Part 23 (1/2)
”I don't know about proof, as you understand it, though I have read in Plato of a continent called Atlantis that was subyptian priests But personally I have every proof, for it is all written down in the Bible at which you turn tip your nose, and I ah to come across this unexpected confirmation of the story Not that it matters much, since I should have learned all about it when it pleases Providence to remove me to a better world, which in our circue s”
”I a after him, ”that old Bastin is not so stupid as he seeuical Moreover I think he is right when he says that we look at things through the wrong end of the telescope After all the universe is very big and who knohat may happen there? Who knows even whatthe aeons of its existence, whenever its balance chanced to shi+ft, as the Ice Ages show us it has often done? Still I believe that old Oro to be a Prince of Liars”
”That remains to be proved,” I answered cautiously ”All I know is that he is a wonderfully learned person of hter is the loveliest creature I ever saw”
”There I agree,” said Bickley decidedly, ”and as brilliant as she is lovely If she belongs to a past civilisation, it is a pity that it ever becao and have a nap Bastin will call us when supper is ready”
Chapter XIV The Under-world
That night we slept well and without fear, being quite certain that after their previous experience the Orofenans would make no further attempts upon us Indeed our only anxiety was for Toive hi seen hi Lady into the cave This, of course, was possible, as certainly he had taken an enormous fancy to her and sat himself down as close to her as he could on every occasion He even seemed to like the ancient Oro, and was not afraid to juorgeous robe Moreover Oro liked hi upon the head; as I think I have said, the only huave up searching and calling in the hope that he was safe with our supernatural friends
The nextquite early the Lady Yva appeared alone; no, not alone, for with her ca extrereeted us in a casual fashi+on and then went and sat by Yva In fact when the aard Bastin rowled at hied He was blessed with a shi+ny black coat, but now this coat sparkled in the sunlight, like the Lady Yva's hair
”The Glittering Lady is all very well, but I' It doesn't look quite natural,” said Bastin, conte him
”Why does Tommy shi+ne, Lady?” I asked
”Because I washed him in certain waters that we have, so that now he looks beautiful and s
It was true, the dog did smell sweet, which I may add had not always been the case with him, especially when there were dead fish about Also he appeared to have been fed, for he turned up his nose at the bits we had saved for his breakfast
”He has drunk of the Life-water,” explained Yva, ”and ant no food for two days”
Bickley pricked up his ears at this statement and looked incredulous
”You do not believe, O Bickley,” she said, studying hi You think my father and I tell you many lies Bastin there, he believes all Humphrey? He is not sure; he thinks to himself, I ait and find out whether or no these funny people cheat s which were contrary to experience, also that To
”You, too, like to eat, Bickley” (this was true, he had an excellent appetite), ”but when you have drunk the Life-water you will care lad to hear it,” interrupted Bastin, ”for Bickley wants a lot of cooking done, and I find it tedious”
”You eat also, Lady,” said Bickley
”Yes, I eat soo weeks and not eat, when I have the Life-water Just now, after so long a sleep, I aive me some of that fruit No, not the flesh, flesh I hate”
We handed it to her She took two plantains, peeled and ate therace Indeed she remindedits food from a flower
While she ate she observed us closely; nothing seelances of those beautiful eyes Presently she said:
”What, O Humphrey, is that hich you fasten your neckdress?” and she pointed to the little gold statue of Osiris that I used as a pin
I told her that it was a statuette of a God named Osiris and very, very ancient, probably quite five thousand years old, a stateypt
”Ah!” she answered, ”is it so? I asked because we have figures that are very like to that one, and they also hold in their hands a staff surures of Sleep's brother--Death”