I became interested. Kings, palaces, marriage-feasts--why, here was
something substantial to go upon; after all these gauzy folk might turn
out good fellows, jolly comrades to sojourn amongst--and
marriage-feasts reminded me again I was hungry.
"Who is it," I asked, with more interest in my tone, "who gets
married?--is it your ambiguous king himself?"
Whereat An's purple eyes broadened with wonder: then as though she
would not be uncivil she checked herself, and answered with smothered
pity for my ignorance, "Not only Hath himself, but every one, stranger,
they are all married tomorrow; you would not have them married one at a
time, would you?"--this with inexpressible derision.
I said, with humility, something like that happened in the place I came
from, asking her how it chanced the convenience of so many came to one
climax at the same moment. "Surely, An, this is a marvel of
arrangement. Where I dwelt wooings would sometimes be long or sometimes
short, and all maids were not complacent by such universal agreement."
The girl was clearly perplexed. She stared at me a space, then said,
"What have wooings long or short to do with weddings? You talk as if
you did your wooing first and then came to marriage--we get married
first and woo afterwards!"
"'Tis not a bad idea, and I can see it might lend an ease and certainty
to the pastime which our method lacks. But if the woman is got first
and sued subsequently, who brings you together? Who sees to the
essential preliminaries of assortment?"
An, looking at my shoes as though she speculated on the remoteness of
the journey I had come if it were measured by my ignorance, replied,
"The urn, stranger, the urn does that--what else? How it may be in
that out-fashioned region you have come from I cannot tell, but
here--'tis so commonplace I should have thought you must have known
it--we put each new year the names of all womenkind into an urn and the
men draw for them, each town, each village by itself, and those they
draw are theirs; is it conceivable your race has other methods?"
I told her it was so--we picked and chose for ourselves, beseeching the
damsels, fighting for them, and holding the sun of romance was at its
setting just where the Martians held it to rise. Whereat An burst out
laughing--a clear, ringing laugh that set all the light-hearted folk in
the nearest boats laughing in sympathy. But when the grotesqueness of
the idea had somewhat worn off, she turned grave and asked me if such a
fancy did not lead to spite, envy, and bickerings. "Why, it seems to
me," she said, shaking her curly head, "such a plan might fire cities,
desolate plains, and empty palaces--"
"Such things have been."
"Ah! our way is much the better. See!" quoth that gentle philosopher.
"'Here,' one of our women would say, 'am I to-day, unwed, as free of
thought as yonder bird chasing the catkin down; tomorrow I shall be
married, with a whole summer to make love in, relieved at one bound of
all those uncertainties you acknowledge to, with nothing to do but lie
about on sunny banks with him whom chance sends me, come to the goal of
love without any travelling to get there.' Why, you must acknowledge
this is the perfection of ease."
"But supposing," I said, "chance dealt unkindly to you from your
nuptial urn, supposing the man was not to your liking, or another
coveted him?" To which An answered, with some shrewdness--
"In the first case we should do what we might, being no worse off than
those in your land who had played ill providence to themselves. In the
second, no maid would covet him whom fate had given to another, it were
too fatiguing, or if such a thing DID happen, then one of them would
waive his claims, for no man or woman ever born was worth a wrangle,
and it is allowed us to barter and change a little."
All this was strange enough. I could not but laugh, while An laughed
at the lightest invitation, and thus chatting and deriding each other's
social arrangements we floated idly townwards and presently came out
into the main waterway perhaps a mile wide and flowing rapidly, as
streams will on the threshold of the spring, with brash or waste of
distant beaches riding down it, and every now and then a broken branch
or tree-stem glancing through waves whose crests a fresh wind lifted
and sowed in golden showers in the intervening furrows. The Martians
seemed expert upon the water, steering nimbly between these floating
dangers when they met them, but for the most part hugging the shore
where a more placid stream better suited their fancies, and for a time
all went well.
An, as we went along, was telling me more of her strange country,
pointing out birds or flowers and naming them to me. "Now that," she
said, pointing to a small grey owl who sat reflective on a floating log
we were approaching--"that is a bird of omen; cover your face and look
away, for it is not well to watch it."
Whereat I laughed. "Oh!" I answered, "so those ancient follies have
come as far as this, have they? But it is no bird grey or black or
white that can frighten folk where I come from; see, I will ruffle his
philosophy for him," and suiting the action to the words I lifted a
pebble that happened to lie at the bottom of the boat and flung it at
that creature with the melancholy eyes. Away went the owl, dipping his
wings into the water at every stroke, and as he went wailing out a
ghostly cry, which even amongst sunshine and glitter made one's flesh
creep.
An shook her head. "You should not have done that," she said; "our
dead whom we send down over the falls come back in the body of yonder
little bird. But he has gone now," she added, with relief; "see, he
settles far up stream upon the point of yonder rotten bough; I would
not disturb him again if I were you--"
Whatever more An would have said was lost, for amidst a sound of flutes
and singing round the bend of the river below came a crowd of boats
decked with flowers and garlands, all clustering round a barge barely
able to move, so thick those lesser skiffs pressed upon it. So close
those wherries hung about that the garlanded rowers who sat at the oars
could scarcely pull, but, here as everywhere, it was the same good
temper, the same carelessness of order, as like a flowery island in the
dancing blue water the motley fleet came up.
I steered our skiff a space out from the bank to get a better view,
while An clapped her hands together and laughed. "It is Hath--he
himself and those of the palace with him. Steer a little nearer still,
friend--so! between yon floating rubbish flats, for those with Hath are
good to look at."
Nothing loth I made out into mid-stream to see that strange prince go
by, little thinking in a few minutes I should be shaking hands with
him, a wet and dripping hero. The crowd came up, and having the
advantage of the wind, it did not take me long to get a front place in
the ruck, whence I set to work, with republican interest in royalty, to
stare at the man who An said was the head of Martian society. He did
not make me desire to renounce my democratic principles. The royal
fellow was sitting in the centre of the barge under a canopy and on a
throne which was a mass of flowers, not bunched together as they would
have been with us, but so cunningly arranged that they rose from the
footstool to the pinnacle in a rhythm of colour, a poem in bud and
petals the like of which for harmonious beauty I could not have
imagined possible. And in this fairy den was a thin, gaunt young man,
dressed in some sort of black stuff so nondescript that it amounted to
little more than a shadow. I took it for granted that a substance of
bone and muscle was covered by that gloomy suit, but it was the face
above that alone riveted my gaze and made me return the stare he gave
me as we came up with redoubled interest. It was not an unhandsome
face, but ashy grey in colour and amongst the insipid countenances of
the Martians about him marvellously thoughtful. I do not know whether
those who had killed themselves by learning ever leave ghosts behind,
but if so this was the very ideal for such a one. At his feet I
noticed, when I unhooked my eyes from his at last, sat a girl in a
loose coral pink gown who was his very antipode. Princess Heru, for so
she was called, was resting one arm upon his knee at our approach and
pulling a blue convolvulus bud to pieces--a charming picture of dainty
idleness. Anything so soft, so silken as that little lady was never
seen before. Who am I, a poor quarter-deck loafer, that I should
attempt to describe what poet and painter alike would have failed to
realise? I know, of course, your stock descriptives: the melting eye,
the coral lip, the peachy cheek, the raven tress; but these were coined
for mortal woman--and this was not one of them. I will not attempt to
describe the glorious tenderness of those eyes she turned upon me
presently; the glowing radiance of her skin; the infinite grace of
every action; the incredible soul-searching harmony of her voice, when
later on I heard it--you must gather something of these things as I
go--suffice it to say that when I saw her there for the first time in
the plenitude of her beauty I fell desperately, wildly in love with her.
Meanwhile, even the most infatuated of mortals cannot stare for ever
without saying something. The grating of our prow against the
garlanded side of the royal barge roused me from my reverie, and
nodding to An, to imply I would be back presently, I lightly jumped on
to Hath's vessel, and, with the assurance of a free and independent
American voter, approached that individual, holding out my palm, and
saying as I did so,
"Shake hands, Mr. President!"
The prince came forward at my bidding and extending his hand for mine.
He bowed slow and sedately, in that peculiar way the Martians have, a
ripple of gratified civility passing up his flesh; lower and lower he
bowed, until his face was over our clasped hands, and then, with simple
courtesy, he kissed my finger-tips! This was somewhat embarrassing. It
was not like the procedure followed in Courts nearer to Washington than
this one, as far as my reading went, and, withdrawing my fingers
hastily, I turned to the princess, who had risen, and was eyeing her
somewhat awkwardly, the while wondering what kind of salutation would
be suitable in her case when a startling incident happened. The river,
as said, was full of floating rubbish brought down from some far-away
uplands by a spring freshet while the royal convoy was making slow
progress upstream and thus met it all bow on. Some of this stuff was
heavy timber, and when a sudden warning cry went up from the leading
boats it did not take my sailor instinct long to guess what was amiss.
Those in front shot side to side, those behind tried to drop back as,
bearing straight down on the royal barge, there came a log of black
wood twenty feet long and as thick as the mainmast of an old
three-decker.
Hath's boat could no more escape than if it had been planted on a rocky
pedestal, garlands and curtains trailing in the water hung so heavy on
it. The gilded paddles of the slender rowers were so feeble--they had
but made a half-turn from that great javelin's road when down it came
upon them, knocking the first few pretty oarsmen head over heels and
crackling through their oars like a bull through dry maize stalks. I
sprang forward, and snatching a pole from a half-hearted slave, jammed
the end into the head of the log and bore with all my weight upon it,
diverting it a little, and thereby perhaps saving the ship herself, but
not enough. As it flashed by a branch caught upon the trailing
tapestry, hurling me to the deck, and tearing away with it all that
finery. Then the great spar, tossing half its dripping length into the
air, went plunging downstream with shreds of silk and flowers trailing
from it, and white water bubbling in its rear.
When I scrambled to my feet all was ludicrous confusion on board. Hath
still stood by his throne--an island in a sea of disorder--staring at
me; all else was chaos. The rowers and courtiers were kicking and
wallowing in the "waist" of the ship like fish newly shot out of a
trawl net, but the princess was gone. Where was she? I brushed the
spray from my eyes, and stared overboard. She was not in the bubbling
blue water alongside. Then I glanced aft to where the log, now fifteen
yards away, was splashing through the sunshine, and, as I looked, a
fair arm came up from underneath and white fingers clutched
convulsively at the sky. What man could need more? Down the barge I
rushed, and dropping only my swordbelt, leapt in to her rescue. The
gentle Martians were too numb to raise a hand in help; but it was not
necessary. I had the tide with me, and gained at every stroke.
Meanwhile that accursed tree, with poor Heru's skirts caught on a
branch, was drowning her at its leisure; lifting her up as it rose upon
the crests, a fair, helpless bundle, and then sousing her in its fall
into the nether water, where I could see her gleam now and again like
pink coral.
I redoubled my efforts and got alongside, clutching the rind of that
old stump, and swimming and scrambling, at last was within reach of the
princess. Thereon the log lifted her playfully to my arms, and when I
had laid hold came down, a crushing weight, and forced us far into the
clammy bosom of Martian sea. Again we came up, coughing and choking--I
tugging furiously at that tangled raiment, and the lady, a mere lump of
sweetness in my other arm--then down again with that log upon me and
all the noises of Eblis in my ears. Up and down we went, over and
over, till strength was spent and my ribs seemed breaking; then, with a
last desperate effort, I got a knee against the stem, and by sheer
strength freed my princess--the spiteful timber made a last ugly thrust
at us as it rolled away--and we were free!
I turned upon my back, and, sure of rescue now, took the lady's head
upon my chest, holding her sweet, white fists in mine the while, and,
floating, waited for help.
It came only too quickly. The gallant Martians, when they saw the
princess saved, came swiftly down upon us. Over the lapping of the
water in my ears I heard their sigh--like cries of admiration and
surprise, the rattle of spray on the canoe sides mingled with the
splash of oars, the flitting shadows of their prows were all about us,
and in less time than it takes to write we were hauled aboard, revived,
and taken to Hath's barge. Again the prince's lips were on my
fingertips; again the flutes and music struck up; and as I squeezed the
water out of my hair, and tried to keep my eyes off the outline of
Heru, whose loveliness shone through her damp, clinging, pink robe, as
if that robe were but a gauzy fancy, I vaguely heard Hath saying
wondrous things of my gallantry, and, what was more to the purpose,
asking me to come with him and stay that night at the palace.
CHAPTER IV
They lodged me like a prince in a tributary country that first night. I
was tired. 'Twas a stiff stage I had come the day before, and they
gave me a couch whose ethereal softness seemed to close like the wings
of a bird as I plunged at its touch into fathomless slumbers. But the
next day had hardly broken when I was awake, and, stretching my limbs
upon the piled silk of a legless bed upon the floor, found myself in a
great chamber with a purple tapestry across the entrance, and a square
arch leading to a flat terrace outside.
It was a glorious daybreak, making my heart light within me, the air
like new milk, and the colours of the sunrise lay purple and yellow in
bars across my room. I yawned and stretched, then rising, wrapped a
silken quilt about me and went out into the flat terrace top, wherefrom
all the city could be seen stretched in an ivory and emerald patchwork,
with open, blue water on one side, and the Martian plain trending away
in illimitable distance upon the other.
Directly underneath in the great square at the bottom of Hath's palace
steps were gathered a concourse of people, brilliant in many-coloured
dresses. They were sitting or lying about just as they might for all I
knew have done through the warm night, without much order, save that
where the black streaks of inlaid stone marked a carriageway across the
square none were stationed. While I wondered what would bring so many
together thus early, there came a sound of flutes--for these people can
do nothing without piping like finches in a thicket in May--and from
the storehouses half-way over to the harbour there streamed a line of
carts piled high with provender. Down came the teams attended by their
slaves, circling and wheeling into the open place, and as they passed
each group those lazy, lolling beggars crowded round and took the dole
they were too thriftless to earn themselves. It was strange to see how
listless they were about the meal, even though Providence itself put it
into their hands; to note how the yellow-girted slaves scudded amongst
them, serving out the loaves, themselves had grown, harvested, and
baked; slipping from group to group, rousing, exhorting, administering
to a helpless throng that took their efforts without thought or thanks.
I stood there a long time, one foot upon the coping and my chin upon my
hand, noting the beauty of the ruined town and wondering how such a
feeble race as that which lay about, breakfasting in the limpid
sunshine, could have come by a city like this, or kept even the ruins
of its walls and buildings from the covetousness of others, until
presently there was a rustle of primrose garments and my friend of the
day before stood by me.
"Are you rested, traveller?" she questioned in that pretty voice of
hers.
"Rested ambrosially, An."
"It is well; I will tell the Government and it will come up to wash and
dress you, afterwards giving you breakfast."
"For the breakfast, damsel, I shall be grateful, but as for the washing
and dressing I will defend myself to the last gasp sooner than submit
to such administration."
"How strange! Do you never wash in your country?"
"Yes, but it is a matter left largely to our own discretion; so, my
dear girl, if you will leave me for a minute or two in quest of that
meal you have mentioned, I will guarantee to be ready when it comes."
Away she slipped, with a shrug of her rosy shoulders, to return
presently, carrying a tray covered with a white cloth, whereon were
half a dozen glittering covers whence came most fragrant odours of
cooked things.
"Why, comrade," I said, sitting down and lifting lid by lid, for the
cold, sweet air outside had made me hungry, "this is better than was
hoped for; I thought from what I saw down yonder I should have to trot
behind a tumbril for my breakfast, and eat it on my heels amongst your
sleepy friends below."
An replied, "The stranger is a prince, we take it, in his own country,
and princes fare not quite like common people, even here."
"So," I said, my mouth full of a strange, unknown fish, and a cake soft
as milk and white as cotton in the pod. "Now that makes me feel at
home!"
"Would you have had it otherwise with us?"
"No! now I come to think of it, it is most natural things should be
much alike in all the corners of the universe; the splendid simplicity
that rules the spheres, works much the same, no doubt, upon one side of
the sun as upon the other. Yet, somehow--you can hardly wonder at
it--yesterday I looked to find your world, when I realised where I had
tumbled to, a world of djin and giants; of mad possibilities over
realised, and here I see you dwellers by the utterly remote little more
marvellous than if I had come amongst you on the introduction of a
cheap tourist ticket, and round some neglected corner of my own distant
world!"
"I hardly follow your meaning, sir."
"No, no, of course you cannot. I was forgetting you did not know!
There, pass me the stuff on yonder platter that looks like caked mud
from an anchor fluke, and swells like breath of paradise, and let me
question you;" and while I sat and drank with that yellow servitor
sitting in front of me, I plied her with questions, just as a baby
might who had come into the world with a full-blown gift of speech.
But though she was ready and willing enough to answer, and laughed
gaily at my quaint ignorance of simple things, yet there was little
water in the well.
"Had they any kind of crafts or science; any cult of stars or figures?"
But again she shook her head, and said, "Hath might know, Hath
understood most things, but herself knew little of either." "Armies or
navies?" and again the Martian shrugged her shoulders, questioning in
turn--
"What for?"
"What for!" I cried, a little angry with her engaging dulness, "Why, to
keep that which the strong hand got, and to get more for those who come
next; navies to sweep yonder blue seas, and armies to ward what they
should bring home, or guard the city walls against all enemies,--for I
suppose, An," I said, putting down my knife as the cheering thought
came on me,--"I suppose, An, you have some enemies? It is not like
Providence to give such riches as you possess, such lands, such cities,
and not to supply the antidote in some one poor enough to covet them."
At once the girl's face clouded over, and it was obvious a tender
subject had been chanced upon. She waved her hand impatiently as
though to change the subject, but I would not be put off.
"Come," I said, "this is better than breakfast. It was the one
thing--this unknown enemy of yours--wanting to lever the dull mass of
your too peacefulness. What is he like? How strong? How stands the
quarrel between you? I was a soldier myself before the sea allured me,
and love horse and sword best of all things."
"You would not jest if you knew our enemy!"
"That is as it may be. I have laughed in the face of many a stronger
foe than yours is like to prove; but anyhow, give me a chance to judge.
Come, who is it that frightens all the blood out of your cheeks by a
bare mention and may not be laughed at even behind these substantial
walls?"
"First, then, you know, of course, that long ago this land of ours was
harried from the West."
"Not I."
"No!" said An, with a little warmth. "If it comes to that, you know
nothing."
Whereat I laughed, and, saying the reply was just, vowed I would not
interrupt again; so she wont on saying how Hath--that interminable
Hath!--would know it all better than she did, but long ago the land was
overrun by a people from beyond the broad, blue waters outside; a
people huge of person, hairy and savage, uncouth, unlettered, and poor
An's voice trembled even to describe them; a people without mercy or
compunction, dwellers in woods, eaters of flesh, who burnt, plundered,
and destroyed all before them, and had toppled over this city along
with many others in an ancient foray, the horrors of which, still burnt
lurid in her people's minds.
"Ever since then," went on the girl, "these odious terrors of the outer
land have been a nightmare to us, making hectic our pleasures, and
filling our peace with horrid thoughts of what might be, should they
chance to come again."
"'Tis unfortunate, no doubt, lady," I answered. "Yet it was long ago,
and the plunderers are far away. Why not rise and raid them in turn?
To live under such a nightmare is miserable, and a poet on my side of
the ether has said--
"'He either fears his fate too much,
Or his deserts are small,
Who will not put it to the touch,
To win or lose it all.'
It seems to me you must either bustle and fight again, or sit tamely
down, and by paying the coward's fee for peace, buy at heavy price,
indulgence from the victor."
"We," said An simply, and with no show of shame, "would rather die than
fight, and so we take the easier way, though a heavy one it is. Look!"
she said, drawing me to the broad window whence we could get a glimpse
of the westward town and the harbour out beyond the walls. "Look! see
yonder long row of boats with brown sails hanging loose reefed from
every yard ranged all along the quay. Even from here you can make out
the thin stream of porter slaves passing to and fro between them and
the granaries like ants on a sunny path. Those are our tax-men's
ships, they came yesterday from far out across the sea, as punctual as
fate with the first day of spring, and two or three nights hence we
trust will go again: and glad shall we be to see them start, although
they leave scupper deep with our cloth, our corn, and gold."
"Is that what they take for tribute?"
"That and one girl--the fairest they can find."
"One--only one! 'Tis very moderate, all things considered."
"She is for the thither king, Ar-hap, and though only one as you say,
stranger, yet he who loses her is apt sometimes to think her one too
many lost."
"By Jupiter himself it is well said! If I were that man I would stir
up heaven and hell until I got her back; neither man, nor beast, nor
devil should stay me in my quest!" As I spoke I thought for a minute
An's fingers trembled a little as she fixed a flower upon my coat,
while there was something like a sigh in her voice as she said--
"The maids of this country are not accustomed, sir, to be so strongly
loved."
By this time, breakfasted and rehabilitated, I was ready to go forth.
The girl swung back the heavy curtain that served in place of door
across the entrance of my chamber, and leading the way by a corridor
and marble steps while I followed, and whether it was the Martian air
or the meal I know not, but thinking mighty well of myself until we
came presently onto the main palace stairs, which led by stately
flights from the upper galleries to the wide square below.
As we passed into the full sunshine--and no sunshine is so crisply
golden as the Martian--amongst twined flowers and shrubs and gay,
quaint birds building in the cornices, a sleek youth rose slowly from
where he had spread his cloak as couch upon a step and approaching
asked--
"You are the stranger of yesterday?"
"Yes," I answered.
"Then I bring a message from Prince Hath, saying it would pleasure him
greatly if you would eat the morning meal with him."
"Why," I answered, "it is very civil indeed, but I have breakfasted
already."
"And so has Hath," said the boy, gently yawning. "You see I came here
early this morning, but knowing you would pass sooner or later I
thought it would save me the trouble if I lay down till you came--those
quaint people who built these places were so prodigal of steps," and
smiling apologetically he sank back on his couch and began toying with
a leaf.
"Sweet fellow," I said, and you will note how I was getting into their
style of conversation, "get back to Hath when you have rested, give him
my most gracious thanks for the intended courtesy, but tell him the
invitation should have started a week earlier; tell him from me, you
nimble-footed messenger, that I will post-date his kindness and come
tomorrow; say that meanwhile I pray him to send any ill news he has for
me by you. Is the message too bulky for your slender shoulders?"
"No," said the boy, rousing himself slowly, "I will take it," and then
he prepared to go. He turned again and said, without a trace of
incivility, "But indeed, stranger, I wish you would take the message
yourself. This is the third flight of stairs I have been up today."
Everywhere it was the same friendly indolence. Half the breakfasters
were lying on coloured shawls in groups about the square; the other
half were strolling off--all in one direction, I noticed--as slowly as
could be towards the open fields beyond; no one was active or had
anything to do save the yellow folk who flitted to and fro fostering
the others, and doing the city work as though it were their only
thought in life. There were no shops in that strange city, for there
were no needs; some booths I saw indeed, and temple-like places, but
hollow, and used for birds and beasts--things these lazy Martians love.
There was no tramp of busy feet, for no one was busy; no clank of
swords or armour in those peaceful streets, for no one was warlike; no
hustle, for no one hurried; no wide-packed asses nodding down the
lanes, for there was nothing to fill their packs with, and though a
cart sometimes came by with a load of lolling men and maids, or a small
horse, for horses they had, paced along, itself nearly as lazy as the
master he bore, with trappings sewed over bits of coloured shell and
coral, yet somehow it was all extraordinarily unreal. It was a city
full of the ghosts of the life which once pulsed through its ways. The
streets were peopled, the chatter of voices everywhere, the singing
boys and laughing girls wandering, arms linked together, down the ways
filled every echo with their merriment, yet somehow it was all so
shallow that again and again I rubbed my eyes, wondering if I were
indeed awake, or whether it were not a prolonged sleep of which the
tomorrow were still to come.
"What strikes me as strangest of all, good comrade," I observed
pleasantly to the tripping presence at my elbow, "is that these
countrymen of yours who shirk to climb a flight of steps, and have
palms as soft as rose petals, these wide ways paved with stones as hard
as a usurer's heart."
An laughed. "The stones were still in their native quarries had it
been left to us to seek them; we are like the conies in the ruins, sir,
the inheritors of what other hands have done."
"Ay, and undone, I think, as well, for coming along I have noted axe
chippings upon the walls, smudges of ancient fire and smoke upon the
cornices."
An winced a little and stared uneasily at the walls, muttering below
her breath something about trying to hide with flower garlands the
marks they could not banish, but it was plain the conversation was not
pleasing to her. So unpleasant was talk or sight of woodmen
(Thither-folk, as she called them, in contradiction to the Hither
people about us here), that the girl was clearly relieved when we were
free of the town and out into the open playground of the people. The
whole place down there was a gay, shifting crowd. The booths of
yesterday, the arcades, the archways, were still standing, and during
the night unknown hands had redecked them with flowers, while another
day's sunshine had opened the coppice buds so that the whole place was
brilliant past expression. And here the Hither folk were varying their
idleness by a general holiday. They were standing about in groups, or
lying ranked like new-plucked flowers on the banks, piping to each
other through reeds as soft and melodious as running water. They were
playing inconsequent games and breaking off in the middle of them like
children looking for new pleasures. They were idling about the
drinking booths, delicately stupid with quaint, thin wines, dealt out
to all who asked; the maids were ready to chevy or be chevied through
the blossoming thickets by anyone who chanced upon them, the men
slipped their arms round slender waists and wandered down the paths,
scarce seeming to care even whose waist it was they circled or into
whose ear they whispered the remainder of the love-tale they had begun
to some one else. And everywhere it was "Hi," and "Ha," and "So," and
"See," as these quaint people called to one another, knowing each other
as familiarly as ants of a nest, and by the same magic it seemed to me.
"An," I said presently, when we had wandered an hour or so through the
drifting throng, "have these good countrymen of yours no other names
but monosyllabic, nothing to designate them but these chirruping
syllables?"
"Is it not enough?" answered my companion. "Once indeed I think we had
longer names, but," she added, smiling, "how much trouble it saves to
limit each one to a single sound. It is uncivil to one's neighbours to
burden their tongues with double duty when half would do."
"But have you no patronymics--nothing to show the child comes of the
same source as his father came?"
"We have no fathers."
"What! no fathers?" I said, starting and staring at her.
"No, nor mothers either, or at least none that we remember, for again,
why should we? Mayhap in that strange district you come from you keep
count of these things, but what have we to do with either when their
initial duty is done. Look at that painted butterfly swinging on the
honey-laden catkin there. What knows she of the mother who shed her
life into a flowercup and forgot which flower it was the minute
afterwards. We, too, are insects, stranger."
"And do you mean to say of this great concourse here, that every atom
is solitary, individual, and can claim no kindred with another save the
loose bonds of a general fraternity--a specious idea, horrible,
impracticable!"
Whereat An laughed. "Ask the grasshoppers if it is impracticable; ask
the little buzzing things of grass and leaves who drift hither and
thither upon each breath of wind, finding kinsmen never but comrades
everywhere--ask them if it is horrible."
This made me melancholy, and somehow set me thinking of the friends
immeasurably distant I had left but yesterday.
What were they doing? Did they miss me? I was to have called for my
pay this afternoon, and tomorrow was to have run down South to see that
freckled lady of mine. What would she think of my absence? What would
she think if she knew where I was? Gods, it was too mad, too absurd! I
thrust my hands into my pockets in fierce desperation, and there they
clutched an old dance programme and an out-of-date check for a New York
ferry-boat. I scowled about on that sunny, helpless people, and laying
my hand bitterly upon my heart felt in the breast-pocket beneath a
packet of unpaid Boston tailors' bills and a note from my landlady
asking if I would let her aunt do my washing while I was on shore. Oh!
what would they all think of me? Would they brand me as a deserter, a
poltroon, and a thief, letting my name presently sink down in shame and
mystery in the shadowy realm of the forgotten? Dreadful thoughts! I
would think no more.
Maybe An had marked my melancholy, for presently she led me to a stall
where in fantastic vases wines of sorts I have described before were
put out for all who came to try them. There was medicine here for
every kind of dulness--not the gross cure which earthly wine effects,
but so nicely proportioned to each specific need that one could
regulate one's debauch to a hairbreadth, rising through all the gamut
of satisfaction, from the staid contentment coming of that flask there
to the wild extravagances of the furthermost vase. So my stripling
told me, running her finger down the line of beakers carved with
strange figures and cased in silver, each in its cluster of little
attendant drinking-cups, like-coloured, and waiting round on the white
napkins as the shore boats wait to unload a cargo round the sides of a
merchant vessel.
"And what," I said, after curiously examining each liquor in turn,
"what is that which stands alone there in the humble earthen jar, as
though unworthy of the company of the others."
"Oh, that," said my friend, "is the most essential of them all--that is
the wine of recovery, without which all the others were deadly poisons."
"The which, lady, looks as if it had a moral attaching to it."
"It may have; indeed I think it has, but I have forgotten. Prince Hath
would know! Meanwhile let me give you to drink, great stranger, let me
get you something."
"Well, then," I laughed, "reach me down an antidote to fate, a specific
for an absent mistress, and forgetful friends."
"What was she like?" said An, hesitating a little and frowning.
"Nay, good friend," was my answer, "what can that matter to you?"
"Oh, nothing, of course," answered that Martian, and while she took
from the table a cup and filled it with fluid I felt in the pouch of my
sword-belt to see if by chance a bit of money was lying there, but
there was none, only the pips of an orange poor Polly had sucked and
laughingly thrown at me.
However, it did not matter. The girl handed me the cup, and I put my
lips to it. The first taste was bitter and acrid, like the liquor of
long-steeped wood. At the second taste a shiver of pleasure ran
through me, and I opened my eyes and stared hard. The third taste
grossness and heaviness and chagrin dropped from my heart; all the
complexion of Providence altered in a flash, and a stupid irresistible
joy, unreasoning, uncontrollable took possession of my fibre. I sank
upon a mossy bank and, lolling my head, beamed idiotically on the
lolling Martians all about me. How long I was like that I cannot say.
The heavy minutes of sodden contentment slipped by unnoticed,
unnumbered, till presently I felt the touch of a wine-cup at my lips
again, and drinking of another liquor dulness vanished from my mind, my
eyes cleared, my heart throbbed; a fantastic gaiety seized upon my
limbs; I bounded to my feet, and seizing An's two hands in mine, swung
that damsel round in a giddy dance, capering as never dancer danced
before, till spent and weary I sank down again from sheer lack of
breath, and only knew thereafter that An was sitting by me saying,
"Drink! drink stranger, drink and forget!" and as a third time a cup
was pressed to my lips, aches and pleasures, stupidness and joy, life
itself, seemed slipping away into a splendid golden vacuity, a hazy
episode of unconscious Elysium, indefinite, and unfathomable.
CHAPTER V
When I woke, feeling as refreshed as though I had been dreaming through
a long night, An, seeing me open-eyed, helped me to my feet, and when I
had recovered my senses a little, asked if we should go on. I was
myself again by this time, so willingly took her hand, and soon came
out of the tangle into the open spaces. I must have been under the
spell of the Martian wines longer than it seemed, for already it was
late in the afternoon, the shadows of trees were lying deep and
far-reaching over the motley crowds of people. Out here as the day
waned they had developed some sort of method in their sports. In front
of us was a broad, grassy course marked off with garlanded
finger-posts, and in this space rallies of workfolk were taking part in
all manner of games under the eyes of a great concourse of spectators,
doing the Martians' pleasures for them as they did their labours. An
led me gently on, leaning on my arm heavier, I thought, than she had
done in the morning, and ever and anon turning her gazelle-like eyes
upon me with a look I could not understand. As we sauntered forward I
noticed all about lesser circles where the yellow-girted ones were
drawing delighted laughter from good-tempered crowds by tricks of
sleight-of-hand, and posturing, or tossing gilded cups and balls as
though they were catering, as indeed they were, for outgrown children.
Others fluted or sang songs in chorus to the slow clapping of hands,
while others were doing I knew not what, sitting silent amongst silent
spectators who every now and then burst out laughing for no cause that
I could see. But An would not let me stop, and so we pushed on through
the crowd till we came to the main enclosures where a dozen slaves had
run a race for the amusement of those too lazy to race themselves, and
were sitting panting on the grass.
To give them time to get their breath, perhaps, a man stepped out of
the crowd dressed in a dark blue tunic, a strange vacuous-looking
fellow, and throwing down a sheaf of javelins marched off a dozen
paces, then, facing round, called out loudly he would give sixteen
suits of "summer cloth" to any one who could prick him with a javelin
from the heap.
"Why," I said in amazement, "this is the best of fools--no one could
miss from such a distance."
"Ay but," replied my guide, "he is a gifted one, versed in mystics."
I was just going to say a good javelin, shod with iron, was a stronger
argument than any mystic I had ever heard of could stand, when out of
the crowd stepped a youth, and amid the derisive cheers of his friends
chose a reed from the bundle. He poised it in his hand a minute to get
the middle, then turned on the living target. Whatever else they might
be, these Martians were certainly beautiful as the daytime. Never had
I seen such a perfect embodiment of grace and elegance as that boy as
he stood there for a moment poised to the throw; the afternoon sunshine
warm and strong on his bunched brown hair, a girlish flush of shyness
on his handsome face, and the sleek perfection of his limbs, clear cut
against the dusky background beyond. And now the javelin was going.
Surely the mystic would think better of it at the last moment! No! the
initiate held his ground with tight-shut lips and retrospective eyes,
and even as I looked the weapon flew upon its errand.
"There goes the soul of a fool!" I exclaimed, and as the words were
uttered the spear struck, or seemed to, between the neck and shoulder,
but instead of piercing rose high into the air, quivering and flashing,
and presently turning over, fell back, and plunged deep into the turf,
while a low murmur of indifferent pleasure went round amongst the
onlookers.
Thereat An, yawning gently, looked to me and said, "A strong-willed
fellow, isn't he, friend?"
I hesitated a minute and then asked, "Was it WILL which turned that
shaft?"
She answered with simplicity, "Why, of course--what else?"
By this time another boy had stepped out, and having chosen a javelin,
tested it with hand and foot, then retiring a pace or two rushed up to
the throwing mark and flung it straight and true into the bared bosom
of the man. And as though it had struck a wall of brass, the shaft
leapt back falling quivering at the thrower's feet. Another and
another tried unsuccessfully, until at last, vexed at their futility, I
said, "I have a somewhat scanty wardrobe that would be all the better
for that fellow's summer suiting, by your leave I will venture a throw
against him."
"It is useless," answered An; "none but one who knows more magic than
he, or is especially befriended by the Fates can touch him through the
envelope he has put on."
"Still, I think I will try."
"It is hopeless, I would not willingly see you fail," whispered the
girl, with a sudden show of friendship.
"And what," I said, bending down, "would you give me if I succeeded?"
Whereat An laughed a little uneasily, and, withdrawing her hand from
mine, half turned away. So I pushed through the spectators and stepped
into the ring. I went straight up to the pile of weapons, and having
chosen one went over to the mystic. "Good fellow," I cried out
ostentatiously, trying the sharpness of the javelin-point with my
finger, "where are all of those sixteen summer suits of yours lying
hid?"
"It matters nothing," said the man, as if he were asleep.
"Ay, but by the stars it does, for it will vex the quiet repose of your
soul tomorrow if your heirs should swear they could not find them."
"It matters nothing," muttered the will-wrapped visionary.
"It will matter something if I take you at your word. Come, friend
Purple-jerkin, will you take the council with your legs and run while
there is yet time, or stand up to be thrown at?"
"I stand here immoveable in the confidence of my initiation."
"Then, by thunder, I will initiate you into the mysteries of a
javelin-end, and your blood be on your head."
The Martians were all craning their necks in hushed eagerness as I
turned to the casting-place, and, poising the javelin, faced the
magician. Would he run at the last moment? I half hoped so; for a
minute I gave him the chance, then, as he showed no sign of wavering, I
drew my hand back, shook the javelin back till it bent like a reed, and
hurled it at him.
The Martians' heads turned as though all on one pivot as the spear sped
through the air, expecting no doubt to see it recoil as others had
done. But it took him full in the centre of his chest, and with a wild
wave of arms and a flutter of purple raiment sent him backwards, and
down, and over and over in a shapeless heap of limbs and flying
raiment, while a low murmur of awed surprise rose from the spectators.
They crowded round him in a dense ring, as An came flitting to me with
a startled face. "Oh, stranger," she burst out, "you have surely killed him!" but more astounded I had broken down his guard than grieved at his injury. |
|
댓글 없음:
댓글 쓰기