedgeofthecliffwhichdroppedsheerdown，wecouldnotseehowfar。
　　Thedistantsoundofwatersuggestedariveratthefoot。
　　Wecouldlookouteast，west，andsouth。Tothesoutheastwardstretchedtheopencountry，lyingbrightandfairinthemorninglight，butoneitherside，andevidentlybehind，rosegreatmountains。
　　"Thisthingisaregularfortress——andnowomenbuiltit，Icantellyouthat，"saidTerry。Wenoddedagreeingly。"It’srightupamongthehills——theymusthavebroughtusalongway。"
　　"Wesawsomekindofswift—movingvehiclesthefirstday，"
　　Jeffremindedus。"Ifthey’vegotmotors，theyAREcivilized。"
　　"Civilizedornot，we’vegotourworkcutoutforustogetawayfromhere。Idon’tproposetomakearopeofbedclothesandtrythosewallstillI’msurethereisnobetterway。"
　　Weallconcurredonthispoint，andreturnedtoourdiscussionastothewomen。
　　Jeffcontinuedthoughtful。"Allthesame，there’ssomethingfunnyaboutit，"heurged。"Itisn’tjustthatwedon’tseeanymen——butwedon’tseeanysignsofthem。The——the——reactionofthesewomenisdifferentfromanythatI’veevermet。"
　　"Thereissomethinginwhatyousay，Jeff，"Iagreed。"Thereisadifferent——atmosphere。"
　　"Theydon’tseemtonoticeourbeingmen，"hewenton。
　　"Theytreatus——well——justastheydooneanother。It’sasifourbeingmenwasaminorincident。"
　　Inodded。I’dnoticeditmyself。ButTerrybrokeinrudely。
　　"Fiddlesticks！"hesaid。"It’sbecauseoftheiradvancedage。
　　They’reallgrandmas，Itellyou——oroughttobe。Greataunts，anyhow。Thosegirlsweregirlsallright，weren’tthey？"
　　"Yes——"Jeffagreed，stillslowly。"Buttheyweren’tafraid——
　　theyflewupthattreeandhid，likeschoolboyscaughtoutofbounds——
　　notlikeshygirls。"
　　"Andtheyranlikemarathonwinners——you’lladmitthat，Terry，"
　　headded。
　　Terrywasmoodyasthedayspassed。HeseemedtomindourconfinementmorethanJefforIdid;andheharpedonAlima，andhownearhe’dcometocatchingher。"IfIhad——"hewouldsay，rathersavagely，"we’dhavehadahostageandcouldhavemadeterms。"
　　ButJeffwasgettingonexcellenttermswithhistutor，andevenhisguards，andsowasI。Itinterestedmeprofoundlytonoteandstudythesubtledifferencebetweenthesewomenandotherwomen，andtrytoaccountforthem。Inthematterofpersonalappearance，therewasagreatdifference。Theyallworeshorthair，somefewinchesatmost;somecurly，somenot;alllightandcleanandfresh—looking。
　　"Iftheirhairwasonlylong，"Jeffwouldcomplain，"theywouldlooksomuchmorefeminine。"
　　Iratherlikeditmyself，afterIgotusedtoit。Whyweshouldsoadmire"awoman’scrownofhair"andnotadmireaChinaman’squeueishardtoexplain，exceptthatwearesoconvincedthatthelonghair"belongs"toawoman。Whereasthe"mane"inhorsesisonboth，andinlions，buffalos，andsuchcreaturesonlyonthemale。
　　ButIdidmissit——atfirst。
　　Ourtimewasquitepleasantlyfilled。Wewerefreeofthegardenbelowourwindows，quitelonginitsirregularramblingshape，borderingthecliff。Thewallswereperfectlysmoothandhigh，endinginthemasonryofthebuilding;andasIstudiedthegreatstonesIbecameconvincedthatthewholestructurewasextremelyold。Itwasbuiltlikethepre—IncanarchitectureinPeru，ofenormousmonoliths，fittedascloselyasmosaics。
　　"Thesefolkshaveahistory，that’ssure，"Itoldtheothers。
　　"AndSOMEtimetheywerefighters——elsewhyafortress？"
　　Isaidwewerefreeofthegarden，butnotwhollyaloneinit。
　　Therewasalwaysastringofthoseuncomfortablystrongwomensittingabout，alwaysoneofthemwatchinguseveniftheotherswerereading，playinggames，orbusyatsomekindofhandiwork。
　　"WhenIseethemknit，"Terrysaid，"Icanalmostcallthemfeminine。"
　　"Thatdoesn’tproveanything，"Jeffpromptlyreplied。
　　"Scotchshepherdsknit——alwaysknitting。"
　　"Whenwegetout——"Terrystretchedhimselfandlookedatthefarpeaks，"whenwegetoutofthisandgettowheretherealwomenare——themothers，andthegirls——"
　　"Well，what’llwedothen？"Iasked，rathergloomily。"Howdoyouknowwe’llevergetout？"
　　Thiswasanunpleasantidea，whichweunanimouslyconsidered，returningwithearnestnesstoourstudies。
　　"Ifwearegoodboysandlearnourlessonswell，"Isuggested。
　　"Ifwearequietandrespectfulandpoliteandtheyarenotafraidofus——thenperhapstheywillletusout。Andanyway——whenwedoescape，itisofimmenseimportancethatweknowthelanguage。"
　　Personally，Iwastremendouslyinterestedinthatlanguage，andseeingtheyhadbooks，waseagertogetatthem，todigintotheirhistory，iftheyhadone。
　　Itwasnothardtospeak，smoothandpleasanttotheear，andsoeasytoreadandwritethatImarveledatit。Theyhadanabsolutelyphoneticsystem，thewholethingwasasscientificasEsparantoyetboreallthemarksofanoldandrichcivilization。
　　Wewerefreetostudyasmuchaswewished，andwerenotleftmerelytowanderinthegardenforrecreationbutintroducedtoagreatgymnasium，partlyontheroofandpartlyinthestorybelow。Herewelearnedrealrespectforourtallguards。Nochangeofcostumewasneededforthiswork，savetolayoffouterclothing。Thefirstonewasasperfectagarmentforexerciseasneedbedevised，absolutelyfreetomovein，and，Ihadtoadmit，muchbetter—lookingthanourusualone。
　　"Forty——overforty——someof’emfifty，Ibet——andlookat’em！"grumbledTerryinreluctantadmiration。
　　Therewerenospectacularacrobatics，suchasonlytheyoungcanperform，butforall—arounddevelopmenttheyhadamostexcellentsystem。Agooddealofmusicwentwithit，withposturedancingand，sometimes，gravelybeautifulprocessionalperformances。
　　Jeffwasmuchimpressedbyit。Wedidnotknowthenhowsmallapartoftheirphysicalculturemethodsthisreallywas，butfounditagreeabletowatch，andtotakepartin。
　　Ohyes，wetookpartallright！Itwasn’tabsolutelycompulsory，butwethoughtitbettertoplease。
　　Terrywasthestrongestofus，thoughIwaswiryandhadgoodstayingpower，andJeffwasagreatsprinterandhurdler，butIcantellyouthoseoldladiesgaveuscardsandspades。
　　Theyranlikedeer，bywhichImeanthattheyrannotasifitwasaperformance，butasifitwastheirnaturalgait。
　　Werememberedthosefleetinggirlsofourfirstbrightadventure，andconcludedthatitwas。
　　Theyleapedlikedeer，too，withaquickfoldingmotionofthelegs，drawnupandturnedtoonesidewithasidelongtwistofthebody。Irememberedthesprawlingspread—eaglewayinwhichsomeofthefellowsusedtocomeovertheline——andtriedtolearnthetrick。Wedidnoteasilycatchupwiththeseexperts，however。
　　"NeverthoughtI’dlivetobebossedbyalotofelderlyladyacrobats，"Terryprotested。
　　Theyhadgames，too，agoodmanyofthem，butwefoundthemratheruninterestingatfirst。Itwasliketwopeopleplayingsolitairetoseewhowouldgetitfirst;morelikearaceora——acompetitiveexamination，thanarealgamewithsomefightinit。
　　IphilosophizedabitoverthisandtoldTerryitarguedagainsttheirhavinganymenabout。"Thereisn’taman—sizegameinthelot，"
　　Isaid。
　　"Buttheyareinteresting——Ilikethem，"Jeffobjected，"andI’msuretheyareeducational。"
　　"I’msickandtiredofbeingeducated，"Terryprotested。
　　"Fancygoingtoadameschool——atourage。IwanttoGetOut！"
　　Butwecouldnotgetout，andwewerebeingeducatedswiftly。Ourspecialtutorsroserapidlyinouresteem。Theyseemedofratherfinerqualitythantheguards，thoughallwereontermsofeasyfriendliness。MinewasnamedSomel，Jeff’sZava，andTerry’sMoadine。Wetriedtogeneralizefromthenames，thoseoftheguards，andofourthreegirls，butgotnowhere。
　　"Theysoundwellenough，andthey’remostlyshort，butthere’snosimilarityoftermination——andnotwoalike。
　　However，ouracquaintanceislimitedasyet。"
　　Thereweremanythingswemeanttoask——assoonaswecouldtalkwellenough。BetterteachingIneversaw。FrommorningtonighttherewasSomel，alwaysoncallexceptbetweentwoandfour;
　　alwayspleasantwithasteadyfriendlykindnessthatIgrewtoenjoyverymuch。JeffsaidMissZava——hewouldputonatitle，thoughtheyapparentlyhadnone——wasadarling，thatsheremindedhimofhisAuntEstherathome;butTerryrefusedtobewon，andratherjeeredathisowncompanion，whenwewerealone。
　　"I’msickofit！"heprotested。"Sickofthewholething。Herewearecoopedupashelplessasabunchofthree—year—oldorphans，andbeingtaughtwhattheythinkisnecessary——whetherwelikeitornot。Confoundtheirold—maidimpudence！"
　　Neverthelessweweretaught。Theybroughtinaraisedmapoftheircountry，beautifullymade，andincreasedourknowledgeofgeographicalterms;butwhenweinquiredforinformationastothecountryoutside，theysmilinglyshooktheirheads。
　　Theybroughtpictures，notonlytheengravingsinthebooksbutcoloredstudiesofplantsandtreesandflowersandbirds。
　　Theybroughttoolsandvarioussmallobjects——wehadplentyof"material"inourschool。
　　IfithadnotbeenforTerrywewouldhavebeenmuchmorecontented，butastheweeksranintomonthshegrewmoreandmoreirritable。
　　"Don’tactlikeabearwithasorehead，"Ibeggedhim。
　　"We’regettingonfinely。Everydaywecanunderstandthembetter，andprettysoonwecanmakeareasonablepleatobeletout——"
　　"LETout！"hestormed。"LETout——likechildrenkeptafterschool。IwanttoGetOut，andI’mgoingto。Iwanttofindthemenofthisplaceandfight！——orthegirls——"
　　"Guessit’sthegirlsyou’remostinterestedin，"Jeffcommented。
　　"WhatareyougoingtofightWITH——yourfists？"
　　"Yes——orsticksandstones——I’djustliketo！"AndTerrysquaredoffandtappedJeffsoftlyonthejaw。"Justforinstance，"hesaid。
　　"Anyhow，"hewenton，"wecouldgetbacktoourmachineandclearout。"
　　"Ifit’sthere，"Icautiouslysuggested。
　　"Oh，don’tcroak，Van！Ifitisn’tthere，we’llfindourwaydownsomehow——theboat’sthere，Iguess。"
　　ItwashardonTerry，sohardthathefinallypersuadedustoconsideraplanofescape。Itwasdifficult，itwashighlydangerous，buthedeclaredthathe’dgoaloneifwewouldn’tgowithhim，andofcoursewecouldn’tthinkofthat。
　　Itappearedhehadmadeaprettycarefulstudyoftheenvironment。
　　Fromourendwindowthatfacedthepointofthepromontorywecouldgetafairideaofthestretchofwall，andthedropbelow。Alsofromtheroofwecouldmakeoutmore，andeven，inoneplace，glimpseasortofpathbelowthewall。
　　"It’saquestionofthreethings，"hesaid。"Ropes，agility，andnotbeingseen。"
　　"That’sthehardestpart，"Iurged，stillhopingtodissuadehim。
　　"Oneoranotherpairofeyesisonuseveryminuteexceptatnight。"
　　"Thereforewemustdoitatnight，"heanswered。"That’seasy。"
　　"We’vegottothinkthatiftheycatchuswemaynotbesowelltreatedafterward，"saidJeff。
　　"That’sthebusinessriskwemusttake。I’mgoing——ifIbreakmyneck。"Therewasnochanginghim。
　　Theropeproblemwasnoteasy。Somethingstrongenoughtoholdamanandlongenoughtoletusdownintothegarden，andthendownoverthewall。Therewereplentyofstrongropesinthegymnasium——theyseemedtolovetoswingandclimbonthem——butwewerenevertherebyourselves。
　　Weshouldhavetopieceitoutfromourbedding，rugs，andgarments，andmoreover，weshouldhavetodoitafterwewereshutinforthenight，foreverydaytheplacewascleanedtoperfectionbytwoofourguardians。
　　Wehadnoshears，noknives，butTerrywasresourceful。
　　"TheseJennieshaveglassandchina，yousee。We’llbreakaglassfromthebathroomandusethat。`Lovewillfindoutaway，’"hehummed。"Whenwe’realloutofthewindow，we’llstandthree—manhighandcuttheropeasfarupaswecanreach，soastohavemoreforthewall。IknowjustwhereIsawthatbitofpathbelow，andthere’sabigtreethere，too，oravineorsomething——Isawtheleaves。"
　　Itseemedacrazyrisktotake，butthiswas，inaway，Terry’sexpedition，andwewerealltiredofourimprisonment。
　　Sowewaitedforfullmoon，retiredearly，andspentananxioushourortwointheunskilledmanufactureofman—strongropes。
　　Toretireintothedepthsofthecloset，muffleaglassinthickcloth，andbreakitwithoutnoisewasnotdifficult，andbrokenglasswillcut，thoughnotasdeftlyasapairofscissors。
　　Thebroadmoonlightstreamedinthroughfourofourwindows——wehadnotdaredleaveourlightsontoolong——andweworkedhardandfastatourtaskofdestruction。
　　Hangings，rugs，robes，towels，aswellasbed—furniture——eventhemattresscovers——weleftnotonestitchuponanother，asJeffputit。
　　Thenatanendwindow，aslessliabletoobservation，wefastenedoneendofourcable，strongly，tothefirm—sethingeoftheinnerblind，anddroppedourcoiledbundleofropesoftlyover。
　　"Thispart’seasyenough——I’llcomelast，soastocuttherope，"
　　saidTerry。
　　SoIslippeddownfirst，andstood，wellbracedagainstthewall;thenJeffonmyshoulders，thenTerry，whoshookusalittleashesawedthroughthecordabovehishead。ThenI
　　slowlydroppedtotheground，Jefffollowing，andatlastweallthreestoodsafeinthegarden，withmostofourropewithus。
　　"Good—bye，Grandma！"whisperedTerry，underhisbreath，andwecreptsoftlytowardthewall，takingadvantageoftheshadowofeverybushandtree。Hehadbeenforesightedenoughtomarktheveryspot，onlyascratchofstoneonstone，butwecouldseetoreadinthatlight。Foranchoragetherewasatough，fair—sizedshrubclosetothewall。
　　"NowI’llclimbuponyoutwoagainandgooverfirst，"saidTerry。"That’llholdtheropefirmtillyoubothgetupontop。
　　ThenI’llgodowntotheend。IfIcangetoffsafely，youcanseemeandfollow——or，say，I’lltwitchitthreetimes。IfIfindthere’sabsolutelynofooting——whyI’llclimbupagain，that’sall。Idon’tthinkthey’llkillus。"
　　Fromthetophereconnoiteredcarefully，wavedhishand，andwhispered，"OK，"thenslippedover。JeffclimbedupandIfollowed，andwerathershiveredtoseehowfardownthatswaying，waveringfiguredropped，handunderhand，tillitdisappearedinamassoffoliagefarbelow。
　　Thentherewerethreequickpulls，andJeffandI，notwithoutajoyoussenseofrecoveredfreedom，successfullyfollowedourleader。
　　CHAPTER4
　　OurVentureWewerestandingonanarrow，irregular，alltooslantinglittleledge，andshoulddoubtlesshaveignominiouslyslippedoffandbrokenourrashnecksbutforthevine。Thiswasathick—leaved，wide—spreadingthing，alittlelikeAmphelopsis。
　　"It’snotQUITEverticalhere，yousee，"saidTerry，fullofprideandenthusiasm。"Thisthingneverwouldholdourdirectweight，butIthinkifwesortofslidedownonit，oneatatime，stickinginwithhandsandfeet，we’llreachthatnextledgealive。"
　　"Aswedonotwishtogetupourropeagain——andcan’tcomfortablystayhere——Iapprove，"saidJeffsolemnly。
　　Terrysliddownfirst——saidhe’dshowushowaChristianmeetshisdeath。Luckwaswithus。Wehadputonthethickestofthoseintermediatesuits，leavingourtunicsbehind，andmadethisscramblequitesuccessfully，thoughIgotaprettyheavyfalljustattheend，andwasonlykeptonthesecondledgebymainforce。Thenextstagewasdownasortof"chimney"——alongirregularfissure;andsowithscratchesmanyandpainfulandbruisesnotafew，wefinallyreachedthestream。
　　Itwasdarkerthere，butwefeltithighlynecessarytoputasmuchdistanceaspossiblebehindus;sowewaded，jumped，andclambereddownthatrockyriverbed，intheflickeringblackandwhitemoonlightandleafshadow，tillgrowingdaylightforcedahalt。
　　Wefoundafriendlynut—tree，thoselarge，satisfying，soft—
　　shellednutswealreadyknewsowell，andfilledourpockets。
　　IseethatIhavenotremarkedthatthesewomenhadpocketsinsurprisingnumberandvariety。Theywereinalltheirgarments，andthemiddleoneinparticularwasshingledwiththem。SowestockedupwithnutstillwebulgedlikePrussianprivatesinmarchingorder，drankallwecouldhold，andretiredfortheday。
　　Itwasnotaverycomfortableplace，notatalleasytogetat，justasortofcrevicehighupalongthesteepbank，butitwaswellveiledwithfoliageanddry。Afterourexhaustivethree—orfour—
　　hourscrambleandthegoodbreakfastfood，wealllaydownalongthatcrack——headsandtails，asitwere——andslepttilltheafternoonsunalmosttoastedourfaces。
　　Terrypokedatentativefootagainstmyhead。
　　"Howareyou，Van？Aliveyet？"
　　"Verymuchso，"Itoldhim。AndJeffwasequallycheerful。
　　Wehadroomtostretch，ifnottoturnaround;butwecouldverycarefullyrollover，oneatatime，behindtheshelteringfoliage。
　　Itwasnousetoleavetherebydaylight。Wecouldnotseemuchofthecountry，butenoughtoknowthatwewerenowatthebeginningofthecultivatedarea，andnodoubttherewouldbeanalarmsentoutfarandwide。
　　Terrychuckledsoftlytohimself，lyingthereonthathotnarrowlittlerimofrock。Hedilatedonthediscomfitureofourguardsandtutors，makingmanydiscourteousremarks。
　　Iremindedhimthatwehadstillalongwaytogobeforegettingtotheplacewherewe’dleftourmachine，andnoprobabilityoffindingitthere;butheonlykickedme，mildly，foracroaker。
　　"Ifyoucan’tboost，don’tknock，"heprotested。"Ineversaid’twouldbeapicnic。ButI’drunawayintheAntarcticicefieldsratherthanbeaprisoner。"
　　Wesoondozedoffagain。
　　Thelongrestandpenetratingdryheatweregoodforus，andthatnightwecoveredaconsiderabledistance，keepingalwaysintheroughforestedbeltoflandwhichweknewborderedthewholecountry。Sometimeswewereneartheouteredge，andcaughtsuddenglimpsesofthetremendousdepthsbeyond。
　　"Thispieceofgeographystandsuplikeabasaltcolumn，"Jeffsaid。"Nicetimewe’llhavegettingdowniftheyhaveconfiscatedourmachine！"Forwhichsuggestionhereceivedsummarychastisement。
　　Whatwecouldseeinlandwaspeaceableenough，butonlymoonlitglimpses;bydaylightwelayveryclose。AsTerrysaid，wedidnotwishtokilltheoldladies——evenifwecould;andshortofthattheywereperfectlycompetenttopickusupbodilyandcarryusback，ifdiscovered。Therewasnothingforitbuttolielow，andsneakoutunseenifwecoulddoit。
　　Therewasn’tmuchtalkingdone。Atnightwehadourmarathon—obstaclerace;we"stayednotforbrakeandwestoppednotforstone，"andswamwhateverwaterwastoodeeptowadeandcouldnotbegotaround;butthatwasonlynecessarytwice。Byday，sleep，soundandsweet。Mightyluckyitwasthatwecouldliveoffthecountryaswedid。Eventhatmarginofforestseemedrichinfoodstuffs。
　　ButJeffthoughtfullysuggestedthatthatverythingshowedhowcarefulweshouldhavetobe，aswemightrunintosomestalwartgroupofgardenersorforestersornut—gatherersatanyminute。
　　Carefulwewere，feelingprettysurethatifwedidnotmakegoodthistimewewerenotlikelytohaveanotheropportunity;andatlastwereachedapointfromwhichwecouldsee，farbelow，thebroadstretchofthatstilllakefromwhichwehadmadeourascent。
　　"Thatlooksprettygoodtome！"saidTerry，gazingdownatit。
　　"Now，ifwecan’tfindthe’plane，weknowwheretoaimifwehavetodropoverthiswallsomeotherway。"
　　Thewallatthatpointwassingularlyuninviting。Itrosesostraightthatwehadtoputourheadsovertoseethebase，andthecountrybelowseemedtobeafar—offmarshytangleofrankvegetation。Wedidnothavetoriskourneckstothatextent，however，foratlast，stealingalongamongtherocksandtreeslikesomanycreepingsavages，wecametothatflatspacewherewehadlanded;andthere，inunbelievablegoodfortune，wefoundourmachine。
　　"Covered，too，byjingo！Wouldyouthinktheyhadthatmuchsense？"criedTerry。
　　"Iftheyhadthatmuch，they’relikelytohavemore，"Iwarnedhim，softly。"Betyouthething’swatched。"
　　Wereconnoiteredaswidelyaswecouldinthefailingmoonlight——
　　moonsareofapainfullyunreliablenature;butthegrowingdawnshowedusthefamiliarshape，shroudedinsomeheavyclothlikecanvas，andnoslightestsignofanywatchmannear。
　　Wedecidedtomakeaquickdashassoonasthelightwasstrongenoughforaccuratework。
　　"Idon’tcareiftheoldthing’llgoornot，"Terrydeclared。
　　"Wecanrunhertotheedge，getaboard，andjustplanedown——plop！
　　——besideourboatthere。Lookthere——seetheboat！"
　　Sureenough——therewasourmotor，lyinglikeagraycocoonontheflatpalesheetofwater。
　　Quietlybutswiftlywerushedforwardandbegantotugatthefasteningsofthatcover。
　　"Confoundthething！"Terrycriedindesperateimpatience。
　　"They’vegotitsewedupinabag！Andwe’venotaknifeamongus！"
　　Then，aswetuggedandpulledatthattoughclothweheardasoundthatmadeTerrylifthisheadlikeawarhorse——thesoundofanunmistakablegiggle，yes——threegiggles。
　　Theretheywere——Celis，Alima，Ellador——lookingjustastheyhadwhenwefirstsawthem，standingalittlewayofffromus，asinterested，asmischievousasthreeschoolboys。
　　"Holdon，Terry——holdon！"Iwarned。"That’stooeasy。Lookoutforatrap。"
　　"Letusappealtotheirkindhearts，"Jeffurged。"Ithinktheywillhelpus。Perhapsthey’vegotknives。"
　　"It’snouserushingthem，anyhow，"IwasabsolutelyholdingontoTerry。"Weknowtheycanout—runandout—climbus。"
　　Hereluctantlyadmittedthis;andafterabriefparleyamongourselves，wealladvancedslowlytowardthem，holdingoutourhandsintokenoffriendliness。
　　Theystoodtheirgroundtillwehadcomefairlynear，andthenindicatedthatweshouldstop。Tomakesure，weadvancedasteportwoandtheypromptlyandswiftlywithdrew。Sowestoppedatthedistancespecified。Thenweusedtheirlanguage，asfaraswewereable，toexplainourplight，tellinghowwewereimprisoned，howwehadescaped——agooddealofpantomimehereandvividinterestontheirpart——howwehadtraveledbynightandhiddenbyday，livingonnuts——andhereTerrypretendedgreathunger。
　　Iknowhecouldnothavebeenhungry;wehadfoundplentytoeatandhadnotbeensparinginhelpingourselves。Buttheyseemedsomewhatimpressed;andafteramurmuredconsultationtheyproducedfromtheirpocketscertainlittlepackages，andwiththeutmosteaseandaccuracytossedthemintoourhands。
　　Jeffwasmostappreciativeofthis;andTerrymadeextravagantgesturesofadmiration，whichseemedtosetthemoff，boy—
　　fashion，toshowtheirskill。Whileweatetheexcellentbiscuitstheyhadthrownus，andwhileElladorkeptawatchfuleyeonourmovements，Celisranofftosomedistance，andsetupasortof"duck—on—a—rock"arrangement，abigyellownutontopofthreebalancedsticks;Alima，meanwhile，gatheringstones。
　　Theyurgedustothrowatit，andwedid，butthethingwasalongwayoff，anditwasonlyafteranumberoffailures，atwhichthoseelvishdamselslaugheddelightedly，thatJeffsucceededinbringingthewholestructuretotheground。Ittookmestilllonger，andTerry，tohisintenseannoyance，camethird。
　　ThenCelissetupthelittletripodagain，andlookedbackatus，knockingitdown，pointingatit，andshakinghershortcurlsseverely。"No，"shesaid。"Bad——wrong！"Wewerequiteabletofollowher。
　　Thenshesetituponcemore，putthefatnutontop，andreturnedtotheothers;andtherethoseaggravatinggirlssatandtookturnsthrowinglittlestonesatthatthing，whileonestayedbyasasetter—up;andtheyjustpoppedthatnutoff，twotimesoutofthree，withoutupsettingthesticks。PleasedasPunchtheywere，too，andwepretendedtobe，butweren’t。
　　Wegotveryfriendlyoverthisgame，butItoldTerrywe’dbesorryifwedidn’tgetoffwhilewecould，andthenwebeggedforknives。
　　Itwaseasytoshowwhatwewantedtodo，andtheyeachproudlyproducedasortofstrongclasp—knifefromtheirpockets。
　　"Yes，"wesaideagerly，"that’sit！Please——"Wehadlearnedquiteabitoftheirlanguage，yousee。Andwejustbeggedforthoseknives，buttheywouldnotgivethemtous。Ifwecameasteptooneartheybackedoff，standinglightandeagerforflight。
　　"It’snosortofuse，"Isaid。"Comeon——let’sgetasharpstoneorsomething——wemustgetthisthingoff。"
　　Sowehuntedaboutandfoundwhatedgedfragmentswecould，andhackedaway，butitwasliketryingtocutsailclothwithaclamshell。
　　Terryhackedanddug，butsaidtousunderhisbreath。"Boys，we’reinprettygoodcondition——let’smakealifeanddeathdashandgetholdofthosegirls——we’vegotto。"
　　Theyhaddrawnrathernearertowatchourefforts，andwedidtakethemratherbysurprise;also，asTerrysaid，ourrecenttraininghadstrengthenedusinwindandlimb，andforafewdesperatemomentsthosegirlswerescaredandwealmosttriumphant。
　　Butjustaswestretchedoutourhands，thedistancebetweenuswidened;theyhadgottheirpaceapparently，andthen，thoughweranatourutmostspeed，andmuchfartherthanIthoughtwise，theykeptjustoutofreachallthetime。
　　Westoppedbreathless，atlast，atmyrepeatedadmonitions。
　　"Thisisstarkfoolishness，"Iurged。"Theyaredoingitonpurpose——comebackoryou’llbesorry。"
　　Wewentback，muchslowerthanwecame，andintruthweweresorry。
　　Aswereachedourswaddledmachine，andsoughtagaintotearlooseitscovering，thereroseupfromallaroundthesturdyforms，thequietdeterminedfacesweknewsowell。
　　"OhLord！"groanedTerry。"TheColonels！It’sallup——they’refortytoone。"
　　Itwasnousetofight。Thesewomenevidentlyreliedonnumbers，notsomuchasadrilledforcebutasamultitudeactuatedbyacommonimpulse。Theyshowednosignoffear，andsincewehadnoweaponswhateverandtherewereatleastahundredofthem，standingtendeepaboutus，wegaveinasgracefullyaswemight。
　　Ofcoursewelookedforpunishment——acloserimprisonment，solitaryconfinementmaybe——butnothingofthekindhappened。
　　Theytreatedusastruantsonly，andasiftheyquiteunderstoodourtruancy。
　　Backwewent，notunderananestheticthistimebutskimmingalonginelectricmotorsenoughlikeourstobequiterecognizable，eachofusinaseparatevehiclewithoneable—bodiedladyoneithersideandthreefacinghim。
　　Theywereallpleasantenough，andtalkedtousasmuchaswaspossiblewithourlimitedpowers。AndthoughTerrywaskeenlymortified，andatfirstweallratherdreadedharshtreatment，I
　　foronesoonbegantofeelasortofpleasantconfidenceandtoenjoythetrip。
　　Hereweremyfivefamiliarcompanions，allgood—naturedascouldbe，seemingtohavenoworsefeelingthanamildtriumphasofwinningsomesimplegame;andeventhattheypolitelysuppressed。
　　Thiswasagoodopportunitytoseethecountry，too，andthemoreIsawofit，thebetterIlikedit。Wewenttooswiftlyforcloseobservation，butIcouldappreciateperfectroads，asdustlessasasweptfloor;theshadeofendlesslinesoftrees;theribbonofflowersthatunrolledbeneaththem;andtherichcomfortablecountrythatstretchedoffandaway，fullofvariedcharm。
　　Werolledthroughmanyvillagesandtowns，andIsoonsawthattheparklikebeautyofourfirst—seencitywasnoexception。
　　Ourswifthigh—sweepingviewfromthe’planehadbeenmostattractive，butlackeddetail;andinthatfirstdayofstruggleandcapture，wenoticedlittle。Butnowweweresweptalongataneasyrateofsomethirtymilesanhourandcoveredquiteagooddealofground。
　　Westoppedforlunchinquiteasizabletown，andhere，rollingslowlythroughthestreets，wesawmoreofthepopulation。
　　Theyhadcomeouttolookatuseverywherewehadpassed，buthereweremore;andwhenwewentintoeat，inabiggardenplacewithlittleshadedtablesamongthetreesandflowers，manyeyeswereuponus。Andeverywhere，opencountry，village，orcity——
　　onlywomen。Oldwomenandyoungwomenandagreatmajoritywhoseemedneitheryoungnorold，butjustwomen;younggirls，also，thoughthese，andthechildren，seemingtobeingroupsbythemselvesgenerally，werelessinevidence。Wecaughtmanyglimpsesofgirlsandchildreninwhatseemedtobeschoolsorinplaygrounds，andsofaraswecouldjudgetherewerenoboys。Wealllooked，carefully。Everyonegazedatuspolitely，kindly，andwitheagerinterest。