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Awe fell on me； I think that even Bickley and Bastin were awed；
at any rate for the moment。 It was a terrible thing to look on a
being； to all appearance more or less human； who alleged that he
had been asleep for two hundred and fifty thousand years； and
proceeded to prove it by certain ancient star charts。 Of course
at the time I could not check those charts； lacking the necessary
knowledge； but I have done so since and found that they are quite
accurate。 However this made no difference； since the
circumstances and something in his manner convinced me that he
spoke the absolute truth。
He and his daughter had been asleep for two hundred and fifty
thousand years。 Oh！ Heavens； for two hundred and fifty thousand
years！
Chapter XIII
Oro Speaks and Bastin Argues
The reader of what I have written； should there ever be such a
person； may find the record marvelous； and therefore rashly
conclude that because it is beyond experience； it could not be。
It is not a wise deduction； as I think Bickley would admit today；
because without doubt many things are which surpass our extremely
limited experience。 However； those who draw the veil from the
Unknown and reveal the New； must expect incredulity； and accept
it without grumbling。 Was that not the fate； for instance； of
those who in the Middle Ages； a few hundred years ago；
discovered； or rather rediscovered the mighty movements of those
constellations which served Oro for an almanac？
But the point I want to make is that if the sceptic plays a
Bickleyan part as regards what has been written； it seems
probable that his attitude will be accentuated as regards that
which it still remains for me to write。 If so； I cannot help it；
and must decline entirely to water down or doctor facts and thus
pander to his prejudice and ignorance。 For my part I cannot
attempt to explain these occurrences； I only know that they
happened and that I set down what I saw； heard and felt； neither
more nor less。
Immediately after Oro had triumphantly vindicated his stellar
calculations he turned and departed into the cave； followed by
his daughter； waving to us to remain where we were。 As she passed
us； however； the Glittering Lady whisperedthis time to Bastin
that he would see them again in a few hours； adding：
〃We have much to learn and I hope that then you who； I
understand； are a priest； will begin to teach us of your religion
and other matters。〃
Bastin was so astonished that he could make no reply； but when
they had gone he said：
〃Which of you told her that I was a priest？〃
We shook our heads for neither of us could remember having done
so。
〃Well； I did not；〃 continued Bastin； 〃since at present I have
found no opportunity of saying a word in season。 So I suppose she
must have gathered it from my attire； though as a matter of fact
I haven't been wearing a collar； and those men who wanted to cook
me； pulled off my white tie and I didn't think it worth while
dirtying a clean one。〃
〃If；〃 said Bickley； 〃you imagine that you look like the
minister of any religion ancient or modern in a grubby flannel
shirt； a battered sun…helmet； a torn green and white umbrella and
a pair of ragged duck trousers； you are mistaken； Bastin； that is
all。〃
〃I admit that the costume is not appropriate； Bickley； but how
otherwise could she have learned the truth？〃
〃These people seem to have ways of learning a good many things。
But in your case； Bastin； the cause is clear enough。 You have
been walking about with the head of that idol and always keep it
close to you。 No doubt they believe that you are a priest of the
worship of the god of the GroveBaal； you know； or something of
that sort。〃
When he heard this Bastin's face became a perfect picture。
Never before did I see it so full of horror struggling with
indignation。
〃I must undeceive them without a moment's delay；〃 he said； and
was starting for the cave when we caught his arms and held him。
〃Better wait till they come back； old fellow；〃 I said；
laughing。 〃If you disobey that Lord Oro you may meet with another
experience in the sacrifice line。〃
〃Perhaps you are right； Arbuthnot。 I will occupy the interval
in preparing a suitable address。〃
〃Much better occupy it in preparing breakfast；〃 said Bickley。
〃I have always noticed that you are at your best extempore。〃
In the end he did prepare breakfast though in a distrait
fashion； indeed I found him beginning to make tea in the
frying…pan。 Bastin felt that his opportunity had arrived； and was
making ready to rise to the occasion。
Also we felt； all three of us； that we were extremely shabby…
looking objects； and though none of us said so； each did his best
to improve his personal appearance。 First of all Bickley cut
Bastin's and my hair； after which I did him the same service。
Then Bickley who was normally clean shaven； set to work to remove
a beard of about a week's growth； and I who wore one of the
pointed variety； trimmed up mine as best I could with the help of
a hand…glass。 Bastin； too； performed on his which was of the
square and rather ragged type； wisely rejecting Bickley's advice
to shave it off altogether； offered； I felt convinced； because he
felt that the result on Bastin would be too hideous for words。
After this we cut our nails； cleaned our teeth and bathed； I even
caught Bickley applying hair tonic from his dressing case in
secret； behind a projecting rock； and borrowed some myself。 He
gave it me on condition that I did not mention its existence to
Bastin who； he remarked； would certainly use the lot and make
himself smell horrible。
Next we found clean ducks among our store of spare clothes； for
the Orofenans had brought these with our other possessions； and
put them on； even adding silk cumberbunds and neckties。 My tie I
fastened with a pin that I had obtained in Egypt。 It was a tiny
gold statuette of very fine and early workmanship； of the god
Osiris； wearing the crown of the Upper Land with the uraeus
crest； and holding in his hands； which projected from the mummy
wrappings； the emblems of the crook； the scourge and the crux
ansata； or Sign of Life。
Bastin； for his part； arrayed himself in full clerical costume；
black coat and trousers； white tie and stick…up clergyman's
collar which； as he remarked； made him feel extremely hot in that
climate； and were unsuitable to domestic duties； such as
washing…up。 I offered to hold his coat while he did this office
and told him he looked very nice indeed。
〃Beautiful！〃 remarked Bickley； 〃but why don't you put on your
surplice and biretta？〃 （Being very High…Church Bastin did wear a
biretta on festival Sundays at home。） 〃There would be no mistake
about you then。〃
〃I do not think it would be suitable；〃 replied Bastin whose
sense of humour was undeveloped。 〃There is no service to be
performed at present and no church； though perhap