Atlantis

The Book Of Angels
By D. Bridgman-Metchim

LIBER III

Index

LIBER I | LIBER II

I. THE CLOUD ON THE EDGE OF THE STORM
II. THE ICY WARNING OF DOOM
III. THE FOLLY OF THE LAND
IV. THE CURSE OF ATLANTIS
V. THE SHAME OF ZUL
VI. THE WAR OF THE SPIRIT
VII. THE LEAVEN OF SIN
VIII. THE ANSWER TO THE CHALLENGE
IX. THE SCORPION WHIPS OF GOD
X. THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS
XL THE NAVEL OF THE CLOUDS
XII. "FOR TO-MORROW WE DIE"
XIII. "MENE MENE TEKEL UPHARSIN"
XIV. THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION
XV. "BEHOLD, i WILL DESTROY"
XVI. THE TRAVAIL OF EARTH
XVII. THE GATES OF DEATH

Then God said to Noah,
"The end of all flesh has come before Me;
for the earth is filled with violence because of them; and behold,
I am about to destroy them with the earth. Genesis VI 13

CHAPTER I. THE CLOUD ON THE EDGE OF THE STORM.

YMBOLS of the Wrath of God! Bottomless vessels of His will! Is it that vengeance shall never be appeased, and that for the offender is no forgiveness? Look, Elohi, upon the Earth, lying upon the fleecy clouds, bride of the Elements, and say why is sin within her, O Sinless Creator! Look where the breezes kiss her cheeks like velvet on which the beauteous dimples spread, and the light of the Sun discovers her watery girdle as spread with flashing gems. Prostitute is she, yet fair indeed; but what is beauty before Thee, who searchest hearts, nor sufferest Thy gifts to be used unpunished for evil ends?

O God! O God! Why is denied the eloquence that could tell the deep, deep feelings and knowledge of the heart, the knowledge of Heaven and of hidden things, that sees so awfully clearly, but that cannot speak in tongues of man, and is speechless before its own depths of sight! That sees, but cannot, cannot describe!

Because, even as the visions pass the power of remembrance and of descriptive speech fades away, nor tongue can ever tell the spiritual inwardness of it.

O horror of incapacity of expression! depths of horror of silent knowledge that could wreck universes!

But Man must choose by his own volition; and again, O God! that that volition should be so subservient to varying moods and spiritual sight! For at times Man sees clearly, and again, his mind is dull and empty. And no inspired speech can move the soul that Earth has laid a touch upon, that, anon, would weep at aught, yet transiently. Here in all its burning horror, and now gone! Gonel and Joy reigns where Sorrow stood triumphant, and the impression of Now lies over and obliterates utterly the impression of Then.

So and forever. And even now speech fails me that might warn a world that may receive no lasting warning; for each atom must work its own end, which is the curse.

Now it came that because of the fulness of time and of the sin of Man that certain revolutions were accomplished, and the Heavens, moving under the Word, caused signs to be seen of Earth and great perturbation thereby. And a mighty Comet, exercising certain power, moved in the Heavens to the upsetting of just balances, and sickness befel, and a great part of all flesh died.

And how can I tell the fears that assailed me, Father of mercy! my love tore my bosom and rendered me suffering beyond all speech, mingled with the awful knowledge that for no recompense had I sinned more damnably than any of the evil ones. The great love that should have exalted Heaven and saved Earth fell in its unconquerable might into evil paths, begetting sin and more great confusion; and now I looked upon the beginning of Judgment with a heart burning with reproachful agony of rebellion and sorrow, and, wandering up and down in all places, pondered upon many things, considering ways by which haply I might save my Love. Now, securely hidden near Axatlan, among the mountains, was a small village of huts where abode the patriarch Noah and his three sons with their wives and families and servants, apart from all human intercourse. A few leagues to the north arose the mighty cone of the volcano; around them rugged peaks lifted their heads to the clouds, above forests of tall trees that sheltered the wild doves and myriads of apes and large bats, and among which ran the tusked boar and the lithe and beautiful ocelot, while by cool lakes and rivulets the anaconda coiled in deadly length its folds of yellow body, disputing its prey with great animals that had hard spikes upon their scaly harness, and huge teeth, akin to the monsters of the Hilen. In caves lived fierce bears, and soaring eagles built on the higher peaks, swooping upon rabbits and small animals below for their sustenance.

This statement perhaps elucidates a vexed question as to the cause of the Flood, and would explain it even without the cooperation of other forces if Lalande's calculation may be taken as correct that the approach of a Comet of the same size as the Earth within 13,290 miles would raise the ocean 2000 fathoms and thereby produce a deluge.

It is probable that some great disturbance took place by which the balance of the earth was upset, for as we hear of the Rainbow being manifested for the first time at the period of the Flood, we may imagine that the Sun was brought into a position to cause the rays to refract upon falling drops of water, visible at an angle hitherto unattained, and cause the wonderful coloured circles, which phenomenon disappears when the luminary is more than 40 above the horizon.

In the more southern forests lived baboons and enormous apes, and serpents as large as trees; flocks of brilliant macaws rivalled the flowers in colour, and pelicans, flamingoes and swans lived in the pools. Myriads of scorpions, spiders, humming birds and fire-flies haunted the groves, food for hideous tortoises and uncouth animals, unwotting of the sin of Man in a great measure.

Fields of wild maize stretched in golden glory afar, shaded by stately palms and great forest trees, where chamelions ran on the borders of deserts. Pine-apples and melons grew in their varying localities, oranges hung their golden globes among the green leaves, and bunches of the wholesome banana hung, food for the mammoth and many other animals. Sugar-canes yielded their luscious sap, tempting huge ants and bees; from every woodland temple rose the songs of birds to Heaven, and insects, that of a night rivalled the light of stars, flitted in countless legions of brightness around.

In this quiet spot where lay the village, all was peaceful, yet the wondrous Heavenly appearances began to affray the inhabitants in their solitudes, and the gentle women trembled at the shock of the earthquake and the lurid coronet of Axatlan quivering in the night in rolling awfulness and lighting the clouds that gathered above it. The growing youths with delight kept the larder supplied with fresh fruits, pleased to live untrammelled in such a place, where forests full of animals stretched afar and fish leaped in every stream, and the younger children gambolled among the rocks and ran over the plateaux with shouts of baby mirth.

Fair little beings they, in all the beauteous unconsciousness of displayed lovliness and charming innocence, on whom Earth had not as yet laid a taint, whose arts wooed Love for Love's own sake; exulting in the indescribable joy of Heaven from which their spirits had but newly come and whom Angels delighted to watch and guard. Dear little souls with their sinless eyes that looked so fearlessly upon everything, nor dropped for shame of aught, unknowing of such! Ah, could they but remain in their baby lovliness, purifying instead of defiling, with their pure innocence reminding Man of the state from which he came! And beyond, in the great world, were sins they dreamed not of; awful confusion, wrought by Man in defiance of high Heaven, that left nought uncontaminated, spreading and increasing and heaping up a mass of ruin that would fall and crush him.

That son of Ham, which was named Mizraim, wished to build there a city in place of their small huts, wherefrom to sally forth and establish a kingdom; yet now over all was a tentative feeling of waiting and a wonderment at the tarrying there and the signs in the Heavens. Near the village, in a natural basin, lay a huge structure of wood, of appearance like to a great dwelling, and every day the inhabitants of the huts crowded about it, and, although engaged on raising it, not comprehending its meaning or use. The young ones ran gleefully over the long baulks of timber while the women stood pensively watching, with wonder in their big soft eyes, the men wielding heavy mallets and adzes and sweating at the mighty beams to push them into position. Strange it was to perceive there in the wilderness, and living in huts, beings clothed in the beautiful stuffs of an advanced civilization, dwelling in comliness, with hair meetly attended to and secured with gold pins;

CHAPTER II. THE ICY WARNING OF DOOM.

DAY by day the structure grew. Solid and vast, careful in every detail and little part, it progressed slowly but surely, surrounded by splinters and fragments and exhaling a fresh resinous odour. Three hundred cubits in length it stretched, and the proudest giants of the western forests made that length. Right and left it lay for fifty cubits, a mammoth house, towering thirty cubits high from the earth, the joints secured by wooden pins and sturdy thongs of leather, whose responsibilities were lightened by nice balance of straining angles. The form took that of a boat, slanting upwards from its base and over-hanging at the ends and sides, (as a vessel is built to lessen the submersion caused by a roll or pitch). Rough ladders gave access to the topmost timbers secured from side to side by great beams, knees and staunchions holding the ribs to the bottom, and as long tendrils the pulley-ropes hung about the skeleton, like the coloured festoons of climbing plants in the valleys and groves of trees.

The measure I call a cubit, remembering the Mosaic description, with which il wmild tally. This, taken at eighteen inches, would make the ark of Noah four hundred and fifty feet long by seventy-five broad and forty-five feet high.

Muehleisen Arnold in "Genesis and Science" says: Lest it should be deemed that those divinely-given proportions were offensive to the eye it may be added that all the normal proportions of the human body can be traced in it. The length is to the breadth as six to one. and the breadth to the height as five to three, so that the ark atloat upon the waters represented the form and dimensions of the human body in a lying position.

Long timbers, fitted with care, began to cover up the interlacing view of crossed beams with smooth white walls of wood, on one side a square door being left, near the top, and the long windows for permission of air, through which, when the Sun had set and the flame of Axatlan became visible, the children would peep, shrinking with pleasant fear as they perceived the dark vault within, where they dared not venture save in the brightness of the day.

Inside the large structure foundations were laid for two floors, huge solid columns of wood forming the strong supports being wedged up and fixed securely under the unhesitating directions of the two advisers, whose mandates were implicitly obeyed.

And, although hidden within their modest bosoms, the curiosity of the women was intense concerning this thing, nor was it by any means lessened by their husbands' protestations that they were equally ignorant as to its ultimate end. It appeared to be a large ship; yet they deemed a ship as of no conceivable use amidst the mountains, and but marvelled so much the more. Ham, jeering and insolent, suggested that perchance it was granted to them to be the forerunners of their nation and sail through the sky to Eden, but the sire sternly reproved his levity.

The wonder of it was upon all, pleasing and terrifying by turns, and imparting a tentative feeling of sojourning until something great should happen; and many would wish to return to Zul and be among the crowds of their fellows, and away from here, from Axatlan and from the terrifying signs of Heaven and vague fear of what the building portended.

And especially the women sighed for the palaces and gorgeous sights they had been constrained to leave behind, and perchance there were regretful memories of courtly admirers whose smiles left favourable impressions. Well they remembered that their own blooming charms were superior to the faded roses of the beauties of Zul, and what woman could forego admiration without a sigh?

So they dreamed of the past as they watched the progress of the great wooden structure, shyly and blushing at their own thoughts, pertimes half-guiltily, and again relieved that here were no temptations. So insidious is sin and the contemplation of itl Still upon their round limbs glittered the golden rings, heavy and curiously wrought, set with precious stones that had been found in digging foundations, and supposed to be born of sunbeams by the coloured rocks; and round the evening fire they wrapped around them the grand cloaks that would have graced the painted halls of Zul, and with them the men here preferred to cover their heads instead of with massy helmets.

Occasionally tremors shook the earth, causing dismay and terror, and an icy breath went abroad over the world, such as had never been known of before. From the north and from the east came that cold terror, with the legions of the hail and the pains of death, so that many died and all were afraid. To these workers in the mountains also came great fear, perceiving how the leaves of the trees withered and the sartreels and ferns and palms and roses died, but the strangers reassured the frightened people and urged on the workmen. The long floors were placed on their foundations and secured, each having apertures through which a gentle slope led to the lower storey, faintly illumined by the light through the apertures. Every part was finished with the utmost care; it was for life they worked, and no haste must imperil it. And the more they wondered as the work progressed, and the two floors divided the internal space into three storeys, dark and mysterious, while the deck-like roof began to close over the whole, sloping like a turtle's back, or like that of the monsters of the deep that wallowed upon the waves occasionally. In the centre of the deck also another window was formed, a hatchway that rose above the white expanse. There was no confusion, no hesitation as to the plan. The strangers advised and directed, and Japheth designed, himself working with the rest, splitting wood and adzing the planks, lifting, pulling, hammering and fixing. And every night came that cold breath, causing a veil of gleaming silver to spread over all things, and sealing up the fountains of water. And being so strange it caused uneasiness and no small discomfort, and the ship-like building also was covered with that white beauty.

On every seventh day the workers rested from their labours, and led by the sire raised their voices in prayer and praise. They prayed for Atlantis, for Zul, for all those gay princes and ladies, and Susi prayed for Azta. She believed her to be capable of anything, regarding her (as indeed did everyone else) as a supernatural being who could influence any way she chose. She prayed for Toltiah and pleaded his high birth before Heaven; and raised her sweet petition for me, which was so unworthy of such pure regard. She prayed that if by her death the sins of the nation might be forgiven that Heaven would take her soul.

Upon Saria, the younger stranger, she turned her dewy eyes, her features suffused with a modest blush.

"Sir," she said, "could aught atone for the sins of a nation?"

" Sweet mortal," answered the heavenly prince, with a look of chaste love, "thy words are heard in Heaven, yet not by thy blood nor by any other's could sin be checked; not though the Seraphim descended to the Earth could the confusion be ended. By blasphemies that thou couldst never understand and by sins that have grown on other iniquities has man sealed his doom, and behold it is spoken that he must cease, for that his sins shake the firmament. A new race shall arise, sprung from a chosen few, whose seed shall replenish the Earth and perchance lead the heathen to the light of Heaven; yet still shall sin never cease."

Greatly saddened, Susi hung her head, and abashed at her boldness in striving with one whom she perceived to be of Celestial mould, said softly: "Is there no hope for these created? "

I saw the bright eyes of Saria dwell with love upon the beauteous woman, yet not for long, and gazing steadfastly upward, he answered:

"Too long has mercy been extended, O thou fair pleader. Perchance 'twere better had the sword of mighty Gabriel been suffered to fall on the first offenders of the race than indulgence have been granted. For now the cry of nameless Sin roars in awful blasphemy in the ears of Heaven, and words are spoken that cannot be reversed."

"Is it then hopeless?"

" Hopeless in truth: yet pitying eyes look sadly on a doomed race and weep for a misguided and potential volition that ever leans to sin and that even the Creator cannot check. Pray for thyself, dear lady, and for thy people, for sin is not far from some among you."

Startled at these words Susi looked up, fear dilating her starry eyes; but encountered a glance so beautiful and holy and full of heavenly love that she ceased her fear and dropped her lashes with modest joy.

The stranger went forth and Susi pondered long and deeply upon his words. On her knees she considered, yet not daring to pray now, neither to strive against the spoken Word. Her mind, innocent as a child's, dwelt in awe upon these things, and she was silent.

Abstractedly she gazed out to where in the evening glow stretched the long mysterious building of wood, shadowy and leviathan. Yet how could she guess for what purpose it was for, up among the mountains! As a refuge against any sent to take them it would have been but of little avail, being readily consumable by fire. But so much the more the inflexible reality of some dread purpose overcame her with fear, and for a space her mind reeled beneath the certainty of doom, and her eyes, large and vague, rolled round in horror.

At the evening meal when they gathered round the welcome fire she recounted the words of the stranger, that were so pregnant with implacable vengeance upon Man; and the sire, listening with his eyes closed and brows contracted with pain under the white cowl of his robe secured round his head, caressed the brown hair of his favourite in silence. But her words caused uneasiness, and confirmation of a suspicion came with sensations of terror upon all.

Ham laughed defiantly, yet not with mirth; but Shem andjapheth were silent and the women paled with fear. The shadow stayed with them, and Susi's tragic words cast a gloom over the little tribe. What was happening now in Zul? Did those gorgeous halls still reecho the wanton laugh and drunken altercation, the shouts of warriors and the silvery merriment of the fair ladies? Did the magicians still dare to show the hidden mysteries and the dreadful crowds still dance in the Market-place round their fires, in the face of dread signs in the Heavens and upheavals of the Earth? Could their terrible human nature still dare? Did martyrs still die on Zul's bloody altars in horrors of torment when the elements smote down their victims in scores all around by the terror of cold and hail and lightning?

Sadly I considered the fate whereby I had seen Azta; for centuries here or there would have mattered nought to me, and none other could have compelled that strange wild adoration that she received so carelessly; but I blamed myself bitterly for having stayed when I first observed, and for not considering the deepness of the quagmire into which I had permitted myself to be led.

CHAPTER III. THE FOLLY OF THE LAND.

THE more I saw of Susi the more I grieved that my Love was not as she, fitter to be the Love of Angel than of an Earthly being. Sorrowfully I looked upon all my career since I had forsaken the guidance of Heaven and had attempted to interfere in that which God Himself could not direct, chaining myself with an Earthly alliance that was proving so disastrous. I looked back on all my madness, on deeds that I had frustrated by misdirected efforts, that would have been better left to their proper workers, and on others again that I had weakly allowed to proceed.

I looked upon the gathering culmination with dire forebodings; with an injurious eye to Mankind and a wild reproach to Azta who was so wickedly froward. As a wild bull caught in a net I plunged in spirit, roaring with rage and pain, blaming all things, and myself as well, for the torments I endured and those vague horrors to come. Only in this quiet spot could I support my soul at all, and I oft gazed with love upon Zula and Saria, longing to reveal myself unto them, yet not daring; quietly watching the progress of the great wooden building and wondering for why it was being prepared.

One night upon the cold high deck Susi stood alone, gazing upon the surrounding scenery, noting where the glow of the campfire lighted upon dark dead ferns and trees, and how curiously the unusual clouds formed themselves. A low weird song came to her ears from below, from where one of the women hushed her babe to sleep, but save for that and the chirp of a cricket all was still and silent. Afar to the east she thought she perceived a faint light, and, standing unperceived by her, my mind with hers pictured the great dark temple crowning the hill with its walls and towers and steps, rising storey above storey up to where the evil flame waved; and in fancy stood revealed the torchlighted hall of the palace, the roar of wanton voices and the occasional growl of the lions. There reclined Azta and Toltiah, and outside lay those stony figures with the mute impassive features. If they could but speak but warn!

A slight cry from Susi caused me to awake from the painful dream. She was gazing to the north, to Mount Axatlan, with a terrified trembling, and moved by her distress I revealed myself, and bade her fear not, remembering how Heaven would protect her. And so, holding the hand of the fair being, we watched; and as we gazed a huge splendid meteor traversed the sky and rested over the burning mountain, lighting the whole Earth with a wonderous glamour of brightness, while among the clouds the echoing thunders rolled. Upon the path of that bright glory hung a veily cloud, still and motionless, and thence also arrived the sound of shattering explosions that shook the firm Earth.

And now the sullen flame of the volcano appeared to assume a human form of colossal dimensions, and the countenance was vivid and animated. The lips opened eagerly with a great import, but a hand flashed forth and the finger sealed those fateful lips: the countenance became as those of the stone lions, immovable, serene and placid, yet with an expression of awful solemnity.

How gazed that Majesty of Flame! The woman's eyes could not withstand the might of observation that rested upon us, and the orbs of horror that met my reproachful and defiant challenge. But for my supporting arm she would have fallen, her eyes closed and her bosom rising and falling quickly.

The voice of Arsayalalyur the Archangel bade her be of good courage and watch; and as, fearfully, she looked upon the distant glory, my eyes met his that were full of a great sorrow and compassion.

"What dost thou here, Asia?" he asked.

"I look upon the Future," I answered, "and it is very dark."

Perchance the despair in my voice answered more than any words. The bright Angel was silent, courteously deprecating his interference with a wave of the hand. It seemed as though three of Us stood there, so ethereal was Susi; the destroyer, the rescuer, the mourner. Nor penitent was I, for a dreadful turmoil burned my spirit in its heaving waves of fire. But the woman gazed upon us longingly, and, " Would I were as you," she said, enraptured, " for the Earth is very small compared to Heaven, and how tiny its affairs!"

But Arsayalalyur spake: "O thou sweet mortal! Even thou art not all good, and see, how can such be contemptible that can arouse Heaven to such stern movement? There is that in the amalgamation of Earth and Heaven which is very terrible, and who can fathom it?"

We may here consider the agony of our Lord as the time for his approaching physical death drew nigh. What but the mystic meaning of the above words could cause the Son of God to fear a doom of earth? We cannot guess what the words mean; we can only believe that the mystery is "very terrible".

Susi dropped her eyes, and in sympathy with her confusion I bent down and kissed her forehead, protecting her with my arm and the kinship of my feelings, so that she looked up and thanked me with a sweet look. The storm burst over our heads, and upon Axatlan the Form of flame unsheathed from its hip a sword that flashed with living light, and whirled it beneath the clouds over all the land. A fan of lightning swept from it, of blinding magnificence and volume, and then the darkness, rolled down intensely, wrapping the world in ebon obscurity.

I felt the soft form in my arms tremble.

"O sorrow!" she cried, "that such punishment must come. And thou, who sat with Azta and art an holy Angel, could'st thou not stay the sin that causes such vengeance?"

I felt as though before this pure being I was a sinner indeed, and fain would I have cast myself down and told her with passionate grief how I had erred and been chained in spirit, watching with agony that which I had caused beyond all prevention, yet still remaining stiff-necked and rebellious. Yet I but groaned and was speechless.

Susi was of smaller frame than Azta, and I felt to her all the tenderness of a father as I comforted her fears and restored her to her frightened relatives, bidding the recital of all that she had seen that they might be the more ready to conform to whatsoever the future might bring to them.

And afterwards the building of the great vessel progressed more readily, all understanding that for their lives they builded, yet being ignorant of the cause of such preparation. The deck covered wholly the structure, topped by the square hatchway, to the fitting of which door and of the door appertaining to the way in the side the nicest attention and care was given, that they should bar ingress of aught. The strangers inspected all the workmanship, and showed where lakes of bitumen lay, from which was taken sufficient to pitch the structure within and without. Stopping was hammered into any crevices, and from large hollows in the earth, heated by surrounding fires, the boiling fluid was placed upon the wood by means of bundles of soft material on the end of poles.

And there was war among the Elements by reason that balances were disturbed, and this attracted and that repulsed more than was meet. And watery worlds which revolved in certain dark places in the firmament ran together in confusion, wherein great meteors plunged in glory, yet scarce perceived of Earth. From Mount Axatlan came a storm of black dust lasting many days, falling even within the streets of Zul and lying like an ebon pall upon the sea, and many Spirits strove together in the air and rode with shouts upon the north wind. The unwonted cold rendered the peoples uneasy, and by reason of it also the flocks and herds perished and the trees withered. But the little place in the hills was secure from harm, being well sheltered, and the tempests which bowed the forests sped harmlessly over the village wherein dwelt the beloved of God.

Yet even now was no account made of the great signs in the Heavens, and I wept with despair to perceive the idolatry of the peoples of the land, which rather grew in frenzy than abated. For by chance one day I came to a place where was a tall hill in the midst of a great tribe which had cities and mighty men, and aforetimes knew the name of Jehovah. And upon the hill lay a mighty semblance of a serpent, built of earth and stones, which stretched between the east and west, and whereof the middle was of the height of a man and containing a temple wherein burned a fire. Before its gaping jaws rose a circular mound, and the interpretation was that of the Earth being cast forth by the serpent, which was worshipped in the temple, all the people which stood therein looking towards the Sunrise and worshipping the beast. And at certain seasons were offered little children, which were placed within the furnace, and whose spirits were believed to guard the place from improper or injurious intrusion; which sacrifices were made the occasion of great celebrations; and live serpents were cast among the people, and any who were bitten by them were esteemed to be beloved of the god. The birds and beasts also, which preyed upon these reptiles, were destroyed, so that their numbers were very great, and those who died of their poison were cast upon the furnace. Nor were there few of such, and at the season when the serpents by reason of nature were full of frenzy, the people held great festivals and died in numbers; and he who killed a snake by accident or design was hamstrung and placed in a certain spot where dwelt a great white anaconda which all believed to be the Spirit of the image upon the hill, that it might deal with him as it pleased.

And when these people observed the signs which were over all the Earth they believed the god to be angry with them, and making themselves drunk with the juice of the vines (which grew abundantly about them), they offered monstrous sacrifices to the earth-formed image, sacrificing their children and mistresses with dreadful rites, burying some alive within it and burning others. Their imaginations conceived nameless horrors; and with a curse upon their frowardness I went from the place, wandering in dismay over the land and discovering nought but abominations of evil, perceiving how celestial imaginations had caused the committal of atrocious crimes among man and beast. The grand temples with their outbuildings and fountained courts were but monuments of sin, and the fair cities, palm-shaded and far-stretching in glories of massive architecture, held but a hive of devils, goodly to look upon, but debased and prostituted beyond aid or hindrance, bowing the knee, with that strange instinct of man to worship a tangible something, to creations that would have shocked even them could they have comprehended their hideous enormity.

With a sad pleasure I looked upon the family of Noah the Righteous, gathered around their frowning wooden palace and raising their regards to Heaven, pure-minded because that their hearts ever dwelt upon the Beautiful and were pleased with the contemplation of it. By the command of Zula the great vessel was named the Mexiah, and to its structure no more was added. The little ones were not so pleased with their playground now, for, in place of long beams and cross-stays, there were but smooth bare walls, and the large dark interior frayed them. Still they ran merrily over the expanse of deck, and held no fear, like their elders, of impending doom, and no momentary dread that those who were now regarded as enemies would discover and enslave them or put them to the torture. Neither yet had sin cast its dark shadow over their minds, and as long as they had plenty of food they lacked nought. Such happy little mites were they with their Angel natures, and it gave me pleasure to watch how they disported themselves without a thought of care or sorrow. They never dreamed that this great house was the saving ark of a nation, nor that they themselves were the future responsible forefathers who should people the new world with countless myriads of living souls.

CHAPTER IV. THE CURSE OF ATLANTIS.

WITH the earthquake that had separated Toltiah and Susi the change had come over the seasons. Terrific omens were abroad in Zul; strangers of terrible aspect were seen, coming from where no man knew and disappearing mysteriously; a great dark bird had extinguished the flame on the temple, and simultaneously the fires on the temples of Neptsis, the Serpent, Winged Things, and all the others had expired; a leviathan had appeared off the coast for some days, fearful of aspect and prodigious of bulk; while the black storm from Axatlan had covered the city and the waves with ashes, and there were rumours of many new volcanoes and appearances of meteors.

Toltiah associated these things with the curse of Noah, and, mad with a feminine terror and fury, caused the guards of the gates to be massacred to a man, supposing them to have slept while he passed forth.

The earth tremor was followed by two others, so that half the great city was nearly in ruins. From the walls every idol had been shaken down, and the Fish-god by the landing-stage in the harbour lay submerged in the deep water, appearing by the movement of the surface and the refraction of shadows to move and writhe. Everywhere stretched long fissures, in places dividing houses in halves and piling up masses of debris with columns and beams. The magician Gorgia died in agony among the ruins, where, scalped and pinned down by a vast column, some embers from a fire fell upon him continually; and in the lingering torture of a slow furnace and the stings of clouds of flies he died; and also in like manner many perished.

The unfinished building of the Baths was not touched, although its great reservoirs of water were shaken, but the temple of Winged Things was levelled to the ground, falling in thundrous ruins, and the Pyramid of Atlace was despoiled of its crowning symbol. A gloom was over all the city and dismay sat in every heart; and now of a night the far clouds were seen redly illumined by some mysterious fire that added fear to the terrifying things around.

The red palace had suffered severely, a fissure parting the terraced steps from top to bottom and dividing the Hall of Feasting one-third from the remaining part. Upon the main roof an anaconda lay coiled, yet how it came there none knew, nor did any dare approach it. And Toltiah was greatly moved thereby, remembering that great serpent which had come to him in a vision when he lay with his army before the walls, which had bade him go back, nor dare the anger of the gods. But Azta killed it with Marisa's axe. And much damage was wrought to the colonnades and statuary, and a continual earthy dust arose, carrying with its strange odour a feeling of depression and fear.

And I saw where Amaziel wrestled in Zul with a portentious Spirit in the chamber where he dwelt, both striving for mastery with great gaspings, while from communicating dark chambers came many other Spirits to watch in those days of the beginning of vengeance. And the portentious Spirit broke away and fled downwards through the place of the colossi, and downwards past where the three vast idols looked upon the lake of fire, disappearing therein.

And, lifting up my eyes from afar, I perceived in the night a long line of bats issuing forth from the temple in swift flight. And more came forth, and yet more, and there was no end to the silent exodus of the small people which wheeled up and up into the sky and departed over the sea with such silent ordering. As I watched I marvelled, and ever issued the winged shadows, without squeak or any sort of sound, and the mystery of it lay heavily upon me. Also the sea moved with a different fashion to its usual wont, hurling great waves to the shore and swirling in vast eddies; while from it seemed to rise unceasingly a moaning and weeping sound, and the dense clouds covered all the sky with darkness, and a leaden horror of night.

Azta I found dismayed by all such things, for having seen more than the rest she also feared more; and in her terror my heart went out to her with a love made greater by absence that was all unavailing to make me forget her or to keep from her.

How could we but sorrow! Partners in sin we stood looking forth from the western colonnade, the shadow upon us deepening as a low heavy roll of thunder muttered from the clouds and a great light became visible, illuminating Earth and. sky for a long while. And it was night.

"O my Love!" Azta wept, clinging to me, "what shall befall us? For when I think upon all the wonders that my eyes have looked within, my mind becomes but a bewildering chaos of mystification, in which I perceive but an ungovernable vastness of living terrors without possessing any knowledge of a power that could direct and restrain the unutterable immensity of awful creation. I shrink in terror from my thoughts, Beloved! Would that my impious mind had never gazed upon those mysteries!"

"Alas, poor Love," I answered her, sadly enough, for my soul was also distraught with fear; "would that I might comfort thee!"

"Ay, comfort me!" she implored; and the bright moon flashed forth upon her, lighting her wild eyes and her face that was deadly pale, and showing where the mocking chaplets of roses hung beneath her uncovered breasts the wanton decorations of a late feast that seemed to shrink before the terror of the elements. "Comfort me! For my senses swim with horror at times, and my thoughts helplessly stagger from infinity to infinity. Would I were as the lower animals that think not!"

I pressed her to my heart, and front to front our two hearts beat with pain and anguish; while, dismayed, I perceived that again Azta wore in her hair the golden symbol of a butterfly and her eyes were red with wine as they looked into mine.

A sort of horrible calmness fell upon my spirit, with a feeling that this surpassingly lovely wanton deserved some punishment then a rebellious rage against Heaven, that such should need to be at all, possessed me, together with a blasting scorn against myself. With a strange coldness I held the beautiful being in my arms, noting, with no enthusiasm, her splendour of form, and criticising with calm eyes the glory of her features upturned to mine. What Wonder was this that I held, this last of created beings? Was It of Earth or Heaven?

I gazed at her almost in terror as the thought came to me (that had come once before): Who is master? Myself, or she? and for a moment I wished t had not returned to her, but wandered in solitude afar until all was inevitably accomplished.

"Behold, thy love is gone from me!" she cried bitterly, " and I shall die! Wilt thou forsake me now that the Sun is hid and darkness is over all? Long hast thou been absent, and my heart has waited in sorrow for thee, my Beloved."

She wept and clung about me, and in grievous pity for her I wept also. Whereat she took courage and said, " If thou lovest me as thou hast said, it is well."

These words struck my mind in such fashion that I laughed with scorn and blaspheming merriment.

"Yea, in very truth, it is well!" I cried; "Love is the greatest thing in Earth and Heaven; it creates and then ruins, and laughs at the wreck. Love sits in Heaven and nourishes the Earth, making it large and fat for the sacrifice, punishing aught that unwittingly crosses its caprices with unrelenting hate. We two can laugh at all that may come, because we love; soaring above a world whose regards rise no higher than its belly; hand in hand can we go to the gates of Paradise and claim admission, because we do very fully that which we were instructed to do; and if in ought we have sinned, and crave upon our mouldering knees for forgiveness, surely He who is Love and Mercy will forgive! There can be no Hell for us: how can there be Hell where love is? Of a surety we are blessed, thou and I! "

Azta looked at me and trembled as she gazed.

" Thou jestest, Asia," she whispered fearfully.

"And why not?" I asked in savage bitterness, tormented and horror-stricken. "It is permitted to celestial beings to indulge in mirth, even as Azazel provoked the laughter of Heaven by creating a Platypus; and when the heart is full of mirth the jest will arise. Was not merriment created for good, in order that the gloom might fall yet the deeper and more bitter for that light from the Paradise of fools! Accursed, aye, and twice and thrice accursed be the Love that can so destroy its own children and drive them from the brightness of morning to the dark of night! Accursed be the Love that can see its penitent worshippers writhe in flames of Hell and take no heed of their remorseful sufferings! Accursed be that Heaven that can create and continue creating evil for to destroy it in weltering misery, that can raise its own chaste head above the abominations of its womb and trample its own creations under foot!"

A great voice checked the torrent of my fury and my impious words.

"Peace, O Asia, thou fallen being!" it thundered: "Thou knowest that sin is not of Heaven, but of volition. There is no sin too powerful to be overcome if the will is there, and why dost thou farther insult the ear of Heaven by thy curses?"

And there stood against me the leader of the Seraphim, great Chrison, whom formerly I loved; and now, strong in my despair and not quailing before his celestial splendour I confronted him with upright carriage.

" I have sinned," I cried, " and bitterly am I punished these long whiles without cessation or hope of aught. Yet get thee from before me, thou who art holy, and taunt not one who has known more suffering than thyself. Perchance my woes shall crown me with a brighter, if sterner, diadem than any that thy smooth path of righteousness could bestow, and pain uplift the spirit to a higher level than sin has lost. Perchance He who has known the sting of disappointment even the sinless One may lean in the fellowship of kindred woe to me in the time that shall be appointed."

I stood alone, save but that the prostrate form of Azta lay by me. And as, looking upon her, my anger softened, I raised her up and took her in my arms.

" O my Love, how I love thee!" I cried, with intense passion.

The woman wept and our tears mingled, terrible burning drops as of hot lava.

"What can I say to thee?" she sobbed desperately.

" Love, no word of thine could remove the dread fiat of sin," I said; " nought now that thou couldst say might blot out the past, the period of sin that has left its mark upon us both, nor bring back that which can never be restored. For even couldst thou love me now, yet couldst thou never restore the peace of mind that was aforetime, and the purity of the past before sin had passed over, nor fully remove all doubts which prey upon the soul."

Azta wept in despair, and I could but love her for it, and spoke words to comfort her.

"I know not what portends, yet know that whatever shall come, to thee am I ever true, and doubt not that I love thee more than my own immortal soul, O my fair Love. Too well I love thee, too well for both of us; yet blame me not that my love is so great, for I will never leave thee. Though Earth shall consume in smoke, and the Heavens roll away and depart, yet where thou art there also am I; and should aught perchance separate us I will wait for thee, through all the bitter pain of knowing that thou wouldst follow another, until haply we meet again. I live in Hell for thy sake, nor will I, craven, enter Heaven without thee. Kiss me, my dear Love, and let us not spend the shortness of time in such sad misery."

She lay back in my arms, regarding me with half-closed eyes, her hands clasping me.

"How wonderful thou art!" she murmured.

I kissed her fondly, and, embracing one another, we sat watching the strange sky.

"Thou rememberest Susi, of the family of Noah?" asked Azta.

I bowed solemnly, for the fair woman ever appeared to me as an Angel of Earth.

" That night of the earthquake she came to me and spoke in serious fashion, and her words have never left my mind. Surely thou wett also there and thou didst mark the strange bird that sang by her?"

" Aye, Beloved. Better had her words found good result, yet it is I which am to blame, and not thou. For behold in the youth Toltiah is the curse of Atlantis, and I, myself, have wrought this thing in the sight of Heaven."

Azta was silent, horror-struck by her perception of things.

"Yet." she said, slowly, as one who would persuade her conscience, " yet has he been in the companionship of righteous Noah and of his people, and thou, his father, art holy. What better examples could he have? For I, even I, am not as most."

"Alas, poor Love," I answered her; "it is nought to do with example; nor has example any power, methinks, save evil example. Yet if thou sowest tares, (and also if thou sowest them not,) tares arise in abundance, but the beauteous sartreels require a certain care, and also the roses, and even then they may never appear. But here it was the previous error that but reaped its sure harvest."

Azta perceived as in the unravelling of a skein the process of sin, where a fallen Angel and a fallen mortal had raised a being who caused the nation to stray more than all the times before. She perceived approaching the vengeance of God upon the fearful mixture of the sins of mind and body, and simply and despairingly she said, " We have both erred."

I answered not. I only drew her head on to my breast and in silence we sat down and looked forth upon the night.

CHAPTER V. THE SHAME OF ZUL.

THERE came a day when by the advice of Amaziel and the command of Toltiah, nor less by their own fearful inclinations, the people of Zul propitiated the Lord of Light with gorgeous ceremonies, and word was sent to all the cities of the land to worship and seek atonement. Vast crowds gathered, and pallid eunuch priests and yellow-robed priestesses wound their way up Zul's dark height with humble mien and weird chants, followed by all the great ones of the city; such as could find no room upon the roofs crowding the courts and outlying pylons. From every temple arose the roll of gongs and drums, and thronging myriads gathered in fear to try and propitiate the god to whom they believed they owed the terrors that beset them, carrying with them all manner of things for sacrifice.

Every person in the city came to swell the vast throng, wrapped up in warm garments to protect themselves from the passing downpours of hail that melted in pools among the ruined places; and the gaily-clothed thousands stood in grim contrast to their estate, uneasy, as dire forebodings lay upon all, and a sense of the urgent need of a united propitiation that should ease them of the catastrophes that were befalling. Warriors, merchants, nobles, mothers with children, all gathered in hopeful concourse, gazing dismayed upon the ruins and shivering in the strange cold. Nevertheless, they cried aloud to the god, prostituting themselves before the hidden divinity in unseemliness and frenzied exhortation, and shrieking aloud for him to appear. They exposed their broad bosoms, gashing them with knives and spears and tearing them in bloody furrows with their own fingers, so that they were dreadful sights to behold, while with frantic cries the priests ran among them, horrible with self-inflicted wounds and far-streaming hair; those with black robes exhorting the multitudes, gradually working themselves up to a like pitch of frenzy, to sacrifice, asking for children to be delivered up to them as offerings to the god.

An uproar broke forth continually, pierced by epileptic shrieks of some wretches in fits through excesses. With a loud rustling of garments and clang of armour the throngs fell upon their faces, as, outlined against the sky, Amaziel stretched his arms in supplication to the hidden Sun and invoked the deity.

"Come forth!" he cried, "scatter the clouds which lie before thy face and shine upon thy servants. Behold the Earth stretches abroad her arms to thee her lord, eager for thine embrace, comfortless without thy warmth, and atones to thee with great sacrifice."

And all the priests at the sound of the drum shouted in a loud voice; "Hear, O Zul, and forsake not thine espoused!"

The victims emerged upon the platform, where stood the noblest of the land, and a long echoing shriek fell upon the ears of the nearer thousands as the first poor wretch was slaughtered and his heart upraised to the sky. Kas, a noble of the western side of the city, stepped forward and demanded to be sacrificed for the good of the land, and inflamed by his example others did likewise, among them being a priestess of Neptsis. The blood began to run in streams on the golden floor, and the worshippers smeared it upon their foreheads; while, catching the awful frenzy of those above them, the crowds commenced to murder their mistresses and children, encouraged by the priests and magicians who ran like devils above their prostrate bodies, shrieking and exhorting. Alas, that beings of such intelligence and arts could fall to such as this!

Little children were disembowelled alive and passed into the abominable flame, their dismal cries and fainting screams of agony drowned by the loud chanting of the priestesses and the shrill voices of the eunuch priests. One of the furious women, foaming at the mouth and maddened by the spirit of sacrifice, suddenly shrieked aloud, and then stepping to the edge of the platform, cast herself headlong into space and was dashed to pieces upon the lowest roof. The High Priest foamed likewise at the mouth, rolling his eyes and waving his arms, red with blood to the elbows, frantically in the air.

Azta, standing in the midst of a group, among whom were also Toltiah, Nezca, Chanoc, Adar, Tua, Emarna and other great ones, watched with a slight sneer upon her face while the bloody work continued, frowning occasionally when some pretty chubby infant was murdered. Her heart felt very dark and evil; more than all this wickedness was it evil. For on the part of those around her and of the crowds beneath it was but wild, unthinking wrong, while her heart spoke to her of deliberate spiritual sin and a wantonly strangled conscience.

A slight tremor shook the earth and a quavering moan of fear rose like a long muffled roll of thunder, echoing for miles from every quarter of the vast city. In the great spaces beneath the temple that weird cry of fright vibrated fearfully in the close atmosphere, rising and falling in mournful cadence, and by reason of the varying distances obtaining a marvellous effect.

Amaziel brought out from the central tower the sacred symbol of Atlantis, the four-armed Cross, that had led the nation under great Tekthah to its victorious empire, and with a shout lifted it towards the sky.

A deafening roar of mingled import reached him. There was horror and frenzied approbation in that assent of a nation that their symbol should be sacrificed, all who perceived knowing and understanding that by such thing a nation signified its surrender to a Divinity whose power they did not comprehend, and which, their suddenly strung consciences told them, was not the God of their fathers. This was Devil-worship! But the hope of protection for the wicked present overcame every scruple, and also the knowledge of unstemable and unatonable sin made them turn for aid to the Divinity they had followed most.

Therefore an echoing, approving shout bade the High Priest consummate the blasphemy, and in the blood-fed flame the symbol of a nation's victorious greatness was consumed in wicked sacrifice.

And now it appeared that a great relief spread through their hearts, as having humbled themselves to the god and become his slaves they believed that they would be under his protection; and even such as should have been instructed differently by the excellence of their minds, felt this consoling reflection.

The reaction from fear to a feeling of security rendered the populace jubilant with a shameful joy. They need fear no lower fall, for there was none; and overcome by their acts they indulged in terrible excesses with an abandonment that was fearful in its lowest degradation. A very monster of crime brooded over the land, and those who had offered up tender babies with tortures too vile for utterance would scarce hesitate at aught. Incestuous beings, sunk beneath the level of brutes, cried their shame aloud, nor was any enormity too gross for them; believing that by prostituting their souls and bodies they engendered a blood-alliance with the Sun, and rejoicing with a vast drunken pride in their shame.

There was a great running to and fro, and much searching among debris for aught of value; while stores of food-stuffs were sacked by hungry crowds, and there was no order at all. The people shouted continually, mocking the idols that had been shaken from walls and pedestals and heaping insults upon them; and as with night great bonfires were ignited in the Marketplace, they cast the graven figures thereon, howling with joy as the flames licked around the fat and oil soaked abominations. Having surrendered themselves to the Sun, they had no need of these deities, and cried out with glee and much mocking talk as explosions rent the grotesque figures, until the huge idol of Increase, a monstrous figure of obscenity, suddenly terrified them by emitting a volume of coloured flame from its jaws, whose beastly lips disclosed long pointed teeth. And, to terrify more the vile audience, an owl fell headlong into the flames and died in screeching torments; while from the terrible and blasphemous group of the Conception of Love sprang an anaconda, a tempest of hisses sounding as it writhed with widely-distended jaws and popping eyes in the flames, revolving in swift coils and swishing like a Titanic whip among the embers from which it hurled burning splinters and logs in all directions. Cries of fright arose as the onlookers fled in a dire panic, fearful of its onslaught; but it perished where it writhed, and such as worshipped serpents were greatly dismayed. From all the idols came forth vermin in swarms, which had fattened upon the libations and offerings; and great centipedes, scorpions and spiders dashed madly over the burning embers to fall and wriggle and leap, crackling and agonising, in the flames.

But after a time any misgivings were lost in the frenzy of wine and excitement, as the devilish priests bade them fear only Zul. There were great vats full of wine placed at different spots, and from these the people drank, dancing and shouting and falling upon the ground. The gathering was the greater for the reason that many houses were untenable, and the levelling influence of the terror and sacrifices caused many of the princes and nobles to mingle with the mad throngs of warriors, traders, merchants and women. These last were greater in number than the men, and being more abandoned increased the evil of all, flashing their wanton eyes among the dark masses of hair that in most instances, despite the cold, was their only protection from the lewd eyes that ever unsatisfied gazed upon them. Maddened by the whirling limbs, the glittering jewellery, the flash of arms and lenient presences of nobles, they abandoned themselves to every passing desire, fair fiends of darkness, urging and encouraging the men in all wickedness.

Several died through excesses, crying blasphemies to the end in a fever of evil desire, and there were many furious brawls and murders. Bodies of armed men ran through the crowds, killing as many as they could, and so dreadful at length became the uproar that Nahuasco at the head of three legions attacked the debauchees, the warriors charging with a shout and dealing heavy blows with spear-shafts in all directions, regardless of age and sex.

Curses were showered upon them, and the newly-created Lord of Trocoatla was furiously assailed in turn, so that the riot became a pitched battle. But the veteran prevailed; the crowds were broken up and dispersed, many people being wantonly pushed into the great fires and causing merriment to their murderers by the way they shrieked and plunged amidst the embers.

Azta in a cynical rage had ordered this attack to be made, as she still remained upon the temple roof, ministered to by Amaziel. Now alone she stood, and far below upon the one hand was the moaning sea, upon the other the moving bonfire-lighted brawlers. Above, the low clouds rolled awfully in vast evolutions, and thunder, audible at intervals, sounded in sublime contrast to the howls and shrieks below that filled Azta's spirit with a great unrest to hear. Her eyes glowered red from her shadowy form, and were as lions' eyes in the dark, nought but two round discs of flame that looked out over the far crowds and flashed at the sounds of martial strife as Nahuasco dispersed them by violence.

Below, the sound of the wind among the dead trees sounded like weeping voices, and the woman, gazing into the darker shadows of land and sky and sea, thought she perceived legions of dreadful figures and forms of monstrous shapes. To her came the horror of the central cavern where lay the Heart of the World as she watched them where weirdly they swayed and amalgamated, floating high above the Earth, their eyes, as saurians, filmy and vague, seeming to gaze towards her.

Then the moon shone out, and as in a dread vision the forms changed into clouds, through which the scenery below showed as through a veil. The walls and towers and pylons of the palace sprang like unearthly monuments from the darkness, and all the vast architecture of the matchless city was visible in distance-fading array, wondrous and enormous. A sound smote the quick ear of Azta, and looking, she perceived a large dark creature of hideous shape drag itself above the edge of the roof and advance towards her, the attenuated limbs scarce able to support its gross trunk. Exaggerated by the light to large dimensions, it gasped loudly with a whining cry, and scarce had it attained the roof than it appeared to give birth to an offspring with a difficulty whose consummation was apparently fatal.

Azta, disgusted, retreated to the farthest edge, watching with straining eyes the new creation, which, endowed with great vigour, rose up, and, growing visibly, displayed a monstrous form of indistinguishable hideousness. The woman gazed upon this terrific creature with a horrible curiosity, unable to define aught, and marking with disgust the hog-like yet half human gruntings, while she now perceived the mother to be a large hound. But what the offspring was she could not see, and but entertained horrified suspicions of it, shuddering as the abortion stretched itself out with a hideous yell as though racked with pain, and then fell furiously upon the prostrate parent, biting and clawing at it and finally devouring it.

Azta hid her face in horror and nausea, and the beast reared itself up and stood upon two legs, tearing at the bloody remains hanging from its jaws with claw-like hands. A great light caused her to look up, and she perceived a form of fire descend swiftly upon the lightning. From its outstretched hand flew a bolt that fell upon the dark horror, consuming it with a crackling sound until only a heap of ashes lay in its place.

So bright was the splendid figure and so wondrous in its world of heavenly light, that, all the city perceiving it, the revels ceased in terror. Beneath its feet a cloud of intense blackness rolled, and its countenance was awful in stern majesty and displeasure, as with far-reaching arms spread abroad beneath two winged canopies of light illumining the sky even to the highest clouds, it hurled the swift lightnings from either hand, while crash on crash of thunder rolling from the depths shook the Earth to its deep foundations.

A flash of light flew towards where Azta stood, consuming her garments in a breath, so that she stood out before the eyes of Heaven and of Earth naked but for the robe of glory that wrapped her perfect form in brilliant light. Thus she stood, in plain view of the amazed crowds, flawless and perfect, her hands crossed over her bosom in mute terror. And then a swift stroke blasted the ornament which upheld her massy hair, and with the shadowy fall of the tresses the light vanished and black night brooded in horror above the city.

CHAPTER VI. THE WAR OF THE SPIRIT.

INVISIBLE, I looked upon the Earth, rolling in far spaces; surveying the shadow world from the hot womb of the tropics to where the illuminate electricity floated in wavy bands above the poles and the mystic axis. I looked upon Atlantis, a torment of thought in my mind, as I felt the fever of unanswerable riddles, and suffering that could not be analyzed; the bitterness of self-inflicted torture and a terrible yearning for what could never be. Alone, in the Infinite, came to me sensations more than visions, of depths of shadow through which neither eye nor thought could pierce, and over all a dread feeling of remorse and hatred, and the ever-present embittering knowledge that although I suffered through my own fault yet also someone else had done it to me. Allured by the Earth and impregnated with its knowledge, pleasing yet dreadful to my clear perceptions, I rolled in the meshes that encompassed me about, yet would not cast them away.

What joy the glories of the stars and deeps of ether when torture preyed upon the sleepless, deathless spirit! The spirit destined to live for ever as its own bitter punishment, ever craving and never satisfied! The more the thoughts strove the more lost in inextricable problems they were, until the soul writhed in flame of agony that wrapped it in their fevered horror the unquenchable fire of Hell.

I considered the state of the fallen Ones and compared my ambition with theirs, I thought of them and of their conversation aforetimes, the pondering upon those shadowy vague ideas of some grand scheme whose glimmering beauties they thought they could perceive, and the power to execute which they believed themselves to possess: some grandeur that would have failed in detail and have collapsed of its unsupported vastness like a bubble of air. Now I perceived that splendour of detail, atom on atom perfectly formed, was necessary to greatness of structure and stability of immensity, the wonder of the infinitely tiny as of the infinitely great.

Had I offended as they? I cried in my heart, No! yet I thought that perchance I unhappily had done so. Notwithstanding, a consciousness of reproachful emotions swept through my heari that could scarce be expressed even in thought. Why, in the ordering of things, was sin possible? How could it be that pure immortal beings like myself could sin? What was that wondrous instinct of Heaven, inherent by it of Earth, (the Life that was Love, the Love that was Life,) the instinct of Amalgamation that was pure and holy and could yet be sin? The meeting of extremes either of awful reverence or of an abomination of blasphemy? What was that tiny step that was an indescribable sensation dividing good from evil?

Slipping into space I surveyed the Earth, perceiving there the Unity which was strength exhibited in mortal and tangible shape that lifted its thoughtless head among the mighty wonders of the Universe; and saw an instinct, like mine and my compeer's disastrous one, that aspired not so much for perpetuation of identity and addition of strength as the wish to perform something new, a great thing of marvel, good or evil, to cause wondering of the soul; unheeding that in holiness union strengthens, while in evil it weakens. Therefore in their amalgamation was there sin, which was the sin of disobedience to the command that no farther enquiry than was permitted should be made into things, lest, knowing more, curiosity should lead on, unsatisfied, and if unchecked know no bounds to its enquiries; and perceiving incomprehensible marvels retreat in panic and ruin, not comprehending, yet unable to forget what it had seen. Those fallen Ones by amalgamation sought to oppose a vast mind to the Creator, but they knew not of some tiny detail whose omission caused the whole fabric to fall, neither had they the courage of their daring convictions, being seized of a fatal doubt.

O Azta, why did I so love thee? What was that feeling that bound my soul to thee, and what was it to me that thou wert female; I, a spirit? Save that through our sin came one who completed the ruin of Earth. I could not solve the wonder of it and my soul burned with fire; the dulness of Earth, clogging the delicate perceptions, making me but see the bitterness of the moment, as a mortal man sees.

And then by me stood One looking with contempt upon my wringing of hands and groaning of spirit, upon whose portentious brows sat the old wisdom of the ages; appalling in majesty, sublime in grandeur.

"For why this softness, thou proud one?" he asked.

A tumult of feelings surged over me at the mocking question, which also said, "I am now thy equal and thou canst but answer me in such wise"; and in bitter irony I made reply:

" Could I but answer thee, thy riddle would be solved."

" Thou shalt never solve the riddle," answered the mighty Angel firmly; "in the ordering of Life there is no softness nor pity, else would all ,be confusion. The march of Progress must go on unflinching and unheeding, nor grieve that weakness fall in groans and anguish to form a bridge over which the strong ones of evolution pass to its continuance. Thus triumphed the Lord of Heaven over our confederate minds containing certain elements of a fatal weakness. Had all been as I, all had been well." And sternly he cast about his crystal orbs, whose vivid glances were as the lightnings; vaunting before the worlds his dire intent.

"Perchance thou art right," I answered sullenly, envying the pitiless beauty of my companion, the ascetic purity and inflexible will that had made Heaven tremble; the purity that was as that of the iceberg, cold, hard, unheeding yet beautiful. I marvelled at the daring ambition that had made the name of Satan so dire a terror and a menace, and the control of all emotions that rendered him almost a rival to the Creator.

"Yet," I said, thinking upon this wonder of a created being having been so created with danger therein, "thou wast formed as thou art and I was formed as I am. How can such sin, being created holy?"

"We sinned not but by the sin of failure, my Asia," answered the Prince, looking fixedly upon me.

"But had we not failed," I pursued, " what then, great Satan? Still must there have been things to cause pity and sorrow; in our triumph would have been the defeat of another, and sorrow to us over the sorrow that it caused."

" It is the voice of our failure that speaks, O Asia! " cried the Archangel: "what is sorrow and pain to the attainment of Perfection? It but helps the consummation, and should not hinder its march."

"Yet how can there be aught but happiness proceed from the Omnipotent?" I asked desperately, knowing, notwithstanding, that sorrow was created and that this one must perforce defend such creation. " It fears me that Life holds such contradictions that none could reconcile but Him who rules the worlds, and a misjudged atom would cause the downfall of a vast fabric."

"Sorrow strengthens and opens up yet more boundless realms of thought," answered Satan, "and to those whose wisdom is greater than thine are no contradictions in Life's ordering. But concerning the cause of sorrow, thou canst not fathom it; for behold, thou thyself wert sent in all compliance to do good, but in thyself thou hast sinned. Look upon the Earth and tell me for what are its mortal beings created? Thou canst not."

I looked upon Mankind. I saw its children, born in sorrow, sinless save but by the sins of others, yet eagerly embracing frowardness as soon as the dreadful human nature overcame the spiritual.

"Are they not but mortal?" he pursued; "and thou hast given thy love to one of such. Yield it up! In the contemplation of a mortal is vexation, disappointment, and sadness, but in the pursuit of great works is increasing joy and pride. Recall thine unrequited love and take thou peace of mind,"

"That will I never do! " I cried in agony and direful wrath. " Get thee hence, O Prince, nor seek to rob me of that drop of water that cools the tongue of Hell, and, given up, would leave me stranded and desperately evil beneath thy governance. I tell thee it shall yet be well! and when the mortal atoms return again to whence they came my Love shall see how I have loved, and perchance in happier times we shall meet again before the Throne of Heaven and be forgiven the sin for my love's sake."

And ah! the glance that fell upon my spirit, as those eyes that had looked upon the face of God swept upon me with the cold fury of a wrath which would have blasted a lesser being. From his thigh flashed forth the desolating sword, falling amain upon me through the firmament, and rising in storms his rolling crest lowered above his buckler seven-fold and vast. But front to front in elemental war my unslung shield parried the thundering death, and rising high in the might of Heaven, though sadly dimmed, I cast upon the dread Prince the hissing horrors of my spear a, to which the tallest tree of Earth was but as a splint of wood to itself.

Through Heaven resounded the dreadful fall, as with shield and breast-plate scarce hindering the bolt the might of Satan was lowered in reverberating overthrow. Yet rising in bristling dread and horror, he dashed upon me the circumference of the infernal buckler in thunder, whereof the sound filled all space with uproar, and from afar the lightnings hung upon his flashing sword that sought to bury me beneath its name of Havoc, as in gathering tempests it wheeled upon me.

With rage o'ercoming fear flew forth my brand, and meeting the falling ruin in mid air the flaming sparks of light burst like a torrent of fire in the midst of the universe. The towering god rising high so that his impious crest touched Heaven, bore hard upon me. and buckler to buckler we stood with stubborn knees advanced, striving by might to obtain the other's downfall. Bearing the one upon the other in vast convulsions we swayed, essaying by force of limb to gain the awful mastery, scattering the storms before our heaving breasts as we wrestled in level strife. As two great serpents fighting for mastery, full of fatal venom, so we entwined, watching the fortuitous moment for striking; when to me came the sudden knowledge that only my purity of intent, though so mistaken, permitted me thus to so formidably war, and I staggered beneath the thought. Then with a vast shout the Prince upreared his shadowy buckler, thinking to crush me beneath its torrential weight. Which nathless he had done but that I had seized his uncovered portion and cast him with dreadful violence upon his crest so that his arms rang out upon the plain and lay prone in dire disorder.

Nor words can tell the rage that now filled the bosom of the fallen god I He roared, so that his roaring shook the skies, and, as world rushing upon world from its forsaken orbit, he bore full upon me. With foot advanced I stayed his onslaught, yet but for a space, and then, tottering beneath his might, I fell in my turn with crashing ruin, so that one half of the stars were hidden for a while. But rising with renewed force, I stood against him, marvelling that so I was enabled; and in furious seizure we wrestled, now heaving up, now sinking, rolling in panting fury and wavering mastery, now upon a knee casting thunders afar, now locked in horrid expectancy.

And the noise of our strife shook Heaven, so that He whom men call Michael, Captain of the hosts of God, came upon us who warred so furiously and bade us cease, having with him a shining guard. And looking up, the courts of Heaven opened before me, the flaming galleries which rested upon space stretching in their awful glory beyond vision, court beyond court, tower above tower, brightness upon brightness. The walls of amethyst and crystal lay down the slopes of ether to the far pylons radiant with heavenly hosts, and the steps of light swept as a bright vision up under the golden shade of columns whose feet rested on Eternity, supporting the shadowy domes of the celestial abodes of which none can adequately tell. Beyond idea or remembrance lay the streets of light, and glory upon glory rolled in magnificence beyond all thought to imagine.

Above the reach of Angel's visions rose that dream of bewildering loveliness where flames sprang into form and shape and were reflected in wonder in seas and lakes of translucent ether, rolling in their calm beauty to still more beautiful horizons and undreamed-of pleasures. A Life, One, yet separable into tiniest atoms, was the whole of thought, of sensation and of vision; and a glory of the knowledge of it, filling all hope and desire with enravished ecstasy that could rise for ever and never reach a limit. And therein dwelt the Glory of the Universe, the Lord of Mysteries, of the Name which cannot be uttered, the Splendour of Eternity; before Whom countless worlds ministered, and flaming Spirits, winged with all knowledge, bowed in adoration. And there, before the awful purity of my adored Creator and the sweet pity of ineffable love, I bowed in shame, and burning shame, and my heart melted before the Glory that once it was my dearest pleasure to contemplate.

And there was silence in Heaven. Through all the vast expanses not a sound ruffled the awful stillness that lowered before, the frown of God. But one long look of longing rage my erstwhile opponent cast upon that bright vision, and then with routed arms fled as a dark thought flies before the smile of joy. But I, abashed and irresolute, stayed in my place before the Presence of Him who cannot be named, the Spirit of the Heart of Flame, nor dared to raise my eyes to the Holiness; for the shadow of my blighted love lay upon my soul in black despair, and within my memory, graven in letters of fire as a punishment to me and a condemnation of myself, were the words the words spoken by her at that first meeting " I came not to thee."

Reproach and shame swept over my soul, and my eyes closed with torment. A sweat which was as of burning drops of fire rolled from me to stand thus before the eye of Heaven, and though my heart cried: " I dare to confront Thee though Thou blast me, purified by the suffering that I undergo, and spurning immortality that is full of horror," nevertheless I said it not, neither could I speak there.

And certain enquiries were made concerning me, and the voice of WAEF, the accuser, said, "This is Asia;" and I waited in terror to hear more.

And a voice, more sweet than the music of countless harps, said:

"And them also, Beloved?"

Whereat my soul fainted with sorrow, and I wept with unutterable sadness that I had so grieved the Heart of Love: upon my knees doing homage to the Throne.

And again the voice spake, filling all space with song, and falling with thrilling mournfulness upon my respectful ear.

Vet ill would it become me to speak of the communications of Spirits; for those things which arc rather expressed in silence of subtle understanding which is neither of the human heart or brain, it is not decent to frame in speech.

And how canst thou comprehend God, O man! Thou who doth not know nor understand thy fellow-man, which is manifested in human form before th'ee?

Thus in silence I stood to plead for my Love and excuse myself with bowed head and downcast eyes before Mercy and Comprehension. No words would have excused as that mute eloquence, no impassioned gestures have pleaded as that bowed head; yet I argued an impossibility; and in the midst of that Heaven, my home, I remembered my love to that mortal being and would not relinquish it.

Consumed in flames that purified and purged all evil, the spirit writhed with moaning anguish in deathless and hopeless torment, with quivering lips that disdained to cry for palliation for self. With a heart throbbing with tortures, and desperate hands wrung in despair, I lay before the face of Heaven and cursed all things with a hatred that fed on itself, blinded, delirious and suffering, tossing in fevered horror with dry lips that cried, and cried in agony, in their unconscious woe, for a little mercy, a little palliation, as the awfulness deadened the pride^ at length.

Yet would I not relinquish my Love.

CHAPTER VII. THE LEAVEN OF SIN.

IN Earthly solitudes I wandered inconsolable, always not very far from Zul; and sitting down one night, I buried my head within my arms and thought. Sure here all was fair, yet there hung a menace in the atmosphere as amid tumultuous clouds behind a veil of lava-dust the sun set red, and raising my countenance I gazed upon the scene.

It was tinted with crimson, as though the wantonly-shed blood of Man lay there upon it, and among the thick growth of dead flowers and ferns and stately trees crowding in their luxuriant array yet brown and pinched by the cold winds, rose tall broken columns and piles of scattered masonry, thrown thus by earthquakes and the hand of Man. There were bones and skeletons and all the wreck of households from which rose in shattered fragments those dreadful idols that were ever apparent.

Presently the moon arose, a vast angry globe of light among the massy clouds; and moving through trees and dead palms that once shaded the ruined courts with grateful coolness, I presently arrived upon a river, edged by graceful willows and whispering rushes, whose waters the rocks and masonry fretted into silver, where fish leaped and enormous saurians breathed with their nostrils just above water their long, slimy bodies lying on submerged wreckage.

Upon the farther bank two tall figures sat upon pedestals, as brooding over the scene, which was soothing to my spirit lying in ruins like those buried steps and temples. In quiet majesty they sat above their dead, unhurt by the ruin that had spread over the hither city, and there was no man to disturb them; but their heads were the heads of eagles which lifted themselves to Heaven, and there was in their expression that gazing beyond the Earth which all of the statues had.

Flitting shadows began to move about frequently, caused by beasts of prey which searched among the ruins for food and at times uttered hideous cries, and bats of large wing flitting with gleaming eyes like coals of fire. Serpents crawled over the blocks of masonry and piles of bones, anacondas dragging their yellow length of columnar body from buried vaults and damp courts hidden beneath withered vegetable luxuriance, where also rats and vermin lived in myriads, and upon branches of trees and tall cross-beams sat rows of roosting vultures.

Thus lay Chuza. And crowning her high places stood the shadowy figure of a very large lion, motionless and terrific, watching a moving shape that hovered among the shadows and paused among a row of columns that marked the outer court of the temple dedicated aforetimes to the river-god Nop. In a little while I perceived, despite the grotesque outlines of furry ears and swinging claw-fringed flaps, the splendid carriage and. presence of the masterpiece of God: Man. It was Ham, the son of Noah.

Without any signs of fear the monarchs of men and beasts gazed the one upon the other, and then the lion turned slowly away and disappeared among the tangle of bush, fern and ruins.

A mass of clouds, tinged with the red of volcanic furies, were creeping up over the moon. Because of Chuza lying in a valley the farther mountains could not be perceived, but the fires threw their weird light on the high clouds, reflected afar, and the Earth took a certain crimson tint by reason of them. The tall warrior, holding a spear, came forth and stood upon a crumble of steps from which he looked long over the shadows as though expectant of something, surveying with close scrutiny every point. A long shadow flowed over the heaps from behind him as he thus stood, and he looked round swiftly to learn the reason of it, fearing the attack of some beast of prey.

It was a woman who approached, of tall stature and majestic carriage, with flashing ornaments and costly robes of civilization.

"The moon has passed," she said chidingly, pointing to the orb of bright light.

Ham laughed with ironical humour. " Tis a new thing for the Lady Emarna to reprove her faithful lover! " he cried gaily, tossing back the skull-covering from his massy curls, his large brilliant eyes rolling as the light of the moon flashed on their whites, and his arm revealing all its mighty muscles by the action.

" Would that I could say 'tis a new thing for the lord Ham to forget his tryst," she answered a little sadly, shivering with cold.

"Peace, woman!" he cried, seizing her and pressing her to his bosom and kissing roughly her full lips so that his teeth clashed against the jewels in her own and she cried for mercy. "Art satisfied? What would the old ones say, and Ru?"

Emarna frowned at the mention of his wife's name. " Nought matters to thee," she said, annoyed.

Ham laughed, yet somewhat crestfallen. "And thou hast come alone to see me, how I have fallen from a lord of Zul to the follower of a mad old man? Though of a truth," he said more solemnly, "there is a method in the madness of the old one, my father."

"I have come alone to see thee because of the love I bear thee," answered Emarna," and in my heart is a great fear by reason of many things."

"Hast seen aught of signs in the heavens, and wonders?" enquired the swarth giant, with a certain fear in his voice.

The woman glanced up in apprehension at the masses of clouds that were lowering about the moon. "There have been days of terror in Zul, and the face of the Sun is hidden; by reason of which the altars of all the temples run with the blood of endless sacrifices, yet the cold wind breathes with the whisper of doom, and the flocks and herds are perishing so that there is but little to eat. Even Huitza is moved and Azta is distressed, and there are those who would fain lay hands upon Noah and you, his sons, because of a rumour that 'tis Susi who caused these things on account of a foolish act of Huitza."

"Let Huitza beware!" cried Ham: "let the shade of Maxo the Archer whisper in the ear of the foolish one." For Maxo had secretly disappeared when the army marched upon Zul and lay inactive upon the banks of the Hilen, being slain by Ham for an insult.

"Nay, he did her nought of harm," said Emarna; "the gods delivered her and have never ceased to trouble the people. Principally have I come to warn thee of the wrath of Huitza. Yet did not the old Noah say he was not Huitza as all believe?"

The giant laughed grimly, shaking his spear in the air.

"He is not Huitza!" he cried. "Spawn of a Devil is he, begotten of Azta, and nourished up among us to this end of evil!" He laughed wildly, not guessing how near the truth he was; and seizing Emarna rudely, tossed her up as though she had been an infant, dandling her in his arms, while the whites of his eyes and his teeth gleamed in his dark face shaded by black masses of hair.

"Thus would I serve thy warriors, soft mistress!" he cried, "but I should not catch them. Nay, by the truth of God! I would cast them down in such wise that they would not want to rise again."

Emarna was frightened by his mood, but presently he placed her down and demanded to be told more of what transpired in Zul, enquiring after many of the queens and how they fared. Yet there was not much to be told that he did not know, save that there was a great uneasiness beginning to be felt at the mortality among the herds and the lack of game animals, which the hunters said were emigrating to the west for some unknown reason.

The clouds covered the moon and the pair entered one of the deserted mansions lying in ruins, a broken battering engine stretching with swinging thongs, like a limbless misshapen monster, across the debris. The warrior spread his bear-skin mantle upon the mossy flooring and they reclined upon it, after assuring themselves that no animals were there in hiding. And now the man assumed a more lover-like attitude which pleased the queen better, modulating his loud rude voice to melodious speech; and vowing he loved her above all other women, promised to do whatsoever she might ask of him.

With soft caresses she listened, charming his senses by her beauty and compliance and enwrapping his moral nature as a serpent, reversing their physical strength with the subtle tact of a woman, and while ministering to his pleasures enslaving his regards. No thought of sin restrained the dark chief, no warning through the woes of others; in enjoyment of the moment he disregarded the teachings of his sire, esteeming himself sufficiently dutiful to have left the capital and his high honours at his command, neither having indulged in its pleasures as deeply as he might have done. Perchance the memory of Ru, his faithful spouse and mother of his children, at times crossed his mind trained in the ways of righteousness, but did not check the enjoyment of Emarna's wanton caresses nor interfere with her subtle conquest. Well was it for him that unsullied lips presented his name before the Throne of God, and faithful hearts, believing him as sinless as themselves, trusted in Heaven to preserve all their little family.

Emarna made her request, which was that she might follow her lord whithersoever he might go: and the warrior joyfully acceded to it, being in soft mood. These mortals heard not the warning note in the chirrup of beetles among the ruins, nor did the voice of the frogs perched upon half-submerged masses by the river sound in other than its accustomed wont. The lion, afar, shook the atmosphere with the deep thunder of his roar, but the hunter slept with his mistress in his arms, snoring loudly.

And upon them I cast dreams and visions, and behold it appeared to the warrior that in Zul he entered the Hall of the Throne of Atlantis and prepared to climb to the seat. But there sat a figure with hand outstretched against him, and the face was that of the Accuser. A feeling of anger sprang up within his heart at the opposition, and then he perceived that from every brazier sprang up a winged figure and each one with opposing hand bade him desist from his attempt to mount the central steps, while WAEF spake thus:

" Thou hast sinned and sin yet: begone and beware! "

And then came thick darkness through which arose the sound of flowing waves, and a wind, cold and spray-laden, swept upon him. Upon an ocean the dawn arose, and on a rock he stood alone in the midst of the waters.

And then a feeling of terror came upon my own soul as I perceived my power of weaving the dream to pass from me. Yet I perceived how that a voice arose from the waves to his ears and also to my heart. It was soft and sweet and unutterably sad, as only perception of the soul aiding the ear could make it.

" O Love," it seemed to say, " all is dead, but love remains. And thou must go and forget, and love must stay and remember, for ever and for ever. Yet if haply my voice shall speak from the old days to thy soul, think not hardly of thy Love, for punishment shall wipe out the sin and purge the crime. Go, while I have the strength of mind to bid thee go! And beware! "

The voice came from the waves, yet nought was visible. Amazed, the man looked around. "How can I go?" he said.

Then before him swam the Mexiah, as a saviour upon the face of the waters; and, as awaking, he perceived the Sun to rise over a snowy land of forests and mountains, in the midst of heavy storm-clouds, wakening also the world with its life and tinting beauteously the high points. Soon the lower lands would catch the glow and all would be bright. The warrior rose up upon his elbow and shivered by reason of many things, looking to where Emarna slept, her brown bosom rising and falling regularly under her breathing. His heart being tender with love for her, he stooped and kissed her lips, sensuously beautiful and full in their soft curves, and smiling in her sleep she exposed her gemmy teeth. Yet even as she smiled a sob arose in her throat, and opening her eyes which were very large and brown, she sought for her lord where he leaned upon his elbow regarding her curiously, and much tossed in his mind concerning her.

"I have dreamed a strange dream," she said, turning and leaning upon her elbows while the shadows of sleep lay within her eyes. "I am disturbed because of it, my Love, for in a vision I saw thee so tall and beautiful, and one came between us and bade me depart and leave thee."

Her voice rang deep with anguish and her bosom heaved. She fell upon her side, clasping her breast, the tears gathering in her eyes and sobs choking her voice.

"How can I go, and forget my Love?" she cried; "what when the darkness of night shall come and I shall stretch abroad my hands to find him and he is not there! Cannot thy God by my God, and may I not follow thee? How can the world live without the Sun, and how can the desolate heart live without the love that bade it rise and look upon lifer"

She turned to Ham, where he sat frowning and plucking at the fur of the mantle. "Thou art here now, my heart," she whispered, pitifully touching his garment, "but what when thou art gone? Wilt thou remember Emarna and of how she left all to follow thee? How she cherished thee on her bosom and braided thy hair? Wilt thou think, when thou meetest thy espoused wife, of another who loves thee more, and will die when thou art goner"

The man groaned and sank his head. " Thou dost not understand; thou wilt be happier in Zul," he said.

"I cannot return thither," she said in a despairing whisper; and then as the knowledge of his feelings came to her sad heart she fell in a sudden swoon and lay as one dead.

For thus is love, that knows that no return can be forced, and dies at the thought of its self-raised horrors.

The warrior arose and looked upon her pityingly. He lifted his spear and turned away, slowly moving forth into the light of the day and disappearing with but one backward glance over the frosty ruins.

And I wept that such sad woe should be able to be caused by so worthless an object.

CHAPTER VIII. THE ANSWER TO THE CHALLENGE.

How changed now was that Zul from when I first beheld her greatness! The bright days had changed to gloom and terror, the starry nights to dark periods of cold and horror and dreadful manifestations, where meteors flew through lurid clouds, with loud explosions. Her palmy courts were covered in debris and ashes, and her pleasant fountains ceased to sound their music upon the air: the roses and the water-lilies were dead. In ruin lay her palaces and temples, and fallen were statues and columns and shady colonnades, burying many in suffocating death.

Everything appeared to have been broken up and a dread period of alteration to be impending, wherein lives of terror ended in violent death, nor were there any more services to any gods. Water from broken cisterns ran down the terraces and lay in every hollow, hidden under floating coverlets of black dust covering the putrefying bodies of men and animals. Many layed violent hands upon themselves to escape the fear of unknown terrors, a frenzy occasionally shaking the populace and a depth of despair as all means of atonement failed. There was a terrible scarcity of food, and half-starved creatures, naked and wet, gazed with listless foolishness upon the ruins around or fought for scraps of offal; and in the black pools starving children waged war with dogs and vultures for the carrion remains. Some killed and ate the beasts themselves, and the more abandoned kidnapped children and devoured them. Even now were there reckless ones who took advantage of the terrors to their own advance, entering mansions and palaces, stealing riches and abducting women whom they afterwards murdered, and, sitting upon piles of ruins, cast the dice for division of spoils.

Couldst thou have but seen this thy night of desolation, O Last-created Man! The darkness that overpoured in horror, the famine and the earthquakes, the wreck of proud buildings reaching to Heaven! The domestic animals had all perished of divers diseases, and the hunters of meat, not finding more than was sufficient for their own needs, did but lessen the small supply; and the fruitful sea now swarmed with sharks and terrible monsters, so that the warships had to become fishing boats after many deaths and disasters in the small vessels. For even a large raft had been capsized and its crew dragged down by a beast with arms like serpents, so that the fishers on the large warships were uneasy, nor made any great catches, while to increase their fears a most supernatural monster was reputed to be frequently seen in the deep waters off Astra. At times it basked on the surface of the waves, and anon it dived beneath them with a storm of waters round it, and leaving an eddy that would sink the Tacoatlanta. In shallow water by Zul it stranded, and awe-struck crowds watched it making vast efforts to regain the deeps, noting its shape which was equally saurian, cetacean and serpent.

The ships remained in the harbour, moored to the waterway, none daring to venture out. No fish save sharks could.be obtained, and many people driven by hunger to forsake their congregations, wandered over the land in search of food, and because of its scarcity and their inexperience in its obtainment, perished. And beasts of prey and such as fed upon flesh came to devour them; and now within sight of the erstwhile proud walls ran lions and hyaenas and a great number of wolves.

The people, terrified at their own fearful blasphemies and deeds that, aspiring to Heaven, were now confronted by Heavenly weapons, degraded, enfeebled and even shocked, were silent and full of despair. They were but human after all, arid famine, disease and enfeebled constitutions carried them off to regions that they had been trained to believe were governed by a cow, or a serpent, or some horrible malformation, inspiring incredulity as to possibility and a chaos of feelings as they found they really believed in nothing.

Another earthquake came, destroying the southern fortifications and burying many people under falling masses and in opening chasms. Azta, from the palace, saw the mansions and temples heave, separate, and fall crashing in a thunder of noise, enveloped in clouds of smoke and dust, and although her heart beat wildly, yet it was with a curious feeling of carelessness that she heard the loud explosions and crashes and the whirlwind of shrieks and cries. A wave of water leaped from the earth, scattering the smoky clouds and impregnated with their atoms, to fall with a swish and roar, rebounding in resistless waves in all directions. The earth rocked, and the advancing upheaval passed between the palace and the higher terrace on which the crowning temple stood.

The Queen leaned against a statue, and, gazing with dilating eyes upon the approaching terror, perceived the ground open horribly with a rending sound, and felt with a creeping of the skin a suction of air as a draughty rush of atmosphere followed the opening of the chasm. She saw, with a whirl of giddiness, the vast mass of the temple shaken as by a mighty hand, and a wind-blown echo of a shriek was borne to her ears on a violent gust that sent her hair and garments streaming out and the fire from the tottering tower flying in showers, leaving but one small brand waving in the sudden tempest, extinguished but to leap up again.

Toltiah strode forth on to the terrace, followed hastily by several favorites and ladies, while from every opening streamed forth terrified menials. The Tzan cast a startled glance at the great chasm, gazing on the temple that leaned horribly towards them from a reversing convulsion of the earth. As he perceived the one little flame a frightful sneer overspread his features, and. turning, he placed the heel of his sandal upon a smoking brand that had fallen from the tower, scattering the dust disdainfully in the face of the Heavens with a loud and scornful laugh.

A beautiful black-eyed boy clung to his arm and endeavoured to restrain him. His face of deadly whiteness ashen to the lips made his great frightened eyes stand forth the more conspicuously, and the masses of ebon hair framing his face appeared oppressive in their heavy contrast.

Azta's fiery glance flitted over the boy and rested with a piercing look upon Toltiah.

"Fool!" she said, in a deep, terrible voice; and the chief turned, and dragging after him the black-haired boy, re-entered the palace.

And Amaziel the high Priest was in the temple before the earthquake shook it, with him being also that Mah, who, in the person of a slave-dealer, had wrought much confusion with his women by leading astray the minds of the men through them.

They spake together slowly and in fear because of the approaching horrors, not knowing yet what form they would take or what should happen to themselves. For having taken on so substantially an Earthly form, each was in a measure greater or less bound to the Earth and subject to what should befall it, which was a great fear to them.

"Too far have we provoked Heaven," said Amaziel, which was Leira; " and now comes crushing defeat that shall sweep us for ever from the Earth. For now is the time accomplished, and now enter the Worlds of fate upon the final revolution of doom, and for a space is a dread crisis hovering over all life, the which shall go hard with us. In the revolutions of Uranus our doom is written, and in the Heavens is hung the Balance."

And Mah, which was also Pholia, a Spirit of small power in Heaven, was greatly terrified, crying aloud: " Behold, what shall come to me for the evil which I have wrought!" But Leira sneered upon him in scorn.

"O brave to sin," he cried, "whence come these tears? Thou who hast laughed at the woes of others weep now at thine own. Shame upon thee, craven Spirit! Who inflicts should at least be silent at like infliction, nor cower before the Inevitable which cannot be avoided."

And Pholia turned upon him in rage, crying: " Thou art to blame for that thou didst lead me and instruct me in all the ways of evil! And now thou but smilest upon me and utterest platitudes instead of extending aid!"

But Leira answered not. With folded arms he stood gazing upon the walls of the chamber and the mystic courts beyond with a dreadful scorn upon his lips. There was triumph in his countenance and a certain sorrow, and after standing thus for some while he threw abroad his arms, and with a strange look upon his face turned his gaze upon all around.

"I go," he said; "fare thee well and hasten thy flight, for now is the time come."

As with one great stride he reached the central space that led downwards to the mystic Fourth chamber, the earthquake shook the temple. A gust of luminous wind sprang up from the opening, enveloping him, and the fleshly Spirit writhed and would have perchance turned; but Shapes of flame seized him, and he passed down and I saw him no more.

And from that place of echoes rolled up a strange murmur that filled all space with sound as of the humming of countless bees, while the symbols on the sides of the chamber of Leira ran together tumultuously as the walls swayed above the earth movement. The obsidian mirror flew into sparkling fragments and splinters, and upon the brazier a cloud arose in which writhed some horror with life and movement. Dull sounds filled the place, the noise of falling ruins mingling with the faint murmur of a mighty concourse of people, and great puffs of dust and smoke filled the chamber, blown from outer courts, as in that terrific movement fell column and colossi, and bulging floors permitted the walls to fall inward.

And ah, what fearful things were revealed, coming from hidden places, which were the handiwork and experiments of Leira! Misshapen horrors of some unknown life, monstrous births of Devils mouthing in sightless misery as an instinct of doom fell upon them, dusty, mangled, half-crushed and terrified, crying with strange sounds and wriggling in painful movements. The whole building was full of cries and sounds of the earthquake, and Pholia, huge of form and trembling from his wide shoulders to his shaking knees, stood with bursting eyes gazing into infinity. With his fingers he tore his cheeks and shoulders as though to strip away the hateful flesh that he could not control, and, half as in a vision and half in tangible form, writhing upon the floor, strove with great throes to cast from himself the carnal atoms, that he might fly. Dread sight where flesh and spirit fought with hands that forgot their cunning and beat the barrier that lay intangible but potential above the hidden bolts of Life!

In a great light a figure entered, grand and terrible; one of the armed Seraphim, glowing as a rosy flame, having a drawn sword in his hand and a buckler upon his arm. Before whom the writhing Demon leaped up, fleeing upward to the highest roof in swift flight, and being smitten there, falling. In sight of the people the carnal figure flashed downwards into space, striking upon the terrace below, which sloped earthwards by reason of the mass being slanted, and bounding oft" with a spatter of blood clear beyond the building down to the yawning chasm beneath.

But the Spirit fled, pursued by the Seraph, which had order to bind such; and as a wind-blown wraith before the sword of flame he went, casting over in his hasty mind what he should do. And in dark places among weeds and short trees grew strange plants, into one of which he entered, hoping thus to escape; but the swift pursuer espied by how he entered the plant, and bound him therein until certain revolutions and a cycle of revolutions had passed.

CHAPTER IX. THE SCORPION WHIPS OF GOD.

THERE were riots in the city and dreadful scenes, as deserted by the priests (many of which being removed as Pholia): and with none to direct them, the people became as wild beasts, panic-stricken and starving. For all the granaries and all food stores had been seized and reserved for the army and the palace, the mass of the people being commanded to seek their own sustenance. And in the great trouble many in authority enriched themselves by secretly bartering food for much wealth against the times when the trouble should have passed; and the slave-dealers received many beauteous girls who gave themselves up to them in order to be fed and to escape from the cold. But by reason of the famine and all the animals having at last been devoured, it became usual to eat human flesh, notwithstanding that some of the bolder ones preferred to wander without the walls and wage war with the ferocious beasts, feeding their stomachs upon the flesh of lions and wolves. Yet even these disappeared, and in a deserted land the half-ruined city lay beneath a direful canopy of gloom, enfeebled and dying of its own inflicted horrors.

From wantonness mobs sacked the Bazaar and loaded themselves with all manner of ornaments and jewellery, although the merchants had hidden much of their wares in fear of such attacks; but many of them, while covering their shrunken bodies with robes of splendour and adorning their limbs with all that the Earth could produce of flashing gems, sank down and moaned, being seized in the intestines of a vile cramp whereby they gnawed their flesh and all things of leather until such also were gone.

The desolation was dreadful, but the moral condition of the people was worse; and nothing was left now to fly to for protection from the terrors that devastated the land. All in authority appeared equally helpless, and only once of late had Azta's slung coach passed before their eyes, moving at a swift pace with drawn curtains, its guards not daring now to wantonly interfere with the dreadful creatures who sat stark and starving, glaring upon their full persons with the lust of hungry lions. There was no wine in which their misery could be drowned, and silent groups sat in terror and only shuddered when the earth shook, dying in the fatal cold of the nights.

Their numbers were augmented by discharged domestics and slaves, as the nobles found themselves unwilling to endanger themselves by feeding useless mouths; and these unfortunate people, being fat, and also by reason of remembrance of past arrogance, were killed and eaten. And this hostile feeling was also extended to such of the nobles themselves who were not too powerful, and at times the passage of such was violently obstructed; while a madman attacked furiously the Lord Nezca, only being struck down when he had killed two of the guards.

Having commenced such outrages, the starving populace turned with fury upon their superiors, accusing them of causing their miseries and forgetful of their own evil. Leaders arose among them, principally of those who had been cast forth from great establishments and knew of stores of hidden provender, stirring them up to sack the palaces of the nobles.

Even those at the Red palace became alarmed at the aspect of the people, who also were taught that the gods required the death of the mighty ones of Zul which had grievously sinned against them. In dreadful swarms they surrounded the more isolated mansions and entered them by storm, sacking them and compelling their inmates to disclose where food was hidden; jeering with brutal taunts at the plump beauty of highborn ladies dragged before their dreadful ranks in whom no passion but for food was left. Little fat babies were instantly slaughtered by the ravening multitudes and devoured in their blood, and older children also; but this dreadful food (they being unused to it) brought on diseases and death.

And particularly the indignation of the people burst furiously upon the slave-dealers, who were of noble rank and great influence; both because they remembered how many of their young girls were abducted by them in past days for the palaces of the great, and because now they must of necessity have good store of food for those they now possessed, notwithstanding that they had cast forth many as others had their servants. Therefore great crowds assailed their establishments, and dragging forth the lords stoned them to death with the ready missiles of the debris. Their splendid apartments were wrecked and the ornaments and valuables scattered broadcast over the mob, while the women were brought forth for blood-shot eyes to glare ferociously upon, and scan with lewd pleasure their rounded and exposed beauties. Upon these unfortunates the women of the crowd hurled vile abuse and pitiless mockeries that were not lessened by the beauty and plump appearance of the tender creatures thus dragged from their luxury and plenty. There was one Temassa, a noted courtezan of the city, who was the most violent of them all and the most atrocious in savage deeds, slashing the faces of the more beautiful of the women with a knife and breaking their teeth, that they were beautiful no more. Heaps of furniture were smashed with axes and clubs, valuable rugs and mantles were torn to pieces in the efforts of individuals to secure them, and the original excuse for the violence was lost in the madness of carrying it out; while the unfortunate beauties, after horrid outrages, were stabbed to the heart, and some were devoured. And thus the dark days passed and the people scarce kept their lives within them, many dying of diseases, and of wounds received in storming the palaces or fighting among themselves. Thousands lived upon such fish as they were able to obtain, and upon a few birds, upon the bark, leaves and berries of trees, upon grass and leathern things; and indeed their struggle for food stayed at nought (they being weakly human despite their ideas). But the great ones in the Tzan's palace determined to set forth, before they too were seized of the dire famine, and attempt to re-enter that Eden from which their traditions sprung. Long had it been discussed, and now was a most imperative need for it to be undertaken, for the army was a great drain upon the food supply left for its needful maintenance and of such as were in the palace. Touching which, Nezca: "Wherefore hesitate ye, lords of Atlantis? Thence ye came, and now what shall prevent your return? Is it not a very desirable land, nor having been, by any known testimony, removed from where it stood; nourishing also the Tree of Life and that dire plant which now might prove acceptable. Nor are the Angel guards to be feared, for we have tested the virtue of such, and methinks great Azta were match for aught that wears the guise of man. Why should ye tarry longer where Famine reigns and unseen Death is lord?"

Discreet messengers were sent to the cities near and far, to bid their governors lead forth all they could save to the north, where under their king, who would also arrive there, they should leave their unfavorable land, desolated by Zul, and retake their old places. For it was necessary that they should go in as strong guise as possible, remembering their brothers and all those families of Adam which they had parted from when they came first to Atlantis, (whose possible arrival Tekthah warned them of,) which might dispute their passage, or might even have taken the land for themselves. Yet this, as I have said, they never did, being destroyed with Atlantis. But in the issue these messengers never arrived at their destinations, nor was any more heard of them.

But the secret preparations becoming known to the populace by some means, aroused in them the greatest fears and rage. Their leaders were about to leave them to starvation and death, and to face alone the mysterious night of terrors; while by removing even the official mediums of the gods thus the last thing left to them the chaos of mental nothingness into which they were plunged would be unendurable. Why might not they also go to this pleasant land from which they were sprung, that the superior knowledge of their lords told them of, they said, regretful that such as had aroused the legions of Heaven against them should now depart and leave them to face the heavy judgment; deserted also by those magicians of wicked arts who left their mistresses either dead by unseen means or raving maniacs who declared frightful visions.

Exasperated therefore by such things and perceiving their frail mortality, a vast horde of emaciated people thronged up towards the Red palace, around which was encamped the whole army which was in Zul. Nor was there as yet so great a danger encountered by Toltiah, for the thousands which came up against him were far greater in number than the thousands of the legions, and armed with weapons from the sacked emporiums of the Bazaar, being also desperate warriors and very large in frame and sinew. Their exposed teeth shone amid masses of uncombed beards, and naked arms, shrunken by famine, but still formidable, beat the air with swords, spears and clubs, while the earnest panting of the mute furious crowd betokened how deep were its feelings.

Upon these dirt-grimed arms glittered rings of rare value taken from sacked palaces and emporiums, and grand tiaras crowned by peacock's feathers were secured among the tangled masses of hair of both men and women. Upon some wretches from the battlements and dreadful haunts of the city, whose lineaments would inspire fear by their degraded ferocity, was buckled armour of gleaming gold and silver, and the colours of splendid mantles covered up most of the dirt and shame and misery that marched beneath those myriad weapons. A vast relief was upon all as the delight of the present action overcame the past fears, and the joy of acceptable and pardonable violence filled all hearts, together with the thought of storming the granaries.

How sad it was to see where human passions rose from their foul corruption into which they had fallen in order to rend one another, and near relatives glower in loathing hatred each upon each. The women in the crowd, perceiving among the legions many lovers, shrieked curses upon them, holding forth tiny infants dead of cold and famine and too emaciated to be eaten. The lines of guards gazed in fear upon these appalling enemies, whose fevered eyes glared from huge sockets and who resembled an army of the dead coming up against them in overwhelming vengeance.

Aroused by the murmur of the crowd Toltiah appeared, and at sight of him a great yell of rage went up as the starving people hurled themselves upon the guards and an instant battle closed furiously with sounds of clanging bucklers and mighty blows. And at first the guards did but fight with small stomach for the fray, because their enemies were brothers and they had great pity for a plight that might soon be their own; but as the weapons bit deeply and the joy of war overcame their fears and delicacy, they smote hard and fast in dread of being overcome.

There fought with Toltiah all the men of note which were in Zul, whose towering crests were known of all, and upon the high terraces and roofs appeared those queens whose fames were upon all tongues, to look with fear upon the near battle. They read in those bright arms and splendid mantles and jewellery the fate of the lower city, and dismay was upon them to perceive the dreadful ravages of a famine that had not as yet touched themselves. The humming of the sling-shot was as the sound of bees where in deadly strife men fought, and limbs, dismembered, flew into the air. Sword-blades, splintered at the point of furious contact with shield or metal harness, hurtled dangerously, transfixing far opponents; while beneath, the stabbing spears and knives of obsidian and copper did their deadly work. Arrows, sent above the battle by both sides, fell among the swaying heads, and long thrilling shrieks of agony arose as they pierced them. The Lord Chanoc, governor of Atala and Lord of Astra, who was sojourning in Zul, hewed his way to the front with an Amazon's axe, where fought Toltiah with Marisa's broad cleaver towering high above the thickest fight. Around them fell many, beaten down by clubs and pierced with spears, and the dead and dying lay like autumn leaves where Nezca fought, his great sword carrying destruction in its sweeping death. Backwards and forwards swayed the dense crowd, too earnest in fight to cry out, but the women screamed shrilly, and such as through weakness fell never rose again, being trampled and smothered.

Around them were masses of ruins and debris, and in the dust of fallen arches and pylons they fought. The low walls that had been around the gardens before the earthquakes were now heaped up above their ruins by heaps of dead bodies, which also fell among the trees and reddened the fountains with their spouting blood. The red terraces were dotted with bodies where the fight waged thickly, the guards now being driven back by their opponents. Oris, giant warrior, fell over a dead body and pitched his whole length down the steps, falling among the opponents. Ah, luckless chief! Nor was he ever to rise again, for seized of numerous hands the cruel weapons beat his life from him so that his blood ran down the steps and mingled with the rest. And nearly also had Nahuasco died, for, stooping above a foeman, a huge toothed club smote upon his back and he fell groaning; but Toltiah rushed upon his foes, bearing them down by his great size and the strength of his arm, and rescued the old warrior. Many in such manner were smitten down as they stooped to take the rich ornaments from their vanquished opponents; and thus went the fight, the leaders with fiery chivalry pressing forwards far in advance of their comrades, courting capture and wounds, and both giving and receiving dreadful blows. Nezca swung his terrible weapon untiringly, glorying in the rushing blood; but, around him, arms began to tire, and the combatants grunted at every smashing blow, panting and sweating and smiting with both hands upon their weapons.

And because of utter feebleness many men fell down, and many more were seized of agony in their empty intestines so that they groaned, neither were they able to fight any more, lying in cramp upon the ground. And in spite of far smaller numbers the guards prevailed against their famine-stricken opponents, and beneath the dark clouds lay mingled in sad confusion the wrecks of Earth and Man, formed (with but amazing differences in quantities) from the same atoms.

CHAPTER X. THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS.

EVER is there sadness greater or less in all the worlds, for where Love is, dwells also Sorrow; and indeed they cannot be separated, for without care is no love. And among the godly family of Noah was much unrest concerning Ham and his waywardness, and his espoused wife especially was distressed by his absences and coldness towards her. She knew not of the mistress he had deserted in Chuza, leaving her helpless and alone in the midst of such terrors; to her loving heart it was sufficient that he excused his absence for so long to the phenomena of the Heavens. And these were great indeed, nor did Ham mock any more at the rolling thunder-clouds which hung above them like the bellying roofs of a tent and stretched afar to form a meet background for the flaming majesty of the volcanoes, whose fires cast an infernal glow upon the darkness above, whereby all the Earth appeared to be consuming in burning horror. The winds, carrying the ashes and scoriae afar, laid a pall over the land to cover its fallen ruins and prepare it for what should come; and looking over its dark sorrow Ham wished to have transfixed Emarna's heart with his spear, being haunted by the pleading love of her large brown eyes.

Still in the village sojourned the two strangers, whom gentle manners and speech had caused to become greatly beloved. Which two now ordered to be prepared much food-stuffs for a long period, which were stored up within the Mexiah upon the topmost floor, arousing great curiosity in the minds of all, who received no answer to their questionings save that so it was commanded. There was an abundance of fruit to be obtained, for the forests preserved the central trees and vines safe from the icy winds that shrivelled the stately palms and ferns which were away from such kindly shelter; and to such haven came herds of animals, indeed every sort of them appeared to flock to the hills; which also was a phenomenon causing no little wonder and uneasiness, as Ham reported the absence of them upon the lower lands. Thus all day were carried in piles of all manner of fruits and vegetables in rush baskets woven by the women, and great cakes of bread prepared with honey; and in earthern vessels of rude manufacture water was stored and sealed up. But of a night, when the black deck cut clear and sharp against the dull red clouds, and the blacker shadow of the door was displayed in the fire-illuminated side, the quiet people marvelled at the structure and the preparations, and thought in awe upon the nameless sins of Zul and those in high places, and the mighty wonders wrought of the towering sons of God. Yet their minds being either pure or simple it came not to them to argue upon the mysteries of generation beyond what was meet and comely, and the dread sins whereby came such future doom being impossible and unsupportable, Man becoming as a vast beast that wrought confusion without power to govern or limit its appalling powers.

Now upon a certain day, (the ship being completed,) Noah built within it a temple wherein to worship fitly the Lord God Jehovah, and made within it an altar, upon which he sacrificed in the presence of all his family and the two strangers. And when they were gathered together it was dark, but there descended upon the altar a soft light that illuminated the place, and a chord of music sounded upon the air. Low, beautiful and wondrous, it seemed to gather from -a great distance until in a swelling note of marvel it vibrated all around, and as the harps of the Angels swept by the wings of rosy dawn to the voice of myriad stars it fell upon the ears of the adoring sons of Earth.

A cry of joy broke from Susi, but Ham, sinking his head upon his deep chest, durst not raise his eyes; yet prayed fervently. There was an awful silence, and methought it seemed as though a Hand had been placed upon each bowed head, from which sprang a light of exceeding beauty. Upon the children's foreheads it shone, lighting their sinless eyes that need as yet not droop even before that beauty of holiness, they turning with fearless inquiry towards the Power of God to see what might befall, nor fearing when from the visible Form of music a voice came.

"Go forth!" it said: "be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the Earth."

It ceased. The bright light faded and a flash of lightning consumed the offerings which were upon the altar; while from great spaces came an echoing chorus, most beautiful and sweet, "Go forth!"

And the two strangers, which had knelt in most holy adoration, arose; "Go forth!" they said; "trust, and all shall be well with you: and hinder nought that shall come. Servants of God. go forth, and fare you well."

And leaping up, as bright comets they arose and were ng more; and for a long while the people remained prostrate and marvelling, Ham in his heart confessing his sins and making vows of repentance.

And when all had gone forth and were asleep in the night, Susi sat with Shem by the fire at the door of their tent, holding his hand and watching the glowing clouds. And as they sat they perceived many fiery orbs moving and crossing continually, strange sounds breaking upon their ears with the shuffling of myriads of feet, while the scintillating points increased in number. The man would have arisen and enquired into the cause of it, but Susi restrained him and they sat and watched for what should come.

Into the light of the watch-fires came moving forms, and presently they came nearer so that the watchers perceived them to be animals; nor was their wonder lessened when they observed the number of varieties. From large to small they gathered in a far-stretching circle near to the fire-blaze, crowding together as in deadly fear and whimpering pitifully. Stately deer of great size towered with their antlered glories above hideous baboons and huge apes of various species that looked with their vivid eyes and gleaming teeth like demon forms; horses snorted by the side of terrified crouching panthers and ferocious aurochs, a cayman pushing its fearful muzzle through a great crowd of rabbits, wild swine, porcupines, tortoises, conies and timid gazelles. A fearful form showed among them, whose tiny eyes, twinkling and evil, and the long horn upon its head bespoke the dreadful unicorn and large tapirs with others like to them half-mammoth, half-boar thrust their huge bodies forward. The sweeping tusks of a majestic mastodon shone white in the glare, and long necks swung high in the midst of the moving throng, from which the luminous eyes glared softly. There was no trampling down of weak ones, no disordered rushes; but a vast fear seemed to pervade the mysterious multitude.

There appeared no elucidation of such a perplexing mystery, nor could the man's expanded nostrils discover aught but the animal odours. There was no smoke by which he could read of burning forests, whose abundant herbage should have sufficed the beasts in satisfaction, not yet being withered.

The muffled thunder of a lion's roar vibrated the atmosphere, and as at a signal, and without a sound, they were gone; fox, mastodon, pig, deer, rabbit all gone. Those lithe forms that would sweep along with the speed of a tempest, those gigantic shapes that would rush with the terrors of an earthquake through the forest, had vanished without a sign, a sound. The two watchers sat there for long, thinking and wondering. Upon the clouds the manifested fury of the volcanoes was magnificent and awful, and Susi wondered if again that figure hovered above Axatlan in flaming majesty holding the sword of fire.

Thus passed the wondrous night, and next morning a number of the smaller animals were discovered in the Mexiah, having entered by the sloping gangway through the door. Mindful of the words of the Angels they were suffered to remain undisturbed, and were nourished with food, being endeared to the women and children by their tameness, yet causing fear by the knowledge that they sought refuge from an impending catastrophe that as yet their superior lords knew not of. Yet these understood that some great thing was to come by reason of the evil of Atlantis and the confusion of Mankind, and all prayed greatly to Heaven and were afraid.

But ah, with what fears I looked upon the altered face of Earth and strove within myself concerning the unknown Future! What were these Mortals to so greatly move Heaven? Beings of initial holiness who afterwards developed into incarnate Evils! Beautiful they were, but mostly used their beauty to the forwarding of evil, and, the more beautiful, so much the more did they sin and were able to sin. Yet who would deem that those little children, guileless and unwilling to do wrong, should take to themselves a talent to go astray and lead others with them? Instructed of Angels, who loved them, they were happy and mighty in innocence, mightier than strong men, and yet in after days they fell and became as the rest.

How I loved those little ones for their joyous fearlessness* and for the beauty of their unsullied innocence, and loved to watch them play until the shadows of Earth's weariness gathered in their great eyes, surprised that they must cease to play, but glad to leave even Earth's joys for pleasant sleep; when with their little plump limbs deserted by their spirits, folded softly within their tender mother's arms, they slept that mystic rest they cared not to enquire of in quiet peace until bright dawn kissed them into new life of Earth. Little living forms with souls of Angels, until one day a wonder grows upon them, and an awakening, as the body grows and the germs of Earth grow within them and awaken to life and the voice of their mother Earth.

Fondest of all was I of Huri, a tiny daughter of Susi, and oft would beguile her baby hours with pleasant play, and guide her feet to where the water-lilies grew in shady brooks, where careless of harm she wandered, until the cold came and the little brooks were sealed up and the lilies died. And always did I look in longing for her to come and play and with her baby laughter to drive away the load of sorrow in my heart for a while, as in loving guise I held her little hand, or carried her within my broad arms where she lay and gazed so strangely upon me as half-divining my nature. And one night I found her alone in that temple within the Mexiah, where in dread contemplation my feet had led me; and as she stood there in the awful shadow of the Holy of Holies, lifting the veil in her little hand, not a doubt clouded her baby face overspread with a joyous smile as she perceived me.

"Come!" she cried, putting out her arms towards me, as a tiny Spirit of Love that would lead to Heaven. But all unbidden the blinding tears arose at her pretty innocence, which might go before the Throne unchidden, whilst I, with the knowledge of the ages, dared now not enter the awful Presence thus.

"Nay, dearest of God's little Loves," I answered, (and at the thought of my words the tears burst forth,) " I cannot come." Were ever words so sad?

Yet she persisted, catching at my hand and pulling with all her tiny strength, pleading tearfully that I would grant what was to her a small request; yet although it tore me to say her nay, I would not. And yet once more in strange persistence she required my obedience, nor would she be refused save by force.

So I went in with her and knelt before the altar that was to me, with all my dimmed perception, the steps of the Throne, trusting in the great purity of her who so importuned, and waited for a sign. But none came of any sort at all; the Spirit was not there while I stayed, offended at my frowardness.

"It is not for me to be here," I cried in sorrow, pressing the little one to my bosom, "but for thee, little beauty of purity, it is meet; for ever thine Angels pray for thee before the Throne of God, and as a very precious thing is thy name cherished in Heaven. Would that I were as thou, my baby! "

And so we went out, and I saw in the night many Spirits descend to the Earth which were to work the appointed Word.

CHAPTER XI. THE NAVEL OF THE CLOUDS.

AND Emarna from the wilderness raised her heart in supplication that her love might be satisfied by even so much as a sight of her lord. For with such things is love content, asking but little for its share and forgetting in one moment's bliss the misery of past years.

And for a punishment to both that they did love in such fashion it came to pass that Ham, scanning from a high point the surrounding country, perceived her where she stood afar; and yearning after her guiltily (whom he believed to be dead) sped downwards towards where he had seen her.

Swiftly he ran and arrived at the place, she also running to nleet him, throwing abroad her arms to embrace him.

" I knew my lord would come again," she cried joyfully. " Upon yonder peak I saw thee poised as a god, and my heart cried out to me that thou wouldst come."

The dark chief seized her, pressing her to his breast and kissing her rapturously. ''Thou mistress of my heart," he cried, "would that I had known thee sooner!"

He set her down, and seating himself upon a rock, drew her on to his knee. He laughed and patted her cheeks, kissing her at times and wreathing her compliant arms around his neck; while she, delighted to be so entreated, lay still and suffered it joyfully with half-closed eyes, while above them the dark clouds rolled and spread and the lightning flared on the horizon of fear. Yet it recked not to that twain that the land was black and forbidding, for in each other's presence was all desire satisfied for a time.

"I dreamed that we should be parted, my Love," Emarna said, toying with the warrior's braided hair; " yet, although I thought my dream fulfilled, have I sought thee long, and behold there is but little to eat."

The man gazed hard upon her, suddenly perceiving in her shrunken appearance the wealth of this woman's love for him.

"And I left thee alone to die," he murmured in self-reproach.

" But thou hast come again," she said, " and in thy love I live."

He kissed her lips passionately, while she clung to him with a fast embrace as though fearing he would go from her as he did before. But the great man dandled her in his arms and swore he would never leave her again though all the Angels demanded it, saying that now he would return to the camp and get her some food. But she forbade him, praying that he would not leave her for a little, because that she had rather gaze into his eyes than feed her body.

Whereupon, nothing loath, he sat with her, laughing and talking in merry humour and pinching her cheeks; but she, filled with sadness and forebodings, would have preferred him to be more serious with her.

"A truce to thy silence, fair mistress," he cried gaily; "yet thou art hungry and an empty stomach makes poor cheer. I will go up yonder and bring to thee plenty of victuals."

" Nay, go not yet. Of a truth am I hungry, but hungry for thy love. My heart is fearful and my soul disturbed because of the signs and wonders in the Heavens, that bespeak no good, O Love of my love, and the heart of a woman speaks in words that come sadly true. It tells me that if thou wentest to obtain aught afar from me we should never meet again. May we not die together, dearest?"

"Die! Who speaks of death?" he cried.

Emarna smiled faintly, yet a terrible fear gathered in her dusky eyes. She opened her mouth and gasped, while a shiver vibrated her from head to foot. Then her eyes dilated as she gathered her forces for what she knew was a test her lover could not stand, and pointed despairingly to where the clouds rolled black as ebon night, as great spheres moving on one another in a vapour of ochreous and purple hues.

" 'Tis nought," Ham said, following with his eyes her pointing finger, yet somewhat dismayed, for the sight was appalling in its gloomy horror.

"Ah, my dear lord!" gasped Emarna, clutching at her throat as though she suffocated; "but perceivest thou not the terrible figure that comes towards us with the naked sword outstretched over the land? His feet touch the earth and the whirlwinds go before him; his awful head is crowned with horror and blackness, and storms arise about his path. O my Love! To flee were vain! Kill me and then thyself, and in one another's arms will we die! "

The chief sat motionless, with great eyes staring at the darkly awful form that swept along the path towards them, swung from the clouds. As the woman had said, a terrific commotion was about it; cyclones eddied around its feet and around it the lightnings, as fiery serpents, played, while afar sounded the roar and shriek of an hundred tempests.

Yet, brave in her despair, the woman kneeled and bared her bosom, pulling aside the mantle that the invited stroke might, be sure.

"Strike, my lord!" she cried, lifting the spear and placing the point against her round breast so that the cold bright point was buried in the softness of it. Her lips were white, her eyes desperate and her bosom heaved with wild pantings. "Cause me not to suffer thus!" she cried piteously; "it is cruel, dear Love, and I am but a woman. Be brave, my Love, and strike!"

He lowered his appalled eyes upon her, while the distant sounds grew more distinct.

"It is because of this," he said hoarsely, "and behold I shall die because of thee."

Emarna sprang to her feet with a sharp cry of agony, sobbing wildly.

"That thou shalt never say!" she cried in torment, both hands clasping her breast while she gazed through floods of tears at the crouching chieftain. "Go!" she cried; "Gol while I have the strength to bid thee. Go! There is yet time, and thou art swift and strong! Fly, oh fly, and hasten! It comes!"

The warrior rose up hurriedly, and with a glance of abject terror made a leap towards the higher land the foot-hills of the distant mountains. Then he checked himself and ran back to where Emarna had sunk down to watch him.

"Come!" he cried; "I will save thee also!"

She leaped up in an agony of impatience, waving her hands wildly against him, while her countenance expressed the torture of her heart.

"Nay, nay!" she cried; "fly, oh fly! It is too late!"

Still he persisted, but, turning, she sped with the swiftness of a deer towards the approaching horror; not unwilling, if he should follow, that they should die together. But Love cannot mate with Pity.

With the roar of a vast tornado the terror was upon them, and the man turned and fled with all his powerful speed, urged on by a shrieking blast from the tempest that hastened his long bounds, filling him with fear and an agony of furious haste. Forward he sped with terrific leaps, the roaring, shrieking tempest approaching ever nearer behind him. He cast away his spear, his knife and axe, loosening the thongs of his bearskin mantle and suffering it also to fall, while never stopping for an instant his wild flight, only wishing that he had not delayed so long. He gave no thought to Emarna, nor one backward glance to where she stood and waved him a last farewell, with heart more full of fear for him than for her own swiftly-approaching doom, and then turned to face Death. He only ran as he had never run before, with a horror of darkness surging down on him and a deafening majesty of sound all around.

But far it was to the higher land. His furious feet beat the earth, his hair fell from its comely braids and streamed out behind: with gaping mouth he panted loudly, and on either side his strong arms beat the air to aid his desperate legs. On and on, leap after leap, racing and bounding, flying over streams and fallen tree-trunks, over rock and hollow; and presently a flash of lightning flew past him with a splitting of the air and a nearly overpoweringly sulphureous odour. A swishing sound rose above all others for an instant and a shower of icy spray flew over the fugitive, reviving yet urging him to fresh efforts.

His feet splashed in water as a wave rushed past him, and with a cry of terror he plunged onwards yet the more frantically. Wonder it was that heart or lungs did not burst in that dreadful struggle for life, as before his eyes the landscape reeled and swirled. Death seemed to lie both before and behind, yet that behind was more certain than that in front, and the mortal instinct bade continuous action.

Over his wide shoulder he cast a fearful glance, perceiving thereby a horror of night in which opened a roaring, seething inferno. His feet gave way and his joints were loosened, so that falling down he lay still and panted as an hunted animal, until a wave of water lapped over his feet. Whereupon he leaped upright, perceiving a great and dreadful spectacle where the tempest in all its fury raged.

There the clouds shut out all light, driven before the storm, and enormous waterspouts ran in gliding circles that shone wan and ghastly against the thick darkness. Torn and shattered by the wind the vast clouds moved in swift battalions, swinging funnel-shaped trunks to the earth that was rapidly disappearing under torrents of water, surging and eddying, cascading over rocks and filling hollows with swirling pools. It seemed as though columns upheld domed roofs, and court upon court of ebony rolled back into the darkness above the wreck of storms beneath, where vast figures gathered within the gloom as called together by a signal. And now the thunder rolled, echoing round the vaulted blackness, and through the cloudy columns the wind swept with a hollow roar, reflected lightning illuminating the dark colonnades with majenta and purple glares. A rapidly-rising ocean flowed beneath, continuing the reflections downwards, and encroaching with swiftness on the foothills; a mangled body whirled and tossed upon the waves, and there were others also borne upon the swift tide.

Like the horror of a fearful dream it passed before his eyes, and then he turned and continued his flight, leaping upwards and onwards, searching with straining vision for the place of the village of his people. Fearful voices followed him and fast behind him the relentless waters rose, as fast as he himself fled from them. There was only safety in the mountains, and so great was the pressing peril that the man gave no thought to the great phenomenon behind him, but only stumbled onward with panting breath and bursting veins towards the heights.

Confused and weary he ran onward, at times walking perforce, and then as fear possessed him afresh, racing with speed. He passed a large tree and for an instant hesitated, thinking to climb up into safety, but instinct bade him continue on lest he be cut off from all escape. Higher and higher he climbed in a horrid twilight, each step now being nearer the desired goal, (for the ground was rising sharply,) yet feeling pains all over him and perceiving his limbs to be cut and bruised and covered with blood. Torn and gashed by thorns, briars and rocks and many fallen branches, he marvelled that he had so escaped, as he sank down in a patch of fern high above the boiling flood and gasped in a great self-pity. Nor did it to him occur that, fleeing one day from the punishment of his sins, he might not haply so escape when the gates of Death were closed upon him entered within them, and the Tribunal was set.

Yet also other eyes had witnessed that dread scene without understanding it. For Azta, watching the lowering masses over the land, had seen, as it were, a world burst in the heavens with an outpouring of thick horror, and shapes descending therefrom in the cyclones and dark night, and from very far had come the voices of the storm while yet in Zul there was a suffocating calm. Covering whole horizons the clouds nearer to the city appeared to fall as in a vortex to where the awful gatherings rolled, rent by lightnings and bursting with thunder that shook the suspended Earth; while as a palace of Infernal wonder and magnitude the varying columns and roofs and rolling pillars of cloud stood, fading into the illumined distances. From Earth to immense heights rose those awful galleries; across halls of purple and dark ochre flamed green fans of light, disclosing enormous masses rolling and tossing high in air where solid spheres flew into shattered streamers, clutching like fingers of demons, and black trunks swung above the roar of falling watery worlds above the doomed region, while from the central inferno rays of darkness lay like tremulous bands across the night that spread above Zul.

A few flames on temple roofs waved in the oncoming gusts of wind, and ghastly nebulous apparitions showed where palaces lay, but mostly an amorphous gloom was upon all. In the darkness the square entrances of the palace sprang into light as slaves ignited the torches, the glow illuminating strips of the great terraced steps for a short distance; and fearing more than I dared say I stood beside my Love to shield her if I might. She shivered as I took her hand, looking upon me with her great mystic eyes that flared like golden stars in the gloom; and I saw that her strong mind and will were subdued before the elemental terrors and reduced to subservience to what might come.

Yet the cloudy Horror touched not the city, passing in its dread procession afar; and to-night there was going to be given a great feast to all who should set forth with to-morrow's light in the desperate retreat from a doomed land, and fly to carry sin and all evil imagining over all the world so that there should be no end to the' wickedness of it all.

NOR DID THE WATERS QUENCH IT.

And I, what should I do? With my Love would I go, still hoping against hope that I might cause her to rule in holiness from another throne that would arise amid the same conditions as the present one was deserted in. But standing with her on that last night of sorrow by the cliff that overlooked the sea, we perceived a star to fall from Heaven into the waters. Down it fell, and ever downwards, nor did the waters quench it or dim its brilliancy, as tremulously twinkling it sank lower and lower, a great light beginning to spread from it so that it moved in a sea of silver. Brighter the coloured light grew and of deeper tint and increasing, until in liquid flashing gold it shimmered with living beauty; and still the hue deepened gradually to fiery red. Figures leaped to meet it, bright and beauteous, surrounding it in bewildering mazes until the light darkened upon an ocean of blood, and the night closed upon the wonder and the mystery of it all.

CHAPTER XII. "FOR TO-MORROW WE DIE."

THE Hall of Feasting was crowded and the granaries and all stores of provisions had been thrown open that their contents might be carried forth with the fugitives on the morrow. And many who had never entered there before, and only knew by repute what they now found to be less than the gorgeous reality, gazed delightedly upon the frescoes and the vast golden mirrors radiant in the torchlight; and happy they who could forget if but for a little space their load of anxiety, drowning it in the pleasures of such high fraternity and the glowing warmth of light and colour, until it was recalled to them by the mute reminders of yawning cracks and that long fissure, roughly covered, that stretched from side to side of the room, one-third of its length from the dais.

Some shuddered as they remembered that it was here that the great massacre of the princes and nobles took place and where their resurrected Chief was murdered; while the deep roar of the lions that guarded the Hall of the Throne caused them to tremble by its uneasy omen and its nearness to them.

Torches flared wherever they could be placed, so that there was much light, and without were bonfires where the army lay. At the blast of a trumpet slaves began to dispose the guests according to rank and directions, most being placed below the fissure; those less exalted, luxuriating on costly furs, finding themselves awed by the presences of some of the mighty of the land whom they had before only seen in the distance.

But all eyes became centered on the dais, where lay Azta and Toltiah, crowned and in full harness, in a blaze of light that flashed upon armour and gems and made brighter the coloured vestments, continuing in gleaming masses around where stood guards and gaily-decked menials, the shield-bearers, pipe-bearers, fan-bearers, and all the great retinues of the nobles immediately attending, and falling upon the array of gorgeously apparelled queens and princes nearest to them, all wearing everything they possessed too valuable to be entrusted to slaves, ready for the morrow. The mistresses of the Tzan lay in masses of coloured light, where all manner of starry gems cast back the torch-flare: levie, Sumar, Annis, Vasni, Zia, Eval, Sio, Cyvadne, voluptuous queens, shining as flaming Spirits in their splendour of form and flashing ornaments.

Here one in a blaze of emeralds, turning upon her wide hips, caused the beauteous gems to cast their flashes in a bewildering dazzle, and from the darker places where the wearers melted into the shadows came the scintillating gleams of wondrous jewels. Dark-eyed Sada, whose breasts were hidden beneath shields of pearls, flashed her priceless gems with every move of her large fat arms; blue-eyed Tua still held her head disdainfully opposite Axazaya, mother of princes, her eyes bluer by the contrast of the pearl-dust upon her face and strings of pearls dependant from her red hair dressed high with gemmy fastenings. Tola, pallid and large, looked around under her immense coral tiara crowned with peacock's plumes, and beside her was Kah, elegant and tall, who spoke cheerfully and laughed, as also did the beauteous Mea, a very young girl, wearing emeralds in her teeth.

By the dais was the lord Nezca, splendid in his glittering harness and vast symmetry, and there also was the veteran Nahuasco, whose lion-like head was scarce rivalled by Iztli, the dark conqueror of Trocoatla, and whose regards were much sought after by the more elderly queens. Chanoc, Lord of Astra, shone in brave trappings, and among the throng were Lamec, Adar, Eto-masse, Hammur, Mehir (Lord of Chalac), Rhea, Hano, Uta, Sidi-Assur, Iru with the vast shoulders, and many more great ones. But such as Xoleph the slaver and Mataca the purveyor of meat found themselves ill at ease where they sat opposite to the sea-captain Akin and the huge Hoetlan, who wore a Unicorn-skull helmet and had great gold rings upon his arms and ears and legs; and all who reclined below the fissure envied the grandeur and beauty of all above.

Yet how sad was that gathering! There was no happiness nor even freedom from care, for there were many there with sore wounds received in the recent furious battle with the people, and all knew it was a farewell banquet fed from their terrible scarcity, perchance the last meal they would eat or could be able to obtain; and the people gazed upon one another, stern and gloomy, thinking of the starving inhabitants of the great place, who would be deserted and left behind to die. Only to such as had never perceived the grand Hall before was there any pleasure, and their delight at the bold beauty around brought them relief. These did not notice that the huge wine-vessels were not filled; they had never known their measure: neither did the meagre variety of the viands cause them uneasiness, as, surrounded by such bravery, their old desires began to appear with a regret that they must leave their beautiful city.

The slaves handed round the meats and drinks, and in time the gloom began to fall from all. It is enough to human hearts, the joy of the tangible Present! The sound of many voices began to arise, more and more, and laughter to flow as the wine covered with its veil of mercy the remembrances of woes past and to come. The slaves ran nimbly through the tables, yet with a dire terror in their hearts, for they believed that they would either be left behind or be slain when the feast was over. The red torch-glare cheered the feasters' hearts, and snatches of old songs were sung, and at length some of the women, in whose thoughts the unused luxury of wine had aroused wantonness, arose and danced with increasing gaiety. The warriors roared applause, excited to enthusiasm by such careless act that banished all thoughts of care, and braceleted arms were waved in the fumy atmosphere, and beaten shields thundered to the accompaniment of measured song.

Then Azta arose, and a shrill trumpet blast commanded silence as she stood forth upon the dais, crowned with the Lunar diadem upon whose crystal symbol the lights gathered wondrously, her whole majestic form alive with fire where wondrous gems in teeth, belts, plates and shields accentuated her sumptuous beauty of outline. No chaplets of roses swept in their soft loveliness beneath the swelling glories of her bosom to-night; the roses were dead: but from masses of large emeralds and opals rose the ivory beauties, and between them, pressing the soft skin, reposed a pearl of enormous size. Her hair was interlooped with strings of pearls, rubies and diamonds, and even now her eyebrows were dressed with care. Over all was cast a yellow veil of very fine silk covered with gemmy points, and standing forth in her incomparable beauty before the hundreds, she began in a clear voice the recital of the nation's history, from when the tribes sprang together at the signal of Tekthah up through their wars and triumphs to the present, when, deserted by Zul and their gods, they must leave their land and their glorious cities and set forth, not in ordered march, but as best they could, to meet in the north, beyond the mountains. Thence, if haply they survived, they would again join their arms and endeavour to recover the return journey to that Eden whence their old forefathers had been ejected, and retrieve by force of armed knowledge their inheritance under a leader whom the gods had given back to them from the dead.

A great shout of approval answered her, and when she raised the tall orbed sceptre of state, whose golden sphere rested upon the four symbolical arms of their adoption, the enthusiasm was very great. As a goddess of Atlantis she appeared to them, wondrously arrayed, and never stood forth such a standard-bearer!

Tears of emotion streamed from warriors' eyes and loud sobs showed more than the grandest roars of triumph the intensity of feeling wrought by a woman's magic. Toltiah, sullen and observant, dared not rise to hinder the ambitious act that should have been his, and Azta, moved by an uncontrollable pride, cried out: "To-night am I Queen of Atlantis!"

" Hail, Neptsisl " cried Nezca, bending low before her his golden crest. But no mortal lived to comprehend such comparison.

The Tzan's countenance expressed jealousy and mortification, but Azta's eyes flashed fiery joy at the great ovation from all the princes, satisfied ambition for an instant triumphing over even that great love she bore to Toltiah; and I wondered would it have done so had Huitza in verity stood there.

But Tairu began to sing the old battle-songs of the wars of Tekthah, and all there beat upon their shields and sang also in chorus; and becoming of reckless mood plunged their heads into the wine-vessels and gorged themselves to the full, nor were the women slow to follow their example. Clouds of sweet-scented smoke rolled up from the inhaling-pipes, and being, as I have said, unused to such by reason of enforced abstinence, it wrought mischief within all; and as the strains of music commenced, many young women sprang forth in the dance, kissing their hands to the company. Lascivious eyes watched them, and drunken men raised themselves from the litter of victuals into which they had fallen helplessly, to follow the wanton voluptuous movements, which became wilder and more abandoned by reason of the applause.

Screams of women arose, but, unheeding, that weird dance of death went on; and as exhausted dancers fell back into ready arms, others eagerly took their place, whirling to the^ furious music with flying garments that they did not hesitate to relinquish. The streaming torch-lights that flung their lightning shadows now here now there excited them the more, and the rich perfumes of the wine and viands pervaded their senses so that many fell down and writhed in convulsions; but through the redly-illuminated dust swayed in reeking odours by currents of air, swung coloured mantles and flashed spear and sword, and the myriad gleaming points of gems. A hurricane of sounds swelled to the lofty roof, pierced by screams of wantonness, the people tiring themselves by the violence of their passions, which they continued nevertheless. Toltiah, wallowing in ignoble confusion, led the wild debauch, his mighty voice, now grand and vast as an organ rising above a storm of wind and hail, now attuned to sweetest music, crowning all other sounds with melody.

The nobles joined in the revels, the Tzan, supported by his mistresses, drinking to Zul from a bowl formed by the skull of a newly-killed slave, in horrid blasphemy. His drunken eyes rolled wildly and he threw his great arms about in helpless foolishness, as around him lay many overcome by exhaustion and apoplexy But still women whirled with flying hair in the dance, the warriors seizing upon some by force, which being wives and mistresses of merchants caused many combats and murders.

Azta, like an Infernal queen, drank with any chief who petitioned her, and Iru, in the blood of two servants whose heads he smashed together, drank to the conquest of Eden, calling upon the warriors to remember the northern place of gathering. The dazzling mirrors intoxicated the drunken senses of all, and not a few raised their shaking bowls with lewd expressions and drank to the obscene frescoes amid roars of merriment. The time sped in outrageous pleasures, and still that wild saturnalia continued as the Devil's brood danced to its doom. The licences were degrading in their daring extremes as the wine was drained to its dregs, and men and women, sunk below the level of the beasts, became mingled in a dreadful whirlpool of disgrace.

Suddenly a gloom fell over the light, and all believing the torches to be becoming exhausted, the dances and revelries became more frenzied still. A current of icy atmosphere entered the warm chamber, and savage curses were shouted against the return of the dreadful day that should end the joy of that foolishness. With a last diabolical effort the music banged and crashed and in dilirious mazes the dancers leaped, clasped in each other's arms, in the fading light, panting in the dust and heat and falling in confusion over prostrate bodies. Then came a sound echoing through the vast hall and stilling all else. It was as though a silver trumpet had been sounded, loud, shrill and piercing; and all who were able looked to see what it might be. noting with dismay how the darkness increased.

I knew what it was, and Xe/ca knew also.

"Peace!" he thundered involuntarily, with a great shout; but Azta laughed loud and long, her voice ringing in mockery over the tentative silence that had fallen upon the throng. And looking upon all there in the stillness that followed, the thought leaped into my soul, which appertained also unto myself: In the enjoyment of the Present prepare for the Future, (for also in so doing is a certain joy); because the Present even now is the Past, and the Past is for ever gone from us, nor is its enjoyment active, being but a memory; for we can never recall the joy of the Xow, but in preparing a pleasant Future we lay a golden road of ever Present.

CHAPTER XIII. "MENE MENE TEKEL UPHARSIN."

AZTA'S ghastly merriment died away in fearful silence as a cloud descended, filling the hall with an intensity of darkness and extinguishing the lights. With a knowledge that this was the end I hastened to her side, for such was my chosen place before Heaven, advancing my buckler for her protection against all that might come, and daring to oppose The Omnipotent for the sake of my Love. Not in impious revolt, but rather in despairing justification of a course that had gone so sadly through not submitting to superior knowledge; and loyalty to a spirit so madly beloved, and so disastrously.

A wind swept along, chill with an indefinable horror of death and corruption, and a low sound of mortal terror followed it. All below the dais cast themselves down, save Nezca; and the knees of Toltiah shook with fear.

A flash of vivid light cleft the dark obscurity, and there appeared a Hand holding a four-armed cross, like to their standard. In full view of all it appeared, and many believed it to be a recognition of their symbol by the gods; but Azta and Toltiah, perceiving that they were in the presence of an awful power, prostrated themselves, leaving but Nezca and myself standing with shining countenances and figures visible to all. For having sinned by knowledge and volition we cared not as cravens to avoid what should come, standing with despairing hearts while came another Hand and slowly broke the symbol in twain.

An irrepressible groan broke from all who witnessed it, and then a voice, more mighty than storms, but plainly and awfully distinct, spoke:

"It is enough, O People of the Last creation! Your sins are no longer endurable and the word is spoken that you shall all die. The tree is evil and the branches spread, but the axe is laid at the root and it shall cease. Thus is it spoken! And you, the shining ones, that stand so boldly now, beware! For you also are words spoken that cannot alter. By the curse of this people shall thy curse be doubled, Hesorio; and what shall be done unto thee, O Asia? Not for thy forgetfulness of that dear love extended to thee, for which in exact measure art thou repaid, but for the havoc and confusion that thou hast wrought must thou account. Kneel!"

The lightning sprang towards us and all was dark. Nor in words were these things spoken to us, but by the perfect comprehension of Justice, which is of the all-understanding and all-seeing Spirit and is not biassed by deeds or manners nor bound by any fear of varying criticisms to pass its sentence upon the motive of every act. The only unforgivable thing is disobedience, whereby superior guidance is stultified.

Sounds were in the atmosphere, sounds of grief and wailing unutterably sad and mournful, but below reigned the silence of death and each man wondered if he were the sole survivor of a nation. Presently the darkness broke and the light of that last day of horror crept in over the prostrate multitude. Heads were raised fearfully, and soon, believing what they had seen to be the result of their furious revels, many shamefacedly arose, yet carrying within their souls a dread presentiment of coming doom.

With a terrible anguish I raised up Azta, pressing her passionately to my bosom while the bitter tears fell fast.

"I cannot part with thee, my Love! Thou art all I have!" I cried, with intense agony; " O Hesorio, can nought be done?"

The prince shook his head gloomily. Entering now from without the people thronged, leaning upon spears or the shoulders of others, waiting for some signal from Toltiah; while among the debris of that carnival of sin lay many, dead or unconscious from the effects of the wine and dissipation; dishevelled women lying in their shameless nakedness with their drunken lords. One or two raved in madness, with bursting eyeballs, and foam upon their lips, tearing, biting and shrieking; and the daylight shone fearfully gray upon the assemblage.

Toltiah arose, shuddering with dilating eyes. For the first time he turned in appeal to me, gazing with drunken orbs upon me in horrid terror, mad with excesses and fear and with his godlike perception fearfully keen.

"Father," he said, with imploring sarcasm, " behold our plight which has come upon us. Canst thou not aid by thy power?"

''Fool!" I cried bitterly, "and craven as well as fool I does not thy remaining soul rebel against appealing to one hitherto, unacknowledged and spurned? Too unutterably late art thou who hast impiously challenged Heaven and now shivers beneath the lash. Begotten of sin, poor wretch, I, even I, pity thee yet cannot aid. Thine hands, Devil-directed, have pulled down ruin upon Earth, and Death usurps thy throne this day."

He turned with impatience and wrath to the assemblage.

"Come!" he cried, supporting himself heavily; "let us go and leave the gods to kill each other."

But even as he turned the ground heaved, and the earth, moved irresistibly, burst the floor pavement and fell asunder, and down the abyss, buried in clouds of dust, fell tiles, bones, amphoras and shrieking people with clang and clatter. The gap closed with a sickening movement, and a sound, that caused faces to blanch in awful horror, issued from it. The end wall crumbled away in ruinous masses, and all the walls bulged fearfully and rent themselves with that great movement, while scarcely the four columns in the centre of the hall upheld the ceiling that leaned in broken planes upon their different lengths.

A strange weird sight broke upon all eyes, where, through the tremendous gap caused by the fallen wall, the temple of Zul leaned from its height, dark against the gray dawn. From every aperture and long rent in the shadowy mass streamed a blood-red light, dull and awful, and as all eyes turned upon it the topmost and second storeys fell in a cascade of ruin into a mist as it were of blood, where a great released brightness illuminated the dust of that fall. The third storey fell, leaving the wreck of its columns and vaulted roofs standing, and the walls of the fourth storey which faced the palace fell in ruins, carried away by the torrential masses from above so that the central chamber was exposed in which were the dark mysteries of Neptsis and Zul displayed in fire upon its walls. From the square space in the midst shot up a strange dull-red flame, and methought there were awful figures which moved in dismayed fashion within the brightness around. And crowning the horror sat the stern majesty of WAEF, the Accuser, looking upon the ruin of Earth; sublime in immovable majesty, awful in inflexible testimony.

Azta shrieked in my arms, hiding her face in my bosom, not wishing to longer view that portentous god and those awful ruins where, flung afar, the golden fire-tower gleamed amid the dark heaps. Protected by all my diminished power she had no hurt upon her body, but in her mind was hell. And to add terror to terror the two great lions which guarded the Hall of the Throne came bounding with broken chains among the people, half-starved and of ferocious appearance. Unheeding all else, they leaped straightiy to the dais and with a great spring hurled themselves at once upon Toltiah. The mighty being fell beneath their weight, and with a roar one of the brutes smote the grand Solar crown from his head. Azta with a shrill scream of anguish leaped forward and attacked the brutes with a dagger, but before she could avail and before I could hasten to the rescue they bounded off among the panic-stricken people, biting and roaring savagely, disembowelling with tremendous blows and bearing all before them.

But Azta cast herself by her so strangely regarded offspring in a passion of anguish. She gazed with madness in her eyes upon his countenance and shuddered with a dreadful moan as she perceived that his skull was broken, blood and brains oozing in ghastly flux between the shattered bones and among the ruddy masses of hair. His hand fell as lead from her horrified grasp, and with a panting cry she fell as one dead.

I gazed wildly around over the poor wretches fleeing from that place of death, and saw how Iru rent one of the beasts with his godlike strength and that the other lay pinned to the earth by a spear. What would happen now? Too well I knew there was no escape from the pronounced doom, yet could not my power prevail aught to save this one who lay unconscious at my feet?

Nezca moved off last with measured strides. "Fare thee well for a space, Prince of Heaven!' he said, raising his great spear in salutation towards me: "We shall meet again when these have passed."

He was gone, all that remained now were dead, save only Azta and myself. Upon my heart lay an icy horror. " For you also are words spoken that cannot alter." Yet not even now for myself I feared, but I knew that if my Love loved me not we should be parted for ever; and the thought bowed me beneath its weight of agony with a torture that would have annihilated me could I but have died. In an agony too keen for words I stood in so fiery a hell of suffering that my soul fainted within me.

Monarch of the dead I stood; my murdered victims! Around me they lay amid mounds of debris of earth and masses of masonry, dead by the beasts, by their fellows and by their own excesses, dead in their formidable might of sin amid stripped bones and smashed amphoras, with their mantles and armour and gems gleaming between the dusty ruins from which the painted frescoes reared themselves in mockery and the long golden mirrors stood out brightly. Earthworms wriggled over the debris, and scorpions and centipedes ran over the dusty remains of the feast. Portions of the ceiling kept falling with crashing and clinking sounds, piling up the ruins and revealing the sky hung with thick clouds rolling ominously.

A great cry of despair came up from afar, tossed upon the icy wind like the wail of lost spirits. It came around the walls where the thousands who gathered for flight were augmented by all the starving population, who hoped by accompanying the more privileged ones to obtain some succour and escape with them. But they found all egress barred by a broad river of water, stretching as far as they could see in eddying, swirling currents, bearing upon its flood trees, debris, and corpses. Drowned animals floated feet upwards, their bodies swollen incredibly and emitting a noisome odour, but there were many things that lived sharks, sea-unicorns a and loathsome cuttles.

Small wonder the poor creatures despaired! There was no escape from the horrors that were upon them, for from north to south the stream joined the ocean, eddying in waves that encroached more and more, and beaten into fretted points by drops of heavy rain that commenced to fall. A dark freezing mist covered the city with a dreadful night, and none knew what hour it was, neither were able to distinguish aught by reason of the gloom that dropped as a veil over the Earth. They ran up and down the wails, alarmed, terrified, panic-stricken: with wringing hands they shrieked, cursed and raved, yet dared attempt no crossing.

And there were many who believed they might obtain salvation through the ships, and these, running swiftly, made for the harbour, not a few losing their way in the obscurity and remaining among the streets and houses. And this thing spread as it seemed by instinct, whereby the thousands began to run all in one direction; the stronger getting before those who were weak and the starved ones, but all following the leaders because of the instinctive dread of being left alone. Yet there were many who understood not the reason of the wild flight and felt a vague terror that some dreadful thing was befalling, and numbers of the weak ones fell down and died, for the distance from the farther walls was very great.

Beneath their feet the ground heaved, hurling hundreds down in suffocating masses, and shrieks rose from their parched throats. A great light broke through the gloom, where from the crater of Zul shot up a column of lurid flame, and there was visible to many the three giant idols that sat within the volcano above the lake of fire, by reason of the walls having fallen in. Crowning the whole city they sat, immovable in the bright glare as though in Infernal conference, and all perceiving them shuddered. Yet in the light two gamblers sat, with eyes only intent upon the dice, regardless of the cold and mist and rain.

There approached the patter of the sandals, by twos and threes and dozens and scores, and from far distances sounded the rustle of the myriad-footed rush. And then above all rose an appalling sound that reached even Azta's dull ears and caused her to lean upon me, trembling, her eyes, widely open, gazing with a dreadful dark void from her ashen face.

The great reservoirs and the huge tank of the Baths had burst and suffered a mighty wave of water to leap like a solid cataract down the terraces, sweeping all before it and carrying hundreds of the fugitives to whirling destruction. As flies before a hurricane they went, dashed against impediments and flung headlong, crimsoning with their blood the liquid mass that swept a path of ruin from the hill of Zul to the battlements, and through, plunging with a torrent of foamy uproar into the waters that surrounded the city.

CHAPTER XIV. THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION.

WlTH dismay the leaders stayed their flight for an instant, and then, panting and perspiring in mortal terror, again made for the harbour. In their faces were hurled storms of spray from great breaking waves, which in their fury filled the harbour with wreckage. Of all the ships only the Tacoatlanta was left, plunging wildly in the midst of floating overturned rafts, coracles and little boats; the battered wreck of one of the other warships rolling like a great animal against the waterway, of which only the top step was above water, and that one being washed continuously by surges that dashed in over the reef beyond. Sheets of foam drenched the crowding people that thronged down to the boats, and against the darkness hanging like a yeil from the clouds rose masses of wan spray, leaping over the rocks near the shore, in whose holes and crannies lived dreadful sea animals, and at times dashing over the crater of Zul, which burst into clouds of steam at each contact.

Farther out, flowing sullenly under a heavy rain, the waves rolled in long gray lines to the shore, flooding the lower lands completely and breaking in thunder against the cliffs; but, as animals in their terror, and preferring the perils of the waves to the horrors of the land, the crowd rushed to the waterway, the leaders hastening in order to obtain possession of the ship and get out to the centre of the harbour to await events, warned by the throngs behind them of the deadly danger they ran. Nevertheless, so great was the panic that there was no halt or stay, and in a frenzied mass the people debouched on to the platform, none giving heed to friends or relatives in that great rush for life.

Hoetlan was the first, and recognising the danger of hauling the boat up to him, dashed through the waves, holding by wreckage, and clambered up. There followed him closely a slim youth and a butcher from the Bazaar. The Tzantan with a slash of his sword severed one of the moorings, but scores of people began to clamber up, holding to the bulwarks and clutching trailing rigging. Yet there were no children to add to the horrors of that wild rush, for long before they had been left behind, struck down, deserted, or trampled under foot by the racing crowds.

And among them were persons of rank, high captains and Lords of territories, and a few great ladies, unrecognisable in their dishevelled array.

" Make way!" screamed one, trusting foolishly that her rank would secure a place; " make way! I am the Queen Axazaya! " But some pushed her down and she fell into the water; whereon, rushing through the waves, a black shark leaped, sweeping some refugees from their feet and vanishing with her amid screams of terror.

Now scores of frantic hands clutched the ship's side, which by reason of the multitude already on board leaned dangerously and offered a large side to the outer waves. Those within her slashed at the unhappy wretches, and as the last restraining rope was severed at length the vessel began to move from the waterway under the hauling of those on the anchor ropes. But clinging hands held still, and others clutched them; and, falling upon the side, a wave rolled the great ship so that the gunwale dipped down, plunging the miserable beings below the water, and by the movement causing to fall the stowed sails and bursting the lashings of the catapult which was amidships.

Relieved from the overbalancing weight for a moment by the water floating it thus, the Tacoatlanta rose with a heavy roll nearly upright; but the weight pulled from the waves caused her to dip again more violently than before, and those who would have cut away the strangling mass had enough to do to save themselves. Long dark forms threshed through the water as the fierce sharks swept towards their prey, and the waves were topped by triangular fins.

The ship rolled up once more, and then, as with a sickening lurch the catapult and all loose things fell down the slope caused by the downward roll, the people within fell down over one another headlong into the waves heaving red and terrible. For an instant, so compact was their mass, it appeared as though they struggled upon a flooded pavement, but they spread abroad and sank, and the red water rose among them. Some sharks, overwhelmed and surrounded by their victims, leaped up through them, falling upon the dry and solid masses and struggling ferociously until they fell through.

Nor availed the godlike power of physical man where the Tacoatlanta wallowed, the farther bulwark high above water, the hither supporting a struggling mass to which breaking waves, dashing over in a falling mass of foam, added confusion to hideous confusion. Solid red patches rose up horribly through the water, breaking into pink froth upon the waves, above which tossed a forest of arms, legs and heads of the weltering wretches who strangled and fought, those who wore harness sinking like lead when support was removed.

The crowds at the waterway watched with blanching faces. A silence was upon them and they stood as though carved in stone, gazing on the frightful scene before them. The tangle of rigging, the floating spars and oars and enveloping sails, the seething mass of humanity, appeared* like a vision of dilirium, and among the writhing masses the long gleaming forms of the terrible fish dashed swiftly. Gorged and satisfied they bit right and left, gouging out bloody masses of flesh and severing limbs from trunks, while, below, the congers and water-snakes tore the unhappy beings, their graceful forms at times appearing above the water. Limbless bodies were tossed about and a headless trunk was pushed upright high above the rest, a hideous sight with the spouting blood. From far the sharks crowded the harbour eager for prey and attracted by the scent of blood, until it appeared to be alive with them; and the great warship, full of water, came floating up to the steps of the waterway in ghastly mockery.

Within her, as it were in a floating tank, a small shark dashed about, until a poulp, entrapped in likewise and annoyed by its rushes, seized it in a grasp from which there was no escape, while another serpent-like arm fell writhing among the spectators and drew a victim to a dreadful doom.

The crowds broke up, and through every street the people ran bewildered and terrified, shuddering at the increasing thundrous roar of the surf upon the cliffs, that sent the icy spray flying afar over the city and at times eclipsed the light from Zul. With the exertions of the past few hours, the chill fever and starvation, hundreds lay dead and dying all around, as now within the palace the flying scud drifted and fell, pattering among the ruins and raising little clouds of dust. Upon the dais, surrounded by desolation and death I stood, while Azta, returned to her wild grief, sat with her head buried in her arms, holding Toltiah's cold hand. From her head I had taken the heavy crown, I, who had placed it there above the sceptre of the Vengeance of God; and now not a sound or a movement betrayed the fact that aught lived within that place, and the sounds of the ceaseless rush of feet, the moans and cries of the populace and the noise of the tempest were borne to us,,. softly, as of a dream. The dreadful glow from the volcano quivered through the mist, and there sat that conclave of silent figures majestic and immovable within its mouth, in grim semblance of judgment upon the city.

"Wilt come with me? " I asked of my Love, yet scarcely recognising my voice in that hoarse utterance, longing to take her away.

She shook her head. The time passed on, yet we moved not, we who lived, each possessing the knowledge of unrewarded faithfulness, yet with the determination thus to remain to the uttermost instant. In dumb despair I stood, unable to think or pray; for I, who had lavished a love upon this Love of Earth that should have been rendered but to God, would not now cry to that forsaken One to aid me. And of Earth, it is the nobler nature that flies to God in joy, and not in sorrow; for when all is dark the recreant soul cries for aid in its extremity to a Heaven that is all forgotten in the bright day, but the noble nature praises the generous hand that it will not unworthily petition. Yet a wild prayer burst from the depths of my heart that Omnipotence would help the woman I loved not wisely but with such devotion. Let me bear her punishment, but let her go free; for it was through me, and me alone, that this had come to pass.

Yet there was no sign. The rain poured down and the great hall was awash, streams occasionally bursting with a rush through dams of wreckage and carrying the debris swirling to another level where pools were formed by water that trickled in all around the walls, in which the livid and swelling corpses rocked hideously. Azta noted nought as she sat in a stupor with a dull weight of aching horror on her that numbed her senses; she, who had seen the mysteries of the worlds, who in daring wantonness had stood face to face with God and laughed. The splendid dark golden masses of hair flowed in their glory among the strings of pearls and gems, but she had cast down the sheltering mantle from her head and the rain fell unheeded upon her. Raising Toltiah's buckler I held it above her so that the water fell from it in a pouring cataract around, and at times the lightnings played upon its vast surface as thunderstorms added their majesty to the elements. In sad mockery the gems which Azta wore gleamed and flashed, splendid glitterings of bright coloured lights that were so contrary to the desolation around, and yet seemed to find weird company in other glancing points where from dusty pools came the reflected lightning from great gems that ornamented some poor Clay half-submerged. Or a bright circle of light upon the buckler of a once godlike chieftain, smitten all amazed in his mortal frailty, who perchance esteemed himself imperishable in his arrogance and dared to face Heaven in blasphemy.

From very far off came a dread sound and presently the earth rocked, and as the fearful time crept on, a great fall of heavy spray sounded with a swishing hiss all around. What horror! what suffering!

O to be free!
To wrench from out our hearts
The sad remembrances of days gone by;
Past ah, God! Lost! And ne'er shall come again
Bliss that was ours for such a little while
Bliss that was given us but to destroy!
O stars of light that mock us as we weep
Tranquillity that mocks our wild despair

Agonies that may pass, but to us now
A burning horror.
Wild tears that gush from sorely stricken hearts.
Groanings of spirit, frenzied teeth that gnash
Impotent in fierce agony of thought!
Never again! Why was it given us
To know the blessedness of those past days
The awful misery of days that are
And worse, of those to come
Creator! God!

Hear us and help us of Thy love! Thy Lover
Is it Thy Lover And do we hear aright?
Vengeance is sweet, sweet for intended wrongs.
But this were vengeance for invited sins
Sins we were made to do, and pleasant made
God! What vengeance upon helplessness!

CHAPTER XV. "BEHOLD, I WILL DESTROY."

MEANWHILE the other cities were in similar plight, as, full of their own inhabitants, whose numbers were greatly increased by fugitives from hundreds of villages and great tribes of the plains who had fled thence from the terrors of the outlying lands, they waited in fear and trembling, dismayed by storms and earthquakes under whose influence they lay in panic.

The crowded cities of Axatlan, which being near to the large volcano were always in danger of being overwhelmed with streams of lava, poured forth their refugees to the Atalan cities and crowded the capital, overrunning Chalac also. The Hilen river, swollen and turbulent, overflowed its banks and surrounded towns with inundating moats, overwhelming such as lay low, and by reason of this and the numbers of people requiring food that grew impossible to obtain, the horrors of famine lay upon all the land.

Upon the streets and roofs of Talascan and the neighbouring cities the volcanic dust lay thick and dark, and furious blasts of icy wind swept the lighter particles far and wide. Earthquakes had shaken the buildings and temples to their foundations and filled the people with consternation. In every street lay piles of ruin hidden under gray ashes until they appeared as huge dust heaps, from which the dogs and vultures dug out crushed corpses and devoured them. And believing the mountain Axatlan to be the cause of their woes, there was talk of deserting the ill-favoured land and going down to Tek-Ra, to rebuild the capital and settle there. Yet the people of Talascan loved not to leave their beautiful city, and though many towns around them were deserted for the higher-lying lands of Tek-Ra, they still remained, notwithstanding that Zul, as Lord of Fire, ravaged the land. Holocausts had been offered to him in vain, nor to any cessation of his wrath had his dread altars run black with bloody sacrifices. And even He who told me of these things spoke with disapproval of the horrible excesses that o'ertopped in wickedness even those of Zul.

In lesser degree the tempests terrified them, sweeping over the city with fearful violence and damaging the buildings, while they flooded the streets with water, The shipping by the waterway was wrecked or carried away, and the river-god Nop was implored for clemency in vain on behalf of his favoured city, around which he spread a watery desolation far and wide. Through every street ran a stream hidden under floating scoriae and volcanic dust and no man dared venture abroad, so that the famine became great and many died of it. With feelings similar to their brethren of Zul they cast down their graven images, hurling abuse and sacrilege upon them and burning those of wood. All the dogs and such animals as could be obtained for food had disappeared, and in dread and secrecy the miserable people began to devour their children, believing that in thus saving their own lives they prevented suffering to those who would have at least to die some day. Yet this platitude but extended to the slaughtered ones, for each mortal believed that himself would never die.

Bands of murderers satisfied every lust with violence, causing fierce reprisals and bloodshed, and at length the whole city appeared to be threatened with self-annihilation. A sulphurous night hung above it, illuminated by the glow from the nearer volcanoes and the gleam of bright lightning; the rain and hail began to fall upon them in torrents of water, and a humming roar that silenced all else bespoke the advent of that dread tornado that had buried Kmarna and many cities and villages that lay in its path, and which fell upon the drowning city with the horror of a bursting world of waters below which the disturbed Earth rolled in frightful convulsions. Scores of warriors, attracting the lightnings to their metal-clad bosoms, were blasted and calcined; and piteous shrieks were carried by the wind like voices of demons in the air, as with falling ruin many half-broken structures fell, arches, columns and great stone idols toppling into the splashing flood. Streams, dammed by wreckage, began to force torrential passages, carrying with them dreadful streaks of blood and tangles of entrails and whirling masses, and from the lurid roof of clouds a funnel-shaped trunk swung over the centre of the city, to which, with a fury of tempestuous power the winds gathered and swept all before them with appalling force, whereby the grand temple of the Sun was hurled crashing upon all the buildings beneath. And now came swift destruction to the doomed city, as from the river in a seaward direction appeared through the gloom a vast nebulous veil moving towards it. This was a tidal wave approaching from the ocean, which sweeping with fearful violence through the Gates of Talascan and bearing within its world of waters the ruins of the towns of Reb and Hir as stones within a war-engine, advanced its swift front, higher than highest temple, upon the battlements, spreading over the flooded land with great velocity and irresistible power.

With the sound of appalling thunder the walls, torn from their deep foundations, sped forth with the wave-like bolts from the artillery of Heaven, and hurled thus, smote down temple, palace and column, that adding their masses in the forefront of that moving wall of death swept every obstacle before them. The lower part of the mighty wave was a mass of seething, dashing foam, broken into smaller waves that struck and recoiled, carried onward again by the power behind them; the foamy crest flew in a falling veil of spray all over the city, and its frothy sea reached the farther walls in advance of the devastating mass beneath.

Onward swept the tremendous bore, and when it had passed there was but a level expanse of water upon which no vestige of the doom of a great city could be read, although farther on were heaps of tossing refuse that carried terror to the hearts of the crowded cities of Chalac and Trocoatla and the villages of Tek-Ra and northern Axatlan, as, swelled by a thousand overflowing streams and the refuse of a hundred cities, the great flood lapped around their walls.

Beneath the waters of a stormy river the ruins of Chuza were hidden from view, and within the whole path of that great wave of the Ocean even such towns that lay upon hills were swept away or so surrounded that all escape was cut off from the inhabitants. Such as dared to attempt flight upon logs found themselves afloat upon an interminable sea agitated by violent currents and whirlpools and ever rising higher and higher, the air also being poisoned by the fearful odours of corruption, as corpses, swollen to bursting, floated upon the waves, dotting the watery plain with myriads of points. There were the huge bodies of mastodons floating in the company of human corpses and dead sharks, and millions of smaller creatures emitted poisonous gases from their rotting bodies. The sea-animals were the most odorous, some of them being of enormous bulk and shape, floating like islands upon the expanse of water that the rain beat into fretted hollows. By such forests as remained from storm and wave these floating things collected in shoals, causing many hunters who had taken refuge among the branches to fall down unconscious and meet their death in the waters by reason of the effluvia.

The territories of Atala, Axatlan and Tek-Ra were entirely submerged, and great regions in Chalac and Hava were flooded. The highlands of Astra had disappeared beneath the waves, sunk by earthquakes and landslips and topped by fathoms of vast) r waves, that washed the high walls of Zul, and all her cities save Surapa, which lay inland upon a hill, were swallowed up and drowned.

Every hill appeared to become a volcano round which storms raged and thunders shook the Earth, while the clouds carried the reflected light from the eruptions far out over the waters, giving them a terrific appearance as of deep places of storms. It was all one dread night now, traversed by terrors of elemental warfare in which Death stalked, pitiless and devastating. Long before had the great tribes of the savage peoples fled to the West as the first signs of awe touched their instincts, flying before the horrors that stalked like the spirits of Furies above their conquered places and the doomed tribes of their conquerors.

Tek-Ra had sunk beneath the waters, but the high walls of Aten and Lote still resisted the sweeping violence of the flood that had buried the low-lying villages and towns of Axatlan, nearly all being along the Hilen. Driven to the higher storeys of mansions and temples by the deluge of waters, the thousands of these cities were plague-stricken by the stench of the floating carcases, and many in panic fled upon rafts, vainly hoping to find safety in some direction or another. But the greater numbers remained in terror and famine, reduced by dire distress at length to eating their own flesh and that of the least corrupt of the floating bodies, which, impregnated by salt water and putridity, brought on hideous maladies. Heavy rain, hail and snow poured down without ceasing, raising the waters rapidly; earthquakes caused high storm-waves to break upon their walls and level them, and in many places the people ran upon the ruins, wringing their hands and cursing blasphemously.

And of those which went abroad upon rafts some returned, dead and putrefying by reason of the plague that had smitten them down, while every outburst of the storms and waves developed new masses of debris and dead bodies, some, as their dress bespoke, being swept down by currents from the ruined cities of Hava. As the waters deepened unclean beasts appeared swimming in them, writhing slimy tentacles as a nest of serpents which grew from one head. Hydras flourished innumerable arms, and down in the south grew forests of sea-weeds sheltering countless fish and reptiles that terrified the wretched people by their numbers and by their rapacity, notwithstanding they had enough horrid food. Upon the larger floating bodies vultures sat, and by rending the inflated skins with their beaks caused the gases to escape so that they sank quickly; and some few hunters were able to obtain certain sustenance by shooting these birds with arrows attached to lines, and also by ensnaring the fishy creatures that swam in the waters.

A large volcano suddenly sprang up by Aten, whose eruptions were very great and shook the ground afar. In the gloom the tall cone lifted her crest of flame, and the fiery waters appeared to burn with a glow of their own under the lurid reflections. In fancy the people perceived figures rise from the fires and others descend into them, and, smitten with a despairing terror, dared whatsoever would to fall upon them.

Volcanic disturbances are very wide-spread in their terrors. We read in Prescott's "Conquest of Peru," chap, ix: "The air was filled for several days with thick clouds of earthy particles and cinders, which blinded the men and made respiration exceedingly difficult. This phenomenon, it seems probable, was caused by an eruption of the distant Cotopaxi, which, about 12 leagues S. E. of Quito "- and. at least, double that distance from the narrator -'rears its colossal and perfectly symmetrical cone far above the limits of eternal snow the most beautiful and the most tenible of American volcanoes. At the time of Alvarado's expedition it was in a state of eruption, the earliest instance of the kind on record, (1534) though doubtless not the earliest. Since that period it has been in frequent commotion, sending up its sheets of flame to the height of half a mile, spouting forth cataracts of lava that have overwhelmed towns and villages in their career, and shaking the earth with subterraneous thunders, that at the distance of more than 100 leagues sounded like the reports of artillery! "

Dr. Samuel Kinns in "Moses and Geology" tells us that during the last eruption of this volcano in 1741 the column of ashes and vapour is said to have risen a mile above the cone, and in 1533 a mass weighing 200 tons was hurled from it a distance of 10 miles. The volcano Coseguina in the Andes threw its ashes 700 miles with a noise that v as heard 1000 miles away, after being dormant for 26 years.

And by reason of this violent mountain the volcanic dust lay many cubits deep in places, formed into a deadly mass by the waters, wherein people perished miserably. At length the far ranges of volcanoes beyond Axatlan became violently disturbed, communicating afar their travail, the glare from the fires lighting the clouds with fearful effect and rending them with electric explosions. The new hill burst into eruption more greatly than before, whereby huge rocks were hurled into the air to fall again in every direction; while the whole great basin from the mountains to the coast was upheaved and shaken continuously, above which the high waves ran in conflicting currents from all directions. From Axatlan flowed a sea of fire, which meeting the waters exploded and burst into steam with a continuous and terrible noise, and, by reason of the coldness of the air above, causing a thick mist to hide everything. Dead fish floated in myriads, boiled and mangled, and soon a long ridge of lava rose through the waves like a dead peninsular from which other volcanoes arose.

These, stretching afar, caused the unhappy people to believe that they would be engulfed in the fiery embrace, and hundreds preferred to risk death upon rafts, whereon they fled, regardless of destination and desirous but of escaping so dreadful a doom.

And what was Man to face the terrors of Heaven! Amazed he was as he perceived how powerless was his esteemed might, and how simply the body of Earth could be deprived of life without even a little power to save that which God had commanded to cease. For these floating people there were the cooked fish ready to hand, yet for water they could but drink the nauseous rains that fell through the poisonous atmosphere and caused madness and fever in their veins.

But their sufferings were cut short by an eruption of vast magnitude, as suddenly the waters burst through a thin crust of earth into the very heart of the near volcano. An enormous puff" of steam and water mingled flew high into the air with a roar as the whole cone of the mountain lifted and toppled over, a tongued circle of flame leaping forth all around. The earth rose up, collapsed, and then with an uproar that rent the clouds a world of lava, rocks, earth and water was hurled into the heavens. The whole force of the explosion was concentrated on Aten, and up went temples and mansions, walls, towers and ruins in a flying horror of ruin, hurled by that awful bomb high and far. For long there sounded the heavy splashes of falling waters and debris mingled with red showers and human remains; while a wave, raised by the vast upheaval, sped over the waters with fearful velocity, sweeping away half-submerged forests by its awful rush. Onward it went with more than the antelope's speed, a wall of moving force that stretched upon the right hand and upon the left for leagues, carrying before it the ruins of Bar-Asan, Katalaria, and Azod, and all towns and villages which lay before it.

It struck the high towers of Lote, tearing them away, and bearing on its rushing flood the crumbling ruins and the bodies of struggling thousands, soon silenced in its vast suffocation. It smote Surapa upon its tall hill, and swept away such devastated cities of Hava as remained; passing thence from far Trocoatla with incredible speed, pregnant with its rolling masses and rushing majesty of destruction; to cast its trophies with a seething roar at the foot of the walls of distant Zul, where it broke in a majesty of foam and flung its spray over the remains of the temple crowning the doomed heights of the last city of Atlantis.

CHAPTER XVI. THE TRAVAIL OF EARTH.

UP to the distant mountains, where dwelt in sojourning the tribe of Xoah, spread the waters, the pouring torrents of rain which the people could perceive upon the horizon increasing their volume, and long tidal waves carrying their flood up to the heights from which it never receded to its former level.

Yet Ham, notwithstanding the escape which he had had from doom, (which great phenomenon had been seen of his people also, causing much fear,) became of a morose temper, gazing long over the flooded plain as though he looked for one whc came not. But an occasional sickening odour borne from afar spoke plainly of death and corruption out beyond the foothills and forests that stood as a barrier between themselves and myriads of dead things, while around them also was death, yet only of the lower creation, such animals of plains as, being driven up into the mountains by stress of circumstances, were unable to support their existence there and perished.

The two lower storeys of the great ship were now inhabir.ee by many animals, moved by apparently individual instinct tc seek shelter; the fitting survivals taking a refuge thus among human beings as a last escape from their hardships.

The heavy rain and storms approached nigher, and of al their griefs for the unhappy people Susi's was the saddest For all she grieved, but especially for such as she had known the high ones of Zul in whose company she had sojourned foi so brief a space. To beautiful Azta she felt a great yearning love and pity, despite the haughty air and indescribable coldnes5 manifested by her, yet dared not pray to so awful an Omni potence, that had spoken the doom, to avert it. She had warnec the proud Queen in such manner as none other would have dared to, perceiving the great heart beating beneath a possibility of power that would have wholly enslaved some people, and had read, written upon the surface, the potent might of a current that flowed strong and irresistible in its great depths. She had been impressed with the feeling that in knowledge and power this wondrous woman was as an Angel, fallen indeed, but never losing the bearing and power. For her, therefore, she sorrowed with a woe the reason of which she could not herself define; but in the object of her grief recognising a potentiality that, if differently employed, could have saved a nation from its sins.

Vast clouds, blood-red and terrific, hung above the volcanoes and formed an Infernal canopy around flaming Axatlan, where thunders swept around the abysmal darkness fearfully and continuously in muttering wrath, and the electric currents lighted the vapoury dome. The rain fell luminous through the gray shadows like showers of swords, and great birds flew like wraiths of the storm with weird and ominous cries. There were many strange voices in the air, some of awful sound; of despair; of strange musical sadness. Fearful of such and greatly impressed, the families repaired to the Mexiah, inhabiting the topmost storey, because they dared not sleep longer upon the Earth soaked with spray and in danger of inundation. Shem had carried within all his collection of storied tablets and treasures, placing them in safety with care and zeal, and the food which was prepared for the unknown period was also stored up and the large water-vessels filled. The spray of the tremendous rains was blown by the winds to them, and of a night the forms of many beasts moved around them upon the earth, some recognised by their cries, which carried an accent of fear, proclaiming that their instinct spoke of approaching terrors. And they who watched upon the deck perceived many to ascend within the ship by the long gangway which reached from the earth, and enter in by the door: such as were already sojourning therein being penned up. And as each night the pressure of the terror became greater, the more wild or more timid animals were also constrained to seek a refuge, until upon one night came a great number which were perceived by the watchers upon the high deck.

There were many large creatures which climbed upwards, yet of what kinds could not be determined, save but by the indistinct sounds made by them.

Occasional snarling sounds and grunts and strange whistlings came from the moving shadows, and once the subdued roar of a lion sounded with its majestic utterance afar. Snorts and hisses, moans and squeaks, mingled occasionally, but there was mostly only silence filled by sounds of shuffling and scrambling. It was a dark mysterious procession, from which for an instant a long vague object rose up even to the deck and then vanished, and wonderingly the watchers lay with their hands upon ready weapons and covered with cloaks because of the spray of the deluge and the cold wind. From behind them the dull, lurid glow from the volcanoes only made the darkness in front the more conspicuous and vague, but a great blue reflection of lightning that lay upon the clouds, as though a very bright moon had shone upon them, brought instantly into relief the ground, the gangway and the animals.

There crouched horses, deer, cattle and many felines, th*eir ears lying flat and fangs exposed in a sudden snarl of fear as the bright light startled them, and many other animals of all kinds, among which anacondas and smaller serpents recoiled with the swiftness of the light itself, hissing loudly, their movements, combined with the sudden brightness, causing a whirling appearance to all around. Instantly a myriad gleaming eyes sprang into prominence, and on the farther boundary of a dark mass of animals stood many forms of vastness appearing as dark cliffs rising above a sea; some by the curling glories of their immense tusks proclaimed themselves mastodons, above their heads waving serpent-like trunks; but there were others of huge hairy bulk, black and terrible, whose necks, tall as palm-trees, supported a serpent-like antlered head, now thrown low back over their quivering bodies. There was also a strange monster whose similitude none there witnessed before, and, not recognising, the eye was unable to define its outlines before the darkness came; yet nevertheless the weird enormity of it filled them with horror.

With the morning light all such as were harmful and noxious were gone and not one remained, although no eye had seen and no ear detected the sign of their retreat. Upon the horizon Axatlan raged furiously and it was evident that an eruption of more than usual magnitude was taking place. Weary and awe-struck, all gathered upon the deck to witness what might happen, with prayer upon their trembling lips, perceiving how as a temple of blood-red flame the aisles and domes of cloudy vapour extended even to them, so that the surrounding scenery was as one Infernal hall where a throne of fire raised itself at the distant end in a horror of revolving flames: and as a curtain of luminous gold the pouring hail fell before all the scene. Around them an electric deluge heightened the waste of waters, where, rising from their deep fathoms, only the tops of hills and remains of lofty forests showed, surrounded by their putrid gatherings.

Suddenly a far disturbance shook the floating storms where that spurt of watery steam that spoke the doom of Aten rent the tempests. The waves separated to right and left in steamy hissing spray as a ridge of earth, running swiftly as a serpent rising from the ocean, appeared above their troubled expanse with sounds of explosions and rendings. A cry of terror broke from all as the circling volcanoes burst into a fury of fire and uproar and the heavy clouds rolled into worlds of light, while with a stunning majesty of sound came to their ears the noise of the awful explosion that had hurled the proud city in wreck and flying horror to the sky. Great Axatlan trembled and reeled, vomiting blood-red matter, and then the high cone vanished in a bed of fire.

In a silence of awe they watched, believing the world to be sinking in molten horror, themselves the last ones of its myriad children. A vast wave of water, high-rolling and foam-crested, flowing in the opposite direction to the watery destruction that had submerged Lote, appeared to seal the doom. The Earth shook and rolled in mystic space. Below, the moving waters ran in hills and deep valleys of fear; above, the tremendous masses seemed about to fall and bury them with their disturbed spheres, torn by lightning and thundrous tempests. The watchers fell down and cried to Heaven from the depths of the great wrath of the vengeance; the mothers with their children fainting in fear below. The wind was now one great humming roar and the voices of the Doom were terrible and stupendous.

The wave broke high among the mountains, and in its gray-green seas, reflecting in open places the luminous clouds, the bodies of poulps could be seen writhing in death's agonies, burned by steam and dashed upon the rocks. In the open waters the spotted sharks swam, their white bellies gleaming in sudden terrified rushes when whirlpools formed with a seething cone of suction as the waters fell into opening fissures. They swam in groups, full of terror, uncaring but to snap at floating bodies, and avoiding such places where the great poulps struggled in their misshapen hideousness with sliding shield-like eyes and gnashing beaks. Unrecognisable shapes, which had been carried with violence from the sea, grovelled in the depths, some spouting blood from their scalded heads to great heights and rolling on the disturbed waves, convulsed by the lower earthquakes.

Ham, with pressing words, would have entered the vessel and closed the ports, as before his eyes ever appeared the figure of one who was buried beneath the flood because of him, and superstitious fears caused him to see her in every horrid wave; but the sire with quiet words of authority forbade unseemly haste.

Earth and sky were shaken by awful thunders; and fireballs, flying from ebon masses that appeared almost solid, plunged into the violently agitated waves in volumes of steam and spray, sending watery columns to the clouds. The mountain basin in which the Mexiah lay was agitated continuously by subterranean eruptions; upon all hands could be heard the thunder of falling masses, as larger rocks, blasted by the lightnings, parted in bursting ruin, whose fall, echoed by every tortured defile of the hills, filled all space with an unceasing uproar.

A continuous light caused the unhappy people to look up, and Susi, who had come to her husband, first perceived the two strangers returned. With a cry of joy she ran to them, falling upon her knees with her fair arms outstretched.

"O Sirs!" she cried, her sweet young face radiant with enthusiasm, "we are but mortals and the storms terrify us. Leave us not, for we know whom ye are and whence ye come, and in your hands are the directions of the God which we know and love."

The greater spirit laid his hand very tenderly upon her head. "Kneel not to us, sweet one," he said: "yet are we verily come to thee and to thine to bid you have trust and faith, for in the eyes of the Lord Jehovah are you blessed, and He will preserve you. Arise, old servant of our Lord, and hearken to the word that bids thee persevere in thy righteous course which has found high favour in the sight of Heaven. For to thee is given the task of again raising thy race which perishes, (save thy family,) this day to the uttermost one, to which ones saved thou shalt preach their mission, which is, to go abroad over all the Earth and lead the heathen to knowledge of God. For a space, Fare thee well; and fare you all well, O chosen of our Lord! We shall meet again. Get you within."

They went forth, and as the prostrate people arose they beheld a very strange sight where for the last time on that scene the bright sun looked. Piercing the dreadful clouds, his arrowy beams shot bright and strong into the midst of the black inferno, filling a space with wondrous light, and casting upon the mists around the Mexiah a strangely beautiful tint, causing it to appear that it was surrounded by Heavenly glory. A zone of vivid green lay upon the blue Infernal halls, a splendour of colour that appealed to their minds in the voice of a chord of most perfect musical sorrow and hope, of unutterable depth and beauty, a, And then it was gone, and headlong dropped the portals of horrid night, wherein, from a throne of flame set upon a rising floor of waters, Death executed the justice of God upon the land.

Within the Mexiah the family of Noah prostrated themselves before their altar. A sound was heard of closing doors as the hatches were secured from without and all light was shut off, save such as came through the long screened windows which were beneath the roof for the draught of the air. The crisis was upon all.

They felt the floor beneath them roll and tremble, and to some of them the thought came in all its fearful import that they were afloat upon an Ocean. Terrified sounds were heard faintly; there was a lurch and a violent upheaval, causing them to cry out for fear. Roll came upon roll; the vessel appeared to be whirled around and lifted up, cast down and driven violently in all directions, while overhead sounded a tremendous thud and swish that caused the whole structure to shake. Believing themselves to be engulfed, they lay trembling with bated breath as a vast concussion drove them sideways at terrific speed.

A tidal wave of oceanic magnitude had broken upon the mountains and fallen over them, and the recoiling waters dragged them with irresistible violence to the inferno of whirling foam where the body of the wave rose, swirling and eddying above the basin. Over the falling mass a counter-current sped with tremendous velocity, bearing the Mexiah far out over the waters, where she floated in safety carried away to the east.

On a level keel she sped, and her inmates knew she was sailing upon the Flood, while the muffled thunders and the heavy tapping of the rain on her sloping deck were now the only sounds audible.

We may notice that no mention is made of the pillars of Seth, mentioned by Josephus, who appears to have mistaken the son of Adam for Seth or Sesostris, king of Egypt, said to have erected such a pillar in the land of Siriad. Seth, or Set, whose name appears in Setee (Sethos), another Egyptian monarch, was also one of the gods of that country, at one time worshipped, but afterwards representing physical evil. He is called Typhon by the Greeks.

Neither do we find any mention of Turk, the son of Japhet, from whom the Turks claim descent. The historian Abou'lgazi Bahdur-Khan calls him the eldest son but he may have been the first one born after the Flood.

CHAPTER XVII. THE GATES OF DEATH.

BLACK horror brooded over Zul; a horror that knew no gleam of hope or of mitigation, but remained waiting in anguish of terror for a certain doom and trembling at every sound, believing it to be the herald of approaching dissolution. Above them spread the vaulted roof of thunder, alive with serpents of fire, and upon all hands stretched court beyond court of dreadful cloudy temples where the spirits of storms raged furiously above rolling waves pierced by the white columns of the hail.

The starved and half-drowned thousands crouched all over the city among the dripping ruins, not caring even to congregate in numbers by fear of sweeping destruction, save where crowds gathered upon the steps of the red palace and remained in shuddering terror, drenched and freezing. Here and there, washed along in swirling streams, were recognised corpses from other cities cast by the storm-waves even in the streets of the capital. From the darkness they came, these poor waifs, carried upon the mountains of water that cast their dreadful trophies far and wide, to speak with their dead presences of a doom of vengeance falling and to come.

But in some of the palaces yet standing men feasted on hidden stores of meat and wine and lay drunk and dying of desperate excesses, and songs, awful in their unheeding recklessness, were shouted in the face of Death. In such places men and women danced in hideous revelries, stabbing each other to the heart and shrieking curses and blasphemies to the last. But most sat in mute despair in the deluge of hail and rain and awaited what should come.

A madman clambered up to where the fire-tower of Zul lay upon its heaps of ruins, and for the last time the great drum rolled out its sonorous echoes, scarce heard among the noise of the elements. Azta heard it, crouched there upon the dais, and I heard it also. For both of us there was a voice in the deep booming sound, recalling the remembrance of a calm moonlit night; bidding a long, long farewell. A sob of agony burst from my soul, but Azta sat there as silent as the dead figure whose hand she held. My perceptions, more sensitive and deep, received a greater impression than hers; and indeed, could mortal have felt that stab of keenest horror he would not have survived it, so bitter was it in its depths of sadness. Yet from her eyes ran two great tears that trickled over her arm and splashed upon the floor; tears of a sorrow that was nigh all too grievous for her to support: and well the gloom and the rolling thunders befitted the sorrow of two hearts panting in the throes of death, yet living.

"Pray, pray!" she whispered in a fearful voice.

" I cannot pray! " I answered her in such tones of despair I scarce believed the voice to be mine, recognising that although praise is ever meet and proper, yet prayer is sometimes neither.

Without, the screams of storm-driven seagulls sounded like spirit-voices of the tempest; the high walls had disappeared, the lower terraces were under water, with a few tall buildings rising vaguely here and there and some broken columns showing. Before the rising waters the people were compelled to congregate, crouching above floating dead bodies and at times themselves washed away to die.

A quivering cry of horror, echoing from afar and carried by the furious blasts of wind, proclaimed a fresh terror. Around them the waters suddenly sank with a seething rush, sucking the rolling bodies with them, and like dark fangs bared, sprang up the masses of ruins. Those who witnessed it believed themselves about to be dragged into an opening chasm and fled upwards with white shrieking lips, while such as only heard the weird cry of fright cried out also from a sensation of unknown dreadfulness leaping upon them.

The crowds facing the sea and those crouched upon the red terraces of the palace steps and among the gardens perceived rolling upon them from the ocean a long floor of moving water, making the eye giddy with the rapidity of its onward movement; as though under that vaulted roof, whose vast domes of thunder-clouds, upheld upon the columns of the hail, were wreathed with awful lights, spread swiftly a carpet of water.

Meeting the cliffs with a force that threw the gasping spectators to the ground, it broke into an inferno of billowy, foamy masses, bounding, tossing, seething, dashing high and falling in thunder and vast hills of hurrying foam, rushing onward irresistibly and burying temple and monument, column and wall, palace and terraces.

The vast ruins of the temple of Zul, upheaved and hurled forward with awful power, crashed down upon the terraces of the palace, sweeping the flights of stairways with their andro-sphinxes and the winding glories of columned porticoes and corridors and massy pylon towers in rending masses before them. Great trees of the gardens, torn up by the roots, flew forward and cleared the thronging victims from the terraces as though a besom removed them, and the largest buildings went down, before the rush of oceans. Divided by the tall hill and the mighty ruins of the palace the watery Horror passed; but another wave followed, sweeping along with a high foamy crest and reinforcing the power of the first mighty destroyer, rolling the ruins of a vast city and the mangled corpses of its thronging population in a hurrying avalanche of blood and wreck over the waters of the sunken land, mingling the great masses with others and crumbling them to fragments in an eddying sea of pink foam.

One object rose above the fearful flood. It was the top of the crater of Zul, beneath whose protecting and dividing point stood a portion of the Imperial palace the Hall of Feasting.

There, unsheltered and alone, were we three upon the dais. The floor had been swept clear of debris and bodies, and only streamlets and cataracts occupied the space so lately filled with warmth and heaped up with luxuries. A long portion of the side wall still raised its pictured imageries, the golden mirrors, dimmed with salt spray, blank patches between the gaudy colours, still showing through the ravages of wind and wave. One torch still remained, twisted in its holder and dripping water from its soaked, half-consumed materials. Beneath it lay a few remnants of the roof and the hideous figure of a dead man.

Then came the third wave, advancing swiftly under its long gleaming crest and. breaking upon the hill in two giant tongues of froth and spray, which, meeting, leaped all around the high dais with a giddy rush and then swept away the tottering wall.

Azta looked up slowly as she heard the crash, and saw the coloured ruins melt away in the churning white foam. But a little way beneath surged the waters of a level ocean, flattening under the deluge from the clouds and lighted up, until it appeared like a sea of molten gold, by the electric glories, that, quivering in bright paths of light or reflected in dreadful gorgeousness on the black and indigo vault, showed where the rolling gates of thunder opened to a wonderland of cloudy horizons. Against this bright background stood the bare black crater, steaming but silent, the last point of Atlantis, but above it appeared to gather rolling spheres, and among them moved great bodies, bursting and filling the air with molten lines of electricity. Opposing forces met and exploded all around the cloudy Inferno, currents and cross-currents of furious wind tore them, and, reflected gloriously in the flowing water, the great serpents of fire sped crackling from point to point of thunder.

There were skeletons in the water, now shimmering far down as they sank, and returning currents brought bones still covered with flesh, and bodies to which clung costly draperies floating with others bloated and emitting poisonous odours. Afar sailed a log of wood to which the last efforts of love had secured a fair young girl, now lying beneath it, because the branches had been smashed and broken off, destroying the equilibrium. Yonder, a broken raft still held some sad burden secured to its loosened fragments, and upon others were children held closely in a dead mother's embrace that no fearful shock had yet loosened: and lovers, faithful in death, floated secured to one another upon some frail support, to whose puny protection they had perforce trusted with a true and sad foreboding that for them no Sun would rise again. How touching a sight it was to see how love manifested itself thus, strong before the majesty of Death; and to me it came with a wild sorrow, for ever was I moved by pain; and now was a great consolation in remembrances of its oft alleviation by me which it might not become me to have boasted then. But how dearly sweet now the memory of the full heart relieved that melted in tears of grateful joy, and the benedictions of eyes that spoke more than any words of Earth. Yet who could help Me?

The waters were calm but for a long rolling swell and the occasional flurry of opposing currents. A little way out, just under the surface, lay a long phosphorescent form, shimmering and horrible. It was a great shark, and Azta felt in a strange manner that she had witnessed that scene before, and was fascinated as she gazed upon that motionless body and marked the head with its strange monstrous profile that resembled a fearful caricature of a human face. She, who had looked upon the mysteries, felt in her soul a fearful depth of fright, dreadful in its appalling vagueness. Before us both an infinite Hell of horror opened a space in which the mind groped blindly, agonized, bewildered and deathless.

Around her fell a pouring torrent of waters from the sheltering buckler; upon one hand stood an undying, faithful love, stronger than death, proved dearly in this awful trial; upon the other lay the already gathering signs of corruption. Moved by some agency a golden circlet rolled from beneath the dais, and Azta recognised it as a bracelet worn by Huitza, remembering that she had noted how it flashed upon his arm that night that he died. How it came there she knew not, but by reason of its former ownership she seized it eagerly, perceiving within the massive ornament a flat disc; upon which gazing, with eyes blinded with tears, she saw in the light that it was one of her own gold plates that adorned her forehead-band. There upon it was the symbol of the butterfly, and others that spelled her name.

Amazed by a shock more powerful than aught her soul had yet felt, she stared at the golden band. Stared with her eyes, her heart, her soul in a wild emotion that carried her far above the horror of an instant ago and swept her back to the torchlighted hall, the warmth and grand cheer. She saw the fierce, rolling eyes of those haughty lords and heard, mingled with their great roars of laughter, the wanton cries of women. The golden mirrors again flashed their dazzling kaleidoscopes of colours like sunbeams between the harsh, gaudy paintings, and the torches flared and guttered. It was the lightnings that conveyed the effect to her mind, so realistic and life-like, but she thought not of that, nor knew it. She only dreamed on in that vision of blessed rest and permitted her spirit-eyes to wander over the gay happiness, albeit of sin. She felt again the pang of unrequited love, that appeared to instantly change to a sudden wild joy as she gazed steadfastly upon the great War-chief of Atlantis and then looked beyond to where sat the Emperor and the gleaming Guards. The music fell upon her ears; sad, splendid strains of wondrous harmony, far beyond the performer's usual powers. She felt within her the pleasure of the mystic potency bestowed by myself, and looked over to the captain of her guards, Nahuasco, and next to Shar-Jatal with the hooked nose. He spoke softly to Sada, and she wondered what he said to her. There were Nezca, Mehir, Axazaya, Azco, Toloc, Tua, Pocatepa so many that she knew! Old Na stood by her, and there was the young frivolous favorite, Gadema. The gems sparkled again as they had sparkled then, the wine flowed ruby red, the song and jest arose. She smiled in happy joy, her soul filled with delight, new and strange and thrilling. To her there was no gloom or cold; in a beauteous vision her Love had come to her in comprehensible form, and not as an illusive beauty that had ever faded before her dazzled understanding could retain It; startling by Its suddenly apparent grandeur and sublimity that compelled and fixed the awakened perception. Clear, perfect and all-mighty It stood, born of that vision to potential reality, but It had not the features of the one to whom her strange wild nature had clung so obstinately through good and evil and had been unable to forget. For now to her the brilliant chief appeared as a Devil, the incarnated power of her demon-father whose spells were so heavily upon her, and brother to herself who had conceived and brought forth the Curse of Atlantis; but her Love came in clear guise and filled her whole soul with complete and unutterable joy, high and sublime, gazing from its pure heights of intensity upon the petty ambitions of Earth, and raising her upward.

Her eyes opened widely in delicious rapture and the glorious vision was past and gone. Before those yellow orbs, shining with a new light, the bright picture melted and faded in gray mists, and a sensation of deadly chill succeeded. Yet there remained the joy of love that nought could quench or lessen, the waters that now lapped the floor on which she sat frightened her not, and looking with her clear eyes upon Toltiah's dead face she perceived there such a dire expression of selfish crime and soulless sensuality that she dropped his hand, understanding all.

The watery plain was alive with light to the mysterious horizon, lying now like a flat table of fretted gold on which were myriads of black spots. Nought but the crater of Zul broke the continuity of the black and gold of cloud and wave. Sometimes a tremulous heaving passed over the waters, a shimmering movement imparted by submarine disturbances; the monotone of the thunder was like the voice of an organ that moaned incessantly, while as sad tears the luminous drops of rain fell upon the waters of the Flood. What strange peace! What gloomy majesty of subdued sonorous sounds and vast undisturbed immensity of emptiness! Yet it was very awful, and Azta felt that she was an intruder in the presence of the wrath of God.

A voice broke on her ear, terrible in its despair and the wild entreaty more felt than expressed:

"The End approaches," it spake; "Nay, but for a power that wickedly defies Heaven it were here long since. Arise, an thou wilt not come with me, and bid me farewell, O my Love, nor forget one who gave up all for thee. I can protect thee no more."

Azta heard the summons, and with a heart-rending bitterness came a pitiless intuition like a voice from those Heavens that were so dreadful, and she realized what I would never have told her that I had perchance lost all hope of regaining Heaven for the preference of endeavouring to obtain an uncertian love of Earth. Her brows bent under the sorrow that crushed her beneath its weight and she caught at her throat as though she suffocated.

She slowly arose, groping painfully with closed eyes. Under the glare of the lightnings her face looked like chiselled pure marble, lovelier far than the coloured mockery of her wondrous gems, and she stretched out a hand as one in a dream. Her breathing had ceased, her white lips opened slowly with a sad, fearful expression as her head fell backwards.

My arm supported her and the outstretched hand rested in mine. I pressed a long lingering kiss upon her forehead and drops that were not of rain fell upon her face, hot, scalding drops of agony. Upon my shoulder her head rested, the glorious hair radiant with light. No breath moved the full white bosom; in that fearful moment she was as one dead, and raising my face to Heaven I lifted my voice in an impassioned appeal for her.

"Almighty God!" I cried in agony, ''it is enough! Not for myself I plead, but for this one whom thou hast created. Forget not in Thy wrath who calls upon Thee, and for the dear love that thou didst bear in past times grant my petition and visit the sins of this one upon me, and me alone. Respect^ my despair and accept my confession and pardon one whom I have caused to transgress, O dread Avenger."

I paused. My eyes undazzled by the lightnings wandered over the awful gloom. Beneath me I felt the ground tremble, and a Ions:, terrible shriek broke from me in the soul's last agony as no answer came to my appeal.

Azta raised her eyelids. She was dying, and her body had ceased to feel any sensation, but those glorious eyes still lived and sought mine.

I looked upon her face and saw it set in horror as she met my awful glare and perceived within my countenance the shadow of a doom that was courted for her; the doom of an undying soul.

But. as she looked, the vision broke upon her mind, and within those yellow depths I read in that last moment the dawn of Love, the entire comprehension of all that had lain unseen within her grasp, the wealth of Heaven and her suppressed consciousness. With a new awakening her eyes gazed into mine as they had gazed with such strange questioning of old, a long joyous look that searched as it had vainly searched before, and found and comprehended all at List. With a heavenly smile she threw her arms about my neck, her splendid beauty crowned with the ineffable majesty of death and a grand new life.

"I have found my Ideal," she breathed joyously; "kiss me, my Love, my lord."

What glory of happiness was mine! There, alone, surrounded by the falling heavens and the drowning Earth, we two stood, and upon me came the perfume of her breath and her hair and the passionate flash of the rubies. What to us were the opening gates of Death? In that great life were we invulnerable and unafraid. O splendour of exalted joy that with its opal wing brushed away the weariness and sorrow of the terrible past and set us upon a throne of living grandeur! This Soul was mine, mine with its beauteous eyes and expanding sweetness, won at such dire cost; yet as I folded her to my breast and pressed my lips to hers with a long kiss of love I only grieved that I had sacrificed more than I had a right to.

" O wonderful," she cried, as she lay in my arms and looked into my eyes; "that I should have been so blind. Kiss me again, Beloved, nor ever again will I leave thee."

What sweet intoxication was it that made us both rejoice in our new life and turn that moment of horror into a great pleasure? Queen of the Dead she stood, wondrous in unearthly majesty; for the first time she raised her voice in song, as an echo from far away that grew and swelled into an impassioned melody, in inspired words born of the new life within her soul; and over the grave of Atlantis floated the Requiem of Earth, the Welcome to Love.

Vision of joy more great than joy in seeming,
Shadow of Love more sought than Love's bright day,
Ever beyond all grasp and ever growing
With each great step that takes us more astray.

' Height after height surmounted grows more barren.
Step after step, each bringing greater pain,
Hope after hope lies hardening in our spirits,
Speaking of shadows that we cannot gain.

Where is our Love, sweet joy of joys Eternal?
Pleasure of pleasures pure as purest gold;

Life of our life, and Sun of that vast Heaven
So empty that our hands could never hold.

Where is our Love, that, fed by Love, would flourish
Greater than worlds of sunlit visions bright
Fill all our soul with vastest satisfaction
Passed in mad dreaming of a dream's delight?

Fire of bright fires enravishing our spirit,
Subtly unseen by eyes that know it not;
Come, though in Death thy dear embrace be welcomed!
In Death's dark valley welcome me, my Love!

Her head fell back upon my shoulder, her arms clung about my neck. With her eyes she gazed upon me in all the mute eloquence of a perfect understanding and love, as a long sigh came from her heart. Then the light faded from her eyes; one word gasped from her lips: "Forgive."

And thus passed Azta, once ruler of Atlantis, last of all those thronging crowds that had stood before her there where the waters flowed. But I remained alive, supporting her to the last.

It came in thundering majesty. The tall hill sank deep as the vast crater opened and the waters poured in; and then earth, air, sky and flood were rent by an explosion that lifted a mass of liquefied stratas with a frightful upheaval. Up went hill and terrace, foundations and walls, masses of masonry and human remains, fishes and animals in one awful blending of torrential horror, falling in a mighty wreck, continued by single falling masses and great splashes whose sound lasted for some while as descending waters and stones fell far and near to sink to a level buried fathoms deep, forming the bed of a great ocean.

Waves ran in all directions and the sound of a great sigh floated over the waters stretching level and unbroken to the horizon, the only thing that broke their continuity being the Mexiah as she floated in that bright night of horror over the grave of a nation, bearing a tiny remnant of it that should 'go forth again and spread over all the world.

FINIS.

Index