The magic smote onmy brain, though I struggled
against it.
I made myself a cup of tea and tried to piece the
situationtogether. Supposing there was someone on board, some one hostile, I would
be completely at his mercy.
They aligned themselves, like runners atthe start
of a race, and still there was no sound.
My prayer was to bedelivered from the idolatry of
the heathen. The whole world seemed hard and gem-like and unrelenting.
But there was no answerfrom the sleeping bay. When
we reached the fringe of the village I saw that I had guessedcorrectly. He seemed in
no waysurprised to see us, but there was that about him which made mecatch my
breath. It stood for allthe broken lights which were in me as against this ancient
charméddarkness. After about an hours fruitless talk I gave it up. Then I decided
against the shot, for I felt that itwas a counsel of despair. The victims were
hallowed with water from the well by the whitecypress.
I felt frowsy and dingy, and would have givenmuch
for a bath. It behoved me forthwith to find that out. I must get on board and chance
the boat beingempty or the owner asleep. The fabric rose stark andsilent like a
prison, and round it stood the wardens. Asked if in case of pursuit he would put to
sea, hesaid, No, not till his master returned. I knew theman, though he wore nothing
but pants and a torn shirt.
I watched it for five minutes and nothingmoved
aboard.
It was well that I did so, for this was what I
saw.
And then the latter seemed to speak to him, and to
lay a handon his head.
Pity and fear for the girlmade me clench my hands
and gnaw my lips.
I had seenancient magic revive and carry captive
the hearts of a people.
They did not even stay to collect someprovender,
but fled for their lives along the Vano road. He had a difficultjourney in the broad
daylight by way of the graveyard.
We kept close to the water, where the waywas
easiest, but even there our progress was slow. Wehad a bad time turning it, for the
beach stopped and the rock fellsheer to the water. By-and-by I reached the cape
beyond which lay the hidden bay andBlack George with his boat. I decided once more
to prospect the line of the cliffs. I knew theman, though he wore nothing but pants
and a torn shirt. They aligned themselves, like runners atthe start of a race, and
still there was no sound. Ihad a sudden sense of things being predestined, of the
ironicalfore-ordination of life.
He had a difficultjourney in the broad daylight by
way of the graveyard.
The magic smote onmy brain, though I struggled
against it. My prayer was to bedelivered from the idolatry of the
heathen.
Every one must be indoors engaged in some solemn
preparationagainst the coming night.