"I know where
your chief interest is. Deucalion when he landed here new from Yucatan
was a strong man. The King whom we have chosen--and who is the best we
have to choose--has his weakness."

"It can be turned into additional strength. Give me Nais here, living
and warm to fight for, and I am a stronger man by far than the cold
viceroy and soldier that you speak about."

"I have passed my word to that already, and you shall have her, but at
the cost of damaging somewhat this new kingdom of yours. Maybe too at
the same time we may rid you of this Phorenice and her brood. But I do
not think it likely. She is too wily, and once we begin our play, she is
likely to guess whence it comes, and how it will end, and so will make
an escape before harm can reach her. The High Gods, who have sent
all these trials for our refinement, have seen fit to give her some
knowledge of how these earth tremors may be set a-moving."

"I have seen her juggle with them. But may I hear your scheme?"

"It will be shown you in good time enough. But for the present I would
bid you sleep. It will be your part to go into the city to-night, and
take your woman (that is my daughter) when she is set free, and bring
her here as best you can. And for that you will need all a strong man's
strength."--He stepped back, and looked me up and down.--"There are not
many folk that would take you for the tidy clean-chinned Deucalion now,
my brother. Your appearance will be a fine armour for you down yonder in
the city to-night when we wake it with our earth-shaking and terror.
As you stand now, you are hairy enough, and shaggy enough, and naked
enough, and dirty enough for some wild savage new landed out of Europe.
Have a care that no fine citizen down yonder takes a fancy to your
thews, and seizes upon you as his servant."

"I somewhat pity him in his household if he does."

Old Zaemon laughed. "Why, come to think of it, so do I."

But quickly he got grave again. Laughter and Zaemon were very rare
playmates. "Well, get you to bed, my King, and leave me to go into the
Ark of Mysteries and prepare there with another of the Three the things
that must be done. It is no light business to handle the tremendous
powers which we must put into movement this night. And there is danger
for us as there is for you. So if by chance we do not meet again till we
stand up yonder behind the stars, giving account to the Gods, fare you
well, Deucalion."

I slept that day as