one also which will endure. I shall lop off his right hand and his left
foot, so that he may be a fighting man no longer, and then I shall drive
him forth crippled into the dangerous lands, where he may learn Fear.
The beasts shall hunt him, the fires of the ground shall spoil his rest.
He shall know hunger, and he shall breathe bad air. And all the while he
shall remember that I have Nais near me, living and locked in her coffin
of stone, to play with as I choose, and to give over to what insults may
come to my fancy.' That is what she said, Deucalion. Now I ask you again
will you go back to meet her vengeance?"

"No," I said, "it is no part of my plan to be mutilated and left to
live."

"So, being a woman of some sense, I judged. And, moreover, having some
small kindness still left for you, I have taken it upon myself to make
a plan for your further movement which may fall in with your whim. Does
the name of Tob come back to your memory?"

"One who was Captain of Tatho's navy?"

"That same Tob. A gruff, rude fellow, and smelling vile of tar, but
seeming to have a sturdy honesty of his own. Tob sails away this night
for parts unknown, presumably to found a kingdom with Tob for king. It
seems he can find little enough to earn at his craft in Atlantis these
latter days, and has scruples at seeing his wife and young ones hungry.
He told me this at the harbour side when I put my neck under the axe by
saying I wanted carriage for you, sir, and so having me under his thumb,
he was perhaps more loose-lipped than usual. You seem to have made
a fine impression on Tob, Deucalion. He said--I repeat his hearty
disrespect--you were just the recruit he wanted, but whether you joined
him or not, he would go to the nether Gods to do you service."

"By the fellow's side, I gained some experience in fighting the greater
sea beasts."

"Well, go and do it again. Believe me, sir, it is your only chance. It
would grieve me much to hear the searing-iron hiss on your stumps. I
bargained with Tob to get clear of the harbour forts before the chain
was up for the night, and as he is a very daring fellow, with no fear of
navigating under the darkness, he himself said he would come to a point
of the shore which we agreed upon, and there await you. Come, Deucalion,
let me lead you to the place."

"My girl," I said, "I see I owe you many thanks for what you have done
on my poor behalf."

"Oh, your thanks!" she said. "You may keep them. I di