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To Your
To Your
Scattered
Scattered
Bodies Go
Bodies Go
by Philip Jose Farmer
"
His )ife had held him in her arms as if she co&ld %eep death a)ay from
him.
He had cried o&t2 3My God2 4 am a dead man56 7he door to the room
had opened2 and he had seen a giant2 blac%2 one8h&mped camel o&tside
and had heard the tin%le of the bells on its harness as the hot desert )ind
to&ched them. 7hen a h&ge blac% face topped by a great blac%8t&rban had
appeared in the door)ay. 7he blac% e&n&ch had come in thro&gh the door2
mo9ing li%e a clo&d2 )ith a gigantic scimitar in his hand. :eath2 the
:estroyer of :elights and the S&nderer of Society2 had arri9ed at last.
;lac%ness. <othingness. He did not e9en %no) that his heart had
gi9en o&t fore9er. <othingness.
7hen his eyes opened. His heart )as beating strongly. He )as
strong2 9ery strong5 =ll the pain of the go&t in his feet2 the agony in his li9er2
the tort&re in his heart2 all )ere gone.
4t )as so >&iet he co&ld hear the blood mo9ing in his head. He )as
alone in a )orld of so&ndlessness.
= bright light of e>&al intensity )as e9ery)here. He co&ld see2 yet
he did not &nderstand )hat he )as seeing. What )ere these things abo9e2
beside2 belo) him? Where )as he? He tried to sit &p and felt2 n&mbly2 a
panic. 7here )as nothing to sit &p &pon beca&se he )as hanging in
nothingness. 7he attempt sent him for)ard and o9er2 9ery slo)ly2 as if he
)ere in a bath of thin treacle. = foot from his fingertips )as a rod of bright
red metal. 7he rod came from abo9e2 from infinity2#and )ent on do)n to
infinity. He tried to grasp it beca&se it )as the nearest solid ob@ect2 b&t
something in9isible )as resisting him. 4t )as as if lines of some force )ere
p&shing against him2 repelling him.
Slo)ly2 he t&rned o9er in a somersa&lt. 7hen the resistance halted
him )ith his fingertips abo&t six inches from the rod. He straightened his
body o&t and mo9ed for)ard a fraction of an inch. =t the same time2 his
body began to rotate on its longit&dinal axis. He s&c%ed in sir )ith alo&d
sa)ing noise. 7ho&gh he %ne) no hold existed for him2 he co&ld not help
flailing his arms in panic to try to seiAe onto something.
He )as face 6do)n62 (or )as it &p?) Whate9er the direction2 it )as
opposite to that to)ard )hich he had been loo%ing )hen he had a)a%ened.
<ot that this mattered. 3=bo9e6 him and 3belo)6 him the 9ie) )as the same.
He )as s&spended in space2 %ept from falling by an in9isible and &nfelt
cocoon. Six feet 3belo)6 him )as the body of a )oman )ith a 9ery pale
s%in. She )as na%ed and completely hairless. She seemed to be asleep!
Her eyes )ere closed2 and her breasts rose and fell gently. Her legs )ere
together and straight o&t and her arms )ere by her side. She t&rned slo)ly
li%e a chic%en on a spit.
7he same force that )as rotating her )as also rotating him. He
sp&n slo)ly a)ay from her2 sa) other na%ed and hairless bodies2 men2
)omen2 and children2 opposite him in silent spinning ro)s. =bo9e him )as
the rotating na%ed and hairless body of a <egro.
He lo)ered his head so that he co&ld see along his o)n body. He
)as na%ed and hairless2 too. His s%in )as smooth2 and the m&scles of his
belly )ere ridged2 and his thighs )ere pac%ed )ith strong yo&ng m&scles.
7he 9eins that had stood o&t li%e bl&e mole8ridges )ere gone. He no longer
had the body of the enfeebled and sic% sixty8nine8year8old man )ho had
been dying ply a moment ago. =nd the h&ndred or so scars )ere gone.
He realiAed then that there )ere no old men or )omen among the
bodies s&rro&nding him. =ll seemed to be abo&t t)enty8fi9e years old2
tho&gh it )as diffic&lt to determine the exact age2 since the hairless heads
and p&bes made them seem older and yo&nger at the same time.
He had boasted that he %ne) no fear. <o) fear ripped a)ay the cry
forming in this throat. His fear pressed do)n on him and s>&eeAed the ne)
life from him He had been st&nned at first beca&se he )as still li9ing. 7hen
his position in space and the arrangement of his ne) en9ironment had
froAen his senses. He )as seeing and feeling thro&gh a thic% semi8opa>&e
)indo). =fter a fe) seconds something snapped inside him. He co&ld
almost hear it2 as if a )indo) had s&ddenly been raised.
7he )orld too% a shape )hich he co&ld grasp2 tho&gh he co&ld not
comprehend it. =bo9e him2 on both sides2 belo) him2 as far as he co&ld
see2 bodies floated. 7hey )ere arranged in 9ertical and horiAontal ro)s.
7he &p8and8do)n ran%s )ere separated by red rods2 slender as
broomstic%s2 one of )hich )as t)el9e inches from the feet of the sleepers
and the other t)el9e inches from their heads. Bach body )as spaced abo&t
six feet from the body abo9e and belo) and on each side.
7he rods came &p from an abyss )itho&t bottom and soared into an
abyss )itho&t ceiling. 7hat grayness into )hich the rods and the bodies2 &p
and do)n2 right and left2 disappeared )as neither the s%y nor the earth.
7here )as nothing in the distance except the lac%l&ster of infinity.
Cn one side )as a dar% man )ith 7&scan feat&res. Cn his other
side )as an =siatic 4ndian and beyond her a large <ordic loo%ing man. <ot
&ntil the third re9ol&tion )as he able to determine )hat )as so odd abo&t
the man. 7he right arm2 from a point @&st belo) the elbo)2 )as red. 4t
seemed to lac% the o&ter layer of s%in.
= fe) seconds later2 se9eral ro)s a)ay2 he sa) a male ad&lt body
lac%ing the s%in and all the m&scles of the face.
7here )ere other bodies that )ere not >&ite complete. Fat a)ay2
glimpsed &nclearly2 )as a s%eleton and a @&mble of organs inside it.
He contin&ed t&rning and obser9ing )hile his heart slammed
against his chest )ith terror. ;y then he &nderstood that he )an in some
colossal chamber and that the metal rods )ere radiating some force that
someho) s&pported and re9ol9ed millions maybe billions#of h&man
beings.
Where )as this place? $ertainly2 it )as not the city of 7rieste of the
=&stro8H&ngarian Bmpire of "DE..
4t )as li%e no hell or hea9en of )hich he had e9er heard or read2
and he had tho&ght that he )as ac>&ainted )ith e9ery theory of the
afterlife.
He had died. <o) he )as ali9e. He had scoffed all his life at a life8
after8death. For once2 he co&ld not deny that he had been )rong. ;&t there
)as no one present to say2 34 told yo& so2 yo& damned infidel56 Cf all the
millions2 he alone )as a)a%e.
=s he t&rned at an estimated rate of one complete re9ol&tion per
ten seconds2 he sa) something else that ca&sed him to gasp )ith
amaAement. Fi9e ro)s a)ay )as a body that seemed2 at first glance2 to be
h&man. ;&t no member of Homo sapiens had three fingers and a th&mb on
each hand and fo&r toes on each foot nor a nose and thin blac% leathery
lips li%e a dog6s. <or )ith many small %nobs. <or ears )ith s&ch strange
con9ol&tions.
7error faded a)ay. His heart >&it beating so s)iftly2 tho&gh it did not
ret&rn to normal His brain &nfroAe. He m&st get o&t of this sit&ation )here
he )as as helpless as a hog on a t&rnspit. He )o&ld get to somebody )ho
co&ld tell him )hat he )as doing here2 ho) he had come here2 )hy he )as
here.
7o decide )as to act.
He dre) &p his legs and %ic%ed and fo&nd that the action2 the
reaction2 rather2 dro9e him for)ard a half8inch. =gain2 he %ic%ed and mo9ed
against the resistance. ;&t2 as he pa&sed2 he )as slo)ly mo9ed bac%
to)ard his original location. =nd his legs and arms )ere gently p&shed
to)ard their original rigid position.
4n a frenAy2 %ic%ing his legs and mo9ing his arms in a s)immer6s
breaststro%e2 he managed to fight to)ard the rod. 7he closer he got to it2
the stronger the )eb of force became. He did trot gi9e &p. 4f he did2 he
)o&ld be bac% )here he had been and )itho&t eno&gh strength to begin
fighting again. 4t )as not his nat&re to gi9e &p &ntil all his strength had been
expended.
He )as breathing hoarsely2 his body )as coated )ith s)eat2 his
arms and legs mo9ed as if in a thic% @elly2 and his progress )as
imperceptible. 7hen2 the fingertips of his left hand to&ched the rod. 4t felt
)arm and hard.
S&ddenly2 he %ne) )hich )ay )as 3do)n.6 He fell.
7he to&ch had bro%en the spell. 7he )ebs of air aro&nd him
snapped so&ndlessly2 and he )as pl&nging.
He )as close eno&gh to the rod to seiAe it )ith one hand. 7he
s&dden chec%ing of his fall bro&ght his hip &p against the rod )ith a painf&l
impact. 7he s%in of his hand b&rned as he slid do)n the rod2 and then his
other hand cl&tched the rod2 and he had stopped. 4n front of him2 on the
other side of the rod2 the bodies had started to fall. 7hey descended )ith
the 9elocity of a falling body on Barth2 and each maintained its stretched8
o&t position and the original distance bet)een the body abo9e and belo).
7hey e9en contin&ed to re9ol9e.
4t )as then that the p&ffs of air on his na%ed s)eating bac% made
him t)ist aro&nd on the rod. ;ehind him2 in the 9ertical ro) of bodies that
he had @&st occ&pied2 the sleepers )ere also falling. Cne after the other2 as
if methodically dropped thro&gh trapdoor spinning slo)ly2 they h&rtled by
him. 7heir heads him by a fe) inches. He )as fort&nate not to ha9e been
%noc%ed off the rod and sent pl&nging into the abyss along )ith them.
4n stately procession2 they fell. ;ody after body shooting do)n on
both sides of the rod2 )hile the other ro)s of millions &pon millions slept
on.
For a )hile2 he stared. 7hen he began co&nting bodiesF he had
al)ays been a de9oted en&merator. ;&t )hen he had co&nted -2.."2 he
>&it. =fter that he gaAed at the cataract of flesh. Ho) far &p2 ho)
immeas&rably far &p2 )ere they stac%ed? =nd ho) far do)n co&ld they
fall? Gn)ittingly2 he had precipitated them )hen his to&ch had disr&pted
the force emanating from the rod.
He co&ld not climb &p the rod2 b&t he co&ld climb do)n it. He began
to let himself do)n2 and then he loo%ed &p)ard and he forgot abo&t the
bodies h&rtling by him. Some)here o9erhead2 a h&mming )as o9erriding
the )hooshing so&nd of the falling bodies.
= narro) craft2 of some bright green s&bstance and shad li%e a
canoe2 )as sin%ing bet)een the col&mn of the fallers and the neighboring
col&mn of s&spended. 7he aerial canoe had no 9isible means of s&pport2
he tho&ght2 and it )as a meas&re of his terror that he did not e9en thin%
abo&t his p&n. <o 9isible means of s&pport. Hi%e a magical 9essel o&t of
7he 7ho&sand and Cne <ights.
= face appeared o9er the edge of the 9essel. 7he craft stopped2
and the h&mming noise ceased. =nother face )as by the first. ;oth had
long2 dar%2 and straight hair. Iresently2 the faces )ithdre)2 the h&mming
)as rene)ed2 and the canoe again descended to)ard him. When it )as
abo&t fi9e feet abo9e him it halted. 7here )as a single small symbol on the
green bo)! a )hite spiral that exploded to the right. Cne of the canoe6s
occ&pants spo%e in a lang&age )ith many 9o)els and a distinct and
fre>&ently rec&rring glottal stop. 4t so&nded li%e Iolynesian. =br&ptly2 the
in9isible cocoon aro&nd him reasserted itself. 7he falling bodies began to
slo) in their rate of descent and then stopped. 7he man on the rod felt the
retaining force close in on him and lift him &p. 7ho&gh he cl&ng desperately
to the rod2 his legs )ere mo9ed &p and then a)ay and his body follo)ed it.
Soon he )as loo%ing do)n)ard. His hands )ere torn looseF he felt as if his
grip on life2 Cn sanity2 on the )orld2 had also been torn a)ay. He began to
drift &p)ard and to re9ol9e. He )ent by the aerial canoe and rose abo9e it.
7he t)o men in the canoe )ere na%ed2 dar%8s%inned as Jemenite =rabs2
and handsome. 7heir feat&res )ere <ordic2 resembling these of some
4celanders he had %no)n.
Cne of them lifted a hand )hich held a pencil8siAed metal ob@ect.
7he man sighted along it as if he )ere going to shoot something from it.
7he man fisting in the air sho&ted )ith rage and hate and fr&stration
and flailed his arms to s)im to)ard the machine.
346ll %ill56 he screamed. 3Kill5 Kill56 Cbli9ion came again.
+
God )as standing o9er him as he lay on the grass by the )aters
and the )eeping )illo)s. He lay )ide8eyed and as )ea% as a baby @&st
born. God )as po%ing him in the ribs )ith the end of an iron cane. God )as
a tall man of middle age. He had a long blac% for%ed beard2 and He )as
)earing the S&nday best of an Bnglish gentleman of the 5-rd year of
L&een (ictoria6s reign.
3Jo&6re late26 God said. 3Hong past d&e for the payment of yo&r debt2
yo& %no).6 6What debt?6 Michard Francis ;&rton said. He passed his
fingertips o9er his ribs to ma%e s&re that all )ere still there.
6Jo& o)e me for the flesh26 replied God2 po%ing him again )ith the
cane. 3<ot to mention the spirit. Jo& o)e for the flesh and the spirit2 )hich
are one and the same thing.6 ;&rton str&ggled to get &p onto his feet.
<obody2 not e9ery God2 )as going to p&nch Michard ;&rton in the ribs and
get army )itho&t a battle.
God2 ignoring the f&tile efforts2 p&lled a large gold )atch from His
9est poc%et2 &nsnapped its hea9y enscrolled gold lid2 loo%ed at the hands2
and said2 3Hong past d&e.6 God held o&t His other hand2 its palm t&rned &p.
3Iay &p2 sir. Cther)ise2 46ll be forced to foreclose.6
3Foreclose on )hat? :ar%ness fell. God began to dissol9e into the
dar%ness. 4t )as then that ;&rton sa) that God resembled himself. He had
the carne blac% straight hair2 the same =rabic face )ith the dar% stabbing
eyes2 high chee%bones2 hea9y lips2 and the thr&st8o&t2 reply cleft chin. 7he
same long deep scars2 )itnesses of the Somali @a9elin )hich pierced his
@a)s in that fight at ;erbers2 )ere on His chee%s. His hands and feet )ere
small2 contrasting )ith His broad sho&lders and massi9e chest2 and he had
the long thic% mo&stachios and the long for%ed beard that had ca&sed the
;edo&in to name ;&rton 3the Father of Mo&stachios.6 3Jo& loo% li%e the
:e9il26 ;&rton said2 b&t God had become @&st another shado) in the
dar%ness.
-
;&rton )as still sleeping2 b&t he )as so close to the s&rface of
conscio&sness that he )as a)are that he had been dreaming. Hight )as
replacing the night.
7hen his eyes did open. =nd he did not %no) )here he )as. . =
bl&e s%y )as abo9e. = gentle breeAe flo)ed o9er his na%ed body His
hairless head and his bac% and legs and the palms of his hands )ets
against grass. He t&rned his head to the right#end sa) a plain co9ered
)ith 9ery short2 9ery green2 9ery thic% grass. 7he plain sloped gently
&p)ard for a mile. ;eyond the plain )as a range of hills that started o&t
mildly2 then became steeper and higher and 9ery irreg&lar in shape as they
climbed to)ard the mo&ntains. 7he hills seemed to r&n for abo&t t)o and a
half miles. =ll )ere co9ered )ith trees2 some of )hich blaAed )ith starlets2
aA&res2 bright greens2 flaming yello)s2 and deep pin%s. 7he mo&ntains
beyond the hills rose s&ddenly2 perperpendic&larly2 and &nbelie9ably high.
7hey )ere blac% and bl&ish8green2 loo%ing li%e a glassy igneo&s roc% )ith
h&ge splotches of lichen co9ering at least a >&arter of the s&rface.
;et)een him and the hills )ere many h&man bodies. 7he closest
one2 only a fe) feet a)ay2 )as that of the )hite )oman )ho had been
belo) him in that 9ertical ro).
He )anted to rise &p2 b&t he )as sl&ggish and n&mb. =ll he co&ld
do for the moment2 and that re>&ired a strong effort2 )as to t&rn his head to
the left. 7here )ere more na%ed bodies there on a plain that sloped do)n
to a ri9er perhaps ". yards a)ay. 7he ri9er )as abo&t a mile )ide2 and on
its other side )as another plain2 probably abo&t a mile broad and sloping
&p)ard to foothills co9ered )ith more of the trees and then the to)ering
precipito&s blac% and bl&ish8green mo&ntains. 7hat )as the east2 he
tho&ght froAenly. 7he s&n had @&st risen o9er the top of the mo&ntain there.
=lmost by the ri9er6s edge )as a strange str&ct&re. 4t )as a gray
red8flec%ed granite and )as shaped li%e a m&shroom. 4ts broad base co&ld
not be more than fi9e feet high2 and the m&shroom top had a diameter of
abo&t fifty feet.
He managed to rise far eno&gh to s&pport himself on one elbo).
7here )ere more m&shroom8shaped granites along both sides2 of
the ri9er.
B9ery)here on the plain )ere &nclothed bald8headed h&man
beings2 spaced abo&t six feet apart. Most )ere still on their bac%s and
gaAing into the s%y. Cthers )ere beginning to stir2 to loo% aro&nd2 or e9en
sitting &p.
He sat &p also and felt his head and face )ith both hands. 7hey
)ere smooth.
His body2 )as not that )rin%led2 ridged2 b&mpy2 )ithered body of the
sixty8nine8year8old )hich had lain on his deathbed. 4t )as the smooth8
s%inned and po)erf&lly m&scled body he had )hen he )as t)enty8fi9e
years old. 7he same body he had )hen he )as floating bet)een those
rods in that dream. :ream? 4t had seemed too 9i9id to be a dream. 4t )as
not a dream.
=ro&nd his )rist )as a thin band of transparent material. 4t )as
connected to a six8inch8long strap of the same material. 7he other end )as
clenched abo&t a metallic arc2 the handle of a grayish metal cylinder )ith a
closed co9er.
4dly2 not concentrating beca&se his mind )as too sl&ggish2 he lifted
the cylinder. 4t )eighed less than a po&nd2 so it co&ld not be of iron e9en if
it )as hollo). 4ts diameter )as a foot and a half and it )as o9er t)o and a
half feet tall.
B9eryone had a similar ob@ect strapped to his )rist.
Gnsteadily2 his heart beginning to pic% &p speed as his senses
became &nn&mbered2 he got to his feet.
Cthers )ere rising2 too. Many had faces )hich )ere slac% or
congealed )ith an icy )onder. Some loo%ed fearf&l. 7heir eyes )ere )ide
and rollingF their chests rose and fell s)iftlyF their breaths hissed o&t. Some
)ere sha%ing as if an icy )ind had s)ept o9er them2 tho&gh the air )as
pleasantly )arm.
7he strange thing2 the really alien and frightening thing2 )as the
almost complete silence. <obody said a )ordF there )as only the hissing of
breaths of those near him2 a tiny slap as a man smac%ed himself on his legF
a lo) )histling from a )oman.
7heir mo&ths h&ng open2 as if they )ere abo&t to say something.
7hey began mo9ing abo&t2 loo%ing into each other6s faces2
sometimes reaching o&t to lightly to&ch another. 7hey sh&ffled their bare
feet2 t&rned this )ay2 t&rned bac% the other )ay2 gaAed at the hills2 the trees
co9ered )ith the h&ge 9i9idly colored blooms2 the licheno&s and soaring
mo&ntains2 the spar%ling and green ri9er2 the m&shroom8shaped stones2
the straps and the gray metallic containers.
Some felt their na%ed s%&lls and their faces.
B9erybody )as encased in a mindless motion and in silence.
S&ddenly2 a )oman began moaning. She san% to her %nees2 thre)
her head and her sho&lders bac%2 and she ho)led. =t the same time2 far
do)n the ri9erban%2 somebody else ho)led.
4t )as as if these t)o cries )ere signals. Cr as if the t)o )ere
do&ble %eys to the h&man 9oice and had &nloc%ed it.
7he men and )omen and children began screaming or sobbing or
tearing at their faces )ith their nails or beating themsel9es on their breasts
or falling on their %nees and lifting their hands in prayer or thro)ing
themsel9es do)n and trying to b&ry their faces in the grass as if2 ostrich8
li%e2 to a9oid being seen2 or rolling bac% and forth2 bar%ing li%e dogs or
ho)ling li%e )ol9es.
7he terror and the hysteria gripped ;&rton. He )anted to go to his
%nees and pray for sal9ation from @&dgment. He )anted mercy. He did not
)ant to see the blinding face of God appear o9er the mo&ntains2 a face
brighter than the s&n. He )as not as bra9e and as g&iltless as he had
tho&ght. N&dgment )o&ld be so terrifying2 so &tterly final2 that he co&ld not
bear to thin% abo&t it.
Cnce2 he had had a fantasy abo&t standing before God after he had
died. He had been little and na%ed and in the middle of a 9ast plain2 li%e
this2 b&t he had been all alone. 7hen God2 great as a mo&ntain2 had strode
to)ard him =nd he2 ;&rton2 had stood his gro&nd and defied God.
7here )as no God here2 b&t he fled any)ay. He ran across the
plain2 p&shing men and )omen o&t of the )ay2 r&nning aro&nd some2
leaping o9er others as they rolled on the gro&nd. =s he ran2 he ho)led2
3<o5 <o5 <o56 His arms )indmilled to fend off &nseen terrors. 7he cylinder
strapped to his )rist )hirled aro&nd and aro&nd.
When he )as panting so that he co&ld no longer ho)l2 and his legs
and arms )ere h&ng )ith )eights2 and his l&ngs b&rned2 and his heart
boomed2 he thre) himself do)n &nder the first of the trees.
=fter a )hile2 he sat &p and faced to)ard the plain. 7he mob noise
had changed from screams and ho)ls to a gigantic chattering. 7he ma@ority
)ere tal%ing to each other2 tho&gh it did not seem that anybody )as
listening. ;&rton co&ld not hear any of the indi9id&al )ords. Some men and
)omen )ere and %issing as if they had been ac>&ainted is their pre9io&s
li9es2 and no) )ere holding each other to reass&re each other of their
identities and of their reality.
7here )ere a n&mber of children in the great cro)d. <ot one )as
&nder fi9e years of age2 ho)e9er. Hi%e their elders2 their heads )ere
hairless. Half of them )ere )eeping2 rooted to one spot. Cthers2 also crying
o&t2 )ere r&nning bac% and forth2 loo%ing into the faces abo9e them2
ob9io&sly see%ing their parents.
He )as beginning to breathe more easily. He stood &p and t&rned
aro&nd. 7he tree &nder )hich he )as standing )as a red pine (sometimes
)rongly called a <or)ay pine) abo&t t)o h&ndred feet tall. ;eside it )as a
tree of a type he had ne9er sees. He do&bted that it had existed on Barth.
(He )as s&re that he )as not on Barth2 tho&gh he co&ld not ha9e gi9en any
specific reasons at that moment.) 4t had a thic%2 gnarled blac%ish tr&n% and
many thic% branches bearing triang&lar six8feet8long lea9es2 green )ith
scarlet facings. 4t )as abo&t three h&ndred feet high. 7here )ere also trees
that loo%ed li%e )hite and blac% oa%s2 firs2 Western ye)2 and lodgepole
pine.
Here and there )ere cl&mps of tall bamboo8li%e plants2 and
e9ery)here that there )ere no trees or bamboo )as a grass abo&t three
feet high. 7here )ere no animals in sight. <o insects and no birds. He
loo%ed aro&nd for a stic% or a cl&b. He did not ha9e the slightest idea )hat
)as on the agenda for h&manity2 b&t if it )as left &ns&per9ised or
&ncontrolled it )o&ld soon be re9erting to its normal state. Cnce the shoc%
)as o9er2 the people )o&ld be loo%ing o&t for themsel9es2 and that meant
that some )o&ld be b&llying others.
He fo&nd nothing &sef&l as a )eapon. 7hen it occ&rred to him that
the metal cylinder co&ld be &sed as a )eapon. He banged it against a tree.
7ho&gh it had little )eight2 it )as extremely hard.
He raised the lid2 )hich )as hinged inside at one end. 7he hollo)
interior had six snapdo)n rings of metal2 three on each side and spaced so
that each co&ld hold a deep c&p or dish or2 rectang&lar container of gray
metal. =ll the containers )ere empty. He closed the lid. :o&btless he )o&ld
find o&t in time the f&nction of the cylinder )as.
Whate9er else had happened2 res&rrection had not res&lted in
bodies of fragile misty ectoplasm. He )as all bone and blood and flesh.
7ho&gh he still felt some)hat detached from reality2 as if he had
been disengaged from the gears of the )orld2 he )as emerging from his
shoc%.
He )as thirsty. He )o&ld ha9e to go do)n and drin% from the ri9er
and hope that it )o&ld not be poisoned. =t this tho&ght2 he grinned )ryly2
and stro%ed his &pper lip. His finger felt disappointed. 7hat )as a c&rio&s
reaction2 he tho&ght2 and then he remembered that his thic% mo&stache
)as gone. Ch2 yes2 he had hoped that the ri9er)ater )o&ld not be
poisoned. What a strange tho&ght5 Why sho&ld the dead be bro&ght bac%
to life only to be %illed again? ;&t he stood for a long )hile &nder the tree.
He hated to go bac% thro&gh that madly tal%ing2 hysterically sobbing cro)d
to reach the ri9er. Here2 a)ay from the mob2 he )as free from m&ch of the
terror and the panic and the shoc% that co9ered them li%e a sea. 4f he
9ent&red bac%2 he )o&ld be ca&ght &p in their emotions again.
Iresently2 he sa) a fig&re detach itself from the na%ed throng and
)al% to)ard him. He sa) that it )as not h&man.
4t )as then that ;&rton )as s&re that this Mes&rrection :ay )as not
the one )hich any religion had stated )o&ld occ&r. ;&rton had not belie9ed
in the God portrayed by the $hristians2 Moslems2 Hind&s2 or any faith. 4n
fact2 he )as not s&re that he belie9ed in any $reator )hatsoe9er. He had
belie9ed in Michard Francis ;&rton and a fe) friends. He )as s&re that
)hen he died2 the )orld )o&ld cease to exist.
1
Wa%ing &p after death2 in this 9alley by this ri9er2 he had been
po)erless to defend himself against the do&bts that existed is e9ery man
exposed to as early religio&s conditioning and to as ad&lt society )hich
preached its con9ictions at e9ery chance.
<o)2 seeing the alien approach2 he )as s&re that there )as some
other explanation for this e9ent than a s&pernat&ral one. 7here )as a
physical2 a scientific2 reason for his being hereF he did not ha9e to resort to
N&deo8$hristian8Moslem myths for ca&se.
7he creat&re2 it2 he#it &ndo&btedly )as a male#)as a biped abo&t
six feet eight inches tall. 7he pin%8s%inned body )as 9ery thinF there )ere
three fingers and a th&mb on each hand and fo&r 9ery long and thin toes
on each foot. 7here )ere t)o dar% red spots belo) the male nipples on the
chest. 7he face )as semi8h&man 7hic% blac% eyebro)s s)ept do)n to the
chee%bones and flared o&t to co9er them )ith a bro)nish do)n. 7he sides
of his nostrils )ere fringed )ith a thin membrane abo&t a sixteenth of an
inch long. 7he thic% pad of cartilage on the end of his nose )as deeply
cleft. 7he lips )ere thin2 leathery2 and blac%. 7he ears )ere lobe8less and
the con9ol&tions )ithin )ere non8h&man. His scrot&m loo%ed as if it
contained many small testes.
He had seen this creat&re floating in the ran%s a fe) ro)s a)ay is
that nightmare place.
7he creat&re stopped a fe) feet a)ay2 smiled2 and re9ealed >&ite
h&man teeth. He said2 34 hope yo& spea% Bnglish. Ho)e9er2 4 can spea%
)ith same fl&ency in M&ssian2 Mandarin $hinese2 or Hind&stani.6 ;&rton felt
a slight shoc%2 as if a dog or an ape had spo%en to him.
3Jo& spea% Mid)estern =merican Bnglish26 he replied. 3L&ite )ell2
too. =ltho&gh too precisely.6 64 than% yo&F the creat&re said. 34 follo)ed yo&
beca&se yo& seemed the only person )ith eno&gh sense to get a)ay from
that chaos. Ierhaps yo& ha9e some explanation for this ... )hat do yo& call
it? . . . res&rrection?6 3<o more than yo&26 ;&rton said. 34n fact2 4 don6t ha9e
any explanation for yo&r existence2 before or after res&rrection.6 7he thic%
eyebro)s of the alien t)itched2 a gest&re )hich ;&rton )as to find
indicated s&rprise or p&AAlement.
3<o? 7hat is strange. 4 )o&ld ha9e s)orn that not one of the six
billion of Barth6s inhabitants had not heard of or seen me on 7(.6
37(?6
7he creat&re6s bro)s t)itched again. 3Jo& don6t %no) )hat 7(...6
His 9oice trailed2 then he smiled again. 3Cf co&rse2 ho) st&pid of me5 Jo&
m&st ha9e died before 4 came to Barth5
6When )as that?6 7he alien6s eyebro)s rose (e>&i9alent to a h&man
fro)n as ;&rton )o&ld find)2 and he said slo)ly2 3Het6s see. 4 belie9e it )as2
in yo&r chronology2 =.:. +..+. When did yo& die?6
34t m&st ha9e been in =.:. "DE.26 ;&rton said. 7he creat&re had
bro&ght bac% his sense that all this )as not real. He ran his tong&e aro&nd
his mo&thF the bac% teeth he had lost )hen the Somali spear ran thro&gh
his chee%s )ere no) replaced. ;&t he )as still circ&mcised2 and the men
on the ri9erban%#most of )hom had been crying o&t in the =&strian8
German2 4talian2 or the Slo9enian of 7rieste#)ere also circ&mcised. Jet2 in
his time2 most of the males in that area )o&ld ha9e been &ncirc&mcised.
3=t least26 ;&rton added2 34 remember nothing after Cctober +.2
"DE..6
6=ab56 the creat&re said. 3So2 4 left my nati9e planet approximately
+.. years before yo& died. My planet? 4t )as a satellite of that star yo&
7errestrials call 7a& $eti. We placed o&rsel9es in s&spended animation2
and2 )hen o&r ship approached yo&r s&n2 )e )ere a&tomatically tha)ed
o&t2 and ... b&t yo& do not %no) )hat 4 am tal%ing abo&t?6
3<ot >&ite. 7hings are happening too fast. 4 )o&ld li%e to get details
later. What is yo&r name?6
3Monat Grra&t&t. Jo&rs?6
3Michard Francis ;&rton at yo&r ser9ice.6 He bo)ed slightly and
smiled. :espite the strangeness of the creat&re and some rep&lsi9e
physical aspects2 ;&rton fo&nd himself )arming to him.
37he late $aptain Sir Michard Francis ;&rton26 he added. 3Most
recently Her Ma@esty6s $ons&l in the =&stro8H&ngarian port of 7rieste.6
3BliAabeth?6
34 li9ed in the nineteenth cent&ry2 not the sixteenth.6
3= L&een BliAabeth reigned o9er Great ;ritain in the t)entieth
cent&ry26 Monat said.
He t&rned to loo% to)ard the ri9erban%.
3Why are they so afraid? =ll the h&man beings 4 met )ere either
s&re that there )o&ld be no afterlife or else that they )o&ld get preferential
treatment in the hereafter.6
;&rton grinned and said2 37hose )ho denied the hereafter are s&re
they6re in Hell beca&se they denied it. 7hose )ho %ne) they )o&ld go to
Hea9en are shoc%ed2 4 )o&ld imagine2 to find themsel9es na%ed. Jo& see2
most of the ill&strations of o&r afterli9es sho)ed those in Hell as na%ed and
those in Hea9en as being clothed. So2 if yo&6re res&rrected bare8ass na%ed2
yo& m&st be in Hell.6
3Jo& seem am&sed26 Monat said.
34 )asn6t so am&sed a fe) min&tes ago26 ;&rton said. 3=nd 46m
sha%en. (ery sha%en. ;&t seeing yo& here ma%es me thin% that things are
not )hat people tho&ght they )o&ld be. 7hey seldom are. =nd God2 if He6s
going to ma%e an appearance2 does not seem to be in a h&rry abo&t it. 4
thin% there6s an explanation for this2 b&t it )on6t match any of the
con@ect&res 4 %ne) on Barth.6
34 do&bt )e6re on Barth26 Monat said. He pointed &p)ard )ith long
slim fingers )hich bore thic% cartilage pads instead of nails.
He said2 34f yo& loo% steadily there2 )ith yo&r eyes shielded2 yo& can
see another celestial body near the s&n. 4t is not the moon.6 ;&rton c&pped
his hands o9er his eyes2 the metal cylinder on his sho&lder2 and stared at
the point indicated. He sa) a faintly glo)ing body )hich seemed to be an
eighth of the siAe of a f&ll moon. When he p&t his hands do)n2 he said2 3=
star?6
Monat said2 34 belie9e so. 4 tho&ght 4 sa) se9eral other 9ery faint
bodies else)here in the s%y2 b&t 46m not s&re. We )ill %no) )hen night
comes.6
3Where do yo& thin% )e are?6
34 )o&ld not %no).6 Monat gest&red at the s&n.
34t is rising and so it )ill descend2 and then night sho&ld come. 4
thin% that it )o&ld be best to prepare for the night. =nd for other e9ents. 4t is
)arm and getting )armer2 b&t the night may be cold and it might rain. We
sho&ld b&ild a shelter of some sort. =nd )e sho&ld also thin% abo&t finding
food. 7ho&gh 4 imagine that this de9ice6#he indicated the cylinder#3)ill
feed &s.6
;&rton said2 3What ma%es yo& thin% that?6
34 loo%ed inside mine. 4t contains dishes and c&ps2 all empty no)2
b&t ob9io&sly made to be filled.6 ;&rton felt less &nreal. 7he being#the 7a&
$etan#tal%ed so pragmatically2 so sensibly2 that he pro9ided an anchor to
)hich ;&rton co&ld tie his senses before they drifted a)ay again. =nd2
despite the rep&lsi9e alien8ness of the creat&reF he ex&ded a friendliness
and an openness that )armed ;&rton. Moreo9er2 any creat&re that came
from a ci9iliAation )hich co&ld span many trillions of miles of interstellar
space m&st ha9e 9ery 9al&able %no)ledge and reso&rces.
Cthers )ere beginning to separate themsel9es from the cro)d. =
gro&p of abo&t ten men and )omen )al%ed slo)ly to)ard him. Some )ere
tal%ing2 b&t others )ere silent and )ide8eyed. 7hey did not seem to ha9e a
definite goal in mindF they @&st floated along li%e a clo&d dri9en by a )ind.
When they got near ;&rton and Monat2 they stopped )al%ing.
= man trailing the gro&p especially attracted ;&rton6s scr&tiny.
Monat )as ob9io&sly non8h&man2 b&t this fello) )as s&bh&man or pre8
h&man. He stood abo&t fi9e feet tall. He )as s>&at and po)erf&lly m&scled.
His head )as thr&st for)ard on a bo)ed and 9ery thic% nec%. 7he forehead
)as lo) and slanting. 7he s%&ll )as long and narro). Bnormo&s
s&praorbital ridges shado)ed dar% bro)n eyes. 7he nose )as a smear of
flesh )ith arching nostrils2 and the b&lging bones of his @a)s p&shed his
thin lips o&t. He may ha9e been co9ered )ith as m&ch hair as an ape at
one time2 b&t no)2 li%e e9erybody else2 he )as stripped of hair.
7he h&ge hands loo%ed as if they co&ld s>&eeAe )ater from a
stone.
He %ept loo%ing behind him as if he feared that someone )as
snea%ing &p on him. 7he h&man beings mo9ed a)ay from him )hen he
approached them.
;&t then another man )al%ed &p to him and said something to the
s&bh&man in Bnglish. 4t )as e9ident that the man did not expect to be
&nderstood b&t that he )as trying to be friendly. His 9oice2 ho)e9er2 )as
almost hoarse. 7he ne)comer )as a m&sc&lar yo&th abo&t six feet tall. He
had a face that loo%ed handsome )hen he faced ;&rton b&t )as comically
craggy in profile. His eyes )ere green.
7he s&bh&man @&mped a little )hen he )as addressed. He peered
at the grinning yo&th from &nder the bars of bone. 7hen he smiled2
re9ealing large thic% teeth2 and spo%e in a lang&age ;&rg did not
recogniAe. He pointed to himself and said something that so&nded li%e
KaxAint&itr&&abemss. Hater2 ;&rton )o&ld find o&t that it )as his name and
it meant Man8Who8Sle)87he8Hong8White87ooth.
7he others consisted of fi9e men and fo&r )omen. 7)o of the men
had %no)n each other in Barthlife2 and one of them had been married to
one of the )omen. =ll )ere 4talians or Slo9enes )ho had died in 7rieste2
apparently abo&t "DE.2 tho&gh he %ne) none of them.
3Jo& there26 ;&rton said2 pointing to the man )ho had spo%en in
Bnglish. 3Step for)ard. What is yo&r name?6 7he man approached him
hesitantly. He said2 3Jo&6re Bnglish2 right?6 7he man spo%e )ith an
=merican Mid)est flatness.
;&rton held o&t his hand and said2 3Jaas. ;&rton here.6 7he fello)
raised hairless eyebro)s and said2 3;&rton?6 He leaned for)ard and
peered at ;&rton6s face. 34t6s hard to say ... it co&ldn6t be...6.
He straightened &p. 3<ame6s Ieter Frigate. F8M848G8=878B.6 He
loo%ed aro&nd him and then said in a 9oice e9en more strained2 34t6s hard to
tal% coherently. B9erybody6s in s&ch a state of shoc%2 yo& %no). 4 feel as if
46m coming apart. ;&t ... here )e are. .. ali9e again ... yo&ng again .. . no
hellfire ... not yet2 any)ay. ;orn in "E"D2 died +..D ... beca&se of )hat this
extra87errestrial did ... don6t hold it against him ... only defending himself2
yo& %no).6 Frigate6s 9oice died a)ay to a )hisper. He grinned ner9o&sly at
Monat.
;&rton said2 3Jo& %no) this .. . Monat Grra&t&t?6 6<ot exactly26
Frigate said. 34 sa) eno&gh of him on 7(2 of co&rse2 and heard eno&gh and
read eno&gh abo&t him.6 He held o&t his hand as if he expected it to be
re@ected2 smiled and they shoo% hands.
Frigate said2 34 thin% it6d be a good idea if )e banded together. We
may need protection.6 3Why?6 ;&rton said2 tho&gh he %ne) )ell eno&gh.
3Jo& %no) ho) rotten most h&mans are26 Frigate said. 3Cnce
people get &sed to being res&rrected2 they6ll be fighting for )omen and food
and anything that ta%es their fancy. =nd 4 thin% )e o&ght to be b&ddies )ith
this <eanderthal or )hate9er he is. =ny)ay2 he6ll be a good man in a fight.6
KaAA2 as he )as named later on2 seemed pathetically eager to be accepted
at the same time2 he )as s&spicio&s of anyone )ho got too close.
= )oman )al%ed by then2 m&ttering o9er and o9er in German2 3My
God5 What ha9e 4 done to offend 7hee?6 = man2 both fists clenched and
raised to sho&lder height2 )as sho&ting in Jiddish2 3My beard5 My beard.
=nother man )as2 pointing at his genitals and saying in Slo9enian2
37hey69e made a Ne) of me5 = Ne)5 :o yo& thin% that . . .? <o2 it co&ldn6t
be56 ;&rton grinned sa9agely and said2 34t doesn6t occ&r to him that maybe
they ha9e made a Mohammedan o&t of him or an =&stralian aborigine or
an ancient Bgyptian2 all of )hom practiced circ&mcision.6
3What did he say?6 as%ed Frigate. ;&rton translatedF Frigate
la&ghed.
= )oman h&rried byF she )as ma%ing a pathetic attempt to co9er
her breasts and her p&bic regions )ith her hands. She )as m&ttering2
3What )ill they thin%2 )hat )ill they thin%?6 =nd she disappeared behind the
trees.
= man and a )oman passed themF they )ere tal%ing lo&dly in 4talian
as if they )ere separated by a broad high)ay.
3We can6t be in Hea9en ... 4 %no)2 oh my God2 4 %no)5 ... 7here )as
Gi&seppe ,omAini and yo& %no) )hat a )ic%ed man he )as . . . he o&ght
to b&rn in hellfire5 4 %no)2 4 %no)... he stole from the treas&ry2 he fre>&ented
)horeho&ses2 he dran% himself to death . . . yet . . . he6s here5 . . . 4 %no)2 4
%no) . .6
=nother )oman )as r&nning and screaming in German2 3:addy5
:addy5 Where are yo&? 4t6s yo&r o)n darling Hilda56
= man sco)led at them and said repeatedly2 in H&ngarian2 346m as
good as anyone and better than some. 7o hell )ith them6 = )oman said2 34
)asted my )hole life2 my )hole life. 4 did e9erything for them2 and no).. 6
= man2 s)inging the metal cylinder before him as if it )ere a censer2
called o&t2 3Follo) me to the mo&ntains) Follo) me5 4 %no) the tr&th2 good
people5 Follo) me5 We6ll be safe in the bosom of the Hord5 :on6t belie9e
this ill&sion aro&nd yo&F follo) me5 46ll open yo&r eyes56 Cthers spo%e
gibberish or )ere silentF their lips tight as if they feared to &tter )hat )as
)ithin them.
34t6ll ta%e some time before they straighten o&t26 ;&rton said. He felt
that it )o&ld ta%e a long time before the )orld became m&ndane for him2
too.
37hey may ne9er %no) the tr&th26 Frigate said.
3What do yo& mean?6 67hey didn6t %no) the 7r&th#capital 7#on
Barth2 so )hy sho&ld they here? What ma%es yo& thin% )e6re going to get
aO re9elation?6
;&rton shr&gged and said2 34 don6t. ;&t 4 do thin% )e o&ght to
determine @&st )hat o&r en9ironment is and ho) )e can s&r9i9e in it. 7he
fort&ne of a man )ho sits2 sits also.6 He pointed to)ard the ri9erban%. 3See
those stone m&shrooms? 7hey seem to be spaced o&t at inter9als of a
mile. 4 )onder )hat their p&rpose is?6
Monat said2 34f yo& had ta%en a close loo% at that one2 yo& )o&ld
ha9e seen that its s&rface contains abo&t P.. ro&nd indentations. 7hese
are @&st the right siAe for the base of a cylinder to fit in. 4n fact2 there is a
cylinder in the center of the top s&rface. 4 thin% that if )e examine that
cylinder )e may be able to determine their p&rpose. 4 s&spect that it )as
placed there so )e6d do @&st that.6
5
= )oman approached them. She )as of medi&m height2 had a
s&perb shape2 and a face that )o&ld ha9e been bea&tif&l if it had been
framed by hair. Her eyes )ere large and dar%. She made no attempt to
co9er herself )ith her hands. ;&rton )as not the least bit aro&sed loo%ing
at her or any of the )omen. He )as too deeply n&mbed.
7he )oman spo%e in a )ell8mod&lated 9oice and an Cxford accent.
34 beg yo&r pardon2 gentlemen. 4 co&ldn6t help o9erhearing yo&. Jo&6re the
only Bnglish 9oices 469e heard since 4 )o%e &p . . . here2 )here9er here is. 4
am an Bnglish)oman2 and 4 am loo%ing for protection. 4 thro) myself on
yo&r mercy.6 3Fort&nately for yo&2 Madame26 ;&rton said2 3yo& come to the
right men. =t least2 spea%ing for myself2 4 can ass&re yo& that yo& )ill get
all the protection 4 can afford. 7ho&gh2 if 4 )ere li%e some of the Bnglish
gentlemen 469e %no)n2 yo& might not ha9e fared so )ell. ;y the )ay2 this
gentleman is not Bnglish. He6s Jan%ee.6 4t seemed strange to be spea%ing
so formally this day of all days2 )ith all the )ailing and sho&ting &p and
do)n the 9alley and e9erybody birth8na%ed and as hairless as eels.
7he )oman held o&t her hand to ;&rton. 346m Mrs. Hargrea9es26 she
said.
;&rton too% the hand2 and2 bo)ing %issed it lightly. He felt foolish2
b&t2 at the same time2 the gest&re strengthened his held on sanity. 4f the
fortes of polite society co&ld be preser9ed perhaps the 6rightness6 of things
might also be restored.
67he late $aptain Sir Michard Francis ;&rton26 he said2 grinning
slightly at the late. 3Ierhaps yo&69e heard of me?6 She snatched her hand
a)ay and then extended it again.
3Jes2 469e heard of yo&2 Sir Michard6
Somebody said2 34t can6t be56
;&rton loo%ed at Frigate2 )ho had spo%en in s&ch a lo) tone. 3=nd
)hy not?6 he said.
3Michard ;&rton56 Frigate said. 3Jes. 4 )ondered2 b&t )itho&t any
hair? . . .6 3Jeas?6 ;&rton dra)led.
6Jaas6 Frigate said. 3N&st as the boo%s said6
3What are yo& tal%ing abo&t?6 Frigate breathed in deeply and then
said2 <e9er mind no)2 Mr. ;&rton. 46ll explain later. N&st ta%e it that 46m 9ery
sha%en &p. <ot in my right mind. Jo& &nderstand that2 of co&rse.6 He
loo%ed intently at Mrs. Hargrea9es2 shoo% his head2 and said2 34s yo&r
name =lice?6
3Why2 yes6 she said2 smiling and becoming bea&tif&l2 hair or no hair.
3Ho) did yo& %no)? Ha9e 4 met yo&? <o2 4 don6t thin% so.6
3=lice Ileasance Hiddell Hargrea9es?6
3Jes56
64 ha9e to go sit do)n26 the =merican said. He )al%ed &nder the tree
and sat do)n )ith his bac% to the tr&n%. His eyes loo%ed a little glaAed.
3=ftershoc%26 ;&rton said.
He co&ld expect s&ch erratic beha9ior and speech from the others
for some time. He co&ld expect a certain amo&nt of non8rational beha9ior
from himself2 too. 7he important thing )as to get shelter and food and
some plan for common defense.
;&rton spo%e in 4talian and Slo9enian to the others and they made
the introd&ctions. 7hey did not protest )hen he s&ggested that they sho&ld
follo) him do)n to the ri9er6s edge.
346m s&re )e6re all thirsty26 he said. 3=nd )e sho&ld in9estigate that
stone m&shroom.6 7hey )al%ed bac% to the plain behind them. 7he people
)ere sitting on the grass or trilling abo&t. 7hey passed one co&ple arg&ing
lo&dly and red8facedly. =pparently2 they had been h&sband and )ife and
)ere contin&ing a life8long disp&te. S&ddenly2 the man t&rned and )al%ed
a)ay. 7he )ife loo%ed &nbelie9ingly at him and then ran after him. He
thr&st her a)ay so 9iolently that she fell on the grass. He >&ic%ly lost
himself in the cro)d2 b&t the )oman )andered aro&nd2 calling his name
and threatening to ma%e a scandal if he did not come o&t hiding.
;&rton tho&ght briefly of his o)n )ife2 4sabel. He had not seen her
in this cro)d2 tho&gh that did not mean that she )as not in it. ;&t she
)o&ld ha9e been loo%ing for him. She )o&ld not stop &ntil she fo&nd him.
He p&shed thro&gh the cro)d to the ri9er6s edge and then got do)n
on his %nees and scooped &p )ater )ith his hands. 4t )as cool and clear
and refreshing. His stomach felt as if it )ere absol&tely empty. =fter he had
satisfied his thirst2 he became h&ngry.
37he )aters of the Mi9er of Hife26 ;&rton said. 67he Styx? Hethe? <o2
not Hethe. 4 remember e9erything abo&t my Barthly existence.6
34 )ish 4 co&ld forget mine26 Frigate said.
=lice Hargrea9es )as %neeling by the edge and dipping )ater )ith
one hand )hile she leaned on the other arm. Her fig&re )as certainly
lo9ely2 ;&rton tho&ght. He )ondered if she )o&ld be blonde )hen her hair
gre) o&t2 if it gre) o&t. Ierhaps Whoe9er had p&t them here intended they
sho&ld all be bald2 fore9er2 for some reason of 7heirs.
7hey climbed &pon the top of the nearest m&shroom str&ct&re. 7he
granite )as a dense8grained gray flec%ed hea9ily )ith red. Cn its flat
s&rface )ere se9en h&ndred indentations2 forming fifty concentric circles.
7he depression in the center held a metal cylinder. = little dar%8s%inned
man )ith a big nose and receding chin )as examining the cylinder. =s they
approached2 he loo%ed &p and smiled.
67his one )on6t open26 he said in German. 3Ierhaps it )ill later. 46m
s&re it6s there as an example of )hat to do )ith o&r o)n containers.6 He
introd&ced himself as He9 M&ach and s)itched to a hea9ily accented
Bnglish )hen ;&rton2 Frigate2 and Hargrea9es ga9e their names.
34 )as an atheist26 he said2 seeming to spea% to himself more than to
them. 3<o)2 4 don6t %no)5 7his place is as big a shoc% to an atheist2 yo&
%no)2 as to those de9o&t belie9ers )ho had pict&red an afterlife >&ite
different from this. Well2 so 4 )as )rong. 4t )o&ldn6t be the first time.6 He
ch&c%led2 and said to Monat2 34 recogniAed yo& at once. 4t6s a good thing for
yo& that yo& )ere res&rrected in a gro&p mainly consisting of people )ho
died in the nineteenth cent&ry. Cther)ise2 yo&6d be lynched.6
3Why is that?6 ;&rton as%ed.
3He %illed Barth26 Frigate said. 3=t least2 4 thin% he did.6
67he scanner26 Monat said dolef&lly2 3)as ad@&sted to %ill only h&man
beings. =nd it )o&ld not ha9e exterminated all of man%ind. 4t )o&ld ha9e
ceased operating after a predetermined n&mber#&nfort&nately2 a large
n&mber#had lost their li9es. ;elie9e me2 my friendsF 4 did not )ant to do
that. Jo& do not %no) )hat an agony it cost me to ma%e the decision to
press the b&tton. ;&t 4 had to protect my people. Jo& forced my hand.6
34t started )hen Monat )as on a li9e sho)26 Frigate said. 3Mo&nt
made an &nfort&nate remar%. He said that his scientists had the %no)ledge
and ability to %eep people from getting old. 7heoretically2 &sing 7a& $etan
techni>&es2 a man co&ld li9e fore9er. ;&t the %no)ledge )as not &sed on
his planetF it )as forbidden. 7he inter9ie)er as%ed him if these techni>&es
co&ld be applied to 7errestrials. Monat replied that there )as no reason
)hy not. ;&t re@&9enation )as denied to his o)n %ind for a 9ery good
reason2 and this also applied to 7errestrials. ;y then the go9ernment
censor realiAed )hat )as happening and c&t off the a&dio. ;&t it )as too
late.6
3Hater26 He9 M&ach said2 3the =merican go9ernment reported that
Monat had mis&nderstood the >&estion2 that his %no)ledge of Bnglish had
led him to ma%e a misstatement. ;&t it )as too late. 7he people of
=merica2 and of the )orld2 demanded that! Monat re9eal the secret of
eternal yo&th.6
3Which 4 did not ha9e26 said Monat. 3<ot a single one of o&t2
expedition had the %no)ledge. 4n fact2 9ery fe) people on my planet had it!
;&t it did no good to tell the people this. 7hey tho&ght 4 )as lying. 7here
)as a riot2 and a mob stormed the g&ards aro&nd o&r ship and bro%e into it.
4 sa) my friends torn to pieces )hile they tried to reason )ith the mob.
Meason5 3;&t 4 did )hat 4 did2 not for re9enge2 b&t for a 9ery differed moti9e.
4 %ne) that2 after )e )ere %illed2 or e9en if )e )eren6t2 the G.S. go9ernment
)o&ld restore order. =nd it )o&ld ha9e the ship in its possession. 4t )o&ldn6t
be long before 7errestrial scientists )o&ld %no) ho) to d&plicate it.
4ne9itably2 the 7errestrials )o&ld la&nch an in9asion fleet against o&r )orld.
So2 to ma%e s&re that Barth )o&ld be set bac% many cent&riesF maybe
tho&sands of years2 %no)ing that 4 m&st do the dreadf&l thing to sa9e my
o)n )orld2 4 sent the signal to the scanner to orbit. 4 )o&ld not ha9e had to
do that if 4 co&ld ha9e gotten to the destr&ct b&tton and blo)n &p the ship.
;&t 4 co&ld not get to the control room. So2 4 pressed the scanner8acti9ation
b&tton. = short time later2 the mob ble) off the door of the room in )hich 4
had ta%en ref&ge. 4 remember nothing after that.6
Frigate said2 34 )as in a hospital in Western Samoa2 dying of cancer2
)ondering if 4 )o&ld be b&ried nest to Mobert Ho&is Ste9enson. <ot m&ch
chance2 4 )as thin%ing. Still2 4 had translated the 4liad and the Cdyssey into
Samoan . . . 7hen2 the ne)s came. Ieople all o9er the )orld )ere falling
dead. 7he pattern of fatality )as ob9io&s. 7he 7a& $etan satellite )as
radiating something that dropped h&man beings in their trac%s. 7he last 4
heard )as that the G.S.2 Bngland2 M&ssia2 $hina2 France2 and 4srael )ere
all sending &p roc%ets to intercept it2 blo) it &p. =nd the scanner )as on a
path )hich )o&ld ta%e it o9er Samoa )ithin a fe) ho&rs. 7he excitement
m&st ha9e been too m&ch for me in my )ea%ened condition. 4 became
&nconscio&s. 7hat is all 4 remember5
67he interceptors failed26 M&ach said. 37he scanner ble) them &p
before they e9en got close.6
;&rton tho&ght he had a lot to learn abo&t post8"DE.2 b&t no) )as
not the time to tal% abo&t it. 34 s&ggest )e go &p into the hills26 he said. 3We
sho&ld learn )hat type of 9egetation gro)s there and if it can be &sef&l.
=lso2 if there is any flint )e can )or% into )eapons. 7his Cld Stone =ge
fello) m&st be familiar )ith stone )or%ing. He can sho) &s ho).6 7hey
)al%ed across the mile8broad plain and into the hills. Cn the )ay2 se9eral
others @oined their gro&p. Cne )as a little girl2 abo&t se9en years old2 )ith
dar% bl&e eyes and a bea&tif&l face. She loo%ed pathetically at ;&rton2 )ho
as%ed her in t)el9e lang&ages if any of her parents or relati9es )ere
nearby. She replied in a lang&age none of them %ne). 7he ling&ists among
them tried e9ery tong&e at their disposal2 most of the B&ropean speeches
and many of the =frican or =siatic! Hebre)2 Hind&stani2 =rabic2 a ;erber
dialect2 Momany2 7&r%ish2 Iersian2 Hatin2 Gree%2 I&sht&.
Frigate2 )ho %ne) a little Welsh and Gaelic2 spo%e to her. Her eyes
)idened2 and then she fro)ned. 7he )ords seemed to ha9e a certain
familiarity or similarity to her speech2 b&t they )ere not close eno&gh to be
intelligible.
3For all )e %no)26 Frigate said2 3she co&ld be an ancient Ga&l She
%eeps &sing the )ord G)enafra. $o&ld that be her name?6 3We6ll teach her
Bnglish26 ;&rton said. 3=nd )e6ll call her G)enafra.6 He pic%ed &p the child
in his arms and started to )al% )ith her. She b&rst into tears2 b&t she made
no effort to free herself. 7he )eeping )as a release from )hat m&st ha9e
been almost &nbearable tension and a @oy at finding a g&ardian.
;&rton bent his nec% to place his face against her body. He did not
)ant the others to see the tears in his eyes.
Where the plain met the hills2 as if a line had been dra)n2 the short
grass ceased and the thic%2 coarse Bsparto8li%e grass2 )aist8high2 began.
Here2 too2 the to)ering pines2 red pines and Hodgepole pines2 the oa%s2 the
ye)2 the gnarled giants )ith scarlet and green lea9es2 and the bamboo
gre) thic%ly. 7he bamboo consisted of many 9arieties2 from slender stal%s
only a fe) feet high to plants o9er fifty feet high. Many of the trees )ere
o9ergro)n )ith the 9ines bearing h&ge green2 red2 yello)2 and bl&e flo)ers.
3;amboo is the material for spear8shafts26 ;&rton said2 3pipes for
cond&cting )ater2 containers2 the basic st&ff for b&ilding ho&ses2 f&rnit&re2
boats2 charcoal e9en for ma%ing g&npo)der. =nd the yo&ng stal%s of some
may be good for eating. ;&t )e need stone for tools to c&t do)n and shape
the )ood6 7hey climbed o9er hills )hose height increased as they neared
the mo&ntain. =fter they had )al%ed abo&t t)o miles as the cro) flies2 eight
miles as the caterpillar cra)ls2 they )ere stopped by the mo&ntain. 7his
rose in a sheer cliff8face of some bl&e8blac% igneo&s roc% on )hich gre)
h&ge patches of a bl&e8green lichen. 7here )as no )ay of determining ho)
high it )as2 b&t ;&rton did not thin% that he )as )rong in estimating it as at
least +.2... feet high. =s far as they co&ld see &p and do)n the 9alley2 it
presented a solid front.
3Ha9e yo& noticed the complete absence of animal life?6 Frigate
said.
3<ot e9en an insect.6 ;&rton exclaimed. He strode to a pile of
bro%en roc% and pic%ed &p a fist8siAed ch&n% of greenish stone. 3$hert26 he
said. 34f there6s eno&gh2 )e can ma%e %ni9es2 spearheads2 adAes2 and
axes. =nd )ith them b&ild ho&ses2 boats2 and many other things.6
37ools and )eapons m&st be bo&nd to )ooden shafts26 Frigate said.
3What do )e &se as binding material? 6Ierhaps h&man s%in26 ;&rton said.
7he others loo%ed shoc%ed. ;&rton ga9e a strange chirr&ping la&gh2
incongr&o&s in so masc&line8loo%ing a man. He said2 34f )e6re forced to %ill
in self8defense or l&c%y eno&gh to st&mble o9er a corpse some assassin
has been %ind eno&gh to prepare for &s2 )e6d be fools not to &se )hat )e
need. Ho)e9er2 if any of yo& feel self8sacrificing eno&gh to offer yo&r o)n
epidermises for the good of the gro&p2 step for)ard5 We6ll remember yo& in
o&r )ills.6 3
S&rely2 yo&6re @o%ing26 =lice Hargrea9es said. 34 can6t say 4
partic&larly care for s&ch tal%.6
Frigate said2 3Hang aro&nd him2 and yo&6ll hear lots )orse26 b&t he
did not explain )hat he meant.
Q
;&rton examined the roc% along the base of the mo&ntain. 7he
bl&e8blac% densely grained stone of the mo&ntain itself )as some %ind of
basalt. ;&t there )ere pieces of chert scattered on the s&rface of the earth
or stic%ing o&t of the s&rface at the base. 7hese loo%ed as if they might
ha9e fallen do)n from a pro@ection abo9e2 so it )as possible that the
mo&ntain )as not a solid mass of basalt. Gsing a piece of chert2 )hich had
a thin edge2 he scraped a)ay a patch of the licheno&s gro)th. 7he stone
beneath it seemed to be a greenish dolomite. =pparently the pieces of
chert had come from the dolomite2 tho&gh there )as no e9idence of decay
or fract&re of the 9ein.
7he lichen co&ld be Iarmelia saxitilis2 )hich also gre) on old
bones2 incl&ding s%&lls2 and hence2 according to 7he :octrine of
Signat&res2 )as a c&re for epilepsy and a healing sal9e for )o&nds.
Hearing stone banging a)ay on stone2 he ret&rned to the gro&p. =ll
)ere standing aro&nd the s&bh&man and the =merican2 )ho )ere
s>&atting bac% to bac% and )or%ing on the chert. ;oth had %noc%ed o&t
ro&gh handaxes. While the others )atched2 they prod&ced six more. 7hen
each too% a large chert nod&le and bro%e it into t)o )ith a hammerstone.
Gsing one piece of the nod&le2 they began to %noc% long thin fla%es from
the o&tside rim of the nod&le. 7hey rotated the nod&le and banged a)ay
&ntil each had abo&t a doAen blades.
7hey contin&ed to )or%2 one a type of man )ho had li9ed a h&ndred
tho&sand years or more before $hrist2 the other the refined end of h&man
e9ol&tion2 a prod&ct of the highest ci9iliAation (technologically spea%ing) of
Barth2 and2 indeed2 one of the last men on Barth#if he )as to be belie9ed.
S&ddenly2 Frigate ho)led2 @&mped &p2 and hopped aro&nd holding
his left th&mb. Cne of his stro%es had missed its target. KaAA grinned2
exposing h&ge teeth li%e tombstones. He got &p2 too2 and )al%ed into the
grass )ith his c&rio&s rolling gait. He ret&rned a fe) min&tes later )ith six
bamboo stic%s )ith sharpened ends and se9eral )ith straight ends. He sat
do)n and )or%ed on one stic% &ntil he had split the end and inserted the
triang&lar chipped8do)n point of an axehead into the split end. 7his he
bo&nd )ith some long grasses.
Within half an ho&r2 the gro&p )as armed )ith handaxes2 spears
)ith bamboo hafts2 daggers2 and spears )ith )ooden points and )ith stone
tips.
;y then Frigate6s hand had >&it h&rting so m&ch and the bleeding
had stopped. ;&rton as%ed him ho) he happened to be so proficient in
stone )or%ing.
34 )as an amate&r anthropologist26 he said. 3= lot of people#a lot
relati9ely spea%ing#learned ho) to ma%e tools and )eapons from stone
as a hobby. Some of &s got pretty good at it2 tho&gh 4 don6t thin% any
modern e9er got as s%illf&l and as s)ift as a <eolithic specialist. 7hose
g&ys did it all their li9es2 yo& %no).
6=lso2 4 @&st happen to %no) a lot abo&t )or%ing bamboo2 too2 so 4
can be of some 9al&e to yo&.6 7hey began )al%ing bac% to the ri9er. 7hey
pa&sed a moment on top of a tall hill. 7he s&n )as almost directly
o9erhead. 7hey co&ld see for many miles along the ri9er and also across
the ri9er. =ltho&gh they )ere too far a)ay to ma%e o&t any fig&res on the
other side of the mile8)ide stream2 they co&ld see the m&shroom8shaped
str&ct&res there. 7he terrain on the other side )as the same as that on
theirs. = toile8)ide plain2 perhaps t)o and a half miles of foothills co9ered
)ith trees. ;eyond2 the straight8&p face of an ins&rmo&ntable blac% and
bl&ish8green mo&ntain.
<orth sad so&th2 the 9alley ran straight for abo&t ten miles. 7hen it
c&r9ed2 and the ri9er )as lost to sight.
3S&nrise m&st come late and s&nset early26 ;&rton said. 3Well2 )e
m&st ma%e the most of the bright ho&rs! =t that moment2 e9erybody @&mped
and many cried o&t. = bl&e flame arose from the top of each stone
str&ct&re2 soared &p at least t)enty feet2 then disappeared. = fe) seconds
later2 a so&nd of distant th&nder passed them. 7he boom str&c% the
mo&ntain behind them and echoed.
;&rton scooped &p the little girl in his arms and began to trot do)n
the hill. 7ho&gh they maintained a good pace2 they )ere forced to )al%
from time to time to regain their breaths. <e9ertheless2 ;&rton felt
)onderf&l. 4t had been so many years s&m he co&ld &se his m&scles so
profligately that he did not )ant to stop en@oying the sensation. He co&ld
scarcely belie9e that2 only a short time ago2 his right foot had been s)ollen
)ith go&t2 and -+ 4ce. heart had beaten )ildly if he climbed a fe) steps.
7hey came to the plain and contin&ed trotting2 for they co&ld see
that there )as m&ch excitement aro&nd one of the str&ct&res. ;&rton s)ore
at those in his )ay and p&shed them aside. He got blac% loo%s b&t no one
tried to p&sh bac%. =br&ptly2 he )as in the space cleared aro&nd the &se.
=nd he sa) )hat had attracted them. He also smelled it.
Frigate2 behind him2 said2 3Ch2 my God and tried to retch on his
empty stomach.
;&rton had seen too m&ch in his lifetime to be easily affected by
grisly sights. Moreo9er2 he co&ld ta%e himself to one remo9e from reality
)hen things became too grim or too painf&l. Sometimes2 he made the
mo9e2 the sidestepping of things8as8they )ere2 )ith an effort of )ill.
Gs&ally2 if occ&rred a&tomatically. 4n this case the displacement )as done
a&tomatically.
7he corpse lay on its side and half &nder the edge of the m&shroom
top. 4ts s%in )as completely b&rned off2 and the na%ed m&scles )ere
charred. 7he nose and ears2 fingers2 toes2 and the genitals had been
b&rned a)ay or )ere only shapeless st&bs.
<ear it2 on her %nees2 )as a )oman m&mbling a prayer in 4talian.
She had h&ge blac% eyes2 )hich )o&ld ha9e been bea&tif&l2 if they had not
been reddened and p&ffy )ith tears. She had a magnificent fig&re2 )hich
)o&ld ha9e ca&ght all his attention &nder different circ&mstances.
3What happened?6 he said.
7he )oman stopped praying and loo%ed at him. She got to her feet
and )hispered2 3Father Gi&seppe )as leaning against the roc%F be said he
)as h&ngry. He said he didn6t see m&ch sense in being bro&ght bac% to life
only to star9e to death. 4 said that )e )o&ldn6t die2 ho) co&ld )e? We6d
been raised from the dead2 and )e6d be pro9ided for. He said maybe )e
)ere in hell. We6d go h&ngry and na%ed fore9er. 4 told him2 not to
blaspheme2 of all people he sho&ld be the last to blaspheme. ;&t he said
that this )as not )hat he6d been telling e9erybody for forty years )o&ld
happen and then .. . and then....6
;&rton )aited a fe) seconds2 and then said2 3=nd then?6
3Father Gi&seppe said that at least there )asn6t any hellfire b&t that
that )o&ld be better than star9ing for eternity. =nd then the flames reached
o&t and )rapped him inside them and there )as a noise li%e a bomb
exploding2 and he )as dead2 b&rned to death 4t )as horrible2 horrible.6
;&rton mo9ed north of the corpse to get the )ind behind him2 b&t
e9en here the stench )as sic%ening. 4t )as not the odor as m&ch as the
idea of death that &pset him. 7he first day of the Mes&rrection )as only half
o9er and a man )as dead. :id this mean that the res&rrected )ere @&st as
9&lnerable to death as to Barthlife? "f so2 )hat sense )as there to it?
Frigate had >&it trying to hea9e on an empty stomach. Iie and sha%ing2 he
got to his feet and approached ;&rton. He %ept his bac% t&rned to the dead
man.
3Hadn6t )e better get rid of that?6 he said2 @er%ing his th&mb o9er his
sho&lder.
64 s&ppose so26 ;&rton said coolly. 34t6s too bad his s%in is r&ined2
tho&gh.6 He grinned at the =merican. Frigate loo%ed e9en more shoc%ed.
3Here26 ;&rton said. 3Grab hold of his feet2 46ll ta%e the other end
We6ll toss him into the ri9er.6 37he ri9er?6 Frigate said.
3Ja)s. Gnless yo& )ant to carry him into the hills and chop o&t a
hole for him there.6
34 can6t26 Frigate said2 and )al%ed a)ay. ;&rton loo%ed disg&stedly
after him and then signaled to the s&bh&man. KaAA gr&nted and sh&ffled
for)ard to the body )ith that pec&liar )al%ing8on8the8side8of8his8feet gait.
He stooped o9er and2 before ;&rton co&ld get hold of the blac%ened
st&mps of the feet2 KaAA had lifted the body abo9e his head2 )al%ed a fe)
steps to the edge of the ri9er2 and tossed the corpse into the )ater. 4t san%
immediately and )as mo9ed by the c&rrent along the shore. KaAA decided
that this )as not good eno&gh. He )aded o&t after it &p to his )aist and
stooped do)n2 s&bmerging himself gar a min&te. B9idently he )as sho9ing
the body o&t into the deeper part.
=lice Hargrea9es had )atched )ith horror. <o) she said 3;&t that6s
the )ater )e6ll be drin%ing56
67he ri9er loo%s big eno&gh to p&rify itself26 ;&rton said. 3=t any rate2
)e ha9e more things to )orry abo&t than proper sanitation proced&res.6
;&rt t&rned )hen Monat to&ched his sho&lder and said2 6loo% at that.6
7he )ater )as boiling abo&t )here the body sho&ld be. =br&ptly a
sil9ery8)hite8finned bac% bro%e the s&rface.
64t loo%s as if yo&r )orry abo&t the )ater being contaminated is in
9ain26 ;&rton said to =lice Hargrea9es. 37he ri9er has sca9engers. 4
)onder . . . 4 )onder if it6s safe to s)im.6
=t least2 the s&bh&man had gotten o&t )itho&t being attac%ed. He
)as standing before ;&rton2 br&shing the )ater off his hairless body2 and
grinning )ith those h&ge teeth. He )as frighteningly &gly. ;&t he had the
%no)ledge of a primiti9e man2 %no)ledge )hich had already been handy in
a )orld of primiti9e conditions. =nd he )o&ld be a damned good man to
ha9e at yo&r bac% in a fight. Short tho&gh he )as2 he )as immensely
po)erf&l. 7hose hea9y bones afforded a broad base for hea9y m&scles. 4t
)as e9ident that he had2 for some reason2 become attached to ;&rton.
;&rton li%ed to thin% the sa9age2 )ith a sa9age6s instincts2 3%ne)6 that
;&rton )as the man to follo) if he )o&ld s&r9i9e. Moreo9er2 a s&bh&man or
preh&man2 being closer to the animals2 )o&ld also be more psychic. So he
)o&ld detect ;&rton6s o)n )ell8de9eloped psychic po)ers and )o&ld feel
an affinity to ;&rton2 e9en tho&gh he )as Homo Sapiens.
7hen ;&rton reminded himself that his rep&tation for psychism had
been b&ilt &p by himself and that he )as half charlatan. He had tal%ed
abo&t his po)ers so m&ch2 and had listened to his )ife so m&ch2 that he
had come to belie9e in them himself. ;&t there )ere moments )hen he
remembered that his 3po)ers6 )ere at least half8fa%e.
<e9ertheless2 he )as a capable hypnotist2 and he did belie9e that
his eyes radiated a pec&liar extra8sensory po)er2 )hen he )ished them to
do so. 4t may ha9e been this that attracted the half8man.
67he roc% discharged a tremendo&s energy26 He9 Moach said. 34t
m&st ha9e been electrical. ;&t )hy? 4 can6t belie9e that the discharge )as
p&rposeless.6
;&rton loo%ed across the m&shroom8shape of the roc%. 7he gray
cylinder in the center depression seemed to be &ndamaged by the
discharge. He to&ched the stone. 4t )as no )armer than might ha9e been
expected from its expos&re to the s&n.
He9 Moach said2 3:on6t to&ch it5 7here might be another..6 and he
stopped )hen he sa) his )arning )as too late.
6=nother discharge?6 ;&rton said. 34 don6t thin% so. <ot for some
time yet any)ay. 7hat cylinder )as left here so )e co&ld learn something
from it.
He p&t his hands on the top of the m&shroom str&ct&re and @&mped
for)ard. He came &p and onto the top )ith an ease that gladdened him. 4t
had been so many years since he had felt so yo&ng and so po)erf&l. Cr so
h&ngry.
= fe) in the cro)d cried o&t to him to get do)n off the roc% before
the bl&e flames came again. Cthers loo%ed as if they hoped that another
discharge )o&ld occ&r. 7he ma@ority )ere content to let him ta%e the ris%s.
<othing happened2 altho&gh he had not been too s&re he )o&ld not
be incinerated. 7he stone felt only pleasantly )arm on his bare feet.
He )al%ed o9er the depressions to the cylinder and p&t his fingers
&nder the rim of the co9er. 4t rose easily. His heart beating )ith excitement2
he loo%ed inside it. He had expect the miracle2 and there it )as. 7he rac%s
)ithin held six containers2 each of )hich )as f&ll.
He signaled to his gro&p to come &p. KaAA 9a&lted &p easily.
Frigate2 )ho had reco9ered from his sic%ness2 got onto the top )ith an
athlete6s ease. 4f the fello) did not ha9e s&ch a >&easy stomach2 he might
be an asset2 ;&rton tho&ght. Frigate t&rned and p&lled &p =lice2 )ho came
o9er the edge at the ends of his heads.
Why they cro)ded aro&nd him2 their heads bent o9er the interior of
the cylinder2 ;&rton said2 34t6s a 9eritable grain Hoo%5 Stea%2 a thic% @&icy
stea%5 ;read and b&tter5 Nam5 Salad5 =nd )hat6s that? = pac%age of
cigarettes? Jaas5 =nd a cigar5 =nd a c&p of bo&rbon2 9ery good st&ff by its
odor5 Something... )hat is it?6
3Hoo%s li%e stic%s of g&m26 Frigate said. 6Gn)rapped. =nd that m&st
be a.. . )hat?......... = lighter for the smo%es?6
6Food56 a man sho&ted. He )as a large man not a member of )hat
;&rton tho&ght of as 3his gro&p.6 He had follo)ed them2 and others )ere
scrambling &p on the roc%. ;&rton reached do)n past the containers into
the cylinder and gripped the small sil9ery rectang&lar ob@ect on the bottom.
Frigate had said this might be a lighter. ;&tton did not %no) )hat a 3lighter6
)as2 b&t he s&spected that it pro9ided flame for the cigarettes. He %ept the
ob@ect in the palm of his hand and )ith the other he closed the lid. His
mo&th )as )atering2 and his belly )as r&mbling. 7he others )ere @&st as
eager as he their expressions sho)ed that they co&ld not &nderstand )hy
he )as not remo9ing the food.
67he large man said2 in a lo&d bl&stery 7riestan 4talian2 346m h&ngry2
and 46ll %ill anybody )ho tries to stop me5 Cpen that56 7he others said
nothing2 b&t it )as e9ident that they expected ;&rton to ta%e the lead in the
defense.
4nstead2 he said2 3Cpen it yo&rself26 and t&rned a)ay. 7he others
hesitated. 7hey had seen sad smelled the food. KaAA )as drooling. ;&t
;&rton said2 3Hoo% at that mob. 7here6ll be a fight here in a min&te. 4 say2 let
them fight o9er their morsels. <ot that 46m a9oiding a battle2 yo&
&nderstand26 he added2 loo%ing fiercely at them. 3;&t 46m certain that )e6ll all
ha9e o&r o)n cylinders f&ll of food by s&pper2 time. 7hese cylinders2 call
them grails2 if yo& please2 @&st need to be left on the roc% to be filled. 7hat
is ob9io&s2 that6s )hy this grail )as placed here.6 He )al%ed to the edge of
the stone near the )ater and got off2 by then the top )as @ammed )ith
people and more )ere trying to get on. 7he large man had seiAed a stea%
and bitten into it2 b&t someone had tried to snatch it a)ay from him. He
yelled )ith f&ry and2 s&ddenly2 rammed thro&gh those bet)een him and the
ri9er. He )ent o9er the edge and into the )ater2 emerging a moment later.
4n the meantime2 men and )omen )ere screaming and stri%ing each other
o9er the rest of the food and goods in the cylinder.
7he man )ho had @&mped into the ri9er floated off on his bac% )hile
he ate the rest of the stea%. ;&rton )atched him closely2 half expecting him
to be seiAed by fish. ;&t he drifted on do)n the stream &ndist&rbed.
7he roc%s to the north and so&th2 on both sides of the ri9er2 )ere
cro)ded )ith str&ggling h&mans.
;&rton )al%ed &ntil he )as free of the cro)d and sat do)n. His
gro&p s>&atted by him or stood &p and )atched the )rithing and noisy
mass. 7he grailstone loo%ed li%e a toadstool eng&lfed in pale maggots.
(ery noisy maggots. Some of them )ere no) also red2 beca&se blood had
been spilled.
7he most depressing aspect of the scene )as the reaction of the
children. 7he yo&nger ones had stayed bac% from the roc%2 b&t they %ne)
that there )as food in the grail. 7hey )ere crying from h&nger and from
terror ca&sed by the screaming and fighting of the ad&lts on the stone. 7he
little girl )ith ;&rton )as dry8eyed2 b&t she )as sha%ing. She stood by
;&rton and p&t her arms aro&nd his nec%. He patted her on the bac% and
m&rm&red enco&raging )ords2 )hich she co&ld not &nderstand2 b&t the
tone of )hich helped to >&iet her.
7he s&n )as on its descent. Within abo&t t)o ho&rs it )o&ld be
hidden by the to)ering )estern mo&ntain2 tho&gh a gen&ine d&s%
pres&mably )o&ld not happen for many ho&rs. 7here )as no )ay to
determine ho) long the day )as here. 7he temperat&re had gone &p2 b&t
sitting in the s&n )as not by any means &nbearable2 and the steady breeAe
helped cool them off.
KaAA made signs indicating that he )o&ld li%e a fire and also
pointed at the tip of a bamboo spear. <o do&bt he )anted to fire8harden the
tip.
;&rton had inspected the metal ob@ect ta%en from the grail. 4t )as of
a hard sil9ery metal2 rectang&lar2 fiat2 abo&t t)o inches long and three8
tenths across. 4t had a small hole in one end and a slide on the other.
;&rton p&t his th&mbnail against the pro@ection at the end of the slide and
p&shed. 7he slide mo9ed do)n)ard abo&t t)o8sixteenths of an inch2 and a
)ire abo&t one8tenth of an inch in diameter and a half8inch long slid o&t of
the hole in the end. B9en in the bright s&nlight2 it glo)ed )hitely. He
to&ched the tip of the )ire to a blade of grassF the blade shri9eled &p at
once. =pplied to the tip of the bamboo spear2 it b&rned a tiny hole. ;&rton
p&shed the slide bac% into its original position2 and the )ire )ithdre)2 li%e
the hot head of a braAen t&rtle2 into the sil9ery shell.
;oth Frigate and Moach )ondered alo&d at the po)er contained in
the tiny pac%. 7o ma%e the )ire rest hot re>&ired m&ch 9oltage. Ho) many
charges )o&ld the battery or the radioacti9e pile that m&st be in it gi9e?
Ho) co&ld the lighter6s po)er pac% be rene)ed? 7here )ere many
>&estions that co&ld not be immediately ans)ered or2 perhaps2 ne9er. 7he
greatest )as ho) they co&ld ha9e been bro&ght bac% to life in re@&9enated
bodies. Whoe9er had done it possessed a science that )as godli%e. ;&t
spec&lation abo&t it2 tho&gh it )o&ld gi9e them something to tal% abo&t2
)o&ld sol9e nothing.
=fter a )hile2 the cro)d dispersed. 7he cylinder )as left on its side
on top of the grailstone. Se9eral bodies )ere spra)led there2 and a n&mber
of men and )omen )ho got off the roc% )ere h&rt. ;&rton )ent thro&gh the
cro)d. Cne )oman6s face had been cla)ed2 especially aro&nd her right
eye! She )as sobbing )ith no one to pay attention to her. =nother man )as
sitting on the gro&nd and holding his groin2 )hich had been ra%ed )ith
sharp fingernails.
Cf the fo&r lying on top of the stone2 three )ere &nconscio&s. 7hese
reco9ered )ith )ater dashed into their faces from the ri9er. 7he fo&rth2 a
short slender man2 )as dead. Someone had t)isted his head &ntil his nec%
had bro%en.
;&rton loo%ed &p at the s&n again and said2 34 don6t %no) exactly
)hen s&ppertime )ill occ&r. 4 s&ggest )e ret&rn not too long after the s&n
goes do)n behind the mo&ntain. We )ill set o&r grails2 or glory b&c%ets2 or
l&nchpails2 or )hate9er yo& )ish to call them2 in these depressions. =nd
then )e6ll )ait. 4n the meantime. .
He co&ld ha9e tossed this body into the ri9er2 too2 b&t he had
tho&ght of a &se2 perhaps &ses2 for it. He told the others )hat he )anted2
and they got the corpse do)n off the stone and started to carry it across
the plain. Frigate and GaleaAAi2 a farmer importer of 7rieste2 too% the first
t&rn. Frigate had e9idently not cared for the @ob2 b&t )hen ;&rton as%ed
him if he )o&ld2 he nodded. He pic%ed &p the man6s feet and led )ith
GaleaAAi holding the dead man &nder the armpits. =lice )al%ed behind
;&rton )ith the child6s hand in hers. Some in the cro)d loo%ed c&rio&sly or
called o&t commits or >&estions2 b&t ;&rton ignored them. =fter half a mile2
KaAA and Monat too% o9er the corpse. 7he child did not seem to dist&rbed
by the dead man. She had been c&rio&s abo&t the first corpse2 instead of
being horrified by its b&rned appearance.
34f she really is an ancient Ga&l26 Frigate said2 3she may be &sed to
seeing charred bodies. 4f 4 remember correctly2 the Ga&ls b&rned sacrifices
ali9e in big )ic%er bas%ets at religio&s ceremonies. 4 don6t remember )hat
god or goddess the ceremonies )ere is honor of. 4 )ish 4 had a library to
refer to. :o yo& thin% )e6ll e9er ha9e one here? 4 thin% 4 )o&ld go n&ts if 4
didn6t ha9e boo%s to read.6
67hat remains to be seen26 ;&rton said. 34f )e6re not pro9ided )ith a
library2 )e6ll ma%e o&r o)n. 4f it6s possible to do so.6 He tho&ght that
Frigate6s >&estion )as a silly one2 b&t then not e9erybody2 )as >&ite in their
right minds at this time.
=t the foothills2 t)o men2 Mocco and ;rontich2 s&cceeded KaAA and
Monat. ;&rton led them past the trees thro&gh the )aist8high grass. 7he
sa)8edged grass scraped their legs. ;&rton c&t off a stal% )ith his %nife
and tested the stal% for to&ghness and flexibility. Frigate %ept close to his
elbo) and seemed &nable to stop chattering. Irobably2 ;&rton tho&ght2 he
tal%ed to %eep from thin%ing abo&t the t)o deaths.
34f e9ery one )ho has e9er li9ed has been res&rrected here2 thin% of
the research to be done5 7hin% of the historical mysteries and >&estions
yo& co&ld clear &p5 Jo& co&ld tal% to Nohn Wil%es ;ooth and find o&t if
Secretary of War Stanton really )as behind the Hincoln assassination. Jo&
might ferret o&t the identity of Nac% the Mipper. Find o&t if Noan of =rc
act&ally did belong to a )itch c&lt. 7al% to <apoleon6s Marshal <eyF see if
he did escape the firing s>&ad and become a schoolteacher is =merica.
Get the tr&e story on Iearl Harbor. See the face of the Man in the 4ron
Mas%2 if there e9er )as s&ch a person. 4nter9ie) H&creAia ;orgia and those
)ho %ne) her and determine if she )as the poisoning bitch most people
thin% she )as. Hearn the identity of the assassin of the t)o little princes in
the 7o)er. Maybe Michard 444 did %ill them.6
3=nd yo&2 Michard Francis ;&rton2 there are many >&estions abo&t
yo&r o)n life that yo&r biographers )o&ld li%e to ha9e ans)ered. :id yo&
really ha9e a Iersian lo9e yo& )ere going to marry and for )hom yo& )ere
going to reno&nce yo&r tr&e identity and become a nati9e? :id she die
before yo& co&ld marry her2 and did her death really embitter yo&2 and did
yo& carry a torch for her the rest of yo&r life?6 ;&rton glared at him. He had
@&st met the man and here he )as2 as%ing the most personal and prying
>&estions. <othing exc&sed this.
Frigate bac%ed a)ay2 saying2 3=nd ... and ... )ell2 it6ll all ha9e to
)ait2 4 can see that. ;&t did yo& %no) that yo&r )ife had extreme &nction
administered to yo& shortly after yo& died and that yo& )ere b&ried in a
$atholic cemetery#yo&2 the infidel?6
He9 M&ach2 )hose eyes had been )idening )hile Frigate )as
rattling on2 said. 3Jo&6re ;&rton2 the explorer2 and ling&ist? 7he disco9erer
of Ha%e 7anganyi%a? 7he one )ho made a6 pilgrimage to Mecca )hile
disg&ised as a Moslem? 7he translator of 7he 7ho&sand and Cne <ights?6
34 ha9e no desire to lie nor need to. 4 am he.6
He9 M&ach spat at ;&rt2 b&t the )ind carried it a)ay. 6Jo& son of a
bitch56 he cried. 3Jo& fo&l <aAi bastard5 4 read abo&t5 Jo& )ere2 in many
)ays2 an admirable person2 4 s&ppose5 ;&t yo& )ere an anti8Semite56
P
;&rton )as startled. He said2 3My enemies spread that baseless
and 9icio&s r&mor. ;&t anybody ac>&ainted )ith the facts and )ith me
)o&ld %no) better. =nd. no)2 4 thin% yo&6d...6
34 s&ppose yo& didn6t )rite 7he Ne)2 7he Gypsy2 and Bl 4slam?6
M&ach said2 sneering.
34 did26 ;&rton replied. His face )as red2 and )hen he loo%ed do)n2
he sa) that his body )as also fl&shed. 3=nd no)2 as 4 started to say before
yo& so boorishly interr&pted me2 4 thin% yo& had better go. Crdinarily2 4
)o&ld be at yo&r throat by no). = man )ho tal%s to me li%e that has to
defend his )ords )ith deeds. ;&t this is a strange sit&ation2 and perhaps
yo& are o9er)ro&ght. 4 do not %no). ;&t if yo& do not apologiAe no)2 or
)al% off2 4 am going to ma%e another corpse.6
M&ach clenched his fists and glared at ;&rtonF then he sp&n aro&nd
and stal%ed off.
3What is a <aAi?6 ;&rton said to Frigate.
7he =merican explained as best he co&ld. ;&rton said2 34 ha9e
m&ch to learn abo&t )hat happened after 4 died. 7hat man is mista%en
abo&t me. 46m no <aAi. Bngland2 yo& say2 became a second8class po)er?
Cnly fifty years after my death? 4 find that diffic&lt to belie9e.6
3Why )o&ld 4 lie to yo&?6 Frigate said. 3:on6t feel bad abo&t it.
;efore the end of the t)entieth cent&ry2 she had risen again2 and in a most
c&rio&s )ay2 tho&gh it )as too late...6 Histening to the Jan%ee2 ;&rton felt
pride for his co&ntry. =ltho&gh Bngland had treated him more than shabbily
d&ring his lifetime2 and altho&gh he had al)ays )anted to get o&t of the
island )hene9er he had been on it2 he )o&ld defend it to the death. =nd he
had been de9oted to the L&een.
=br&ptly2 he said2 34f yo& g&essed my identity2 )hy didn6t yo& say
something abo&t it?6
34 )anted to be s&re. ;esides2 )e69e not had m&ch time for social
interco&rse26 Frigate said. 3Cr any other %ind2 either26 he added2 loo%ing
side)ise at =lice Hargrea9es6 magnificent fig&re.
34 %no) abo&t her2 too26 he said2 3if she6s the )oman 4 thin% she is.6
37hat6s more than 4 do26 ;&rton replied. He stopped. 7hey had gone
&p the slope of the first hill and )ere on its top. 7hey lo)ered the body to
the gro&nd beneath a giant red pine.
4mmediately2 KaAA2 chert %nife in his hand2 s>&atted do)n by
charred corpse. He raised his head &p)ard and &ttered a fe) phrases in
)hat m&st ha9e been a religio&s chant. 7hen2 more the others co&ld ob@ect2
he had c&t into the body and remo9ed the li9er.
Most of the gro&p cried o&t in horror. ;&rton gr&nted. Monat stared.
KaAA6s big teeth bit into the bloody organ and tore off a large
3$h&n%. His massi9ely m&scled and thic%ly boned @a)s began che)ing2
and he half8closed his eyes in ecstasy. ;&rton stepped 6&p to him and held
o&t his hand2 intending to remonstrate. KaAA grinned broadly and c&t off a
piece and offered it. He )as 9ery s&rprised at ;&rton6s ref&sal.
3= cannibal56 =lice Hargrea9es said. 3Ch2 my God2 a bloody2 stin%ing
cannibal5 =nd this is the promised after8life56
3He6s no )orse than o&r o)n ancestors26 ;&rton said. He had
reco9ered from the shoc%2 and )as e9en en@oying#a little#the reaction of
the others. 34n a land )here there seems to be precio&s little food2 his
action is eminently practical. Well2 o&r problem of b&rying a corpse )itho&t
proper digging tools is sol9ed. F&rthermore2 if )e6re )rong abo&t the grails
being a so&rce of food2 )e may be em&lating KaAA before long56
3<e9er56 =lice said. 346d die first56
67hat is exactly )hat yo& )o&ld do26 ;&rton replied2 coolly. 34 s&ggest
)e retire and lea9e him to his meal. 4t doesn6t do anything for my o)n
appetite2 and 4 find his table manners as abominable as those of a Jan%ee
frontiersman6s. Cr a co&ntry prelate6s26 he added for =lice6s benefit.
7hey )al%ed o&t of sight of KaAA and behind one of the great
gnarled trees. =lice said2 34 don6t )ant him aro&nd He6s an animal2 an
abomination5 Why2 4 )o&ldn6t feel safe for a second )ith him aro&nd56
3Jo& as%ed me for protection26 ;&rton said. 346ll gi9e it to yo& as long
as yo& are a member of this party. ;&t yo&6ll also ha9e to accept my
decisions. Cne of )hich is that the apeman remains )ith &s. We need his
strength and his s%ills2 )hich seem to be 9ery appropriate for this type of
co&ntry. We69e become primiti9esF therefore2 )e can learn from a primiti9e.
He stays.6
=lice loo%ed at the others )ith silent appeal. Monat t)itched his
eyebro)s. Frigate shr&gged his sho&lders and said2 3Mrs. Hargrea9es2 if
yo& can possibly do it2 forget yo&r mores2 yo&r con9entions. We6re not in a
proper2 &pper8class (ictorian hea9en. Cr2 indeed2 in any sort of hea9en
e9er dreamed of. Jo& can6t thin% and beha9e as yo& did on Barth. For one
thing2 yo& come from a society )here )omen co9ered themsel9es from
nec% to foot in hea9y garments2 and the sight of a )oman6s %nee )as a
stirring sex&al e9ent. Jet2 yo& seem to s&ffer no embarrassment beca&se
yo&6re n&de. Jo& are as poised and dignified as if yo& )ore a n&n6s habit6
=lice said2 34 don6t li%e it. ;&t )hy sho&ld 4 be embarrassed? Where
all are n&de2 none are n&de. 4t6s the thing to do2 in fact2 the only thing that
can be done. 4f some angel )ere to gi9e me a complete o&tfit2 4 )o&ldn6t
)ear it. 46d be o&t of style. =nd my fig&re is good. 4f it )eren6t 4 might be
s&ffering more.6
7he t)o men la&ghed2 and Frigate said2 3Jo&6re fab&lo&s2 =lice.
=bsol&tely. 4 may call yo& =lice? Mrs. Hargrea9es seems so formal )hen
yo&6re n&de.6 She did not reply b&t )al%ed a)ay and disappeared behind a
large tree.
;&rton said2 3Something )ill ha9e to be done abo&t sanitation in the
near f&t&re. Which means that somebody )ill ha9e to decide the health
policies and ha9e the po)er to ma%e reg&lations and enforce them. Ho)
does one form legislati9e2 @&dicial2 and exec&ti9e bodies from the present
state of anarchy?6
37o get to more immediate problems26 Frigate said2 3)hat do )e do
abo&t the dead man?6 He )as only a little less pale than a moment ago
)hen KaAA had made his incisions )ith his chert %nife.
;&rton said2 346m s&re that h&man s%in2 properly tanned2 or h&man
g&t2 properly treated2 )ill be far s&perior to grass for ma%ing ropes or
bindings. 4 intend to c&t off some strips. :o yo& )ant to help me?6 Cnly the
)ind r&stling the lea9es and the tops of the grass bro%e the silence. 7he
s&n beat do)n and bro&ght o&t s)eat2 )hich dried rapidly in the )ind. <o
bird cried2 no insect b&AAed. =nd then the shrill 9oice of the little girl
shattered the >&iet =lice6s 9oice ans)ered her2 and the little girl ran to her
behind the tree.
346ll try26 the =merican said. 3;&t 4 don6t %no). 469e gone thro&gh more
than eno&gh for one day.6
6Jo& 6do as yo& please then2 ;&rton said. 3;&t anybody )ho helps
me gets first call on the &se of the s%in. Jo& may )ish yo& co&ld ha9e
some in order to bind an axehead to a haft.6
Frigate g&lped a&dibly and then said2 346ll come.6
KaAA )as still s>&atting in the grass by the body2 holding the bloody
li9er )ith one hand and the bloody stone %nife )ith the other. Seeing
;&rton2 he grinned )ith stained lips and c&t off a pieces of li9er. ;&rton
shoo% his head. 7he others2 GaleaAAi2 ;rontich2 Maria 7&cci2 Filipo Mocco2
Mosa <alini2 $aterina $arpone2 FiorenAa Fiorri2 ;abich2 and Gloats2 had
retreated from the grisly scene. 7hey )ere on the other side of a thic% pine
and tal%ing s&bd&edly in 4talian.
;&rton s>&atted do)n by the body and applied the paint of B%e
%nife beginning @&st abo9e the right %nee and contin&ing to the collarbone.
Frigate stood by him and stared. He became e9en more pale2 and his
trembling increased. ;&t he stood firm &ntil t)o long strips had been lifted
from the body.
3$are to try yo&r hand at it?6 ;&rton said. He rolled the body o9er on
its side so that other2 e9en longer2 strips co&ld be ta%en. Frigate too% the
bloody8tipped %nife and set to )or%2 his teeth gritted.
6<ot so deep26 ;&rton said and2 a moment later2 3<o) yo&6re not
c&tting deeply eno&gh. Here2 gi9e me the %nife! Watch5
64 had a neighbor )ho &sed to hang &p his rabbits behind his garage
and c&t their throats right after brea%ing their nec%s26 Frigate said. 34
)atched once. 7hat )as eno&gh.6
3Jo& can6t afford to be fastidio&s or )ea%8stomached26 ;&rton said.
3Jo&6re li9ing in the most primiti9e of conditions. Jo& ha9e to be a primiti9e
to s&r9i9e2 li%e it or not6
;rontich2 the tall s%inny Slo9ene )ho had once been an inn%eeper
ten &p to them. He said2 3We @&st fo&nd another of big m8shaped stones.
=bo&t forty yards from here. 4t )as hidden behind some trees do)n in a
hollo).6 ;&rma6s first delight in hectoring Frigate had passed. He )as
beginning to feel story for the fello). He said2 3Hoo%2 Ieter2 )hy don6t yo&
go in9estigate the stone? 4f there is one here2 )e can sa9e o&rsel9es a trip
bac% to the ri9er.6
He handed Frigate his grail. 3I&t this in a hole on the stone2
remember exactly )hich hole yo& p&t it in. Ha9e the others do that2 too.
Ma%e s&re that they %no) )here they p&t their grails. Wo&ldn6t )ant to
ha9e any >&arrels abo&t that2 yo& %no).6
Strangely2 Frigate )as rel&ctant to go. He seemed to feel that he
had disgraced himself by his )ea%ness. He stood a there for a moment2
shifting his )eight from one leg to another and sighing se9eral times. 7hen2
as ;&rton contin&ed to scrape a)ay at the &nderside of the s%in8strips2 he
)al%ed a)ay. He carried the t)o grails in one hand and his stone axehead
in the other.
;&rton stopped )or%ing after the =merican )as o&t of sight. He had
been interested in finding o&t ho) to c&t off strips2 and he might dissect the
body6s tr&n% to remo9e the entrails. ;&t he co&ld do nothing at this time
abo&t preser9ing the s%in or g&ts. 4t )as possible that the bar% of the oa%8
li%e trees might contain tannin2 )hich co&ld be &sed )ith other materials to
con9ert h&man s%in into leather. ;y the time that )as done2 ho)e9er2 these
strips )o&ld ha9e rotted. Still2 he had not )asted his time. 7he efficiency of
the stone %ni9es )as pro9en2 and he had reinforced his )ea% memory of
h&man anatomy. When they )ere @&9eniles in Iisa2 Michard ;&rton and his
brother Bd)ard had associated )ith the 4talian medical st&dents of the
&ni9ersity. ;oth of the ;&rton yo&ths had learned m&ch from the st&dents
and neither had abandoned their interest in anatomy. Bd)ard became a
s&rgeon2 and Michard had attended a n&mber of lect&res and p&blic and
pri9ate dissections in Hondon. ;&t he had forgotten m&ch of )hat he had
learned.
=br&ptly2 the s&n )ent past the sho&lder of the mo&ntain. = pale
shado) fell o9er him2 and2 )ithin a fe) min&tes2 the entire 9alley )as in the
d&s%. ;&t the s%y )as a bright bl&e for a long time. 7he breeAe contin&ed
to flo) at the same rate. 7he moist&re8laden air became a little cooler.
;&rton and the <eanderthal left the body and follo)ed the so&nds of the
others6 9oices! 7hese )ere by the grailstone of )hich ;rontich had spo%en.
;&rton )ondered if there )ere others near the base of the mo&ntain2 str&ng
o&t at approximate distances of a mile. 7his one lac%ed the grail in the
center depression2 ho)e9er. Ierhaps this meant that it )as not ready to
operate. He did not thin% so. 4t co&ld be ass&med that Whoe9er had made
the grailstones had placed the grails in the center holes of those on the
ri9er6s edge beca&se the res&rrectees )o&ld be &sing these first. ;y the
time they fo&nd the inland stones2 they )o&ld %no) ho) to &se them.
7he grails )ere set on the depressions of the o&tmost circle. 7heir
o)ners stood or sat aro&nd2 tal%ing b&t )ith their minds on the grails. =ll
)ere )ondering )hen#or perhaps if#the bl&e flames )o&ld come. M&ch
of their con9ersation )as abo&t ho) h&ngry they )ere. 7he rest )as mainly
s&rmise abo&t ho) they had come here2 Who had p&t them here2 )here
they )ere2 and )hat )as being planned for them. = fe) spo%e of their li9es
on Barth.
;&rton sat do)n beneath the )ide8fl&ng and densely lea9ed
branches of the gnarled blac%8tr&n%ed irontree. He felt tired2 as all2 except
MaAA2 ob9io&sly did. His empty belly and his stretched8o&t ner9es %ept him
from doAing off2 altho&gh the >&iet 9oices and the r&stle of lea9es
cond&ced to sleep. 7he hollo) in )hich the gro&p )aited )as formed by a
le9el space at the @&nction of fo&r hills and )as s&rro&nded by trees.
7ho&gh it )as dar%er than on top of the hills2 it also seemed to be a little
)armer. =fter a )hile2 as the d&s% and the chill increased2 ;&rton organiAed
a fire)ood8collecting party. Gsing the %ni9es and bandages2 they c&t do)n
many mat&re bamboo pleats and gathered piles of grass. With the )hite8
hot )ire oR the lighter2 ;&rt started a fire of lea9es and grass. 7hese )ere
green2 and so the fire )as smo%y and &nsatisfactory &ntil the bamboo )as
p&t on.
S&ddenly2 an explosion made them @&mp. Some of the )omen
screamed. 7hey had forgotten abo&t )atching the grailstone. ;&rton t&rned
@&st in time to see the bl&e flames soar &p abo&t t)enty feet. 7he heat from
the discharge co&ld be felt by ;rontich2 )ho )as abo&t t)enty feet from it.
7hen the noise )as gone2 and they stared at the grails. ;&rton )as
the first &pon the stone againF most of them did not care to 9ent&re on the
stone too soon after the flames. He lifted the lid of his grail2 loo%ed )ithin2
and )hooped )ith delight. 7he others climbed &p and opened their o)n
grails. Within a min&te2 they )ere seated near the fire eating rapidly2
exclaiming )ith ecstasy2 pointing o&t to each other )hat they6d fo&nd2
la&ghing2 and @o%ing. 7hings )ere not so bad after all. Whoe9er )as
responsible for this )as ta%ing care of them.
7here )as food in plenty2 e9en after fasting all day2 or2 as Frigate
p&t it2 3probably fasting for half of8eternity.6 He meant by this as he
explained to Monat2 that there )as no telling ho9e m&ch time had elapsed
bet)een =: +..D and today. 7his )orld )asn6t b&ilt in a day2 and preparing
h&manity for res&rrection ta%e more than se9en days. 7hat is2 if all of this
been bro&ght abo&t by scientific means2 not by s&pernat&ral. ;&rton6s grail
had yielded a fo&r8inch c&be of stea%F a small ball of dar% breadF b&tterF
potatoes and gra9yF lett&ce )ith salad dressing of an &nfamiliar b&t
delicio&s taste. 4n addition2 there )as a fi9e8o&nce c&p containing an
excellent bo&rbon and another small c&p )ith fo&r ice c&bes in it.
7here )as more2 all the better beca&se &nexpected. = small briar
pipe2 = sac% of pipe tobacco. 7hree cigars. = plastic pac%age )ith ten
cigarettes.
3Gnfiltered56 Frigate said.
7here )as also one small bro)n cigarette )hich ;&rton and Frigate
smelled and said2 at the same time2 3Marih&ana56
=lice2 holding &p a small metallic scissors and a blac% comb2 said2
3B9idently )e6re going to get o&r hair bac%. Cther)ise2 there6d be no need
for these. 46m so glad5 ;&t do ... 7hey really expect me to &se this?6 She
held o&t a t&be of bright red lipstic%.
3Cr me?6 Frigate said2 also loo%ing at a similar t&be.
37hey6re eminently practical26 Monat said2 t&rning o9er a pac%et of
)hat )as ob9io&sly toilet paper. 7hen he p&lled o&t sphere of green soap.
;&rton6s stea% )as 9ery tender2 altho&gh he )o&ld ha9e preferred it
rare. Cn the other hand2 Frigate complained beca&se it )as not coo%ed
eno&gh.
3B9idently2 these grails do not contain men&s tailored for the
indi9id&al o)ner26 Frigate said. 3Which may be )hy )e men also get lipstic%
and the )omen got pipes. 4t6s a mass prod&ction.
37)o miracles in one day26 ;&rton said. 37hat is2 if they are s&ch. 4
prefer a rational explanation and intend to get it. 4 don6t thin% anyone can2
as yet2 tell me ho) )e )ere res&rrected. ;&t perhaps yo& t)entieth8
cent&rians ha9e a reasonable theory for the seemingly magical appearance
of these articles in a pre9io&sly empty container?6
64f yo& compare the exterior and interior of the grail26 Monat said2
6yo& )ill obser9e an approximate fi9e8centimeter difference in depth. 7he
false bottom m&st conceal a molar circ&itry2 )hich is able to con9ert energy
to matter. 7he energy ob9io&sly comes d&ring the discharge from the
roc%s. 4n addition to the con9erter2 the grail m&st hold molar templates? ..
molds? .. )hich form the matter into 9ario&s combinations of and
compo&nds.6
346m safe in my spec&lations2 for )e had a similar con9erter on my
acti9e planet. ;&t nothing as miniat&re as this2 4 ass&re yo&.6
3Same on Barth26 Frigate said. 37hey )ere ma%ing iron o&t of p&re
energy before =.:. +..+2 b&t it )as a 9ery c&mbersome and expensi9e
process )ith an almost microscopic yield.6
3Good26 ;&rton said. 3=ll this has cost &s nothing. So far...
He fell silent for a )hile2 thin%ing of the dream he had )hen
a)a%ening.
3Iay &p26 God had said. 3Jo& o)e for the flesh.6
6What had that meant? Cn Barth2 at 7rieste2 in "DE.2 he had been
dying2 in his )ife6s arms and as%ing for . . . )hat? $hloroform? Something.
He co&ld not remember. 7hen2 obli9ion. =nd he had a)a%ened in that
nightmare place and had seen things that )ere not on Barth nor2 as far as
he %ne)2 on this planet. ;&t that experience had been no dream.
D
7hey finished eating and replaced the containers in the rac%s )ithin
the grails. Since there )as no )ater nearby2 they )o&ld ha9e to )ait &ntil
morning to )ash the containers. Frigate and KaAA2 ho)e9er2 had made
se9eral b&c%ets o&t of sections of the giant bamboo. 7he =merican
9ol&nteered to )al% bac% to the ri9er2 if some of them )o&ld go )ith him2
and fill the sections )ith )ater. ;&rton )ondered )hy the fello)
9ol&nteered. 7hen2 loo%ing at =lice2 he %ne) )hy. Frigate m&st be hoping
to find some congenial female companionship. B9idently he too% it for
granted that =lice Hargrea9es preferred ;&rton. =nd the other )omen2
7&cci2 Malini2 $apone2 and Fiorri2 had made their choices of2 respecti9ely2
GalleaAAi2 ;rontich2 Mocco2 and Gi&nta. ;abich had )andered off2 possibly
for the same reason that Frigate had for )ishing to lea9e.
Monat and KaAA )ent )ith Frigate. 7he s%y )as s&ddenly cro)ded8
)ith gigantic spar%s and great l&mino&s gas clo&ds. 7he glitter of @am8
pac%ed stars2 some so large they seemed to be bro%en8off pieces of
Barth6s moon2 and the shine of the clo&ds2 a)ed them and made them feel
pitif&lly microscopic and ill8made.
;&rton lay on his bac% on a pile of tree lea9es and p&ffed on a cigar.
4t )as excellent2 and in the Hondon of his day )o&ld ha9e cost at least a
shilling. He did not feel so min&te and &n)orthy no). 7he stars )ere
inanimate matter2 and he )as ali9e. <o star co&ld e9er %no) the delicio&s
taste of an expensi9e cigar. <or co&ld it %no) the ecstasy of holding a
)arm )ell8c&r9ed )oman next to it.
Cn the other side of the fire2 half or )holly lost in the grasses and
the shado)s2 )ere the 7riestans. 7he li>&or had &ninhibited them2 tho&gh
part of their sense of freedom may ha9e come from @oy at being ali9e and
yo&ng again. 7hey giggled and la&ghed and rolled bac% and forth in the
grass and made lo&d noises )hile %issing. =nd then2 co&ple by co&ple2
they retreated into the dar%ness. Cr at least2 made no more lo&d noises.
7he little girl had fallen asleep by =lice. 7he firelight flic%ered o9er
=lice6s handsome aristocratic face and bald head and on the magnificent
body and long legs. ;&rton s&ddenly %ne) that all of him bad been
res&rrected. He definitely )as not the old man )ho2 d&ring the last sixteen
years of his life2 had paid so hea9ily for the many fe9ers and sic%nesses
that had s>&eeAed him dry in the tropics. <o) he )as yo&ng again2
healthy2 and possessed by the old clamoring demon.
Jet he had gi9en his promise to protect her. He co&ld ma%e no
mo9e2 say no )ord )hich she co&ld interpret as sed&cti9e.
Well2 she )as not the only )oman in the )orld. =s a matter of fact2
he had the )hole )orld of )omen2 if not at his disposal2 at least a9ailable to
be as%ed. 7hat is2 he did if e9erybody )ho had died on Barth )as on this
planet. She )o&ld be only one among many billions (possibly thirty8six
billion2 if Frigate6s estimate )as correct). ;&t there )as2 of co&rse2 no s&ch
e9idence that this )as the case.
7he hell of it )as that =lice might as )ell be the only one in the
)orld2 at this moment2 any)ay. He co&ld not get &p and )al% off into the
dar%ness loo%ing for another )oman2 beca&se that )o&ld lea9e her and the
child &nprotected. She certainly )o&ld not feel safe )ith Monat and KaAA2
nor co&ld he blame her. 7hey )ere so terrifyingly &gly. <or co&ld he entr&st
her to Frigate#if Frigate ret&rned tonight2 )hich ;&rton do&bted beca&se
the fello) )as an &n%no)n >&antity.
;&rton s&ddenly la&ghed lo&dly at his sit&ation. He had decided
that he might as )ell stic% it o&t for tonight. 7his tho&ght set him la&ghing
again2 and he did not stop &ntil =lice as%ed him if he )as all right.
3More right than yo& )ill e9er %no)26 he said2 t&rning his bac% to her.
He reached into his grail and extracted the last item. 7his )as a small flat
stic% of chicle8li%e s&bstance. Frigate2 before lea9ing2 had remar%ed that
their &n%no)n benefactors m&st be =merican. Cther)ise2 they )o&ld not
ha9e tho&ght of pro9iding che)ing g&m.
=fter st&bbing o&t his cigar on the gro&nd2 ;&rton popped the stic%
into his mo&th. He said2 37his has a strange b&t rather delicio&s taste. Ha9e
yo& tried yo&rs?6
34 am tempted2 b&t 4 imagine 46d loo% li%e a co) che)ing her c&d.6
3Forget abo&t being a lady26 ;&rton said. 3:o yo& thin% that beings
)ith the po)er to res&rrect yo& )o&ld ha9e 9&lgar tastes?6
=lice smiled slightly2 said2 34 really )o&ldn6t %no)26 and placed the
stic% in her mo&th. For a moment2 they che)ed idly2 loo%ing across the fire
at each other. She )as &nable to loo% him f&ll in the eyes for more than a
fe) seconds at a time.
;&rton said2 3Frigate mentioned that he %ne) yo&. Cf yo&2 rather.
N&st )ho are yo&2 if yo& )ill pardon my &nseemly c&riosity?6
67here are no secrets among the dead26 she replied lightly. 3Cr
among the ex8dead2 either.6 She had bees born =lice Ileasance Hiddell on
=pril +52 "D5+. (;&rton )as thirty then.) She )as the direct descendant of
King Bd)ard 444 and his son2 Nohn of Ga&nt. Her father )as dean of $hrist
$h&rch $ollege of Cxford and co8a&thor of a famo&s Gree%8Bnglish
lexicon. (Hiddell and Scott5 ;&rton tho&ght.) She had had a happy
childhood2 an excellent ed&cation2 and had met many famo&s people of her
times! Gladstone2 Mattheca =rnold2 the Irince of Wales2 )ho )as placed
&nder her father6s care )hile he )as at Cxford. Her h&sband had been
Meginald Ger9is Hargrea9es2 and she had lo9ed him 9ery m&ch. He had
been a 3co&ntry gentleman26 li%ed to h&nt2 fish2 play cric%et2 raise trees2 and
read French literat&re. She had three sons2 all captains2 t)o of )hom died
in the Great War of "E"18"E"D. (7his )as the second time that day that
;&rton had heard of the Great War.) She tal%ed on and on as if drin% had
loosened her tong&e. Cr as if she )anted to place a barrier of con9ersation
bet)een her and ;&rton.
She tal%ed of :inah2 the tabby %itten she had lo9ed )hen she )as a
child2 the great trees of her h&sband6s arboret&m2 ho) her father2 )hen
)or%ing on his lexicon2 )o&ld al)ays sneeAe at t)el9e o6cloc% in the
afternoon2 no one %ne) )hy... at the age of eighty2 she )as gi9en an
honorary :octor of Hetters by the =merican &ni9ersity2 $ol&mbia2 beca&se
of the 9ital part she had played in the genesis of Mr. :odgson6s famo&s
boo%. (She neglected to mention the title and ;&rton2 tho&gh a 9oracio&s
reader2 did not recall any )or%s by a Mr. :odgson.)
67hat )as a golden afternoon indeed26 she said2 3despite the official
meteorological report. Cn N&ly 12 "DQ+2 4 )as ten . . . my sisters and 4 )ere
)earing blac% shoes2 )hite open)or% soc%s2 )hite cotton dresses2 and
hats )ith large brims.6 Her eyes )ere )ide2 and she shoo% no) and then as
if she )ere str&ggling inside herself2 and she began to tal% e9en faster.
3Mr. :odgson and Mr. :&c%)orth carried the picnic bas%ets .. )e
set off in o&r boat from Folly ;ridge &p the 4sis2 &pstream for a change. Mr.
:&c%)orth ro)ed stro%eF the drops fell off his paddle li%e tears of glass on
the smooth mirror of the 4sis2 and...6
;&rton heard the last )ords as if they had been roared at him.
=stonished2 he gaAed at =lice2 )hose lips seemed to be mo9ing as if she
)ere con9ersing at a normal speech le9el. Her eyes )ere no) fixed on
him2 b&t they seemed to be boring thro&gh him into a space and a time
beyond. Her hands )ere half8raised as if she )ere s&rprised at something
and co&ld not e9e them.
B9ery so&nd )as magnified. He co&ld hear the breathing of the little
girl2 the po&nding of her heart and =lice6s2 the g&rgle of the )or%ings of
=lice6s intestines and of the breeAe as it slipped across the branches of the
trees. From far a)ay2 a cry came.
He rose and listened. What )as happening? Why the heightening
of senses? Why co&ld he hear their hearts b&t not his? He )as also a)are
of the shape and text&re of the grass &nder his feet. =lmost2 he co&ld feel
the indi9id&al molec&les of the air as they b&mped into his body.
=lice2 too2 had risen. She said2 3What is happening?6 and her 9oice
fell against him li%e a hea9y g&st of )ind.
He did not reply2 for he )as staring at her. <o)2 it seemed to him2
he co&ld really see her body for the first time. =nd he co&ld see her2 too.
7he entire =lice.
=lice came to)ard him )ith her arms held o&t2 her eyes half8sh&t
her mo&th moist. She s)ayed2 and she crooned2 3Michard5 Michard56 7hen
she stoppedF her eyes )idened. He stepped to)ard her2 his arms o&t. She
cried2 3<o562 and t&rned and ran into the dar%ness among the trees.
For a second2 he stood still. 4t did not seem possible that she2 )hom
he lo9ed as he had ne9er lo9ed anybody2 co&ld not lo9e him bac%.
She m&st be teasing him. 7hat )as it. He ran after her2 and called
her name o9er and o9er.
4t m&st ha9e been ho&rs later )hen the rain fell against them. Bither
the effect of the dr&g had )orn off or the cold )ater helped dispel it2 for
both seemed to emerge from the ecstasy and the dreamli%e State at the
same time. She loo%ed &p at him as lightning lit their feat&res2 and she
screamed and p&shed him 9iolently.
He fell on the grass2 b&t reached o&t a hand and grabbed her an%le
as she scrambled a)ay from him on all fo&rs.
3What6s the matter )ith yo&?6 he sho&ted.
=lice >&it str&ggling. She sat do)n2 hid her face against her %nees2
and her body shoo% )ith sobs. ;&rton rose and placed his hands &nder her
chin and forced her to loo% &p)ard. Hightning hit nearby again and sho)ed
him her tort&red face. 3Jo& promised to protect me56 she cried o&t.
3Jo& didn6t act as if yo& )anted to be protected26 he said. 34 didn6t
promise to protect yo& against a nat&ral h&man imp&lse.6
64mp&lse56 she said.
64mp&lse5 My God2 469e ne9er done anything li%e this in my life5 469e
al)ays been good5 4 )as a 9irgin )hen 4 married2 and 4 stayed faithf&l to my
h&sband all my life5 =nd no) ... a total stranger5 N&st li%e that5 4 don6t %no)
)hat got into me56
37hen 469e been a fail&re26 ;&rton said2 and la&ghed. ;&t he )as
beginning to feel regret and sorro). 4f only it had been her o)n )ill2 her
o)n )ish2 then he )o&ld not no) be ha9ing the slightest bite of
conscience. ;&t that g&m had contained some po)erf&l dr&g2 and it had
made them beha9e as lo9ers )hose passion %ne) no limits. She had
certainly cooperated as enth&siastically as any experienced )oman in a
7&r%ish harem.
Jo& needn6t feel the least bit contrite or self8reproachf&l26 he said
gently. 3Jo& )ere possessed. ;lame the dr&g.6
34 did it56 she said. 34 . . . 45 4 )anted to5 Ch2 )hat a 9ile lo) )hore 4
am56 64 don6t remember offering yo& any money.6 He did not mean to be
heartless. He )anted to ma%e her so angry that she )o&ld forget her self8
abasement. =nd he s&cceeded. She @&mped &p and attac%ed his chest and
face )ith her nails. She called him names that a high8bred and gentle lady
of (ictoria6s day sho&ld ne9er ha9e %no)n.
;&rton ca&ght her )rists to pre9ent f&rther damage and held her
)hile she spe)ed more filth at him. Finally2 )hen she had fallen silent and
had beg&n )eeping again2 he led her to)ard the camp site. 7he fire )as
)et ashes. He scraped off the top layer and dropped a handf&l of grass2
)hich had been protected from the rain by the tree2 onto the embers. ;y its
light2 he sa) the little girl sleeping h&ddled bet)een KaAA and Monat &dder
a pile of grass beneath the irontree. He ret&rned to =lice2 )ho )as sitting
&nder another tree.
3Stay a)ay26 she said. 34 ne9er )ant to see yo& again5 Jo& ha9e
dishonored me2 dirtied me5 =nd after yo& ga9e yo&r )ord to protect me56
6Jo& can freeAe if yo& )ish26 he said. 34 )as merely going to s&ggest
that )e h&ddle together to %eep )arm. ;&t2 if yo& )ish discomfort2 so be it.
46ll tell yo& again that )hat )e did )as generated by the dr&g. <o2 not
generated. :r&gs don6t generate desires or actionsF they merely allo) them
to be released. C&r normal inhibitions )ere dissol9ed2 and neither one of
&s can blame o&rself or the other.
3Ho)e9er2 46d be a liar if 4 said 4 didn6t en@oy it2 and yo&6d be a liar if
yo& claimed yo& didn6t. So2 )hy gash yo&rself )ith the %ni9es of
conscience?6
646m not a beast li%e yo&5 46m a good $hristian God8fearing 9irt&o&s
)oman56
3<o do&bt26 ;&rton said dryly. 3Ho)e9er2 let me stress again one
thing. 4 do&bt if yo& )o&ld ha9e done )hat yo& did if yo& had not )ished in
yo&r heart to do so. 7he dr&g s&ppressed yo&r inhibitions2 b&t it certainly
did not p&t in yo&r mind the idea of )hat to do. 7he idea )as already there.
=ny actions that res&lted from ta%ing the dr&g came from yo&2 from )hat
yo& )anted to do.6
34 %no) that56 she screamed. 3:o yo& thin% 46m some st&pid simple
ser9ing girls 4 ha9e a brain5 4 %no) )hat 4 did and )hy5 4t6s @&st that 4 ne9er
dreamed that 4 co&ld be s&ch ... s&ch a person5 ;&t 4 m&st ha9e been5 M&st
be56
;&rton tried to console her2 to sho) her that e9eryone had certain
&n)ished8for elements in their nat&re. He pointed o&t that the dogma of
original sin s&rely co9ered thisF she )an h&manF therefore2 she had dar%
desires in her. =nd so forth. 7he more he tried to ma%e her feel better2 the
)orse she felt 7hen2 shi9ering )ith cold2 and tired of the &seless
arg&ments2 he ga9e &p. He cra)led in bet)een Monat and MaAA and too%
the little girl in his arms. 7he )armth of the three bodies arid the co9er of
the grass pile and the feel of the na%ed bodies soothed him. He )ent to
sleep )ith =lice6s )eeping coming to him faintly thro&gh the grass co9er.
E
When he a)o%e2 he )as in the gray light of the false da)n2 )hich
the =rabs called the )olfs tail. Monat2 KaAA2 and the child )ere still
sleeping. He scratched for a )hile at the itchy spots ca&sed by the2 ro&gh8
edged grass and then cra)led o&t. 7he fire )as o&tF )ater drops h&ng from
the lea9es of the trees end the tips of the grass blades. He shi9ered )ith
the cold. ;&t he did not feel tired nor ha9e any ill effects from the dr&g2 as
he had expected. He fo&nd a pile of comparati9ely dry bamboo &nder some
grass beneath a tree. He reb&ilt the fire )ith this and in a short time )as
comfortable. 7hen he sa) the bamboo containers2 and he dran% )ater from
one. =lice )as sitting &p in a mo&nd of grass and staring s&llenly at him.
Her s%in )as ridged )ith gooseb&mps.
3$ome and get )arm56 he said.
She cra)led o&t2 stood &p2 )al%ed o9er to the bamboo b&c%et2 beat
do)n2 scooped &p )ater2 and splashed it o9er her face. 7hen she s>&atted
do)n by the fire2 )arming her hands o9er a small flame. 4f e9erybody is
na%ed2 ho) >&ic%ly e9en the most modest lose their modesty2 he tho&ght.
= moment later2 ;&rton heard the r&stle of grass to the east. =
na%ed head2 Ieter Frigate6s2 appeared. He strode from the grass2 and )as
follo)ed by the na%ed head of a )oman. Bmerging from the grass2 she
re9ealed a )et b&t bea&tif&l body. Her eyes )ere large and a dar% green2
and her lips )ere a little too thic% for bea&ty. ;&t her other feat&res )ere
ex>&isite.
Frigate )as smiling broadly. He t&rned and p&lled her into the
)armth of the fire )ith his hand.
3Jo& loo% li%e the cat )ho ate the canary26 ;&rton said. 3What
happened to yo&r hand?6 Ieter Frigate loo%ed at the %n&c%les of his right
hand. 7hey )ere s)elled2 and there )ere scratches on the bac% of the
hand.
34 got into a fight26 he said. He pointed a finger at the )oman2 )ho
)as s>&atting near =lice and )arming herself. 34t )as a madho&se do)n by
the ri9er last night. 7hat g&m m&st contain a dr&g of some sort. Jo&
)o&ldn6t belie9e )hat people )ere doing. Cr )o&ld yo&? =fter all2 yo&6re
Michard Francis ;&rton. =ny)ay2 all )omen2 incl&ding the &gly ones2 )ere
occ&pied2 one )ay or another. 4 6got scared at )hat )as going on and than
4 got mad. 4 hit t)o men )ith my grail2 %noc%ed them o&t 7hey )ere
attac%ing a ten8year8old girl. 4 may ha9e %illed themF 4 hope 4 did. 4 tried to
get the girl to come )ith me2 b&t she ran a)ay into the night.6
34 decided to come bac% here. 4 )as beginning to react pretty badly
from )hat 46d done to those t)o men e9en if they deser9ed it. 7he dr&g )as
responsibleF it m&st ha9e released a lifetime of rage and fr&stration. So 4
started bac% here and then 4 came across t)o more men2 only these )ere
attac%ing a )oman#this one. 4 thin% she )asn6t resisting the idea of
interco&rse so m&ch as she )as their idea of sim&ltaneo&s attac%2 if yo&
%no) )hat 4 mean. =ny)ay2 she )as screaming2 or trying to2 and
str&ggling2 and they had @&st started to hit her. So 4 hit them )ith my fist and
%ic%ed them and then banged a)ay on them )ith my grail! 7hen 4 too% the
)oman2 her name6s Hogh&2 by the )ay2 that6s all 4 %no) abo&t her since 4
can6t &nderstand a )ord of her lang&age2 and she )ent )ith me.6 He
grinned again. 3;&t )e ne9er got there.6 He >&it grinning2 and sh&ddered.
7hen )e )o%e &p )ith the rain and lightning and th&nder coming
do)n li%e the )rath of God. 4 tho&ght that maybe2 don6t la&gh2 that it )as
@&dgment :ay2 that God had gi9en &s free rein for a day so He co&ld let &s
@&dge o&rsel9es. =nd no) )e )ere going to be cast into the pit.6 He
la&ghed tightly and said2 3469e been an agnostic since 4 )as fo&rteen years
old2 and 4 died one at the age of ninety2 altho&gh 4 )as thin%ing abo&t
calling in a priest then. ;&t the little child that6s scared of the Cld Father
God and Hellfire and :amnation2 he6s still do)n there2 e9en in the old man.
Cr in the yo&ng man raised from the dead.6
3What happened?6 ;&rton said. 3:id the )orld end in a crac% of
th&nder and a stro%e of lightning? Jo&6re still here2 4 see2 and yo&69e not
reno&nced the delights of sin in the person of this )oman.6
3We fo&nd a grailstone near the mo&ntains. =bo&t a mile )est of
here. We got lost2 )andered8aro&nd2 cold2 )et2 @&mping e9ery time the
lightning str&c% nearby. 7hen )e fo&nd the grailstone. 4t )as @ammed )ith
people2 b&t they )ere exceptionally friendly2 end there )ere so many
bodies it )as 9ery )arm2 e9en if some rain did lea% do)n thro&gh the
grass. We finally )ent to sleep2 long after the rain >&it. When 4 )o%e &p2 4
searched thro&gh the grass &ntil 4 fo&nd Hogh&. She got lost d&ring the
night2 someho). She seemed pleased to see me2 tho&gh2 add 4 li%e her.
7here6s an affinity bet)een &s. Maybe 46ll find o&t )hy )hen she learns to
spea% Bnglish. 4 tried that and French and German and tags of M&ssian2
Hith&anian2 Gaelic2 all the Scandina9ian tong&es2 incl&ding Finnish2
classical <ah&atl2 =rabic2 Hebre)2 Cnondaga 4ro>&ois2 Cb@ib)ay2 4talian2
Spanish2 Hatin2 modem and Homeric Gree%2 and a doAen others. Mes&lt! a
blan% loo%.6
3Jo& m&st be >&ite a ling&ist26 ;&rton said.
646m not fl&ent in any of those26 Frigate said. 34 can read most of them
b&t can spea% only e9eryday phrases. Gnli%e yo&2 4 am not master of thirty8
nine lang&ages#incl&ding pornography.6
67he fello) seemed to %no) m&ch abo&t himself2 ;&rton tho&ght.
He )o&ld find o&t @&st ho) m&ch at a later time.
346ll be fran% )ith yo&2 Ieter26 ;&rton said. 3Jo&r acco&nt of yo&r
aggressi9eness amaAed me. 4 had not tho&ght yo& capable of attac%ing
and beating that many men. Jo&r >&easiness...6
34t )as the g&m2 of co&rse. 4t opened the door of the cage.6 Frigate
s>&atted do)n by Hogh& and r&bbed his sho&lder against hers. She loo%ed
at him o&t of slightly slanted eyes. 7he )oman )o&ld be bea&tif&l once her
hair gre) o&t.
Frigate contin&ed2 346m so timoro&s and >&easy beca&se 4 am afraid
of the anger2 the desire to do 9iolence2 that lies not too deeply )ithin me. 4
fear 9iolence beca&se 4 am 9iolent. 4 fear )hat )ill happen if 4 am not afraid.
Hell2 469e %no)n that for forty years. M&ch good the %no)ledge has done
me56 He loo%ed at =lice and said2 3Good morning56 =lice replied cheerily
eno&gh2 and she e9en smiled at Hogh& )hen she )as introd&ced. She
)o&ld loo% at ;&rton2 and she )o&ld ans)er his direct >&estions. ;&t she
)o&ld not chat )ith him or gi9e him anything b&t a stern face.
Monat2 KaAA2 and the little girl2 all ya)ning2 came to the preside.
;&rton pro)led aro&nd the edges of the camp and fo&nd that the 7riestans
)ere gone. Some had left their grails behind. He c&rsed them for their
carelessness and tho&ght abo&t lea9ing the grails in the grass to teach
them a lesson. ;&t he e9ent&ally placed the cylinders in depressions on the
grailstone.
4f their o)ners did not ret&rn2 they )o&ld go h&ngry &nless someone
shared their food )ith them. 4n the meant time the food in their grails )o&ld
ha9e to be &nto&ched. He )o&ld be &nable to open them. 7hey had
disco9ered yesterday that only the o)ner of a grail co&ld open it.
Bxperimentation )ith a long stic% had determined also that the o)ner had
to to&ch the grail )ith his fingers or some part of his body before the lid
)o&ld open. 4t )as Frigate6s theory that a mechanism in the grail )as
%eyed to the pec&liar config&ration of s%in 9oltage of the o)ner.
Cr perhaps the grail contained a 9ery sensiti9e detector of the
indi9id&al6s brain )a9es.
7he s%y had become bright by then. 7he s&n )as still an the other
side of the +.2...8foot high eastern mo&ntain. =pproximately a half8ho&r
later2 the grailroc% sp&rted bl&e flame )ith a roll of th&nder. 7h&nder from
the stones along the ri9er echoed against the mo&ntain.
7he grails yielded bacon and eggs2 ham2 toast2 b&tter2 @am2 mil%2 a
>&arter of a cantalo&pe2 cigarettes2 and a c&pf&l of dar% bro)n crystals
)hich Frigate said )as instant coffee. He dran% the mil% in one c&p2 rinsed
it o&t in )ater in a bamboo container filled the c&p )ith )ater2 and set it by
the fire. When the )ater )as boiling2 he p&t a teaspoonf&l of the crystals
into the )ater and stirred it. 7he coffee )as delicio&s2 and there )ere
eno&gh crystals to pro9ide six c&ps. 7hen =lice p&t the crystals into the
)ater before heating it o9er the fire and fo&nd that it )as not necessary to
&se the fire. 7he )afer boiled )ithin three seconds after the crystals )ere
placed into the cold )ater.
=fter eating2 they )ashed o&t the containers and replaced them in
the grails. ;&rton strapped his grail onto his )rist. He intended to explore2
and he certainly )as not going to lea9e the grail on the stone. 7ho&gh it
co&ld do no one b&t himself any good2 9icio&s people might ta%e it @&st for
the pleas&re of seeing him star9e.
;&rton started his lang&age lessons )ith the little girl and KaAA2 and
Frigate got Hogh& to sit in on them. Frigate s&ggested that a &ni9ersal
lang&age sho&ld be adopted beca&se of the many many lang&ages and
dialects2 perhaps fifty to sixty tho&sand2 that man%ind had &sed in his
se9eral million years of existence and )hich he )as &sing along the ri9er.
7hat is2 pro9ided that all of man%ind had been res&rrected. =fter all2 all he
%ne) abo&t )as the fe) s>&are miles he had seen. ;&t it )o&ld be a good
idea to start propagating Bsperanto2 the synthetic lang&age in9ented by the
Iolish oc&list2 :octor ,amenhof2 in "DDP. 4ts grammar )as 9ery simple and
absol&tely reg&lar2 and its so&nd combinations2 tho&gh not as easy for
e9erybody to prono&nce as claimed2 )ere still relati9ely easy. =nd the basis
o" the 9ocab&lary )as Hatin )ith many )ords from Bnglish and German
and other West B&ropean lang&ages.
34 had heard abo&t it before 4 died26 ;&rton said. 3;&t 4 ne9er sa)
any samples of it. Ierhaps it may become &sef&l. ;&t2 in the meantime2 46ll
teach these t)o Bnglish.56
6;&t most of the people here spea% 4talian or Slo9enian56 Frigate
said.
37hat may be tr&e2 tho&gh )e ha9en6t any s&r9ey as yet. Ho)e9er2 4
don6t intend to stay here2 yo& can be s&re of that.6
34 co&ld ha9e predicted that26 Frigate m&ttered. 3Jo& al)ays did get
restlessF yo& had to mo9e on.6
;&rton glared at Frigate and then started the lessons. For abo&t
fifteen min&tes2 he drilled them in the identification and pron&nciation of
nineteen no&ns and a fe) 9erbs! fire2 bamboo2 gr&el2 man2 )oman2 girl2
hand2 feet2 eye2 teeth2 eat2 )al%2 r&n2 tal%2 dagger2 42 yo&2 they2 &s. He
intended that he sho&ld learn as m&ch from them as they from him. 4n time2
he )o&ld be able to spea% their tong&es2 )hate9er they )ere.
7he s&n cleared the top of the eastern range. 7he air became
)armer2 and they let the fire die. 7hey )ere )ell into the second day 8of
res&rrection. =nd they %ne) almost nothing abo&t this )orld or )hat their
e9ent&al fate )as s&pposed to be or Who )as determining their fate.
He9 M&ach st&c% his big8nosed face thro&gh the grass and said2
3May 4 @oin yo&?6 ;&rton nodded2 and Frigate said2 3S&re2 )hy not?6 M&ach
stepped o&t of the grass. = short pale8s%inned )oman )ith great bro)n
eyes and lo9ely delicate feat&res follo)ed him. M&ach introd&ced her as
7anya Ka&)itA. He had met her last night2 and they had stayed together2
since they had a n&mber of things in common. She )as of M&ssian8Ne)ish
descent2 )as born in "E5D in the ;ronx2 <e) Jor% $ity2 had become an
Bnglish schoolteacher2 married a b&sinessman )ho made a million and
dropped dead )hen she )as forty8fi9e2 lea9ing her free to marry a
)onderf&l man )ith )hom she had been in lo9e for fifteen years. Six
months later2 she )as dead of cancer. 7anya2 not He92 ga9e this information
and in one sentence.
34t )as hell do)n on the plains list night26 He9 said. 67anya and 4 had
to r&n for o&r li9es into the )oods. So 4 decided that 4 )o&ld find yo& and
as% if )e co&ld stay )ith yo&. 4 apologiAe for my hasty remar%s of
yesterday2 Mr. ;&rton. 4 thin% that my obser9ations )ere 9alid2 b&t the
attit&des 4 )as spea%ing of sho&ld be considered in the context of yo&r
other attit&des56
6We6ll go into that some other time26 ;&rton said. 3=t the time 4 )rote
that boo%2 4 )as s&ffering from the 9ile and malicio&s lies of the money
lenders of :amasc&s2 and they...6
3$ertainly2 Mr. ;&rton26 M&ach said. 3=s8yo& say2 later. 4 @&st )anted
to ma%e the point that 4 consider yo& to be a 9ery capable and strong
person2 and 4 )o&ld li%e to @oin yo&r gro&p. We6re in a state of anarchy2 if
yo& can call anarchy a state2 and many of &s need protection.6
;&rton did not li%e to be interr&pted. He sco)led and said2 3Ilease
permit me to explain myself. 4 . .6
6Frigate stood &p and said2 3here come the others. Wonder )here
they69e been?6 Cnly fo&r of the original nine had come bac%2 ho)e9er.
Maria 7&cci explained that they had )andered a)ay together after che)ing
the g&m2 and e9ent&ally ended &p by one of the big bonfires on the plains.
7hen many things had happenedF there had been fights and attac%s by
men on )omen2 men on men2 )omen on men2 )omen on )omen2 and
e9en attac%s on children. 7he gro&p had split &p in the chaos2 she had met
the other three only an ho&r ago )hile she )as searching in the hills for the
grailstone.
He9 added some details. 7he res&lts of che)ing the narcotic g&m
had been tragic2 am&sing2 or gratifying2 depending2 apparently2 &pon
indi9id&al reaction. 7he g&m had had an aphrodisiac effect &pon many2 b&t
it also had many other effects. $onsider the h&sband and )ife2 )ho had
died in Cpcina2 a s&b&rb of 7rieste2 in "DEE. 7hey had been res&rrected
)ithin six feet of each other. 7hey had )ept )ith @oy at being re&nited )hen
so many co&ples had not been. 7hey than%ed God for their good l&c%2
tho&gh they also had made some lo&d comments that this )orld )as not
)hat they had been promised. ;&t they had had fifty years of married bliss
and no) loo%ed for)ard to being together for eternity.
Cnly a fe) min&tes after both had che)ed the g&m2 the man
strangled his )ife2 hea9ed her body into the ri9er2 pic%ed &p another
)oman in his arms2 and r&n off into the dar%ness of the )oods )ith her.
=nother man had leaped &pon a grailstone and deli9ered a speech
that lasted all night2 e9en thro&gh the rain. 7o the fe) )ho co&ld hear2 and
the e9en fe)er )ho listened2 he had demonstrated the principles of a
perfect society and ho) these co&ld be carried o&t in practice. ;y da)n2 he
)as so hoarse he co&ld only croa% a fe) )ords. Cn Barth2 he had seldom
bothered to 9ote.
= man and a )oman2 o&traged at the p&blic display of carnality2 had
forcef&lly tried to separate co&ples. 7he res&lts br&ises2 bloody noses2 split
lips2 and t)o conc&ssions2 all theirs2 Some men and )omen had spent the
night on their %nees praying and confessing their sins.
Some children had been badly beaten2 raped2 or m&rdered2 or all
three. ;&t not e9erybody had s&cc&mbed to the madness. = n&mber of
ad&lts had protected the children2 or tried to.
M&ach described the despair and disg&st of a $roat Moslem and an
=&strian Ne) beca&se their grails contained por%. = Hind& screamed
obscenities beca&se his grail offered him meat.
= fo&rth man2 crying o&t that they )ere in the hands of de9ils2 had
h&rled his cigarettes into the ri9er.
Se9eral had said to him2 3Why didn6t yo& gi9e &s the cigarettes if
yo& didn6t )ant them?6
37obacco is the in9ention of the de9ilF it )as the )eed created by
Satan in the Garden of Bden56
= man said2 3=t least yo& co&ld ha9e shared the cigarettes )ith &s.
4t )o&ldn6t h&rt yo&.6
34 )o&ld li%e to thro) all the e9il st&ff into the ri9er56 he had sho&ted.
3Jo&6re an ins&fferable bigot and craAy to boot26 another had replied2
and str&c% him in the mo&th. ;efore the tobacco8hater co&ld get &p off the
gro&nd2 he )as hit and %ic%ed by fo&r others.
Hater2 the tobacco8hater had staggered &p and2 )eeping )ith rage2
cried2 3What ha9e 4 done to deser9e this2 C Hord2 my God5 4 ha9e al)ays
been a good man. 4 ga9e tho&sands of Io&nds to charities2 4 )orshipped in
7hy temple three times a )ee%2 4 )aged a lifelong )ar against sin and
corr&ption2 4 . .
34 %no) yo&56 a )oman had sho&ted. She )as a tall bl&e8eyed Q+
girl )ith a handsome face and )ell8c&r9ed fig&re. 34 %no) yo&5 Sir Mobert
Smithson56
He had stopped tal%ing and had blin%ed at her. 34 don6t %no) yo&56
3Jo& )o&ldn6t5 ;&t yo& sho&ld5 46m one of the tho&sands of girls )ho
had to )or% sixteen ho&rs a day2 six and a half days a )ee%2 so yo& co&ld
li9e in yo&r big ho&se on the hill and dress in fine clothes and so yo&r
horses and dogs co&ld eat far better than 4 co&ld5 4 )as one of yo&r factory
girls5 My father sla9ed for yo&2 my mother sla9ed for yo&2 my brothers and
sisters2 those )ho )eren6t too sic% or )ho didn6t die beca&se of too little or
too bad food2 dirty beds2 drafty )indo)s2 and rat bites2 sla9ed for yo&. My
father lost a hand in one of yo&r machines2 and yo& %ic%ed him o&t )itho&t
a penny. My mother died of the )hite plag&e. 4 )as co&ghing o&t my life2
too2 my fine baronet2 )hile yo& st&ffed yo&rself )ith rich foods and sat in
easy chairs and doAed off in yo&r big expensi9e ch&rch pe) and ga9e
tho&sands to feed the poor &nfort&nates in =sia and to send missionaries
to con9ert the poor heathens in =frica. 4 co&ghed o&t my l&ngs2 and 4 had to
go a8)horing to ma%e eno&gh money to feed my %id sisters and brothers.
=nd 4 ca&ght syphilis2 yo& bloody pio&s bastard2 beca&se yo& )anted to
)ring o&t e9ery drop of s)eat and blood 4 had and those poor de9ils li%e
me had5 4 died in prison beca&se yo& told the police they sho&ld deal
harshly )ith prostit&tion. Jo& . . . yo& . . .56
Smithson had gone red at first2 then pale. 7hen he had dra)n
himself &p straight2 sco)ling at the )oman2 and said2 3Jo& )hores al)ays
ha9e somebody to blame for yo&r &nbridled l&sts2 yo&r e9il )ays. God
%no)s that 4 follo)ed His )ays.6 He had t&rned and had )al%ed off2 b&t the
)oman ran after him and s)&ng her grail at him. 4t came aro&nd s)iftlyF
somebody sho&tedF he sp&n and d&c%ed. 7he grail almost graAed the top
of his head.
Smithson ran past the )oman before she co&ld reco9er and >&ic%ly
lost himself in the cro)d. Gnfort&nately2 M&ach said2 9ery fe) &nderstood
)hat )as going on beca&se they co&ldn6t spea% Bnglish.
3Sir Mobert Smithson26 ;&rton said 34f 4 remember correctly2 he
o)ned cotton mills and steel)or%s in Manchester. He )as noted for his
philanthropies and his good )or%s among the heathens. :ied in "DP. or
thereabo&ts at the age of eighty.6
3=nd probably con9inced that he )o&ld be re)arded in Hea9en26
He9 M&ach said. 3Cf co&rse2 it )o&ld ne9er ha9e occ&rred to him that he
)as a m&rderer many times o9er.6
34f he hadn6t exploited the poor2 someone else )o&ld ha9e done so.6
67hat is an exc&se &sed by many thro&gho&t men6s history26 He9
said 3;esides2 there )ere ind&strialists in yo&r co&ntry )ho sa) to it that
)ages and conditions in their factories )ere impro9ed. Mobert C)en )as
one2 4 belie9e.6
".
34 don6t see m&ch sense in arg&ing abo&t )hat )ent on in the past26
Frigate said. 34 thin% )e sho&ld do something abo&t o&r present sit&ation.6
;&rton stood &p. 3Jo&6re right2 Jan%5 We need roofs o9er o&r heads2
tools2 God %no)s )hat else5 ;&t first2 4 thin% )e sho&ld ta%e a loo% at the
cities of the plains and see )hat the citiAens are doing there.6 =t that
moment2 =lice came thro&gh the trees on the hill abo9e them. Frigate sa)
her first. He b&rst o&t la&ghing. 37he latest in ladies6 )ear56 She had c&t
lengths of the grass )ith her scissors and plaited them into a t)o8piece
garment. Cne )as a sort of poncho )hich co9ered her breasts and the
other a s%irt )hich fell to her cal9es.
7he effect )as strange2 tho&gh one that she sho&ld ha9e expected.
When she )as na%ed2 the hairless head still did not detract too m&ch from
her femaleness and her bea&ty. ;&t )ith the green2 b&l%y2 and shapeless
garments2 her face s&ddenly became masc&line and &gly.
7he other )omen cro)ded aro&nd her and examined the )ea9ing
of the grass lengths and the grass belt that sec&red the s%irt.
34t6s 9ery itchy2 9ery &ncomfortable26 =lice said. 3;&t it6s decent.
7hat6s all 4 can say for it6
3=pparently yo& did not mean )hat yo& said abo&t yo&r &nconcern
)ith n&dity in a land )here all are n&de26 ;&rton said.
=lice stared coolly and said2 34 expect that e9erybody )ill be
)earing these. B9ery decent man and )oman2 that is.6 34 s&pposed that
Mrs. Gr&ndy )o&ld rear her &gly head here26 ;&rton replied.
34t )as a shoc% to be among so many na%ed people26 Frigate said.
3B9en tho&gh n&dity on the beach and in the pri9ate home became
commonplace in the late 6D.6s. ;&t it didn6t ta%e long for e9eryone to get
&sed to it. B9eryone except the hopelessly ne&rotic2 4 s&ppose.6
;&rton s)&ng aro&nd and spo%e to the other )omen. 6What abo&t
yo& ladies? =re yo& going to )ear these &gly and scratchy haycoc%s
beca&se one of yo&r sex s&ddenly decides that she has pri9ate parts
again? $an something that has bean so p&blic become pri9ate?6 Hogh&2
7anya2 and =lice did not &nderstand him beca&se he spo%e in 4talian. He
repeated in Bnglish for the benefit of the last t)o.
=lice fl&shed and said2 3What 4 )ear is my b&siness. 4f anybody else
cares to go na%ed )hen 46m decently co9ered2 )ell . . .56 Hogh& had not
&nderstood a )ord2 b&t she &nderstood )hat )as going on. She la&ghed
and t&rned a)ay. 7he other )omen seemed to be trying to g&ess )hat
each one intended to do. 7he &gliness and the &ncomfortable8ness of the
clothing )ere not the iss&es.
3While yo& females are trying to ma%e &p yo&r minds26 ;&rton said2
3it )o&ld be nice if yo& )o&ld ta%e a bamboo pail and go )ith &s to the
ri9er. We can bathe2 fill the pails )ith )ater2 find o&t the sit&ation in the
plains2 and then ret&rn here. We may be able to b&ild se9eral ho&ses#or
temporary shelters before nightfall.6 7hey started do)n the hills2 p&shing
thro&gh the grass and carrying their grails2 chert )eapons2 bamboo spears
and b&c%ets. 7hey had not gone far before they enco&ntered a n&mber of
people. =pparently2 many plains d)ellers had decided to mo9e o&t. <ot
only that2 some had also fo&nd chert and had made tools and )eapons.
7hese had learned the techni>&e of )or%ing )ith stone from somebody2
possibly from other primiti9es in the area. So far2 ;&rton had seen only t)o
specimens of non8Homo sapiens2 and these )ere )ith him. ;&t )here9er
the techni>&es had been learned2 they had been p&t to good &se. 7hey
passed t)o half8completed bamboo h&ts. 7hese )ere ro&nd2 one8roomed2
and )o&ld ha9e conical roofs thatched )ith the h&ge triang&lar lea9es from
the irontrees and )ith the long hill grass. Cne man2 &sing a chert adAe and
axe2 )as b&ilding a short8legged bamboo bed.
Bxcept for a n&mber erecting rather cr&de h&ts or lean8tos )itho&t
stone tools at the edge of the plains2 and for a n&mber s)imming in the
ri9er2 the plain )as deserted. 7he bodies from last night6s madness had
been remo9ed. So far2 no one had p&t on a grass s%irt2 and many stared at
=lice or e9en la&ghed and made ra&co&s comments. =lice t&rned red2 b&t
she made no mo9e to get rid of her clothes. 7he s&n )as getting hot2
ho)e9er2 and she )as scratching &nder her breast garment and &nder her
s%irt. 4t )as a meas&re of the intensity of the irritation that the2 raised by
strict (ictorian &pper8class standards2 )o&ld scratch in p&blic.
Ho)e9er2 )hen they got to the ri9er2 they sa) a doAen heaps2 of
st&ff that t&rned o&t to be grass dresses. 7hese had been left on the edge
of the ri9er by the men and )omen no) la&ghing2 splashing2 and s)imming
in the ri9er.
4t )as certainly a contrast to the beaches he %ne). 7hese )ere the
same people )ho had accepted the bathing machines2 the s&its that
co9ered them from an%le to nec%2 and all the other modest de9ices2 as
absol&tely moral and 9ital to the contin&ation of the proper society#theirs.
Jet2 only one day after finding themsel9es here2 they )ere s)imming in the
n&de. =nd en@oying it.
Iart of the acceptance of their &nclothed state came from the shoc%
of the res&rrection. 4n addition2 there )as not m&ch they co&ld do abo&t it
that first day. =nd there had been a lea9ening of the ci9iliAed )ith sa9age
peoples2 or tropical ci9iliAed peoples2 )ho )ere not partic&larly shoc%ed by
n&dity.
He called o&t to a )oman )ho )as standing to her )aist in the
)ater. She had a coarsely pretty face and spar%ling bl&e eyes.
37hat is the )oman )ho attac%ed Sir Mobert Smithson26 He9 M&ach
said. 34 belie9e her name is Wilfreda =llport.6
;&rton loo%ed at her c&rio&sly and )ith appreciation of her splendid
b&st. He called o&t2 3Ho)6s the )ater?6
3(ery nice56 she said2 smiling.
He &n8strapped his grail2 p&t do)n the container2 )hich held his
chert %nife and handaxe2 and )aded in )ith his ca%e of green soap. 7he
)ater felt as if it )as abo&t ten degrees belo) his body temperat&re. He
soaped himself )hile he str&c% &p a con9ersation )ith Wilfreda. 4f she still
harbored any resentment abo&t Smithson2 she did not sho) it. Her accent
)as hea9ily <orth $o&ntry2 Ierhaps $&mberland.
;&rton said to her2 34 heard abo&t yo&r little to8do )ith the late great
hypocrite2 the baronet. Jo& sho&ld be happy no)2 tho&gh. Jo&6re healthy
and yo&ng and bea&tif&l again2 and yo& don6t ha9e to toil for yo&r bread.
=lso2 yo& can do for lo9e )hat yo& had to do for money.6 7here )as no &se
beating aro&nd the b&sh )ith a factory girl <ot that she had any.
Wilfreda ga9e him a stare as cool as any he had recei9ed from =lice
Hargrea9es. She said2 3<o)2 ha9en6t yo& the r&ddy ner9e? Bnglish2 aren6t
yo&? 4 can6t place yo&r accent2 Hondon2 46d say2 )ith a to&ch of something
foreign.6
3Jo&6re close26 he said2 la&ghing. 346m Michard ;&rton2 by the )ay.
Ho) )o&ld yo& li%e to @oin o&r gro&p? We69e banded together for
protectionF )e6re going to b&ild some ho&ses this afternoon. We69e got a
grailstone all to o&rsel9es &p in the hills6 Wilfreda loo%ed at the 7a& $etan
and the <eanderthal 37hey6re part of yo&r mob2 no)? 4 heard abo&t 6emF
they say the monster6s a man from the stars2 come along in =.:. +...2 they
do say.6
3He )on6t h&rt yo&26 ;&rton said. 3<either )ill the s&bh&man. What
do yo& say?6 346m only a )oman26 she said. 3What do 4 ha9e to offer?6 3=ll a
)oman has to offer26 ;&rton said2 grinning.
S&rprisingly2 she b&rst o&t la&ghing. She to&ched his chest and
said2 3<o) ain6t yo& the cle9er one? What6s the matter2 yo& can6t get no girl
of yo&r o)n?6
34 had one and lost her26 ;&rton said. 7hat )as not entirely tr&e. He
)as not s&re )hat =lice intended to do. He co&ld not &nderstand )hy she
contin&ed to stay )ith his gro&p if she )as so horrified6 and disg&sted.
Ierhaps it )as beca&se she preferred the e9il she %ne) to the e9il she did
not %no). =t the moment2 he himself felt only disg&st at her st&pidity2 b&t he
did not )ant her to go. 7hat lo9e he had experienced last night may ha9e
been ca&sed by the dr&g2 b&t he still felt a resid&e of it. 7hen )hy )as he
as%ing this )oman to @oin them? Ierhaps it )as to ma%e =lice @ealo&s.
Ierhaps it )as to ha9e a )oman to fall bac% &pon if =lice ref&sed him
tonight. Ierhaps ... he did not %no) )hy.
=lice stood &pon the ban%2 her toes almost to&ching the )ater. 7he
ban% )as2 at this point2 only an inch abo9e the )ater. 7he short grass
contin&ed from the plain to form a solid mat that gre) do)n on the ri9er
bed. ;&rton co&ld feel the grass &nder his feet as far as he co&ld )ade. He
thre) his soap onto the ban% and s)am o&t for abo&t forty feet and di9ed
do)n. Here the c&rrent s&ddenly became stronger and the depth m&ch
greater. He s)am do)n2 his eyes open2 &ntil the light failed and his ears
h&rt. He contin&ed on do)n and then his fingers to&ched bottom. 7here
)as grass there2 too.
When he s)am bac% to )here the )ater )as &p no his )aist he
sa) that =lice had shed her clothes. She )as in closer to the shore2 b&t
s>&atting so that the )ater )as &p to her nec%. She6 )as soaping her head
and face.
He called to Frigate2 3Why don6t yo& come in?6
346m g&arding the grails26 Frigate said.
3(ery good56 ;&rton s)ore &nder his breath. He sho&ld ha9e tho&ght
of that and appointed somebody as a g&ard. He )asn6t in act&ality a good
leader2 he tended to let things go to pot2 to permit them to disintegrate.
=dmit it. Cn Barth he had been the head of many expeditions2 none of
)hich had been disting&ished by efficiency or strong management. Jet2
d&ring the $rimean War2 )hen he )as head of ;eatson6s 4rreg&lars2
training the )ild 7&r%ish ca9alry2 the ;ashi8;aAo&%s2 he had done >&ite
)ell2 far better than most. So he sho&ld not be reprimanding himself...
He9 M&ach climbed o&t of the )ater and ran his hands o9er his
s%inny body to ta%e off the drops. ;&rton got o&t2 too2 and sat do)n beside
him. =lice t&rned her bac% on him2 )hether on p&rpose or not he had no
)ay of %no)ing2 of co&rse.
34t6s not @&st being yo&ng again that delights me26 He9 said in his
hea9ily accented Bnglish. 34t6s ha9ing this leg bac%.6 He tapped his right
%nee.
34 lost it in a traffic accident on the <e) Nersey 7&rnpi%e )hen 4 )as
fifty years old.6 He la&ghed and saidF 37here )as an irony to the sit&ation
that some6 might call fate. 4 had been capt&red by =rabs t)o years before
)hen 4 )as loo%ing for minerals in the desert2 in the state of 4srael2 yo&
&nderstand...6
3Jo& mean Ialestine?6 ;&rton said. 6
37he Ne)s fo&nded an independent state in "E1D26 He9 said. 3Jo&
)o&ldn6t %no) abo&t that2 of co&rse. 46ll tell yo& all abo&t it some time.
=ny)ay2 4 )as capt&red and tort&red by =rab g&errillas. 4 )on6t go into the
detailsF it ma%es me sic% to recall it. ;&t 4 escaped that night2 tho&gh not
before bashing in the heads of t)o )ith a roc% and shooting t)o more )ith
a rifle. 7he others fled2 and 4 got a)ay. 4 )as l&c%y. =n army patrol pic%ed
me &p. Ho)e9er2 t)o years later2 )hen 4 )as in the States2 dri9ing do)n
the 7&rnpi%e2 a tr&c%2 a big semi2 46ll describe that later2 too2 c&t in front of
me and @ac%%nifed and 4 crashed into it. 4 )as badly h&rt2 and my right leg
)as amp&tated belo) the %nee. ;&t the point of this story is that the tr&c%
dri9er had been born in Syria. So2 yo& see the =rabs )ere o&t to get me2
and they didF tho&gh they did not %ill me. 7hat @ob )as done by o&r friend
from 7a& $eti. 7ho&gh 4 can6t say he did anything to h&manity except h&rry
&p its doom.6
3What do yo& mean by that?6 ;&rton said.
37here )ere millions dying from famine2 e9en the States )ere on a
strictly rationed diet2 and poll&tion of o&r )ater2 land2 and air )as %illing
other millions. 7he scientists said that half of Barth6s oxygen s&pply )o&ld
be c&t off in ten years beca&se the phytoplan%ton of the oceans#they
f&rnished half the )orld6s oxygen2 yo& %no)#)ere dying. 7he oceans )ere
poll&ted.6
37he oceans?6
3Jo& don6t belie9e it? Well2 yo& died in "DE.2 so yo& find it hard to
credit. ;&t some people )ere predicting in "EQD exactly )hat did happen in
+..D. 4 belie9ed them2 4 )as a biochemist. ;&t most of the pop&lation2
especially those )ho co&nted2 the masses and the politicians2 ref&sed to
belie9e &ntil it )as too late. Meas&res )ere ta%en as the sit&ation got
)orse2 b&t they )ere al)ays too )ea% and too late and fo&ght against by
gro&ps that stood to lose money2 if effecti9e meas&res )ere ta%en. ;&t it6s
a long sad story2 and if )e6re to b&ild ho&ses2 )e6d best start immediately
after l&nch.6
=lice came o&t of the ri9er and ran her hands o9er her body. 7he
s&n and the breeAe dried her off >&ic%ly. She pic%ed &p her grass clothes
b&t did not p&t them bac% on. Wilfreda as%ed her abo&t them. =lice replied
that they made her itch too m&ch2 b&t she )o&ld %eep them to )ear at night
if it got cold. =lice )as polite to Wilfreda b&t ob9io&sly aloof. She had
o9erheard m&ch of the con9ersation and8so %ne) that Wilfreda had been a
factory girl )ho had become a )hore and then had died of syphilis. Cr at
least Wilfreda tho&ght that the disease8had %illed her. She did not
remember dying. Gndo&btedly2 as she had said cheerily2 she had lost her
mind first.
=lice2 hearing this2 mo9ed e9en f&rther a)ay. ;&rton grinned2
)ondering )hat she )o&ld do if she %ne) that he had s&ffered from the
same disease2 ca&ght from a sla9e girl in $airo )hen he had been
disg&ised as a Moslem d&ring his trip to Mecca in "D5-. He had been
3c&red6 and his mind had not been physically affectedF tho&gh his mental
s&ffering had been intense. ;&t the point )as that res&rrection had gi9en
e9erybody a fresh yo&ng and &ndiseased body2 and )hat a person had
been on Barth sho&ld not infl&ence another6s attit&de to)ard them.
Sho&ld not )as not2 ho)e9er2 )o&ld not.
He co&ld not really blame =lice Hargrea9es. She )as the prod&ct of
her society#li%e all )omen2 she )as )hat men had made her and she had
strength of character and flexibility of mind to lift herself abo9e some of the
pre@&dices of her time and her class. She had adapted to the n&dity )ell
eno&gh2 and she )as not openly hostile or contempt&o&s of the girl. She
had performed an act )ith ;&rton that )ent against a lifetime of o9ert and
co9ert indoctrination. =nd that )as on the night of the first day of her life
after death2 )hen she sho&ld ha9e been on her %nees singing hosannas
beca&se she had 3sinned6 and promising that she )o&ld ne9er 3sin6 again
as long as she )as not p&t in hellfire.
=s they )al%ed across the plain2 he tho&ght abo&t her2 t&rning his
head no) and then to loo% bac% at her. 7hat hairless head made her face
loo% so m&ch older b&t the hairlessness made her loo% so childli%e belo)
the na9el. 7hey all bore this contradiction2 old man2 or )oman abo9e the
nec%2 yo&ng child belo) the bellyb&tton.
He dropped bac% &ntil he )as by her side. 7his p&t him behind
Frigate and Hogh&. 7he 9ie) of Hogh& )o&ld yield some profit e9en if his
attempt to tal% to =lice res&lted in nothing. Hogh& had a bea&tif&lly ro&nded
posteriorF her b&ttoc%s )ere li%e t)o eggs. =nd she s)ayed as
enchantingly as =lice.
He spo%e in a lo) 9oice2 34f last night distressed yo& so m&ch )hy
do yo& stay )ith me?6 Her bea&tif&l face became t)isted and &gly.
34 am not staying )ith yo&5 4 am staying )ith the gro&p5 Moreo9er2
469e been thin%ing abo&t last night2 tho&gh it pains me to do so. 4 m&st be
fair. 4t )as the narcotic in that hideo&s g&m that made both of &s beha9e
the . . . )ay )e did. =t least2 4 %no) it )as responsible for my beha9ior. =nd
46m gi9ing yo& the benefit of the do&bt.6
37hen there6s no hope of repetition?6
3Ho) can yo& as% that5 $ertainly not5 Ho) dare yo&?6
64 did not force yo&26 he said. 3=s 4 ha9e pointed o&t2 yo& did )hat
yo& )o&ld do if yo& )ere not restrained by yo&r inhibitions. 7hose
inhibitions are good things#&nder certain circ&mstances2 s&ch as being
the la)f&l )edded )ife of a man yo& lo9e in the Bngland of Barth. ;&t
Barth no longer exists2 not as )e %ne) it. <either does Bngland. <either
does Bnglish society. =nd if all of man%ind has been res&rrected and is
scattered along this ri9er2 yo& still may ne9er see yo&r h&sband again. Jo&
are no longer married. Memember .. . till death do &s part.
Jo& ha9e died2 and2 therefore2 parted. Moreo9er2 there is no gi9ing
into marriage in hea9en.6
3Jo& are a blasphemer2 Mr. ;&rton. 4 read abo&t yo& in the
ne)spapers2 and 4 read some of yo&r boo%s abo&t =frica and 4ndia and that
one abo&t the Mormons in the States. 4 also heard stories2 most of )hich 4
fo&nd hard to belie9e2 they made yo& o&t to be so )ic%ed. Meginald )as
9ery indignant )hen he read yo&r Kasidah. He said he6d ha9e no s&ch fo&l
atheistic literat&re in his ho&se2 and he thre) all yo&r boo%s into the
f&rnace.6
34f 46m so )ic%ed2 and yo& feel yo&6re a fallen )oman2 )hy don6t yo&
lea9e?6
6M&st 4 repeat e9erything? 7he next gro&p might ha9e e9en )orse
men in it. =nd2 as yo& ha9e been so %ind to point o&t2 yo& did not force me.
=ny)ay2 46m s&re that yo& ha9e some %ind of heart beneath that cynical
and moc%ing air. 4 sa) yo& )eeping )hen yo& )ere carrying G)enafra and
she )as crying.6
3Jo& ha9e fo&nd me o&t26 he said2 grinning. 3(ery )ell. So be it. 4 )ill
be chi9alro&sF 4 )ill not attempt to sed&ce yo& or to molest yo& in any )ay.
;&t the next time yo& see me che)ing the g&m2 yo& )o&ld do )ell to hide.
Mean)hile2 4 gi9e my )ord of honorF yo& ha9e nothing to fear from me as
long as 4 am not &nder the infl&ence of the g&m.6
Her eyes )idened2 and she stopped. 3Jo& plan to &se it again?6
3Why not? 4t apparently t&rned some people into 9iolent beasts2 b&t
it had no s&ch effect on me. 4 feel no cra9ing for it2 so 4 do&bt it6s habit8
forming. 4 &sed to smo%e a pipe of opi&m no) and then2 yo& %no)2 and 4
did not become addicted to it2 so 4 don6t s&ppose 4 ha9e a psychological
)ea%ness for dr&gs.6 34 &nderstood that yo& )ere 9ery often deep in yo&r
c&ps2 Mister ;&rton. Jo& and that na&seating creat&re2 Mr. S)inb&rne...6
She stopped tal%ing. = man had called o&t to her2 and2 tho&gh she did not
&nderstand 4talian2 she &nderstood his obscene gest&re. She bl&shed all
o9er b&t )al%ed bris%ly on.
;&rton glared at the man2 He )as a )ell8b&ilt bro)ns yo&th )ith a
big nose2 a )ea% chin2 and close set eyesF His s%inned speech )as that of
the criminal class of the city of ;ologna2 )here ;&rton had spent m&ch time
)hile in9estigating Btr&scan relics and gra9es! ;ehind him )ere ten men2
most of them as &nprepossessing and as )ic%ed8loo%ing as their leader2
and fi9e )omen. 4t8 )as e9ident that the men )anted to add more )omen
to the gro&p. 4t )as also e9ident that they )o&ld li%e to get their hands on
the stone )eapons of ;&rton6s gro&p. 7hey )ere armed only )ith their
grails or )ith bamboo stic%s.
""
;&rton spo%e sharply2 and his people closed &p. KaAA did not
&nderstand his )ords2 b&t he sensed at once )hat )as happening. He
dropped bac% to form the rearg&ard )ith ;&rton. His br&tish appearance
and the handaxe in his h&ge fist cho%ed the ;olognese some)hat. 7hey
follo)ed the gro&p2 ma%ing lo&d comments and threats2 b&t they did not get
m&ch closer. Why they reached the hills2 ho)e9er2 the leader of the gang
sho&ted a command2 and it attac%ed.
7he yo&th )ith the close8set eyes2 yelling2 s)inging his grail at the
end of the strap ran at ;&rton. ;&rton ga&ged the s)ing of the cylinder and
then la&nched his bamboo spear @&st as the grail )as arcing o&t)ard. 7he
stone tip )ent into the man6s solar plex&s2 and he fell on his side )ith the
spear stic%ing in him. 7he s&bh&man str&c% a s)inging grail )ith a stic%2
)hich )as %noc%ed o&t of his hand. He leaped in)ard and bro&ght the
edge of the handaxe against the top of the head of his attac%er2 and that
man )ent do)n )ith a bloody s%&ll.
Hittle He9 M&ach thre) his grail into the chest of a man and ran &p
and @&mped on him. His feet dro9e into the face of the man2 )ho )as
getting &p again. 7he man )ent bac%)ardF M&ach bo&nded &p and gashed
the man6s sho&lder )ith his chert %nife. 7he man2 screaming2 got to his feet
and raced a)ay.
Frigate did better than ;&rton had expected him to2 since he had
t&rned pale and beg&n sha%ing )hen the gang had first challenged them.
His grail )as strapped to his left )rist )hile his right held a handaxe. He
charged into the gro&p2 )as hit on the sho&lder )ith a grail2 the impact of
)hich )as lessened )hen he partially bloc%ed it )ith his grail2 and he fell
on his side. = man lifted a bamboo stic% )ith both hands to bring it do)n on
Frigate2 b&t he rolled a)ay2 bringing his grail &p and bloc%ing the stic% as it
came do)n. 7hen he )as &p2 his head b&tting into the man and carrying
him bac%. ;oth )ent do)n2 Frigate on top2 and his stone axe str&c% the
man t)ice on the temple.
=lice had thro)n her grail into the face of a man and then stabbed
at him )ith the fire8sharpened end of her bamboo spear. Hogh& ran aro&nd
to the side of the man and hit him across the head )ith her stic% so hard
that he dropped to his %nees. 7he fight )as o9er in sixty seconds. 7he
other men fled )ith their )omen behind them ;&rton t&rned the screaming
leader onto his bac% and p&lled his spear o&t of the pit of his stomach. 7he
tip had not gone in more than half an inch.
7he man got to his feet and2 cl&tching the streaming )o&nd2
staggered off across the plains. 7)o of the gang )ere &nconscio&s b&t
)o&ld probably s&r9i9e. 7he man Frigate had attac%ed )as dead.
7he =merican had t&rned from pale to red and then bac% to pale.
;&t he did not loo% contrite or sic%ened. 4f his expression held anything2 it
)as elation. =nd relief.
He said2 37hat )as the first man 469e e9er %illed5 7he first56
34 do&bt that it6ll be the last26 ;&rton said. 3Gnless yo&6re %illed first.6
M&ach2 loo%ing at the corpse2 said2 3= dead man loo%s @&st as dead
here as on Barth. 4 )onder )here those )ho are %illed in the afterlife go?6
64f )e li9e long eno&gh2 )e might find o&t. Jo& t)o )omen ga9e a
9ery fine acco&nt of yo&rsel9es.6
=lice said2 34 did )hat had to be done26 and )al%ed a)ay. She )as
pale and sha%ing. Hogh&2 on the other hand2 seemed exhilarated.
7hey got to the grailstone abo&t a half8ho&r before noon. 7hings
had changed. 7heir >&iet little hollo) contained abo&t sixty people2 many of
)hom )ere )or%ing on pieces of chert. Cne man )as holding a bloody eye
into )hich a chip of stone had flo)n. Se9eral more )ere bleeding from the
face or holding smashed fingers.
;&rton )as &pset b&t he co&ld do nothing abo&t it. 7he only hope
for regaining the >&iet retreat )as that the lac% of )ater )o&ld dri9e the
intr&ders a)ay. 7hat hope )ent >&ic%ly. = )oman told him that there )as a
small cataract abo&t a mile and a half to the )est. 4t fell from the top of the
mo&ntain do)n the tip of an arro)head8shaped canyon and into a large
hole2 )hich it had only half8filled. B9ent&ally2 it sho&ld spill o&t and ta%e a
co&rse thro&gh the hills and spread o&t on the plain. Gnless2 of co&rse2
stone from the mo&ntain base )as bro&ght do)n to ma%e a channel for the
stream.
3Cr )e ma%e )aterpipes o&t of the big bamboo26 Frigate said.
7hey p&t their grails on the roc%2 each caref&lly noting the exact
location of his2 and they )aited. He intended to mo9e on after the grails
)ere filled. = location half)ay bet)een the cataract and the grailstone
)o&ld be ad9antageo&s2 and they might not be so cro)ded.
7he bl&e flames roared o&t abo9e the stone @&st as the s&n reached
its Aenith. 7his time2 the grails yielded an antipasto salad2 4talian blac%
bread )ith melted garlic b&tter2 spaghetti and meatballs2 a c&pf&l of dry red
)ine2 grapes2 more coffee crystals2 ten cigarettes2 a marih&ana stic%2 a
cigar2 more toilet paper and a ca%e of soap2 and fo&r chocolate creams.
Some people complained that they did not li%e 4talian food2 b&t no one
ref&sed to eat.
7he gro&p2 smo%ing their cigarettes2 )al%ed along the base of the
mo&ntain to the cataract. 7his )as at the end of the triang&lar canyon2
)here a n&mber of men and )omen had set &p 6camp aro&nd the hole. 7he
)ater )as icy cold. =fter )ashing o&t their containers2 drying them2 and
refilling the b&c%ets2 they )ent bac% in the direction of the grailstone. =fter
a half mile2 they chose a hill co9ered by pines except for the apes2 on
)hich a great irontree gre). 7here )as plenty of bamboo of all siAes
gro)ing aro&nd them. Gnder the direction of KaAA and of Frigate2 )ho had
spent a fe) years in Malaysia2 they c&t do)n bamboo and b&ilt their b&ts.
7hese )ere ro&nd b&ildings )ith a single door and a )indo) in the rear
and a conical thatched roof. 7hey )or%ed s)iftly and did not try for nicety2
so that by dinnertime e9erything except the roofs )as finished. Frigate and
Monat )ere pic%ed to stay behind as g&ards )hile the others too% the grails
to the stone. Here they fo&nd abo&t -.. people constr&cting lean8tos and
b&ts. ;&rton had expected this. Most people )o&ld not )ant to )al% a half
mile e9ery day three times a day for their meals. 7hey )o&ld prefer to
cl&ster aro&nd the grailstones. 7he b&ts here )ere arranged haphaAardly
and closer than necessary. 7here )as still the problem of getting fresh
)ater2 )hich )as )hy he )as s&rprised that there )ere so many here. ;&t
he )as informed by a pretty Slo9ene that a so&rce of )ater had been fo&nd
close by only this afternoon. = spring ran froth a ca9e almost in a straight
line &p from the roc%. ;&rton in9estigated. Water had bro%en o&t from a
ca9e and )as tric%ling do)n the face of the cliff into a basin abo&t fifty feet
)ide sad eight deep.
He )ondered if this )as an aftertho&ght on the part of )hoe9er
created this place. He ret&rned @&st as the bl&e flames th&ndered.
KaAA s&ddenly stopped to relie9e himself. He did not bother to t&rn
a)ayF Hogh& giggledF 7anya t&rned redF the 4talian )omen )ere &sed to
seeing men leaning against b&ildings )hene9er the fancy too% themF
Wilfreda )as &sed to anythingF =lice2 s&rprisingly2 ignored him as if he )ere
a dog. =nd that might explain her attit&de. 7o her2 KaAA )as not h&man and
so co&ld not be expected to act as h&mans )ere expected to act.
7here )as no reason to reprimand KaAA for this @&st no)2 especially
)hen KaAA did not &nderstand his lang&age. ;&t he )o&ld ha9e to &se sign
lang&age the next time KaAA proceeded to relie9e himself )hile they )ere
sitting aro&nd and eating.
B9erybody had to learn certain limits2 and anything that &pset
others )hile they )ere eating sho&ld be forbidden. =nd that2 he tho&ght2
incl&ded >&arreling d&ring mealtimes. 7o be fair2 he )o&ld ha9e to admit
that he had participated in more than his share of dinner disp&tes in his
lifetime.
He patted KaAA on top of the breadloaf8shaped s%&ll as he passed
him. KaAA loo%ed at him and ;&rton shoo% his head2 fig&ring that KaAA
)o&ld find o&t )hy )hen he learned to spea% Bnglish. ;&t he forgot his
intention2 and he stopped and r&bbed the top of his o)n head. Jes2 there
)as a 9ery fine f&AA there.
He felt his face2 )hich )as as smooth as e9er. ;&t his armpits )ere
f&AAy. 7he p&bic area )as2 ho)e9er2 smooth. 7hat might be a slo)er
gro)th than scalp hair2 tho&gh. He told the others2 and they inspected
themsel9es and each other. 4t )as tr&e. 7heir hair )as ret&rning2 at least2
on their heads and their armpits. MaAA )as the exception. His hair )as
gro)ing o&t all o9er him except on his face.
7he disco9ery made them @&bilant. Ha&ghing2 @o%ing2 they )al%ed
along the base of the mo&ntain in the shado). 7hey t&rned east then and
)aded thro&gh the grass of fo&r hills more coming &p the slope of the hill
they )ere beginning to thin% of as home. Half)ay &p it2 they stopped2
silent. Frigate and Monat had not ret&rned their calls.
=fter telling them to spread o&t and to proceed slo)ly2 ;&rton led
them &p the hill. 7he b&ts )ere deserted2 and se9eral of the little b&ts had
been %ic%ed or trampled. He felt a chill2 as if a cold8)ind bad blo)n on him.
7he silence2 the damaged h&ts2 the complete absence of the t)o2 )as
foreboding.
= min&te later2 they heard a halloo and t&rned to loo% do)n the hill.
7he s%in8heads of Monat and Frigate appeared in the gasses and then they
)ere coming &p the hill. Monat loo%ed gra9e2 b&t the =merican )as
grinning. His face )as br&ised o9er the chee%2 and the %n&c%les of both
hands )ere tom and bloody.
3We @&st got bac% from chasing off fo&r men and three )omen )ho
)anted to ta%e o9er o&r b&ts26 he said. 34 told them they co&ld b&ild their
o)n2 and that yo&6d be bac% right a)ay and beat hell o&t of them if they
didn6t ta%e off. 7hey &nderstood the all right2 they spo%e Bnglish. 7hey had
been res&rrected at the grailstone a mile north of o&rs along the ri9er. Most
of the people there )ere 7riestans of yo&r time2 b&t abo&t ten2 all together2
)ere $hicagoans )ho6d died abo&t "ED5. 7he distrib&tion of the dead s&re
is f&nny2 isn6t it? 7here6s a random choice operating along here2 46d say.
3=ny)ay2 4 told them )hat Mar% 7)ain said the de9il said.
Jo& $hicagoans thin% yo&6re the best people here )hereas the tr&th
is yo&6re @&st the most n&mero&s. 7hat didn6t go o9er 9ery )ell2 they
seemed to thin% that 4 sho&ld be b&ddy8b&ddies )ith them beca&se 4 )as
an =merican. Cne of the )omen offered herself to me if 46d change sides
and ta%e their part in appropriating the h&ts. She )as the one )ho )as
li9ing )ith t)o of the men. 4 said no. 7hey said they6d ta%e the h&ts any)ay2
and o9er my dead body if they had to.
3;&t they tal%ed more bra9e than they )ere. Monat scared them @&st
by loo%ing at them. =nd )e did ha9e the stone )eapons and spears. Still2
their leader )as )hipping them &p into r&shing &s2 )hen 4 too% a good hard
loo% at one of them.
3His head )as bald so he didn6t ha9e that thic% straight blac% hair2
and he )as abo&t thirty8fi9e )hen 4 first %ne) him2 and he )ore thic% shell8
rimmed glasses then2 and 4 hadn6t seen him for fifty8fo&r years. ;&t 4
stepped &p closer2 and 4 loo%ed into his face2 )hich )as grinning @&st li%e 4
remembered it2 li%e the pro9erbial s%&n%2 and 4 said2 SHem? Hem Shar%%o5 4t
is Hem Shar%%o2 isn6t it?S6
3His eyes opened then2 and he grinned e9en more2 and he too% my
hand2 my hand2 after all he6d done to me2 and he cried o&t S if )e )ere
long8lost brothers2 S4t is2 it is5 4t6s Iete Frigate5 My God2 Iete Frigate5S
34 )as almost glad to see him and for the same reason he said he
)as glad to see me. ;&t then 4 told myself2 S7his is the croo%ed p&blisher
that cheated yo& o&t of T12... )hen yo& )ere @&st getting started as a
)riter and r&ined yo&r career for years. 7his is the slimy schloc% dealer
)ho cheated yo& and at least fo&r other )riters o&t of a lot of money and
then declared ban%r&ptcy and s%ipped. =nd then he inherited a lot of
money from an &ncle and li9ed 9ery )ell indeed2 th&s pro9ing that crime did
pay. 7his is the man yo& ha9e not forgotten2 not only beca&se of )hat he
did to yo& and others b&t beca&se of so many other croo%ed p&blishers yo&
ran into later on.6
;&rton grinned and said2 34 once said that priests2 politicians2 and
p&blishers )o&ld ne9er get past the gates of hea9en. ;&t 4 )as )rong2 that
is2 if this is hea9en.6
3Jeah2 4 %no)26 Frigate said. 3469e ne9er forgotten that yo& said that.
=ny)ay2 4 p&t do)n my nat&ral @oy at seeing a familiar face again2 and 4
said2 SShar%%o . . .S6
3With a name li%e that2 he got yo& to tr&st him?6 =lice said.
3He told me it )as a $Aech name that meant tr&st)orthy. Hi%e
e9erything else he told me2 it )as a lie. =ny)ay2 4 had @&st abo&t con9inced
myself that Monat and 4 sho&ld let them ta%e o9er. We6d retire and then
)e6d r&n them o&t )hen yo& came bac% from the grailstone. 7hat )as the
smart thing to do. ;&t )hen 4 recogniAed Shar%%o2 4 got so mad5 4 said2
grinning2 SGee2 it6s really great to see yo&r face after all these years.
Bspecially here )here there are no cops or co&rts5 S 3=nd 4 hit him right in
the nose5 He )ent o9er flat on his bac%2 )ith his nose spo&ting blood.
Monat and 4 r&shed the others2 and 4 %ic%ed one2 and then another hit me
on the chee% )ith his grail. 4 )as %noc%ed silly2 b&t Monat %noc%ed one o&t
)ith the b&tt of his spear and crac%ed the ribs of anotherF he6s s%inny b&t
he6s a)f&l fast2 and )hat he doesn6t %no) abo&t self8defense#or offense5
Shar%%o got &p then and 4 hit )ith my other fist b&t only a glancing
blo) along his @a). 4t h&rt my fist more than it h&rt his @a). He sp&n aro&nd
and too% off2 and 4 )ent after him. 7he others too% off2 too2 )ith Monat
beating them on the tail )ith his spear. 4 chased Shar%%o &p the next hill
and ca&ght him on the do)nslope and p&nched him b&t good5 He cra)led
a)ay2 begging for mercy2 )hich 4 ga9e him )ith a %ic% in the rear that rolled
him ho)ling all the )ay do)n the hill.6
Frigate )as still sha%ing )ith reaction2 b&t he )as pleased.
34 )as afraid 4 )as going to torn chic%en there for a )hile26 he said.
3=fter all2 all that had been so long ago and in another )orld2 and maybe
)e6re here to forgi9e o&r enemies#and some of o&r friends#and be
forgi9en. ;&t on the other hand2 4 tho&ght2 maybe )e6re here so )e can
gi9e2 a little bac% of )hat )e had to ta%e on Barth. What abo&t it2 He9?
Wo&ldn6t yo& li%e a chance to t&rn Hitler o9er a fire? (ery slo)ly o9er a
fire?6
34 don6t thin% yo& co&ld compare a croo%ed p&blisher to Hitler26
M&ach said. 3<o2 4 )o&ldn6t )ant to t&rn him o9er a fire. 4 might )ant to
star9e him to death2 or feed him @&st eno&gh to %eep him ali9e. ;&t 4
)o&ldn6t do that. What good )o&ld it do? Wo&ld it ma%e him2 change his
mind abo&t anything2 )o&ld he then belie9e that Ne)s )ere h&man beings?
<o2 4 )o&ld do nothing to him if he )ere in my po)er except %ill him so he
co&ldn6t h&rt others. ;&t 46m not so s&re that %illing him )o&ld mean he6d
stay dead. <ot here.6
3Jo&6re a real $hristian26 Frigate said2 grinning.
34 tho&ght yo& )ere my friend56 M&ach said.
"+
7his )as the second time that ;&rton had heard the name Hitler. He
intended to find o&t all abo&t him2 b&t at the moment e9erybody )o&ld ha9e
to p&t off tal%ing to finish the roofs on the h&ts. 7hey all pitched in2 c&tting
off more grass )ith the little scissors they had fo&nd in their grails2 or
climbing the irontrees and tearing off the h&ge triang&lar green and scarlet8
laced lea9es. 7he roofs left m&ch to be desired. ;&rton meant to search
aro&nd for a professional thatcher and learn the proper techni>&es. 7he
beds )o&ld ha9e to be2 for the time being2 piles of grass on top of )hich
)ere piles of the softer irontree lea9es. 7he blan%ets )o&ld be another pile
of the same lea9es.
67han% God2 or Whoe9er2 that there is no insect life26 ;&rton said.
He lifted the gray metal c&p2 )hich still held t)o o&nces of the best
scotch he had e9er tasted.
3Here6s to Whoe9er. 4f he had raised &s @&st to li9e on an exact
d&plicate of Barth2 )e6d be sharing o&r beds )ith ten tho&sand %inds of
biting2 scratching2 stinging2 scraping2 tic%ling2 bloods&c%ing 9ermin.6 7hey
dran%2 and then they sat aro&nd the fire for a )hile and smo%ed and tal%ed.
7he shado) dar%ened2 the s%y lost its bl&e2 and the gigantic stars and
great sheets2 )hich had been dimly seen ghosts @&st before d&s%2
blossomed o&t. 7he s%y )as indeed a blaAe of glory.
3Hi%e a Sime ill&stration26 Frigate said.
;&rton did not %no) )hat a Sime )as. Half of the con9ersation )ith
the non8nineteenth cent&rians consisted of them explaining their references
and he explaining his.
;&rton rose and )ent o9er to the other side of the fire and s>&atted
by =lice. She had @&st ret&rned from p&tting the little girl2 G)enafra2 to bed
in a h&t.
;&rton held o&t a stic% of g&m to =lice and said2 34 @&st had half a
piece. Wo&ld yo& care for the other half?6 She loo%ed at him )itho&t
expression and said2 3<o2 than%s.6
37here are eight h&ts26 he said. S7here isn6t any do&bt abo&t )ho is
sharing )hich b&t )ith )hom2 except for Wilfreda2 yo&2 and me 34 don6t thic%
there6s any do&bt abo&t that26 she said.
67hen yo&6re sleeping )ith G)enafra?6 She %ept her face t&rned
a)ay from him. He s>&atted for a fe) seconds and then got &p and )ent
bac% to the other side and sat do)n by Wilfreda.
3Jo& can mo9e on2 Sir Michard26 she said. Her lip )as c&rled. 3Hord
grab me2 4 don6t li%e being second choice. Jo& co&ld of as%ed 6er )here
nobody co&ld of seen yo&. 4 got some pride2 too.6 He )as silent for a
min&te. His first imp&lse had been to lash o&t at her )ith a sharp8pointed
ins&lt. ;&t she )as right. He had been too contempt&o&s of her. B9en if she
had been a )hore2 she had a right to be treated as a h&man being.
Bspecially since she maintained that it )as h&nger that had dri9en her to
prostit&tion2 tho&gh he had been s%eptical abo&t that. 7oo many prostit&tes
had to rationaliAe their professionF too many had @&stifying fantasies abo&t
their entrance into the b&siness. Jet2 her rage at Smithson and her
beha9ior to)ard him indicated that she )as sincere.
He stood &p and said2 34 didn6t mean to h&rt yo&r feelings.6
3=re yo& in lo9e )ith her?6 Wilfreda said2 loo%ing &p at him.
3469e only told one )oman that 4 e9er lo9ed her26 he said.
3Jo&r )ife?6
6<o. 7he girl died before 4 co&ld marry her.6
3=nd ho) long )as yo& married?6
37)enty8nine years2 tho&gh it6s none of yo&r b&siness.6
3Hord grab me5 =ll that time2 and yo& ne9er once told her yo& lo9ed
her56
64t )asn6t necessary26 he said2 and )al%ed a)ay. 7he h&t he chose
)as occ&pied by Monat and KaAA. KaAA )as snoring a)ayF Monat )as
leaning on his elbo) and smo%ing a marih&ana stic%. Monat preferred that
to tobacco2 beca&se it tasted more li%e his nati9e tobacco. Ho)e9er2 he got
little effect from it. Cn the other hand2 tobacco sometimes ga9e him fleeting
b&t 9i9idly colored 9isions.
;&rton decided to sa9e the rest of his dreamg&m2 as he called it. He
lit &p a cigarette2 %no)ing that marih&ana )o&ld probably ma%e his rage
and fr&stration e9en dar%er. He as%ed Monat >&estions abo&t his home2
Gh&&rr%h. He )as intensely interested2 b&t the marih&ana betrayed him2
and he drifted a)ay )hile the $etan6s 9oice became fainter and fainter.
3... co9er yo&r eyes2 boys56 Gilchrist said in his broad Scots speech.
Michard loo%ed at Bd)ardF Bd)ard grinned and p&t hands o9er his
eyes2 b&t he )as s&rely pee%ing thro&gh the spaces bet)een his fingers.
Michard placed his o)n hands o9er his eyes and contin&ed to stand on
tiptoe. =ltho&gh he and his brother )ere standing on boxes2 they still had to
stretch to see o9er the heads of the ad&lts in front of them.
7he )oman6s head )as in the stoc% by no)F her long bro)n hair
had fallen o9er her face. He )ished he co&ld see her expression as she
stared do)n at the bas%et )aiting for her2 or for her head2 rather.
3:on6t pee% no)2 boys56 Gilchrist said again.
7here )as a roll of dr&ms2 a single sho&t2 and the blade raced
do)n)ard2 and then a concerted sho&t from the cro)d2 mingled )ith some
screams and moans2 and the head fell do)n. 7he nec% sp&rted o&t blood
and )o&ld ne9er stop. 4t %ept sp&rting and sp&rting )hile the s&n gleamed
on it2 it sp&rted o&t and co9ered the cro)d and2 tho&gh he )as at least fifty
yards from her2 the blood str&c% him in the hands and seeped do)n
bet)een his fingers and o9er his face2 filling his eyes and blinding him and
ma%ing his lips stic%y and salty. He screamed...
3Wa%e &p2 :ic%56 Monat )as saying. He )as sha%ing ;&rton by the
sho&lder. 3Wa%e &p5 Jo& m&st ha9e been ha9ing a nightmare56
;&rton2 sobbing and shi9ering2 sat &p. He r&bbed his hands and
then felt his face. ;oth )ere )et. ;&t )ith perspiration2 not )ith blood.
34 )as dreaming26 he said. 34 )as @&st six years old and in the city of
7o&rs. 4n France2 )here )e )ere li9ing then. My t&tor2 Nohn Gilchrist2 too%
me and my brother Bd)ard to see the exec&tion of a )oman )ho had
poisoned her family. 4t )as a treat2 Gilchrist said. 4 )as excited2 and 4
pee%ed thro&gh my fingers )hen he told &s not to )atch the final seconds2
)hen the blade of the g&illotine came do)n. ;&t 4 didF 4 had to. 4 remember
getting a little sic% at my stomach b&t that )as the only effect the gr&esome
scene had on me. 4 seemed to ha9e dislocated myself )hile 4 )as )atching
itF it )as as if 4 sa) the )hole thing thro&gh a thic% glass2 as if it )ere
&nreal. Cr 4 )as &nreal so 4 )asn6t really horrified.6
Monat had lit another marih&ana. 4ts fight )as eno&gh so that
;&rton co&ld see him sha%ing his head. 3Flo) sa9age5 Jo& mean that yo&
not only %illed yo&r criminals2 yo& c&t their heads off5 4n p&blic5 =nd yo&
allo)ed children to see it56
37hey )ere a little more h&mane in Bngland26 ;&rton said. 367hey
h&ng the criminals56
3=t least the French permitted the people to be f&lly a)are that they
)ere spilling the blood of their criminals26 Monat said. 37he blood )as on
their hands. ;&t apparently this aspect did not occ&r to anyone. <ot
conscio&sly2 any)ay. So no)2 after ho) many years#sixty8three?#yo&
smo%e some marih&ana and yo& reli9e an incident )hich yo& had al)ays
belie9ed did not harm yo&. ;&t2 this time2 yo& recoil )ith horror. Jo&
screamed li%e a frightened child. Jo& reacted as yo& sho&ld ha9e reacted
)hen yo& )ere a child. 4 )o&ld say that the marih&ana d&g a)ay some
deep layers of repression and &nco9ered the horror that had been b&ried
there for sixty8three years.6
3Ierhaps26 ;&rton said. He stopped. 7here )as th&nder and
lightning in the distance. = min&te later2 a r&shing so&nd came2 and then
the patter of drops on the roof. 4t had rained abo&t this time last night2
abo&t three in the morning2 he )o&ld g&ess. =nd this second night2 it )as
raining abo&t the same time. 7he do)npo&r became hea9y2 b&t the roof
had been pac%ed tightly2 and no )ater dripped do)n thro&gh it. Some
)ater did2 ho)e9er2 come &nder the lic% )all2 )hich )as &phill. 4t spread
o&t o9er the floor b&t did not )et them2 since the grass and lea9es &nder
them formed a mat abo&t ten inches thic%. ;&rton tal%ed )ith Monat &ntil
the rain ceased approximately half an ho&r later. Monat fell asleepF KaAA
had ne9er a)a%ened. ;&rton tried to get bac% to sleep b&t co&ld not. He
had ne9er felt so alone2 and he )as afraid that he might slip bac% into the
nightmare. =fter a )hile2 he left the b&t and )al%ed to the one )hich
Wilfreda had chosen. He smelled the tobacco before he got to the door)ay.
7he tip of her cigarette glo)ed in the dar%. She )as a dim fig&re sitting
&pright in the pile of grass and lea9es.
3Hello26 she said. 34 )as hoping yo& )o&ld come.6
34t6s the instinct to o)n property26 ;&rton said.
34 do&bt that it6s an instinct in man6 Frigate said. Some people in the
6Q.6s#"EQ.6s2 that is#tried to demonstrate that man had an instinct )hich
they called the territorial imperati9e ;&t..6
34 li%e that phrase! 4t has a fine ring to it26 ;&rton said.
34 %ne) yo&6d li%e it26 Frigate said. 3;&t =rdrey and others tried to
pro9e that man not only had an instinct to claim a certain area of land as
his o)n2 he also )as descended from a %iller ape. =nd the instinct to %ill
)as still strong in his heritage from the %iller ape. Which explained national
bo&ndaries2 patriotism both national and local2 capitalism2 )ar2 m&rder2
crime2 and so forth. ;&t the other school of tho&ght2 or of the
temperamental inclination2 maintained that all these are the res&lts of
c&lt&re2 of the c&lt&ral contin&ity of societies dedicated from earliest times
to tribal hostilities2 to )ar2 to m&rder2 to crime2 and so forth. $hange the
c&lt&re2 and the %iller ape is missing. Missing beca&se he )as ne9er there2
li%e the little man on the stairs. 7he %iller )as the society2 and society bred
the ne) %illers o&t of e9ery batch of babies. ;&t there )ere some societiesF
composed of preliterates2 it is tr&e2 b&t still societies2 that did not breed
%illers. =nd they )ere proof that man )as not descended from a %iller ape.
Cr 4 sho&ld say2 he )as perhaps descended from the ape b&t he did not
carry the %illing genes any longer2 any more than he carried the genes for a
hea9y s&praorbital ridge of hairy s%in or thic% bones or a s%&ll )ith only Q5.
c&bic centimeters capacity.6
37hat is all 9ery interesting26 ;&rton said. 3We6ll go into the theory
more deeply at another time. Het me point o&t to yo&2 ho)e9er2 that almost
e9ery member of res&rrected h&manity comes from a c&lt&re )hich
enco&raged )ar and m&rder and crime and rape and robbery and
madness. 4t is these people among )hom )e are li9ing and )ith )hom )e
ha9e to deal. 7here may be a ne) generation some day. 4 don6t %no). 4t6s
too early to say2 since )e69e only been here for se9en days. ;&t2 li%e it or
not2 )e are in a )orld pop&lated by beings )ho >&ite oft act as if they )ere
%iller apes.6
34n the meantime2 let6s get bac% to o&r model.6 7hey )ere sitting on
bamboo stools before ;&rton6s h&t. Cn a little bamboo table in front of them
)as a model of a boat made from pine and bamboo. 4t had a do&ble h&ll
across the top of )hich )as a platform )ith a lo) railing is the center. 4t had
a single mast2 9ery tall2 )ith a fore8and8aft rig2 a balloon @ib sail2 and a
slightly raised bridge )ith a )heel. ;&rton and Frigate had &sed chert
%ni9es and the edge of the scissors to car9e the model of the catamaran.
;&rton had decided to name the boat2 )hen it )as b&ilt2 7he Had@i.
4t )o&ld be going on a pilgrimage2 tho&gh its goal )as not Mecca. He
intended to sail it &p 7he Mi9er as far as it )o&ld go. (;y no)2 the ri9er had
become 7he Mi9er.) 7he t)o had been tal%ing abo&t the territorial
imperati9e beca&se of some anticipated diffic&lties in getting the boat b&ilt.
;y no) the people in this area )ere some)hat settled. 7hey had sta%ed
o&t their property and constr&cted their d)ellings or )ere still )or%ing on
them. 7hese ranged all the )ay from lean8tos to relati9ely grandiose
b&ildings that )o&ld be made of bamboo logs and stone2 ha9e fo&r rooms2
and be t)o stories high. Most of them )ere near the grailstones along 7he
Mi9er and at the base of the mo&ntain. ;&rton6s s&r9ey2 completed t)o
days before2 res&lted in an estimate of abo&t +Q. to +Q" people per s>&are
mile. For e9ery s>&are mile of flat plain on each side of 7he Mi9er2 there
)ere approximately +.1 s>&are miles of hills. ;&t the hills )ere so high and
irreg&lar that their act&al inhabitable area )as abo&t nine s>&are miles. 4n
the three areas that he had st&died2 he fo&nd that abo&t one8third had b&ilt
their d)ellings close to the Mi9erside grailstone and one third aro&nd the
inland grailstones. 7)o h&ndred and sixty8one persons per s>&are mile
seemed li%e a hea9y pop&lation2 b&t the hills )ere so hea9ily )ooded and
con9ol&ted in topography that a small gro&p li9ing there co&ld feel isolated.
=nd the plain )as seldom cro)ded except at mealtimes2 beca&se the
plains people )ere in the )oods or fishing along the edge of 7he Mi9er.
Many )ere )or%ing on d&go&ts or bamboo boats )ith the idea of fishing in
the middle of 7he Mi9er. Cr2 li%e ;&rton2 of going exploring.
7he stands of bamboo had disappeared2 altho&gh it )as e9ident
that they )o&ld be >&ic%ly replaced. 7he bamboo had a phenomenal
gro)th. ;&rton estimated that a fifty8foot high plant co&ld gro) from start to
finish in ten days.
His gang had )or%ed hard and c&t do)n all they tho&ght they )o&ld
need for the boat. ;&t they )anted to %eep thie9es a)ay2 so they &sed
more )ood to erect a high fence. 7his )as being finished the same day
that the model )as completed. 7he tro&ble )as that they )o&ld ha9e to
b&ild the boat on the plain. 4t co&ld ne9er be gotten thro&gh the )oods and
do)n the 9ario&s hills if it )ere b&ilt on this site.
3Jeah2 b&t if )e mo9e o&t and set &p a ne) base2 )e6ll r&n into
opposition26 Frigate had said. 37here isn6t a s>&are inch of the high8grass
border that isn6t claimed. =s it is2 yo& ha9e to trespass to get to the plain.
So far2 nobody has tried to be hard8nosed abo&t their property rights2 b&t
this can change any day. =nd if yo& b&ild the ship a little bac% from the
high8grass border2 yo& can get it o&t of the )oods o%ay and bet)een the
h&ts. ;&t yo&6d ha9e to set &p a g&ard night and dayF other)ise yo&r st&ff
)ill be stolen. Cr destroyed. Jo& %no) these barbarians.6 He )as referring
to the h&ts )rec%ed )hile their o)ners )ere a)ay and to the fo&ling of the
pools belo) the cataract and the spring. He )as also referring to the highly
&nsanitary habits of many of the locals. 7hese )o&ld not &se the little
o&tho&ses p&t &p by 9ario&s people for the p&blic.
3We6ll erect ne) ho&ses and a boatyard as close to the border as
)e can get26 ;&rton said. 37hen )e6ll chop do)n any tree that gets in o&r
)ay and )e6ll ram o&r )ay past anybody )ho ref&ses &s right8of8)ay.6 4t
)as =lice )ho )ent do)n to some people )ho had h&ts on the border
bet)een the plain and the hills and tal%ed than into ma%ing a trade. She did
not tell anybody )hat she intended. She had %no)n of three co&ples )ho
)ere &nhappy )ith their location beca&se of lac% of pri9acy. 7hese made
an agreement and mo9ed into the h&ts of ;&rton6s gang on the 7)elfth :ay
after Mes&rrection2 on a 7h&rsday. ;y a generally agreed &pon con9ention2
S&nday2 the first2 )as Mes&rrection :ay. M&ach said he )o&ld prefer that
the first day be called Sat&rday2 or e9en better2 @&st First :ay. ;&t he )as in
an area predominately Gentile#or ex8Gentile (b&t once a Gentile al)ays a
Gentile) so he )o&ld go along )ith the others. M&ach had a bamboo stic%
on )hich he %ept co&nt of the days by notching it each morning. 7he stic%
)as dri9en into the gro&nd before his h&t.
7ransferring the l&mber far the boat too% fo&r days of hea9y )or%.
;y then2 the 4talian co&ples decided that they had had eno&gh of )or%ing
their fingers to the bone. =fter all2 )hy get on a boat and go some place
else )hen e9ery place )as probably @&st li%e this? 7hey had ob9io&sly
been raised from the dead so they co&ld en@oy themsel9es. Cther)ise2 )hy
the li>&or2 the cigarettes2 the marih&ana2 the dreamg&m2 and the n&dity?
7hey left )itho&t ill feelings on the part of anybodyF in fact2 they )ere gi9en
a going8a)ay party. 7he next day2 the t)entieth of Jear "2 =.M.2 t)o e9ents
occ&rred2 one of )hich sol9ed one p&AAle and the other of )hich added
one2 tho&gh it )as not 9ery important.
7he gro&p )ent across the plain to the grailstone at da)n. 7hey
fo&nd t)o ne) people near the grailstone2 both of them sleeping. 7hey
)ere easily aro&sed2 b&t they seemed alarmed and conf&sed. Cne )as a
tall bro)n8s%inned man )ho spo%e an &n%no)n lang&age. 7he other )as a
tall2 handsome2 )ell8m&scled man )ith gray eyes and blac% hair. His
speech )as &nintelligible &ntil ;&rton s&ddenly &nderstood that he )as
spea%ing Bnglish. 4t )as the $&mberland dialect of the Bnglish spo%en
d&ring the reign of King Bd)ard 42 sometimes called Hongshan%s. Cnce
;&rton and Frigate had mastered the so&nds and made certain
transpositions2 they )ere able to carry on a halting con9ersation )ith him.
Frigate had an extensi9e reading 9ocab&lary of Barly Middle Bnglish2 b&t
he had ne9er enco&ntered many of the )ords or certain grammatical
&sages.
Nohn de Greystoc% )as born in the manor of Greysto%e in the
$&mberland co&ntry. He had accompanied Bd)ard 4 into France )hen the
%ing in9aded Gascony. 7here he had disting&ished himself in arms2 if he
)as to be belie9ed. Hater2 he )as s&mmoned to Iarliament as ;aron
Graysto%e and then again )ent to the )ars in Gascony. He )as in the
retin&e of ;ishop =nthony ;ec2 Iatriarch of Ner&salem. 4n the +Dth and
+Eth years of Bd)ard6s reign2 he fo&ght against the Scots. He died in "-.52
)itho&t children2 b&t he settled his manor and barony on his co&sin2 Malph2
son of Hord Grimthorpe in Jor%shire.
He had been res&rrected some)here along 7he Mi9er among a
people abo&t ninety percent early fo&rteenth8cent&ry Bnglish and Scottish
and ten percent ancient Sybarites. 7he peoples across 7he Mi9er )ere a
mixt&re of Mongols of the time of K&bla Khan and some dar% people the
identity of )hich Greysto%e did not %no). His description fitted <orth
=merican 4ndians2 7he nineteenth day after Mes&rrection2 the sa9ages
across 7he Mi9er had attac%ed. =pparently they did so for no other reason
than they )anted a good fight2 )hich they got. 7he )eapons )ere mostly
stic%s and grails2 beca&se there )as little stone in the area. Nohn de
Greystoc% p&t ten Mongols o&t of commission )ith his grail and then )as
hit on the head )ith a roc% and stabbed )ith the fire8hardened tip of a
bamboo spear. He a)o%e2 na%ed2 )ith only his grail#or a grail#by this
grailstone.
7he other man told his story )ith signs and pantomime. He had
been fishing )hen his hoo% )as ta%en by something so po)erf&l8 that it
p&lled him into the )ater. $oming bac% &p2 he had str&c% his head on the
bottom of the boat and dro)ned.
7he >&estion of )hat happened to those )ho )ere %illed in the
afterlife )as ans)ered. Why they )ere not raised in the same area as in
)hich they died )as another >&estion.
7he second e9ent )as the fail&re of the grails to deli9er the
noonday meal. 4nstead2 crammed inside the cylinders )ere six cloths.
7hese )ere of 9ario&s siAes and of many different colors2 h&es2 and
patterns. Fo&r )ere ob9io&sly designed to be )orn as %ilts. 7hey co&ld be
fastened aro&nd the body )ith magnetic tabs inside the cloth. 7)o )ere of
thinner almost transparent material and ob9io&sly made as brassieres2
tho&gh they co&ld be2 &sed for other p&rposes. 7ho&gh the cloth )as soft
and absorbent2 it stood &p &nder the ro&ghest treatment and co&ld not be
c&t by the sharpest chert or bamboo %nife.
Man%ind ga9e a collecti9e )hoop of delight on finding these
3to)els.6 7ho&gh men and )omen had by then become acc&stomed2 or at
least resigned2 to n&dity2 the more aesthetic and the less adaptable had
fo&nd the &ni9ersal spectacle of h&man genitalia &nbea&tif&l or e9en
rep&lsi9e. <o)2 they had %ilts and e9en bras and t&rbans. 7he latter )ere
&sed to co9er &p their heads )hile their hair )as gro)ing bac% in. Hater2
t&rbans became a c&stomary headgear.
Hair )as ret&rning e9ery)here except on the face.
;&rton )as bitter abo&t this. He had al)ays ta%en pride in his long
mo&stachios and for%ed beardF he claimed that their absence made him
feel more na%ed than the lac% of tro&sers.
Wilfreda had la&ghed and said2 346m glad they6re gone. 469e al)ays
hated hair on men6s faces. Kissing a man )ith a beard )as li%e stic%ing my
face in a b&nch of bro%en bedsprings.6
"-
Sixty days had passed. 7he boat had been p&shed across the plain
on big bamboo rollers. 7he day of the la&nching had arri9ed. 7he Had@i )as
abo&t8forty feet long and essentially consisted of t)o sharp8pro)ed
bamboo h&lls fastened together )ith a platform2 a bo)sprit )ith a balloon
sail and a single mast2 fore8and8aft rigged2 )ith sails of )o9en bamboo
fibers. 4t )as steered by a great oar of pine2 since a r&dder and steering
)heel )ere not practicable. 7heir only material for ropes at this time )as
the grass2 tho&gh it )o&ld not be long before leather ropes )o&ld be made
from the tanned s%in and entrails of some of the larger ri9erfish. = d&go&t
fashioned by KaAA from a pine log )as tied do)n to the foredec%.
;efore they co&ld get it into the )ater2 KaAA made some diffic&lties.
;y no)2 he co&ld spea% a 9ery bro%en and limited Bnglish and some oaths
in =rabic2 ;al&chi2 S)ahili2 and 4talian2 all learned from ;&rton.
3M&st need .. . )acha call it? ... )allah5 . .. )hat it )ord? ... %ill
somebody before place boat on ri9er ... yo& %no) ... merda . . . need )ord2
;&rton8na> . . . yo& gi9e2 ;&rton8na> . . . )ord ... )ord ... %ill man so god2
Kabb&r>ana>r&ebemss ...)ater god ... no sin% boat ... get angry ... dro)n
&s ... eat &s.6
3Sacrifice?6 ;&rton said.
3Many bloody than%s2 ;&rton8na>. Sacrifice5 $&t throat . . . p&t on
boat ... r&b it on )ood ... then )ater god not mad at &s...6
6We don6t do that26 ;&rton said.
KaAA arg&ed b&t finally agreed to get on the boat. His face )as
long2 and he loo%ed 9ery ner9o&s. ;&rton2 to ease him2 told him that this
)as not Barth. 4t )as a different )orld2 as he co&ld see at a >&ic% glance
aro&nd him and especially at the stars. 7he gods did not li9e in this 9alley.
KaAA listened and smiled2 b&t he still loo%ed as if he expected to see the
hideo&s green8bearded face and b&lging fishy eyes of
Kabb&r>ana>r&ebemss rising from the depths.
7he plain )as cro)ded aro&nd the boat that morning. B9erybody
)as there for many miles aro&nd2 since anything o&t of the &s&al )as
entertainment. 7hey sho&ted and la&ghed or @o%ed. 7ho&gh some of the
comments )ere derisi9e2 all )ere in good h&mor. ;efore the boat )as
rolled off the ban% into 7he Mi9et2 ;&rton stood &p on its 3bridge26 a slightly
raised platform2 and held &p his hand for silence. 7he cro)d6s chatter died
a)ay2 and he spo%e in 4talian.
3Fello) laAari2 friends2 d)ellers in the 9alley of the Iromised Hand5
We lea9e yo& in a fe) min&tes...6
34f the boat doesn6t capsiAe56 Frigate m&ttered.
3. . . to go &p 7he Mi9er2 against the )ind and the c&rrent. We ta%e
the diffic&lt ro&te beca&se the diffic&lt al)ays yields the greatest re)ard2 if
yo& belie9e )hat the moralists on Barth told &s2 and yo& %no) no) ho)
m&ch to belie9e them56 Ha&ghter. With sco)ls here and there from die8hard
religion8ists.
3Cn Barth2 as some of yo& may %no)2 4 once led an expedition into
deepest and dar%est =frica to find the head)aters of the <ile. 4 did not find
them2 tho&gh 4 came close2 and 4 )as cheated o&t of the re)ards by a man
)ho o)ed e9erything to me2 a Mister Nohn Hanning Spe%e. 4f 4 sho&ld
enco&nter him on my @o&rney &pri9er2 4 )ill %no) ho) to deal )ith him...6
3Good God56 Frigate said. 3Wo&ld yo& ha9e him %ill himself again
)ith remorse and shame?6
3. . . b&t the point is that this Mi9er may be one far far greater than
any <ile2 )hich as yo& may or may not %no)2 )as the longest ri9er on
Barth2 despite the erroneo&s claims of =mericans for their =maAon and
Misso&ri8Mississippi completes. Some of yo& ha9e as%ed )hy )e sho&ld
set o&t for a goal that lies )e %no) not ho) far a)ay or that might not e9en
exist. 4 )ill tell yo& that )e are setting sail beca&se the Gn%no)n exists end
)e )o&ld ma%e it the Kno)n. 7hat6s all5 =nd here2 contrary to o&r sad and
fr&strating experience on Barth2 money is not re>&ired to o&tfit &s or to
%eep &s going. King $ash is dead2 and good riddance to him5 <or do )e
ha9e to fill o&t h&ndreds of petitions and forms and beg a&diences of
infl&ential people and minor b&rea&crats to get permission to pass &p 7he
Mi9er. 7here are no national borders. .
3. . . as yet6 Frigate said.
3.. . nor passports re>&ired nor officials to bribe. We @&st b&ild a boat
)itho&t ha9ing to obtain a license2 and )e sail off )itho&t a by8yo&r lea9e
from any m&c%8a8m&c%2 high2 middle2 or lo).
We are free for the first time in man6s history. Free5 =nd so )e bid
yo& adie&2 for 4 )ill not say goodbye. .6
3. . . yo& ne9er )o&ld26 Frigate m&ttered.
3. . . beca&se )e may be bac% a tho&sand years or so from no)5 So
4 say adie&2 the cre) says adie&2 )e than% yo& for yo&r help in b&ilding the
boat and for yo&r help in la&nching &s. 4 hereby hand o9er my position as
Her ;ritish Ma@esty6s $ons&l at 7rieste to )home9er )ishes to accept it and
declare myself to be a free citiAen of the )orld of 7he Mi9er5 4 )ill pay
trib&te to none2 o)e fealty to noneF to myself only )ill 4 be tr&e56
6:o )hat thy manhood bids thee do2 from none b&t self expect
appla&se.6
3He noblest li9es and noblest dies )ho ma%es and %eeps his self8
made la)s26 Frigate chanted.
;&rton glanced at the =merican b&t did not stop his speech. Frigate
)as >&oting lines from ;&rton6s poem2 7he Kasidah of Ha@i =bd& =lJaAdi. 4t
)as not the first time that he had >&oted from ;&rton6s prose or poetry. =nd
tho&gh ;&rton sometimes fo&nd the =merican to be irritating2 he co&ld not
become too angry at a man )ho had admired him eno&gh to memoriAe his
)ords.
= fe) min&tes later2 )hen the boat )as p&shed into the Mi9er by
some men and )omen2 and the cro)d )as cheering2 Frigate >&oted him
again. He loo%ed at the tho&sands of handsome yo&ths by the )aters2 their
s%ins bronAed by the s&n2 their %ilts and bras and t&rbans )ind8mo9ed and
colorf&l2 and he said2
6=h5 gay the day )ith shine of s&n2 and bright the breeAe2 and blithe
the throng 3Met an the Mi9er8ban% to play2 )hen 4 )as yo&ng2 )hen 4 )as
yo&ng.6
7he boat slid o&t2 and its pro) )as t&rned by the )ind and the
c&rrent do)nstream2 b&t ;&rton sho&ted orders2 and the sails )ere p&lled
&p2 and he t&rned the great handle of the paddle so that the nose s)&ng
aro&nd and then they )ere beating to )ind)ard. 7he Had@i rose and fell in
the )a9es2 the )ater hissing as it )as c&t by the t)in pro)s. 7he s&n )as
bright and )arm2 the breeAe cooled them off2 they felt happy b&t also a little
anxio&s as the familiar ban%s and faces faded a)ay. 7hey had no maps nor
tra9elers6 tales to g&ide themF the )orld )o&ld be created )ith e9ery mile
for)ard.
7hat e9ening2 as they made their first beaching2 an incident
occ&rred that p&AAled ;&rton. KaAA had @&st stepped ashore among a
gro&p of c&rio&s people2 )hen he became 9ery excited. He began to @abber
in his nati9e tong&e and tried to seiAe a man standing near. 7he man fled
and )as >&ic%ly lost in the cro)d.
When as%ed by ;&rton )hat he )as doing2 KaAA said2 3He not
got ... &h ... )hacha call it? ... it ...6 and he pointed at his forehead. 7hen he
traced se9eral &nfamiliar symbols in the air. ;&rton meant to p&rs&e the
matter2 b&t =lice2 s&ddenly )ailing2 ran &p to a man. B9idently2 she had
tho&ght he )as a son )ho had been %illed in World War ". 7here )as
some conf&sion. =lice admitted that she had made a mista%e. ;y then2
other b&siness came &p. KaAA did not mention the matter again2 and
;&rton forgot abo&t it. ;&t he )as to remember.
Bxactly 1"5 days later2 they had passed +12E.. grailroc%s on the8
right ban% of 7he Mi9er. 7ac%ing2 r&nning against )ind and c&rrent2
a9eraging sixty miles a day2 stopping d&ring by day to charge their grails
and at night to sleep2 sometimes stopping all day so they co&ld stretch their
legs and tal% to others besides the cre)2 they had @o&rneyed +12E.. miles.
Cn Barth2 that distance )o&ld ha9e been abo&t once aro&nd the e>&ator. 4f
the Mississippi8Misso&ri2 <ile2 $ongo2 =maAon2 JangtAe2 (olga2 =m&r2
H)ang2 Hena2 and ,ambeAi had been p&t end to end to ma%e one great
ri9er2 it still )o&ld not ha9e been as long as that stretch of 7he Mi9er they
had passed. Jet the Mi9er )ent on and on2 ma%ing great bends2 )inding
bac% and forth. B9ery)here )ere the plains along the stream2 the tree8
co9ered hills behind2 and2 to)ering2 impassable2 &nbro%en2 the mo&ntain
range.
Cccasionally2 the plains narro)ed2 and the hills ad9anced to 7he
Mi9er8edge. Sometimes2 7he Mi9er )idened and became a la%e2 three
miles2 fi9e miles2 six miles across. <o) and then2 the line of the mo&ntains
c&r9ed in to)ard each other2 and the boat shot thro&gh canyons )here the
narro) passage forced the c&rrent to boil thro&gh and the s%y )as a bl&e
thread far far abo9e and the blac% )alls pressed in on them =ndF al)ays2
there )as h&man%ind. :ay and night2 men2 )omen2 and children thronged
the ban%s of 7he Mi9er and in the hills )ere more.
;y then2 the sailors recogniAed a pattern. H&manity had been
res&rrected along 7he Mi9er in a ro&gh chronological and national
se>&ence. 7he boat had passed by the area that held Slo9enes2 4talians2
and =&strians )ho had died in the last decade of the nineteenth cent&ry2
had passed by H&ngarians2 <or)egians2 Finns2 Gree%s2 =lbanians2 and
4rish. Cccasionally2 they p&t in at areas )hich held peoples from other
times and places. Cne )as a t)enty8mile stretch containing =&stralian
aborigines )ho had ne9er seen a B&ropean )hile on Barth. =nother
h&ndred8mile length )as pop&lated by 7ocharians (Hogh&6s people). 7hese
had li9ed aro&nd the time of $hrist in )hat later became $hinese
7&r%estan. 7hey represented the easternmost extension of 4ndo8B&ropean
spea%ers in ancient timesF their c&lt&re had flo&rished for a )hile2 then died
before the encroachment of the desert and in9asions of barbarians.
7hro&gh admittedly hasty and &ncertain s&r9eys2 ;&rton had
determined that each area )as2 in general2 comprised of abo&t Q. per cent
of a partic&lar nationality and cent&ry2 -. percent of some other people2
&s&ally from a different time2 and ". per cent from any time and place.
=ll men had a)a%ened from death circ&mcised. =ll )omen had
been res&rrected as 9irgins. For most )omen2 ;&rton commented2 this
state had not lasted beyond the first night on this planet.
So far2 they had neither seen nor heard of a pregnant )oman.
Whoe9er had placed them here m&st ha9e steriliAed them2 and )ith good
reason. 4f man%ind co&ld reprod&ce2 the Mi9er9alley )o&ld be @ammed solid
)ith bodies )ithin a cent&ry.
=t first2 there had seemed to be no animal life b&t man. <o) it )as
%no)n that se9eral species of )orms emerged from the soil at night. =nd
7he Mi9er contained at least a h&ndred species of fish2 ranging from
creat&res six inches long to the sperm )hale8siAed fish2 the 3ri9erdragon26
)hich li9ed on the bottom of 7he Mi9er a tho&sand feet do)n. Frigate said
that the animals )ere there for a good p&rpose. 7he fish sca9enged to
%eep 7he Mi9er )aters clean. Some types of )orm ate )aste matter and
corpses. Cther types ser9ed the normal f&nction of earth)orms.
G)enafra )as a little taller. =ll the children )ere gro)ing &p. Within
t)el9e years2 there )o&ld not be an infant or adolescent )ithin the 9alley2 if
conditions e9ery)here conformed to )hat the 9oyagers had so far seen.
;&rton2 thin%ing of this2 said to =lice2 37his Me9erend :odgson
friend of yo&rs2 the fello) )ho lo9ed only little girls. He6ll be in a fr&strating
sit&ation then2 )on6t he?6
3:odgson )as no per9ert26 Frigate said. 3;&t )hat abo&t those
)hose only sex&al ob@ects are children? What )ill they do )hen there are
no more children? =nd )hat )ill those )ho got their %ic%s by mistreating or
tort&ring animals do? Jo& %no)2 469e regretted the absence of animals. 4
lo9e cats and dogs2 bears2 elephants2 most animals. <ot mon%eys2 they6re
too m&ch li%e h&mans. ;&t 46m glad they6re not here. 7hey can6t be ab&sed
no). =ll the poor helpless animals )ho )ere in pain or going h&ngry or
thirsty beca&se of some tho&ghtless or 9icio&s h&man being. <ot no).6
He patted G)enafra6s blonde hair2 )hich )as almost six inches
long.
34 felt m&ch the same abo&t the helpless and ab&sed little ones2
too.6
3What %ind of a )orld is it that doesn6t ha9e children26 =lice said.
3For that matter2 )hat %ind )itho&t animals? 4f they can6t be mistreated or
ab&sed any more2 they can6t be petted and lo9ed.6
3Cne thing balances o&t another in this )orld26 ;&rton said. 3Jo&
can6t ha9e lo9e )itho&t hate2 %indness )itho&t malice2 peace )itho&t )ar. 4n
any e9ent2 )e don6t ha9e a choice in the matter. 7he in9isible Hords of this
)orld ha9e decreed that )e do not ha9e animals and that )omen no longer
bear children. So be it.6
7he morning of the 1"Qth day of their @o&rney )as li%e e9ery
morning. 7he s&n had risen abo9e the top of the range on their left. 7he
)ind from Gp Mi9er )as an estimated fifteen miles per ho&r2 as al)ays. 7he
)armth rose steadily )ith the s&n and )o&ld reach the estimated D5
degrees Fahrenheit at approximately + in the afternoon. 7he catamaran
7he Had@i2 tac%ed bac% and forth. ;&rton stood on the 3bridge6 )ith both
hands on the long thic% pine tiller on his right2 )hile the )ind and the s&n
beat on his dar%ly tanned s%in. He )ore a scarlet and blac% chec%ed %ilt
reaching almost to his %nees and a nec%lace made of the con9ol&ted shiny8
blac% 9ertebrae of the hornfish. 7his )as a six8foot long fish )ith a six8inch
long horn that pro@ected &nicorn8li%e from its forehead. 7he hornfish li9ed
abo&t a h&ndred feet belo) the s&rface and )as bro&ght in on a line )ith
diffic&lty. ;&t its 9ertebrae made bea&tif&l nec%laces2 its s%in2 properly
tanned2 made sandals and armor and shields or co&ld be )or%ed into
to&gh pliable ropes and belts. 4ts flesh )as delicio&s. ;&t the horn )as the
most 9al&able item. 4t tipped spears or arro)s or )ent into a )ood handle
to ma%e a stiletto.
Cn a stand near him2 encased in the transparent bladder of a fish2
)as a bo). 4t )as made of the c&r9ed bones protr&ding from the sides of
the mo&th of the )hale8siAed dragonfish. When the ends of each had been
c&t so that one fitted into the other2 a do&ble rec&r9ed bo) )as the res&lt.
Fitted )ith a string from the g&t of the dragonfish2 this made a bo) that only
a 9ery po)erf&l man co&ld f&lly dra). ;&rton had r&n across one forty days
ago and offered its o)ner forty cigarettes2 ten cigars2 and thirty o&nces of
)his%ey for it. 7he offer )as t&rned do)n. So ;&rton and KaAA came bac%
late that night and stole the bo). Cr2 rather2 made a trade2 since ;&rton felt
compelled to lea9e his ye) bo) in exchange.
Since then2 he had rationaliAed that he had e9ery right to steal the
bo). 7he o)ner had boasted that he had m&rdered a man to get the bo).
So ta%ing it from him )as ta%ing it from a thief and a %iller. <e9ertheless2
;&rton s&ffered from thr&sts of conscience )hen he tho&ght abo&t it2 )hich
)as not often.
;&rton too% 7he Had@i bac% and forth across the narro)ing channel.
For abo&t fi9e miles2 7he Mi9er had )idened o&t to a three and a half mile
broad la%e2 and no) it )as forming into a narro) channel less than half a
mile across. 7he channel c&r9ed and disappeared bet)een the )alls of a
canyon.
7here the boat )o&ld creep along beca&se it )o&ld be b&c%ing an
accelerated c&rrent and the space allo)ed for tac%ing )as so limited. ;&t
he had been thro&gh similar straits many times and so )as not
apprehensi9e abo&t this. Still2 e9ery time it happened2 he co&ld not help
thin%ing of the boat as being reborn. 4t passed from a la%e2 a )omb2
thro&gh a tight opening and o&t into another la%e. 4t )as a b&rsting of
)aters in many )ays2 and there )as al)ays the chance of a fab&lo&s
ad9ent&re2 of a re9elation2 on the other side.
7he catamaran t&rned a)ay from a grailstone2 only t)enty yards
off. 7here )ere many people on the right8side plain2 )hich )as only half a
mile across here. 7hey sho&ted at tie boat or )a9ed or shoo% their fists or
sho&ted obscenities2 &nheard b&t &nderstood by ;&rton beca&se of so
many experiences. ;&t they did not seem hostileF it )as @&st that strangers
)ere al)ays greeted by the locals in a 9aried manner. 7he locals here )ere
a short2 dar%8s%inned2 dar%8haired2 thin8bodied people. 7hey spo%e a
lang&age that Moach said )as probably proto Hamite8Semitic. 7hey had
li9ed on Barth some)here in <orth =frica or Mesopotamia )hen those
co&ntries had been m&ch more fertile. 7hey )ore the to)els as %ilts b&t the
)omen )ent bare8breasted and &sed the 3bras6 as nec%scarfs or t&rbans.
7hey occ&pied the right ban% for sixty grailstones2 that is2 sixty miles. 7he
people before them had been str&ng o&t for eighty grailstones and had2
been tenth8cent&ry =.:. $eylonese )ith a minority of pre8$olombian
Mayans.
37he mixing bo)l of 7ime26 Frigate called the distrib&tion of
h&manity. 37he greatest anthropological and social experiment e9er.6 His
statements )ere not too far8fetched. 4t did loo% as if the 9ario&s peoples
had been mixed &p so that they might learn something from each other. 4n
some cases2 the alien gro&ps had managed to create 9ario&s social
l&bricants and li9ed in relati9e amity. 4n other cases2 there )as a sla&ghter
of one side by the other2 or a m&t&al near8extermination2 or sla9ery2 of the
defeated.
For some time2 after the res&rrection2 anarchy had been the &s&al
r&le. Ieople had 3milled aro&nd6 and formed little gro&ps for defense in 9ery
small areas. 7hen the nat&ral leaders and po)er see%ers had come to the
front2 and the nat&ral follo)ers had lined &p behind the leaders of their
choice#or the leaders6 choice2 in many cases.
Cne of the se9eral political systems that had res&lted )as that of
3grail sla9ery.6 = dominant gro&p in an area held the )ea%er prisoners. 7hey
ga9e the sla9e eno&gh to eat beca&se the grail of a dead sla9e became
&seless. ;&t they too% the cigarettes2 the cigars2 the marih&ana2 the
dreamg&m2 the li>&or2 and the tastier food.
=t least thirty times2 7he Had@i had started to p&t into a grailstone
and had come close to being seiAed by grail sla9ers. ;&t ;&rton and the
others )ere on the alert for signs of sla9e states. <eighboring states often
)arned them. 7)enty times2 boats had p&t o&t to intercept them instead of
trying to l&re them ashore2 and the Had@i had narro)ly escaped being r&n
do)n or boarded. Fi9e times2 ;&rton had been forced to t&rn bac% and sail
do)nstream. His catamaran had al)ays o&tr&n the p&rs&ers2 )ho )ere
rel&ctant to chase him o&tside their borders. 7hen the Had@i had snea%ed
bac% at night and sailed past the sla9ers.
= n&mber of times2 7he Had@i had been &nable to p&t into shore
beca&se the sla9e states occ&pied both ban%s for 9ery long stretches.
7hen the cre) )ent on half8rations2 or2 if they )ere l&c%y2 ca&ght eno&gh
fish to fill their bellies.
7he proto8Hamite8Semites of this area had been friendly eno&gh
after they )ere ass&red that the cre) of 7he Had@i had no e9il intentions.
=n eighteenth8cent&ry M&sco9ite had )arned them that there )ere sla9e
states on the other side of the channel. He did not %no) too m&ch abo&t
them beca&se of the precipito&s mo&ntains. = fe) boats had sailed thro&gh
the channel and almost none had ret&rned. 7hose that did bro&ght ne)s of
e9il men on the other side.
So the Had@i )as loaded )ith bamboo shoots2 dried fish2 and
s&pplies sa9ed o9er a period of t)o )ee%s from the grails.
7here )as still abo&t half an ho&r before the strait )o&ld be
entered. ;&rton %ept half his mind on his sailing and half on the cre). 7hey
)ere spra)led on the foredec%2 ta%ing in the s&n or else sitting )ith their
bac%s against the roofed coaming )hich they called the 3fo6c6sle6
Nohn de Greystoc% )as affixing the thin car9ed bones of a hornfish
to the b&tt of an arro). 7he bones ser9ed >&ite )ell as feathers in a )orld
)here birds did not exist. Greystoc%2 or Hord Greysto%e2 as Frigate insisted
on calling him for some pri9ate self8am&sing reason2 )as a good man in a
fight or )hen hard )or% )as needed. He )as an interesting2 if almost
&nbelie9ably 9&lgar2 tal%er2 f&ll of anecdotes of the campaigns in Gascony
and on the border2 of his con>&ests of )omen2 of gossip abo&t Bd)ard
Hongshan%s2 and of co&rse2 of information abo&t his times. ;&t he )as also
9ery hard8headed and narro)8minded in many things#from the 9ie)point
of a later age and not o9erly clean. He claimed to ha9e been 9ery de9o&t in
Barthlife2 and he probably told the tr&th2 other)ise2 he )o&ld not ha9e been
honored by being attached to the retin&e of the Iatriarch of Ner&salem. ;&t2
no) that his faith had been discredited2 he hated priests. =nd he )as apt to
dri9e any he met into a f&ry )ith his scorn2 hoping that they )o&ld attac%
him. Some did2 and he came close to %illing them. ;&rton had ca&tio&sly
reprimanded him for this (yo& did not spea% harshly to de Greystoc% &nless
yo& )ished to fight to the death )ith him)2 pointing o&t that )hen they )ere
g&ests in a strange land2 and immensely o&tn&mbered by their hosts2 they
sho&ld act as g&ests. :e Greystoc% admitted that ;&rton )as right2 b&t he
co&ld not %eep from baiting e9ery priest he met. Fort&nately2 they )ere not
often in areas )here there )ere $hristian priests. Moreo9er2 there )ere
9ery fe) of these )ho admitted that they had been s&ch.
;eside him2 tal%ing earnestly2 )as his c&rrent )oman2 born Mary
M&therford in "Q-P2 died Hady War)ic%shire in "QP1. She )as Bnglish b&t
of an age -.. years later than his2 so there )ere many differences in their
attit&des and actions. ;&rton did not gi9e them m&ch longer to stay
together.
KaAA )as spra)led o&t on the dec% )ith his head in the lap of
Fatima2 a 7&r%ish )oman )hom the <eanderthal had met forty days ago
d&ring a l&nch stop. Fatima2 as Frigate had said2 seemed to be 3h&ng &p on
hair.6 7hat )as his explanation for the obsession of the se9enteenth8cent&ry
)ife of a ba%er of =n%ara for KaAA. She fo&nd e9erything abo&t him
stim&lating b&t it )as the hairiness that sent her into ecstasies. B9erybody
)as pleased abo&t this2 most of all KaAA. He had not seen a single female
of his o)n species d&ring their long trip2 tho&gh he had heard abo&t some.
Most )omen shied a)ay from him beca&se of his hairy and br&tish
appearance. He had had no permanent female companionship &ntil he met
Fatima.
Hittle He9 M&ach )as leaning against the for)ard b&l%head of the
fo6c6sle2 )here he )as ma%ing a slingshot from the leather of a hornfish. =
bag by his side contained abo&t thirty stones pic%ed &p d&ring the last
t)enty days. ;y his side2 tal%ing s)iftly2 incessantly exposing her long )hite
teeth2 )as Bsther Modrig&eA. She had replaced 7anya2 )ho had been
henpec%ing He9 before the Had@i set off. 7anya )as a 9ery attracti9e and
petite )oman b&t she seemed &nable to %eep from 3remodeling6 her menF
He9 fo&nd o&t that she had 3remodeled6 her father and &ncle and t)o
brothers and t)o h&sbands. She tried to do the same for2 or to2 He92 &s&ally
in a lo&d 9oice so that other males in the neighborhood co&ld benefit by her
ad9ice. Cne day2 @&st as 7he Had@i )as abo&t to sail2 He9 had @&mped
aboard2 t&rned2 and said2 3Goodbye2 7anya. 4 can6t stand any more
reforming from 7he ;igmo&th from the ;ronx. Find somebody elseF
somebody that6s perfect.6 7anya had gasped2 t&rned )hite2 and then started
screaming at He9. She still )as screaming2 @&dging by her mo&th2 long after
7he Had@i had sailed o&t of earshot. 7he others la&ghed and congrat&lated
He92 b&t he only smiled sadly. 7)o )ee%s later2 in an area predominantly
ancient Hibyan2 he met Bsther2 a fifteenth8cent&ry Sephardic Ne)ess.
3Why don6t yo& try yo&r l&c% )ith a Gentile?6 Frigate had said.
He9 had shr&gged his narro) sho&lders. 34 ha9e. ;&t sooner or later
yo& get into a big fight2 and they lose their temper and call yo& a goddam
%i%e. 7he same thing also happens )ith my Ne)ish )omen2 b&t from them 4
can ta%e it.6
3Histen2 friend26 the =merican said. 37here are billions of Gentiles
along this ri9er )ho69e ne9er heard of a Ne). 7hey can6t be pre@&diced. 7ry
one of them.6
346ll stic% to the e9il 4 %no).6
3Jo& mean yo&6re st&c% to it26 Frigate said.
;&rton sometimes )ondered )hy M&ach stayed )ith the boat. He
had ne9er made any more references to 7he Je)2 7he Gypsy2 and Bl
4slam2 tho&gh he often >&estioned ;&rton abo&t other aspects of his past.
He )as friendly eno&gh b&t had a certain indefinable reser9e. 7ho&gh
small2 he )as a good man in a fight and he had been in9al&able in teaching
;&rton @&do2 %arate2 and @&%ado. His sadness2 )hich h&ng abo&t him li%e a
thin mist e9en )hen he )as la&ghing2 or ma%ing lo9e2 according to 7anya2
came from mental scars. 7hese res&lted from his terrible experiences in
concentration camps in Germany and M&ssia2 or so he claimed. 7anya had
said that He9 )as born sadF he inherited all the genes of sorro) from the
time )hen his ancestors sat do)n by the )illo)s of ;abylon.
Monat )as another case of sadness2 tho&gh he co&ld come o&t of it
f&lly at times. 7he 7a& $etan %ept loo%ing for one of his o)n %ind2 for one of
the thirty males and females )ho had bees tom apart by the lynch mob. He
did not gi9e himself m&ch chance. 7hirty in an estimated thirty8fi9e to thirty8
six billion str&ng o&t along a ri9er that co&ld be ten million miles long made
it improbable that he )o&ld e9er see e9en one. ;&t there )as hope.
=lice Hargrea9es )as sitting for)ard of the fo6c6sle2 only the top of
her head in his 9ie)2 and loo%ing at the people on the ban%s )hene9er the
boat got close eno&gh for her to ma%e o&t indi9id&al faces. She )as
searching for her h&sband2 Meginald2 and also for her three sons and for
her mother and father and her sisters and brothers. For any dear familiar
face. 7he implications )ere that she )o&ld lea9e the boat as soon as this
happened. ;&rton had not commented on this. ;&t he felt a pain in his
chest )hen he tho&ght of it. He )ished that she )o&ld lea9e and yet he did
not )ish it. 7o get her o&t of sight )o&ld e9ent&ally be to get her o&t of his
mind. 4t )as ine9itable. ;&t he did not )ant the ine9itable. He felt for her as
he had for his Iersian lo9e2 and to lose her2 too2 )o&ld be to s&ffer the
same long8li9ed tort&re.
Jet he had ne9er said a )ord abo&t ho) he felt to her. He tal%ed to
her2 @ested )ith her2 sho)ed her a concern that he fo&nd galling beca&se
she did not ret&rn it2 and2 in the end2 got her to relax )hen )ith him. 7hat
is2 she )o&ld relax if there )ere others aro&nd. When they )ere alone2 she
tightened &p.
She had ne9er &sed the dreamg&m since that first night. He had
&sed it for a third time and then hoarded his share and traded it for other
items. 7he last time he had che)ed it2 )ith the hope of an &n&s&ally
ecstatic lo9ema%ing )ith Wilfreda2 he had been pl&nged bac% into the
horrible sic%ness of the 3little irons26 the sic%ness that had almost %illed him
d&ring his expedition to Ha%e 7anganyi%a. Spe%e had been in the
nightmare2 and he had %illed Spe%e. Spe%e had died in a h&nting 3accident6
)hich e9erybody had tho&ght )as a s&icide e9en if they had not said so.
Spe%e2 tormented by remorse beca&se he had betrayed ;&rton2 had shot
himself. ;&t in the nightmare2 he had strangled Spe%e )hen Spe%e bent
o9er to as% him ho) he )as. 7hen2 @&st as the 9ision faded2 he had %issed
Spe%e6s dead lips.
"1
Well2 he had %no)n that he had lo9ed Spe%e at the same time that
he hated him2 @&stifiably hated him. ;&t the %no)ledge of his lo9e had been
9ery fleeting and infre>&ent and it had not affected him. :&ring the
dreamg&m nightmare2 he had felt so horrified at the realiAation that lo9e lay
far beneath his hate that he had screamed. He a)a%ened to find Wilfreda
sha%ing him2 demanding to %no) )hat had happened. Wilfreda had
smo%ed opi&m or dr&n% it in her beer )hen on Barth2 b&t here2 after one
session )ith dreamg&m2 she had been afraid to che) any more. Her horror
came from seeing again the death of a yo&nger sister from t&berc&losis
and2 at the same time2 reli9ing her first experience as a )hore.
34t6s a strange psychedelic26 M&ach had told ;&rton. He had
explained )hat the )ord meant. 7he disc&ssion abo&t that had gone on for
a long time. 34t seems to bring &p tra&matic incidents in a mixt&re of reality
and symbolism. <ot al)ays. Sometimes it6s an aphrodisiac. Sometimes2 as
they said2 it ta%es yo& on a bea&tif&l trip. ;&t 4 )o&ld g&ess that dreamg&m
has been pro9ided &s for therape&tic2 if not cathartic2 reasons. 4t6s &p to &s
to find o&t @&st ho) to &se it.6
3Why don6t yo& che) it more often?6 Frigate had said.
3For the same reason that some people ref&sed to go into
psychotherapy or >&it before they )ere thro&ghF 46m afraid.6
3Jeah2 me2 too26 Frigate said. 3;&t some day2 )hen )e stop off
some place for a long time2 46m going to che) a s&c% e9ery night2 so help
me. B9en if it scares hell o&t of me. Cf co&rse2 that6s easy to say no).6
Ieter Nair&s Frigate had been born only t)enty8eight years after ;&rton
had diedF yet the )orld bet)een them )as )ide. 7hey sa) so many things
so differentlyF they )o&ld ha9e arg&ed 9iolently if Frigate )as able to arg&e
9iolently. <ot on matters of discipline in the gro&p or in r&nning the boat.
;&t on so many matters of loo%ing at the )orld.
Jet2 in many )ays2 Frigate )as m&ch li%e ;&rton2 and it may ha9e
been this that had ca&sed him to be so fascinated by ;&rton on Barth.
Frigate had pic%ed &p in "E-D a soft8co9er boo% by Fairfax :o)ney titled
;&rton! =rabian <ights6 =d9ent&rer. 7he front page ill&stration )as of
;&rton at the age of fifty2 7he sa9age fateF the high bro) and prominent
s&praorbital ridges2 the hea9y blac% bro)s2 the straight b&t harsh nose2 the
great scar on his chee%2 the thic% 3sens&al6 lips2 the hea9y do)ndrooping
mo&stache2 the hea9y for%ed beard2 the essential broodingness and
aggressi9eness of the face2 had ca&sed him to b&y the boo%.
346d ne9er heard of yo& before2 :ic%26 Frigate said. 3;&t 4 read the
boo% at once and )as fascinated. 7here )as something abo&t yo&2 aside
from the ob9io&s daring8do of yo&r life2 yo&r s)ordsmanship2 mastery of
many lang&ages2 disg&ises as a nati9e doctor2 nati9e merchantman2 as a
pilgrim to Mecca2 the first B&ropean to get o&t of the sacred city of Harar
ali9e2 disco9erer of Ha%e 7anganyi%a and near8disco9erer of the so&rce of
the <ile2 co8fo&nder of the Moyal =nthropological Society2 in9entor of the
term BSI2 translator of the =rabian <ights2 st&dent of the sex&al practices
of the Bast2 and so forth...
3=side from all this2 fascinating eno&gh in itself2 yo& had a special
affinity for me. 4 )ent to the p&blic library#Ieoria )as a small city b&t had
many boo%s on yo& and abo&t yo&2 donated by some admirer of yo&rs
)ho6d passed on#and 4 read these. 7hen 4 started to collect first editions
by yo& and abo&t yo&. 4 became a fiction )riter e9ent&ally2 b&t 4 planned to
)rite a h&ge definiti9e biography of yo&2 tra9el e9ery)here yo& had been2
ta%e photographs and notes of these places2 fo&nd a society to collect
f&nds for the preser9ation of yo&r tomb...6
7his )as the first time Frigate had mentioned his tomb. ;&rton2
startled2 said2 3Where?6 7hen2 3Ch2 of co&rse5 Mortla%e5 46d forgotten5 Was
the tomb really in the form of an =rab tent2 as 4sabel and 4 had planned?6
3S&re. ;&t the cemetery )as s)allo)ed &p in a sl&m2 the tomb )as
defaced by 9andals2 there )ere )eeds &p to yo&r foc&s and tal% of mo9ing
the bodies to a more remote section of Bngland2 tho&gh by then it )as hard
to find a really remote section.6
3=nd did yo& fo&nd yo&r society and preser9e my tomb?6 ;&rton
said.
He had gotten &sed to the idea by then of ha9ing been dead2 b&t to
tal% )ith someone )ho had seen his tomb made his s%in chill for a
moment.
Frigate too% a deep breath. =pologetically2 he said2 3<o. ;y the time
4 )as in a position to do that2 4 )o&ld ha9e felt g&ilty spending time and
money on the dead. 7he )orld )as in too m&ch of a mess. 7he li9ing
needed all the attention they co&ld get. Ioll&tion2 po9erty2 oppression2 and
so forth. 7hese )ere the important things.6
3=nd that giant definiti9e biography?6
=gain2 Frigate spo%e apologetically. 3When 4 first read abo&t yo&2 4
tho&ght 4 )as the only one deeply interested in yo& or e9en a)are of yo&.
;&t there )as an &ps&rge of interest in yo& in the 6Q.6s. L&ite a fe) boo%s
)ere )ritten abo&t yo& and e9en one abo&t yo&r )ife.6
64sabel? Someone )rote a boo% abo&t her? Why?6
Frigate had grinned. 3She )as a pretty interesting )oman. (ery
aggra9ating2 46ll admit2 pitif&lly s&perstitio&s and schiAophrenic and self8
fooling. (ery fe) )o&ld e9er forgi9e her for b&rning yo&r man&scripts and
yo&r @o&rnals...6
3What?6 ;&rton had roared. 3;&rn . . .?6
Frigate nodded and said2 3What yo&r doctor2 Grenfell ;a%er2
described as Sthe r&thless holoca&st that follo)ed his lamented death.S She
b&rned yo&r translation of 7he Ierf&med Garden2 claiming yo& )o&ld not
ha9e )anted to p&blish it &nless yo& needed the money for it2 and yo&
didn6t need it2 of co&rse2 beca&se yo& )ere no) dead.6 ;&rton )as
speechless for one of the fe) times in his life.
Frigate loo%ed o&t of the corner of his eyes at ;&rton2 and grinned.
He seemed to be en@oying ;&rton6s distress.
3;&rning 7he Ierf&med Garden )asn6t so bad2 tho&gh bad eno&gh.
;&t to b&rn both sets of yo&r @o&rnals2 the pri9ate ones in )hich2
s&pposedly2 yo& let loose all yo&r deepest tho&ghts and most b&nting
hates2 and e9en the p&blic ones2 the diary of daily e9ents2 )ell2 4 ne9er
forga9e her5 <either did a lot of people. 7hat )as a great lossF only one of
yo&r noteboo%s2 a small one2 escaped2 and that )as b&rned d&ring the
bombing of Hondon in World War 4H6 He pa&sed and said2 34s it tr&e that yo&
con9erted to the $atholic $h&rch on yo&r deathbed2 as yo&r )ife claimed?6
64 may ha9e26 ;&rton said. 64sabel had been after me for years to
con9ert2 tho&gh she ne9er dared &rge me directly. When 4 )as so sic%
there2 at the last2 4 may ha9e told her 4 )o&ld do so in order to ma%e her
happy. She )as so grief8stric%en2 so distressed2 so afraid my so&l )o&ld
b&rn in Hell.6
37hen yo& did lo9e her?6 Frigate had said.
34 Wo&ld ha9e done the same for a dog26 ;&rton replied.
3For somebody )ho can be so &psettingly fran% and direct yo& can
be 9ery ambig&o&s at times.6 7his con9ersation had ta%en place abo&t t)o
months after First :ay2 =.M. ". 7he res&lt had been something li%e that
)hich :octor Nohnson )o&ld ha9e felt on enco&ntering another ;os)ell.
7his had been the second stage of their c&rio&s relationship.
Frigate became closer b&t at the same time2 more of an annoyance. 7he
=merican had al)ays been restrained in his comments on ;&rton6s
attit&des2 &ndo&btedly beca&se he did not )ant to anger him. Frigate made
a 9ery conscio&s effort not to anger anybody. ;&t he also made
&nconscio&s efforts to antagoniAe them. His hostilities came o&t in many
s&btle2 and some not so s&btle2 actions and )ords. ;&rton did not li%e this.
He )as direct2 not at all afraid of anger. Ierhaps2 as Frigate pointed o&t2 he
)as too eager for hostile confrontations.
Cne e9ening2 as they )ere sitting aro&nd a fire &nder a grailstone
Frigate had spo%en abo&t Karachi. 7his 9illage2 )hich later became the
capital of Ia%istan2 the nation created in "E1P2 had only +2... pop&lation in
;&rton6s time. ;y "EP.2 its pop&lation )as approximately +2...2.... 7hat
led to Frigate6s as%ing2 rather indirectly2 abo&t the report ;&rton had made
to his general2 Sir Mobert <apier2 on ho&ses of male prostit&tion in Karachi.
7he report )as s&pposed to be %ept in the secret files of the Bast 4ndia
=rmy2 b&t it )as fo&nd by one of the many enemies of ;&rton. 7ho&gh the
report )as ne9er mentioned p&blicly2 it had been &sed against him
thro&gho&t his life. ;&rton had disg&ised himself as a nati9e in order to get
into the ho&se and ma%e obser9ations that no B&ropean )o&ld ha9e been
allo)ed to ma%e. He had been pro&d that he had escaped detection2 and
he had ta%en the &nsa9ory @ob beca&se he )as the only one )ho co&ld do
it and beca&se his belo9ed leader2 <apier2 had as%ed him to.
;&rton had replied to Frigate6s >&estions some)hat s&rlily. =lice
had angered him earlier that day#she seemed to be able to do so 9ery
easily lately#and he )as thin%ing of a )ay to anger her. <o) he seiAed
&pon the opport&nity gi9en him by Frigate. He la&nched into an &ninhibited
acco&nt of )hat )ent on in the Karachi ho&ses. M&ach finally got &p and
)al%ed a)ay. Frigate loo%ed as if he )ere sic%2 b&t he stayed. Wilfreda
la&ghed &ntil she rolled on the gro&nd. KaAA and Monat %ept stolid
expressions. G)enafra )as sleeping on the boat2 so ;&rton did not ha9e to
ta%e her into acco&nt. Hogh& seemed to be fascinated b&t also slightly8
rep&lsed.
=lice2 his main target2 t&rned pale and then2 later2 red. Finally2 she
rose and said2 3Meally2 Mr. ;&rton2 4 had tho&ght yo& )ere lo) before. ;&t
to brag of this ... this ... yo& are &tterly contemptible2 degenerate2 and
rep&lsi9e. <ot that 4 belie9e a )ord of )hat yo&69e been telling me. 4 can6t
belie9e that anybody )o&ld beha9e as yo& claim yo& did and then boast
abo&t it. Jo& are li9ing &p to yo&r rep&tation as a man )ho li%es to shoc%
others no matter )hat damage it does to his o)n rep&tation.6 She had
)al%ed off into the dar%ness.
Frigate had said2 3Sometime2 maybe2 yo& )ill tell me ho) m&ch of
that is tr&e. 4 &sed to thin% as she did. ;&t )hen 4 got older2 more e9idence
abo&t yo& )as t&rned &p2 and one biographer made a psychoanalysis of
yo& based on yo&r o)n )riting and 9ario&s doc&mentary so&rces.6
6=nd the concl&sions?6 ;&rton said moc%ingly.
3Hater2 :ic%26 Frigate said. 3M&ffian :ic%26 he added2 and he2 too2 left.
<o)2 standing at the tiller2 )atching the s&n beat do)n on the
gro&p2 listening to the hissing of )ater c&t by the t)o sharp pro)s2 and the
crea%ing of rigging2 he )ondered )hat lay ahead on the other side of the
canyon8li%e channel. <ot the end of 7he Mi9er2 s&rely. 7hat )o&ld probably
go on fore9er. ;&t the end of the gro&p might be near. 7hey had been
cooped &p too long together. 7oo many days had been spent on the narro)
dec% )ith too little to do except tal% or help sail the ship. 7hey )ere r&bbing
each other ra) and had been doing it for a long time. B9en Wilfreda had
been >&iet and &nresponsi9e lately. <ot that he had been too stim&lating.
Fran%ly2 he )as tired of her. He did not hate her or )ish her any ill. He )as
@&st tired of her2 and the fact that he co&ld ha9e her and not ha9e =lice
Hargrea9es made him e9en more tired of her.
He9 M&ach )as staying a)ay from him or spea%ing as little as
possible2 and He9 )as arg&ing e9en more )ith Bsther abo&t his dietary
habits and his daydreaming and )hy didn6t he e9er tal% to her?
Frigate )as mad at him abo&t something. ;&t Frigate )o&ld ne9er
come o&t and say anything2 the co)ard2 &ntil he )as dri9en into a corner
and tormented into a mindless rage. Hogh& )as angry and scornf&l of
Frigate beca&se he )as as s&llen )ith her as )ith the others. Hogh& )as
also angry )ith him2 ;&rton2 beca&se he had t&rned her do)n )hen they
had been alone gathering bamboo in the hills se9eral )ee%s ago. He had
told her no2 adding that he had no moral scr&ples2 against ma%ing lo9e to
her2 b&t that he )o&ld not betray Frigate or any other member of the cre).
Hogh& said that it )as not that she did not lo9e FrigateF it )as @&st that she
needed a change no) and then. N&st as Frigate did.
=lice had said that she )as abo&t to gi9e &p hope of e9er seeing
anybody she %ne) again. 7hey m&st ha9e passed an estimated
112-P.2... people2 at least2 and not once had she seen anybody she had
%no)n on Barth. She had seen some that she had mista%en for old
ac>&aintances. =nd she admitted that she had only seen a small
percentage of the 112-P.2... at close range or e9en at far range. ;&t that
did not matter. She )as getting abysmally depressed and )eary of sitting
on this cramped foredec% all day )ith her only exercise handling the tiller or
the rigging or opening and closing her lips )ith con9ersation2 most of it
inane.
;&rton did not )ant to admit it2 b&t he )as afraid that she might
lea9e. She might @&st get off at the next stop2 )al% off onto the shore )ith
her grail and fe) belongings2 and say goodbye. See yo& in a h&ndred
years or so. Ierhaps. 7he chief thing %eeping her on the boat so far had
been G)enafra. She )as raising the little ancient ;riton as a (ictorian8
lady8c&m8post8Mes&rrection8mores8child. 7his )as a most c&rio&s mixt&re2
b&t not any more c&rio&s than anything else along 7he Mi9er.
;&rton himself )as )eary of the eternal 9oyaging on the little
9essel. He )anted to find some hospitable area and settle do)n there to
rest2 then to st&dy2 to engage in local acti9ities2 to get his land legs bac%2
and allo) the dri9e to get o&t and a)ay to b&ild &p again. ;&t he )anted to
do it )ith =lice as his h&tmate.
37he fort&ne of the man )ho sits also sits26 he m&ttered. He )o&ld
ha9e to ta%e action )ith =liceF he had been a gentleman long eno&gh. He
)o&ld )oo herF he )o&ld ta%e her by storm He had been an aggressi9e
lo9er )hen a yo&ng man2 then he had gotten &sed to being the lo9ed2 not
the lo9er2 after he got married. =nd his old habit patterns2 old ne&ral
circ&its2 )ere still )ith him. He )as an old person in a ne) body.
7he Had@i entered the dar% and t&rb&lent channel. 7he bl&e8blac%
roc% )alls rose on both sides and the boat )ent do)n a c&r9e and the
broad la%e behind )as lost. B9erybody )as b&sy then2 @&mping to handle
the sails as ;&rton too% 7he Had@i bac% and forth in the >&arter8mile )ide
stream2 and against a c&rrent that raised high )a9es. 7he boat rose and
dipped sharply and heeled far o9er )hen they changed co&rse abr&ptly. 4t
often came )ithin a fe) feet of the canyon )alls2 )here the )a9es slapped
massi9ely against the roc%. ;&t he had been sailing the boat so long that
he had become a part of it2 and his cre) had )or%ed )ith him so long that
they co&ld anticipate his orders2 tho&gh they ne9er acted ahead of them.
7he passage too% abo&t thirty min&tes. 4t ca&sed anxiety in some#
no do&bt of Frigate and M&ach being )orried#b&t it also exhilarated all of
them. 7he boredom and the s&llenness )ere2 temporarily2 at least2 gone.
7he Had@i came o&t into the s&nshine of another la%e. 7his )as
abo&t fo&r miles )ide and stretched north)ard as far as they co&ld see.
7he mo&ntains abr&ptly fell a)ayF the plains on both sides res&med the
&s&al mile )idth.
7here )ere fifty or so craft in 9ie)2 ranging from pine d&go&ts to
t)o8masted bamboo boats. Most of them seemed to be engaged in fishing.
7o the left2 a mile a)ay2 )as the &bi>&ito&s grailstone2 and along the shore
)ere dar% fig&res. ;ehind them2 on the plain and hills2 )ere bamboo8h&ts
in the &s&al style of )hat Frigate called <eo8Iolynesian or2 sometimes2
Iost8Mortem Miparian =rchitect&re.
Cn the right2 abo&t half a mile from the exit of the canyon2 )as a
large log fort. ;efore it )ere ten massi9e log doc%s )ith a 9ariety of large
and small boats. = fe) min&tes after 7he Had@i appeared2 dr&ms began
beating. 7hese co&ld be hollo) logs or dr&ms made )ith tanned fishs%in or
h&man s%in. 7here )as already a cro)d in front of the fort2 b&t a large
n&mber s)armed o&t of it and from a collection of h&ts behind it. 7hey piled
into the boats2 and these cast off.
Cn the left ban%2 the dar% fig&res )ere la&nching d&go&ts2 canoes2
and single8malted boats.
4t loo%ed as if both shores )ere sending boats o&t in a competition
to seiAe 7he Had@i first. ;&rton too% the boat bac% and forth as re>&ired2
c&tting in bet)een the other boats se9eral times. 7he men on the right
)ere closerF they )ere )hite and )ell armed b&t they made no effort to &se
their bo)s. = man standing in the pro) of )ar canoe )ith thirty paddlers
sho&ted at them2 in German2 to s&rrender.
3Jo& )ill not be harmed56
3We come in peace56 Frigate ba)led at him.
3He %no)s that56 ;&rton said. 34t6s e9ident that )e fe) aren6t going to
attac% them56 :r&ms )ere beating on both sides of 7he Mi9er no). 4t
so&nded as if the la%eshores )ere ali9e )ith dr&ms. =nd the shores )ere
certainly ali9e )ith men2 all armed. Cther boats )ere being p&t o&t to
intercept them. ;ehind them2 the boats that had first gone o&t )ere
p&rs&ing b&t losing distance.
;&rton hesitated. Sho&ld he bring 7he Had@i on aro&nd and go bac%
thro&gh the channel and then ret&rn at night? 4t )o&ld be a dangero&s
mane&9er2 beca&se the +.2...8foot high )alls )o&ld bloc% o&t the light
from the blaAing stars and gas sheets. 7hey )o&ld be almost blind.
=nd this craft did seem to be faster than anything the enemy had.
So far2 that is. Far in the distance2 tall sails )ere coming s)iftly to)ard him.
Still2 they had the )ind and c&rrent behind them2 and if he a9oided them2
co&ld they o&tstrip him )hen they2 too2 had to tac%? =ll the 9essels he had
seen so far had been loaded )ith men2 th&s slo)ing them do)n. B9en a
boat that had the same potentialities as 7he Had@i )o&ld not %eep &p )ith
her if she )ere loaded )ith )arriors.
He decided to %eep on r&nning GpMi9er.
7en min&tes later2 as he )as r&nning close8ha&led2 another large
)arcanoe c&t across his path. 7his held sixteen paddlers on each side and
s&pported a small dec% in the bo) and the stern. 7)o men stood on each
dec% beside a catap&lt mo&nted on a )ooden pedestal. 7he t)o in the bo)
placed a ro&nd ob@ect )hich sp&ttered smo%e in the poc%et of the catap&lt.
Cne p&lled the catch2 and the arm of the machine banged against the
crossbeam. 7he canoe sh&ddered2 and there )as a slight halt in the deep
rhythmic gr&nting of the paddlers. 7he smo%ing ob@ect fle) in a high arc
&ntil it )as abo&t t)enty feet in front of 7he Had@i and tea feet abo9e the
)ater. 4t exploded )ith a lo&d noise and m&ch blac% smo%e2 >&ic%ly cleared
a)ay by the breeAe.
Some of the )omen screamed2 and a man sho&ted. He tho&ght2
there is s&lf&r in this area. Cther)ise2 they )o&ld not ha9e been able to
ma%e g&npo)der. He called to Hogh& and Bsther Modrig&eA to ta%e o9er at
the tiller. ;oth )omen )ere pale2 b&t they seemed calm eno&gh2 altho&gh
neither )oman had e9er experienced a bomb.
G)enafra had been p&t inside the fo6c6sle. =lice had a ye) bo) in
her hand and a >&i9er of arro)s strapped to her bac%. Her pale s%in
contrasted shoc%ingly )ith the red lipstic% and the green eyelid8ma%e&p.
;&t she had been thro&gh at least ten r&nning battles on the )ater2 and her
ner9es )ere as steady as the chal% cliffs of :o9er. Moreo9er2 she )as the
best archer of the lot. ;&rton )as a s&perb mar%sman )ith a firearm b&t he
lac%ed practice )ith the bo). KaAA co&ld dra) the ri9erdragon horn bo)
e9en deeper than ;&rton2 b&t his mar%smanship )as abominable. Frigate
claimed it )o&ld ne9er be 9ery goodF li%e most preliterates2 he lac%ed a
de9elopment of the sense of perspecti9e.
7he catap&lt men did not fit another bomb to the machine2
B9identlyF the bomb had been a )arning to stop. ;&rton intended to stop
for nothing. 7heir p&rs&ers co&ld ha9e shot them f&ll of arro)s se9eral
times. 7hat they had refrained meant that they )anted 7he Had@i cre)
ali9e.
7he canoe2 )ater boiling from its pro)2 paddles flashing in the s&n2
paddlers gr&nting in &nison2 passed closely to the stern of 7he Had@i. 7he
t)o men on the foredec% leaped o&t)ard2 and the canoe roc%ed. Cne man
splashed into the )ater2 his fingertips stri%ing the edge of the dec%. 7he
other landed on his %nees on the edge. He gripped a bamboo %nife
bet)een his teethF his belt held t)o sheaths2 one )ith a small stone axe
and the other )ith a hornfish stiletto. For a second2 as he tried to grab onto
the )et plan%ing and p&ll himself &p2 he stared &p)ard into ;&rton6s eyes.
His hair )as a rich yello)2 his eyes )ere a pale bl&e2 and his face )as
classically handsome. His intention )as probably to )o&nd one or t)o of
the cre) and then to di9e off2 maybe )ith a )oman in his arms. While he
%ept 7he Had@i cre) b&sy2 his fello)s )o&ld sail &p and engage 7he Had@i
and po&r aboard2 and that )o&ld be that.
He did not ha9e m&ch chance of carrying o&t his plan2 probably
%ne) it2 and did not care. Most men still feared death beca&se the fear )as
in the cells of their bodies2 and they reacted instincti9ely. = fe) had
o9ercome their fear2 and others had ne9er really felt it.
;&rton stepped &p and banged the man on the side of the head
)ith his axe. 7he man6s mo&th openedF the bamboo %nife fell o&tF he
collapsed face do)n on the dec%. ;&rton pic%ed &p the %nife2 &ntied the
man6s belt2 and sho9ed him off into the )ater )ith his foot. =t that2 a roar
came from the men in the )arcanoe2 )hich )as t&rning aro&nd. ;&rton
sa) that the shore )as coming &p fast2 and he ga9e orders to tac%. 7he
9essel s)&ng aro&nd2 and the boom s)&ng by. 7hen they )ere beating
across 7he Mi9er2 )ith a doAen boats speeding to)ard them. 7hree )ere
fo&r8man d&go&ts2 fo&r )ere big )arcanoes2 and fi9e )ere t)o8masted
schooners. 7he latter held a n&mber of catap&lts and many men on the
dec%s.
Half)ay across the Mi9er2 ;&rton ordered 7he Had@i s)&ng aro&nd
again. 7he mane&9er allo)ed the sailships to get m&ch closer2 b&t he had
calc&lated for that. <o)2 sailing close8ha&led again2 7he Had@i c&t )ater
bet)een the t)o schooners. 7hey )ere so close that he co&ld clearly see
the feat&res of all aboard both craft. 7hey )ere mostly $a&casian2 tho&gh
they ranged from 9ery dar% to <ordic pale. 7he captain of the boat on the
portside sho&ted in German at ;&rton2 demanding that he s&rrender.
3We )ill not harm yo& 8if yo& gi9e &p2 b&t )e )ill tort&re yo& if yo&
contin&e to fight56 He spo%e German )ith an accent that so&nded
H&ngarian.
For reply2 ;&rton and =lice shot arro)s. =lice6s shaft missed the
captain b&t hit the helmsman2 and he staggered bac% and fell o9er the
railing. 7he craft immediately 9eered. 7he captain sprang to the )heel2 and
;&rton6s second shaft )ent thro&gh the bac% of his %nee.
;oth schooners str&c% slantingly )ith a great crash and shot off )ith
m&ch tearing &p of timbers2 men screaming and falling onto the dec%s or
falling o9erboard. B9en if the boats did not sin%2 they )o&ld be o&t of
action.
;&t @&st before they hit2 their archers had p&t a doAen flaming
arro)s into the bamboo sails of 7he Had@i. 7he shafts car tied dry grass2
)hich had been soa%ed )ith t&rpentine made from pine resin2 and these2
fanned by the )ind2 spread the flames >&ic%ly.
;&rton too% the tiller bac% from the )omen and sho&ted orders. 7he
cre) dipped fired8clay 9essels and their open grails into 7he Mi9er and then
thre) the )ater on the2 flames. Hogh&2 )ho co&ld climb li%e a mon%ey2
)ent &p the mast )ith a rope aro&nd her sho&lder. She let the rope do)n
and p&lled &p the containers of )ater.
7his permitted the other schooners and se9eral canoes to dra)
close. Cne on a co&rse )hich )o&ld p&t it directly in the path of 7he Had@i.
;&rton s)&ng the boat aro&nd again2 b&t it )as sl&ggish beca&se of
Hogh&6s )eight on the mast. 4t )heeled aro&nd2 the boom s)&ng )ildly as
the men failed to %eep control of its ropes2 and more arro)s str&c% the sail
and spread more fire. Se9eral arro)s than%ed into the dec%. For a moment2
;&rton tho&ght that the enemy had changed his mind and )as trying to
do)n them. ;&t the arro)s )ere @&st misdirected.
=gain2 7he Had@i sliced bet)een t)o schooners. 7he captains and
the cre) of both )ere grinning. Ierhaps they had been bored for a long
tine and )ere en@oying the p&rs&it. B9en so2 the cre)s d&c%ed behind the
railings2 lea9ing the officers2 helmsmen2 and the archers to recei9e the fire
from 7he Had@i. 7here )as a str&mming2 and dar% strea%s )ith red heads
and bl&e tails )ent half)ay thro&gh the sails in t)o doAen places2 a
n&mber dro9e into the mast or the boom2 a doAen hissed into the )ater2
one shot by ;&rton a fe) inches from his head.
=lice2 M&ach2 KaAA2 de Greystoc%2 Wilfreda2 and he had shot )hile
Bsther handled the tiller. Hogh& )as froAen half)ay &p the mast2 )aiting
&ntil the arro) fire >&it. 7he fi9e arro)s fo&nd three targets of flesh2 a
captain2 a helmsman2 and a sailor )ho st&c% his head &p at the )rong time
for him.
Bsther screamed2 and ;&rton sp&n. 7he )arcanoe had come o&t
from behind the schooner and )as a fe) feet in front of 7he Had@i6s bo).
7here )as no )ay to a9oid a collision. 7he t)o men on the platform )ere
di9ing off the side2 and the paddlers )ere standing &p or trying to stand &p
so they co&ld get o9erboard. 7hen the Had@i smashed into its port near the
bo)2 crac%ing it open2 t&rning it o9er2 and spilling its cre) into 7he Mi9er.
7hose on the Had@i )ere thro)n for)ard2 and de Greystoc% )ent into the
)ater. ;&rton slid on his face and chest and %nees2 b&rning off the s%in.
Bsther had been torn from the tiller and rolled across the dec% &ntil
she th&mped against the edge of the fo6c6sle coaming. She lay there
)itho&t mo9ing.
;&rton loo%ed &p)ard. 7he sail )as blaAing a)ay beyond hope of
being sa9ed. Hogh& )as gone2 so she m&st ha9e been h&rled off at the
moment of impact. 7hen2 getting &p2 he sa) her and de Greystoc%
s)imming bac% to 7he Had@i. 7he )ater aro&nd them )as boiling )ith the
splashing of the dispossessed canoemen2 many of )hom2 @&dging by their
cries2 co&ld not s)im.#;&rton called to the men to help the t)o aboard
)hile he inspected the damage. ;oth pro)s of the 9ery thin t)in h&lls had
been smashed open by the crash. Water )as po&ring inside. =nd the
smo%e from the b&rning sail and mast )as c&rling aro&nd them2 ca&sing
=lice and G)enafra to co&gh.
=nother )arcanoe )as approaching s)iftly from the northF the t)o
schooners )ere sailing close8ha&led to)ard them.
7hey co&ld fight and dra) some blood from their enemies2 )ho
)o&ld be holding themsel9es bac% to %eep from %illing them or they co&ld
s)im for it. Bither )ay2 they )o&ld be capt&red. Hogh& and de Greystoc%
)ere p&lled aboard. Frigate reported that Bsther co&ld not be bro&ght bac%
to conscio&sness. M&ach felt her p&lse and opened her eyes and then
)al%ed bac% to ;&rton.
3She6s not dead2 b&t she6s totally o&t6 ;&rton said2 3Jo& )omen
%no) )hat )ill happen to yo&. 4t6s &p to yo&2 of co&rse2 b&t 4 s&ggest yo&
s)im do)n as deeply as yo& can and dra) in a good breath of )ater. Jo&6ll
)a%e &p tomorro)2 good as ne).6
G)enafra had come o&t from the fo6c6sle. She )rapped her arms
ro&nd his )aist and loo%ed &p2 dry8eyed b&t scared. He h&gged her )ith
one arm and then said2 3=lice5 7a%e her )ith yo&56
6Where?6 =lice said. She loo%ed at the canoe and bac% at him. She
co&ghed again as more smo%e )rapped aro&nd her and then she mo9ed
for)ard2 &p)ind.
3When yo& go do)n.6 He gest&red at 7he Mi9er.6
34 can6t do that26 she said.
3Jo& )o&ldn6t )ant those men to get her2 too. She6s only a little girl
b&t they6ll not stop for that6
=lice loo%ed as if her face )as going to cr&mple and )ash a)ay
)ith tears. ;&t she did not )eep. She said2 6(ery )ell. 4t6s no sin no)2
%illing yo&rself. 4 @&st hope...6
He said2 3Jes.6 He did not dra)l the )ordF there )as no time to
dra)l anything o&t. 7he canoe )as )ithin forty feet of them.
37he next place might be @&st as bad or )orse than this one26 =lice
said. 3=nd G)enafra )ill )a%e &p ail alone. Jo& %no) that the chances of
&s being res&rrected at the same place are slight.6
37hat can6t be helped26 he said.
She clamped her lips2 then opened them and said2 346ll fight &ntil the
last moment. 7hen. .6
34t may be too late26 he said. He pic%ed &p his bo) and dre) an
arro) from his >&i9er. :e Greystoc% had lost his bo)2 so he too% KaAA6s.
7he <eanderthal placed a stone in a sling and began )hirling it. He9 pic%ed
&p his sling and chose a stone for its poc%et. Monat &sed Bsther6s bo)2
since he had lost his2 also.
7he captain of the canoe sho&ted in German2 3Hay do)n yo&r arms5
Jo& )on6t be harmed56 He fell off the platform onto a paddler a second later
as =lice6s arro) )ent thro&gh his chest. =nother arro)2 probably de
Greystoc%6s2 sp&n the second man off the platform and into the )ater. =
stone hit a paddler in the sho&lder2 and he collapsed )ith a cry. =nother
stone str&c% glancingly off another paddler6s head2 and he lost his paddle.
7he canoe %ept on coming. 7he t)o men on the aft platform &rged
the cre) to contin&e dri9ing to)ard 7he Had@i. 7hen they fell )ith arro)s in
them. ;&rton loo%ed behind him. 7he t)o schooners )ere letting their sails
drop no). B9idently they )o&ld slide on &p to 7he Had@i )here the sailors
)o&ld thro) their grappling hoo%s into it. ;&t if they got too close2 the
flames might spread to them.
7he canoe rammed into 7he Had@i )ith fo&rteen of the original
complement dead or too )o&nded to fight. N&st before the canoe6s pro) hit2
the s&r9i9ors dropped their paddles and raised small ro&nd leather shields.
B9en so2 t)o arro)s )ent thro&gh t)o shields and into the arms of the men
holding them. 7hat still left t)enty men against six men2 fi9e )omen2 and a
child. ;&t one )as a fi9e8foot high hairy man )ith tremendo&s strength and
a big stone axe. KaAA @&mped into the air @&st before the canoe rammed the
starboard h&ll and came do)n in it a second after it had halted. His axe
cr&shed t)o s%&lls and then dro9e thro&gh the bottom of the canoe. Water
po&red in2 and de Greystoc%2 sho&ting something in his $&mberland Middle
Bnglish2 leaped do)n beside KaAA. He held a stiletto in one hand and a big
oa% cl&b )ith flint spi%es in the other.
7he others on 7he Had@i contin&ed to shoot their arro)s. S&ddenly2
KaAA and de Greystoc% )ere scrambling bac% onto the catamaran and the
canoe )as sin%ing )ith its dead2 dying2 and its scared s&r9i9ors. = n&mber
dro)nedF the others either s)am a)ay or tried to get aboard 7he Had@i.
7hese fell bac% )ith their fingers chopped off or stamped flat.
Something str&c% on the dec% near him and then something else
coiled aro&nd him. ;&rton sp&n and slashed at the leather rope2 )hich had
settled aro&nd his nec%. He leaped to one side to a9oid another2 yan%ed
sa9agely at a third rope2 and p&lled the man on the other end o9er the
railing. 7he man2 screaming2 pitched o&t and str&c% the dec% of 7he Had@i
)ith his sho&lder. ;&rton smashed in his face )ith his axe.
;y no) men )ere dropping from the dec%s of both schooners and
ropes )ere falling e9ery)here. 7he smo%e and the flames added to the
conf&sion2 tho&gh they may ha9e helped 7he Had@i6s cre) more than the
boarders.
;&rton sho&ted at =lice to get G)enafra and @&mp into 7he Mi9er.
He co&ld not find her and then had to parry the thr&st of a big blac% )ith a
spear. 7he man seemed to ha9e forgotten any orders to capt&re ;&rtonF he
loo%ed as if he meant to %ill. ;&rton %noc%ed the short spear aside and
)hirled2 lashing o&t as he )ent by )ith the axe and smashed its edge
against the blac%6s nec%. ;&rton contin&ed to )hirl2 felt a sharp pain in his
ribs2 another in his sho&lder2 b&t %noc%ed t)o men do)n and then )as in
the )ater. He fell bet)een the schooner and 7he Had@i2 )ent do)n2
released the axe2 and p&lled the stiletto from its sheath. When he came &p2
he )as loo%ing &p at a tall2 ra) boned2 redheaded man )ho )as lifting the
screaming G)enafra abo9e him )ith both hands. 7he man pitched her far
o&t into the )ater.
;&rton di9ed again and coming &p sa) G)enafra6s face only a fe)
feet before him. 4t )as gray2 and her eyes )ere d&ll. 7hen he sa) the blood
dar%ening the )ater aro&nd her. She disappeared before he co&ld get to
her. He di9ed do)n after her2 ca&ght her and p&lled her bac% &p. = hornfish
tip )as st&c% into her bac%.
He let her body go. He did not %no) )hy the man had %illed her
)hen he co&ld ha9e easily ta%en her prisoner. Ierhaps =lice had stabbed
her and the man had fig&red that she )as as good as dead and so had
tossed her o9er the side to the fishes.
= body shot o&t of the smo%e2 follo)ed by another. Cne man )as
dead )ith a bro%en nec%F the other )as ali9e. ;&rton )rapped his arm
aro&nd the man6s nec% and stabbed him at the @&nct&re of @a) and ear. 7he
man >&it str&ggling and slipped do)n into the depths.
Frigate leaped o&t from the smo%e2 his face and sho&lders bloody.
He hit the )ater at a slant and di9ed deep. ;&rton s)am to)ard him to help
him. 7here )as no &se e9en trying to get bac% on the craft. 4t )as solid )ith
str&ggling bodies2 and other canoes and d&go&ts )ere closing in.
Frigate6s head rose o&t of the )ater. His s%in )as )hite )here the
blood )as not p&mping o&t o9er it. ;&rton s)am to him and said2 3:id the
)omen get a)ay?6
Frigate shoo% his head and then said2 3Watch o&t56 ;&rton &pended
to di9e do)n. Something hit his legsF he %ept on going do)n2 b&t he co&ld
not carry o&t his intention of breathing in the )ater. He )o&ld fight &ntil they
had to %ill him.
Cn coming &p2 he sa) that the )ater )as ali9e )ith men )ho had
@&mped in after him and Frigate. 7he =merican2 half8conscio&s2 )as being
to)ed to a canoe. 7hree men closed in on ;&rton2 and he stabbed t)o and
then a man in a d&go&t reached do)n )ith a cl&b and banged him on the
head.
"5
7hey )ere led ashore near a large b&ilding behind a )all of pine
logs. ;&rton6s head throbbed )ith pain at e9ery step. 7he gashes in his
sho&lder and ribs h&rt2 b&t they had >&it bleeding. 7he fortress )as b&ilt of
pine logs2 had an o9erhanging second story2 and many sentinels. 7he
capti9es )ere marched thro&gh an entrance that co&ld be closed )ith a
h&ge log gate. 7hey marched across sixty feet of grass8co9ered yard and
thro&gh another large gate)ay into a hall abo&t fifty feet long and thirty
)ide. Bxcept for Frigate2 )ho )as too )ea%2 they stood before a large
ro&nd table of oa%. 7hey blin%ed in the dar% and cool interior before they
co&ld clearly see the t)o men at the table.
G&ards )ith spears2 cl&bs2 and stone axes )ere e9ery)here. =
)ooden staircase at one end of the hall led &p to a r&n)ay )ith high
railings. Women loo%ed o9er the railings at them.
Cne of the men at the table )as short and m&sc&lar. He had a hairy
body2 blac% c&rly hair2 a nose li%e a falcon6s2 and bro)n eyes as fierce as a
falcon6s. 7he second man )as taller2 had blond hair2 eyes the exact color of
)hich )as diffic&lt to tell in the d&s%y light b&t )ere probably bl&e2 and a
broad 7e&tonic face. = pa&nch and the beginnings of @o)ls told of the food
and li>&or he had ta%en from the grails of sla9es.
Frigate had sat do)n on the grass2 b&t he )as p&lled &p to his feet
)hen the blond ga9e a signal. Frigate loo%ed at the blond and said2 3Jo&
loo% li%e Hermann Goring )hen he )as yo&ng.6 7hen he dropped to his
%nees2 screaming )ith pain from the impact of a spear b&tt o9er his
%idneys.
7he blond spo%e in an Bnglish )ith a hea9y German accent. 3<o
more of that &nless 4 order it. Het them tal%.6 He scr&tiniAed them for se9eral
min&tes2 then said2 3Jes2 4 am Hermann Goring.6
3Who is Goring?6 ;&rton said.
3Jo&r friend can tell yo& later26 the German said. 34f there is a later
for yo&. 4 am not angry abo&t the splendid fight yo& p&t &p. 4 admire men
)ho can fight )ell. 4 can al)ays &se more spears2 especially since yo&
%illed so many. 4 offer yo& a choice. Jo& men2 that is. Noin me and li9e )ell
)ith all the food2 li>&or2 tobaccoF and )omen yo& can possibly )ant2 or
)or% for me as my sla9es.6
3For &s26 the other man said in Bnglish. 3Jo& forget2 Hermann2 dat 4
ha9e g&st as m&c% to say abo&t disc as yo&.6 Goring smiled2 ch&c%led2 and
said2 3Cf co&rse 4 )as only &sing the royal 42 yo& might.. say. (ery )ell2 )e.
4f yo& s)ear to ser9e &s2 and it )ill be far better for yo& if yo& do2 yo& )ill
s)ear loyalty to me2 Hermann Goring and to the one8time %ing of ancient
Mome2 7&lli&s Hostili&s.6 ;&rton loo%ed closely at the man. $o&ld he
act&ally be the legendary %ing of ancient Mome? Cf Mome )hen it )as a
small 9illage threatened by the other 4talic tribes2 the Sabines2 =e>&i2 and
(olsci? Who2 in t&rn2 )ere being pressed by the Gmbrians2 themsel9es
p&shed by the po)erf&l Btr&scans? Was this really 7&lli&s Hostili&s2 )arli%e
s&ccessor to the peacef&l <&ma Iompili&s? 7here )as nothing to
disting&ish him from a tho&sand men )hom ;&rton had seen on the streets
of Siena. Jet2 if he )as )hat he claimed to be2 he co&ld be a treas&re
tro9e2 historically and ling&istically spea%ing. He )o&ld2 since he )as
probably Btr&scan himself2 %no) that lang&age2 in addition to pre8$lassical
Hatin2 and Sabine2 and perhaps $ampanian Gree%. He might e9en ha9e
been ac>&ainted )ith Mom&l&s2 s&pposed fo&nder of Moma. What stories
that man co&ld tell5
3Well?6 Goring said.
3What do )e ha9e to do if )e @oin yo&?6 ;&rton said.
3First2 4 . . . )e . . . ha9e to ma%e s&re that yo& are the caliber of
man )e )ant. 4n other )ords2 a man )ho )ill &nhesitatingly and
immediately do anything that )e order. We )ill gi9e yo& a little test.6 He
ga9e an order and a min&te later2 a gro&p of men )as bro&ght for)ard. =ll
)ere ga&nt2 and all )ere crippled.
37hey )ere in@&red )hile >&arrying stone or b&ilding o&r )alls26
Goring said. 3Bxcept for t)o ca&ght )hile trying to escape. 7hey )ill ha9e
to pay the penalty. =ll )ill be %illed beca&se they are no) &seless. So2 yo&
sho&ld not hesitate abo&t %illing them to sho) yo&r determination to ser9e
&s.6 He added2 3;esides2 they are all Ne)s. Why )orry abo&t them?6
$ampbell2 the redhead )ho had thro)n G)enafra into the Mi9er2 held o&t
to ;&rton a large cl&b st&dded )ith chert blades. 7)o g&ards seiAed a
sla9e and forced him to his %nees.
He )as a large blond )ith bl&e eyes and a Grecian profileF he
glared at Goring and then spat at him.
Goring la&ghed. 3He has all the arrogance of his race. 4 co&ld
red&ce him to a >&i9ering screaming mass begging for death if 4 )anted to.
;&t 4 do not really care for tort&re. My compatriot )o&ld li%e to gi9e him a
taste of the fire2 b&t 4 am essentially a h&manitarian.6
34 )ill %ill in defense of my life or in defense of those )ho need
protection26 ;&rton said. 3;&t 4 am not a m&rderer.6
3Killing this Ne) )o&ld be an act in defense of yo&r life26 Goring
replied. 34f yo& do not2 yo& )ill die any)ay. Cnly it )ill ta%e yo& a long time.6
34 )ill not26 ;&rton said.
Goring sighed. 3Jo& Bnglish5 Well2 4 )o&ld rather ha9e yo& on my
side. ;&t if yo& don6t )ant to do the rational thing2 so be it. What abo&t
yo&?6 he said to Frigate.
Frigate2 )ho )as still in agony2 said2 3Jo&r ashes ended in a trash
heap in :acha& beca&se of )hat yo& did and )hat yo& )ere. =re yo&
going to repeat the same criminal acts on this )orld?6 Goring la&ghed and
said2 34 %no) )hat happened to me. Bno&gh of my Ne)ish sla9es ha9e told
me.6 He pointed at Monat. 3What %ind of a frea% is that?6 ;&rton explained.
Goring loo%ed gra9e2 then said2 34 co&ldn6t tr&st him. He goes into the sla9e
camp. Jo&2 there2 apeman.
What do yo& say?6
KaAA2 to ;&rton6s s&rprise2 stepped for)ard. 34 %ill for yo&. 4 don6t
)ant to be sla9e.6 He too% the cl&b )hile the g&ards held their spears
poised to r&n him thro&gh if he had other ideas for &sing it. He glared at
them from &nder his shel9ing bro)s2 then raised the cl&b. 7here )as a
crac%2 and the sla9e pitched for)ard on the dirt. KaAA ret&rned the cl&b to
$ampbell and stepped aside. He did not loo% at ;&rton.
Goring said2 3=ll the sla9es )ill be assembled tonight2 and they )ill
be sho)n )hat )ill happen to them if they try to get a)ay. 7he escapees
)ill be roasted for a )hile2 then p&t o&t of their misery. My disting&ished
colleag&e )ill personally handle the cl&b. He li%es that sort of thing.6
He pointed at =lice. 37hat one. 46ll ta%e her.6 7&lli&s stood &p. 3<o2
no. 4 li%e her. Jo& ta%e de oilersF Hermann. 4 gi) yo& bot6 off dem. ;&t sye2 4
)ant her )ery m&c%. Sye loo% li%e2 )at yo& say2 aristocrat. = . . . >&een?6
;&rton roared2 snatched a cl&b from $ampbell6s hand2 and leaped &pon the
table. Goring fell bac%)ard2 the tip of the cl&b narro)ly missing his nose. =t
the same time2 the Moman thr&st a spear at ;&rton and )o&nded him in the
sho&lder. ;&rton %ept hold of the cl&b2 )hirled2 and %noc%ed the )eapon
o&t of 7&lli&s6 hand.
7he sla9es2 sho&ting2 thre) themsel9es &pon the g&ards. Frigate
@er%ed a spear loose and bro&ght the b&tt of it against KaAA6s head. KaAA
cr&mpled. Monat %ic%ed a g&ard in the groin and pic%ed &p his spear.
;&rton did not remember anything after that. He a)o%e se9eral
ho&rs before d&s%. His head h&rt )orse than before. His ribs and both
sho&lders )ere stiff )ith pain. He )as lying on grass in a pine log
enclos&re )ith a diameter of abo&t fifty yards. Fifteen feet abo9e the grass2
circling the interior of the )all2 )as a )ooden )al% on )hich armed g&ards
paced.
He groaned )hen he sat &p. Frigate2 s>&atting near him2 said2 34
)as afraid yo&6d ne9er come o&t of it6 3Where are the )omen?6 ;&rton said.
Frigate began to )eep.
;&rton shoo% his head and said2 3L&it bl&bbering. Where are they?6
3Where the hell do yo& thin% they are?6 Frigate said. 3Ch2 my God56
3:on6t thin% abo&t the )omen. 7here6s nothing yo& can do for them.
<ot no)2 any)ay. Why )asn6t 4 %illed after 4 attac%ed Goring?6
Frigate )iped a)ay the tears and said2 3;eats me. Maybe they6re
sa9ing yo&2 and me2 for the fire. =s an example. 4 )ish they had %illed &s.6
3What2 so recently gained paradise and )ish so soon to lose it?6
;&rton said. He began to la&gh b&t >&it beca&se pains speared his head.
;&rton tal%ed to Mobert Spr&ce2 an Bnglishman born in "E15 in
Kensington. Spr&ce said that it )as less than a month since Goring and
7&lli&s had seiAed po)er. For the time being2 they )ere lea9ing their
neighbors in peace. B9ent&ally2 of co&rse2 they )o&ld try to con>&er the
ad@acent territories2 incl&ding the Cnondaga 4ndians across the Mi9er. So
far2 no sla9e had escaped to spread )ord abo&t Goring6s intentions.
3;&t the people on the borders can see for themsel9es that the
)alls are being b&ilt by sla9es26 ;&rton said.
Spr&ce grinned )ryly and said2 3Goring has spread the )ord that
these are all Ne)s. 7hat he is only interested in ensla9ing Ne)s. So2 )hat
do they care? =s yo& can see for yo&rself2 that is not tr&e. Half of the
sla9es are Gentile.6 =t d&s%2 ;&rton2 Frigate2 M&ach2 de Greysto%e2 and
Monat )ere ta%en from she stoc%ade and marched do)n to a grailroc%.
7here )ere abo&t t)o h&ndred sla9es there2 g&arded by abo&t se9enty
Goringites. 7heir grails )ere placed on the roc%2 and they )aited. =fter the
bl&e flames roared2 the grails )ere ta%en do)n. Bach sla9e opened his2
and g&ards remo9ed the tobacco2 li>&or2 and half of the food.
Frigate had gashes in his head and in his sho&lder2 )hich needed
se)ing &p2 tho&gh the bleeding had stopped. His color had m&ch
impro9ed2 tho&gh his bac% and %idneys pained him.
3So no) )e6re sla9es26 Frigate said. 3:ic%2 yo& tho&ght >&ite a lot of
the instit&tion of sla9ery. What do yo& thin% of it no)?6
37hat )as Criental sla9ery26 ;&rton said. 34n this type of sla9ery2
there6s no chance for a sla9e to gain his freedom. <or is there any personal
feeling2 except hatred2 bet)een sla9e and o)ner. 4n the Crient2 the
sit&ation )as different. Cf co&rse2 li%e any h&man instit&tion2 it had its
ab&ses.6
3Jo&6re a st&bborn man26 Frigate said. 3Ha9e yo& noticed that at
least half the sla9es are Ne)s? Hate t)entieth8cent&ry 4sraeli2 most of them.
7hat girl o9er there told me that Goring managed to start grail8sla9ery by
stirring &p anti8Semitism in this area. Cf co&rse2 it had to exist before it
co&ld be aro&sed. 7hen2 after he had gotten into po)er )ith 7&lli&s6 aid2 he
ensla9ed many of his former s&pporters.6 He contin&ed2 37he hell of it is2
Goring is not2 relati9ely spea%ing2 a gen&ine anti8Semite. He personally
inter9ened )ith Himmler and others to sa9e Ne)s. ;&t he is something
e9en )orse than a gen&ine Ne)8hater. He is an opport&nist. =nti8Semitism
)as a tidal )a9e in GermanyF to get any place2 yo& had to ride the )a9e.
So2 Goring rode there2 @&st as he rode here. =n anti8Semite s&ch as
Goebbels or Fran% belie9ed in the principles they professed. Ier9erted and
hatef&l principles2 tr&e2 b&t still principles. Whereas big fat happy8go8l&c%y
Goring did not really care one )ay or the other abo&t the Ne)s. He @&st
)anted to &se them.6
3=ll 9ery )ell26 ;&rton said2 3b&t )hat has that got to do )ith me?
Ch2 4 see5 7hat loo%5 Jo& are getting ready to lect&re me.6
6:ic%2 4 admire yo& as 4 ha9e admired fe) men. 4 lo9e yo& as one
man lo9es another. 4 am as happy and delighted to ha9e had the sing&lar
good l&c% to fall in )ith yo& as2 say2 Il&tarch )o&ld be if he had met
=lcibiades or 7hese&s. ;&t 4 am not blind. 4 %no) yo&r fa&lts2 )hich are
many2 and 4 regret them.6
3N&st )hich one is it this time?6 37hat boo%. 7he Ne)2 7he Gypsy2
and Bl 4slam. Ho) co&ld yo& ha9e )ritten it? = hate doc&ment f&ll of
bloody8minded nonsense2 fol% tales2 and s&perstitions5 Mit&al m&rders2
indeed56
34 )as still angry beca&se of the in@&stices 4 had s&ffered at
:amasc&s. 7o be expelled from the cons&late beca&se of the lies of my
enemies2 among )hom...6 37hat doesn6t exc&se yo&r )riting lies abo&t a
)hole gro&p26 Frigate said.
3Hies5 4 )rote the tr&th56
6Jo& may ha9e tho&ght they )ere tr&ths. ;&t 4 come from an age
)hich definitely %no)s that they )ere not. 4n fact2 no one in his right mind in
yo&r time )o&ld ha9e belie9ed that crap56
37he facts are26 ;&rton said2 3that the Ne)ish moneylenders in
:amasc&s )ere charging the poor a tho&sand percent interest on their
loans. 7he facts are that they )ere inflicting this monstro&s &s&ry not only
on the Moslem and $hristian pop&lace b&t also on their o)n people. 7he
facts are2 that )hen my enemies in Bngland acc&sed me of anti8Semitism2
many Ne)s in :amasc&s came to my defense. 4t is a fact that 4 protested to
the 7&r%s )hen they sold the synagog&e of the :amascan Ne)s to the
Gree% Crthodox bishop so he co&ld t&rn it into a ch&rch 4t is a fact that 4
)ent o&t and dr&mmed &p eighteen Moslems to testify in behalf of the
Ne)s. 4t is a fact that 4 protected the $hristian missionaries from the
:r&Aes. 4t is a fact that 4 )arned the :r&Aes that that fat and oily 7&r%ish
s)ine2 Mashid Iasha2 )as trying to incite them to re9olt so he co&ld
massacre them. 4t is a fact that )hen 4 )as recalled from my cons&lar post2
beca&se of the lies of the $hristian missionaries and priests2 of Mashid
Iasha2 and of the Ne)ish &s&rers2 tho&sands of $hristians2 Moslems2 and
Ne)s rallied to my aid2 tho&gh it )as too late then.
34t is also a fact that 4 don6t ha9e to ans)er to yo& or to any man for
my actions56
Ho) li%e Frigate to bring &p s&ch an irrele9ant s&b@ect at s&ch an
inappropriate time. Ierhaps he )as trying to %eep from blaming himself by
t&rning his fear and anger on ;&rton. Cr perhaps he really felt that his hero
had failed him.
He9 M&ach had been sitting )ith his head bet)een his hands.
He raised his head and said2 hollo)ly2 3Welcome to the
concentration camp2 ;&rton5 7his is yo&r first taste of it. 4t6s an old tale to
me2 one 4 )as tired of hearing from the beginning. 4 )as in a <aAi camp2
and 4 escaped. 4 )as in a M&ssian camp2 and 4 escaped. 4n 4srael2 4 )as
capt&red by =rabs2 and 4 escaped.
3So2 no)2 perhaps 4 can escape again. ;&t to )hat? 7o another
camp? 7here seems to be no end to them. Man is fore9er b&ilding them
and p&tting the perennial prisoner2 the Ne)2 or )hat ha9e yo&2 in them.
B9en here2 )here )e ha9e a fresh start2 )here all religions2 all pre@&dices2
sho&ld ha9e been shattered on the an9il of res&rrection2 little is changed.6
3Sh&t yo&r mo&th26 a man near M&ach said. He had red hair so c&rly
it )as almost %in%y2 bl&e eyes2 and a face that might ha9e been handsome
if it had not been for his bro%en nose. He )as six feet tall and had a
)restler6s body.
3:o9 7argoff here26 he said in a crisp Cxford accent. 3Hate
commander in the 4sraeli <a9y. Iay no attention to this man. He6s one of
the old8time Ne)s2 a pessimist2 and a )hiner. He6d rather )ail against the
)all than stand &p and fight li%e a man.6
M&ach cho%ed2 then said2 3Jo& arrogant Sabra5 4 fo&ghtF 4 %illed5 =nd
4 am not a )hiner5 What are yo& doing no)2 yo& bra9e )arrior? =ren6t yo& a
sla9e as m&ch as the rest of &s?6
34t6s the old story26 a )oman said. She )as tall and dar%8haired and
probably )o&ld ha9e been a bea&ty if she had not been so ga&nt. 37he old
story. We fight among o&rsel9es )hile o&r enemies con>&er. N&st as )e
fo&ght )hen 7it&s besieged Ner&salem and )e %illed more of o&r o)n
people than )e did the Momans. N&st as...6 7he t)o men t&rned against
her2 and all three arg&ed lo&dly &ntil a g&ard began beating them )ith a
stic%.
Hater2 thro&gh s)ollen lips2 7argoff said2 34 can6t ta%e m&ch of this2
m&ch longer. Soon ... )ell2 that g&ard is mine to %ill.6
6Jo& ha9e a plan?6 Frigate said2 eagerly2 b&t 7argoff )o&ld not
ans)er.
Shortly before da)n2 the sla9es )ere a)a%ened and marched to
the grailroc%. =gain2 they )ere gi9en a modic&m of food. =fter eating2 they
)ere split &p into gro&ps and marched off to their differing assignments.
;&rton and Frigate )ere ta%en to the northern border. 7hey )ere p&t to
)or% )ith a tho&sand other sla9es2 and they toiled na%ed all day in the s&n.
7heir only rest )as )hen they too% their grails to the roc% at noon and )ere
fed.
Goring meant to b&ild a )all bet)een the mo&ntain and 7he Mi9erF
he also intended to erect a second )all2 )hich )o&ld r&n for the f&ll ten8
mile length of the la%eshore and a third )all at the so&thern end.
;&rton and the others had to dig a deep trench and then pile the dirt
ta%en from the hole into a )all. 7his )as hard )or%2 for they had only stone
hoes )ith )hich to hac% at the gro&nd. Since the roots of the grass formed
a thic%ly tangled complex of 9ery to&gh material2 they co&ld be c&t only )ith
repeated blo)s. 7he dirt and roots )ere scraped &p on )ooden sho9els
and tossed onto large bamboo sleds. 7hese )ere dragged by teams onto
the top of the )all2 )here the dirt )as sho9eled off to ma%e the )all e9en
higher and thic%er.
=t night2 the sla9es )ere herded bac% into the stoc%ade. Here2 most
of them fell asleep almost at once. ;&t 7argoff2 the redheaded 4sraeli2
s>&atted by ;&rton.
37he grape9ine gi9es a little @&ice no) and then26 he said. 34 heard
abo&t the fight yo& and yo&r cre) made. 4 also heard abo&t yo&r ref&sal to
@oin Goring and his s)ine.6
3What do yo& hear abo&t my infamo&s boo%?6 ;&rton said.
7argoff smiled and said2 34 ne9er heard of it &ntil M&ach bro&ght it to
my attention. Jo&r actions spea% for themsel9es. ;esides2 M&ach is 9ery
sensiti9e abo&t s&ch things. <ot that yo& can really blame him after )hat
he )ent thro&gh. ;&t 4 do not thin% that yo& )o&ld beha9e as yo& did if yo&
)ere )hat he said yo& are. 4 thin% yo&6re a good man2 the type )e need.
So...6
:ays and nights of hard )or% and short rations follo)ed. ;&rton
learned thro&gh the grape9ine abo&t the )omen. Wilfreda and Fatima )ere
in $ampbell6s apartment. Hogh& )as )ith 7&lli&s. =lice had been %ept by
Goring for a )ee%2 then had been t&rned o9er to a lie&tenant2 a Manfred
(on Kreyscharft. M&mor )as that Goring had complained of her coldness
and had )anted to gi9e her to his bodyg&ards to do )ith as they pleased.
;&t (on Kreyscharft had as%ed for her.
;&rton )as in agony. He co&ld not end&re the mental images of her
)ith Goring and (on Kreyscharft. He had to stop these beasts or at least
die trying. Hate that night2 he cra)led from the big h&t he occ&pied )ith
t)enty8fi9e men into 7argoff6s h&t and )o%e him &p.
3Jo& said yo& %ne) that 4 m&st be on yo&r side26 he )hispered.
3When are yo& going to ta%e me into yo&r confidence? 4 might as )ell )arn
yo& no) that2 if yo& don6t do so at once2 4 intend to foment a brea% among
my o)n gro&p and anybody else )ho )ill @oin &s.6
3Moach has told me more abo&t yo&26 7argoff said. 34 didn6t
&nderstand2 really2 )hat he )as tal%ing abo&t. $o&ld a Ne) tr&st anyone
)ho )rote s&ch a boo%? Cr co&ld s&ch a man be tr&sted not to t&rn on
them after the common enemy has been defeated?6
;&rton opened his mo&th to spea% angrily2 then closed it. For a
moment2 he )as silent. When he spo%e2 he did so calmly. 34n the first place2
my actions on Barth spea% lo&der than any of my printed )ords. 4 )as the
friend and protector of many Ne)sF 4 had many Ne)ish friends.6
37hat last statement is al)ays a preface to an attac% on the Ne)s26
7argoff said.
3Ierhaps. Ho)e9er2 e9en if )hat Moach claims )ere tr&e2 the
Michard ;&rton yo& see before yo& in this 9alley is not the ;&rton )ho li9ed
on Barth. 4 thin% e9ery man has been changed some)hat by his experience
here. 4f he hasn6t2 he is incapable of change. He )o&ld be better off dead.
3:&ring the fo&r h&ndred and se9enty8six days that 4 ha9e li9ed on
this Mi9er2 4 ha9e learned m&ch. 4 am not incapable of changing my mind. 4
listened to Moach and Frigate. 4 arg&ed fre>&ently and passionately )ith
them. =nd tho&gh 4 did not )ant to admit it at the time2 4 tho&ght m&ch
abo&t )hat they said.6
3Ne)8hate is something bred into the child26 7argoff said. 34t
becomes part of the ner9e. <o act of )ill can get rid of it2 &nless it is not
9ery deeply embedded or the )ill is extraordinarily strong. 7he bell rings2
and Ia9lo96s dog sali9ates. Mention the )ord Ne)2 and the ner9o&s system
storms the citadel of the mind of the Gentile N&st as the )ord =rab storms
mine. ;&t 4 ha9e a realistic basis for hating all =rabs.6
34 ha9e pled eno&gh26 ;&rton said. 3Jo& )ill either accept me or
re@ect me. 4n either case2 yo& %no) )hat 4 )ill do.6
34 accept26 7argoff said. 34f yo& can change yo&r mind2 4 can change
mine. 469e )or%ed )ith yo&2 eaten bread )ith yo&. 4 li%e to thin% 46m a good
@&dge of character. 7ell me2 if yo& )ere planning this2 )hat )o&ld yo& do?6
7argoff listened caref&lly. =t the end of ;&rton6s explanation2 7argoff
nodded. 3M&ch li%e my plan. <o)...6
"Q
7he next day2 shortly after brea%fast2 se9eral g&ards came for
;&rton and Frigate. 7argoff loo%ed hard at ;&rton2 )ho %ne) )hat 7argoff
)as thin%ing. <othing co&ld be done except to march off to Goring6s
3palace.6 He )as seated in a big )ooden chair and smo%ing a pipe. He
as%ed them to sit do)n and offered them cigars and )ine.
3B9ery once in a )hile26 he said2 34 li%e to relax and tal% )ith
somebody besides my colleag&es2 )ho are not o9erly bright. 4 li%e
especially to tal% )ith somebody )ho li9ed after 4 died. =nd to men )ho
)ere famo&s in their time. 469e fe) of either type2 so far.6
3Many of yo&r 4sraeli prisoners li9ed after yo&26 Frigate said.
3=h2 the Ne)s56 Goring airily )a9ed his pipe. 37hat is the tro&ble.
7hey %no) me too )ell. 7hey are s&llen )hen 4 try to tal% to them2 and too
many ha9e tried to %ill me for me to feel comfortable aro&nd them. <ot that
4 ha9e anything against them. 4 don6t partic&larly li%e Ne)s2 b&t 4 had many
Ne)ish friends. . 6 ;&rton reddened.
Goring2 after s&c%ing on his pipe2 contin&ed2 :er F&ehrer )as a
great man2 b&t he had some idiocies. Cne of them )as his attit&de to)ard
Ne)s. Myself2 4 cared less. ;&t the Germany of my time )as anti8Ne)ish2
and a man m&st go )ith the ,eitgeist if he )ants to get any place in life.
Bno&gh of that. B9en here2 a man cannot get a)ay from them.6 He
chattered on for a )hile2 then as%ed Frigate many >&estions concerning the
fate of his2 contemporaries and the history of post8)ar Germany.
34f yo& =mericans had had any political sense2 yo& )o&ld ha9e
declared )ar on M&ssia as soon as )e s&rrendered. We )o&ld ha9e fo&ght
)ith yo& against the ;olshe9i%2 and )e )o&ld ha9e cr&shed them.6 Frigate
did not reply. Goring then told se9eral 3f&nny26 9ery obscene stories. He
as%ed ;&rton to tell him abo&t the strange experience he had had before
being res&rrected in the 9alley.
;&rton )as s&rprised. Had Goring learned abo&t this from KaAA or
)as there an informer among the sla9es? He told in f&ll detail e9erything
that had happened bet)een the time he opened his eyes to find himself in
the place of floating bodies to the instant )hen the man in the aerial canoe
pointed the metal t&be at him.
37he extra87errestrial2 Monat2 has a theory that some beings2#call
them Whoe9er or U#ha9e been obser9ing man%ind since he ceased to be
an ape. For at least t)o million years. 7hese s&per8beings ha9e2 in some
manner2 recorded e9ery cell of e9ery h&man being that e9er li9ed from the
moment of conception2 probably2 to the moment of death. 7his seems a
staggering concept2 b&t it is no more staggering than the res&rrection of all
h&manity and the reshaping of this planet into one Mi9er9alley. 7he
recordings may ha9e been made )hen the recordees )ere li9ing. Cr it may
be that these s&per8beings detected 9ibrations from the past2 @&st as )e on
Barth sa) the light of stars2 as they had been a tho&sand years before. .
6Monat2 ho)e9er2 inclines to the former theory. He does not belie9e
in time tra9el e9en in a limited sense.
6Monat belie9es that the U6s stored these recordings. Ho)2 he does
not %no). ;&t this planet )as then reshaped for &s. 4t is ob9io&sly one
great Mi9er)orld. :&ring o&r @o&rney &p Mi9er2 )e69e tal%ed to doAens
)hose descriptions lea9e no do&bt that they come from )idely scattered
parts2 from all o9er. Cne )as from far &p in the northern hemisphereF
another2 far do)n in the so&thern. =ll the descriptions fall together to ma%e
a pict&re of a )orld that has been re)or%ed into one AigAagging
Mi9er9alley.
37he people )e tal%ed to )ere %illed or died by accident here and
)ere res&rrected again in the areas )e happened to be tra9eling thro&gh.
Monat says that )e res&rrectees are still being recorded. =nd )hen one of
&s dies again2 the &p8to8the8min&te recordings are being placed
some)here#maybe &nder2 the s&rface of this planet#and played into
energy8matter con9erters. 7he bodies )ere reprod&ced as they )ere at the
moment of death and then the re@&9enating de9ices restored the sleeping
bodies. Irobably in that same chamber in )hich 4 a)o%e. =fter this2 the
bodies2 yo&ng and )hole again2 )ere recorded and then destroyed. =nd
the recordings )ere played o&t again2 this time thro&gh de9ices &nder the
gro&nd. Cnce more2 energy8matter con9erters2 probably &sing the heat of
this planet6s molten core as energy2 reprod&ced &s abo9e the gro&nd2 near
the grailstones. 4 do not %no) )hy they are not res&rrected a second time
in#the same spot )here they died. ;&t then 4 don6t %no) )hy all o&r hairs
)ere sha9en off or )hy men6s facial hairs don6t gro) or )hy men )ere
circ&mcised and )omen made 9irgins again. Cr )hy )e )ere res&rrected.
For )hat p&rpose? Whoe9er p&t &s here has not sho)n &p to tell &s )hy.6
37he thing is26 Frigate said2 3the thing is2 )e are not the same people
)e )ere on Barth. 4 died. ;&rton died. Jo& died2 Hermann Goring.
B9erybody died. =nd )e cannot be bro&ght bac% to life56
Goring s&c%ed on his pipe noisily2 stared at Frigate2 and then said2
3Why not? 4 am li9ing again. :o yo& deny that?6 3Jes5 4 do deny that#in a
sense. Jo& are li9ing. ;&t yo& are not the Hermann Goring )ho )as born in
Marienbad Sanatori&m at Mosenheim in ;a9aria on Nan&ary "+2 "DE-. Jo&
are not the Hermann Goring )hose godfather )as :r. Hermann
BppensteinF a Ne) con9erted to $hristianity. Jo& are not the Goring )ho
s&cceeded (on Michthofen after his death and contin&ed to lead his fliers
against the =llies e9en after the )ar ended. Jo& are not the
Meichsmarschal of Hitler6s Germany nor the ref&gee arrested by Hie&tenant
Nerome <. Shapiro. Bppenstein and Shapiro2 hah5 =nd yo& are not the
Hermann Goring )ho too% his life by s)allo)ing potassi&m cyanide d&ring
his trial for his crimes against h&manity56
Goring tamped his pipe )ith tobacco and saidF mildly2 3Jo& certainly
%no) m&ch abo&t me. 4 sho&ld be flattered2 4 s&ppose. =t least2 4 )as not
forgotten.6
3Generally2 yo& )ere26 Frigate said. 3Jo& did ha9e a long8li9ed
rep&tation as a sinister clo)n2 a fail&re2 and a toady.6 ;&rton )as s&rprised.
He had not %no)n that the fello) )o&ld stand &p to someone )ho had
po)er of life and death o9er him or )ho had treated him so painf&lly. ;&t
then perhaps Frigate hoped to be %illed.
4t )as probable that he )as ban%ing on Goring6s c&riosity.
Goring said2 3Bxplain yo&r statement. <ot abo&t my rep&tation.
B9ery man of importance expects to be re9iled and mis&nderstood by the
brainless masses. Bxplain )hy 4 am not the same man.6
Frigate smiled slightly and said2 3Jo& are the prod&ct2 the hybrid2 of
a recording and an energy8matter con9erter. Jo& )ere made )ith all the
memories of the dead man Hermann Goring and )ith e9ery cell of his body
a d&plicate. Jo& ha9e e9erything he had. So yo& thin% yo& are Goring. ;&t
yo& are not5 Jo& are a d&plication2 and that is all5 7he original Herman
Goring is nothing b&t molec&les that ha9e been absorbed into the soil and
the air and so into plants and bac% into the flesh of beasts and men and o&t
again as excrement2 &nd so )ieter5
3;&t yo&2 here before me2 are not the original2 any more than the
recording on a disc or a tape is the original 9oice2 the 9ibrations iss&ing
from the mo&th of a man and detected and con9erted by an electronic
de9ice and then replayed.6 ;&rton &nderstood the reference2 since he had
seen an Bdison phonograph in Iaris in "DDD. He felt o&traged2 act&ally
9iolated2 at Frigate6s assertions.
Goring6s )ide8open eyes and reddening face indicated that he2 too2
felt threatened do)n to the core of his being.
=fter st&ttering2 Goring said2 3=nd )hy )o&ld these beings go to all
this tro&ble @&st to ma%e d&plicates?6
Frigate shr&gged and said2 34 don6t %no).6 Goring hea9ed &p from
his chair and pointed the stem of his pipe at Frigate.
3Jo& lie56 he screamed in German. 3Jo& lie2 scheissh&nd56
Frigate >&i9ered as if he expected to be str&c% o9er the %idneys
again2 b&t he said2 34 m&st be right. Cf co&rse2 yo& don6t ha9e to belie9e
)hat 4 say. 4 can6t pro9e anything. =nd 4 &nderstand exactly ho) yo& feel. 4
%no) that 4 am Ieter Nair&s Frigate2 born "E"D2 died =.:. +..D. ;&t 4 also
m&st belie9e2 beca&se logic tells me so2 that 4 am only2 really2 a being )ho
has the memories of that Frigate )ho )ill ne9er rise from the dead. 4n a
sense2 4 am the son of that Frigate )ho can ne9er exist again. <ot flesh of
his flesh2 blood of his blood2 b&t mind of his mind. 4 am not the man )ho
)as born of a )oman on that lost )orld of Barth. 4 am the byblo) of
science and a machine. Gnless...6
Goring said2 3Jes? Gnless )hat?6
3Gnless there is some entity attached to the h&man body2 an entity
)hich is the h&man being. 4 mean2 it contains all that ma%es the indi9id&al
)hat he is2 and )hen the body is destroyed2 this entity still exists. So that2 if
the body )ere to be made again2 this entity2 storing the essence of the
indi9id&al2 co&ld be attached again to the body. =nd it )o&ld record e9ery
thing that the body recorded! =nd so the original indi9id&al )o&ld li9e again.
He )o&ld not be @&st a d&plicate.6
;&rton said2 3For God6s sa%e2 Iete5 =re yo& proposing the so&l?6
Frigate nodded and said2 3Something analago&s to the so&l
Something that the primiti9es dimly apprehended and called a so&l.6 Goring
la&ghed &proario&sly. ;&rton )o&ld ha9e la&ghed2 b&t he did not care to
gi9e Goring any s&pport2 moral or intellect&al.
When Goring had >&it la&ghing2 he said2 3B9en here2 in a )orld
)hich is clearly the res&lt of science2 the s&pernat&ralists )on6t >&it trying.
Well2 eno&gh of that. 7o more practical and immediate matters. 7ell me2
ha9e yo& changed yo&r mind? =re yo& ready to @oin me?6
;&rton glared and said2 34 )o&ld not be &nder the orders of a man
)ho rapes )omenF moreo9er2 4 respect the 4sraelis. 4 )o&ld rather be a
sla9e )ith them than free )ith yo&.6 Goring sco)led and said2 harshly2 3(ery
)ell. 4 tho&ght as m&ch. ;&t 4 had hoped ... )ell2 4 ha9e been ha9ing tro&ble
)ith the Moman. 4f he gets his )ay2 yo& )ill see ho) mercif&l 4 ha9e been
to yo& sla9es. Jo& do not %no) him. Cnly my inter9ention has sa9ed one of
yo& being tort&red to death e9ery night for his am&sement.6 =t noon2 the
t)o ret&rned to their )or% in the hills. <either got a chance to spea% to
7argoff or any of the sla9es2 since their d&ties happened not to bring them
into contact. 7hey did not dare ma%e an open attempt to tal% to him2
beca&se that )o&ld ha9e meant a se9ere beating.
=fter they ret&rned to the stoc%ade in the e9ening2 ;&rton told the
others )hat had happened.
3More than li%ely 7argoff )ill not belie9e my story. He6ll thin% )e6re
spies. B9en if he6s not certain2 he can6t afford to ta%e chances. So there6ll
be tro&ble. 4t6s too bad that this had to happen. 7he escape plan )ill ha9e
to be cancelled for tonight6 <othing &nto)ard too% place#at first. 7he
4sraelis )al%ed a)ay from ;&rton and Frigate )hen they tried to tal% to
them. 7he stars came o&t2 and the stoc%ade )as flooded )ith a light almost
as bright as a f&ll moon of Barth.
7he prisoners stayed inside their barrac%s2 b&t they tal%ed is lo)
9oices )ith their heads together. :espite their deep tiredness2 they co&ld
not sleep. 7he g&ards m&st ha9e sensed the tension2 e9en tho&gh they
co&ld not see or hear the men in the h&ts. 7hey )al%ed bac% and forth on
the )al%s2 stood together tal%ing2 and peered do)n into the enclos&re by
the light of the night s%y and the flames of the resin torches.
37argoff )ill do nothing &ntil it rains26 ;&rton said. He ga9e orders.
Frigate )as to stand first )atchF Mobert Spr&ce2 the secondF ;&rton2 third.
;&rton lay do)n on his pile of lea9es and2 ignoring the m&rm&ring of 9oices
and the mo9ing aro&nd of bodies2 fell asleep.
4t seemed that he had @&st closed his eyes )hen Spr&ce to&ched
him. He rose >&ic%ly to2 his feet2 ya)ned2 and stretched. 7he others )ere
all a)a%e. Within a fe) min&tes2 the first of the clo&ds formed. 4n ten
min&tes2 the stars )ere blotted o&t. 7h&nder gr&mbled )ay &p in the
mo&ntains2 and the first lightning flash for%ed the s%y.
Hightning str&c% near. ;&rton sa) by its flash that the g&ards )ere
h&ddled &nder the roofs stic%ing o&t from the base of the )atch ho&ses at
each corner of the stoc%ade. 7hey )ere co9ered )ith to)els against the
chill and the rain.
;&rton cra)led from his barrac%s to the next. 7argoff )as standing
inside the entrance.
;&rton stood &p and said2 3:oes the plan still hold?6
3Jo& %no) better than that26 7argoff said. = bolt of lightning sho)ed
his angry face. 3Jo& N&das56 He stepped for)ard2 and a doAen men
follo)ed him. ;&rton did not )aitF he attac%ed. ;&t2 as he r&shed for)ard2
he heard a strange so&nd. He pa&sed to loo%6 o&t thro&gh the door.
=nother flash re9ealed a g&ard spra)led face do)n in the grass beneath a
)al%.
7argoff had p&t his fists do)n )hen ;&rton t&rned his bac% on him.
He said2 3What6s going on2 ;&rton?6
3Wait26 the Bnglishman replied. He had no more idea than the 4sraeli
did abo&t )hat )as happening2 b&t anything &nexpected co&ld be to his
ad9antage.
Hightning ill&minated the s>&at fig&re of KaAA on the )ooden )al%.
He )as s)inging a h&ge stone axe against a gro&p of g&ards )ho )ere in
the angle formed by the meeting of the t)o )alls. =nother flash. 7he
g&ards )ere spra)led o&t on the )al%. :ar%ness. =t the next blaAe of light2
another )as do)nF the remaining t)o )ere r&nning a)ay do)n the )al% in
different directions.
=nother bolt 9ery near the )all sho)ed that2 finally2 the other g&ards
)ere a)are of )hat )as happening. 7hey ran do)n the )al%2 sho&ting and
)a9ing their spears.
KaAA2 ignoring them2 slid a long bamboo ladder do)n into the
enclos&re and then he thre) a b&ndle of spears after it. ;y the next flash2
he co&ld be seen ad9ancing to)ard the nearest g&ards.
;&rton snatched a spear and almost ran &p the ladder. 7he others2
incl&ding the 4sraeli2 )ere behind him. 7he fight )as bloody and brief. With
the g&ards on the )al% either stabbed or h&rled to their deaths2 only those
in the )atch ho&ses remained. 7he ladder )as carried to the other end of
the stoc%ade and placed against the gate. 4n t)o min&tes2 men had
climbed to the o&tside2 dropped do)n2 and opened the gate. For the first
time2 ;&rton fo&nd the chance to tal% to KaAA.
34 tho&ght yo& had sold &s o&t.6
3<o. <ot me2 KaAA26 KaAA said reproachf&lly. 3Jo& %no) 4 lo9e yo&2
;&rton8na>. Jo&6re my friend2 my chief. 4 pretend to @oin yo&r enemies
beca&se that6s playing it smart. 4 s&rprise yo& don6t do the same. Jo&6re no
d&mmy.6
3$ertainly2 yo& aren6t26 ;&rton said. 3;&t 4 co&ldn6t bring myself to %ill
those sla9es.6 Hightning re9ealed KaAA shr&gging. He said2 37hat don6t
bother me. 4 don6t %no) them. ;esides2 yo& hear Goring. He say they die
any)ay.6
34t6s a good thing yo& chose tonight to resc&e &s26 ;&rton said. He
did not tell KaAA )hy since he did not )ant to conf&se him. Moreo9er2 there
)ere more important things to do.
37onight6s a good night for this26 KaAA said. 3;ig battle going on.
7&lli&s and Goring get 9ery dr&n% and >&arrel. 7hey fightF their men fight.
While they %ill each other2 in9aders come. 7hose bro)n men across 7he
Mi9er . . . )hat yo& call them? .. . Cnondaga6s2 that6s them. 7heir boats
come @&st before rain come. 7hey ma%e raid to steal sla9es2 too. Cr maybe
@&st for the hell of it. So2 4 thin%2 no)6s good time to start my plan2 get
;&rton8na> free.6
=s s&ddenly as it had come2 the rain ceased. ;&rton co&ld hear
sho&ts and screams from far off2 to)ard 7he Mi9er. :r&ms )ere beating
p&p and do)n 7he Mi9erban%s. He said to 7argoff2 3We can either try to
escape2 and probably do so easily2 or )e can attac%.6
64 intend to )ipe o&t the beasts )ho ensla9ed &s26 7argoff said.
37here are other stoc%ades nearby. 469e sent men to open their gates. 7he
rest are too far a)ay to reach >&ic%lyF they6re str&ng o&t at half8mile
inter9als! ;y then2 the bloc%ho&se in )hich the off8d&ty g&ards li9ed had
been stormed. 7he sla9es armed themsel9es and then started to)ard the
noise of the conflict. ;&rton6s gro&p )as on the right flan%. 7hey had not
gone half a mile before they came &pon corpses and )o&nded2 a mixt&re
of Cnondaga6s and )hites.
:espite the hea9y rain2 a fire had bro%en o&t. ;y its increasing light2
they sa) that the flames came from the longho&se. C&tlined in the glare
)ere str&ggling fig&res. 7he escapees ad9anced across the plain.
S&ddenly2 one side bro%e and ran to)ard them )ith the 9ictors2 )hooping
and screaming @&bilantly2 after them.
37here6s Goring26 Frigate said. 3His fat isn6t going to help him get
a)ay2 that6s for s&re.6 He pointed2 and ;&rton co&ld see the German
desperately p&mping his legs b&t falling behind the others.
34 don6t )ant the 4ndians to ha9e the honor of %illing him26 ;&rton
said. 3We o)e it to =lice to get him.6 $ampbell6s long8legged fig&re )as
ahead of them all2 and it )as to)ard him that ;&rton thre) his spear. 7o the
Scot2 the missile m&st ha9e seemed to come o&t of the dar%ness from
no)here. 7oo late2 he tried to dodge. 7he flint head b&ried itself in the flesh
bet)een his left sho&lder and chest2 and he fell on his side. He tried to get
&p a moment after)ard2 b&t he )as %noc%ed bac% do)n by ;&rton.
$ampbell6s eyes rolledF blood tric%led from his mo&th. He pointed at
another )o&nd2 a deep gash in his side @&st belo) the ribs. 3Jo& ... yo&r
)oman ... Wilfreda ... did that26 he gasped. 3;&t 4 %illed her2 the bitch...6
;&rton )anted to as% him )here =lice )as2 b&t KaAA2 screaming
phrases in his nati9e tong&e2 bro&ght his cl&b do)n on the Scot6s head.
;&rton pic%ed &p his spear and ran after KaAA. 3:on6t %ill Goring56 he
sho&ted. 3Hea9e him to me56
KaAA did not hear himF he )as b&sy fighting )ith t)o Cnondaga6s.
;&rton sa) =lice as she ran by him. He reached o&t and grabbed her and
sp&n her aro&nd. She screamed and started to str&ggle. ;&rton sho&ted at
herF s&ddenly2 recogniAing him2 she collapsed into his arms and began
)eeping. ;&rton )o&ld ha9e tried to comfort her2 b&t he )as afraid that
Goring )o&ld escape him. He p&shed her a)ay and ran to)ard the
German and thre) his spear. 4t graAed Goring6s head2 and he screamed
and stopped r&nning and began to loo% for the )eapon b&t ;&rton )as on
him. ;oth fell to the gro&nd and rolled o9er and o9er2 each trying to strangle
the other.
Something str&c% ;&rton on the bac% of his head. St&nned2 he
released his grip. Goring p&shed him do)n on the gro&nd and di9ed to)ard
the spear. SeiAing it2 he rose and stepped to)ard the prostrate ;&rton.
;&rton tried to get to his feet2 b&t his %nees seemed to be made of p&tty
and e9erything )as )hirling. Goring s&ddenly staggered as =lice tac%led
his legs from behind2 and he fell for)ard. ;&rton made another effort2 fo&nd
he co&ld at least stagger2 and spra)led o9er Goring. =gain2 they rolled o9er
and o9er )ith Goring s>&eeAing on ;&rton6s throat. 7hen a shaft slid o9er
;&rton6s sho&lder2 b&rning his s%in2 and its stone tip dro9e into Goring6s
throat.
;&rton stood &p2 p&lled the spear o&t2 and pl&nged it into the man6s
fat belly. Goring tried to sit &p2 b&t he fell bac% and died. =lice sl&mped to
the gro&nd and )ept.
:a)n sa) the end of the battle. ;y then2 the sla9es had bro%en o&t
of e9ery stoc%ade. 7he )arriors of Goring and 7&lli&s )ere gro&nd bet)een
the t)o forces2 Cnondaga and sla9es2 li%e h&s%s bet)een millstones. 7he
4ndians2 )ho had probably raided only to loot and get more sla9es and their
grails2 retreated. 7hey climbed aboard their d&go&ts and canoes and
paddled across the la%e. <obody felt li%e chasing them.
7he days that follo)ed )ere b&sy ones. = ro&gh cens&s indicated
that at least half of the +.2... inhabitants of Goring6s little %ingdom had
been %illed2 se9erely )o&nded2 abd&cted by the Cnondaga2 or had fled.
7he Moman 7&lli&s Hostili&s had apparently escaped. 7he s&r9i9ors chose
a pro9isional go9ernment. 7argoff2 ;&rton2 Spr&ce2 M&ach2 and t)o others
formed an exec&ti9e committee )ith considerable2 b&t temporary2 po)ers.
Nohn de Greystoc% had disappeared. He had been seen d&ring the
beginning of the battle and then he had @&st dropped o&t of sight.
=lice Hargrea9es mo9ed into ;&rton6s h&t )itho&t either saying a
)ord abo&t the )hy or )herefore.
Hater2 she said2 3Frigate tells me that if this entire planet is
constr&cted li%e the areas )e69e seen2 and there6s no reason to belie9e it
isn6t2 then 7he Mi9er m&st be at least +.2...2... miles long. 4t6s incredible2
b&t so is o&r res&rrection2 e9erything abo&t this )orld. =lso2 there may be
thirty8fi9e to thirty8se9en billion people li9ing along 7he Mi9er. What chance
)o&ld 4 ha9e of e9er finding my Barthly h&sband? Moreo9er2 4 lo9e yo&.
Jes2 4 %no) 4 didn6t act as if 4 lo9ed yo&. ;&t something has changed in me.
Ierhaps it6s all 469e been thro&gh that is responsible. 4 don6t thing 4 co&ld
ha9e lo9ed yo& on Barth. 4 might ha9e been fascinated2 b&t 4 )o&ld also
ha9e been repelled2 perhaps frightened. 4 co&ldn6t ha9e made yo& a good
)ife there. Here2 4 can. Mather2 46ll ma%e yo& a good mate2 since there
doesn6t seem to be any a&thority or religio&s instit&tions that co&ld marry
&s. 7hat in itself sho)s ho) 469e changed. 7hat 4 co&ld be calmly li9ing )ith
a man 46m not married to . . .5 Well2 there yo& are.6
3We6re no longer li9ing in the (ictorian age26 ;&rton said. 3What
)o&ld yo& call this present age... the Melange era? 7he Mixed =ge?
B9ent&ally2 it )ill be 7he Mi9er $&lt&re2 7he Miparian World2 rather2 many
Mi9er c&lt&res.6
3Iro9iding it lasts26 =lice said. 34t started s&ddenlyF it may end @&st as
s)iftly and &nexpectedly.6
$ertainly2 ;&rton tho&ght2 the green Mi9er and the grassy plain and
the forested hills and the &nscalable mo&ntains did not seem li%e
Sha%espeare6s ins&bstantial 9ision. 7hey )ere solid2 real2 as real as the
men )al%ing to)ard him no)2 Frigate2 Monat2 KaAA2 and M&ach. He
stepped o&t of the b&t and greeted them.
KaAA began tal%ing. 3= long time ago2 before 4 spea% Bnglish good2 4
see something. 4 try to tell yo& then2 b&t yo& don6t &nderstand me. 4 see a
man )ho don6t ha9e this on his forehead.6 He pointed2 at the center of his
o)n forehead and then at that of the others.
34 %no)26 KaAA contin&ed2 3yo& can6t see it. Iete and Monat can6t
either. <obody else can. ;&t 4 see it on e9erybody6s forehead. Bxcept on
that man 4 try to catch long time ago. 7hen2 one day2 4 see a )oman don6t
ha9e it2 b&t 4 don6t say nothing to yo&. <o)2 4 see a third person )ho don6t
ha9e it6
3He means26 Monat said2 3that he is able to percei9e certain symbols
or characters on the forehead of each and e9ery one of &s. He can see
these only in bright s&nlight and at a certain angle. ;&t e9eryone he6s e9er
seen has had these symbols#except for the three he6s mentioned.6
3He m&st be able to see a little f&rther into the spectr&m than )e26
Frigate said. 3Cb9io&sly2 Whoe9er stamped &s )ith the sign of the beast or
)hate9er yo& )ant to call it2 did not %no) abo&t the special ability of KaAA6s
species. Which sho)s that 7hey are not omniscient6
3Cb9io&sly26 ;&rton said. 3<or infallible. Cther)ise2 4 )o&ld ne9er
ha9e a)a%ened in that place before being res&rrected. So2 )ho is this
person )ho does not ha9e these symbols on his s%in?6 He spo%e calmly2
b&t his heart beat s)iftly. 4f KaAA )as right2 he might ha9e detected an
agent of the beings )ho had bro&ght the entire h&man species to life again.
Wo&ld 7hey be gods in disg&ise?
3Mobert Spr&ce56 Frigate said.
3;efore )e @&mp to any concl&sions26 Monat said2 3don6t forget that
the omission may ha9e been an accident6
3We6ll find o&t26 ;&rton said omino&sly.
3;&t )hy the symbols? Why sho&ld )e be mar%ed?6
3Irobably for identification or n&mbering p&rposes26 Monat said.
3Who %no)s2 except 7hose )ho p&t &s here.6
3Het6s go face Spr&ce26 ;&tton said.
6We ha9e to catch him first26 Frigate replied. 6KaAA made the mista%e
of mentioning to Spr&ce that he %ne) abo&t the symbols. He did so at
brea%fast this morning. 4 )asn6t there2 b&t those )ho )ere said Spr&ce
t&rned pale. = fe) min&tes later2 he exc&sed himself2 and he hasn6t been
seen since. We69e sent search parties o&t &p and do)n 7he Mi9er2 across
7he Mi9er2 and also into the hills.6
3His flight is an admission of g&ilt26 ;&rton said. He )as angry. Was
man a %ind of cattle branded for some sinister p&rpose? 7hat afternoon2
the dr&ms anno&nced that Spr&ce had been ca&ght. 7hree ho&rs later2 he
)as standing before the co&ncil table in the ne)ly b&ilt meeting hall.
;ehind the table sat the $o&ncil. 7he doors )ere closed2 for the
$o&ncilmen felt that this )as something that co&ld be cond&cted more
efficiently )itho&t a cro)d. Ho)e9er2 Monat2 KaAA2 and Frigate )ere also
present.
34 may as )ell tell yo& no)26 ;&rton said2 3that )e ha9e decided to
go to any lengths to get the tr&th from yo&. 4t is against the principles of
e9ery one at this table to &se tort&re. We despise and loathe those )ho
resort to tort&re. ;&t )e feel that this is one iss&e )here principles m&st be
abandoned5
6Irinciples m&st ne9er be abandoned26 Spr&ce said e9enly. 67he end
ne9er @&stifies the means. B9en if clinging to them means defeat2 death2
and remaining in ignorance.6
67here6s too m&ch at sta%e26 7argoff said. 342 )ho ha9e been the
69ictim of &nprincipled menF M&ach2 )ho has been tort&red se9eral timesF
the others2 )e all agree. We6ll &se fire and the %nife on yo& if )e m&st. 4t is
necessary that )e find o&t the tr&th. <o)2 tell me2 are yo& one of 7hose
responsible for this res&rrection?6
3Jo& )ill be no better than Goring and his %ind if yo& tort&re me26
Spr&ce said. His 9oice )as beginning to brea%. 34n fact2 yo& )ill be far
)orse off2 for yo& are forcing yo&rsel9es to be li%e him in order to gain
something that may not e9en exist. Cr2 if it does2 may not be )orth the
price.6
67ell &s the tr&th26 7argoff said. 3:on6t lie. We %no) that yo& m&st be
an agentF perhaps one of 7hose directly responsible5
67here is a fire blaAing in that stone o9er there26 ;&rton said. 64f yo&
don6t start tal%ing at once2 yo& )ill ... )ell2 the roasting yo& get )ill be the
least of yo&r pain. 4 am an a&thority on $hinese and =rabic methods of
tort&re. 4 ass&re yo& that they had some 9ery refined means for extracting
the tr&th. =nd 4 ha9e no >&alms abo&t p&tting my %no)ledge into practice.6
Spr&ce pale and s)eating2 said2 3Jo& may be denying yo&r eternal
life if yo& do this. 4t )ill at least set yo& far bac% on yo&r @o&rney2 delay the
final goal.6
3What is that?6 ;&rton replied.
Spr&ce ignored him. 3We can6t stand pain26 he m&ttered. 6We6re too
sensiti9e.6
6=re yo& going to tal%?6 7argoff said.
6B9en the idea of self8destr&ction is painf&l and to be a9oided
except )hen absol&tely necessary26 Spr&ce m&mbled. 3:espite the fact that
4 %no) 4 shall li9e again.6
6I&t him o9er the fire26 7argoff said to the t)o men )ho held Spr&ce.
Monat spo%e &p. 3N&st one moment. Spr&ce2 the science of my
people )as m&ch more ad9anced than that of Barth6s. So 4 am more
>&alified to ma%e an ed&cated g&ess. Ierhaps )e co&ld spare yo& the pain
of the fire2 and the pain of betraying yo&r p&rpose2 if yo& )ere merely to
affirm )hat 4 ha9e to say. 7hat )ay2 yo& )o&ldn6t be ma%ing a positi9e
betrayal.6
Spr&ce said2 346m listening.6 34t6s my theory that yo& are a 7errestrial.
Jo& belong to an age chronologically far past =.:. +..D. Jo& m&st be the
descendant of the fe) )ho s&r9i9ed my death scanner. N&dging by the
technology and po)er re>&ired to reconstr&ct the s&rface of this planet into
one 9ast Mi9er9alley2 yo&r time m&st be m&ch later than the t)enty8first
cent&ry. N&st g&essing2 the fiftieth $ent&ry =.:.?6
Spr&ce loo%ed at the fire2 then said2 3=dd t)o tho&sand more6
34f this planet is abo&t the siAe of Barth2 it can hold only so many
people. Where are the others2 the still8born2 the children )ho died before
they )ere fi9e2 the imbeciles and idiots2 and those )ho li9ed after the
t)entieth cent&ry?6
67hey are else)here26 Spr&ce said. He glanced at the fire again2 and
his lips tightened.
3My o)n people26 Monat said2 3had a theory that they )o&ld
e9ent&ally be able to see into their past. 4 )on6t go into the details2 b&t it
)as possible that past e9ents co&ld be 9is&ally detected and then
recorded. 7ime tra9el2 of co&rse2 )as sheer fantasy. ;&t )hat if yo&r c&lt&re
)as able to do )hat )e only theoriAed abo&t? What if yo& recorded e9ery
single h&man being that had e9er li9ed? Hocated this planet and
constr&cted this Mi9er9alley? Some)here2 maybe &nder the 9ery s&rface of
this planet2 &sed energy8matter con9ersion2 say from the heat of this
planet6s molten core2 and the recordings to re8create the bodies of the dead
in the tan%s? Gsed biological techni>&es to re@&9enate the bodies and to
restore limbs2 eyes2 and so on and also to correct any physical defects?6
67hen26 Monat contin&ed2 3yo& made more recordings of the ne)ly
created bodies and stored them in some 9ast memory8tan%? Hater2 yo&
destroyed the bodies in the tan%s? Me8created them again thro&gh means
of the cond&cti9e metal2 )hich is also &sed to charge the grails? 7hese
co&ld be b&ried beneath the gro&nd. 7he res&rrection then occ&rs )itho&t
reco&rse to s&pernat&ral means.
37he big >&estion is2 )hy?6
34f yo& had it in yo&r po)er to do all this2 )o&ld yo& not thin% it )as
yo&r ethical d&ty?6 Spr&ce as%ed.
3Jes2 b&t 4 )o&ld res&rrect only those )orth res&rrecting.6
3=nd )hat if others did not accept yo&r criteria?6 Spr&ce said. 3:o
yo& really thin% yo& are )ise eno&gh and good eno&gh to @&dge? Wo&ld
yo& place yo&rself on a le9el )ith God? <o2 all m&st be gi9en a second
chance2 no matter ho) bestial or selfish or petty or st&pid. 7hen2 it )ill be
&p to them...6 He fell silent2 as if he had regretted his o&tb&rst and meant to
say no more.
3;esides26 Monat said2 3yo& )o&ld )ant to ma%e a st&dy of h&manity
as it existed in the past. Jo& )o&ld )ant to record all the lang&ages that
man e9er spo%e2 his mores2 his philosophies2 biographies. 7o do this2 yo&
need agents2 posing as res&rrectees2 to mingle )ith the Mi9erpeople and to
ta%e notes2 to obser9e2 to st&dy. Ho) long )ill this st&dy ta%e? Cne
tho&sand years? 7)o? 7en? = million? 3=nd )hat abo&t the e9ent&al
disposition of &s? =re )e to stay here fore9er?6
3Jo& )ill stay here as long as it ta%es for yo& to be rehabilitated26
Spr&ce sho&ted. 37hen . .6 He closed his mo&th2 glared2 then opened it to
say2 3$ontin&ed contact )ith yo& ma%es e9en the to&ghest of &s ta%e on
yo&r characteristics. We ha9e to go thro&gh a rehabilitation o&rsel9es.
=lready2 4 feel &nclean. .6
3I&t him o9er the fire26 7argoff said. 3We6ll get the entire tr&th.6
3<o2 yo& )on6t56 Spr&ce cried 34 sho&ld ha9e done this long ago5
Who %no)s )hat. .6
He fell to the gro&nd2 and his s%in changed to a gray8bl&e color.
:octor Steinborg2 a $o&ncilman2 examined him2 b&t it )as apparent to all
that he )as dead.
7argoff said2 3;etter ta%e him a)ay no)2 doctor. :issect him. We6ll
)ait here for yo&r report.6
3With stone %ni9es2 no chemicals2 no microscopes2 )hat %ind of a
report can yo& expect?6 Steinborg said. 3;&t 46ll do my best.6 7he body )as
carried off.
;&rton said2 346m glad he didn6t force &s to admit )e )ere bl&ffing. 4f
he had %ept his mo&th sh&t2 he co&ld ha9e defeated &s.6
37hen yo& really )eren6t going to tort&re him?6 Frigate said. 34 )as
hoping yo& didn6t mean yo&r threat. 4f yo& had2 4 )as going to )al% o&t then
and there and ne9er see any of yo& again.6
3Cf co&rse )e didn6t mean it26 M&ach said. 3Spr&ce )o&ld ha9e been
right. We6d ha9e been no better than Goring. ;&t )e co&ld ha9e tried other
means. Hypnotism for instance. ;&rton2 Monat2 and Steinborg )ere experts
in that field.6
37he tro&ble is2 )e still don6t %no) if )e did get the tr&th26 7argoff
said. 3=ct&ally2 he may ha9e been lying. Monat s&pplied some g&esses2
and2 if these )ere )rong2 Spr&ce co&ld ha9e led &s astray by agreeing )ith
Monat. 46d say )e can6t be at all s&re.6 7hey agreed on one thing. 7heir
chances of detecting another agent thro&gh the absence of symbols on the
forehead )o&ld be gone. <o) that 7hey#)hoe9er 7hey )ere#%ne)
abo&t the 9isibility of the characters to KaAA6s species2 7hey )o&ld ta%e the
proper meas&res to pre9ent detection.
Steinborg ret&rned three ho&rs later. 37here is nothing to disting&ish
him from any other member of Homo sapiens. Bxcept this one little de9ice.6
He held &p a blac% shiny ball abo&t the siAe of a matchhead.
34 located this on the s&rface of the forebrain. 4t )as attached to
some ner9es by )ires so thin that 4 co&ld see them only at a certain angle2
)hen they ca&ght the light. 4t6s my opinion that Spr&ce %illed himself by
means of this de9ice and that he did so by literally thin%ing himself dead.
Someho)2 this little ball translated a )ish for death into the deed. Ierhaps2
it reacted to the tho&ght by releasing a poison )hich 4 do not ha9e facilities
for analyAing.6 He concl&ded his report and passed the ball aro&nd to the
others.
"D
7hirty days later2 ;&rton2 Frigate2 M&ach2 and KaAA )ere ret&rning
from a trip GpMi9er. 4t )as @&st before da)n.
7he cold hea9y mists that piled &p to six or se9en feet abo9e 7he
Mi9er in the latter part of the night s)irled aro&nd them. 7hey co&ld not see
in any direction f&rther than a strong man might ma%e a standing broad
@&mp. ;&t ;&rton2 standing in the pro) of the bamboo h&lled single8masted
boat2 %ne) they )ere close to the )estern shore. <ear the relati9ely
shallo) depths the c&rrent ran more slo)ly2 and they had @&st steered to
port from the middle of 7he Mi9er.
4f his calc&lations )ere correct2 they sho&ld be close to the r&ins of
Goering6s hall. =t any moment2 he expected to see a strip of denser
dar%ness appear o&t of the dar% )aters2 the ban%s of that land he no)
called home. Home2 for ;&rton2 had al)ays been a place from )hich to
sally forth2 a resting8place2 a temporary fortress in )hich to )rite a boo%
abo&t his last expedition2 a lair in )hich to heal fresh h&rts2 a conning to)er
from )hich he loo%ed o&t for ne) lands to explore.
7h&s2 only t)o )ee%s after the death of Spr&ce2 ;&rton had felt the
need to get to some place other than the one in )hich he no) )as. He
heard a r&mor that copper had been disco9ered on the )estern shore
abo&t a h&ndred miles GpMi9er. 7his )as a length of shore of not more
than t)el9e miles2 inhabited by fifth cent&ry ;.$. Sarmatians and thirteenth8
cent&ry =.:. Frisians.
;&rton did not really thin% the story )as tr&e#b&t it ga9e him an
exc&se to tra9el. 4gnoring =lice6s pleas to ta%e her )ith him2 he had set off.
<o)2 a month later and after some ad9ent&res2 not all &npleasant2
they )ere almost home. 7he story had not been entirely &nfo&nded. 7here
)as copper b&t only in min&te amo&nts. So the fo&r had gotten into their
boat for the easy trip do)n c&rrent2 their sail p&shed by the ne9er ceasing
)ind. 7hey @o&rneyed d&ring the daytime and beached the boat d&ring
mealtimes )here9er there )ere friendly people )ho did not mind strangers
&sing their grailstones. =t night they either slept among the friendlies or2 if
in hostile )aters2 sailed by in the dar%ness.
7he last leg of their trip )as made after the s&n )ent do)n. ;efore getting
home they had to pass a section of the 9alley )here sla9e8h&ngry
eighteenth8cent&ry Moha)%s li9ed on one side and e>&ally greedy
$arthaginians of the third cent&ry ;.$. on the other. Ha9ing slipped thro&gh
&nder co9er of the fog2 they )ere almost home.
=br&ptly2 ;&rton said2 37here6s the ban%. Iete2 lo)er the mast5
KaAA2 He92 bac% oars5 N&mp to it56 = fe) min&tes later2 they had landed and
had p&lled the light)eight craft completely o&t of the )ater and &pon the
gently sloping shore. <o) that they )ere o&t of the mists2 they co&ld see
the s%y paling abo9e the eastern mo&ntains.
:ead rec%oning come ali9e56 ;&rton said. 3We6re ten paces beyond
the grailstone near the r&ins56 He scanned the bamboo h&ts along the plain
and the b&ildings e9ident in the long grasses and &nder the giant trees of
the hills.
<ot a single person )as to be seen. 7he 9alley )as asleep.
He said2 3:on6t yo& thin% it6s strange that no one6s &p yet? Cr that
)e69e not been challenged by the sentinels?6 Frigate pointed to)ard the
loo%o&t to)er to their right.
;&rton s)ore and said 37hey6re asleep2 by God2 or deserted their
post6 b&t he %ne) as he spo%e that this )as no case of dereliction of d&ty.
7ho&gh he had said nothing to the others abo&t it2 the moment he had
stepped ashore2 he had been s&re something )as 9ery )rong. He began
r&nning across the plain to)ard the b&t in )hich he and =lice li9ed.
=lice )as sleeping on the bamboo8and8grass bed on the right side
of the b&ilding. Cnly her head )as 9isible2 for she )as c&rled &p &nder a
blan%et of to)els fastened to each other by the magnetic clasps. ;&rton
thre) the blan%et bac%2 got do)n on his %nees by the lo) bed2 and raised
her to a sitting position. Her head lolled for)ard2 and her arms h&ng limply.
;&t she had a healthy color and breathed normally.
;&rton called her name three times. She slept on. He slapped both
her chee%s sharplyF red splotches sprang &p on them. Her eyelids fl&ttered2
then she )ent bac% to sleep.
;y then Frigate and M&ach appeared. 3We69e loo%ed into some of
the other h&ts26 Frigate said. 37hey6re all asleep. 4 tried to )a%e a co&ple of
them2 b&t they6re o&t for the co&nt.
6What6s )rong?6 ;&rton said2 3Who do yo& thin% has the po)er or
the need to do this?
6Spr&ce56
6Spr&ce and his %ind2 Whoe9er 7hey are56
6Why?6 Frigate so&nded frightened.
37hey )ere loo%ing for me5 7hey m&st ha9e come in &nder the fog2
someho) p&t this )hole area to sleep56
6= sleep8gas )o&ld do it easily eno&gh26 M&ach said. 3=ltho&gh
people )ho ha9e po)ers s&ch as 7heirs co&ld ha9e de9ices )e69e ne9er
dreamed of.6
37hey )ere loo%ing for me56 ;&rton sho&ted.
3Which means2 if tr&e2 that 7hey may be bac% tonight26 Frigate said.
3;&t )hy )o&ld 7hey be searching for yo&?6
M&ach replied for ;&rton. 3;eca&se he2 as far as )e %no)2 )as the
only man to a)a%en in the pre8res&rrection phase. Why he did is a mystery.
;&t it6s e9ident something )ent )rong. 4t may also be a mystery to 7hem.
46d be inclined to thin% 7hey69e been disc&ssing this and finally decided to
come here. Maybe to %idnap ;&rton for obser9ation#or some more sinister
p&rpose.6
3Iossibly. 7hey )anted to erase from my memory all that 46d seen in
that chamber of floating bodies26 ;&rton said. 3S&ch a thing sho&ld not be
beyond 7heir science.6
3;&t yo&69e told that story to many26 Frigate said. 37hey co&ldn6t
possibly trac% do)n all those people and remo9e the memory of yo&r story
from their minds.6
3Wo&ld that be necessary? Ho) many belie9e my tale? Sometimes
4 do&bt it myself.6
M&ach said2 3Spec&lation is fr&itless. What do )e do no)?6 =lice
shrie%ed2 3Michard56 and they t&rned to see her sitting &p and staring at
them.
For a fe) min&tes2 they co&ld not get her to &nderstand )hat had
happened. Finally she said2 3So that6s )hy the fog co9ered the land2 too5 4
tho&ght it )as strange2 b&t of co&rse 4 had no )ay of %no)ing )hat )as
really happening.6 ;&rton said2 3Get yo&r grails. I&t anything yo& )ant to
ta%e along in yo&r sac%. We6re lea9ing as of no). 4 )ant to get a)ay before
the others a)a%e.6
=lice6s already large eyes became e9en )ider. 3Where are )e
going?6
3=ny)here from here. 4 don6t li%e to r&n a)ay b&t 4 can6t stand &p
and fight people li%e that. <ot if 7hey %no) )here 4 am. 46ll tell yo&2
ho)e9er2 )hat 4 plan to do. 4 intend to find the end of 7he Mi9er. 4t m&st
ha9e an inlet and an o&tlet2 and there m&st be a )ay for a man to get
thro&gh to the so&rce. 4f there6s any )ay at all2 46ll find it#yo& can bet yo&r
so&l on that56
3Mean)hile2 7hey6ll be loo%ing for me else)here#4 hope. 7he fact
that 7hey didn6t find me here ma%es me thin% that 7hey ha9e no means for
instantly locating a person. 7hey may ha9e branded &s li%e cattle6#he
indicated the in9isible symbols on his forehead#3b&t e9en cattle ha9e
ma9eric%s. =nd )e6re cattle )ith brains.6 He t&rned to the others. 3Jo&6re
more than )elcome to come along )ith me. 4n fact2 46d be honored.6
346ll get Monat26 KaAA said. 3He )o&ldn6t )ant to be left behind.6
;&rton grimaced and said2 3Good old Monat5 4 hate to do this to him2
b&t there6s no helping it. He can6t come along. He6s too disting&ishable.
7heir agents )o&ld ha9e no tro&ble at all in locating anybody )ho loo%ed
li%e him. 46m sorry2 b&t he can6t6
7ears stood in KaAA6s eyes2 then ran do)n his b&lging chee%bones.
4n a cho%ed 9oice2 he said2 3;&rton8na>2 4 can6t go either. 4 loo% too
different2 too.6
;&rton felt tears )et his o)n eyes. He said2 3We6ll ta%e that chance.
=fter all2 there m&st be plenty of yo&r type aro&nd. We69e seen at least
thirty or more d&ring o&r tra9els.6
3<o females so far2 ;&rton8na>26 KaAA said mo&rnf&lly. 7hen he
smiled. 3Maybe )e find one )hen )e go along 7he Mi9er.6 =s >&ic%ly2 he
lost his grin. 3<o2 damn it2 4 don6t go5 4 can6t h&rt Monat too m&ch. Him and
me2 others thin% )e &gly and spry loo%ing. So )e become good friends.
He6s not my na>2 b&t he6s next to it 4 stay.6 He stepped &p to ;&rton2 h&gged
him in a grip that forced ;&rton6s breath o&t in a great )hoosh2 released
him2 shoo% hands )ith the others2 ma%ing them )ince2 then t&rned and
sh&ffled off.
M&ach2 holding his paralyAed hand2 said. 3Jo&6re off on a fool6s
errand2 ;&rton. :o yo& realiAe that yo& co&ld sail on this Mi9er for a
tho&sand years and still be a million miles or more from the end? 46m
staying. My people need me. ;esides2 Spr&ce made it clear that )e sho&ld
be stri9ing for a spirit&al perfection2 not fighting 7hose )ho ga9e &s a
chance to do so.6 ;&rton6s teeth flashed )hitely in his dar% face. He s)&ng
his grail as if it )ere a )eapon.
34 didn6t as% to be p&t here any more than 4 as%ed to be born on
Barth2 4 don6t intend to %o)to) to another6s dictates 4 mean to find 7he
Mi9er6s end. =nd if 4 don6t2 4 )ill at least ha9e had f&n and learned m&ch on
the )ay56 ;y then2 people )ere beginning to st&mble o&t of their h&ts as
they ya)ned and r&bbed hea9y eyes. M&ach paid no attention to themF he
)atched the craft as it set sail close8ha&led to the )ind2 c&tting across and
&p 7he Mi9er. ;&rton )as handling the r&dderF he t&rned once and )a9ed
the grail so that the s&n bo&nced off it in many shining spears.
M&ach tho&ght that ;&rton )as really happy that he had been
forced to ma%e this decision. <o) he co&ld e9ade the deadly
responsibilities that )o&ld come )ith go9erning this little state and co&ld do
)hat he )anted. He co&ld set o&t on the greatest of all his ad9ent&res.
34 s&ppose it6s for the best26 M&ach m&ttered to himself. 3= man may
find sal9ation on the road2 if he )ants to2 @&st as )ell as he may at home.
4t6s &p to him. Mean)hile2 42 li%e (oltaire6s character#)hat )as his name?
Barthly things are beginning to slip a)ay from me#)ill c&lti9ate my o)n
little garden.6 He pa&sed to loo% some)hat longingly after ;&rton.
3Who %no)s? He may some day r&n into (oltaire.6 He sighed2 then
smiled.
3Cn the other hand2 (oltaire may some day drop in on me56
"E
34 hate yo&2 Hermann Goring56 7he 9oice sprang o&t and then
flashed a)ay as if it )ere a gear tooth meshed )ith the cog of another
man6s dream and rotated into and then o&t of his dream.
Miding the crest of the hypnotic state2 Michard Francis ;&rton %ne)
he )as dreaming. ;&t he )as helpless to do anything abo&t it.
7he first dream ret&rned.
B9ents )ere f&AAy and encaps&lated. = lightning strea% of himself in
the &nmeas&rable chamber of floating bodiesF another flash of the
nameless $&stodians finding him and p&tting him bac% to sleepF then a
@er%y synopsis of the dream he had had @&st before the tr&e Mes&rrection
on the ban%s of 7he Mi9er.
God#a bea&tif&l old man in the clothes of a mid8(ictorian
gentleman of means and breeding#)as po%ing him in the ribs )ith an iron
cane and telling him that he o)ed for the flesh.
3What? What flesh?6 ;&rton said2 dimly a)are that he )as m&ttering
in his sleep. He co&ld not hear his )ords in the dream.
3Iay &p56 God said. His face melted2 then )as recast into ;&rton6s
o)n feat&res.
God had not ans)ered in the first dream fi9e years before. He
spo%e no)2 3Ma%e yo&r Mes&rrection )orth my )hile2 yo& fool5 4 ha9e gone
to great expense and e9en greater pains to gi9e yo&2 and all those other
miserable and )orthless )retches2 a second chance.6
3Second chance at )hat?6 ;&rton said. He felt frightened at )hat
God might ans)er. He )as m&ch relie9ed )hen God the =ll8Father#only
no) did ;&rton see that one eye of Nah)eh8Cdin )as gone and o&t of the
empty soc%et glared the flames of hell#did not reply. He )as gone#no2
not gone b&t metamorphosed into a high gray to)er2 cylindrical and soaring
o&t of gray mists )ith the roar of the sea coming &p thro&gh the mists.
37he Grail56 He sa) again the man )ho had told him of the ;ig
Grail. 7his man had heard it from another man2 )ho had heard of it from a
)oman2 )ho had heard it from ... and so forth. 7he ;ig Grail )as one of the
legends told by the billions )ho li9ed along 7he Mi9er#this Mi9er that
coiled li%e a serpent aro&nd this planet from pole to pole2 iss&ed from the
&nreachable and pl&nged into the inaccessible.
= man2 or a s&bh&man2 had managed to climb thro&gh the
mo&ntains to the <orth Iole. =nd he had seen the ;ig Grail2 the :ar%
7o)er2 and the Misty $astle @&st before he had st&mbled. Cr he )as
p&shed. He had fallen headlong and bello)ing into the cold seas beneath
the mists and died. =nd then the man2 or s&bh&man2 had a)a%ened again
along 7he Mi9er. :eath )as not fore9er here2 altho&gh it had lost nothing of
its sting.
He had told of his 9ision. =nd the story had tra9eled along the 9alley
of 7he Mi9er faster than a boat co&ld sail.
7h&s2 Michard Francis ;&rton2 the eternal pilgrim and )anderer2 had
longed to storm the ramparts of the ;ig Grail. He )o&ld &n9eil the secret of
res&rrection and of this planet2 since he )as con9inced that the beings )ho
had reshaped this )orld had also b&ilt that to)er.
3:ie2 Hermann Goring5 :ie2 and lea9e me in peace56 a man sho&ted
in German.
;&rton opened his eyes. He co&ld see nothing except the pale
sheen of the m&ltit&dino&s stars thro&gh the open )indo) across the room
of the h&t.
His 9ision bent to the shape of the blac% things inside2 and he sa)
Ieter Frigate and Hogh& sleeping on their mats by the opposite )all. He
t&rned his head to see the )hite2 blan%et8siAed to)el &nder )hich =lice
slept. 7he )hiteness of her face )as t&rned to)ard him2 and the blac%
clo&d of her hair spilled o&t on the gro&nd by her mat.
7hat same e9ening2 the single8roasted boat on )hich he and the
other three had been sailing do)n 7he Mi9er had p&t into a friendly shore.
7he little state of Se9ieria )as inhabited largely by sixteenth8cent&ry
Bnglishmen2 altho&gh its chief )as an =merican )ho had li9ed in the late
eighteenth and early nineteenth cent&ry. Nohn Se9ier2 fo&nder of the 3lost
state6 of Fran%lin2 )hich had later become 7ennessee2 had )elcomed
;&rton and his party.
Se9ier and his people did not belie9e in sla9ery and )o&ld not
detain any g&est longer than he desired. =fter permitting them to charge
their grails and so feed themsel9es2 Se9ier had in9ited them to a party. 4t
)as the celebration of Mes&rrection :ayF after)ard2 he had them
cond&cted to the g&est hostelry.
;&rton )as al)ays a light sleeper2 and no) he )as an &neasy one.
7he others began breathing deeply or snoring long before he had
s&cc&mbed to )eariness. =fter an interminable dream2 he had )a%ened on
hearing the 9oice that had interloc%ed )ith his dreams.
Hermann Goring2 ;&rton tho&ght. He had %illed Goring2 b&t Goring
m&st be ali9e again some)here along 7he Mi9er. Was the man no)
groaning and sho&ting in the neighboring h&t one )ho had also s&ffered
beca&se of Goring2 either on earth or in the Mi9er9alley? ;&rton thre) off
the blac% to)el and rose s)iftly b&t noiselessly. He sec&red a %ilt )ith
magnetic tabs2 fastened a belt of h&man s%in aro&nd his )aist2 and made
s&re the h&man8leather scabbard held the flint poignard. $arrying an
assegai2 a short length of hard)ood tipped )ith a flint point2 he left the h&t.
7he moonless s%y cast a light as bright as the f&ll moon of Barth. 4t
)as aflame )ith h&ge many8colored stars and pale sheets of cosmic gas.
7he hostelries )ere set bac% a mile and a half from 7he Mi9er and
placed on one of the second ro) of hills that edged the Mi9erplain. 7here
)ere se9en of the one8room2 leaf8thatch8roofed2 bamboo b&ildings. =t a
distance2 &nder the enormo&s branches of the irontrees or &nder the giant
pines or oa%s2 )ere other h&ts. = half8mile a)ay2 on top of a high hill2 )as a
large circ&lar stoc%ade2 collo>&ially termed the 3Mo&ndho&se.6 7he officials
of Se9ieria slept there.
High to)ers of bamboo )ere placed e9ery half8mile along 7he Mi9er
shore. 7orches flamed all night long on platforms from )hich sentinels %ept
a loo%o&t for in9aders.
=fter scr&tiniAing the shado)s &nder the trees2 ;&rton )al%ed a fe)
steps to the b&t from )hich the groans and sho&ts had come.
He p&shed the grass c&rtain aside. 7he starlight fell thro&gh the
open )indo) on the face of the sleeper. ;&rton hissed in s&rprise. 7he light
re9ealed the blondish hair and the broad feat&res of a yo&th he recogniAed.
;&rton mo9ed slo)ly on bare feet. 7he sleeper groaned and thre)
one arm o9er his face and half8t&rned. ;&rton stopped2 then res&med his
stealthy progress. He placed the assegai on the gro&nd2 dre) his dagger2
and gently thr&st the point against the hollo) of the yo&th6s throat. 7he arm
flopped o9erF the eyes opened and stared into ;&rton6s. ;&rton clamped his
hand o9er the man6s open mo&th.
6Hermann Goring5 :on6t mo9e or try to yell5 46ll %ill yo&56 Goring6s
light8bl&e eyes loo%ed dar% in the shado)s2 b&t the paleness of his terror
shone o&t. He >&i9ered and started to sit &p2 then san% bac% as the flint
d&g into his s%in.
3Ho) long ha9e yo& been here?6 ;&rton said.
3Who. ..?6 Goring said in Bnglish2 then his eyes opened e9en )ider.
3Michard ;&rton? =m 4 dreaming? 4s that yo&?6 ;&rton co&ld smell the
dreamg&m on Goring6s breath and the s)eat8soa%ed mat on )hich he lay.
7he German )as m&ch thinner than the last time he had seen him.
Goring said2 34 don6t %no) ho) long 469e been here. What time is it?6
3=bo&t an ho&r &ntil da)n2 46d say. 4t6s the day after Mes&rrection
$elebration.6
67hen 469e been here three days. $o&ld 4 ha9e a drin% of )ater? My
throat6s dry as a sarcophag&s.6
3<o )onder. Jo&6re a li9ing sarcophag&s#if yo&6re addicted to
dreamg&m.6 ;&rton stood &p2 gest&ring )ith the assegai at a fired8clay pot
on a little bamboo table nearby. 3Jo& can drin% if yo& )ant to. ;&t don6t try
anything.6
Goring rose slo)ly and staggered to the table. 346m too )ea% to gi9e
yo& a fight e9en if 4 )anted to.6 He dran% noisily from the pot and then
pic%ed &p an apple from the table. He too% a bite2 and then said2 3What6re
yo& doing here? 4 tho&ght 4 )as rid of yo&.6
3Jo& ans)er my >&estion first26 ;&rton said2 3and be >&ic% abo&t it.
Jo& pose a problem that 4 don6t li%e2 yo& %no).6
+.
Goring started che)ing2 stopped2 stared2 then said2 3Why sho&ld 4?
4 don6t ha9e any a&thority here2 and 4 co&ldn6t do anything to yo& if 4 did. 46m
@&st a g&est here. :amned decent people2 theseF they ha9en6t bothered me
at all except to as% if 46m all right no) and then. 7ho&gh 4 don6t %no) ho)
long they6ll let me stay )itho&t earning my %eep.6
3Jo& ha9en6t left the h&t?6 ;&rton said. 37hen )ho charged yo&r grail
for yo&? Ho)6d yo& get so m&ch dreamg&m?6 Goring smiled slyly. 34 had a
big collection from the last place 4 stayedF some)here abo&t a tho&sand
miles &p 7he Mi9er.6
3:o&btless ta%en forcibly from some poor sla9es26 ;&rton said. 3;&t
if yo& )ere doing so )ell there2 )hy did yo& lea9e?6 Goring began to )eep.
7ears ran do)n his face2 and o9er his collarbones and do)n his chest2 and
his sho&lders shoo%.
34 . . . 4 had to get o&t. 4 )asn6t any good to the others. 4 )as losing
my hold o9er them#spending too m&ch time drin%ing2 stro%ing marih&ana2
and che)ing dreamg&m. 7hey said 4 )as too soft myself. 7hey )o&ld ha9e
%illed me or made me a sla9e. So 4 snea%ed o&t one night ... too% the boat.
4 got a)ay all right and %ept going &ntil 4 p&t into here. 4 traded part of my
s&pply to Se9ier for t)o )ee%s6 sanct&ary.6 ;&rton stared c&rio&sly at
Goring.
3Jo& %ne) )hat )o&ld happen if yo& too% too m&ch g&m26 he said.
3<ightmares2 hall&cinations2 del&sions. 7otal mental and physical
deterioration. Jo& m&st ha9e seen it happen to others.6
34 )as a morphine addict on Barth56 Goring cried. 34 str&ggled )ith it2
and 4 )on o&t for a long time. 7hen2 )hen things began to go badly for the
7hird Meich#and e9en )orse for myself#)hen Hitler began pic%ing on
me2 4 started ta%ing dr&gs again56 He pa&sed2 then contin&ed2 3;&t here2
)hen 4 )o%e &p to a ne) life2 in a yo&ng body2 )hen it loo%ed as if 4 had an
eternity of life and yo&th ahead of me2 )hen there )as no stern God in
Hea9en or :e9il in Hell to stop me2 4 tho&ght 4 co&ld do exactly as 4 pleased
and get a)ay )ith it. 4 )o&ld become e9en greater than the F&ehrer5 7hat
little co&ntry in )hich yo& first fo&nd me )as to be only the beginning5 4
co&ld see my empire stretching for tho&sands of miles &p and do)n 7he
Mi9er2 on both sides of the 9alley. 4 )o&ld ha9e been the r&ler of ten times
the s&b@ects that Hitler e9er dreamed of56 He began )eeping again2 then
pa&sed to ta%e another drin% of )ater2 then p&t a piece of the dreamg&m in
his mo&th. He che)ed2 his face becoming more relaxed and blissf&l )ith
each second.
Goring said2 34 %ept ha9ing nightmares of yo& pl&nging the spear
into my belly. When 4 )o%e &p2 my belly )o&ld h&rt as if a flint had gone
into my g&ts. So 46d ta%e g&m to remo9e the h&rt and the h&miliation. =t
first2 the g&m helped. 4 )as great. 4 )as master of the )orld2 Hitler2
<apoleon2 N&li&s $aesar2 =lexander2 Genghis Khan2 all rolled into one. 4
)as chief again of (on Michthofen6s Med :eath S>&adronF those )ere
happy days2 the happiest of my life in many )ays. ;&t the e&phoria soon
ga9e )ay to hideo&sness. 4 pl&nged into hellF 4 sa) myself acc&sing myself
and behind the acc&ser a million others. <ot myself b&t the 9ictims of that
great and glorio&s hero2 that obscene madman Hitler2 )hom 4 )orshipped
so. =nd in )hose name 4 committed so many8crimes.6
3Jo& admit yo& )ere a criminal?6 ;&rton said. 37hat6s a story
different than the one yo& &sed to gi9e me. 7hen yo& said yo& )ere
@&stified in all yo& did2 and yo& )ere betrayed by the...6 He stopped2
realiAing that he had been sidetrac%ed from his original p&rpose. 37hat yo&
sho&ld be ha&nted )ith the specter of a conscience is rather incredible. ;&t
perhaps that explains )hat has p&AAled the p&ritans#)hy li>&or2 tobacco2
marih&ana2 and dreamg&m )ere offered in the grails along )ith food. =t
least2 dreamg&m seems to be a gift booby8trapped )ith danger to those
)ho ab&se it.6 He stepped closer to Goring! 7he German6s eyes )ere half8
closed2 and his @a) h&ng open.
3Jo& %no) my identity. 4 am tra9eling &nder a pse&donym2 )ith
good reason. Jo& remember Spr&ce2 one of yo&r sla9es? =fter yo& )ere
%illed2 he )as re9ealed2 >&ite by accident2 as one of those )ho someho)
res&rrected all the dead of h&manity. 7hose )e call the Bthicals2 for lac% of
a better term. Goring2 are yo& listening?6 Goring nodded.
3Spr&ce %illed himself before )e co&ld get o&t of him all )e )anted
to %no). Hater2 some of his compatriots came to o&r area and temporarily
p&t e9erybody to sleep#probably )ith a gas intending to ta%e me a)ay to
)here9er 7heir head>&arters are. ;&t 7hey missed me. 4 )as off on a
trading trip &p 7he Mi9er. When 4 ret&rned2 4 realiAed 7hey )ere after me2
and 469e been r&nning e9er since. Goring2 do yo& hear me?6 ;&rton slapped
him sa9agely on his chee%. Goring said2 6=ch56 and @&mped bac% and held
the side of his face. His eyes )ere open2 and he )as grimacing.
34 heard yo&56 he snarled. 34t @&st didn6t seem )orth)hile to ans)er
bac%. <othing seemed )orth)hile2 nothing except floating a)ay2 far from...6
3Sh&t &p and8listen56 ;&rton said. 37he Bthicals ha9e men
e9ery)here loo%ing for me. 4 can6t afford to ha9e yo& ali9e2 do yo& realiAe
that? 4 can6t tr&st yo&. B9en if yo& )ere a friend2 yo& co&ldn6t be tr&sted.
Jo&6re a g&mmer6
Goring giggled2 stepped &p to ;&rton and tried to p&t his arms
aro&nd ;&rton6s nec%. ;&rton p&shed him bac% so hard that he staggered
&p against the table and only %ept from falling by cl&tching its edges.
37his is 9ery am&sing26 Goring said. 37he day 4 got here2 a man
as%ed me if 46d seen yo&. He described yo& in detail and ga9e yo&r name. 4
told him 4 %ne) yo& )ell#too )ell2 and that 4 hoped 46d ne9er see yo&
again2 not &nless 4 had yo& in my po)er2 that is. He said 4 sho&ld notify him
if 4 sa) yo& again. He6d ma%e it )orth my )hile.6 ;&rton )asted no time. He
strode &p to Goring and seiAed him )ith both hands. 7hey )ere small and
delicate2 b&t Goring )inced )ith pain.
He said2 3What6re yo& going to do2 %ill me again?6
3<ot if yo& tell me the name of the man )ho as%ed yo& abo&t me.
Cther)ise...6
3Go ahead and %ill me56 Goring said. 3So )hat? 46ll )a%e &p
some)here else2 tho&sands of miles from here2 far o&t of yo&r reach.6
;&rton pointed at a bamboo box in a corner of the h&t. G&essing that it held
Goring6s s&pply of g&m2 he said2 3=nd yo&6d also )a%e &p )itho&t that5
Where else co&ld yo& get so m&ch on s&ch short notice?6
6:amn yo&56 Goring sho&ted2 and tried to tear himself loose to get to
the box.
37ell me his name56 ;&rton said. 3Cr 46ll ta%e the g&m and thro) it in
7he Mi9er56
3=gnea&. Moger =gnea&. He sleeps in a b&t @&st o&tside the
Mo&ndho&se.6
346ll deal )ith yo& later26 ;&rton said2 and chopped Goring on the
side of the nec% )ith the edge of his palm.
He t&rned2 and he sa) a man cro&ching o&tside the entrance to the
h&t. 7he man straightened &p and )as off. ;&rton ran o&t after himF in a
min&te both )ere in the tall pines and oa%s of the hills. His >&arry
disappeared in the )aist8high grass.
;&rton slo)ed to a trot2 ca&ght sight of a patch of )hite starlight on
bare s%in#and )as after the fello). He hoped that the Bthical )o&ld not %ill
himself at once2 beca&se he had a plan for extracting information if he
co&ld %noc% him o&t at once. 4t in9ol9ed hypnosis2 b&t he )o&ld ha9e to
catch the Bthical first. 4t )as possible that the man had some sort of
)ireless imbedded in his body and )as e9en no) in comm&nication )ith
his compatriots#)here9er 7hey )ere. 4f so2 7hey )o&ld come in 7heir
flying machines2 and he )o&ld be lost.
He stopped. He had lost his >&arry and the only thing to do no)
)as to lose =lice and the others and r&n. Ierhaps this time they sho&ld
ta%e to the mo&ntains and hide there for a )hile.
;&t first he )o&ld go to =gnea&6s h&t. 7here )as little chance that
=gnea& )o&ld be there2 b&t it )as certainly )orth the effort to ma%e s&re.
+"
;&rton arri9ed )ithin sight of the b&t @&st in time to glimpse the bac%
of a man entering it. ;&rton circled to come &p from the side )here the
dar%ness of the hills and the trees scattered along the plain ga9e him some
concealment. $ro&ching2 he ran &ntil he )as at the door to the h&t.
He heard a lo&d cry some distance behind him and )hirled to see
Goring staggering to)ard him. He )as crying o&t in German to =gnea&2
)arning him that ;&rton )as @&st o&tside. 4n one hand he held a long spear
)hich he brandished at the Bnglishman.
;&rton t&rned and h&rled himself against the flimsy bamboo8slat
door. His sho&lder dro9e into it and bro%e it from its )ooden hinges. 7he
door fle) in)ard and str&c% =gnea&2 )ho had been standing @&st behind it.
;&rtonF the door2 and =gnea& fell to the floor )ith =gnea& &nder the door.
;&rton rolled off the door2 got &p2 and @&mped again )ith both bare
feet on the )ood. =gnea& screamed and then became silent. ;&rton
hea9ed the door to one side to find his >&arry &nconscio&s and bleeding
from the nose. Good5 <o) if the noise didn6t bring the )atch and if he co&ld
deal >&ic%ly eno&gh )ith Goring2 he co&ld carry o&t his plan.
He loo%ed &p @&st in time to see the starlight on the long blac%
ob@ect h&rtling at him.
He thre) himself to one side2 and the spear pl&nged into the dirt
floor )ith a th&mp. 4ts shaft 9ibrated li%e a rattlesna%e preparing to stri%e.
;&rton stepped into the door)ay2 estimated Goring6s distance2 and
charged. His assegai pl&nged into the belly of the German. Goring thre)
his hands &p in the air2 screamed2 and fell on his side. ;&rton hoisted
=gnea&6s limp body on his sho&lder and carried him o&t of the h&t.
;y then there )ere sho&ts from the Mo&ndho&se. 7orches )ere
flaring &pF the sentinel on the nearest )atchto)er )as bello)ing. Goring
)as sitting on the gro&nd2 bent o9er2 cl&tching the shaft close to the )o&nd.
He loo%ed gape8mo&thed at ;&rton and said2 3Jo& did it again5
Jo&...6 He fell o9er on his face2 the death rattle in his throat.
=gnea& ret&rned to a frenAied conscio&sness. He t)isted himself
o&t of ;&rton6s grip and fell to the gro&nd. Gnli%e Goring2 he made no
noise. He had as m&ch reason to be silent as ;&rton#more perhaps.
;&rton )as so s&rprised that he )as left standing )ith the fello)6s loin8
to)el cl&tched in his hand. ;&rton started to thro) it do)n b&t felt
something stiff and s>&are )ithin the lining of the to)el. He transferred the
cloth to his left hand2 yan%ed the assegai from the corpse2 and ran after
=gnea&.
7he Bthical had la&nched one of the bamboo canoes beached
along the shore. He paddled f&rio&sly o&t into the starlit )aters2 glancing
fre>&ently behind him. ;&rton raised the assegai behind his sho&lder and
h&rled it. 4t )as a short2 thic%8shafted )eapon2 designed for infighting and
not as a @a9elin. ;&t it fle) straight and came do)n at the end of its
tra@ectory in =gnea&6s bac%. 7he Bthical fell for)ard and at an angle and
tipped the narro) craft o9er. 7he canoe t&rned &pside do)n. =gnea& did
not reappear.
;&rton s)ore. He had )anted to capt&re =gnea& ali9e2 b&t he )as
damned if he )o&ld permit the Bthical to escape. 7here )as a chance that
=gnea& had not contacted other Bthicals yet.
He t&rned bac% to)ard the g&est h&ts. :r&ms )ere beating &p and
do)n along the shore2 and people )ith b&rning torches )ere hastening
to)ard the Mo&ndho&se. ;&rton stopped a )oman and as%ed if he co&ld
borro) her torch a moment. She handed it to him b&t spo&ted >&estions at
him. He ans)ered that he tho&ght the $hocta)s across the Mi9er )ere
ma%ing a raid. She h&rried off to)ard the assembly before the stoc%ade.
;&rton dro9e the pointed end of the torch into the soft dirt of the
ban% and examined the to)el he had snatched from =gnea&. Cn the inside2
@&st abo9e the hard s>&are in the lining2 )as a seam sealed )ith t)o thin
magnetic strips2 easily opened. He too% the ob@ect o&t of the lining and
loo%ed at it by the torchlight.
For a long time he s>&atted by the shifting light2 &nable to stop
loo%ing or to s&bd&e an almost paralyAing astonishment. = photograph2 in
this )orld of no cameras2 )as &nheard8of. ;&t a photograph of him )as
e9en more incredible2 as )as the fact that the pict&re had not been ta%en
on this )orld5 4t had to ha9e been ta%en on Barth2 that Barth lost no) in the
)elter of stars some)here in the blaAing s%y and in God only %ne) ho)
many tho&sands of years of time.
4mpossibility piled on impossibility5 ;&t it )as ta%en at a time and at
a place )hen he %ne) for certain that no camera had fixed &pon him and
preser9ed his image. His m&stachios had been remo9ed b&t the re8to&cher
had not bothered to opa>&e the bac%gro&nd nor his clothing. 7here he )as2
ca&ght mirac&lo&sly from the )aist &p and imprisoned in a flat piece of
some material. Flat5 When he t&rned the s>&are2 he sa) his profile come
into 9ie). 4f he held it almost at right angles to the eye2 he co&ld get a
three8>&arters profile89ie) of himself.
34n "D1D26 he m&ttered to himself. 3When 4 )as a t)enty8se9en8year
old s&baltern in the Bast 4ndian =rmy. =nd those are the ;l&e Mo&ntains of
Goa. 7his m&st ha9e been ta%en )hen 4 )as con9alescing there. ;&t2 my
God2 ho)? ;y )hom? =nd ho) )o&ld the Bthicals manage to ha9e it in
their possession no)?6
=gnea& had e9idently carried this photo as a mnemonic in his >&est
for ;&rton. Irobably e9ery one of the h&nters had one @&st li%e it2 concealed
in his to)el. Gp and do)n 7he Mi9er 7hey )ere loo%ing for himF there might
be tho&sands2 perhaps tens of tho&sands of 7hem. Who %ne) ho) many
agents 7hey had a9ailable or ho) desperately 7hey )anted him or )hy
7hey )anted him? =fter replacing the photo in the to)el2 he t&rned to go
bac% to the h&t. =nd at that moment2 his gaAe t&rned to)ard the top of the
mo&ntains#those &nscalable heights that bo&nded 7he Mi9er9alley on
both sides.
He sa) something flic%er against a bright sheet of cosmic gas. 4t
appeared for only the blin% of an eyelid2 then )as gone.
= fe) seconds later2 it came o&t of nothing2 )as re9ealed as a dar%
hemispherical ob@ect2 and then disappeared again.
= second flying craft sho)ed itself briefly2 reappeared at a lo)er
ele9ation2 and then )as gone li%e the first.
7he Bthicals )o&ld ta%e him a)ay2 and the people of Se9ieria )o&ld
)onder )hat had made them fall asleep for an ho&r or so.
He did not ha9e time to ret&rn to the b&t and )a%e &p the others. 4f
he )aited a moment longer2 he )o&ld be trapped.
He t&rned and ran into 7he Mi9er and began s)imming to)ard the
other shore2 a mile and a half a)ay. ;&t he had gone no more than forty
yards )hen he felt the presence of some h&ge b&l% abo9e. He t&rned on
his bac% to stare &p)ard. 7here )as only the soft glare of the stars abo9e.
7hen2 o&t of the air2 fifty feet abo9e him2 a dis% )ith a diameter of abo&t
sixty feet c&t o&t a section of the s%y. 4t disappeared almost immediately2
came into sight again only t)enty feet abo9e him.
So 7hey had some means of seeing at a distance in the night and
had spotted him in his flight.
3Jo& @ac%als56 he sho&ted at them. 3Jo&6ll not get me any)ay5 6 He
&pended and di9ed and s)am straight do)n)ard. 7he )ater became
colder2 and his eardr&ms began to h&rt. =ltho&gh his eyes )ere open2 he
co&ld see nothing. S&ddenly2 he )as p&shed by a )all of )ater2 and he
%ne) that the press&re came from displacement by a large ob@ect.
7he craft had pl&nged do)n after him.
7here )as only one )ay o&t. 7hey )o&ld ha9e his dead body2 b&t
that )o&ld be all. He co&ld escape 7hem again2 be ali9e some)here on
7he Mi9er to o&t)it 7hem again and stri%e bac% at 7hem.
He opened his mo&th and breathed in deeply thro&gh both his nose
and his mo&th.
7he )ater cho%ed him. Cnly by a strong effort of )ill did he %eep
from closing his lips and trying to fight bac% against the death aro&nd him.
He %ne) )ith his mind that he )o&ld li9e again2 b&t the cells of his body did
not %no) it. 7hey )ere stri9ing for life at this 9ery moment2 not in the
rationaliAed f&t&re. =nd they forced from his )ater8cho%ed throat a cry of
despair.
++
3Jaaaaaaaah56 7he cry raised him off the grass as if he had
bo&nced &p off a trampoline. Gnli%e the first time he had been res&rrected2
he )as not )ea% and be)ildered. He %ne) )hat to expect. He )o&ld )a%e
on the grassy ban%s of 7he Mi9er near a grailstone. ;&t he )as not
prepared for these giants battling aro&nd him.
His first tho&ght )as to find a )eapon. 7here )as nothing at hand
except the grail that al)ays appeared )ith a res&rrectee and the pile of
to)els of 9ario&s siAes2 colors2 and thic%nesses. He too% one step2 seiAed
the handle of the grail2 and )aited. 4f he had to2 he )o&ld &se the grail as a
cl&b2 4t )as light2 b&t it )as practically indestr&ctible and 9ery hard.
Ho)e9er2 the monsters aro&nd him loo%ed as if they co&ld ta%e a battering
all day and not feel a thing.
Most of them )ere at least eight feet tall2 some )ere s&rely o9er
nineF their massi9ely m&scled sho&lders )ere o9er three feet broad. 7heir
bodies )ere h&man2 or nearly so2 and their )hite s%ins )ere co9ered )ith
long reddish or bro)nish hairs. 7hey )ere not as hairy as a chimpanAee
b&t more so than any man he had e9er seen2 and he had %no)n some
remar%ably hirs&te h&man beings.
;&t the faces ga9e them an &n8h&man and frightening aspect2
especially since all )ere snarling )ith battle8rage. ;elo) a lo) forehead
)as a bloom of bone that ran )itho&t indentation abo9e the eyes and then
contin&ed aro&nd to form C6s. 7ho&gh the eyes )ere as large as his2 they
loo%ed small compared to the broad face in )hich they )ere set. 7he
chee%bones billo)ed o&t and then c&r9ed sharply in)ard. 7he tremendo&s
noses ga9e the giants the appearance of proboscis mon%eys.
=t another time2 ;&rton might ha9e been am&sed by them. <ot no).
7he roars that tore o&t of their more8than8gorilla siAed chests )ere deep as
a lion6s2 and the h&ge teeth )o&ld ha9e made a Kodia% bear thin% t)ice
before attac%ing. 7heir fists2 large as his head2 held cl&bs as thic% and as
long as )agonpoles or stone axes. 7hey s)&ng their )eapons at each
other2 and )hen they str&c% flesh2 bones bro%e )ith crac%s as lo&d as
)ood splitting. Sometimes2 the cl&bs bro%e2 too.
;&rton had a moment in )hich to loo% aro&nd. 7he light )as )ea%.
7he s&n had only half8risen abo9e the pea%s across 7he Mi9er. 7he air )as
far colder than any he had felt on this planet except d&ring his defeated
attempts to climb to the top of the perpendic&lar ranges.
7hen one of the 9ictors of a combat loo%ed aro&nd for another
enemy and sa) him.
His eyes )idened. For a second2 he loo%ed as startled as ;&rton
had )hen he had first opened his eyes. Ierhaps he had ne9er seen s&ch a
creat&re as ;&rton before2 any more than ;&rton had seen one li%e him. 4f
so2 he did not ta%e long to get o9er his s&rprise. He bello)ed2 @&mped o9er
the mangled body of his foe2 and ran to)ard ;&rton2 raising an axe that
co&ld ha9e felled an elephant.
;&rton also ran2 his grail in one hand. 4f he )ere to lose that2 he
might as )ell die no). Witho&t it2 he )o&ld star9e or ha9e to e%e o&t on fish
and bamboo spro&ts.
He almost made it. =n opening appeared before him2 and he sped
bet)een t)o titans2 their arms aro&nd each other and each straining to
thro) o9er the otherF and another )ho )as bac%ing a)ay before the rain of
blo)s deli9ered by the cl&b of a fo&rth. N&st as he )as almost thro&gh2 the
t)o )restlers toppled o9er on him.
He )as going s)iftly eno&gh that he )as not ca&ght directly &nder
them2 b&t the flailing arm of one str&c% his left heel. So hard )as the blo)2
it smashed his foot against the gro&nd and stopped him instantly. He fell
for)ard and began to scream. His foot m&st ha9e been bro%en2 and he had
torn m&scles thro&gho&t his leg.
<e9ertheless2 he tried to rise and to hobble on to 7he Mi9er. Cnce in
it2 he co&ld s)im a)ay2 if he did not faint from the agony. He too% t)o hops
on his right foot2 only to be seiAed from behind.
He fle) &p into the air2 )hirling aro&nd2 and )as ca&ght before he
began his descent.
7he titan )as holding him )ith one hand at arm6s length2 the
enormo&s and po)erf&l fist cl&tched aro&nd ;&rton6s chest. ;&rton co&ld
hardly breatheF his ribs threatened to ca9e in.
:espite all this2 he had not dropped his grail. <o) he str&c% it
against the giant6s sho&lder.
Hightly2 as if br&shing off a fly2 the giant tapped the metal container
)ith his axe2 and the grail )as torn from ;&rton6s grip the behemoth
g&nned and bent his arm to bring ;&rton in closer. ;&rton )eighed one
h&ndred and eighty po&nds2 b&t the arm did not >&i9er &nder the strain.
For a moment2 ;&rton loo%ed directly into the pale bl&e eyes s&n%
in the bony circles. 7he nose )as lined )ith many bro%en 9eins. 7he lips
protr&ded beca&se of the b&lging prognatho&s @a)s beneath#not2 as he
had first tho&ght2 beca&se the lips )ere so thic%.
7hen the titan bello)ed and lifted ;&rton &p abo9e his head. ;&rton
hammered the h&ge arm )ith his fists2 %no)ing that it )as in 9ain b&t
&n)illing to s&bmit li%e a ca&ght rabbit. B9en as he did so2 he noted2
tho&gh not )ith the f&ll attention of his mind2 se9eral things abo&t the
scene.
7he s&n had been @&st rising abo9e the mo&ntain pea%s )hen he
had first a)a%ened. =ltho&gh the time passed since he had @&mped to his
feet )as only a fe) min&tes2 the s&n sho&ld ha9e cleared the pea%s. 4t had
notF it h&ng at exactly the same height as )hen he had first seen it.
Moreo9er2 the &p)ard slant of the 9alley permitted a 9ie) for at
least fo&r miles. 7he grailstone by him )as the last one. ;eyond it )as only
the plain and 7he Mi9er.
7his )as the end of the line#or the beginning of 7he Mi9er.
7here )as no time nor desire for him to appreciate )hat these
meant. He merely noted them d&ring the passage bet)een pain2 rage2 and
terror. 7hen2 as the giant prepared to bring his axe aro&nd to splinter
;&rton6s s%&ll2 the giant stiffened and shrie%ed. 7o ;&rton2 it )as li%e being
next to a locomoti9e )histle. 7he grip loosened2 and ;&rton fell to the
gro&nd. For a moment2 he passed o&t from the pain in his foot.
When he regained conscio&sness2 he had to grind his teeth to %eep
from yelling again. He groaned and sat &p2 tho&gh not )itho&t a race of fire
&p his leg that made the feeble daylight gro) almost blac%. 7he battle )as
roaring all aro&nd him2 b&t he )as in a little corner of inacti9ity. ;y him lay
the tree8tr&n% thic% corpse of the titan )ho had been abo&t to %ill him. 7he
bac% of his s%&ll2 )hich loo%ed massi9e eno&gh to resist a battering ram2
)as ca9ed in.
=ro&nd the elephantine corpse cra)led another cas&alty2 on all
fo&rs. Seeing him2 ;&rton forgot his pain for a moment. 7he horribly in@&red
man )as Hermann Goring.
;oth of them had been res&rrected at the same spot. 7here )as no
time to thin% abo&t the implications of the coincidence. His pain began to
come bac%. Moreo9er2 Goring started to tal%.
<ot that he loo%ed as if he had m&ch tal% left in him or m&ch time
left to do it in. ;lood co9ered him. His right eye )as gone. 7he corner of his
mo&th )as ripped bac% to his ear. Cne of his hands )as smashed flat. = rib
)as stic%ing thro&gh the s%in. Ho) he had managed to stay ali9e2 let alone
cra)l2 )as beyond ;&rton6s &nderstanding.
3Jo& ... yo&56 Goring said hoarsely in German2 and he collapsed. =
fo&ntain po&red o&t of his mo&th and o9er ;&rton6s legsF his eyes glaAed.
;&rton )ondered if he )o&ld e9er %no) )hat he had intended to
say. <ot that it really mattered. He had more 9ital things to thin% abo&t.
=bo&t ten yards from him2 t)o titans )ere standing )ith their bac%s
to him. ;oth )ere breathing hard2 apparently resting for a moment before
they @&mped bac% into the fight. 7hen one spo%e to the other.
7here )as no do&bt abo&t it. 7he giant )as not @&st &ttering cries.
He )as &sing a lang&age.
;&rton did not &nderstand it2 b&t he %ne) it )as speech. He did not
need the mod&lated2 distinctly syllabic reply of the other to confirm his
recognition.
So these )ere not some type of prehistoric ape b&t a species of
s&bh&man men. 7hey m&st ha9e been &n%no)n to the t)entieth8cent&ry
science of Barth2 since his friend2 Frigate2 had described to him all the
fossils %no)n in =.:. +..D.
He lay do)n )ith his bac% against the fallen giant6s Gothic ribs and
br&shed some of the long reddish s)eaty hairs from his face. He fo&ght
na&sea and the agony of his foot and the torn m&scles of his leg. 4f he
made too m&ch noise2 he might attract those t)o2 and they )o&ld finish the
@ob. ;&t )hat if they did? With his )o&nds2 in a land of s&ch monsters2 )hat
chance did he ha9e of s&r9i9ing? Worse than his agony of foot2 almost2
)as the tho&ght that2 on his first trip on )hat he called 7he S&icide
Bxpress2 he had reached his goal.
He had only an estimated one chance in ten million of arri9ing at
this area2 and he might ne9er ha9e made it if he had dro)ned himself ten
tho&sand times. Jet he had had a fantastically good fort&ne. 4t might ne9er
occ&r again. =nd he )as to lose it and 9ery soon.
7he s&n )as mo9ing half8re9ealed along the tops of the mo&ntains
across 7he Mi9er. 7his )as the place that he had spec&lated )o&ld existF
he had come here first shot. <o)2 as his eyesight failed and the pain
lessened2 he %ne) that he )as dying. 7he sic%ness )as born from more
than the shattered bones in his foot. He m&st be bleeding inside.
He tried to rise once more. He )o&ld stand2 if only on one foot2 and
sha%e his fist at the moc%ing fates and c&rse them. He )o&ld die )ith a
c&rse on his lips.
+-
7he red )ing of da)n )as lightly to&ching his eyes.
He rose to his feet2 %no)ing that his )o&nds )o&ld be healed and
he )o&ld be )hole again2 b&t not >&ite belie9ing it. <ear him )as a grail
and a pile of six nearly folded to)els of 9ario&s siAes2 colors2 and
thic%nesses.
7)el9e feet a)ay2 another man2 also na%ed2 )as rising from the
short bright8green grass. ;&rton6s s%in gre) cold. 7he blondish hair2 broad
face2 and light8bl&e eyes )ere those of Hermann Goring.
7he German loo%ed as s&rprised as ;&rton. He spo%e slo)ly2 as if
coming o&t of a deep sleep. 37here6s something 9ery )rong here.6
3Something fo&l indeed26 ;&rton replied. He %ne) no more of the
pattern of res&rrection along 7he Mi9er than any other man. He had ne9er
seen a res&rrection2 b&t he had had them described to him by those )ho
had. =t da)n2 @&st after the s&n topped the &n8climbable mo&ntains2 a
shimmering appeared in the air beside a grailstone. 4n the flic%er of a bird6s
)ing2 the distortion solidified2 and a na%ed man or )oman or child
appeared from no)here on the grass by the ban%. =l)ays the
indispensable grail and the to)els )ere by the 3laAar&s.6 =long a
concei9ably tea to t)enty million8mile long Mi9er9alley in )hich an
estimated thirty8fi9e to thirty8six billion li9ed2 a million co&ld die per day. 4t
)as tr&e that there )ere no diseases (other than mental) b&t2 tho&gh
statistics )ere lac%ing2 a million )ere probably %illed e9ery t)enty8fo&r
ho&rs by the myriads of )ars bet)een the one million or so little states2 by
crimes of passion2 by s&icides2 by exec&tions of criminals2 and by
accidents. 7here )as a steady and n&mero&s traffic of those &ndergoing
the 3little res&rrection26 as it )as called.
;&t ;&rton had ne9er heard of t)o dying in the same place and at
the same time being res&rrected together. 7he process of selection of area
for the ne) life )as random#or so he had al)ays tho&ght.
Cne s&ch occ&rrence co&ld concei9ably ta%e place2 altho&gh the
probabilities )ere one in t)enty million. ;&t t)o s&ch2 one immediately
after the other2 )as a miracle.
;&rton did not belie9e in miracles. <othing happened that co&ld not
be explained by physical principles#if yo& %ne) all the facts. 3 He did not
%no) them2 so he )o&ld not )orry abo&t the 3coincidence6 at the moment.
7he sol&tion to another problem )as more demanding. 7hat )as2 )hat )as
he to do abo&t Goring? 7he man %ne) him and co&ld identify him to any
Bthicals searching for him.
;&rton loo%ed >&ic%ly aro&nd him and sa) a n&mber of men and
)omen approaching in a seemingly friendly manner. 7here )as time for a
fe) )ords )ith the German.
3Goring2 4 can %ill yo& or myself. ;&t 4 don6t )ant to do either#at the
moment2 any)ay. Jo& %no) )hy yo&6re dangero&s to me. 4 sho&ldn6t ta%e a
chance )ith yo&2 yo& treachero&s hyena. ;&t there6s something different
abo&t yo&2 something 4 can6t p&t my fingers on. ;&t...6
Goring2 )ho )as notorio&s for his resilience2 seemed to be coming
o&t of his shoc%. He grinned slyly and said2 34 do ha9e yo& o9er the barrel2
don6t 4?6 Seeing ;&rton6s snarl2 he hastily p&t &p one hand and said2 3;&t 4
s)ear to yo& 4 )on6t re9eal yo&r identity to anyone5 Cr do anything to h&rt
yo&5 Maybe )e6re not friends2 b&t )e at least %no) each other2 and )e6re in
a land of strangers. 4t6s good to ha9e one familiar face by yo&r side. 4 %no)2
469e s&ffered too long from loneliness2 from desolation of the spirit. 4 tho&ght
46d go mad. 7hat6s partly the reason 4 too% to the dreamg&m. ;elie9e me2 4
)on6t betray yo&.6 ;&rton did not belie9e him. He did thin%2 ho)e9er2 that he
co&ld tr&st him for a )hile. Goring )o&ld )ant a potential ally2 at least &ntil
he too% the meas&re of the people in this area and %ne) )hat he co&ld or
co&ld not do.. ;esides2 Goring might ha9e changed for the better.
<o2 ;&rton said to himself. <o. 7here yo& go again. (erbal cynic
tho&gh yo& are2 yo&69e al)ays been too forgi9ing2 too ready to o9erloo%
in@&ry to yo&rself and to gi9e yo&r in@&rer another chance. :on6t be a fool
again2 ;&rton.
7hree days later2 he )as still &ncertain abo&t Goring.
;&rton had ta%en the identity of =bd&l ibn Har&n2 a nineteenth8
cent&ry citiAen of $airo2 Bgypt. He had se9eral reasons for adopting the
g&ise. Cne )as that he spo%e excellent =rabic2 %ne) the $airo dialect of
that period2 and had an exc&se to co9er his head )ith a to)el )rapped as
a t&rban. He hoped this )o&ld help disg&ise his appearance. Goring did not
say a )ord to anybody to contradict the camo&flage. ;&rton )as fairly s&re
of this beca&se he and Goring spent most of their time together. 7hey )ere
>&artered in the same b&t &ntil they ad@&sted to the local c&stoms and )ent
thro&gh their period of probation. Iart of this )as intensi9e military training.
;&rton had been one of the greatest s)ordsmen of the nineteenth cent&ry
and also %ne) e9ery inflection of fighting )ith )eapons or )ith hands. =fter
a display of his ability in a series of tests2 he )as )elcomed as a recr&it. 4n
fact2 he )as promised that he )o&ld be an instr&ctor )hen he learned the
lang&age )ell eno&gh.
Goring got the respect of the locals almost as s)iftly. Whate9er his
other fa&lts2 he did not lac% co&rage. He )as strong and proficient )ith
arms2 @o9ial2 li%eable )hen it s&ited his p&rpose2 and )as not far behind
;&rton in gaining fl&ency in the lang&age. He )as >&ic% to gain and to &se
a&thority2 as befitted the ex8Meichmarschal of Hitler6s Germany.
7his 3section of the )estern shore )as pop&lated largely by
spea%ers of a lang&age totally &n%no)n e9en to ;&rton2 a master ling&ist
both on Barth and on the Mi9erplanet. When he had learned eno&gh to as%
>&estions2 he ded&ced that they m&st ha9e li9ed some)here in $entral
B&rope d&ring the Barly ;ronAe =ge. 7hey had some c&rio&s c&stoms2 one
of )hich )as cop&lation in p&blic. 7his )as interesting eno&gh to ;&rton2
)ho had co8fo&nded the Moyal =nthropological Society in Hondon in "DQ-
and )ho had seen strange things d&ring his explorations on Barth. He did
not participate2 b&t neither )as he horrified.
= c&stom he did adopt @oyf&lly )as that of stained )his%ers. 7he
males resented the fact that their face hair had been permanently remo9ed
by the Mes&rrectors2 @&st as their prep&ces had been c&t off. 7hey co&ld do
nothing abo&t the latter o&trage2 b&t they co&ld correct the former to a
degree. 7hey smeared their &pper lips and chins )ith a dar% li>&id made
from finely gro&nd charcoal2 fish gl&e2 oa% tannin2 and se9eral other
ingredients. 7he more dedicated &sed the dye as a tattoo and &nder)ent a
painf&l and long8dra)n8o&t pric%ing )ith a sharp bamboo needle.
<o) ;&rton )as do&bly disg&ised2 yet he8had p&t himself at the
mercy of the man )ho might betray him at the first opport&nity. He )anted
to attract an Bthical b&t did not )ant the Bthical to be certain of his identity.
;&rton )anted to ma%e s&re that he co&ld get a)ay in time before being
scooped &p in the net. 4t )as a dangero&s game2 li%e )al%ing a tightrope
o9er a pit of h&ngry )ol9es2 b&t he )anted to play it. He )o&ld r&n only
)hen it became absol&tely necessary. 7he rest of the time2 he )o&ld be the
h&nted h&nting the h&nter.
Jet the 9ision of the :ar% 7o)er2 or the ;ig Grail2 )as al)ays on the
horiAon of e9ery tho&ght. Why play cat and mo&se )hen he might be able
to storm the 9ery ramparts of the castle )ithin )hich he pres&med the
Bthicals had head>&arters? Cr2 if stormed )as not the correct description2
steal into the to)er2 effect entrance as a mo&se does into a ho&se#or a
castle. While the cats )ere loo%ing else)here2 the mo&se )o&ld be
snea%ing into the 7o)er2 and there the mo&se might t&rn into a tiger.
=t this tho&ght2 he la&ghed2 getting c&rio&s stares from his t)o
h&tmates! Goring and the se9enteenth8cent&ry Bnglishman2 Nohn $ollop.
His la&gh )as half8ridic&le of himself at the tiger image. What made him
thin% that he2 one man2 co&ld do anything to h&rt the Ilanet8Shapers2
Mes&rrectors of billions of dead2 Feeders and Maintainers of those
s&mmoned bac% to life? He t)isted his hands and %ne) that )ithin them2
and )ithin the brain that g&ided them2 co&ld be the do)nfall of the Bthicals.
What this fearf&l thing )as that he harbored )ithin himself2 he did not
%no). ;&t 7hey feared him. 4f he co&ld only find o&t )hy...
His la&gh )as only partly self8ridic&le. 7he other half of him belie9ed
that he )as a tiger among men. =s a man thin%s2 so is he2 he m&ttered.
Goring said2 3Jo& ha9e a 9ery pec&liar la&gh2 my friend. Some)hat
feminine for s&ch a masc&line man. 4t6s li%e ... li%e a thro)n roc% s%ipping
o9er a la%e of ice. Cr li%e a @ac%al.6
34 ha9e something of the @ac%al and hyena in me26 ;&rton replied.
3So my detractors maintained#and they )ere right. ;&t 4 am more than
that.6 He rose from his bed and began to exercise to )or% the sleep8r&st
from his m&scles. 4n a fe) min&tes2 he )o&ld go )ith the others to a
grailstone by the Mi9erban% and charge his grail. =fter)ard2 there )o&ld be
an ho&r of policing the area. 7hen drill2 follo)ed by instr&ction in the spear
the cl&b2 the sling2 the obsidian8edged s)ord2 the bo) and arro)2 the flint
axe2 and in fighting )ith bare hands and feet. =n ho&r for rest and tal% and
l&nch. 7hen an ho&r in a lang&age class. = t)o8ho&r )or%stint in helping
b&ild the ramparts that mar%ed the bo&ndaries of this little state. = half8ho&r
rest2 then the obligatory mile r&n to b&ild stamina. :inner from the grails2
and the e9ening off except for those )ho had g&ard d&ty or other tas%s.
S&ch a sched&le and s&ch acti9ities )ere being d&plicated in tiny
states &p and do)n 7he Mi9er6s length. =lmost e9ery)here2 man%ind )as
at )ar or preparing for it. 7he citiAens m&st %eep in shape and %no) ho) to
fight to the best of their ability. 7he exercises also %ept the citiAens
occ&pied. <o matter ho) monotono&s the martial life2 it )as better than
sitting aro&nd )ondering )hat to do for am&sement. Freedom from )orry
abo&t food2 rent2 bills2 and the gnatli%e chores and d&ties that had %ept
Barthmen b&sy and fretf&l )as not all a blessing. 7here )as the great
battle against enn&i2 and the leaders of each state )ere occ&pied trying to
thin% &p )ays to %eep their people b&sy.
4t sho&ld ha9e been paradise in Mi9er9alley2 b&t it )as )ar2 )ar2 )ar.
Cther things aside2 ho)e9er2 )ar )as2 in this place2 good (according to
some)5 4t ga9e sa9or to life and erased boredom. Man6s greediness2 and
aggressi9eness had its )orth)hile side.
=fter dinner2 e9ery man and )oman )as free to do )hat he )ished2
as long as he bro%e no local la)s. He co&ld barter the cigarettes and li>&or
pro9ided by his grail or the fish he6d ca&ght in 7he Mi9er for a better bo)
and arro)sF shieldsF bo)ls and c&psF tables and chairsF bamboo fl&tesF clay
tr&mpetsF h&man or fishs%in dr&msF rare stones ()hich really8)ere rare)F
nec%laces made of the bea&tif&lly artic&lated and colored bones of the
deep8Mi9er fish2 or @ade or of car9ed )oodF obsidian mirrorsF sandals and
shoesF charcoal dra)ingsF the rare and expensi9e bamboo paperF in% and
fishbone pensF hats made from the long to&gh8fibered hill8grassF b&ll8
roarersF little8)agons on )hich to ride do)n the hillsidesF harps made from
)ood )ith 6strings fashioned from the g&t of the 3dragonfish6F rings of oa%
for fingers and toesF clay stat&ettesF and other de9ices2 &sef&l or
ornamental.
Hater2 of co&rse2 there )as the lo9e8ma%ing ;&rton and his
h&tmates )ere denied2 for the time being. Cnly )hen they had been
accepted as f&ll citiAens )o&ld they be allo)ed to mo9e into separate
ho&ses and li9e )ith a )oman.
Nohn $ollop )as a short slight yo&th )ith long yello) hair2 a narro)
b&t pleasant face2 and large bl&e eyes )ith 9ery long2 &pc&r9ing2 blac%
eyelashes. 4n his first con9ersation )ith ;&rton2 he had said2 after
introd&cing himself2 34 )as deli9ered from the dar%ness of my mother6s
)omb#)hose else?#into the light of God of Barth in "Q+5. Far too
>&ic%ly2 4 descended again into the )omb of Mother <at&re2 confident in the
hope of res&rrection and not disappointed2 as yo& see. 7ho&gh 4 m&st
confess that this afterlife is not that )hich the parsons led me to expect.
;&t then2 ho) sho&ld they %no) the tr&th2 poor blind de9ils leading the
blind56 4t )as not long before $ollop told him that he )as a member of the
$h&rch of the Second $hance.
;&rton6s eyebro)s rose. He had enco&ntered this ne) religion at
many places along 7he Mi9er. ;&rton2 tho&gh an infidel2 made it his
b&siness to in9estigate thoro&ghly e9ery religion. Kno) a man6s faith2 and
yo& %ne) at least half the man. Kno) his )ife2 and yo& %ne) the other half.
7he $h&rch had a fe) simple tenets2 some based on fact2 most on
s&rmise and hope and )ish. 4n this they differed from no religions born on
Barth. ;&t the Second $hancers had one ad9antage o9er any 7errestrial
religion. 7hey had no diffic&lty in pro9ing that dead men co&ld be raised#
not only once b&t often.
3=nd )hy has man%ind been gi9en a Second $hance?6 $ollop said
in his lo)2 earnest 9oice. 3:oes he deser9e it? <o. With fe) exceptions2
men are a mean2 miserable2 petty2 9icio&s2 narro)8minded2 exceedingly
egotistic2 generally disp&ting2 and disg&sting lot. Watching them2 the gods
#or God#sho&ld 9omit. ;&t in this di9ine spe) is a clot of compassion2 if
yo& )ill pardon me for &sing s&ch imagery. Man2 ho)e9er base2 has a
sil9er )ire of the di9ine in him. 4t is no idle phrase that man )as made in
God6s image2 7here is something )orth sa9ing in the )orst of &s2 and o&t of
this something a ne) man may be fashioned.
3Whoe9er has gi9en &s this ne) opport&nity to sa9e o&r so&ls
%no)s this tr&th. We ha9e been placed here in this Mi9er9alley on this alien
planet &nder alien s%ies#to )or% o&t o&r sal9ation. What o&r time limit is2 4
do not %no) nor do the leaders of my $h&rch e9en spec&late. Ierhaps it is
fore9er2 or it may be only a h&ndred years or a tho&sand. ;&t )e m&st
ma%e &se of )hate9er time )e do ha9e2 my friend.6
;&rton said2 3Weren6t yo& sacrificed on the altar of Cdin by <orse
)ho cl&ng to the old religion2 e9en if this )orld isn6t the (alhalla they )ere
promised by their priests? :on6t yo& thin% yo& )asted yo&r time and breath
by preaching to them? 7hey belie9e in the same old gods2 the only
difference in their theology no) being some ad@&stments they69e made to
conditions here. N&st as yo& ha9e cl&ng to yo&r old faith.6
37he <orse ha9e no explanations for their ne) s&rro&ndings26
$ollop said2 3b&t 4 do. 4 ha9e a reasonable explanation2 one )hich the
<orse )ill e9ent&ally come to accept2 to belie9e in as fer9ently as 4 do.
7hey %illed me2 b&t some more pers&asi9e member of the $h&rch )ill
come along and tal% to them before they stretch him o&t in the )ooden lap
of their )ooden idol and stab him in the heart. 4f he does not tal% them o&t
of him2 the next missionary )ill.
34t )as tr&e2 on Barth2 that the blood of martyrs is the seed of the
ch&rch. 4t is e9en tr&er here. 4f yo& %ill a man to sh&t his mo&th2 he pops &p
some place else)here along 7he Mi9er. =nd a man )ho has been martyred
a h&ndred tho&sand miles a)ay comes along to replace the pre9io&s
martyr. 7he $h&rch )ill )in o&t in the end. 7hey men )ill cease these
&seless2 hate generating )ars and begin the real b&siness2 the only
)orth)hile b&siness2 that of gaining sal9ation.6 3What yo& say abo&t the
martyrs is tr&e abo&t anyone )ith an idea26 ;&rton said. 3= )ic%ed man
)ho6s %illed also pops &p to commit his e9il else)here.6
3Good )ill pre9ailF the tr&th al)ays )ins o&t26 $ollop said.
34 don6t %no) ho) restricted yo&r mobility )as on Barth or ho) long
yo&r life26 ;&rton said2 3b&t both m&st ha9e been 9ery limited to ma%e yo&
so blind. 4 %no) better.6
$ollop said2 67he $h&rch is not fo&nded on faith alone. 4t has
something 9ery fact&al2 9ery s&bstantial2 on )hich to base its teachings.
7ell me2 my friend2 =bd&l2 ha9e yo& e9er heard of anybody being
res&rrected dead?6
3= paradox56 ;&rton cried. 3What do yo& mean res&rrected dead?6
37here are at least three a&thenticated cases and fo&r more of )hich the
$h&rch has heard b&t has not been able to 9alidate. 7hese are men and
)omen )ho )ere %illed at one place on 7he Mi9er and translated to
another. Strangely2 their bodies )ere recreated2 b&t they )ere )itho&t the
spar% of life. <o)2 )hy )as this?6
34 can6t imagine56 ;&rton said. 6Jo& tell me. 4 listen2 for yo& spea% as
one )ith a&thority.6 He co&ld imagine2 since he had heard the same story
else)here. ;&t he )anted to learn if $ollop6s story thatched the others. 4t
)as the same2 e9en to the names of the dead laAari. 7he story )as that
these men and )omen had been identified by those )ho had %no)n them
)ell on Barth. 7hey )ere all saintly or near8saintly peopleF in fact2 one of
them had been canoniAed on Barth. 7he theory )as that they had attained
that state of sanctity2 )hich made it no longer necessary to go thro&gh the
3p&rgatory6 of the Mi9erplanet. 7heir so&ls had gone on to . . . someplace ...
and left the excess baggage of their physical bodies behind.
Soon2 so the $h&rch said2 more )o&ld reach this state. =nd their
bodies )o&ld be left behind. B9ent&ally2 gi9en eno&gh time2 the Mi9er9alley
)o&ld become depop&lated. =ll )o&ld ha9e shed themsel9es of their
9iscio&snesses and hates and )o&ld ha9e become ill&minated )ith the
lo9e of man%ind and of God. B9en the most depra9ed2 those )ho seemed
to be &tterly lost2 )o&ld be able to abandon their physical beings. =ll that
)as needed to attain this grace )as lo9e.
;&rton sighed2 la&ghed lo&dly2 and said2 3Il&s ca change2 pl&s dear
la meme chose. =nother fairy tale to gi9e men hope. 7he old religions ha9e
been discredited#altho&gh some ref&se to face e9en that fact#so ne)
ones m&st be in9ented.6
34t ma%es sense26 $ollop said. 3:o yo& ha9e a better explanation of
)hy )e6re here?6 3Ierhaps. 4 can ma%e &p fairy tales2 too.6 =s a matter of
fact2 ;&rton did ha9e an explanation. Ho)e9er2 he co&ld not tell it to $ollop.
Spr&ce had told ;&rton something of the identity2 history2 and p&rpose of
his gro&p2 the Bthicals. M&ch of )hat he had said agreed )ith $ollop6s
theology.
Spr&ce had %illed himself before he had explained abo&t the 3so&l.6
Ires&mably2 the 3so&l6 had to be part of the total organiAation of
res&rrection. Cther)ise2 )hen the body had attained 3sal9ation26 and no
longer li9ed2 there )o&ld be nothing to carry on the essential part of a man.
Since the post87errestrial life co&ld be explained in physical terms2 the
3so&l6 m&st also be a physical entity2 not to be dismissed )ith the term
3s&pernat&ral6 as it had been on Barth.
7here )as m&ch that ;&rton did not %no). ;&t he had had a
glimpse into the )or%ings of this Mi9erplanet that no other h&man being
possessed.
With the little %no)ledge he did ha9e2 he planned to le9er his )ay
into more2 to pry open the lid2 and cra)l inside the sanct&m. 7o do so2 he
)o&ld attain the :ar% 7o)er. 7he only )ay to get there s)iftly )as to ta%e
7he S&icide8 Bxpress. First2 he m&st be disco9ered by an Bthical. 7hen he
m&st o9erpo)er the Bthical2 render him &nable to %ill himself2 and
someho) extricate more information from him.
Mean)hile2 he contin&ed to play the role of =bd&l ibn Har&n2
translated and transplanted Bgyptian physician of the nineteenth cent&ry2
no) a citiAen of ;arga)h)dAys. =s s&ch2 he decided to @oin the $h&rch of
the Second $hance. He anno&nced to $ollop his disill&sionment in
Mahomet and his teachings2 and so became $ollop6s first con9ert its this
area.
67hen yo& m&st s)ear not to ta%e arms against any man nor to
defend yo&rself physically2 my dear friend26 $ollop said.
;&rton2 o&traged2 said that he )o&ld allo) no man to stri%e at him
and go &nharmed.
37is not &nnat&ral26 $ollop said gently. 3$ontrary to habit2 yes. ;&t a
than may become something other than he has been2 something better#if
he has the strength of )ill and the desire.6 ;&rton rapped o&t a 9iolent no
and stal%ed a)ay. $ollop shoo% his head sadly2 b&t he contin&ed to be as
friendly as e9er. <ot )itho&t a sense of h&mor2 he sometimes addressed
;&rton as his 3fi9e8min&te con9ert26 not meaning the time it too% to bring
him into the fold b&t the time it too% ;&rton to lea9e the fold.
=t this time2 $ollop got his second con9ert2 Goring. 7he German
had had nothing b&t sneers and @ibes for $ollop. 7hen he began che)ing
dreamg&m again2 and the nightmares started.
For t)o nights he %ept $ollop and ;&rton a)a%e )ith his groanings
his tossings2 his screams. Cn the e9ening of the third day2 he as%ed $ollop
if he )o&ld accept him into the $h&rch. Ho)e9er he had to ma%e a
confession. $ollop m&st &nderstand )hat sort of person he had been2 both
on Barth and on this planet.
$ollop heard o&t the mixt&re of self8abasement and self8
aggrandiAement. 7hen he said2 3Friend2 4 care not )hat yo& may ha9e
been. Cnly )hat yo& are and )hat yo& )ill be. 4 listened only beca&se
confession is good for the so&l 4 can see that yo& are deeply tro&bled2 that
yo& ha9e s&ffered sorro) and grief for )hat yo& ha9e done2 yet ta%e some
pleas&re in )hat yo& once )ere2 a mighty fig&re among men. M&ch of )hat
yo& told me 4 do not comprehend2 beca&se 4 %no) not m&ch abo&t yo&r
era. <or does it matter. Cnly today and tomorro) need to be o&r concern2
each day )ill ta%e care of itself.6
4t seemed to ;&rton not that $ollop did not care )hat Goring had
been b&t that he did not belie9e his story of Barthly glory and infamy. 7here
)ere so many phonies that gen&ine heroes2 or 9illains2 had been
depreciated.
7h&s2 ;&rton had met three Nes&s $hrists2 t)o =brahams2 fo&r King
Michard the HionHearts2 six =ttilas2 a doAen N&dases (only one of )hom
co&ld spea% =ramaic)2 a George Washington2 t)o Hord ;yrons2 three Nesse
Names6s2 any n&mber of <apoleons2 a General $&ster ()ho spo%e )ith a
hea9y Jor%shire accent)2 a Finn Mac$ool ()ho did not %no) ancient 4rish)2
a 7cha%a ()ho spo%e the )rong ,&l& dialect)2 and a n&mber of others )ho
might or might not ha9e been )hat they claimed to be.
Whate9er a man had been on Barth2 he had to reestablish himself
here. 7his )as not easy2 beca&se conditions )ere radically altered. 7he
greats and the importants of 7erra )ere constantly being h&miliated in their
claims and denied a chance to pro9e their identities.
7o $ollop2 the h&miliation )as a blessing. First2 h&miliation2 then
h&mility2 he )o&ld ha9e said. =nd then comes h&manity as a matter of
co&rse.
Goring had been trapped in the Great :esign#as ;&rton termed it
#beca&se it )as his nat&re to o9erind&lge2 especially )ith dr&gs. Kno)ing
that the dreamg&m )as &prooting the dar% things in his personal abyss2
)as spe)ing them &p into the light2 8that he )as being tom apart2
fragmented2 he still contin&ed to che) as m&ch as he co&ld get. For a
)hile2 temporarily made healthf&l again )ith a ne) res&rrection2 he had
been able to deny the call of the dr&g. ;&t a fe) )ee%s after his arri9al is
this area2 he had s&cc&mbed2 and no) the night )as ripped apart )ith his
shrie%s of 6Hermann Goring 4 hate yo&56
34f this contin&es26 ;&rton said to $ollop2 3he )ill go mad or he )ill
%ill himself again2 or force someone to %ill him2 so that he can get a)ay
from himself. ;&t the s&icide )ill be &seless2 and it6s all to do o9er again.
7ell me tr&ly no)2 is this hell?6
3I&rgatory2 rather26 $ollop said. 3I&rgatory is hell )ith hope.6
+1
7)o months passed. ;&rton mar%ed the days off on a pine stic%
notched )ith a flint %nife. 7his )as the fo&rteenth day of the se9en month
of 5 =.M.2 the fifth year =fter the Mes&rrection. ;&rton tried to %eep a
calendar2 for he )as2 among many other thingsF a chronicler. ;&t it )as
diffic&lt. 7ime did not mean m&ch2 on 7he Mi9er. 7he planet had a polar
axis that )as al)ays at ninety degrees to the ecliptic. 7here )as no change
of seasons2 and the stars seemed to @ostle each other and made
identification of indi9id&al l&minaries or of constellations impossible. So
many and so bright )ere they that e9en the noonday s&n at its Aenith co&ld
not entirely dim the greatest of them. Hi%e ghosts rel&ctant to retreat before
daylight2 they ho9ered in the b&rning air.
<e9ertheless2 man needs time as a fish needs )ater. 4f he does not
ha9e it2 he )ill in9ent itF so to ;&rton2 it )as N&ly "12 5 =.M.
;&t $ollop2 li%e many2 rec%oned time as ha9ing contin&ed from the
year of his 7errestrial death. 7o him2 it )as =.:. "QQP. He did not belie9e
that his s)eet Nes&s had become so&r. Mather2 this Mi9er )as the Mi9er
NordanF this 9alley2 the 9ale beyond the shado) of death. He admitted that
the afterlife )as not that )hich he had expected. Jet it )as e9idence of the
all8encompassing lo9e of God for His creation. He had gi9en all men2
altogether &ndeser9ing of s&ch a gift2 another chance. 4f this )orld )as not
the <e) Ner&salem2 it )as a place prepared for its b&ilding. Here the
bric%s2 )hich )ere the lo9e of God2 and the mortar2 lo9e for man2 m&st be
fashioned in this %iln and this mill! the planet of 7he Mi9er of 7he (alley.
;&rton pooh8poohed the concept2 b&t he co&ld not help lo9ing the
little man. $ollop )as gen&ineF he )as not sto%ing the f&rnace of his
s)eetness )ith lea9es from a boo% or pages from a theology. He did not
operate &nder forced draft. He b&rned )ith a flame that fed on his o)n
being2 and this being )as lo9e. Ho9e e9en for the &nlo9able2 the rarest and
most diffic&lt species of lo9e.
He told ;&rton something of his 7errestrial life. He had been a
doctor2 a farmer2 a liberal )ith &nsha%able faith in his religion2 yet f&ll of
>&estions abo&t his faith and the society of his time. He had )ritten a plea
for religio&s tolerance )hich had aro&sed both praise and damnation is his
time. =nd he had been a poet2 )ell8%no)n for a short time2 then forgotten.
Hord2 let the faithless see
Miracles ceased2 re9i9e in me.
7he leper cleansed2 blind healed2
dead raised by 7hee
3My lines may ha9e died2 b&t their tr&th has not26 he said to ;&rton.
He )a9ed his hand to indicate the hilts2 7he Mi9er2 the mo&ntains2 the
people. 3=s yo& may see if yo& open yo&r eyes and do not persist in this
st&bborn myth of yo&rs that this is the handi)or% of men li%e &s.6
He contin&ed2 3Cr grant yo&r premise. 4t still remains that these
Bthicals are b&t doing the )or% of 7heir $reator5
64 li%e better those other lines of yo&rs26 ;&rton said.
:&ll so&l aspireF
7ho& art not the Barth.
Mo&rn higher5
Hea9en ga9e the spar%F
to it ret&rn the fire.6
$ollop )as pleased2 not %no)ing that ;&rton )as thin%ing of the
lines in a different sense than that intended by the poet.
3Met&rn the fire.6 7hat meant someho) getting into the :ar% 7o)er2
disco9ering the secrets of the Bthicals2 and t&rning 7heir de9ices against
7hem. He did not feel gratit&de beca&se 7hey had gi9en him an earned
life. He )as o&traged that 7hey sho&ld do this )itho&t his lea9e. 4f 7hey
)anted his than%s2 )hy did 7hey not tell him )hy 7hey had gi9en him
another chance? What reason did 7hey ha9e for %eeping 7heir moti9es in
the dar%? He )o&ld find o&t )hy. 7he spar% 7hey had restored in him )o&ld
t&rn into a raging fire to barn 7hem.
He c&rsed the fate that had propelled him to a place so near the
so&rce of 7he Mi9er2 hence so close to the 7o)er2 and in a fe) min&tes had
carried him a)ay again2 bac% to some place is the middle of 7he Mi9er2
millions of miles a)ay from his goal.
Jet2 if he had been there once2 he co&ld get there again. <ot by
ta%ing a boat2 since the @o&rney )o&ld cons&me at least forty years and
probably more. He co&ld also co&nt on being capt&red and ensla9ed a
tho&sand times o9er. =nd if he )ere %illed along the )ay2 he might find
himself raised again far from his goal and ha9e to start all o9er again.
Cn the other hand2 gi9en the seemingly random selection of
res&rrection2 he might find himself once more near 7he Mi9er6s mo&th. 4t
)as this that determined him to board 7he S&icide Bxpress once more.
Ho)e9er2 e9en tho&gh he %ne) that his death )o&ld be only temporary2 he
fo&nd it diffic&lt to ta%e the necessary step. His mind told him that death
)as the only tic%et2 b&t his body rebelled. 7he cells6 fierce insistence on
s&r9i9al o9ercame his )ill.
For a )hile2 he rationaliAed that he )as interested in st&dying the
c&stoms and lang&ages of the prehistorics among )hom he )as li9ing.
7hen honesty tri&mphed2 and he %ne) he )as only loo%ing for exc&ses to
p&t off the Grim Moment. :espite this2 he did not act.
;&rton2 $ollop2 and Goring )ere mo9ed o&t of their bachelor
barrac%s to ta%e &p the normal life of citiAens! Bach too% &p residence in a
h&t2 and )ithin a )ee% had fo&nd a )oman to li9e )ith him. $ollop6s $h&rch
did not re>&ire celibacy. = member co&ld ta%e an oath of chastity if he
)ished to. ;&t the $h&rch reasoned that men and )omen had been
res&rrected in bodies that retained the f&ll sex of the original. (Cr2 if lac%ing
on Barth2 s&pplied here.) 4t )as e9ident that the Ma%ers of Mes&rrection
had meant for sex to be &sed. 4t )as )ell %no)n2 tho&gh still denied by
some2 that sex had other f&nctions than reprod&ction. So go ahead2 yo&ths2
roll in the grass.
=nother res&lt of the inexorable logic of the $h&rch ()hich2 by the
)ay2 decried reason as being &ntr&st)orthy) )as that any form of lo9e )as
allo)ed2 as long as it )as 9ol&ntary and did not in9ol9e cr&elty or force.
Bxploitation of children )as forbidden. 7his )as a problem that2 gi9en time2
)o&ld cease to exist. 4n a fe) years all children )o&ld be ad&lts.
$ollop ref&sed to ha9e a h&tmate solely to relie9e his sex&al
tensions. He insisted on a )oman )hom he lo9ed. ;&rton @ibed at him for
this2 saying that it )as a prere>&isite easily#therefore cheaply#f&lfilled.
$ollop lo9ed all h&manityF hence2 he sho&ld theoretically ta%e the first
)oman )ho )o&ld say yes to him.
3=s a matter of fact2 my friend26 $ollop said2 3that is exactly )hat
happened.6
34t6s only a coincidence that she6s bea&tif&l2 passionate2 and
intelligent?6 ;&rton said.
67ho&gh 4 stri9e to be more than h&man2 rather2 to become a
complete h&man2 4 am all8too8h&man26 $ollop replied. He smiled. 3Wo&ld
yo& ha9e me deliberately martyr myself by choosing an &gly shre)?6
346d thin% yo& more of a fool than 4 do e9en no)26 ;&rton said. 3=s for
me2 all 4 re>&ire in a )oman is bea&ty and affection. 4 don6t care a )hit
abo&t her brains. =nd 4 prefer blondes. 7here6s a chord )ithin me that
responds to the fingers of a golden8haired )oman.6
Goring too% into his b&t a (al%yrie2 a tall2 great8b&sted2 )ide
sho&ldered2 eighteenth8cent&ry S)ede. ;&rton )ondered if she )as a
s&rrogate for Goring6s first )ife2 the sister8in8la) of the S)edish explorer
$o&nt (on Mosen. Goring admitted that she not only loo%ed li%e his Karin2
b&t e9en had a 9oice similar to hers. He seemed to be 9ery happy )ith her
and she )ith him.
7hen2 one night2 d&ring the in9ariable early8morning rain2 ;&rton
)as ripped from a deep sleep. He tho&ght he had heard a scream2 b&t all
he co&ld hear )hen he became f&lly a)a%e )as the explosion of th&nder
and the crac% of nearby lightning. He closed his eyes2 only to be @er%ed
&pright again. = )oman had screamed in a nearby h&t.
He @&mped &p2 sho9ed aside the bamboo8slat door2 and st&c% his
head o&tside. 7he cold rain hit him in the face. =ll )as dar% except for the
mo&ntains in the )est2 lit &p by flashes of lightning. 7hen a bolt str&c% so
close that he )as deafened and daAAled. Ho)e9er2 he did catch a glimpse
of t)o ghostly )hite fig&res @&st o&tside Goring6s h&t. 7he German had his
hands loc%ed aro&nd the throat of his )oman2 )ho )as holding onto his
)rists and trying to p&sh him a)ay.
;&rton ran o&t2 slipped on the )et grass2 and fell. N&st as he arose2
another flash sho)ed the )oman on her %nees2 bending bac%)ard2 and
Goring6s distorted face abo9e her. =t the same time2 $ollop2 )rapping a
to)el aro&nd his )aist2 came o&t of s his h&t. ;&rton got to his feet and2 still
silent2 ran again. ;&t Goring )as gone. ;&rton %nelt by Kayla2 felt her
heart2 and co&ld detect no beat. =nother glare of lightning sho)ed him her
face2 mo&th hanging open2 eyes b&lging.
He rose and sho&ted2 3Goring5 Where are yo&6?6 Something str&c%
the bac% of his head. He fell on his face.
St&nned2 he managed to get to his hands and %nees2 only to be
%noc%ed flat again by another hea9y blo). Half8conscio&s2 he ne9ertheless
rolled o9er on his bac% and raised his legs and hands to defend himself.
Hightning re9ealed Goring standing abo9e him )ith a cl&b in one hand. His
face )as a madman6s.
:ar%ness sliced off the lightning. Something )hite and bl&rred8
leaped &pon Goring o&t of the dar%ness. 7he t)o pale bodies )ent do)n
onto the grass beside ;&rton and rolled o9er and o9er. 7hey screeched li%e
tomcats2 and another flash of lightning sho)ed them cla)ing at each other.
;&rton staggered to his feet and l&rched to)ard them b&t )as
%noc%ed do)n by $ollop6s body2 h&rled by Goring. =gain ;&rton got &p.
$ollop bo&nded to his feet and charged Goring. 7here )as a lo&d crac%2
and $ollop cr&mpled. ;&rton tried to r&n to)ard Goring. His legs ref&sed to
ans)er his demandsF they too% him off at an angle2 a)ay from his point of
attac%. 7hen another blast of light and noise sho)ed Goring2 as if ca&ght in
a photograph2 s&spended in the act of s)inging the cl&b at ;&rton.
;&rton felt his arm go n&mb as it recei9ed the impact of the cl&b.
<o) not only his legs b&t also his left arm disobeyed him. <e9ertheless he
balled his right hand and tried to s)ing at Goring. 7here )as another crac%F
his ribs felt as if they had become &nhinged and )ere dri9en in)ard into his
l&ng. His breath )as %noc%ed o&t of him2 and once again he )as on the
cold )et grass.
Something fell by his side. :espite his agony2 he reached o&t for it.
7he cl&b )as in his handF Goring m&st ha9e dropped it. Sh&ddering )ith
each painf&l breath2 he got to one %nee. Where )as the madman? 7)o
shado)s danced and bl&rred2 merged and half8separated. 7he h&t5 His
eyes )ere crossed. He )ondered if he had a conc&ssion of the brain2 then
forgot it as he sa) Goring dimly in the ill&mination of a distant strea% of
lightning. 7)o Gorings2 rather. Cne seemed to accompany the otherF the
one on the left had his feet on the gro&ndF the right one )as treading on air.
;oth had their hands held high &p into the rain2 as if they )ere
trying to )ash them. =nd )hen the taro t&rned and came to)ard him2 he
&nderstood that that )as )hat they )ere trying to do. 7hey )ere sho&ting
in German ()ith a single 9oice)F 7a%e the blood off my hands5 Ch2 God2
)ash it off56
;&rton st&mbled to)ard Goring2 his cl&b held high.. ;&rton meant to
%noc% him o&t2 b&t Goring s&ddenly t&rned and ran a)ay. ;&rton follo)ed
him as best he co&ld2 do)n the hill2 &p another one2 and then o&t onto the
flat plain. 7he rains stopped2 the th&nder and lightning died2 and )ithin fi9e
min&tes the clo&ds2 as al)ays2 had cleared a)ay. 7he starlight gleamed on
Goring6s )hite s%in.
Hi%e a phantom he flitted ahead of his p&rs&er2 seemingly bent &pon
getting to 7he Mi9er. ;&rton %ept after him2 altho&gh he )ondered )hy he
)as doing so. His legs had regained most of their strength2 and his 9ision
)as no longer do&ble. Iresently2 he fo&nd Goring. He )as s>&atting by
7he Mi9er and staring intently at the star8fract&red )a9es.
;&rton said2 3=re yo& all right no)?6 Goring )as startled. He began
to rise2 then changed his mind. Groaning2 he p&t his head do)n on his
%nees.
34 %ne) )hat 4 )as doing2 b&t 4 didn6t %no) )hy26 he said d&lly. 6Karla
)as telling me she )as mo9ing o&t in the morning2 said she co&ldn6t sleep
)ith all the noise 4 made )ith my nightmares. =nd 4 )as acting strangely. 4
begged her to stayF 4 told her 4 lo9ed her 9ery m&ch. 46d die if she deserted
me. She said she )as fond of me2 had been2 rather2 b&t she didn6t lo9e me.
S&ddenly2 it seemed that if 4 )anted to %eep her2 46d ha9e to hill her. She ran
screaming o&t of the h&t. Jo& %no) the rest.6
34 intended to %ill yo&26 ;&rton said. 6;&t 4 can see yo&6re no more
responsible tha) a madman. 7he people here )on6t accept that exc&se2
tho&gh. Jo& %no) )hat they6ll do to yo&F hang yo& &pside do)n by yo&r
an%les and let yo& hang &ntil yo& die.6
Goring cried2 34 don6t &nderstand it5 What6s happening to me? 7hose
nightmares5 ;elie9e me2 ;&rton2 if 469e sinned2 469e paid5 ;&t 4 can6t stop
paying5 My nights are hell2 and soon my days )ill become hell2 too5 7hen 46ll
ha9e only one )ay to get peace5 46ll %ill myself5 ;&t it )on6t do any good5 46ll
)a%e &p then hell again56
3Stay a)ay from the dreamg&m26 ;&rton said. 3Jo&6ll ha9e to s)eat
it o&t. Jo& can do it. Jo& told me yo& o9ercame the morphine habit on
Barth.6
Goring stood &p and faced ;&rton. 7hat6s @&st it5 4 ha9en6t to&ched
the g&m since 4 came to this place56
;&rton said2 3What? ;&t 46ll s)ear...56
6Jo& ass&med 4 )as &sing the st&ff beca&se of the )ay 4 )as acting5
<o2 4 ha9e not had a bit of the g&m5 ;&t it doesn6t ma%e any difference56
:espite his loathing of Goring2 ;&rton felt pity. He said2 3Jo&69e
opened the Iandora of yo&rself2 and it loo%s as if yo&6ll not be able to sh&t
the lid. 4 don6t %no) ho) this is going to end2 b&t 4 )o&ldn6t )ant to be in
yo&r mind. <ot that yo& don6t deser9e this.6
Goring said2 in a >&iet and determined 9oice2 346ll defeat them.6
3Jo& mean yo&6ll con>&er yo&rself26 ;&rton said. He t&rned to go b&t
halted for a last )ord. 3What are yo& going to do?6
Goring gest&red 8at 7he Mi9er. 3:ro)n myself. 46ll get a fresh start.
Maybe 46ll be better e>&ipped the next place. =nd 4 certainly don6t )ant to
be tr&ssed &p li%e a chic%en in a b&tcher shop )indo).6
3=& re9oir2 then26 ;&rton said. 3=nd good l&c%.6
67han% yo&. Jo& %no) yo&6re not a bad sort. N&st one )ord of
ad9ice.6
3What6s that?6 6Jo&6d better stay a)ay from the dreamg&m yo&rself.
So far2 yo&69e been l&c%y. ;&t one of these days2 it6ll ta%e hold of yo& as it
did me. Jo&r de9ils )on6t be mine2 b&t they6ll be @&st as monstro&s and
terrifying to yo&.6
3<onsense 4 469e nothing to hide from myself56 ;&rton la&ghed lo&dly.
3469e che)ed eno&gh of the st&ff to %no).6 He )al%ed a)ay2 b&t he )as
thin%ing of the )arning. He had &sed the g&m t)enty8t)o times. Bach time
had made him s)ear ne9er to to&ch the g&m again.
Cn the )ay bac% to the hills2 he loo%ed behind him. 7he dim )hite
fig&re of Goring )as slo)ly sin%ing into the blac%8and sil9er )aters of 7he
Mi9er. ;&rton sal&ted2 since he )as not one to resist the dramatic gest&re.
=fter)ard2 he forgot Goring. 7he pain in the bac% of his head2 temporarily
s&bd&ed2 came bac% sharper than before. His %nees t&rned to )ater and2
only a fe) yards from his h&tF he had to sit do)n.
He m&st ha9e become &nconscio&s then2 or half8conscio&s since
he had no memory of being dragged along on the grass. When his )its
cleared2 he fo&nd himself lying on a bamboo bed inside a h&t.
4t )as dar% )ith the only ill&mination the starlight filtering is thro&gh
the tree branches o&tside the s>&are of )indo). He t&rned his head and
sa) the shado)y and pale8)hite b&l% of a man s>&atting by him. 7he man
)as holding a thin metal ob@ect before his eyes2 the gleaming end of )hich
)as pointed at ;&rton.
+5
=s soon as ;&rton t&rned his head2 the man p&t the de9ice do)n.
He spo%e in Bnglish.
34t6s ta%en me a long time to find yo&2 Michard ;&rton.6 ;&rton
groped aro&nd on the floor for a )eapon )ith his left hand2 )hich )as
hidden from the man6s 9ie). His fingers to&ched nothing b&t dirt. He said2
3<o) yo&69e fo&nd me2 yo& damn Bthical2 )hat do yo& intend doing )ith
me?6
7he man shifted slightly and he ch&c%led. 3<othing.6 He pa&sed2
then said2 34 am not one of 7hem.6 He la&ghed again )hen ;&rton gasped.
37hat6s not >&ite tr&e. 4 am )ith 7hem2 b&t 4 am not of 7hem.6 He pic%ed &p
the de9ice2 )hich he had been aiming at ;&rton.
67his tells me that yo& ha9e a fract&red s%&ll and a conc&ssion of
the brain! Jo& m&st be 9ery to&gh2 beca&se yo& sho&ld be dead2 @&dging
from the extent of the in@&ry. ;&t yo& may p&ll o&t of it2 if yo& ta%e it easy.
Gnfort&nately2 yo& don6t ha9e time to con9alesce. 7he Cthers %no) yo&6re
in this area2 gi9e or ta%e thirty miles. 4n a day or so2 7hey6ll ha9e yo&
pinpointed.6
;&rton tried to sit &p and fo&nd that his bones had become soft as
taffy in s&nlight2 and a bayonet )as prying open the bac% of his s%&ll.
Groaning2 he lay bac% do)n.
3Who are yo& and )hat6s yo&r b&siness?6 34 can6t tell yo& my name.
4f#m&ch more li%ely )hen#7hey catch yo&2 7hey6ll thread o&t yo&r
memory and r&n it off bac%)ard to the time yo& )o%e &p in the pre8
res&rrection b&bble. 7hey )on6t find o&t )hat made yo& )a%e before yo&r
time. ;&t 7hey )ill %no) abo&t this con9ersation. 7hey6ll e9en be able to
see me. ;&t only as yo& see me2 a pale shado) )ith no feat&res. 7hey6ll
hear my 9oice too2 b&t 7hey )on6t recogniAe it. 46m &sing a transm&ter.
67hey )ill2 ho)e9er2 be horrified. What they ha9e slo)ly and
rel&ctantly been s&specting )ill all of a s&dden be re9ealed as the tr&th.
7hey ha9e a traitor in 7heir midst6
34 )ish 4 %ne) )hat yo& )ere tal%ing abo&t26 ;&rton said.
7he man said2 346ll tell yo& this m&ch. Jo& ha9e been told a
monstro&s lie abo&t the p&rpose of the Mes&rrection. What Spr&ce told
yo&2 and )hat that Bthical creation2 the $h&rch of the Second $hance2
teaches#are lies5 =ll lies5 7he tr&th is that yo& h&man beings ha9e been
gi9en life again only to participate in a scientific experiment. 7he Bthicals#
a misnomer if there e9er )as one ha9e reshaped this planet into one
Mi9er9alley2 b&ilt the grailstones2 and bro&ght all of yo& bac% from the dead
for one p&rpose. 7o record yo&r history and c&stoms. =nd2 as a secondary
matter2 to obser9e yo&r reactions to Mes&rrection and to the mixing of
different peoples of different eras. 7hat is all it is! a scientific pro@ect. =nd
)hen yo& ha9e ser9ed yo&r p&rpose2 bac% into the d&st yo& go56
67his story abo&t gi9ing all of yo& another chance at eternal life and
sal9ation beca&se it is 7heir ethical d&ty#lies5 =ct&ally2 my people do not
belie9e that yo& are )orth sa9ing. 7hey do not thin% yo& ha9e Sso&lsS56
;&rton )as silent for a )hile. 7he fello) )as certainly sincere. Cr2 if not
sincere2 he )as 9ery emotionally in9ol9ed2 since he )as breathing so
hea9ily.
Finally2 ;&rton spo%e. 34 can6t see anybody going to all this expense
and labor @&st to r&n a scientific experiment2 or to ma%e historical
recordings.6
37ime hangs hea9y on the hands of immortals. Jo& )o&ld be
s&rprised )hat )e do to ma%e eternity interesting. F&rthermore2 gi9en all
time2 )e can ta%e o&r time2 and )e do not let e9en the most staggering
pro@ects dismay &s. =fter the last 7errestrial died2 the @ob of setting &p the
Mes&rrection too% se9eral tho&sands of years2 e9en tho&gh the final phase
too% only one day.6
;&rton said2 3=nd yo&? What are yo& doing? =nd )hy are yo& doing
)hate9er yo&6re doing?6 34 am the only tr&e Bthical in the )hole monstro&s
race5 4 do not li%e toying aro&nd )ith yo& as if yo& )ere p&ppetsF or mere
ob@ects to be obser9ed2 animals in a laboratory5 =fter all2 primiti9e and
9icio&s tho&gh yo& be2 yo& are sentients5 Jo& are2 in a sense2 as . . . as...6
7he shado)y spea%er )a9ed a shado)y hand as if trying to grasp a
)ord o&t of the dar%ness. He contin&ed2 346ll ha9e to &se yo&r term for
yo&rsel9es. Jo&6re as h&man as )e. N&st as the s&bh&mans )ho first &sed
lang&age )ere as h&man as yo&. =nd yo& are o&r forefathers. For all 4
%no)2 4 may be yo&r direct descendant. My )hole people co&ld be
descended from yo&.6
34 do&bt it26 ;&rton said 34 had no children#that 4 %no) any)ay.6 He
had many >&estions2 and he began to as% them.
;&t the man )as dying no attention. He )as holding the de9ice to
his forehead. S&ddenly he )ithdre) it and interr&pted ;&rton in the middle
of a sentence. 3469e been . . . yo& don6t ha9e a )ord for it. .. let6s say .. .
listening. 7hey69e detected my . . . )athan . .. 4 thin% yo&6d call it an a&ra.
7hey don6t %no) )hose )athan @&st that it6s an Bthical6s. ;&t 7hey6ll be
Aeroing in )ithin the next fi9e min&tes. 4 ha9e to go.6 7he pale fig&re stood
&p. 3Jo& ha9e to go2 too.6
3Where are yo& ta%ing me?6 ;&rton said.
346m not. Jo& m&st dieF 7hey m&st find only yo&r corpse. 4 can6t ta%e
yo& )ith meF it6s impossible. ;&t if yo& die here2 7hey6ll lose yo& again. =nd
)e6ll meet again. 7hen . . .6
6Wait56 ;&rton said. 34 don6t &nderstand. Why can6t 7hey locate me?
7hey b&ilt the Mes&rrection machinery. :on6t 7hey %no) )here my
partic&lar res&rrector is?6 7he man ch&c%led again. 3<o. 7heir only
recordings of men on Barth )ere 9is&al2 not a&dible. =nd the location of the
res&rrectees in the pre8res&rrection b&bble )as random2 since 7hey had
planned to scatter yo& h&mans along 7he Mi9er in a ro&gh chronological
se>&ence b&t )ith a certain amo&nt of mixing. 7hey intended to get do)n
to the indi9id&al basis later. Cf co&rse2 7hey had no notion then that 4 )o&ld
be opposing 7hem. Cr that 4 )o&ld select certain of 7heir s&b@ects to aid
me in defeating the Ilan. So 7hey do not %no) )here yo&2 or the others2
)ill next pop &p.
3<o)2 yo& may be )ondering )hy 4 can6t set yo&r res&rrector so that
yo&6ll be translated near yo&r goal2 the head)aters. 7he fact is that 4 did set
yo&rs so that the first time yo& died2 yo&6d be at the 9ery first grailstone. ;&t
yo& didn6t ma%e itF so 4 pres&me the 7itanthrops %illed yo&. 7hat )as
&nfort&nate2 since 4 no longer dare to go near the b&bble &ntil 4 ha9e an
exc&se. 4t is forbidden for any b&t those a&thoriAed to enter the pre8
res&rrection b&bble. 7hey are s&spicio&sF 7hey s&spect tampering. So it is
&p to yo&2 and to chance2 to get bac% to the north polar region.
3=s for the others2 4 ne9er had an opport&nity to set their
res&rrectors. 7hey ha9e to go by the la)s of probabilities2 too. Which are
abo&t t)enty million to one.6
3Cthers?6 ;&rton said. 3Cthers? ;&t )hy did yo& choose &s?6
3Jo& ha9e the right a&ra. So did the others. ;elie9e me 4 %no) )hat
46m doingF 4 chose )ell.6
6;&t yo& intimated that yo& )o%e me &p ahead of time . . . is the
pre8res&rrection b&bble2 for a p&rpose. What did it accomplish?6
34t )as the only thing that )o&ld con9ince yo& that the Mes&rrection
)as not a s&pernat&ral e9ent. =nd it started yo& sniffing on the trac% of the
Bthicals. =m 4 right? Cf co&rse2 4 am. Here56 He handed ;&rton a tiny
caps&le. 3S)allo) this. Jo& )ill be dead instantly and o&t of 7heir reach#
for a )hile. =nd yo&r brain cells )ill be so r&pt&red 7hey6ll not be able to
read them. H&rry5 4 m&st go56
6What if 4 don6t ta%e it?6 ;&rton said. 3What if 4 allo) 7hem to capt&re
me no)?6
3Jo& don6t ha9e the a&ra for it26 the man said.
;&rton almost decided not to ta%e the caps&le. Why sho&ld he allo)
this arrogant fello) to order him aro&nd? 7hen he considered that he
sho&ld not bite off his nose to spite his face. =s it )as2 he had the choice of
playing along )ith this &n%no)n man or of falling into the hands of the
Cthers.
3=ll right26 he said2 3;&t )hy don6t yo& %ill me? Why ma%e me do the
@ob?6
7he man la&ghed and said2 37here are certain r&les in this game2
r&les that 4 don6t ha9e time to explain. ;&t yo& are intelligent2 yo&6ll fig&re
o&t most of them for yo&rself. Cne is that )e are Bthicals. We can gi9e life2
b&t )e can6t directly ta%e life. 4t is not &nthin%able for &s or beyond o&r
ability. N&st 9ery diffic&lt.6 =br&ptly2 the man )as gone. ;&rton did not
hesitate. He s)allo)ed the caps&le. 7here )as a blinding flash...
+Q
=nd light )as f&ll in his eyes2 from the @&st8risen s&n. He had time
for one >&ic% loo% aro&nd2 sa) his grail2 his pile of neatly folded to)els#
and Hermann Goring.
7hen ;&rton and the German )ere seiAed by small dar% men )ith
large heads and bandy legs. 7hese carried spears and flint headed axes.
7hey )ore to)els b&t only as capes sec&red aro&nd their thic% short nec%s.
Strips of leather2 &ndo&btedly h&man s%in2 ran across their
disproportionately large foreheads and aro&nd their heads to bind their
long2 coarse blac% hair. 7hey loo%ed semi Mongolian and spo%e a tong&e
&n%no)n to him =n empty grail )as placed &pside do)n o9er his headF his
hands )ere tied behind him )ith a leather thong. ;lind and helpless2
stonetipped spears digging into his bac%2 he )as &rged across the plain.
Some)here near2 dr&ms th&ndered2 and female 9oices )ailed a chant.
He had )al%ed three h&ndred paces )hen he )as halted. 7he
dr&ms >&it beating2 and the )omen stopped their singsong. He co&ld hear
nothing except for the blood beating in his ears. What the hell )as going
on? Was he part of a religio&s ceremony )hich re>&ired that the 9ictim be
blinded? Why not? 7here had been many c&lt&res on Barth2 )hich did not
)ant the rit&ally slain to 9ie) those )ho shed his blood. 7he dead man6s
ghost might )ant to ta%e re9enge on his %illers.
;&t these people m&st %no) by no) that there )ere no s&ch things
as ghosts. Cr did they regard laAari as @&st that2 as ghosts that co&ld be
dispatched bac% to their land of origin by simply %illing them again? Goring5
He2 too2 had been translated here. =t the same grailstone. 7he first time
co&ld ha9e been coincidence2 altho&gh the probabilities against it )ere
high. ;&t three times in s&ccession? <o2 it )as . . .
7he first blo) dro9e the side of the grail against his head2 made him
half8&nconscio&s2 sent a 9ast ringing thro&gh him2 spar%s of light before his
eyes2 and %noc%ed him to his %nees. He ne9er felt the second blo)2 and so
a)o%e once more in another place...
+P
=nd )ith him )as Hermann Goring.
3Jo& and 4 m&st be t)in so&ls26 Goring said. 3We seem to be yo%ed
together by Whoe9er is responsible for all this56
67he ox and the ass plo) together26 ;&rton said2 lea9ing it to the
German to decide )hich he )as. 7hen the t)o )ere b&sy introd&cing
themsel9es2 or attempting to do so2 to the people among )hom they had
arri9ed. 7hese2 as he later fo&nd o&t2 )ere S&merians of the Cld or
$lassical periodF that is2 they had li9ed in Mesopotamia bet)een +5.. and
+-.. ;.$. 7he men sha9ed their heads (no easy c&stom )ith flint raAors)2
and the )omen )ere bare to the )aist. 7hey had a tendency to short s>&at
bodies2 pop8eyes2 and (to ;&rton) &gly faces.
;&t if the index of bea&ty )as not high among them2 the pre
$ol&mbian Samoans )ho made &p -. percent of the pop&lation )ere more
than attracti9e. =nd2 of co&rse2 there )as the &bi>&ito&s ". percent of
people from any)here8e9eryplace2 t)entieth8cent&rians being the most
n&mero&s. 7his )as &nderstandable2 since the total n&mber of these
constit&ted a fo&rth of h&manity. ;&rton had no scientific statistical data2 of
co&rse2 b&t his tra9els had con9inced him that the t)entieth8cent&rians had
been deliberately scattered along 7he Mi9er in a proportion to the other
peoples e9en greater than )as to be expected. 7his )as another facet of
the Mi9er)orld set&p2 )hich he did not &nderstand. What did the Bthicals
intend to gain by this dissemination? 7here )ere too many >&estions. He
needed time to thin%2 and he co&ld not get it if he spent himself )ith one
trip after another on 7he S&icide Bxpress. 7his area2 &nli%e most of the
others he )o&ld 9isit2 offered some peace and >&iet for analysis. So he
)o&ld stay here for a )hile.
=nd then there )as Hermann Goring. ;&rton )anted to obser9e his
strange form of pilgrim6s progress. Cne of the many things that he had not
been able to as% the Mysterio&s Stranger (;&rton tended to thin% in
capitals) )as abo&t the dreamg&m Where did it fit into the pict&re? =nother
part of the Great Bxperiment?
Gnfort&nately2 Goring did not last long.
7he first night2 he began screaming. He b&rst o&t of his h&t and ran
to)ard 7he Mi9er2 stopping no) and then to stri%e o&t at the air or to
grapple )ith in9isible beings and to roll bac% and forth on the grass. ;&rton
follo)ed him as far as 7he Mi9er. Here Goring prepared to la&nch himself
o&t into the )ater2 probably to dro)n himself. ;&t he froAe for a moment2
began sh&ddering2 and then toppled o9er2 stiff as a stat&e. His eyes )ere
open2 b&t they sa) nothing o&tside him. =ll 9ision )as t&rned in)ard. What
horrors he )as )itnessing co&ld not be determined2 since he )as &nable to
spea%.
His lips )rithed so&ndlessly2 and did not stop d&ring the ten days
that he li9ed. ;&rton6s efforts to feed him )ere &seless. His @a)s )ere
loc%ed. He shran% before ;&rton6s eyes2 the flesh e9aporating2 the s%in
falling in and the bones beneath resol9ing into the s%eleton. Cne morning2
he )ent into con9&lsions2 then sat &p and screamed. = moment later he
)as dead.
$&rio&s2 ;&rton did an a&topsy on him )ith the flint %ni9es and
obsidian sa)s a9ailable. Goring6s distended bladder had b&rst and po&red
&rine into his body.
;&rton proceeded to p&ll Goring6s teeth o&t before b&rying him.
7eeth )ere trade items2 since they co&ld be str&ng on a fishg&t or a tendon
to ma%e m&ch8desired nec%laces. Goring6s scalp also came off. 7he
S&merians had pic%ed &p the c&stom of ta%ing scalps from their enemies2
the se9enteenth8cent&ry Sha)nee across 7he Mi9er. 7hey had added the
ci9iliAed embellishment of se)ing scalps together to ma%e capes2 s%irts2
and e9en c&rtains. = scalp )as not )orth as m&ch as teeth in the trade
mart2 b&t it )as )orth something.
4t )as )hile digging a gra9e by a large bo&lder at the foot of the
mo&ntains that ;&rton had an ill&minating flash of memory. He had stopped
)or%ing to ta%e a drin% of )ater )hen he happened to loo% at Goring. 7he
completely stripped head and the feat&res2 peacef&l as if sleeping2 opened
a trapdoor in his mind.
When he had a)a%ened in that colossal chamber and fo&nd himself
floating in a ro) of bodies2 he had seen this face. 4t had belonged to a body
in the ro) next to his. Goring2 li%e all the other sleepers2 had had his head
sha9ed. ;&rton had only noted him in passing d&ring the short time before
the Warders had detected him. Hater2 after the mass Mes&rrection2 )hen he
had met Goring2 he had not seen the similarity bet)een the sleeper and
this man )ho had a f&ll head of blondish hair.
;&t he %ne) no) that this man had occ&pied a space close to his.
Was it possible that their t)o res&rrectors2 so physically close to
each other2 had become loc%ed in phase? 4f so2 )hene9er his death and.
Goring6s too% place at the same approximate time2 then the t)o )o&ld be
raised again by the same grailstone. Goring6s @est that they )ere t)in so&ls
might not be so far off the mar%.
;&rton res&med digging2 s)earing at the same time beca&se he
had so many >&estions and so fe) ans)ers. 4f he had another chancy to
get his hands on an Bthical2 he )o&ld drag the ans)ers o&t of him2 no
matter )hat methods he had to &se.
7he next three months2 ;&rton )as b&sy ad@&sting himself to the
strange society in this area. He fo&nd himself fascinated by the ne)
lang&age that )as being formed o&t of the clash bet)een S&merian and
Samoan. Since the former )ere the most n&mero&s2 their tong&e
dominated. ;&t here2 as else)here2 the ma@or lang&age s&ffered a Iyrrhic
9ictory. Mes&lt of the f&sion )as a pidgin2 a speech )ith greatly red&ced
flexion and simplified syntax. Grammatical gender )ent o9erboardF )ords
)ere syncopatedF tense and aspect2 of 9erbs )ere c&t to a simple present2
)hich )as &sed also for the f&t&re. =d9erbs of time indicated the past.
S&btleties )ere replaced by expressions that both S&merian and Samoan
co&ld &nderstand2 e9en if they seemed at first to be a)%)ard and nai9e.
=nd many Samoan )ords2 in some)hat changed phonology2 dro9e o&t
S&merian )ords.
7his rise of pidgins )as ta%ing place e9ery)here &p and do)n the
Mi9er9alley. ;&rton reflected that if the Bthicals had intended to record all
h&man tong&es2 7hey had best h&rry. 7he old ones )ere dying o&t2
transm&ting rather. ;&t for all he %ne)2 7hey had already completed the
@ob. 7heir recorders2 so necessary for accomplishing the physical
translation2 might also be ta%ing do)n all speech.
4n the meantime2 in the e9enings2 )hen he had a chance to be
alone2 he smo%ed the cigars so genero&sly offered by the grails and tried to
analyAe the sit&ation. Whom co&ld he belie9e2 the Bthicals or the
Menegade2 the Mysterio&s Stranger? Cr )ere both lying? Why did the
Mysterio&s Stranger need him to thro) a mon%ey )rench into 7heir cosmic
machinery? What co&ld ;&rton2 mere h&man being2 trapped in this 9alley2
so limited by his ignorance2 do to help the N&das? Cne thing )as certain. 4f
the Stranger did not need him2 he )o&ld not ha9e concerned himself )ith
;&rton. He )anted to get ;&rton into that 7o)er at the north pole.
Why? 4t too% ;&rton t)o )ee%s before he tho&ght of the only reason
that co&ld be.
7he stranger had said that he2 li%e the other Bthicals2 )o&ld not
directly ta%e h&man life. ;&t he had no scr&ples abo&t doing so 9icario&sly2
as )itness his gi9ing the poison to ;&rton. So2 if he )anted ;&rton in the
7o)er2 he needed ;&rton to %ill for him. He )o&ld t&rn the tiger loose
among his o)n people2 open the )indo) to the hired assassin.
=n assassin )ants pay. What did the Stranger offer as pay? ;&rton
s&c%ed the cigar smo%e into his l&ngs2 exhaled and then do)ned a shot of
bo&rbon. (ery )ell. 7he Stranger )o&ld try to &se him. ;&t let him be)are.
;&rton )o&ld also &se the Stranger.
=t the end of three months2 ;&rton decided that he had done
eno&gh thin%ing. 4t )as time to get o&t He )as s)imming in 7he Mi9er at
the moment and2 follo)ing the imp&lse2 he s)am to its middle. He di9ed
do)n as far as he co&ld force himself before the not8to8be denied )ill of his
body to s&r9i9e dro9e him to cla) &p)ard for the dear air. He did not ma%e
it. 7he sca9enging fishes )o&ld eat his body and his bones )o&ld fall to the
m&d at the bottom of the "2...8foot deep Mi9er. So m&ch the better. He did
not )ant his body to fall into the hands of the Bthicals. 4f )hat the Stranger
had said )as tr&e2 7hey might be able to &nthread from his mind all he had
seen and heard if 7hey got to him before the brain cells )ere damaged.
He did not thin% 7hey had s&cceeded. :&ring the next se9en years2
as far as he %ne)2 he escaped detection of the Bthicals. 4f the Menegade
%ne) )here he )as2 he did not let ;&rton %no). ;&rton do&bted that
anyone didF he himself co&ld not ascertain in )hat part of the Mi9erplanet
he )as2 ho) far or ho) near the 7o)er head>&arters. ;&t he )as going2
going2 going2 al)ays on the mo9e. =nd one day he %ne) that he m&st ha9e
bro%en a record of some sort. :eath had become second nat&re to him.
4f his co&nt )as correct2 he had made PPP trips on 7he s&icide
Bxpress.
+D
Sometimes ;&rton tho&ght of himself as a planetary grasshopper2
la&nching himself o&t into the dar%ness of death2 landing2 nibbling a little at
the grass2 )ith one eye coc%ed for the shado) that betrayed the
do)ns)oop of the shri%e#the Bthicals. 4n this 9ast meado) of h&manity2
he had sampled many blades2 tasted briefly2 and then had gone on.
Cther times he tho&ght of himself as a net scooping &p specimens
here and there in the h&ge sea of man%ind. He got a fe) big fish and many
sardines2 altho&gh there )as as m&ch2 if not more2 to be learned from the
small fish as from the large ones.
He did not li%e the metaphor of the net2 ho)e9er2 beca&se it
reminded him that there )as a m&ch larger net o&t for him.
Whate9er metaphors or similes he &sed2 he )as a man )ho got
aro&nd a lot2 to &se a t)entieth8cent&ry =mericanism. So m&ch so that he
se9eral times came across the legend of ;&rton the Gypsy2 or2 in one
Bnglish8spea%ing area2 Michard the Mo9er2 and2 in another2 the Hoping
HaAar&s. 7his )orried him some)hat2 since the Bthicals might get a cl&e to
his method of e9asion and be able to ta%e meas&res to trap him. Cr 7hey
might e9en g&ess at his basic goal and set &p g&ards near the head)aters.
=t the end of se9en years2 thro&gh m&ch obser9ation of they
daystars and thro&gh many con9ersations2 he had formed a pict&re of the
co&rse of 7he Mi9er..
4t )as not an amphisbaena2 a sna%e )ith t)o heads2 head)aters at
the north pole and mo&th at the so&th pole. 4t )as a Midgard Serpent2 )ith
the tail at the north pole2 the body coiled aro&nd and aro&nd the planet and
the tail in the serpent6s mo&th. 7he Mi9er6s so&rce stemmed from the north
polar sea2 3 AigAagged bac% and forth across one hemisphere2 circled the
so&th pole and then AigAagged across the face of the other hemisphere2
bac% and forth2 e9er )or%ing &p)ard &ntil the mo&th opened into the
hypothetical polar sea.
<or )as the large body of )ater so hypothetical. 4f the story of the
7itanthrop2 the s&bh&man )ho claimed to ha9e seen the Misty 7o)er2 )as
tr&e2 the 7o)er rose o&t of the fog8shro&ded sea. ;&rton had heard the tale
only at second8hand. ;&t he had seen the 7itanthrops near the beginning
of 7he Mi9er on his fast 3@&mp26 and it seemed reasonable that one might
act&ally ha9e crossed the mo&ntains and gotten close eno&gh to get a
glimpse of the polar sea. Where one man had gone2 another co&ld follo).
=nd ho) did 7he Mi9er flo) &phill? 4ts rate of speed seemed to
remain constant e9en )here it sho&ld ha9e slo)ed or ref&sed to go f&rther.
From this he post&lated localiAed gra9itational fields that &rged the mighty
stream on)ard &ntil it had regained an area )here nat&ral gra9ity )o&ld
ta%e o9er. Some)here2 perhaps b&ried &nder 7he Mi9er itself2 )ere de9ices
that did this )or%. 7heir fields m&st be 9ery restricted2 since the p&ll of the
earth did not 9ary on h&man beings in these areas to any detectable
degree.
7here )ere too many >&estions. He m&st go on &ntil he got to the
place or to the beings Who co&ld ans)er them. =nd se9en years after his
first death2 he reached the desired area.
4t )as on his PPPth 3@&mp.6 He )as con9inced se9en )as a l&c%y
n&mber for him. ;&rton2 despite the scoffings of his t)entieth8cent&ry
friends2 belie9ed steadfastly in most of the s&perstitions he had no&rished
on Barth. He often la&ghed at the s&perstitions of others2 b&t he %ne) that
some n&mbers held good fort&ne for him2 that sil9er placed on his eyes
)o&ld re@&9enate his body )hen it )as tired and )o&ld help his second
sight2 the perception that )arned him ahead of time of e9il sit&ations. 7r&e2
there seemed to be no sil9er on this mineral poor )orld2 b&t if there )ere2
he co&ld &se it to ad9antage.
=ll that first day2 he stayed at the edge of 7he Mi9er. He paid little
attention to those )ho tried to tal% to him2 gi9ing them a brief smile. Gnli%e
people in most of the areas he had seen2 these )ere not hostile. 7he s&n
mo9ed along the eastern pea%s2 seemingly @&st clearing their tops. 7he
flaming ball slid across the 9alley2 lo)er than he had e9er seen it before2
except )hen he had landed among the grotes>&ely nosed 7itanthrops. 7he
s&n flooded the 9alley for a )hile )ith light and )armth2 and then began its
circling @&st abo9e the )estern mo&ntains. 7he 9alley became shado)ed2
and the air became colder than it had been any other place2 except2 of
co&rse2 on that fast @&mp. 7he s&n contin&ed to circle &ntil it )as again at
the point )here ;&rton bad first seen it on opening his eyes.
Weary from his t)enty8fo&r ho&r 9igil2 b&t happy2 he t&rned to loo%
for li9ing >&arters. He %ne) no) that he )as in the arctic area2 b&t he )as
not at a point @&st belo) the head)aters. 7his time2 he )as at the other
end2 the mo&th.
=s he t&rned2 he heard a 9oice2 familiar b&t &nidentifiable. (He had
heard so many.)
3:&ll so&l aspireF
7ho& art not the Barth.
Mo&nt higher5
Hea9en ga9e the spar%F
to ret&rn the fire.6
3Nohn $ollop5 6=bd&l ibn Har&n5 =nd they say there are no miracles5
What has happened to yo& since last 4 sa) yo&?6
34 died the same night yo& did26 ;&rton said. 3=nd se9eral times
since. 7here are many e9il men in this )orld.6
67is only nat&ral. 7here )ere many on Barth. Jet 4 dare say their
n&mber has been c&t do)n2 for the $h&rch has been able to do m&ch good
)or%2 praise God. Bspecially in this area. ;&t come )ith me2 friend. 46ll
introd&ce yo& to my h&tmate. = lo9ely )oman2 faithf&l in a )orld that still
seems to p&t little 9al&e on marital fidelity or2 indeed2 in 9irt&e of any sort.
She )as born in the t)entieth cent&ry =.:. and ta&ght Bnglish most of her
life. (erily2 4 sometimes thin% she lo9es me not so m&ch for myself as for
)hat. 4 can teach her of the speech2 of my time.6
He ga9e a c&rio&s ner9o&s la&gh2 by )hich ;&rton %ne) he )as
@o%ing. 7hey crossed the plains to)ard the foothills )here fires )ere
b&rning on small stone platforms before each hat. Most of the men and
)omen had fastened to)els aro&nd them to form par%as2 )hich shielded
them from the chill of the shado)s.
3= gloomy and shi9ering place26 ;&rton said. 3Why )o&ld anybody
)ant to li9e here?6
3Most of these people be Finns or S)edes of the late t)entieth
cent&ry. 7hey are &sed to the midnight s&n. Ho)e9er2 yo& sho&ld be happy
yo&6re here. 4 remember yo&r b&rning c&riosity abo&t the Iolar Megions and
yo&r spec&lations anent. 7here ha9e been others li%e yo& )ho ha9e gone
on do)n 7he Mi9er to see% their Gltima 7h&le2 or if yo& )ill pardon me for
so terming it2 the fool6s gold at the end of the rainbo). ;&t all ha9e either
failed to ret&rn or ha9e come bac%2 da&nted by the forbidding obstacles.6
6Which are )hat?6 ;&rton said2 grabbing $ollop6s arm.
3Friend2 yo&6re h&rting me. 4tem2 the grailstones cease2 so that there
is nothing )here)ith they may recharge their grails )ith food. 4tem2 the
plains of the 9alley s&ddenly terminate2 and 7he Mi9er p&rs&es its co&rse
bet)een the mo&ntains themsel9es2 thro&gh a chasm of icy shado)s. 4tem2
)hat lies beyond2 4 do not %no)2 for no man has come bac% to tell me. ;&t 4
fear they69e met the end of all )ho commit the sin of h&bris.6 3Ho) far a)ay
is this pl&nge of no ret&rn?6 6=s the Mi9er )inds2 abo&t +52... miles. Jo&
may get there )ith diligent sailing in a year or more. 7he =lmighty Father
alone %no)s ho) far yo& m&st then go before yo& arri9e at the 9ery end of
7he Mi9er. ;eli%e yo&6d star9e before then2 beca&se yo&6d ha9e to ta%e
pro9isions on yo&r boat after lea9ing the final grailstone56
67here6s one )ay to find o&t26 ;&rton said.
3<othing )ill stop yo& then2 Michard ;&rton?6 $ollop said. 3Jo& )ill
not gi9e &p this fr&itless chase after the physical )hen yo& sho&ld be hot
on the trac% of the metaphysical?6
;&rton seiAed $ollop by the arm again. 3Jo& said ;&rton?6 3Jes2 4
did. Jo&r friend Goring told me some time ago that that )as yo&r tr&e
name. He also told me other things abo&t yo&.6
6Goring is here?6 6$ollop nodded and said2 3He has been here for
abo&t t)o years no). He li9es a mile from here. We can see him tomorro).
Jo& )ill be pleased at the change in him2 4 %no). He has con>&ered the
dissol&tion beg&n by the dreamg&m2 shaped the fragments of himself into a
ne)2 and a far better2 man. 4n fact2 he is no) the leader of the $h&rch of
the Second $hance in this area.
3While yo&2 my friend2 ha9e been >&esting after some irrele9ant
grail o&tside yo&2 he has fo&nd the Holy Grail inside himself. He almost
perished from madness2 nearly fell bac% into the e9il )ays of his 7errestrial
life. ;&t thro&gh the grace of God and his tr&e desire to sho) himself
)orthy of being gi9en another opport&nity at life2 he ... )ell2 yo& may see
for yo&rself tomorro). =nd 4 pray yo& )ill profit from his example.6
$ollop elaborated. Goring had died almost as many times as
;&rton2 &s&ally by s&icide. Gnable to stand the nightmares and the self8
loathing2 he had time and again p&rchased a brief and &seless s&rcease.
Cnly to be faced )ith himself the next day. ;&t on arri9ing at this area2 and
see%ing help from $ollop2 the man he had once m&rdered2 he had )on.
34 am astonished26 ;&rton said. 3=nd 46m happy for Goring. ;&t 4
ha9e other goals. 4 )o&ld li%e yo&r promise that yo&6ll tell no one my tr&e
identity. =llo) me to be =bd&l ibn Har&n.6
$ollop said that he )o&ld %eep silent2 altho&gh he )as disappointed
that ;&rton )o&ld not be able to see Goring again and @&dge for himself
)hat faith and lo9e co&ld do for e9en the seemingly hopeless and
depra9ed. He too% ;&rton to his h&t and introd&ced him to his )ife2 a short2
delicately boned br&nette. She )as 9ery gracio&s and friendly and insisted
on going )ith the t)o men )hile they 9isited the local boss2 the
9al%ot&%%ainen. (7his )ord )as regional slang for the )hite8haired boy or
big shot.) (ille =honen )as a h&ge >&iet8spo%en man )ho listened
patiently to ;&rton. ;&rton re9ealed only half of his plan2 saying that he
)anted to b&ild a boat so he co&ld tra9el to the end of 7he Mi9er. He did
not mention )anting to ta%e it f&rther. ;&t =honen had e9idently met others
li%e him.
He smiled %no)ingly and replied that ;&rton co&ld b&ild a craft.
Ho)e9er2 the people hereabo&ts )ere conser9ationists. 7hey did not
belie9e in despoiling the land of its trees. Ca% and pine )ere to be left
&nto&ched2 b&t bamboo )as a9ailable. B9en this material )o&ld ha9e to be
p&rchased )ith cigarettes and li>&or2 )hich )o&ld ta%e him some time to
acc&m&late from his grail.
;&rton than%ed him and left. Hater2 he )ent to bed in a h&t near
$ollop6s2 b&t he co&ld not get to sleep.
Shortly before the ine9itable rains came2 he decided to lea9e the
h&t. He )o&ld go &p into the mo&ntains2 ta%e ref&ge &nder a ledge &ntil the
rains ceased2 the clo&ds dissipated2 and the eternal (b&t )ea%) s&n
reasserted itself. <o) that he )as so near to his goal2 he did not )ant to be
s&rprised by 7hem. =nd it seemed li%ely that the Bthicals )o&ld
concentrate agents here. For all he %ne)2 $ollop6s )ife co&ld be one of
7hem.
;efore he had )al%ed half a mile2 rain str&c% him and lightning
smashed nearby into the gro&nd. ;y the daAAling flash2 he sa) something
flic%er into existence @&st ahead and abo&t t)enty feet abo9e him.
He )hirled and ran to)ard a gro9e of trees2 hoping that 7hey had
not seen him and that he co&ld hide there. 4f he )as &nobser9ed2 then he
co&ld get &p into the mo&ntains. =nd )hen 7hey had p&t e9erybody to
sleep here2 7hey )o&ld find him gone again..
+E
3Jo& ga9e &s a long hard chase2 ;&rton26 a man said in Bnglish.
;&rton opened his eyes. 7he transition to this place )as so &nexpected
that he )as daAed. ;&t only for a second. He )as sitting in a chair of some
9ery soft b&oyant material. 7he room )as a perfect sphereF the )alls )ere
a 9ery pale green and )ere semitransparent. He co&ld see other spherical
chambers on all sides2 in front2 behind2 abo9e and2 )hen he bent o9er2
belo). =gain he )as conf&sed2 since the other rooms did not @&st impinge
&pon the bo&ndaries of his sphere. 7hey intersected. Sections of the other
rooms came into his room2 b&t then become so colorless and clear that he
co&ld barely detect them.
Cn the )all at the opposite end of his room )as an o9al of dar%er
green. 4t c&r9ed to follo) the )all. 7here )as a ghostly forest portrayed in
the o9al. = phantom fa)n trotted across the pict&re. From it came the odor
of pine and dog)ood.
=cross the b&bble from him sat t)el9e in chairs li%e his. Six )ere
menF six )omen. =ll )ere 9ery good8loo%ing. Bxcept for t)o2 all had blac%
or dar% bro)n hair and deeply tanned s%ins. 7hree had slight epicanthic
foldsF one man6s hair )as so c&rly it )as almost %in%y.
Cne )oman had long )a9y yello) hair bo&nd into a psyche %not. =
man had red hair2 red as the f&r of a fox. He )as handsome2 his feat&res
)ere irreg&lar2 his nose large and c&r9ed2 and his eyes )ere dar% green.
=ll )ere dressed in sil9ery or p&rple blo&ses )ith short flaring
slee9es and r&ffled collars2 slender l&minescent belts2 %ilts2 and sandals.
;oth men and )omen had painted fingernails and toenails2 lipstic%2
earrings2 and eye ma%e&p.
=bo9e the head of each2 almost to&ching the hair2 sp&n a many8
colored globe abo&t a foot across. 7hese )hirled and gashed and changed
color2 r&nning thro&gh e9ery h&e in the spectr&m. From time to time2 the
globes thr&st o&t long hexagonal arms of green2 of bl&e2 of blac%2 or of
gleaming )hite. 7hen the arms )o&ld collapse2 only to be s&cceeded by
other hexagons.
;&rton loo%ed do)n. He )as clad only in a blac% to)el sec&red at
his )aist.
346ll forestall yo&r first >&estion by telling yo& )e )on6t gi9e yo& any
information on )here yo& are.6 7he spea%er )as the red8haired man. He
grinned at ;&rton2 sho)ing &n8h&manly )hite teeth.
3(ery )ell26 ;&rton said. 3What >&estions )ill yo& ans)er2 Whoe9er
yo& are? For instance2 ho) did yo& find me?6
6My name is Hoga26 the red8haired man said. 3We fo&nd yo& thro&gh
a combination of detecti9e )or% and l&c%. 4t )as a complicated proced&re2
b&t 46ll simplify it for yo&. We had a n&mber of agents loo%ing for yo&2 a
pitif&lly small n&mber2 considering the thirty8six billion2 six million2 nine
tho&sand2 six h&ndred and thirty8se9en candidates that li9e along 7he
Mi9er.6
$andidates? ;&rton tho&ght. $andidates for )hat? For eternal life?
Had Spr&ce told the tr&th abo&t the p&rpose behind the Mes&rrection?
Hoga said2 3We had no idea that yo& )ere escaping &s by s&icide.
B9en )hen yo& )ere detected in areas so )idely separated that yo& co&ld
not possibly ha9e gotten to them except thro&gh res&rrection2 )e did not
s&spect. We tho&ght that yo& had been %illed and then translated. 7he
years )ent by. We had no idea )here yo& )ere. 7here )ere other things
for &s to do2 so )e p&lled all agents from the ;&rton $ase2 as )e called it2
except for some stationed at both ends of 7he Mi9er. Someho)2 yo& had
%no)ledge of the polar to)er. Hater )e fo&nd o&t ho). Jo&r friends Goring
and $ollop )ere 9ery helpf&l2 altho&gh they did not %no) they )ere tal%ing
to Bthicals2 of co&rse5
6Who notified yo& that 4 )as near 7he Mi9er6s end?6 ;&rton said.
Hop smiled and said2 37here6s no need for yo& to %no). Ho)e9er2
)e )o&ld ha9e ca&ght yo& any)ay. Jo& see2 e9ery space in the restoration
b&bble#the place )here yo& &nacco&ntably a)a%ened d&ring the pre8
res&rrection phase#has an a&tomatic co&nter. 7hey )ere installed for
statistical and research p&rposes. We li%e to %eep records of )hat6s going
on. For instance2 any candidate )ho has a higher than a9erage n&mber of
deaths sooner or later is a s&b@ect for st&dy. Gs&ally later2 since )e6re
short8handed.
34t )as not &ntil yo&r PPPth death that )e got aro&nd to loo%ing at
some of the higher fre>&ency res&rrections. Jo&rs had the highest co&nt.
Jo& may be congrat&lated on this2 4 s&ppose.6
67here )ere others2 as )ell?6
67hey6re not being p&rs&ed2 if that6s )hat yo& mean. =nd2 relati9ely
spea%ing2 they6re not many. We had no idea that it )as yo& )ho had
rac%ed &p this staggering n&mber. Jo&r space in the IM b&bble )as empty
)hen )e loo%ed at it d&ring o&r Statistical in9estigation. 7he t)o
technicians )ho had seen yo& )hen yo& )o%e &p in the IM chamber
identified yo& by yo&r photograph.
3We set the res&rrector so that the next time yo&r body )as to be
re8created2 an alarm )o&ld notify &s2 and )e )o&ld bring yo& here to this
place.6
3S&ppose 4 hadn6t died again?6 ;&rton said.
3Jo& )ere destined to die5 Jo& planned on trying to enter the polar
sea 9ia 7he Mi9er6s mo&th2 right?5 7hat is impossible. 7he last h&ndred
miles of 7he Mi9er go thro&gh an &ndergro&nd t&nnel. =ny boat )o&ld be
torn to pieces. Hi%e others )ho ha9e dared the @o&rney2 yo& )o&ld ha9e
died.6
;&rton said2 3My photograph#the one 4 too% from =gnea&. 7hat
)as ob9io&sly ta%en on Barth )hen 4 )as an officer for Nohn $ompany in
4ndia. Ho) )as that gotten?6
3Mesearch2 Mr. ;&rton26 Hoga said2 still smiling.
;&rton )anted to smash the loo% of s&periority on his face. He did
not seem to be restrained by anythingF he co&ld2 seemingly2 )al% o9er to
Hoga and stri%e him. ;&t he %ne) that the Bthicals )ere not li%ely to sit in
the same room )ith him )itho&t safeg&ards. 7hey )o&ld as soon ha9e
gi9en a rabid hyena its freedom.
:id yo& e9er find o&t )hat made me a)a%en before my time?6 he
as%ed. 3Cr )hat made those others gain conscio&sness2 too?6 Hoga ga9e a
start. Se9eral of the men and )omen gasped.
Hoga rallied first. He said2 3We69e made a thoro&gh examination of
yo&r body. Jo& ha9e no idea ho) thoro&gh. We ha9e also screened e9ery
component of yo&r ... psychomorph2 4 thin% yo& co&ld call it. Cr a&ra2
)hiche9er )ord yo& prefer.6
He 6gest&red at the sphere abo9e his head. 3We fo&nd no cl&es
)hatsoe9er.6
;&rton thre) bac% his head and la&ghed lo&dly and long.
3So yo& bastards don6t %no) e9erything56
Hoga smiled tightly. 3<o. We ne9er )ill. Cnly Cne is Cmnipotent6 He
to&ched his forehead2 lips2 heart2 and genitals )ith the three longest fingers
of his right hand. 7he others did the same.
3Ho)e9er2 46ll tell yo& that yo& frightened &s 8if that6ll ma%e yo& feel
any better. Jo& still do. Jo& see2 )e are fairly s&re that yo& may be one of
the men of )hom )e )ere )arned.6
3Warned against? ;y )hom?6
6;y2 a . . . sort of giant comp&ter2 a li9ing one. =nd by its operator.6
=gain2 he made the c&rio&s sign )ith his fingers.
67hat6s all 4 care to tell yo&#e9en tho&gh yo& )on6t remember a
thing that occ&rs do)n here after )e send yo& bac% to the Mi9er9alley.6
;&rton6s mind )as clo&ded )ith anger2 b&t not so m&ch that he missed the
3do)n here.6 :id that mean that the res&rrection machinery and the hideo&t
of the Bthicals )ere belo) the s&rface of the Mi9er)orld?
Hoga contin&ed2 37he data indicates yo& may ha9e the potentiality
to )rec% o&r plans. Why yo& sho&ld or hoes yo& might2 )e do not %no).
;&t )e respect o&r so&rce of information2 ho) highly yo& can6t imagine.6
34f yo& belie9e that26 ;&rton said2 3)hy don6t yo& @&st p&t me in cold
storage? S&spend me bet)een those t)o bars. Hea9e me floating in space2
t&rning aro&nd and aro&nd fore9er2 li%e a roast on a spit2 &ntil yo&r plans
are completed?6 Hoge said2 3We co&ldn6t do that5 7hat act alone )o&ld r&in
e9erything5 Ho) )o&ld yo& attain yo&r sal9ation? ;esides2 that )o&ld
mean an &nforgi9able 9iolence on o&r part5 4t6s &nthin%able5
6Jo& )ere being 9iolent )hen yo& forced me to r&n and hide from
yo&26 ;&rton said. 3Jo& are being 9iolent no) by holding me here against
my )ill. =nd yo& )ill 9iolate me )hen yo& destroy my memory of this little
tete8a8tete )ith yo&.6
Hoge almost )r&ng his hands. 4f he )as the Mysterio&s Stranger2
the renegade Bthical2 he )as a great actor.
4n a grie9ed tone2 Hoga said2 37hat is only partly tr&e. We had to
ta%e certain meas&res to protect o&rsel9es. 4f the man had been anyone
b&t yo&2 )e )o&ld ha9e left yo& strictly alone. 4t is tr&e )e 9iolated o&r o)n
code of ethics by ma%ing yo& r&n from &s and by examining yo&. 7hat had
to be2 ho)e9er. =nd2 belie9e me2 )e are paying for this in mental agony.6
3Jo& co&ld ma%e &p for some of it by telling me )hy 42 )hy all the
h&man beings that e9er li9ed2 ha9e been res&rrected. =nd ho) yo& did it.6
Hoga tal%ed2 )ith occasional interr&ptions from some of the others.
7he yello)8haired )oman bro%e in most often2 and after a )hile ;&rton
ded&ced from her attit&de and Hoga6s that she )as either his )ife or she
held a high position.
=nother man interr&pted at times. When he did2 there )as a
concentration and respect from the others that led ;&rton to belie9e he )as
the head of this gro&p. Cnce he t&rned his head so that the light spar%led
off one eye. ;&rton stared2 beca&se he had not noticed before that the left
eye )as a @e)el.
;&rton tho&ght that it probably )as a de9ice2 )hich ga9e him a
sense2 or senses2 of perception denied the others. From then on2 ;&rton
felt &ncomfortable )hene9er the faceted and gleaming eye )as t&rned on
him. What did that many8angled prism see? =t the end of the explanation2
;&rton did not %no) m&ch more than he had before. 7he Bthicals co&ld
see bac% into the past )ith a sort of chronoscopeF )ith this they had been
able to record )hate9er physical beings they )ished to. Gsing these
records as models2 they had then performed the res&rrection )ith energy8
matter con9erters.
3What26 ;&rton said2 3)o&ld happen if yo& re8created t)o bodies of
an indi9id&al at the same time?6 Hoge smiled )ryly and said that the
experiment had been performed. Cnly one body had life.
;&rton smiled li%e a cat that has @&st eaten a mo&se. He said2 34
thin% yo&6re lying to me. Cr telling me half8tr&ths. 7here is a fallacy in all
this. 4f h&man beings can attain s&ch a rarefiedly high ethical state that they
Sgo on2S )hy are yo& Bthicals2 s&pposedly s&perior beings2 still here? Why
ha9en6t yo&2 too2 Sgone on6?
7he faces of all b&t Hoga and the @e)el8eyed man became rigid.
Hoge la&ghed and said2 3(ery shre)d. =n excellent point. 4 can only ans)er
that some of &s do go on. ;&t more is demanded of &s2 ethically spea%ing2
than of yo& res&rrectees.6 34 still thin% yo&6re lying26 ;&rton said. 3Ho)e9er2
there6s nothing 4 can do abo&t it.6 He grinned and said2 3<ot @&st no)2
any)ay.6
34f yo& persist in that attit&de2 yo& )ill ne9er Go Cn26 Hoga said. 3;&t
)e felt that )e o)ed it to yo& to explain )hat )e are doing#as best )e
co&ld. When )e catch those others )ho ha9e been tampered )ith2 )e6ll do
the same for them.6
37here6s a N&das among yo&26 ;&rton said2 en@oying the effect of his
)ords.
;&t the @e)el8eyed man said2 3Why don6t yo& tell him the tr&th2
Hoga? 4t6ll )ipe off that sic%ening smir% and p&t him in his proper place.6
Hoga hesitated2 then said2 3(ery )ell2 7hanab&r. ;&rton2 yo& )ill
ha9e to be 9ery caref&l from no) on. Jo& m&st not commit s&icide and yo&
m&st fight as hard to stay ali9e as yo& did on Barth2 )hen yo& tho&ght yo&
had only one life. 7here is a limit to the n&mber of times a man may be
res&rrected. =fter a certain amo&nt#it 9aries and there6s no )ay to predict
the indi9id&al allotment#the psychomorph seems &nable to reattach itself
to the body. B9ery death )ea%ens the attraction bet)een body and
psychomorph. B9ent&ally2 the psychomorph comes to the point of no
ret&rn. 4t becomes a#)ell2 to &se an &nscientific term#a Slost so&l!S 4t
)anders bodiless thro&gh the &ni9erseF )e can detect these &nattached
psychomorphs )itho&t instr&ments2 &nli%e those of the#ho) shall 4 p&t it?
#the Ssa9ed2S )hich disappear entirely from o&r %en.
3So yo& see2 yo& m&st gi9e &p this form oR tra9el by death. 7his is
)hy contin&ed s&icide by those poor &nfort&nates )ho cannot face life is2 if
not the &nforgi9able sin2 the irre9ocable.6 7he @e)el8eyed man said2 37he
traitor2 the filthy &n%no)n )ho claims to be aiding yo&2 )as act&ally &sing
yo& for his o)n p&rposes. He did not tell yo& that yo& )ere expending yo&r
chance for eternal life by carrying o&t his#and yo&r#designs. He2 or she2
)hoe9er the traitor is2 is e9il. B9il2 e9il5 37herefore2 yo& m&st be caref&l from
no) on. Jo& may ha9e a resid&e of a doAen or so deaths left to yo&. Cr
yo&r next death may be yo&r last5 6
;&rton stood &p and sho&ted2 3Jo& don6t )ant me to get to the end
of 7he Mi9er? Why?6 6Why?6
Hoga said2 3=& re9oir. Forgi9e &s for this 9iolence.6 ;&rton did not
see any of the t)el9e persons point an instr&ment at him. ;&t
conscio&sness sprang from him as s)iftly as an arro) from the bo)2 and
he a)o%e . . .
-.
7he first person to greet him )as Ieter Frigate. Frigate lost his
c&stomary reser9eF he )ept. ;&rton cried a little himself and had diffic&lty
for a )hile in ans)ering Frigate6s piled8one8on8the8other >&estions. First2
;&rton had to find o&t )hat Frigate2 Hogh&2 and =lice had done after he had
disappeared. Frigate replied that the three had loo%ed for him2 then had
sailed bac% &p 7he Mi9er to 7heleme.#3Where ha9e yo& been?6 Frigate
said.
3From going to and fro in the earth2 and from )al%ing &p and do)n
in it26 ;&rton said. 3Ho)e9er2 &nli%e Satan2 4 fo&nd at least se9eral perfect
and &pright men2 fearing God and esche)ing e9il. :amn fe)2 tho&gh. Most
men and )omen are still the selfish2 ignorant2 s&perstitio&s2 self8blinding2
hypocritical2 co)ardly )retches they )ere on Barth. =nd in most2 the old
red8eyed %iller ape str&ggles )ith its %eeper2 society2 and )o&ld brea% o&t
and bloody its hands.6
Frigate chattered a)ay as the t)o )al%ed to)ard the h&ge
stoc%ade a mile a)ay2 the co&ncil b&ilding )hich ho&sed the administration
of the state of 7heleme. ;&rton half8listened. He )as sha%ing and his heart
)as beating hard2 b&t not beca&se of his home8coming.
He remembered5 $ontrary to )hat Hoge had promised2 he
remembered both his )a%ening in the pre8res&rrection b&bble2 so many
years ago2 and the in>&isition )ith the t)el9e Bthicals.
7here )as only one explanation. Cne of the t)el9e m&st ha9e
pre9ented the bloc%ing of his memory and done so )itho&t the others
%no)ing it.
Cne of the t)el9e )as the Mysterio&s Stranger2 the Menegade.
Which one? =t present2 there )as no )ay of determining. ;&t some
day he )o&ld find o&t. Mean)hile2 he had a friend in co&rt2 a man )ho
might be &sing ;&rton for his o)n ends. =nd the time )o&ld come )hen
;&rton )o&ld &se him.
7here )ere the other h&man beings )ith )hom the Stranger bad
also tampered. Ierhaps he )o&ld find themF together they )o&ld assa&lt
the 7o)er.
Cdysse&s had his =thena. Gs&ally Cdysse&s had had to get o&t of
perilo&s sit&ations thro&gh his o)n )its and co&rage.
;&t e9ery no) and then2 )hen the goddess bad been able2 she had
gi9en Cdysse&s a helping hand.
Cdysse&s had his =thenaF ;&rton2 his Mysterio&s Stranger.
Frigate said2 3What do yo& plan on doing2 :ic%?6
346m going to b&ild a boat and sail &p 7he Mi9er. =ll the )ay5 Want to
come along?6