w
the soldiers coming always nearer in their frantic wanderings, and saw
also the sea below rolling deeper and deeper in upon the land.

The fires, too, which ringed in half the mountain, spurted up to
double their old height, and burned with an unceasing roar. But for all
distraction these things gave to the two old Priests who were raising
me, we might have been in the quietness of some ancient temple, with no
so much as a fly to buzz an interruption.

But at last an end came to the ceremony. "Kneel," cried Zaemon, "and
make obeisance to your mother the Earth, and swear by the High Gods that
you will never make improper use of the powers over Her which this day
you have been granted."

When I had done that, he bade me rise as a fully installed and duly
initiated member of the Three. "You will have no opportunity to practise
the workings of this degree with either of us, my brother," said he,
"for presently our other brother and I go to stand before the Gods to
deliver to Them an account of our trust, and of how we have carried it
out. But what items you remember here and there may turn of use to you
hereafter. And now we two give you our farewells, and promise to commend
you highly to the Gods when soon we meet Them in Their place behind
the stars. Climb now into the Ark, and be ready to shut the door which
guards it, if there is any attempt by these raging people to invade that
also. Remember, my brother, it is the Gods' direct will that you and the
woman Nais go from this place living and sound, and you are expressly
forbidden to accept challenge or provocation to fight on any pretext
whatever. But as long as may be done in safety, you may look out upon
Atlantis in her death-throes. It is very fitting that one of the only
two who are sent hence alive, should carry the full tale of what has
befallen."

I went to the top of the Ark of Mysteries then, climbing there by the
battens which are fastened to the sides, and then descended by the stair
which is inside and found Nais in a little chamber waiting for me.

"I was bidden stay here by Zaemon," she said, "who forced me to this
place by threats and also by promises that my lord would follow. He is
very ungentle, that father of mine, but I think he has a kindness for us
both, and any way he is my father and I cannot help loving him. Is there
no chance to save him from what is going to happen?"

"He will not come into this Ark, for I asked him. It has been ordaine