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that they observed the lighting of this fire by means of a match
with much interest。
Now they grew warm again； as indeed we did alsotoo warm。 Then
in my turn I had an idea。 I knew that by now the sun would be
beating hotly against the rock of the mount； and suggested to
Bickley； that； if possible； the best thing we could do would be
to get them into its life…giving rays。 He agreed； if we could
make them understand and they were able to walk。 So I tried。
First I directed the Ancient's attention to the mouth of the cave
which at this distance showed as a white circle of light。 He
looked at it and then at me with grave inquiry。 I made motions to
suggest that he should proceed there； repeating the word 〃Sun〃 in
the Orofenan tongue。 He understood at once； though whether he
read my mind rather than what I said I am not sure。 Apparently
the Glittering Lady understood also and seemed to be most anxious
to go。 Only she looked rather pitifully at her feet and shook her
head。 This decided me。
I do not know if I have mentioned anywhere that I am a tall man
and very muscular。 She was tall； also； but as I judged not so
very heavy after her long fast。 At any rate I felt quite certain
that I could carry her for that distance。 Stooping down； I lifted
her up； signing to her to put her arms round my neck； which she
did。 Then calling to Bickley and Bastin to bring along the
Ancient between them； with some difficulty I struggled out of the
sepulchre； and started down the cave。 She was more heavy than I
thought； and yet I could have wished the journey longer。 To begin
with she seemed quite trustful and happy in my arms； where she
lay with her head against my shoulder； smiling a little as a
child might do； especially when I had to stop and throw her long
hair round my neck like a muffler； to prevent it from trailing in
the dust。
A bundle of lavender； or a truss of new…mown hay； could not
have been more sweet to carry and there was something electric
about the touch of her； which went through and through me。 Very
soon it was over； and we were out of the cave into the full glory
of the tropical sun。 At first； that her eyes might become
accustomed to its light and her awakened body to its heat； I set
her down where shadow fell from the overhanging rock； in a canvas
deck chair that had been brought by Marama with the other things；
throwing the rug about her to protect her from such wind as there
was。 She nestled gratefully into the soft seat and shut her eyes；
for the motion had tired her。 I noted； however； that she drew in
the sweet air with long breaths。
Then I turned to observe the arrival of the Ancient； who was
being borne between Bickley and Bastin in what children know as a
dandy…chair； which is formed by two people crossing their hands
in a peculiar fashion。 It says much for the tremendous dignity of
his presence that even thus； with one arm round the neck of
Bickley and the other round that of Bastin； and his long white
beard falling almost to the ground； he still looked most
imposing。
Unfortunately； however； just as they were emerging from the
cave； Bastin； always the most awkward of creatures； managed to
leave hold with one hand； so that his passenger nearly came to
the ground。 Never shall I forget the look that he gave him。
Indeed； I think that from this moment he hated Bastin。 Bickley he
respected as a man of intelligence and learning； although in
comparison with his own； the latter was infantile and crude； me
he tolerated and even liked； but Bastin he detested。 The only one
of our party for whom he felt anything approaching real affection
was the spaniel Tommy。
We set him down； fortunately uninjured； on some rugs； and also
in the shadow。 Then； after a little while； we moved both of them
into the sun。 It was quite curious to see them expand there。 As
Bickley said； what happened to them might well be compared to the
development of a butterfly which has just broken from the living
grave of its chrysalis and crept into the full； hot radiance of
the light。 Its crinkled wings unfold； their brilliant tints
develop； in an hour or two it is perfect； glorious； prepared for
life and flight； a new creature。
So it was with this pair； from moment to moment they gathered
strength and vigour。 Near…by to them； as it happened； stood a
large basket of the luscious native fruits brought that morning
by the Orofenans； and at these the Lady looked with longing。 With
Bickley's permission； I offered them to her and to the Ancient；
first peeling them with my fingers。 They ate of them greedily； a
full meal； and would have gone on had not the stern Bickley；
fearing untoward consequences； removed the basket。 Again the
results were wonderful； for half an hour afterwards they seemed
to be quite strong。 With my assistance the Glittering Lady； as I
still call her； for at that time I did not know her name； rose
from the chair； and； leaning on me； tottered a few steps forward。
Then she stood looking at the sky and all the lovely panorama of
nature beneath； and stretching out her arms as though in worship。
Oh！ how beautiful she seemed with the sunlight shining on her
heavenly face！
Now for the first time I heard her voice。 It was soft and deep；
yet in it was a curious bell…like tone that seemed to vibrate
like the sound of chimes heard from far away。 Never have I
listened to such another voice。 She pointed to the sun whereof
the light turned her radiant hair and garments to a kind of
golden glory； and called it by some name that I could not
understand。 I shook my head； whereon she gave it a different name
taken； I suppose； from another language。 Again I shook my head
and she tried a third time。 To my delight this word was
practically the same that the Orofenans used for 〃sun。〃
〃Yes；〃 I said； speaking very slowly； 〃so it is called by the
people of this land。〃
She understood； for she answered in much the same language：
〃What； then； do you call it？〃
〃Sun in the English tongue；〃 I replied。
〃Sun。 English；〃 she repeated after me； then added； 〃How are you
named； Wanderer？〃
〃Humphrey；〃 I answered。
〃Hum膄e…膔y！〃 she said as though she were learning the word；
〃and those？〃
〃Bastin and Bickley；〃 I replied。
Over these patronymics she shook her head； as yet they were too
much for her。
〃How are you named； Sleeper？〃 I asked。
〃Yva；〃 she answered。
〃A beautiful name for one who is beautiful；〃 I declared with
enthusiasm； of course always in the rich Orofenan dialect which
by now I could talk well enough。
She repeated the words once or twice； then of a sudden caught
their meaning； for she smiled and even coloured； saying hastily
with a wave of her hand towards the Ancient who stood at a
distance between Bastin and Bickley； 〃My father； Oro； great man；
great king； great god！〃
At this information I started； for it was startling to learn
that here was the origi