nd his
breath extending, nor was it long before his faculties were in order for
wonder, gratulation, exultation. Then he shouted aloud. Against the roar
of the surf his voice struck out wild and weak. The ledge was so narrow,
that while his back rested against the rock his feet dangled; he was
nearly naked; he was bleeding; soon for return he must face peril again.
Looking down at the waters below, leaping and snarling, and over the wild
expanse he had passed, to the shore half a league away, counting the cost
in wounds and bruises, still his young heart mounted above pain and
doubt, to glory in indomitable strength. He flung back his wet head to
laugh and shout again and again, startling sea-birds to flight and
bringing out echoes hearty enough to his ears.

Surely that rock answering so was the first Warder.

Spite of weariness and unsteadiness of head, he got on his feet, and
passed from that difficult ledge of rock round to the front, where by
steep grades the Isle showed some slight condescension to the sea. As he
advanced he tried for ascent, unsatisfied still.

The five Warders stood in full parade; their rank hemmed him round;
against his level the shadow of the Isle rested above their knees,
between each and each a narrow vertical strip of sea and heaven struck
blindingly sweet and blue. Sea-birds wheeled and clamoured, misliking
this invasion of their precincts. To his conceit the tremendous noise of
the breakers below sounded an unavailing protest against his escape.

He came upon a sight that displaced his immediate desire to scale the
heights above: from the base below the tide had withdrawn, and there lay
a stretch of boulders and quiet rock pools within a fringe of magnificent
surf. Down he sped straightway to hold footing debatable with the jealous
sea. Close against the line of surf, at a half-way point between the
solid wall of the Isle and the broken wall of the Warders, he looked up
at either height north and south. Equal towards the zenith they rose,
here based upon sombre quiet, there upon fierce white tumult, that sent
up splendid high columns, whose spray swept over the interspace of
tumbling sea and touched the shine of the pools with frore grey. He
sighed towards those unattainable Warders.

The air was charged with brine; its damp stayed on his skin, its salt on
his lips. Thirsting, he went about with an eye for a water-spring, and
made straight for a likely cleft. Darkest among the many s